A Good Match
“A good match.”
After the contest wrapped up, Hanbit ran into Riwei. The guy looked genuinely refreshed, speaking from the heart.
“I thought I had some real skill in cooking, you know? But you beat me clean.”
It wasn't just a difference in knowledge. From conceptualization and ingredient understanding to actual cooking technique, Hanbit had the edge in every single aspect. Even if they faced off dozens of times, the result wouldn't change.
-Cooking king whoa
-First time seeing a non-pro take first place. lol
-From gaming to cooking mastery;;
-Black Dragon TMI just leveled up.
-World-famous chef whoa
-Michelin 3-star chef whoa
Hanbit's cooking prowess shocked the viewers too. No way you pick up a skill like that just from reading novels.
“Come to think of it, I never decided what I'd take if I won.”
Riwei paused, recalling the casual stakes of their bet, then continued as if something had clicked.
“Ah, how about a Wish Ticket?”
“Wish Ticket?”
“I'll grant whatever you want.”
“……?”
-Huh?
-Seleade's Wish Ticket whoa
-What a magnanimous guy.
Hanbit thought he'd misheard. It was way too generous for a mid-tier pioneer's prize.
“Wanna pick now? Or tell me later.”
“...Later.”
“Cool. Add me as a friend then.”
Ding-
A friend request popped up right on cue. First one outside of the DD Studio crew.
“I'll challenge you again next time. Won't lose then.”
Thud!
Riwei vanished into the distance, issuing his rematch declaration. Their encounter had been a whirlwind, but the gains were massive.
'Finally got everything.'
Frozen Spider Fangs and Snow Flower Deer Leather. Lava seed soup and thaw-proof cooking gloves. The last two were unexpected bonuses, but now his prep was rock-solid.
And on top of that.
'Running into Luck here.'
Luck, the judging authority on Western cuisine. A big name in the capital with his restaurant empire and trading company. Since the guy was dead serious about flavor, their interactions always started with food talk. Securing a connection via that badge meant things in the capital would smooth out a bit.
“I gave it my all, but it was tough as expected. Just reaffirms how amazing you are, Black Dragon.”
Avant-Garde approached late, having stepped out to chat with an acquaintance.
“I was pretty confident in my cooking. Who was that guy?”
“Ah, a fellow streamer. Said he was passing through on his way to a private zone.”
Players were flocking to the private zones with no攻略 reports anywhere. The community was just venting frustration.
<Anyone actually clearing private zones?>
Who knows what try they're on, but can we even kill this bullshit golem? Zero damage sticking. If there was a gimmick, I'd find it, but no clue at all.
Anyone sharing info?
-Friggin insane content.
-Black Dragon poisoned RP.
-Any pioneers in yet?
└Odin's starting tonight I think?
-Rainzer bailing early gets my upvote.
└This dude's mentality lmao
└Three wipes in a row hurts;
-Why no攻略 from Black Dragon?
└Fr, protesting with Black Dragon streams starting today.
└This is why he keeps shit private.
Pure chaos among the players. No gains until someone leaked footage.
“How strong is this pioneer called Odin?”
“A notch above Riwei, I'd say. But his growth rate is top-tier. Thought he'd aim high, but he declared he's resetting the Edlen episode.”
“Oh yeah?”
Odin—the name from the challenge dungeon records. One that always popped up with talented players. Giving up his lead to reset Edlen? Not an easy call.
'Right answer, though.'
If he were Hanbit's acquaintance, he'd have urged the reset without hesitation. Best to redo a botched start from scratch. Forcing ahead just led to ruin.
“We do our thing.”
“Oh, where to?”
“Simple stuff. Just the smithy. Let's move.”
They headed straight to the smithy district. Hanbit arrived at his target—a decent craftsman by Ifrit standards.
“Welcome.”
The owner greeted them plainly as they entered. Hanbit pulled materials from his inventory and handed them over.
“Make cold-resistance armor with these.”
“Let me check.”
The smith inspected each: Frozen Spider Fangs, Snow Flower Deer Leather, Fire Polish. Perfect combo for full-body cold resistance gear.
