Chapter 22
Chapter 22
As soon as they got in the car, Kang Tae-woo bowed his head first.
"Let me apologize in advance."
"......?"
"You mentioned disliking commotion, yet my visit ended up causing one."
"I understand."
Since he got the sense this wouldn't happen again, Do-gyeom saw no need to prolong the conversation.
"Also yesterday, since Chairman Lee said he didn't know much about Hunter Joo Do-gyeom... I considered having someone keep tabs on you."
"Hmm?"
"My apologies. It was an inappropriate thought to begin with."
"As long as you didn't act on it."
His response was calm—no interrogation, no awkwardness. Just simple acknowledgment that since it hadn't actually happened, there was no issue.
Kang Tae-woo felt it anew:
'His caliber is different.'
An unconscious faint smile escaped him.
"You remind me of the Chairman."
"......Huh?"
"I mean you resemble someone I deeply respect, so please don't take it the wrong way."
"Ah, well..."
Do-gyeom, unaccustomed to praise, fumbled awkwardly when Kang Tae-woo shifted topics.
"Let's get to the main point."
He retrieved a black bag from under the seat. Unzipping it revealed neatly bundled stacks of cash.
"First, 10 billion won in cash. You needn't worry about its origins."
One of Do-gyeom's requests from yesterday—completely clean, untraceable money. He'd asked for around 5 billion, yet double that amount materialized in a single day.
'Impressive efficiency.'
But that wasn't all.
Kang Tae-woo respectfully handed over something from his inner pocket—a small case containing a bankbook, card, and seal.
"An account under your name. We'll deposit an additional 50 billion over six months, about 10 billion monthly. Cleaning that amount takes time—your understanding is appreciated."
"......I didn't request this."
"The Chairman's sincerity."
Do-gyeom studied the bankbook briefly before accepting. More money was always welcome—especially after recently depleting his account. Though that reckless spending was only possible because he knew he could earn it back anytime.
Regardless.
600 billion won in free capital.
Finding a reason to refuse would've been harder.
"I'll accept gratefully."
"Not at all. And... once more, my apologies."
Do-gyeom waved it off—no harm done. Frankly, further apologies weren't even registering anymore. Instead he asked:
"Where's this car headed now?"
"Did you have a destination in mind?"
"The livestock market in the Blue Zone."
He could take the subway, but riding in a car was more comfortable. Not that he planned to buy one.
'They'll all be scrap metal in a few years anyway.'
Or not? If it provided convenience until then...
While pondering, Kang Tae-woo smiled and answered:
"Of course. We'll take you there. Driver."
"Yes."
With that brief exchange—
Vroom.
The luxury sedan carrying 10 billion won smoothly exited the Red Zone's alleys, bound for the livestock market. Unconsciously, Do-gyeom licked his lips in anticipation.
'What will the Panacea Stew taste like?'
How much would it boost his magic?
Tonight's menu was spicy beef soup.
Evening.
Bubbling sounds seeped from Do-gyeom's one-room kitchen.
Today's challenge:
Spicy beef soup.
The reason for choosing this over traditional soups like gomtang or seolleongtang was simple—shorter cooking time, spicy kick, and meat included. It perfectly met the "soup" criteria while being ideal for experimental cooking. Soup or stew—wasn't it all similar anyway?
With that casual mindset, Do-gyeom first pulled out his smartphone.
His search: "Golden recipe for spicy beef soup."
As with the braised dish, cooking results reflected one's knowledge. Though his skill handled the magical aspects, flavor fundamentals still came from recipes.
After thorough reading, Do-gyeom began prepping ingredients.
Today's main component: dungeon-bred mixed fowl purchased at the livestock market.
'Fat Bird.'
Unmistakably chicken-like in appearance, but bloated with excess flesh—hence the name. Its wings were purely decorative. These creatures couldn't even fly in dungeons, just waddled away clumsily, making them easy prey for novice hunters.
