Can't Hold Back Any Longer
I didn't think I could hold out much longer.
After thirty minutes passed, my liquefaction skill wore off, and my body returned to normal.
Just to be sure, I poked at my hand a few times.
"Back to normal, huh."
No side effects or anything.
I stared at the slime chocolate pudding sitting on the counter, lost in thought.
"A pudding made from a slime from just the first floor... and it gives me an active skill like this..."
I wondered what kind of buffs other monsters would grant.
I pulled out the cookbook I'd carefully tucked away in the corner of the counter and flipped it open again.
I still couldn't read the text, but I could guess from the illustrations of various monsters.
That one's... a Cerberus? And this looks like a dragon.
My curiosity was already piqued, but now it was boiling over into full-blown exploration fever.
...Would higher-floor monsters taste even better?
I licked my lips without realizing it.
"One slime gives me an active skill that's practically physical immunity... What kind of buffs would I get from cooking a dragon or some high-tier monster?"
Just thinking about it made my tail twitch wildly with excitement.
My tail had already slipped out of my pants and was swaying freely.
Above all, I was dying to know what they'd taste like.
"I can't take it anymore... I should ask the guild leader or Hyunah later to bring me some."
Any monsters that look tasty—bring 'em back.
"But skeletons are a hard pass."
I glanced at the skeleton illustration in the book and carefully closed it.
No matter how good the effects, I wasn't about to bake bread with human bone dust.
"Phew."
Time to clean up and head out.
As I started tidying the counter, my fingertips itched strangely, and a tightness built in my chest.
What was this? This... stuffiness.
"Oh... Come to think of it, I haven't kneaded once today..."
Even on days I didn't bake, I'd unconsciously knead the bed, so now my body couldn't survive without it.
"Just a little before I go."
I grabbed strong flour, yeast, and butter from the shelf and set them on the counter.
If I accidentally make too much... well, I can give some to the guild leader and Hyunah.
I measured the ingredients into a mixing bowl, poured in the temperature-adjusted milk, and plunged my hands deep into the dough.
Active Skill: Kneading Lv. 3 activated.
Slap, slap! Squish, squish!
A faint purple mana flowed from my fingertips, softly enveloping the flour dough.
The cool, chewy texture of the flour against my hands.
"Grrr..."
The stuffiness in my chest cleared right up, and a deep purring rumbled unconsciously from my throat.
This is it... hehe.
I could vividly feel my ears perking up and twitching.
My tail was already beyond my control, swishing wherever it pleased.
"Yep... gotta knead to feel alive."
I closed my eyes gently, feeling the dough's texture, and focused entirely on kneading to my heart's content.
After a good long session, the surface became baby-cheek smooth and elastic—perfect dough.
Fermentation in one go makes it so damn convenient.
"Let's just whip up some basic white bread today."
I shaped the dough into a loaf, slid it into the bread pan, and popped it into the preheated oven.
I wiped down the counter while inhaling the savory buttery aroma wafting from the oven.
Soon, the oven's cheerful timer chimed, and I pulled out the golden-brown, beautifully risen loaf and set it on the cooling rack.
"Mmm, smells great."
Once it cooled enough, I carefully packaged it in a bag stamped with tiger paw prints.
I finished cleaning up the bakery room and left the guild.
Walking home through the darkening streets.
I turned a familiar alley corner and stopped in my tracks.
There it was—Han Seorin's coffee shop right in front of me.
Should I drop in? It's been a while.
I approached the cafe and peeked slyly through the glass window.
"...This is seriously weird."
How does she have zero customers?
It was evening prime time, but the place was dead empty—no one in sight.
...Maybe I should tell her to advertise or something.
She's an S-rank hunter, so money's no issue, but still, zero customers is worrying.
"Arang, what're you doing out there?"
"Ah, hehe, busted."
Han Seorin noticed me peeking and smirked.
I grinned sheepishly, opened the door, and slipped inside.
Ding-a-ling-.
The cheerful bell rang out with a rush of rich coffee aroma.
"It's boring without you here. Come once a day at least."
"I'll swing by more often from now on."
She got up and came right over to me.
"No you, no customers, y'know."
