Knights' Gratitude and the Broadcast Bombshell
Xavier, figuring he'd built some rapport through the repairs, was the first to approach.
He eyed Mu-hyuk cautiously and said,
"Um, haha. Your cooking skills are impressive."
"Oh, you think so?"
"Yeah, it looks delicious."
There was a hidden meaning in his words.
It looks tasty, so hook me up too.
Something like that. But the knight kept his eyes fixed solely on the food cooking away, avoiding Mu-hyuk's face entirely.
Mu-hyuk just smiled, offering no real response.
Only then did the knight look a bit flustered. He hadn't gotten the eager invitation he'd hoped for—not even a single word.
"Looks like there's a lot..."
"Yeah, plenty."
"..."
In the end, Xavier couldn't bring himself to ask if he could have some.
Mu-hyuk didn't rush it either.
Stomach's not empty enough yet.
He simply kept cooking, making it even more tantalizing.
That was when Veron stepped forward from the back.
"Ahem, smells good."
"Thank you."
Mu-hyuk stuck to polite acknowledgments.
Come on, spit it out.
He had no intention of offering first.
They needed to bend before it meant anything. So he cooked on with a leisurely expression, amplifying the aroma as much as possible.
Finally, Veron cracked.
"Plenty to go around."
"Ah, yes."
"By any chance..."
"Go ahead."
"Ahem, did you make enough for us too?"
That was plenty.
Mu-hyuk feigned surprise, as if the question caught him off guard.
"Of course. You think I'd cook just for myself?"
"Ah, haha. Right, makes sense. Thanks a ton. I'll tell the others to dig in."
"Please do."
"Alright, everyone's hungry. This friend here..."
Veron glanced at Mu-hyuk.
He hadn't even asked his name until now.
"Mu-hyuk."
"Ahem, this friend Mu-hyuk prepared food for us!"
"Ooooh!"
"That smell is heavenly!"
Veron slammed his scabbard against the floor.
Thud.
The chatter died instantly.
"Quiet! Make sure to thank our friend properly!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Understood!"
Knight types were sticklers for protocol.
That's why they never forgot even small acts of kindness.
The knights approached.
The priest and mage, who'd been hanging back, followed suit.
"Ahem, much obliged."
"No trouble at all."
"Haha, thanks! This looks amazing!"
"Enjoy."
Mu-hyuk served each one personally, meeting their eyes.
That'll do it.
Now, if Kairon Baekjak ever asked about him, they'd have nothing but glowing praise.
Free repairs and a feast? It was a given.
"Can't wait."
Finally, Veron.
"Ooh, delicious!"
"Man, this is next-level. Better than my favorite inn!"
Probably just wishful thinking.
After a fight, with empty stomachs, even decent grub tasted like a gourmet meal.
Like soldiers raving about instant ramen forever.
Similar vibe, but Mu-hyuk couldn't help feeling pleased anyway.
"Your cooking's top-notch."
"Appreciate it."
The mood stayed warm and jovial.
"Alright, everyone full?"
"Yes!"
"Good. Let's head out again."
They bustled off to scour the second floor once more.
*
They covered the entire second floor.
Except the last spot—one final area blocked by a pristine white barrier, just like on the first floor.
"I'll dispel the protective magic."
With that, the mage cast again.
Whoosh.
The barrier vanished.
"Now, on to the third floor..."
Veron started to say, but Mu-hyuk cut in.
"Hold on."
"Hm? What's up?"
Normally it'd annoy him, but their recent goodwill paid off—Veron was willing to listen.
"We should head back first."
"Why?"
"Kairon Baekjak ordered us to search only the second floor."
"Really? He didn't mention anything to me..."
"He told me specifically. If the monsters here are too weak, we're to return and re-form the party."
"Ah..."
Veron finally got it.
Searching with this crew was overkill.
They'd swap in lower-level folks to continue.
"Makes sense. If it's the count's orders, we follow."
He turned to his knights, priest, and mage.
"Monsters here's too easy for us. We're heading back to regroup with fresh personnel. Prep accordingly."
"Yes, sir!"
Shorter search than expected, but no complaints.
Time for proper rest back at base.
"Move out."
Led by Veron, the whole team exited the building.
They returned to the castle, heading straight for Kairon Baekjak's mansion. Veron went in as rep.
After a bit, he emerged and dismissed the group.
Left alone with Mu-hyuk, he spoke.
"The count wants to see you."
"Got it."
Exactly as expected.
He followed the butler into the mansion.
They reached the study and entered.
"Sit."
"Yes."
"You worked hard."
Mu-hyuk caught the subtext.
Worked hard?
Hardly. But he got the point.
They sang my praises.
Veron must've recounted the repairs and meal. Maybe even embellished it.
"Anyway, monsters were weak?"
"Yes."
"Then tell me."
"Me?"
Kairon Baekjak nodded.
"What level party should we assemble?"
"Ah..."
Mu-hyuk pondered.
Apprentice knights?
Around level 100. Honestly, even that felt excessive.
With them, he'd barely get a swing in. Too anticlimactic.
He'd come this far—time to farm exp himself.
Ah, right. Them...
Mu-hyuk spoke slowly.
"Apprentice knights..."
"That'll do?"
"No. Anyone volunteering among the apprentices should suffice."
"Volunteers only?"
"Yes."
"Meaning even apprentices are overqualified."
"Frankly, yes."
Kairon Baekjak mulled it over.
"That strong, huh..."
Mu-hyuk waited patiently.
"Hmm, understood. We started this, might as well see it through. I'll pick suitable volunteers. Might take a bit—come back tomorrow."
"Yes, sir."
Mu-hyuk rose.
Quest Empire's Hidden Secret 3 completed.
He checked the popup and left the study.
That evening, 6:50 p.m.
With nothing until tomorrow, Mu-hyuk logged out ten minutes early to catch Illusion's World.
He grabbed a beer and jerky, set up.
TV on, channel tuned, pillows against the wall for back support.
Phone check: 3.5 million won deposited at 10 a.m.
Nice.
The advance from Illusion's World.
Grinning, he pocketed the phone.
Nothing left to do—right on cue, the show started.
Two faces filled the screen.
MC Yura and Woo-hyun.
Yura flashed a bright smile, tempting the viewers.
Hm. She is pretty.
Even Mu-hyuk thought so.
He cracked open the beer.
Hiss.
Sucked down the rising foam.
A bitter rush followed the glug-glug, icy chill sliding down his throat.
The screen shifted to Mu-hyuk's post.
My post.
Yura's voice overlaid as she read it aloud.
Once finished,
Woo-hyun tilted his head.