Chapter 18
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: I Want to Eat Chicken
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After the experiment wrapped up, Lucy untied me from the chair.
"Since you cooperated with the experiment, I'll let you cook as promised."
It was welcome news, especially since I was starving.
"Cooking? What cooking?"
Kasha tilted her head quizzically.
"Gob knows how to cook."
"What? This thing can cook?"
Kasha scrunched up her face and jabbed a finger at me.
What's her deal? Goblins can cook too, you know.
"Sera said so. I haven't seen it myself yet."
"I can't believe it. Goblin cooking... Gotta be frog roast or something, right?"
"Keuk."
A snort escaped me.
Frog roast? Typical beastkin thinking.
Don't assume everyone operates at your level.
I wanted to give her a piece of my mind, but being unable to speak held me back.
"Why are you laughing again?"
Why? Because it's ridiculous.
"Do you cook well?"
-Nod.
I nodded firmly once.
"Such confidence from a goblin?"
In response to her blatant disdain, I flashed a toothy grin.
No matter how much that ignorant woman looked down on me, I was confident I could prove my skill.
"Gob, do you know where the ingredient storage is?"
Lucy looked down at me as she spoke.
She stared right at me. ...What does she want from me?
"Hey, Lucy's asking you a question. Answer already."
Kasha got snippy.
Was that supposed to be a question? It sounded like 'I know where the ingredient storage is.'
But Lucy had actually asked, 'Do you know where the ingredient storage is?'
Her tone was so flat, I couldn't tell it was a question.
"Gob. From now on, I'll add 'question' at the end when I ask something."
"You gonna use that method? Heh heh. It was handy for me at first too."
Kasha snickered at Lucy.
"Gob, do you know the ingredient storage location? Question."
-Nod nod.
Of course I do. It was the first thing I checked.
"Kitchen location too? Question."
-Nod nod.
"Then you can get around without guidance? Question."
-Nod nod!
Perfect if I can roam on my own!
"Wait, you're gonna let this thing wander alone?"
"That's the plan."
"Isn't that too dangerous? Sure, it's a weakling goblin, but it's still a monster."
I was finally getting excited, and the beastkin had to rain on my parade.
"No need to worry. I can track its position anywhere in my space."
"Hmm... Still bugs me. I'll tag along."
"Do whatever. I'm off to analyze the semen components."
Lucy grabbed her glove stained with my semen and left.
Left in the room were just me and Kasha. I glanced up at her slyly.
Couldn't you just... leave? I want to browse in peace.
"What're you staring at? Want me to smack you?"
Kasha flew off the handle just from eye contact.
Being stuck with this foul-tempered bitch is exhausting.
That's what I'd learned from years with my wife in my past life.
And this beastkin seemed even crankier...
...
I rummaged through the ingredient storages.
"Keruk keruk!"
The ingredients were more varied and abundant than expected, so I hopped around squealing with delight.
Exploring the storages was a nonstop thrill of excitement, emotion, and surprise.
"Hey, quit the fussing and behave. I'll smack you for real."
It would've been even better without that 'dog-like' woman constantly nagging from the side.
Kasha stuck to me like glue through all 37 ingredient storages, and even hovered right up to the cooking itself.
"What're you making? Roast chicken and bread?"
Kasha peered at the ingredients laid out on the table.
Dressed chicken, flour, cooking oil, salt, pepper, and various spices for seasoning.
"Kerurr..."
I shook my head vigorously and let out a sigh.
Even with this combo, that's what comes to mind? No wonder isekai folk are hopeless.
"What's with that reaction? Want a hit?"
-Shake shake!
Why do you always threaten to hit? Just go away!
I decided to ignore Kasha entirely and got to work.
"Hey, why're you coating the chicken in flour? Weren't you gonna bake bread?"
She pestered me now and then, but I kept responses to mere head gestures and pressed on with the cooking.
I dropped the floured chicken into the bubbling oil.
Chiiiik! Sizzle sizzle...
The cheerful frying sound made my lips curl up on their own.
"What the heck have you been doing? You sure you can cook?"
Kasha piped up again.
Judging by her reaction, this must be her first time seeing fried food.
Magic and magic tools were advanced, but cooking levels seemed surprisingly low.
Maybe they couldn't afford to use oil so lavishly.
"It's gonna burn. Take it out quick."
Kasha urged me, but I waited calmly.
A savory fried aroma wafted up. Saliva flooded my mouth.
