Chapter 50
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 50
Chapter Title: Northern Grand Duke lol
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“Ugh... t-t-tremble...”
Sister was trembling, clutching both hands tightly. Her obviously tense appearance naturally brought a smile to my face.
“Sister. Why are you so nervous?”
“In just a bit, we're going to meet Chef Kang Taeyeon. The legendary chef who earned our country's first Michelin three stars...! I'm worried I might make a mistake...”
“He's just a person like you, Sister. No need to be that anxious.”
“Still, he's accomplished something incredible. That's why I'm even more nervous...”
Sister's words furrowed my brow. If we're talking like that, I'm someone who saved an entire world—doesn't that make me even greater?
“W-Why? What's wrong?”
“...Nothing.”
Saying it out loud myself would just sound pathetic, so I kept it to myself.
“If it's really too much, want to skip the broadcast today? Chef Kang Taeyeon would understand.”
“He probably wouldn't care whether I'm here or not... But I want to stay by your side.”
“You don't have to push yourself.”
“This is a turning point for your cooking stream. I can't miss such an important moment as your sister.”
Sister clenched her fists as she spoke. Seeing her steeling her resolve, I smiled and patted her shoulder.
[Producer Jeong Inseon: Chef Kang Taeyeon, we're now connecting to virtual reality. Please prepare to greet him.]
“They say Chef Kang Taeyeon is coming now.”
“R-Really?”
Right on cue, a message from Producer Jeong Inseon. Sister jumped in surprise and stamped her feet. At this rate, maybe she should just leave.
‘Pushing her more here would hurt her pride, though.’
All I could do was hope she pulled through. If it got really bad, I could always bless her with Courage.
[Writer Seo Nahyun: Chef Kang Taeyeon has logged in. Sending you his ID. Add him as a friend and invite him right away.]
[Me: Got it.]
I sent a friend request with the ID from the writer. An acceptance notification popped up immediately.
『Would you like to invite 'Kang Taeyeon'?』
I nodded lightly at the window in front of me. A black door materialized before my eyes.
“Sister. He's here now. Get ready.”
“Y-Yes...!”
The door opened, revealing a person. A purple, translucent default avatar...?
‘Purple?’
“Huh?”
A puzzled voice from beside me. I was just as taken aback.
“Are you Hayul?”
A low, heavy voice. He glanced between us as he asked. I naturally smiled and approached him.
“Yes. I'm Hayul. It's an honor to meet you, Chef Kang Taeyeon.”
“...You're too kind.”
He bowed his head slightly and added briefly.
“Chef Kang Taeyeon of Damyeon Seoul.”
“I-I'm Noir, Hayul's sister. It's truly an honor to meet you!”
“Nice to meet you, Noir.”
The two shook hands. Sister bowed repeatedly, as if overwhelmed.
“We have some time before the broadcast starts, so let's sit and talk for now.”
I summoned a table and chairs. Chef Kang Taeyeon nodded quietly and sat down slowly.
“Chef, may I ask how much Producer Jeong Inseon has told you?”
“I've heard all the basics. How the broadcast will proceed. And some explanation about Virtual YouTubers.”
“Then, is there anything else you need explained?”
“No.”
“Understood.”
Silence flowed between us. He was so reserved, I had no idea what to talk about. Sister just watched nervously from the side.
“Then, without further delay, shall we start the broadcast?”
I'd suggested chatting first, but we hadn't exchanged a single word. Still, better than dragging out this awkward silence.
“No need to discuss the menu or coordinate the broadcast flow in advance?”
“Yes. Pre-planning that might make the broadcast less fun. And we've already researched you, Chef.”
“Then you know what dish I want to eat.”
“Yes. You mentioned it in an interview after getting the Michelin three stars.”
He clasped his hands, gazing at me quietly. Our wordless eye contact carried the weight of a craftsman's decades of experience.
“Can you recreate it?”
“I won't know until I try. Claiming I can without starting would make me a fraud.”
Chef Kang Taeyeon quietly lifted the corner of his mouth.
“Good. Then let's start the broadcast.”
“Ah, um...!”
Sister cut in between us. Her shoulders were still trembling, but she seemed much more stable than before.