"I'll come whenever I'm free... But don't you advertise the place or anything?"
Her face seemed to stiffen for a split second at my words.
Was that my imagination?
"Eh... Nah, no promotions."
"Might be worth trying once."
"Anyway, what'll you have, Arang?"
She cut me off quick.
...Hunters don't wanna show their face publicly or something?
I shoved the question aside.
"One iced Americano, please."
"Sure, give me a sec."
She patted my head lightly and hummed as she headed to the coffee machine.
The grinding beans and extracting espresso filled the quiet cafe.
I sat at a nearby table.
Moments later, a tall glass packed with ice and deep Americano was set before me.
"Here, try it."
I sipped through the straw.
"Mmm... whoa."
The moment it hit my tongue, my eyes went wide.
This tastes different from what I taught her?
Balanced acidity with a heavy body lingering in my mouth, finishing clean and nutty without a hint of bitterness.
What...? This is actually delicious?
"This... it's different from the recipe I gave you... It's way too good."
As I stared at her with round eyes, she smirked back.
"Yeah? After you gave me the recipe, I practiced a ton to surprise you. Switched up everything from the beans. New blend too."
"Whoa... You studied all this on your own? In such a short time... Impressive..."
To improve this much solo in no time...
She whipped her head away as I gawked in genuine awe.
What's up with her?
She avoided my gaze, hastily tucking her hair behind her ear.
"Ahem... Don't go showing that face to just anyone... Anyway, glad you like it."
She tried to sound gruff, but her lips twitched uncontrollably.
Han Seorin hid her hands behind her back where Baek Arang couldn't see, clenching them tight.
Her eyes bored into Baek Arang, who was puffing her cheeks slightly while slurping the coffee.
The smacking lips, the crinkling eyes when she smiled, and those white tiger ears perking happily atop her head.
God... she's driving me insane...
Han Seorin dug her nails into her palms to suppress the urge to scoop Baek Arang up, lock her away, and make her hers alone.
She wanted to keep her caged, force her to look only at her every day.
Maybe slip a pretty choker around that neck while she was at it.
Those dangerous desires bubbled up inside, but she desperately clung to reason and forced a gentle smile.
"Arang."
"Yeah?"
"You hungry at all? If you haven't eaten, want me to make a sandwich?"
She tossed out bait to keep Baek Arang in the cafe even a minute longer.
At that, Baek Arang's eyes lit up like she'd remembered something, and she let go of the straw.
"Oh! Right."
She rummaged in her bag and pulled out a pretty bag patterned with tiger paw prints like hers.
"Here, for you."
"Huh? What's this?"
"White bread. I baked it earlier. A little gift."
Han Seorin took the bag carefully.
Warmth still lingered inside, the whole loaf wafting savory butter.
"You... made this yourself?"
"Yep!"
Baek Arang nodded brightly.
"I kneaded it with these hands and baked it. Bet it's tastier than any bakery's."
Kneaded it... with her own hands?
Han Seorin's eyes widened.
Her gaze flicked between Baek Arang's slender white fingers and the bread in her hands.
Those tiny hands... kneaded this herself...?
The thought of Arang's body heat, her touch imprinted on this single loaf, flashed through her mind.
Haa...
Han Seorin ground her teeth where Baek Arang couldn't see, biting her lower lip to hide her quickening breath from excitement.
"Wow, thanks. You sure I can have this?"
"Of course! If it's not good, tell me—I’ll bake something even better next time."
"No way it'd be bad... Lemme try it now."
With trembling hands, she eased the loaf from the bag.
...Gotta keep this bag too.
With reverent care, she tore off a corner and popped it in her mouth.
"...!"
Her eyes flew open.
An explosively savory butter flavor flooded her mouth, paired with insane chewiness that clung perfectly to her tongue as it tore along the grain.
Han Seorin's face flushed beet red.
"This is... so good, Arang. Insanely good."
She confessed it like a heartfelt vow, voice shaking.
"Really? Glad you like it!"
Baek Arang beamed happily at the praise, her white tiger ears twitching in rhythm with her mood.
God... she's driving me insane.
Han Seorin gritted her teeth, staring at Baek Arang.
She probably wouldn't be able to hold out much longer.