Chapter 148
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 148
Chapter Title: Sincere Promise to Mom
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Can it really feel this unfamiliar? Sure, I expected some strangeness, but I never imagined seeing Mom without tongs in her hand at a barbecue joint would hit me quite like this.
It's... pretty shocking.
Memories flooded my mind—from my clueless seven-year-old self greedily scarfing down the first thing in sight and bolting toward the ice cream and mini arcade machines at the entrance, all the way up to last year when I was moping over failed job hunts. It struck me that it was always Mom holding those tongs.
"Oh my, this is a first. Should I trust Sua to handle it?"
"Leave it to me!"
Mom's the type who can't stand seeing someone struggle with grilling. She'd rather take over herself. But that doesn't mean she loves doing it every single time.
Mom enjoyed eating meat grilled by others, too.
I knew this because my little sister once took her to an omakase place for her birthday.
The relaxed look on Mom's face as she savored the finished dishes...
"......"
I'm going nuts. Am I just getting older and more sentimental? Or is today hitting me extra hard?
Memories I never dwell on keep surfacing. And the more they do, the clearer it becomes just how pathetic a person—and son—I am. It's driving me mad.
Faced with expensive meat, and no one even said anything, yet here I am, sulking alone and ruining my appetite. Even that feels pathetic.
A sigh nearly escapes me when a message pops up before my eyes.
[Sudden Quest Issued]
[Tell Mom sincerely that you'll work hard from now on.]
[0/1]
[Reward: 100,000 won]
What the...? Is it trying to give me a push?
'But it's a bit stingy. Having to say something this embarrassing for just 100,000 won feels off. No penalty for failing anyway, so I'll skip this one.'
…That's what I was thinking.
[Quest Modified]
[Tell Mom sincerely that you'll work hard from now on. With sincerity.]
[0/1]
[Reward: 100,000 won, Agility +1]
……Is it mad? I flinched and quickly called out to Mom.
"What, son? Want me to grill?"
"Absolutely not. It's just…"
Mom always says she loves me whenever she drinks, but I've rarely said it back. Too cringey.
"What? Spit it out if you have something to say!"
"I-I'm sorry for being such a lousy son. I'll do better from now on!"
I couldn't meet her eyes, so I squeezed them shut and shouted.
The silence around me was deafening, heat rushing to my ears.
A beat later, I forced my trembling eyelids open. Right in front of me was Mom, smiling warmly like melted jelly.
"What do you mean lousy? You're doing great already. At your age, living on your own without asking for allowance—that's already something to be proud of. I'm so happy you said that, but all I want is for you to live healthily without pushing yourself."
"Don't worry about that."
With the physical abilities from quests, even at 70 I'd probably never get sick. It wrapped up nicely and warmly, so I figured I'd just watch Yoon Sua grill. But then I tilted my head.
Huh?
[Tell Mom sincerely that you'll work hard from now on. With sincerity.]
[0/1]
[Reward: 100,000 won, Agility +1]
The quest... didn't complete? Suddenly, I noticed the phrase "with sincerity" repeated twice. No way, this thing?
"M-Mom. I really mean it. I'll really do better!"
"Ah, okay, that's enough. Say it once for impact—that's all it takes."
["Tell Mom sincerely that you'll work hard from now on" Quest Completed]
[Rewards: 100,000 won and Agility +1 granted]
As I read the completion message, my fist clenched lightly then relaxed.
'Tch, can't argue since I'm getting it for free, and yeah, I was being ungrateful.'
It hit me that I'd lost my initial humility toward quests. Still, compared to before they started, I've grown in many ways. Even objectively, things look different now.
Sizzle!
As I reflected, a sharp sizzle pierced my ears. The grill heated up fast, and Yoon Sua slapped the meat on without hesitation.
"Whoa."
The three of us who can't grill let out simultaneous gasps of admiration. It was just placing meat on the grill, but her confidence was on another level.
"Unni! Teach me too, just in case I ever have to grill someday?"
"Sure thing. First off, start with high heat to sear the outside—that makes it tastier..."
She explained in detail without pausing her hands.
Once the outside crisped up, she sliced it to cook the inside evenly. Timing for the potatoes, mushrooms, and rice cakes we brought was spot-on.
Most impressive? Flipping the meat just once.
"Wow......"
