Chapter 97
Chapter 97
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 97
Chapter Title: Nayeo-ju Saves the World
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Jang Su-ho caught a rare glimpse of Kang Han's smile before turning his head at a small commotion in the distance.
"Aigoo, you rascals!"
It was the voice of the uncle who had bid them farewell to enjoy their meal before heading back to the main house.
And soon enough, the culprits of the commotion appeared.
"Woof! Woof!"
Four tiny puppies, wagging their needle-thin tails.
They must have caught the scent of meat, gazing up at Kang Han and Jang Su-ho with joyful expressions.
"Aigoo, sorry for the interruption."
"It's fine."
Kang Han replied before asking,
"They look pretty young. Is it okay to give them some meat?"
"My wife and I grill some for them now and then, but..."
"Mind if we give them a little too?"
"I'd feel bad toward my guests... Haha."
Kang Han selected the leanest cut from the unsalted meat and transferred it to a disposable plate, slicing it finely.
Unlike the bulging muscles that flexed with each snip of the scissors, his handling of the meat was incredibly delicate, almost mincing it.
Finally, he blew on it gently to cool it down before setting the plate on the ground.
"Eat up. Gotta grow big and strong."
"Thank you, sir."
"No trouble."
Kang Han shook his head but couldn't tear his eyes away from the puppies.
He'd always had a soft spot for harmless little things.
Their plump bellies—thanks to the owners' good feeding—and their tails wagging nonstop in delight at the taste of meat reminded him of someone.
Once they'd buried their noses in the plate and devoured it all, the puppies scampered back to the main house.
Kang Han watched their retreating figures until they were out of sight, a hint of regret in his eyes. When he finally turned, he spotted Jang Su-ho standing a good distance away.
"What're you doing over there?"
"Scared."
"You? Scared of animals?"
Jang Su-ho practically wrestled with the guild's familiars in a loving embrace.
And yet, these young puppies frightened him?
Sensing Kang Han's puzzled stare, Jang Su-ho wiped the cold sweat beading on his forehead and explained.
"Tiny animals like that scare me the most."
"Why?"
"One wrong move and I'd squish 'em. Whew."
Classic Jang Su-ho reasoning.
Kang Han chuckled, picking up the tongs he'd set aside.
"Alright, tough guy Su-ho. Go grab another pack of meat."
"Anyone know how to make curry?"
At Nayeo-ju's question, the three high schoolers just blinked.
"My grandparents hate curry, so I've never tried it at home."
"I can heat up instant curry, though."
"...Think you can manage it?"
Dubious at best, but Lee Yu-chan proudly hefted a large curry packet.
"Just follow the instructions on the back, right?"
"True, but..."
"We'll do exactly that. Nayeo-ju, come sit on the sofa and rest with me."
Han Ji-seong grinned, gently nudging her shoulders from behind.
Time to bow out.
"But oppa, with food and all..."
"It's fine. Besides, Cheong-su's..."
Han Ji-seong whispered something and led her out of the kitchen.
She'd at least expected a bit of help.
Left alone, the trio exchanged glances of 'Is this really okay?' before snapping back to reality.
Im Cheong-su was the first to pull himself together.
He'd helped out in the kitchen back in the countryside, washing greens and such, so it should be doable.
"Cooking's all about the tools first."
He pulled out a cutting board, a single knife, a few stainless steel bowls, and a slightly deep frying pan.
One problem, though.
"This knife's way too dull."
They'd grabbed whatever at the market.
People feared sharp knives, but dull ones were dangerous too.
Force them when ingredients wouldn't slice properly, and you'd cut yourself instead.
"Lemme see. Oh, a whetstone!"
Rummaging deeper in the cabinets, Im Cheong-su found one and got to work.
He soaked it thoroughly, placed it on the flat counter, and carefully ran the blade along it—schick, schick.
Watching him, Lee Yu-eul commented,
"Cheong-su, you look like some artisan right now."
"He is an artisan."
"Oh, right."
The twins murmured beside him, but Im Cheong-su was oblivious.
As Lee Yu-chan said, the artisan's soul had awakened.
He just needed it sharp enough for curry veggies, but "good enough" wasn't in his vocabulary.
Schick, schick, schick.
Lost in his world, his hands honed the blade meticulously from tip to tang without a hitch.
The twins fell silent, watching like rapt spectators.
How much time passed?
When the kitchen stayed eerily quiet despite the minutes ticking by, a curious Nayeo-ju stepped in—just as...
"Done!"
Im Cheong-su, satisfied at last, rinsed the knife.
He'd poured his all into it; the blade gleamed—literally.
Not figuratively.
A literal glow emanated from the knife.
"Huh?"
Flustered, he rinsed it again and again, but the sudden sheen persisted.
Then Lee Yu-eul recalled something.
"Oh! My jungle item glowed just like that when it became an item!"
"An item?"
Im Cheong-su hastily activated his Dungeon Guidebook skill, but no info appeared.
The knife wasn't made from dungeon materials.
Nayeo-ju, however, could see it.
Kitchen Knife (C)
Doesn't harm the freshness of ingredients.
"...Cheong-su-ya."
"Yeah?"
"Take that knife home with you."
S-ranks churned out items just like that.
Nayeo-ju shook her head and returned to the sofa where Han Ji-seong sat.
At last, the full outdoor barbecue party kicked off.
In the meantime, Im Cheong-su had turned the kitchen knife into an item. Lee Yu-eul wielded it to slice veggies and meat with her monster-dismembering precision. Lee Yu-chan unleashed insane focus for perfectly tempered curry that was...
Honestly, amazing.
Kang Han and Jang Su-ho's grilled meats were just as stellar.
Charcoal-grilled with that authentic smoky flavor and bursting juices intact.
The guild members—big eaters all—practically shoveled food into their mouths.
"Ahh, perfect."
One bite of meat chased by cool beer washed away the summer swelter.
They indulged like this for a good while, but one seat at the table stood empty.
Kang Han's.
The seven were hearty eaters normally, but today they were ravenous.
The mountain of meat was dwindling fast.
So Kang Han had quietly risen, beer in hand, to grill solo.
"Hmm."
I paused to think, then assembled a massive wrap: three pieces of meat in lettuce and perilla leaves, plus a spicy pepper dabbed in ssamjang.
Approaching him, I said,
"Chef, eat while you grill."
Kang Han looked startled.
As if no one had ever looked after him before.
His dark green eyes, backlit by the bright glow spilling from the pension, stared straight down at me.
'Stuff it right into his mouth? Might be unhygienic. And his fondness for me isn't at hand-feeding levels yet.'
The thought hit late as I scanned for an empty dish to set it on.
Kang Han slowly bent his massive frame down.
Half-teasing with the oversized wrap, it slid smoothly into his mouth.
But I fumbled the release in surprise, and his pursed lips brushed my fingertip.
"Delicious."
He grinned broadly.
...What a weird feeling.
Obviously about the wrap tasting good.
"Just toss the meat on roughly and come eat."
I turned back toward the table, adding,
But with every step, that spot where his lips had grazed tingled oddly.
...Still weird, thinking back.