How the Rank 0 Chef Survives 093: Rivals at the Snack Shop
Ji-hyun's eyes, darting around anxiously, locked onto Dahyun. Dahyun, in turn, stared piercingly at the customer who had just entered the shop. The two recognized each other at a glance.
That’s… Dahyun?
Oho… So she’s Customer-nim’s friend? …She’s pretty, I’ll give her that.
Their gazes clashed in midair. Hura’s voice cut through the tension.
“Hey, Ji-hyun. You’re early.”
“Yeah… Hi.”
Ji-hyun shyly raised her palm in a small wave, her voice barely above a whisper. She was usually bold and casual one-on-one with Hura, but with all those eyes on her now, she instinctively shrank into herself.
“……?”
Dahyun’s head tilted at Hura’s words about her being early.
Does that mean they’d already planned to meet?
Hura caught Dahyun’s questioning look and explained.
“Oh, we’re supposed to work out together after I’m done here.”
“Ah…”
Dahyun nodded slowly and turned to Ji-hyun.
“Um, yesterday… he said to come when it wasn’t busy…”
Ji-hyun mumbled, staring at the ground dejectedly. Son Da-eun beamed and grabbed her hand.
“That’s right! Perfect timing~”
“Really…?”
“Of course~ Now, don’t just stand there. Sit down. Dahyun, stop bothering Hura.”
“When did I~”
Son Da-eun pulled out chairs for them with a scrape. Ji-hyun and Dahyun had no choice but to sit. Hura had to man the counter, so he watched from afar.
“I’ll whip something up quick~ Just wait a sec~”
Son Da-eun headed to the kitchen. And just like that, Ji-hyun and Dahyun were face-to-face.
“…….”
“…….”
A suffocating silence stretched out. They stared into each other’s eyes. Dahyun crossed her arms and leaned back arrogantly, glaring at Ji-hyun, who didn’t look away.
“…….”
“…….”
Finally, Ji-hyun averted her eyes first. She’d mustered her courage, but holding a stranger’s gaze for so long was tough for her. A victor’s smile curled on Dahyun’s lips.
“Ahem.”
Dahyun cleared her throat triumphantly.
“So, what’s your name?”
“Seo… Ji-hyun.”
Ji-hyun fidgeted with her fingers, speaking softly.
“How old are you?”
“…Twenty.”
“Hmm~ Same age as Customer-nim, then.”
“…Customer-nim?”
“Yeah, Hura.”
“…….”
Ji-hyun stared at Dahyun, her eyes demanding an explanation. Dahyun puffed out her chest proudly.
“You know Fantasy World? I work in the service division for Fantasy Games.”
She slipped in the brag casually.
“Service… division?”
“Yep. I was Customer-nim’s fairy guide during his tutorial.”
“Ah…”
“His tutorial was kinda long, right? That’s how we got close.”
Dahyun was flaunting their bond. I’ve known Hura longer than you—I’m closer to him. That was the gist.
Ji-hyun muttered softly.
“Is it okay for staff to meet customers outside work…?”
“……!”
Dahyun’s eyes narrowed. Ji-hyun glanced at her slyly. Their gazes tangled in the air.
“…And you?”
“What?”
“Your name.”
“I’m—”
“Dahyun, right?”
“……!”
Dahyun’s eyes went wide, and Ji-hyun nodded as if she’d expected that reaction.
“…How’d you know?”
“Hura told me.”
“…….”
You didn’t know me, but I already knew about you from Hura. Meaning, who’s closer?
“…Do you know my age too?”
“No, not that.”
“I’m twenty-two.”
“…….”
“You can call me unnie.”
Ji-hyun peeked at Dahyun’s eyes and murmured.
“…No thanks.”
“……!”
Dahyun’s eyes widened, then narrowed.
…Playing it like that, huh?
“You work out with Customer-nim?”
“Yeah.”
“What kind?”
“Jogging.”
“You could do that alone.”
“We can do it together.”
“…….”
Dahyun stared at Ji-hyun with narrowed eyes, at a loss for words. Ji-hyun met her gaze without flinching.
“…Every day.”
“What?”
“We work out together every day.”
“…….”
Dahyun suddenly called out to Hura at the counter.
“Customer-nim!”
“Huh? Yeah?”
Hura turned, startled mid-scoop of tteokbokki for a customer.
Dahyun kept her eyes on Ji-hyun.
“You didn’t forget we’re eating out tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah, you mentioned it earli—”
“Oh! Customer’s here!”
“……? She already came…”
Dahyun shrugged at Ji-hyun. Ji-hyun’s eyes wavered.
“You’re eating… together?”
“Yep. We’ll watch the cherry blossoms and stuff.”
“……!”
Sparks flew from their clashing glares.
“…….”
Hura watched them in bewilderment.
What the heck are they doing?
“Aigoo~ Sorry to keep you waiting!”
Son Da-eun emerged with steaming dishes.
“It’s on the house—eat up!”
Scrape—Dahyun stood.
“Hehe, I gotta head out for work. Eat plenty, Ji-hyun.”
“…….”
“Working out? Gotta eat hearty to keep your energy up.”
“…….”
“Ah~ Gotta think about what to eat with Customer-nim tomorrow~”
“…….”
“Customer-nim! See you tomorrow! I’ll text!”
“Uh, sure!”
Clack clack. Dahyun walked to the door, paused by Ji-hyun, smirked, and left.
“…….”
“Ahaha. Dahyun must have something urgent. Dig in.”
“…Yes. Thanks for the meal.”
Ji-hyun dug into the food Son Da-eun brought. Gimbap, udon broth slurped down, rabokki. And fast—really fast.
“Student, s-slow down.”
