Chapter 36
Chapter 36
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 36
Chapter Title: Decision and Ownership
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“This is how you do it here.”
Along with a brief tip, the greatsword slid right in. It pierced the wild boar’s flesh.
It went in deeper than expected…
Squelch.
No, how far is this thing going?
“See this here? You use this as your guide and slice the meat away…”
Slice.
“Ta-da~ Out comes the bone.”
“Whoa…”
Just as he said, a long vertebral bone popped out. No exaggeration—it was much bigger and thicker than mine.
The wild boar’s spine? Judging by the thickness, probably.
“This bone is basically the pillar. It evolved to serve as a mana conduit. That’s why these bones are the toughest embedded in a monster’s flesh.”
“Fascinating.”
“Right? The mana stone is usually attached around here too…”
Seojin trailed off and thrust his hand into the boar’s body.
He rummaged around a few times, but it seemed like nothing caught. He pulled out his bare hand.
“This one’s a hybrid breed, so no mana stone, I guess.”
Seojin shook off the bloodied hand casually, then aligned the tip of the greatsword with the boar’s hide to gauge it.
Then, once more—slice.
“Once you get this far, you’re basically done.”
A bunch of new bones spilled out. Quite a lot of them. It was like looking at mackerel bones.
By the way, is that thing really a greatsword?
If so, what’s with that delicately precise control? It was as nimble as tying a knot with your tongue.
Whoosh!
Seojin swung the sword through the air to shake off the blood, and the atmosphere split heavily.
…Yeah, definitely a greatsword.
It must’ve been heavily used—worn edges visible to the naked eye.
Slice.
But despite that, Seojin neatly extracted the bones.
As they say, a true craftsman doesn’t blame his tools…
Or maybe not. Perhaps because it’s his constant companion that he can control it so delicately.
Slice.
“There… all done. Just some minor trimming left.”
“Wow.”
I couldn’t help but clap. He’d stripped the bones clean without much damage to the hide.
At this rate, shouldn’t he change his nickname?
From Solo Player Enthusiast to Pig Bone Butcher Master.
His skill was good enough to pass for a professional slaughterhouse worker, not a grad student.
“You’ve got all kinds of talents. A grad student… did you major in monster anatomy or something?”
Jina, who’d been watching the amazing boning show with me, chimed in.
“Solo players all do this much at least. No point wasting money on a processing team.”
“Ah.”
Crunch!
A sudden cheerful crunch.
Today, instead of candy, Jina was munching on something pointy.
It was a Dart horn.
She’d said she finished the ones I gave her before, so I handed over another.
“Eating that might be the real talent…”
Seojin smiled wryly. The area was soaked in a truly foul stench.
A Dart horn had enough potency to wreck the entire factory.
“Really? Once you get used to it, it’s pretty edible.”
Jina shrugged and held the horn up to something.
Her target was the plate in her left hand, topped with a dollop of ssamjang.
Plunge.
Crunch!
“Dip it like this, and it’s surprisingly tasty. Like a unique cucumber?”
“…”
“…”
“Why… are you looking at me like that? Want a bite? You might change your mind. Seeing is believing, right?”
Jina subtly invited us to join. The half-eaten horn slowly approached us.
“…”
My nose stung.
This was the scent of death. Nothing else could be this horrific.
“Shall we… get back to trimming…?”
Seojin turned away quickly. Damn, coward. Running off alone?
“Then… wanna try it, Saebyeok?”
“No no no! It doesn’t… taste good.”
I refused immediately.
The PTSD from back then was already creeping up.
For the uninitiated: it tasted like insanely astringent persimmon, amplified fivefold, with a revolting aroma on top.
“Really? Yeah, it’s not tasty. That’s why you should eat it more. Gotta get the bad stuff out of the way first so the meat tastes even better.”
Jina let out a strange laugh and brought the horn back to her mouth.
Crunch!
**
“Crazy talk.”
The man grumbled. He fiddled with his thick beard in a somewhat dignified manner, but his eyes were bloodshot.
“Exactly, Guild Leader. Are you serious?”
The man opposite asked. Polite words, but dripping with condescension.
His unique accent brimmed with sarcasm.
“…”
A brief silence fell over the room. Everyone present agreed with the two.
“…”
Baekya Guild Leader Joo Ha-neul didn’t open her mouth despite the pressure.
Instead, she slowly closed her eyes.
…How did things end up like this?
Awakeners were granted divine powers by the gods. His abilities were enough to make him an S-rank hunter.
However, that didn’t translate to business acumen.
Pens and swords are distinctly different.
Killing monsters and handling numbers were entirely separate domains.
For a massive guild like a conglomerate to run smoothly, elite managers were essential.
