Shackled Gold in the Sands
Sand poured endlessly from above, rustling right near my face as I lay spread-eagled.
"……."
The grains tickling my face were itchy.
"Achoo!!"
With a thunderous sneeze, I snapped to my senses and spat out the grit still in my mouth.
"Urk. Ptui ptui."
Like water vanishing down a drain, we'd been swept away by the quicksand and dumped into some unknown depths.
Right now, we were scattered to the winds—unable to fight the raging flow, we'd lost our grip on each other.
The moment awareness returned, I started searching for them.
"Guys! Gold Sun! Tteok Sun-i!"
I staggered upright from the massive sand heap.
As I rose, the accumulated sand slid off me in a shrrrr.
Shaking my head, tapping my ears, brushing off my clothes, I called out desperately for them.
"Guys! Can you hear me? Tteok Sun-i! Gold Sun!"
———!
A faint sound echoed from somewhere.
A familiar voice.
"…Tteok Sun-i?"
———!
"Where are you!"
I lurched toward the noise.
Down the sinking sand dune, feet plunging deep.
Then, far off, the sand heaved.
"Tteok Sun-i!"
Pababak—I frantically shoveled the mound.
Out peeked a grimy white hand from within.
The voice came from inside.
"Hey Tteok Sun-i! Hang on just a sec!"
"Don't talk—sand's getting in your mouth!"
"Cooking Summon."
I pulled out the Moonlight Frying Pan and dug furiously.
Steady excavation later, I hauled out Tteok Sun-i, buried and whimpering.
I wiped her tears.
"Aigoo, why the waterworks."
"Sniff sniff, Master. It was scary. Pitch black, couldn't see a thing."
"Cut it out. Stop."
"…Sniff."
…Feels exactly like raising a daughter.
I scanned around and asked Tteok Sun-i,
"Gold Sun. Where'd he go?"
I think I'd seen him deploy his shield right before the drain sucked us in.
After that? Radio silence.
"Um, no idea."
"Yeah?"
"Yes. But Senior's fine. No need to worry."
"Why's that?"
"When the quicksand hit, Senior surfed the sand down safe on his shield."
"…Surfed the sand?"
"Yes. Like riding waves."
So that's why the shield. Sand surfing?
This guy.
"……."
Damn, that sounds fun. Wanna try.
Truth be told, no real worry for Gold Sun. Tankiest of tanks.
This? He'd shrug it off.
My eyes shifted to Tteok Sun-i, sniffling and dusting sand.
She was the concern.
I brushed sand from her hair and clothes.
"…Sniff."
With my main worry safe, relief washed over me.
Dusting her head, I finally surveyed our surroundings.
A massive cavern. Ancient cave vibes, softly lit by glowing crystals studding the walls.
"Tteok Sun-i. You good?"
"Yes! All good!"
Tteok Sun-i sprang up with spirit.
"Ugh."
Then flopped flat.
"Hey! What gives?"
"Owie ow."
Tteok Sun-i clutched her ankle, gazing up with watery eyes.
"Sprained it falling, I think."
"…On sand?"
"Sorry…"
"Tch."
Fragile as glass, figures.
I clicked my tongue and turned my back.
"Hop on."
"N-no, I can walk."
Sprang up again—flopped again.
"Owie."
"On my back. Or I'm ditching you."
"Eh? B-but."
"Tteok Sun-i stays here. Dad's outta here."
"W-wait!"
Only then did she cling piggyback-style.
Thus, Tteok Sun-i aboard, down the dune we went.
Sand-sinking feet made it brutal.
Grunting along, Tteok Sun-i asked timidly,
"Am I… heavy?"
"Can't tell? Look at my feet sinking."
"I-I'll get off! I can walk for real!"
"Huh? Dad ditching Tteok Sun-i?"
"Nooo!"
Apparently hated the drop; she hugged my neck tight.
"Gack. Ease up?"
"S-sorry! I swear I can walk. Slow, but…"
"Zip it. Better this than keel over. Stay put."
"Yesss…"
A long cave stretched ahead. Back sealed by sand—forward only.
Flooded with overhead sand. White beachscape to the horizon.
Small mercy: it shallowed ahead.
Trudged on till dunes behind, now mere beach sand crunch underfoot.
"Oof, killer workout. Shoulda just rolled down."
"Me?"
"Nah. Muttering."
"Yess…"
Easier gait now, I scanned as we went.