* * *
The workout route was simple: laps around the nearby park.
“Huff— huff—”
“Heok— heok—”
Running at the same pace, but their breaths couldn’t be more different. You could tell who was who just by the panting.
Seo Ji-hyun, who’d suggested working out together, was blasting ahead at a brutal pace. I was dying to keep up, gasping for air.
“Heok— Hey! Slow down!”
She shot me a glare and sped up even more.
“Hey? Ji-hyun!”
No response. The gap widened.
“Hey! Seo Ji-hyun! Together!”
No dice. She never waited. Her ponytail bounced behind her cap as she sped off.
“Heok— heok— You’re the one who said together…”
I stared at her retreating back, muttering blankly. I stopped, hands on knees, heaving. Finally, I collapsed onto a nearby bench.
“Ugh, gonna die.”
Was I out of shape, or was she superhuman? Or both?
“…….”
Screw it. As I caught my breath, I heard rapid footsteps approaching from afar.
“Huh?”
The girl who’d ditched me was coming back.
“…What? Why’d you come back after leaving me?”
She ignored my relieved greeting and asked bluntly.
“Tomorrow. Eating with Dahyun?”
“Huh? How’d you know? Oh, did I mention it earlier?”
“Answer.”
“Yeah. Technically, I’m treating.”
“…….”
“W-Why stare like that?”
It was the same predatory glare from when she chased me last time.
“You little…”
“Ow! Ow! Why hit me!”
She suddenly pummeled my shoulder like tenderizing meat.
“Ow! That hurts!”
“That’s why I’m hitting you!”
She beat my shoulder to a pulp, then dashed off again. I rubbed the sore spot, staring blankly at her back.
“…What’s her deal?”
Like a cat with claws out.
* * *
In Fantasy World, the journey to Harten with the Crying Priest continued.
A full moon hung high on a night that made the Moonlight Frying Pan seem earthly. Gentle moonlight filtered through the trees.
“Heok— Priest-nim. Slow down a bit.”
“Tired?”
“Heok— heok— Nah, I’m fine. It’s Tteoksoon-i who’s struggling.”
“…….”
“Heok— For real. I’m good.”
“…Yes. We’ll go slower.”
Thud thud—We trudged through the silent night forest at a gentler pace. Then—a chime in my ear.
“Hm? Who’s this? Hello?”
I picked up, and a familiar voice came through.
—Hey, bro. It’s me.
“Sis? What’s up?”
—Hehehe… Just sharing some good news.
“What news?”
—That Baek Bal Baek Jung guy. He came here? Glad he escaped safely.
“Good to hear. He okay?”
A snort from the other end.
—Okay? He’s a total wreck— …Huh? What’d you say?
Baek Bal Baek Jung’s faint whisper drifted over, raspy like he was on death’s door.
—Tell him I’m not hurt at all, cough! Not a scratch, safe and sound.
—Why?
—Cough! I bragged I was fine. Can’t admit I barely crawled back alive—embarrassing.
—Ufufu… You two are close, huh? Cute.
They whispered lower.
…Hey. I can hear you.
I pretended not to notice.
“What? Can’t hear you.”
—Nothing. Baek Bal Baek Jung’s totally fine.
“Phew.”
—But he agreed to help with some experiments.
“Experiments? What kind?”
—He won’t die, don’t worry.
That makes me more worried.
—Oh, and I heard from Baek Bal Baek Jung.
“Heard what?”
—Puhaha! You’re an unofficial ranker now? Word is you’re top 10 among rankers. Saw the video.
“…….”
Suddenly depressed. I didn’t ask for this.
How’d such a heavy burden land on me? Embrace the inevitable, they say—but this one’s tough. When will I enjoy it…?
—Gotta watch your back now. How’d you blow up like that?
“Don’t ask. Happened without me knowing.”
—Heh, got it. Talk to Baek Bal Baek Jung later.
“Yeah. Sure.”
Click.
From Baek Bal Baek Jung’s voice, he sounded covered in debuffs. Experiments on that? …Probably to cure them. Anyway, safe is good.
“Your sister plays Fantasy World too?”
The Crying Priest, walking ahead, fell in step and asked. Since I found out she’s a woman, her speech had softened a bit.
“Yeah. Thought she hated games, but she started before me.”
“Has she helped you a lot?”
“Yep. We’re both busy with job quests now, though.”
“…Lucky.”
She smiled bitterly.
“Why?”
“I’m an only child.”
“Ah…”
“Always envied people with siblings.”
I scratched my head. No good words came to mind.
“W-Wanna meet my sis sometime? I’ll introduce you.”
“Pardon?”
“She’s grumbled about wanting a little sister before.”
The priest’s wide eyes softened into a smile.
“…Sounds nice.”
Then—
Awooooo—!!
A howl fitting the round moon echoed around us.
“Ahh— the poor monsters are here.”
The priest clasped her hands, ready to wail. I stopped her.
“No more crying.”
“Pardon?”
“You’ll smash them all again?”
“…….”
“You just draw more monsters and delay us.”
“…Did I?”
“We’ll handle it this time.”
I turned to Gold Sun and Tteoksoon-i following behind.
“Time to show what we’ve got, right?”
Strong replies came instantly.
“Yes!”
Grrr— Wolves had surrounded us, baring teeth. Not ordinary ones—their size and aura were intense.
“Ready?”
“Of course!”
“Just give the order!”
Gold Sun raised his shield; Tteoksoon-i shifted to mild spicy mode, her hair and clothes tinged red.
I pointed at the wolves and yelled.
“Alright, let’s go!”
“…….”
“…….”
“What? Go wipe ’em out!”
They stared up at me from below.
“…When did you climb that tree?”