That’s why they were hired—non-awakener elites.
“Guild Leader, we find this decision highly regrettable.”
“Why not hand over full authority on management to us…?”
But look at this mess.
Arrogant because they’re elites?
Or elites because they’re arrogant?
Whatever the answer, the situation was as dire as facing death by monster.
“Hunters do struggle with titles like this. Why not stick to your main field?”
The man reached out slyly. With a languid touch, he toyed with the nameplate.
[Guild Leader: Joo Ha-neul]
Silent pressure.
Go be a hunter if you’re a hunter.
His eyes gleamed with greed.
Greed to drag down Baekya, the undying sun.
“Recent performance has been disappointing… Baekya is in crisis.”
Someone else shoved a report at Ha-neul. Baekya’s growth metrics. A stark downward curve over the past five years.
Grind.
Ha-neul ground her teeth. All this was her fault?
“…”
All eyes turned to her.
They demanded accountability from Ha-neul. As if rehearsed, unanimous.
“Hoo…”
So Ha-neul made her decision.
She pulled out her tablet. With practiced taps, as if she’d rehearsed.
[Ownership transfer of the ‘Black Night’ Gate has been completed.]
She executed the plan.
**
Sizzle…!
The meat on the grill started making an appetizing sound.
This is it! This is barbecue!
Chunks of meat over roaring flames.
Drip, drip—fat droplets fell, and an ecstatic aroma spread through the world.
Unable to resist, I lunged!
But as I reached for the cooking meat…
“Saebyeok, I just put it on. Look, it’s still oozing blood.”
Hayoung stopped me.
And yeah, I knew that much.
But come on. Isn’t the meat calling my name?
Holding back would be a crime. A crime.
It’s not like undercooked meat will kill you anyway.
“It’s fine to eat. And that’s not even blood to begin with.”
Right on cue, Seojin came to my aid. If the boning expert says so, it’s good.
Pluck.
I grabbed a piece. Rib section? It looked nice and tender.
“Not blood? Then what is it? How’s that red stuff not blood?”
“That’s actually myoglobin… Hold on, what’s with that bored look? You asked.”
“No need for complicated talk at mealtime. Got any fun stories? Like grad student life.”
Crunch!
The three of us bantered, but it didn’t really register.
Priorities: meat, meat.
I shoved a glistening piece straight into my mouth.
“Hot…!”
Cranked to max heat, it was scorching.
But!
The flavor was phenomenal enough to endure the pain.
It melted so tenderly. Not wild boar—you could fool people into thinking it was top-grade hanwoo.
No, maybe even more premium texture.
“Mm…!”
A zing coursed through my mouth. Mana from the boar.
The mana burst with the juices, absorbed into my body in an instant.
Energy filling up in a flash.
No wonder monster meat is considered a tonic.
Squeak!
Patapatapata!
Losing it to the meat smell, Seolbaek rolled her front paws over my head.
Her expert digging scattered my silver hair completely.
“Got it, got it. Here.”
No choice—I gave the other half to Seolbaek.
Squeak!
She snatched it happily. Definitely got a human palate.
Unlike Seolbaek, the other summons weren’t that into the meat.
Mini was a golem, Dart a horse, so fair enough, but Mollang and Molcang were picky eaters.
Won’t touch anything but mana stones. Gourmet tastes don’t get pickier.
Anyway, the others were busy playing along the rooftop edge.
Tadadada!
Mini swung her electric flyswatter vigorously, sparking a dazzling display. Dual-wield meant double the fireworks!
Mollang!
In rhythm with the bugs self-immolating—tadak—the other three bounced around.
They entertain themselves just fine.
“Looks done. Shall we eat?”
Pop!
Almost simultaneously with Seojin’s words, a different cheer rang out.
Gurgle, gurgle! Sizzle…!
Even more mouthwatering this time. Golden liquid sloshed in a glass.
“Want some too, Saebyeok?”
“No way. Soda’s fine for Saebyeok.”
Damn. Pure torture.
Including my past life as a guy, I’m probably second oldest here, but can’t say it—infuriating.
Clink!
Settling for zero cola. Seojin thoughtfully brought non-alcoholic beer, but…
Non-alcoholic isn’t beer. A failed knockoff from beer’s outskirts.
Its limp taste ruins the meat instead.
Clink!
Thus, the rooftop romance of barbecue night deepened.
The massive boar meat dwindled, and just as we thought of ramen for dessert…
Ding-a-ling!
Another cheerful sound called to me.
[Ownership transfer of the ‘Black Night’ Gate has been completed.]
[Owner: Baekya → I Want to Raise a Dragon]
“…Huh?”