“What is it?”
“I think you should change your avatar, Chef Kang Taeyeon...! The default one feels too out of place with us.”
“Producer Jeong Inseon and Writer Seo Nahyun didn't mention that.”
“They probably didn't think about the avatar. You don't have VR broadcast experience.”
“That could be.”
He nodded slowly. Then he looked at Sister and asked.
“What should I do?”
“I'll show you some I made. Pick one and use it.”
“Understood.”
It was something I hadn't considered either. I'd been too focused on Chef Kang Taeyeon and the cooking.
‘But... aren't all Sister's avatars handsome types?’
A sudden thought as I admired Sister. All her avatars were made for Virtual YouTuber sales.
In other words, each had some backstory settings.
“This is...”
As expected, Chef Kang Taeyeon's face twisted. Even in the purple default avatar, his expression was clear.
“...They're all too handsome for me. Do I really have to use one?”
“It's not strictly necessary. But viewers might find it jarring.”
Chef Kang Taeyeon sighed. For such a taciturn man to show outright reluctance—Sister was impressive.
“...Understood. I'll use an avatar. But I won't pick it. Please choose for me, Noir. It's awkward for me to select one myself.”
“Leave it to me!”
Sister's eyes sparkled as she scanned the avatar list. She really had made a wide variety of male ones.
“How about this? It's a character I made imagining the Northern Grand Duke. Not flashy, but dignified and imposing... It suits you, Chef.”
With the avatar talk, her tension eased, words flowing smoothly from her mouth.
“...The Northern Grand Duke. Yes. Understood. I'll take that one.”
Chef Kang Taeyeon bowed his head silently for a moment. He seemed about to say something but ultimately accepted. He'd realized it was the most dignified option.
“Pfft...”
Slightly slumped shoulders. His regret over appearing on the broadcast made me chuckle. I'd thought he was all serious, but he had this unexpected side.
‘Not as rigid as I thought.’
Honestly, I'd expected him to flatly refuse Sister's suggestion. He must have an image to uphold.
‘Choosing this despite the risk shows he's considerate of us.’
I hadn't thought much of Chef Kang Taeyeon before, but he might be a pretty good guy.
“...How do I look?”
Chef Kang Taeyeon, now in the Northern Grand Duke avatar, asked.
“It really suits you!”
Sister clasped her hands, eyes sparkling. Indeed, his deep, heavy voice fit the Northern Grand Duke perfectly.
“...What do you think?”
“Looks good.”
“Relieved to hear that.”
Gloomy tone, but laced with relief. I smirked and said.
“Alright, avatar changed. Time to start the broadcast. Or do you need time to adjust?”
“I'm fine. Let's start now.”
“Understood.”
I opened a portal and moved to the kitchen. At the same time, I activated Flavor Link. Chef Kang Taeyeon's eyes gleamed.
“Is my personal setting already complete?”
“Yes. We've been adjusting your settings since you first entered.”
“So if I eat an apple here now, it'll taste real?”
“Exactly. Want one?”
“Please.”
I bought an apple from the shop and offered it. Of course, I infused it with holy power too.
Crunch-
Chef Kang Taeyeon took a bite. His eyes widened slightly.
“...It's real. No different from reality. Maybe even better. If I tweak the settings like this, will it persist if I use this alone next time?”
“Unfortunately, no. Like getting numb to salty tastes on tired days, settings need readjusting each time.”
“Temporary sensation, then.”
“Yes. That's right.”
“A shame. Understood.”
“Then let's really start the broadcast... Oh. How about chat?”
I hadn't thought of that. With a new person, we'd need to adjust chat and donation settings.
“Enable chat, but apply slow mode.”
“And donation amounts?”
“Keep them as is. Donation split is 5:5, right?”
“Yes. Since you're co-starring.”
“Understood.”
He seemed detached from money, but surprisingly haggled over that.
“...Fine dining isn't that leisurely. Even now, without corporate sponsorships, it'd be hard to maintain.”
“I didn't say anything.”
His excuse made me chuckle for no reason.
“Alright, starting now.”
“...Yes.”
『The broadcast has started.』