Even Han Aebom, who's usually low-key about this stuff, kept exclaiming in awe, eyes glued to the grill. And Oh Hana, Han Aebom, me—we've been out for barbecue ourselves. Imagine how the one who grilled feels.
'How many times did I flip it back then?'
Impossible to count means I was already doomed. Paranoid about undercooking or burning, I must've flipped it endlessly.
"Unni, Unni! Why just once?"
"Hm? Flip too much and the juices escape, making it tough."
"Ah, got it."
Nods all around, and two pairs of eyes naturally drifted my way. I cleared my throat, and they shyly looked away.
"All done. The stuff pushed to the edge is fair game—dig in."
"Mom first!"
"Please, have some first, ma'am."
Not only did she grill for us, but with everyone urging her to eat first, Mom's smile wouldn't fade. The woman who came up worrying about her son was basking in birthday-level joy.
"Mmm! So good, seriously! Pork this tender?"
Mom's lips curved higher after meat and green onion salad. Her reaction put million-view mukbangs to shame—everyone's mouths watered.
"You all eat too, before it cools."
"Yes!"
"Thanks for the meal."
Chopsticks dove in right away.
As they carried meat to mouths, soft moans escaped us all—like we'd rehearsed it.
I always thought celebs moaning on shows were overacting. Turns out, not.
"Ins...ane. I mean, it's ridiculously good."
"Delicious. Sua, you're amazing."
"Man, could eat this duo 'til we drop."
Mood heating up, Mom clapped and gasped.
"What was I thinking?"
We all stared wide-eyed, thinking something big happened. Mom reached for the kiosk and ordered beer and soju like a pro.
"Forgot the drinks. Meat without booze? Rude. Right?"
"Kya! Totally. Meat sans alcohol? Like red bean paste-less steamed buns."
"Oh, dialect too? Adorable."
"Hehe, I pick up all sorts."
Clunk!
Door slid open, drinks arrived—Mom's energy spiked. She's hopeless without booze. She even got Dad, who struggled with one beer, downing a bottle of soju.
"I'll pour the first round. Anyone can't drink? No forcing it. Lots of young folks skip it these days."
"I can handle it."
"Me too."
We answered, subtly watching Yoon Sua. As she added more meat, she spoke up.
"I-I'm not great with it, but one glass..."
"Mom, Sua's alcohol doesn't agree with her—no drinking."
I cut in quick; Mom startled.
"Oh, really? Then don't. Sua, no pressure. I'll get you soda instead. Don't just grill—eat some. Son, wrap ssam for Sua."
"Yes, thank you."
"Was already planning to."
I spotted Yoon Sua's disappointed pout and fed her a big ssam. Her face softened.
"Ah! This is bliss! Drinking with such pretty, lovely girls—pure happiness. Right?"
"Right."
"Thanks for grilling instead, Sua. First time eating first at a spot like this in ages."
A drink or two in, Mom's cheeks flushed, voice jumping octaves.
"You always grill at home?"
"Of course. Grill nonstop, and sons just eat without wrapping ssam. Old saying goes watching kids eat fills you up. Bull. How, without eating yourself? I get it, but sometimes Mom wants a bite."
"Exactly! Wise words!"
"Aigoo, why so cute, Hana? Skinship pro! Wanna adopt you for real."
"Ack! I'd love to be your daughter!"
Oh Hana's buzzed energy matched Mom's perfectly. They clicked like crazy.
"......"
Han Aebom tried keeping up then gave in. Smart move—quitting early is wise. Who could match that vibe? You'd think they were real mom and daughter.
After scraping even the "worst habit" fried rice, we left. Mom went to pay and froze.
"Already paid."
"Huh?"
"That lady over there handled it."
I was surprised too. Han Aebom, who quietly went to the bathroom, paid without a word.
"Aebom! I said I'd pay—how could you?"
"As I mentioned, Hyunwoo’s helped me so much. Wanted to treat you once. Please accept without burden."
"Aigoo... Thanks. Great meal, Aebom."
"No biggie."
Wow. Killer skill.
Seemed crushed by Oh Hana, but sneaky pay and perfect follow-up. Wasn't giving up? Or what battle is this?
"Then rounds two and three on me! Bowling? Karaoke? I'm buying! For real this time—no pre-paying. Got it?"
"Yay!"
"Sure, sounds good."
The two nodded eagerly. Yoon Sua, genuinely sorry, raised her hand quietly.
"Sorry, but I'll head home first."
Thick regret dripped from her voice.
