Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Of All Things, a Waiter
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Han Ibi said,
"Elder. Are you all right?"
Song Myeong-cheon said nothing. No, it was clear he couldn't.
He seemed to be putting every ounce of effort into battling the sinister energy surging within him.
Black tattoos emerged vividly, as if alive, only to vanish in an instant, repeating the cycle.
All Han Ibi could do was watch him with worried eyes.
About half a day passed like that.
Suddenly, Song Myeong-cheon snapped his eyes open from his seated position.
Han Ibi cried out.
"Elder!"
But Song Myeong-cheon toppled straight backward.
'Wh-what? Did it not work?'
Han Ibi jumped in surprise and gently guided the fallen man to lie flat.
Then he began massaging various parts of his body.
It was an instinctive action, sensing the body was stiff.
He continued the massage for a while.
It must have had some effect. Song Myeong-cheon's ragged, irregular breathing began to steady...
'Phew...'
Han Ibi let out a sigh of relief, his whole body drenched in sweat.
It was the middle of the night when he heard a strange sound.
It was definitely... a human voice.
And it was coming from between Song Myeong-cheon's lips.
"You dog of a Wudang bastard. I'll tear you to shreds..."
Then another voice followed.
"Yeon-hwa... I was wrong... Forgive me... Yeon-hwa... Yeon..."
Delirium.
'Sleep-talking in the dead of night... Ah!'
Realizing something, Han Ibi bolted up and touched Song Myeong-cheon's forehead.
"Hot!"
To exaggerate a bit, it felt like his hand might blister any second. Heat was pouring off Song Myeong-cheon's head.
'So that's why the delirium.'
Han Ibi rushed outside and, without shame, shouted to wake the sleeping waiter.
What he got in return was a bowl of cold water and a cloth to use as a wet compress.
Ignoring the waiter's irritated glare, Han Ibi took the caregiving tools and quickly placed the cold, wet cloth on Song Myeong-cheon's forehead.
And it really was worrisome.
'If this old man dies, I'm truly done for. That's a main quest failure... I have to save him, no matter what.'
Still, the fever wouldn't go down easily.
Just in case, Han Ibi stayed up for seven straight nights.
His efforts paid off. The raging fever was dropping little by little, bit by bit.
It was one such day.
Knock knock knock.
Someone approached Han Ibi's door.
"Yes."
The door cracked open. There stood the innkeeper, Hwang Bang.
Han Ibi said,
"Come in."
"No need. I just need a quick word. How's the old gentleman doing?"
Han Ibi glanced back at Song Myeong-cheon and said,
"He seems much better. Thank you so much for your concern."
Hwang Bang waved it off.
"Oh, no need for that. Glad to hear it. But..."
"Yes. Go ahead."
"How long until..."
"Pardon?"
"...you plan to stay?"
"Ah... Well, that's..."
"I see. No rush. However... the room and meal fees have already exceeded 650 wen, so how about a partial settlement? Haha, not saying pay now, take your time."
Hearing that, Han Ibi suddenly felt his ears burning.
Only then did he remember they were flat broke.
They hadn't sold the herbs to the clinic yet.
And he hadn't even properly gathered the herbs in the chaos.
His mind went blank.
After a moment's thought, Han Ibi bowed his head deeply before Hwang Bang and said,
"Just leave it to me."
Hwang Bang, looking bewildered, asked in a puzzled tone,
"Leave what?"
Han Ibi said,
"Anything."
"What do you mean...?"
"I'll work as hard as I can."
Hwang Bang had been dumbfounded from the start.
Well, of course.
Paying for the room with labor, no less.
Han Ibi had said,
"We supply herbs to the clinic. Pretty good at it, too. That's how we could always buy expensive liquor here regularly. But as you see... my master is in no state to work right now. Can't just eat and sleep for free, though. So let me do the grunt work. Any shortfall, I can gather herbs and pay right away, so no worries."
Of course, Hwang Bang was reluctant. But kicking them out felt wrong on his conscience.
They weren't total strangers—valuable customers who bought pricey flasks in bulk occasionally...
After much deliberation, Hwang Bang accepted Han Ibi's proposal.
"Fine."
"I look young, so speak casually."
"Alright... good. What's your name?"
No need for Jong Ri-mae's name. Better not known.
Just use his own.
"Han Ibi."
"Good. I'm Hwang Bang. Call me Uncle Hwang casually."
"Yes, Uncle Hwang."
Hwang Bang pointed to the waiter who had served them before.
"This kid's Ban Jin-seong. About your age, but he's helped since he was little, so he's an experienced waiter. Jin-seong, teach him the basics."
The waiter Ban Jin-seong grinned, showing yellowed teeth.