“This setup needs precision work……”
“Fine. Just follow these specs.”
Hanbit detailed the process to the hesitant smith, who nodded in understanding.
“That should work. I'll get started.”
The owner grabbed the materials and headed to his workshop. Augmenting existing armor wouldn't take long.
Ding-
While waiting, a message alert chimed. From Kim Jaeha.
「Kim Jaeha」
「Finished Edlen episode. Heading your way.」
***
[Episode 1 completed.]
[Achievement: Walker of the Path of Truth unlocked.]
“Whew.”
Kim Jaeha let out a sigh of relief after the final main quest. Following Hanbit's blueprint, he'd wrapped it in under 24 hours of nonstop grinding.
'Straight-up unreal.'
Everything in Edlen had been bizarre from start to finish. Helped Atsbel's mom without learning magic. Skipped the challenge dungeon and recruited adventurers with Liora to rescue Plona instead.
He'd muttered “This actually works?” a dozen times, but results matched Hanbit's predictions every time.
'Skipped all the story fluff too.'
Shortcut method: Bypass the lore and details, grab proof straight to Cown. Rewards tanked, but speed was insane. Like handing off ingredients and letting NPCs cook.
Anyway, finished way ahead of target.
'Gotta hustle.'
Hanbit was in a cooking duel with some pioneer. Probably wrapping up, so time to join.
As Kim Jaeha moved to go—
Ding-
His synced smartphone showed an incoming call.
<Trash>
The department head.
“……”
Kim Jaeha's face darkened instantly. Their last face-to-face: he'd sworn never to see the guy again, resignation straight to the CEO.
No reason to tangle anymore. But a weird unease crept in. PTSD from years of torment?
“Hoo.”
Gear off, he stared at the screen. Calls kept coming—no quit in the bastard.
After a moment, he picked up.
“What?”
(Aigoo, I'm dying here. Why so late? Wanna see me croak?)
A whiny voice blasted from the speaker. Kim Jaeha scowled.
“Told you never to contact me. Blocking you. Hanging up.”
(Hang up? You little shit! That Black Dragon punk put me in the hospital—four weeks out!)
“...What?”
Thought he misheard. The boss snickered and pressed on.
(Parking lot, remember? He beat the crap outta me.)
“What bullshit is this? Who beat you?”
(Got the diagnosis and everything. Don't try slippin' outta this.)
Ding-
A message with an attached medical report. Bruises, abrasions, concussion, sprains, ligament damage—petty stuff listed out.
“You think extortion like this flies these days? Entrance CCTV proves it.”
(CCTV? Been under maintenance for a week.)
“...Maintenance?”
Company crap breaking was routine. If busted during that window, no proof.
“You planned this?”
(Planned? And you too, asshole! Cursing while your boss gets jumped.)
The boss snorted smugly. Bluffing so bold? Probably dodging call recording.
(No comeback? Anyway, tell Black Dragon I'm suing and tipping the press. Wait for it.)
Black Dragon was huge news. Rumors would snowball. Assault lawsuit headline? Dopamine chasers would paint him as a violent thug.
'Filthy bastard……'
Boss clocked it all, plotting false charges. No CCTV? Testimony rules. But tarnishing Black Dragon's rep? Mission accomplished.
“...What do you want?”
(Want?)
Got the reaction he craved; boss's tone shifted. Fake groans, then casual.
(Both you come grovel. Compensation? Bring some good dirt.)
“……”
Ego boost and payoff. Fine for him, but no way tainting Hanbit.
Needed a solo fix.
(Hear those gears turning? Think smart. Pull shit, articles drop. Remember that.)
Click.
Boss hung up.
“Fuck……”
Resignation couldn't escape this hell loop. Stress crushed him; he clutched his head.
Boss was spineless but bold. Wrong move, and Black Dragon's image tanks via press.
What to do? Fix without hurting Hanbit, solo.
“Hoo.”
Torment lingered briefly. But no time to waste. Had to hit Ifrit for Hanbit's episode.
Vrrr-
Gear on, game screen up. After agonizing, he messaged Hanbit like always.
「Finished Edlen episode. Heading your way.」