Consequently abundant, priced at 800,000 won per bird. Effects included stamina recovery and strength enhancement. Market vendors boasted about their rich, savory fat without greasiness.
Pluck. Pluck-pluck!
A former martial god was plucking chicken feathers.
Meticulously, down to the last strand.
He could've bought pre-processed meat, but his skill knowledge indicated that personally preparing ingredients as the Universal Chef increased both magical potency and flavor. Former comrades would've clutched their necks seeing this.
'Monster ingredients enhance effects.'
One piece of knowledge that came with acquiring Panacea Stew—the more mana-rich the ingredients, the better. Dungeon-bred fowl sufficiently met this requirement.
Thus:
After thorough prep, the meat was boiled tender and shredded.
Fernbrake and bean sprouts added.
Red pepper seasoning dissolved.
Finally—plop!—one intermediate magic stone from clearing Eden Garden dropped in.
An expensive ingredient, but worth the efficiency boost. His wallet had grown considerably after meeting with Taeseong Group's chairman, and intermediate magic stones would become commonplace in dungeons he'd soon tackle—no reason for hesitation.
The magic stone dissolved like snow in the boiling broth.
Always fascinating to watch.
A magic stone melting away to become food—an experience he'd never have known without becoming the Universal Chef.
Taste test:
'Good.'
The spicy broth carried deep umami.
Thus completed—Universal Chef's Dungeon-style Spicy Beef Soup.
Do-gyeom scooped rice into a bowl and took a big spoonful.
"......Mmm."
Delicious.
Spicy upfront, rich underneath.
The shredded Fat Bird meat lived up to the vendor's boasts—fatty yet not greasy, infusing the broth with savory depth.
And most importantly:
'Mana... it's rising differently.'
Distinct from the braised dish experience.
Where that had been a subtle seep, this was a warm surge.
One grade?
No—two grades' worth of difference.
Being a higher-tier recipe than braising plus the intermediate magic stone's contribution explained it.
'Satisfying.'
Do-gyeom polished off the entire bowl.
Surveying the ample remaining broth, he thought:
'I should invite a guest to try this soon.'
No secondary knowledge confirmed effects on others, but he felt it would work.
One face came to mind:
His teammate, Kim Han-yul.
Thinking of her reminded him to finish another task.
From his inventory, Do-gyeom retrieved two items:
A pitch-black scroll—Eve's Gift.
And the remaining Adam's Apple.
Slicing the apple and squeezing its juice, golden droplets plinked onto the scroll's dark surface.
Then—
Whoosh!
Golden light erupted.
The black energy coating the surface washed away like ink, revealing its true colors beneath—ivory parchment with gold-threaded patterns.
Unfurling it triggered system information:
[Eve's Gift]
[Expands any slot type possessed by the user.]
'Perfect.'
The 3 billion won (or rather 8 billion with blessing potion expenses) scrap of black paper had just transformed into a treasure worth hundreds of billions.
A satisfying outcome.
Though he had no intention of using it himself.
While inventory expansion was always welcome, this was too precious for such mundane purposes. Maybe when Corpse Fusion leveled up and summoning slots became relevant...
'But that's not my main focus.'
This belonged to Kim Han-yul.
For an Implementation Artist whose slots equaled combat power, Eve's Gift would literally give her wings.
A waste?
Not at all.
Outwardly, Kim Han-yul seemed calculating.
But Do-gyeom knew:
Beneath that calculator lay loyalty stronger than anyone's.
While appearing cold to all,
During the Earth Dragon battle's final moments, she'd been the one to sacrifice herself to save others.
Her voice as she faced death still lingered in Do-gyeom's memory:
-"Thanks for everything. Everyone."
Naturally,
While giving such a gift, he fully intended to exploit her thoroughly.
A regressor's calculations were never generous.
"Heh......"
Do-gyeom chuckled in a way that would've given Kim Han-yul goosebumps, then stored the scroll away.