Crunch—crunch—
"A cave under the desert… wild."
"Right? Amazing. Water?"
"Throat's parched anyway. Gimme."
Refreshed, soon hard stone floor replaced sand.
Then—a silhouette ahead.
"Huh? Someone there, Master."
"Shh. You hush."
"Whatcha gonna do?"
"See who. Stealth."
Ring skill active, crept close.
Familiar back.
"Gold Sun!"
Knew he'd be fine.
"Fall back, Master! Shady character!"
But Gold Sun didn't turn—just shield up, vigilant.
Standing guard here all along.
"…Anyone there?"
I peeked from behind Gold Sun.
Ahead: his guarded suspect.
"…What the."
I blinked hard at the sight.
"Careful! Bad vibes."
Because the guy was bound tight in iron chains.
Massive links gripped each limb.
Prisoner-style, head slumped.
And yeah, unnatural aura pulsed off him.
This restrained? Pressure like a ranker.
High ranker, maybe.
"……."
Gulped.
Made sense why Gold Sun hadn't come looking.
Can't rush back with this.
Scrutinized the blond.
Rags torn, tanned-near-brown skin peeking.
Head low, face hair-shrouded.
"Gold Sun."
"Yes, Master."
"Who?"
"Unknown."
Vigilance firm.
"Haven't engaged."
Then—
Clank—
Chains rattled.
"Master! My rear!"
Blond slowly lifted his head.
Lidded eyes cracked open.
Long slumber's end—he blinked.
Then locked on me behind Gold Sun.
"You've arrived."
"……!"
"Pure successor of that one."
Those pupils: brilliant golden eyes.
Rustle—
At the mental health clinic, Seo Eunmi read her unfinished book bedside.
Fresh from shower, damp strands clung to her hair.
Rustle—
[Scientists explain that the brain imprints scent memories.]
[This is because scents act on the brain's emotional centers.]
[…While visual and auditory info routes through the thalamus to the cerebrum, olfactory signals go straight to the limbic system.]
[The limbic system governs emotion and memory in the brain. Unlike other senses, smell-linked memories carry emotional weight.]
[Thus, a scent doesn't just register—it revives the feelings tied to it.]
[The first smell tied to an object, situation, or person imprints deeply. Later whiffs vividly recall those feelings or contexts.]
[Or even unlock forgotten memories via odor.]
Thud—
Seo Eunmi closed the book there and sat at her desk.
She jotted notes her way, layering her thoughts.
Scribble scribble—
[…Thus, smell holds the power to summon memories. Taste is fully felt through smell.]
And finally, one line:
[Then, doesn't taste hold that power too?]
Done, she tapped the notepad, murmuring,
"Ji-hyun said Hura's cooking brought back old memories."
She stuck a memo on the pad.
"…Time to meet him."
I met the mystery man's brilliant golden stare with wary eyes.
"…'That one'?"
"The sole Demonic Chef, ultimate chef beloved across the continent. Sulis-nim."
"……!"
When the Magic Ladle reacted to the stele, I'd suspected.
Outta dozens of leads, bullseye first try.
First sip, belly full.
Lady Luck's on my side this time!
Inner fanfare blared, but face calm, I asked,
"And you?"
The blond shook his head sadly.
"Speak casually. I'm no noble worthy of your honorifics."
"Uh… got it."
Talk about self-deprecating.
"Fine. Who are you?"
"Lacking as I am, honored with a humble role serving Sulis-nim."
…Huh?
"Served Sulis…"
"Yes. His inaugural Cooking Summon—and first retainer."
"……!"
I eyed him afresh.
Tanned skin through tatters.
Solid muscle beneath.
Face: chiseled handsome.
Weathered yet lustrous golden blond.
Vital golden eyes.
Polished courtesy.
Reminded me of someone close.
"……."
Very close.
"……? Something wrong?"
"Nah."
All Cooking Summons look alike down generations?
Back to the chained blond.
"So. Name?"
"Pardon, but might Successor-nim share yours first?"
"Sure. Hura."
He nodded.
"Yes. Hura-nim. Thrilled to meet you. Utmost honor."
"Honor? Mutual pleasure. Your name?"
"Yes. The name bestowed by Sulis-nim…"
'The' Demonic Chef.
Pinnacle chef.
His summon? Gotta be epic.
Fancy dish name? Anbon Shabole or somesuch?
Heart pounding, eyes on his lips.
"Gapsu."
"…Huh?"