"Yes, Uncle Hwang. Leave it to me."
"Good. I'll check the new ingredients."
Hwang Bang disappeared into the kitchen storeroom. Ban Jin-seong gave a meaningful smile and said,
"Alright. Han Ibi, huh? How old?"
Hmm... Considering the age given at the novel's start... probably around twenty.
"Tw-twenty."
"Hm. I'm twenty-three. I'm your hyung."
"Ah... yes."
"Good. Then I'm your master now. Shouldn't we do the nine bows rite before starting? Haha."
This guy was fawning over me yesterday... Now he's full of himself with the situation changed.
You might need nine slaps from me.
"Anyway, congrats on becoming a waiter at the renowned Clear Stream Inn in Shaanxi. We're pretty well-known locally."
That was when it happened.
Ding-a-ling.
Whoa! What's this?
Han Ibi's eyes nearly popped out.
Waiter? Waiter?
Did I hear that wrong?
Not a warrior, assassin, soldier, archer, physician, escort, or even a beggar from the Beggars' Sect...
Why of all things, a waiter?
What? Why tell me something that important now?
Ding!
Damn it. If I'd known, I wouldn't have asked to be a damn waiter.
Han Ibi was foaming at the mouth, on the verge of fainting.
Yeah, you bitch.
You... you... Be honest. You're not AI, right? You're human? Doing this just to mess with me?
"Hey, kid. What are you spacing out for? Learn quick and become a great waiter. Can't you see customers coming in? No time to waste."
Han Ibi swallowed his rage but had no choice but to follow Ban Jin-seong.
A sudden quest had popped up.
[Take orders from 100 customers (Difficulty ☆)]
🎁 Reward: Strength +2, Agility +3
Whoa. What kind of lame quest is this!
Just you wait... Ban Jin-seong. And the system...
There were five people working at the Clear Stream Inn.
Owner Hwang Bang, his wife and head chef Jo Jin-suk, and waiters Na Sa-hwi, Gam Ju-dong, and Ban Jin-seong.
Few staff for the inn's size, so they were always bustling.
Anyway, Ban Jin-seong's claim of it being renowned seemed true.
Auntie's cooking was top-notch, drawing travelers despite the remote location.
Main customers were merchants supplying the market, but armed warriors dropped by occasionally.
Han Ibi's role was customer service.
Serving, in modern terms.
He started with observation. How other waiters served. Signs customers needed something...
Then he realized.
People are all the same everywhere.
Everyone wants to feel like the 'top dog,' and this place provided service to make them feel that way.
It all started with a hearty "Welcome~!"
Han Ibi thought,
'Wait, this is no different from that tiresome 'sales' job I hated.'
Once enlightened, the work got easier.
Han Ibi strived for the perfect serving angle, expression, and tone with each customer.
He added cheerful gestures and words to boost their mood.
Awkward and cringey at first, but it flowed naturally once adapted.
Next, he targeted drinkers.
Why 'inn' with the cup radical? Booze, obviously.
Observation showed many were heavy drinkers like Koreans. Strong baijiu with meals was common.
Drinking makes you thirsty. Han Ibi preemptively served tea to liquor orders.
Even during lulls, he refilled teas diligently. Soon, sales lines came too.
"Serving the finest tea to refresh and clear your palate~!"
Some drunks got mad, but most laughed heartily, pleased.
Even Han Ibi felt good.
"Whoa! Newbie, not bad."
Praise from veteran middle-aged waiter Gam Ju-dong.
Hwang Bang watched with a pleased face before long.
Ban Jin-seong's envious pout was a byproduct.
Soon, Han Ibi mastered service perfectly.
That was when.
Ding-a-ling.
[Through diligent task performance, you have acquired the occupation-specialized skill 'Service Mastery.']
[Depending on Service Mastery proficiency, conversation skills, affinity, and negotiation power with others can be improved.]
Yeah... Despite the weird flashy name, seems kinda useless... But better than nothing.
"What? You want to learn cooking?"
Plump head chef Auntie Jo Jin-suk widened her eyes.
"Yes."
Han Ibi smiled and continued,
"Only when it's not busy. Teach me bit by bit during downtime. You cook alone, no rest even when we're off. If I learn, I can help with simple stuff like dumplings or noodles."
Bullshit.
Truth is, auntie's cooking was the best. When else to learn authentic Chinese cuisine?
Han Ibi floated it as startup capital for when he returned to reality.
But auntie's reaction was intense.
"Oh my. Such a thoughtful kid. Many waiters worked here, but only you cared about me. Sharp worker, and a heart pure as silk... Where'd this treasure roll in from?"
She looked ready to pounce and kiss him.
(To be continued in the next installment)