The fried scent I hadn't smelled in years. My heart fluttered.
Kasha must've caught it too— I heard her swallow.
If the smell gets that reaction, I wonder what the taste'll do?
A rare chef's anticipation welled up.
Honestly didn't want to share after her attitude, but the satisfaction of a job well done won out over revenge.
And so, I completed the 'chicken'.
...
Clack. I carefully set the plate on the table.
Golden chicken, steam rising in white wisps.
"Sniiff... gulp. Smells delicious..."
Kasha sniffed the chicken, then poked at its crispy skin with her fork.
"Keruk keruk."
I gestured for her to take the first bite.
Come on, try it.
"You didn't poison it, did you?"
Kasha narrowed her eyes and glared at me.
Ha, unbelievable. I offered first bite, and that's the look I get?
Fine, I'll eat first then. I grabbed a drumstick by hand.
Crunch. No hesitation, one big bite.
The crispy batter crumbled lightly.
The juicy drumstick meat wrapped around my tongue.
Saltiness, crunch, oiliness, moisture. A flavor symphony exploded in my mouth.
To a Korean, chicken is like a battle buddy through life's highs and lows.
With me in joy and sorrow, blessing and consoling.
Reuniting with this old comrade, my eyes grew hot.
"H-Hey, are you crying?"
Can't you tell? Don't butt in— just watch.
I focused on my showdown with the drumstick.
Tried to savor each bite, but demolished the piece in 5 seconds flat.
"Crying 'cause it's that good? How delicious can it be?"
How delicious? Hmm,? Miracle? Salvation?
...Resurrection.
Yeah, resurrection.
I'd gained new life and survived till now, but it wasn't truly living.
This moment of reunion with chicken— that's when I truly came back to life.
"Hmm... Looks like no poison. Guess I'll have a bite."
Kasha speared a wing with her fork and nibbled timidly.
She chewed it over, and her eyes lit up bright.
"What is this...? It's delicious!"
Kasha stabbed away frantically with her fork, then ditched it to eat with her hands.
She looked just like those culture-shocked foreigners in Korean pride videos— annoyingly endearing.
Maybe 'cause she's my second guest this life?
No matter how crabby, a guest is a guest.
A chef serves hoping they enjoy, regardless of personality.
Especially gratifying when it's a grumpy one.
"This for dipping?"
Kasha pointed to the dish with salt and pepper mixed in.
-Nod nod.
The instant I nodded, she dipped and ate.
Her eyes sparkled once more.
I forgot my own hunger and watched her munch contentedly.
Content, yeah, but isn't she eating too fast?
While I smiled for a moment, half the plate vanished.
Better eat quick myself. Grabbed another piece.
"Keuk...?"
My hand reaching for the third hovered in midair.
The plate was empty.
What? Already gone? I only had two!
"Ahem... Not bad. You've got some skill."
Kasha wiped her mouth with a napkin.
Where was that restraint while wolfing it down?
Wanted to sock her, but the power gap was too clear.
"Gonna clean up."
Kasha bounced off without a backward glance.
Yeah, go. Just go and don't come back.
Glanced over— some ingredients left.
About 1.5 servings.
Still hungry, but too lazy to cook more. What to do...
Ah, Sera! Give it to Sera!
Her face popped into my mind as I pondered.
Come to think of it, I'd never made chicken for Sera.
No ingredients before, but now extras perfect.
I headed back to the kitchen and started cooking the leftovers, imagining her delight.
But what if she's still mad?
Eh, chicken should melt that ice. No idea why she's mad anyway...
I loaded a tray with chicken, sauce, and utensils.
Made sauce on the side while cooking— sweet and tangy seasoning.
Thought spicy Korean-style, but Sera can't handle heat, so held back.
Thud thud, up the second-floor corridor.
Second floor mostly personal rooms, first floor commons.
Holding the tray in one hand, I knocked twice on the door marked 'Sera'.
......
Quiet. Huh, didn't hear?
-Knock knock.
Just in case, once more.
—Yes. Coming right out.
Sera's voice came from beyond the door.
Sounds kinda listless. Something wrong?
Droopy tone, but hearing it made my heart pound.
Click. The doorknob turned, door slid open.
Sera's lovely figure filled my view, ripe peach scent flooding my head.
I stared up dazedly, and our eyes met as she looked down.
Sera had her eyes half-lidded in fatigue, but they sharpened like thorns the moment she saw me.