Reviewing recent gains:
Besides what he'd used, remaining assets included the title, Leaf of the World Tree, 60 billion won cash, and a partner in Lee Young-sik.
'Exactly.'
Rather than hiding away preparing for the future,
This aggressive approach was correct.
Immense satisfaction followed.
Next day, noon.
Unexpected guests arrived at Do-gyeom's one-room apartment.
Two of them.
Lee Young-sik and Lee Seo-ah.
Perhaps conscious of yesterday's sedan commotion, they wore inconspicuous outfits and used low-profile transportation—though they couldn't conceal their hidden bodyguards' presence.
Facing these two in his cramped room, Do-gyeom spoke:
"To what do I owe the honor of such distinguished guests in this humble abode?"
"......?"
"......?"
Father and daughter blinked simultaneously.
Half a beat later, Do-gyeom doubted his own tongue.
"Ah, apologies. Meant to say that backwards. I've got some verbal tics..."
"......?"
"......?"
"Truly. Probably my trait's influence......"
Too earnest to be a joke—making it harder to judge. The Lees seemed to choose belief. Frankly, they wouldn't nitpick over something so trivial with their savior.
"Ahem......"
Lee Young-sik cleared his throat while surveying the room again, feeling strange.
The man who'd saved his daughter—priceless as his own life—lived in a space barely fitting a single body.
"......Worse than I imagined."
"Convenient. Less to maintain."
At Do-gyeom's calm reply, Lee Young-sik's expression firmed with resolve.
"Let me be direct. I'm considering establishing a guild."
"I see."
"......Not surprised?"
Over a decade since the world changed.
Major corporations founding hunter guilds wasn't unprecedented—most had failed, Taeseong included. That he'd mention trying again now should normally shock people, but...
'In the future, this chairman did form a guild.'
The only issue was that guild being used to spread the Hunter Slayer's infamy.
Results were actually decent—ranking among Korea's top five guilds with elite hunter forces.
"Honestly expected some reaction. You're truly inscrutable."
"Thank you."
"......A compliment... yes, take it as such. Ahem, anyway."
After another throat clear, Lee Young-sik continued:
"To elaborate—I'll pour Taeseong's full capital into it. Top-tier equipment, intelligence, benefits. With you at the center."
An extraordinary offer.
A rookie hunter offered leadership in a chaebol-backed guild?
Terms that would make listeners' eyes pop.
Even more tempting knowing this guild would become a top-five entity.
But Do-gyeom quietly shook his head.
"Apologies. I must decline."
"......May I ask why?"
"Organizations come with constraints."
Reports, approvals, considerations, appearances.
No matter how exceptional the support, organizational structures inevitably bred such necessities.
And Do-gyeom's plans required ignoring all such constraints to succeed.
Requesting personal exemption from these?
'That's unreasonable.'
Too much to ask—it would undermine the organization itself.
"......Disappointing. Truly. I could've provided anything."
"I appreciate the sentiment."
Seeing Do-gyeom's calm demeanor, Lee Young-sik probed further:
"Just reconsider once more—"
"......"
"Then as a last—"
"No."
"Quite firm. Really last—"
"Dad."
Seo-ah's voice.
Simultaneously, a sharp pain struck Lee Young-sik's thigh.
"......!!"
While the chairman writhed, his red-faced daughter spoke:
"Sorry about this. He's not usually like this......"
Before she finished—
Lee Young-sik spoke through pain:
"If you have other conditions...... guh......!"
"......"
"Should we step out to talk?"
Seo-ah offered with a smile.
As Do-gyeom began nodding—
"Enough, enough! I'll stop...... just don't exclude me......"
"......"
Lee Young-sik's desperate plea created a peculiar mood.
After brief chaos,
The chairman regained his gentlemanly composure with a cough.
"Ahem...... then let's set aside the guild offer. Next matter......"
His gaze turned to Seo-ah.
"I've arranged for a house."