Items made by Jang Mi-Ae that are said to be difficult to obtain like picking stars in the sky. Especially in the case of ‘weapons’, it is worth mentioning.
Why not? Jang Mi-ae pursues custom-made and small-quantity production. Weapons are produced at a rate of one per month, and even those are sold individually.
Unless you are a high-ranking hunter or a promising one, it’s nearly impossible to get your hands on her crafted weapons. So naturally, they hold high value.
However, such a Jang Mi-ae weapon is now in the hands of a D-class hunter. No, I’m not a hunter anymore. Now I’m just an awakened self-employed person.
He swallowed hard and flicked his wrist. So this was the weapon of a master craftsman.
“Well, technically it’s a kitchen knife of a craftsman. Anyway, it doesn’t feel heavy at all.”
He swung the Chinese cleaver he just grabbed. It felt lighter than a feather. How would its cutting power be?
Soon, Jang Mi-ae’s Chinese Cleaver splits Cockatrice’s leg. At that moment, Dok Jong-pal’s eyes became as big as a lantern.
“So, this is why they say cooking is all about the equipment.”
He had just flicked his wrist, yet the cockatrice’s leg cleanly cut into pieces. No wonder he was amazed and in awe. This was no ordinary kitchen knife.
“It’s just a hunting weapon. No, it’s much more than that!”
Using such a knife in this manner. It couldn’t be anything less than a pearl necklace on a pig’s neck.
“Thanks to my brother, I get to enjoy such luxuries. If this cutting power is combined with skills… Wait a minute!”
Such thoughts were brief as Dok Jong-pal hastily examined the chopping board. Worried that it might have gotten scratched. That’s how remarkable the knife’s cutting power was.
But it was needless worry. The chopping board remained unscathed, proving its exceptional quality. Not even a single scratch, just as expected. With this level of quality, even cutting through a live octopus should pose no problem.
That’s when it happened.
“Dad! We need seasoning, garlic, soy sauce, and fried fish, each ten servings.”
Yeona, who came in with the order sheet, shouted. Only then did Jong-pal snap to attention and swiftly began to move his body.
“Got it. Yeona, while you prepare, serve some appetizers to the guests. Dad bought some. They’re right in front. Can you see them?”
“Ah, I already did all that. What are you looking at? Just focus on cooking, Dad.”
“Oh dear, our daughter. Thank you.”
“Hehe. But make sure you save some for me. Don’t sell them all!”
“That goes without saying. As soon as the guests leave, the party begins.”
A moment later,
The hefty pieces of cockatrice meat are tantalizingly chopped up. Then they’re seasoned lightly and coated in batter.
Soon, the cockatrice legs are submerged in hot oil.
Sizzle…
The kitchen fills with the noisy sound of frying and the savory aroma spreads.
Even the act of cooking itself was enough to make one’s mouth water from the appetizing smell.
After the first frying is done, the cockatrice legs are briefly removed from the oil. Then they’re dipped back in for a second fry to achieve crispiness.
After repeating this process, the finished cockatrice leg fries are ready. Half are served as is, and the other half are coated in seasoning. Then, they’re topped with finely ground peanuts.
Ding, ding!
Jong-pal rings the bell. Soon, Yeona rushes over.
“Yeona, the fried and seasoned legs are ready. Bring them out in order. The rest of the orders will be ready soon.”
“Got it.”
Yeona moves swiftly as if possessed by a flying squirrel.
***
“So, during Scout, you ran into them head-on?”
“That’s right. So we were about to catch them all and return, but suddenly!”
“Suddenly, suddenly what?”
“The team leader Jong-sik said so. K-k-k. That… ”
As Seo sunhwa is unraveling the story, the ordered cockatrice leg fries are brought to the table.
“Your ordered dishes are here. One fried, two seasoned legs. Please wait a bit for the garlic and soy sauce.”
Jong-sik turns back and grabs Yeona.
“Yeona, why don’t you sit down and have some food too?”
“Hehe, it’s okay. I’ll eat after work. You go ahead and enjoy your meal, Dad!”
However, she was a slightly stubborn niece who tilted her head. Meanwhile, crispy seaweed started to emerge from the frying pan on the table.
“I just can’t resist.”
Tanker, Baekhodam reached out their hands and said, “Hold on a moment! Let’s pause for a bit, Seo sunhwa, and discuss while tearing apart the legs.”
Everyone agreed. Each of them held a weapon. The weapon on the dining table was a fork. Jong-sik was already taking a bite.
Crunch.
“Mmm, delicious.”
Jong-sik said with an undisguised smile. The taste was as excellent as the aroma. The double-fried batter was incredibly crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. This was the epitome of…
“The perfect combination of crispy outside and tender inside,” Elementalist Hoon expressed succinctly.
“Wow! This is the most delicious Cockatrice fried I’ve had recently! Oh my, it’s amazing.”
Following suit, Seo sunhwa trembled with delight. Baek hodam, who initially doubted, raised his thumb in agreement.
“Hehe. Look at that juiciness. This isn’t your average cook. Hehehe. It’s so delicious that I can’t help but laugh. Hehehe.”
At that moment, Pyeong-ari nodded in agreement. However, she added an important remark.
“Jong-sik’s cooking skills are impressive, but it seems like Jong-sik’s contribution is even greater when it comes to juiciness.”
“Huh? Dok Team Leader’s contribution? But Dok Team Leader didn’t fry it.”
Seo sunhwa’s cheeks puffed out as she asked. On the other hand, Jong-sik looked at Pyeong-ari with a curious gaze. He was curious about what exactly his contribution was, just like Seo sunhwa.
“You caught this Cockatrice, Jong-sik.”
“Is that so?”
“Hmm. Do you really not know?”
Reflecting on the question once again, he remained clueless. Jong-sik furrowed his brow. Then Pyeong-ari confessed with a sigh. Although she wanted to keep it a secret for as long as possible, her already loose lips made it impossible.
“Cockatrice was subdued without any wounds, just like the Fire Lizard we caught this time. That’s why it’s so juicy.”
Instantly, all three pairs of eyes turned to Jong-sik. Even Seo sunhwa dropped the fork she was holding.
“Hehehe. Subdued Cockatrice without any wounds…”
“I feel like my heart is pounding again.”
“Seo sunhwa, it’s probably because you ate too quickly. Have a sip of water to cool down.”
Seems like there’s a serious misunderstanding. Jong-sik shook his head and replied, “I’ve never subdued anything without wounds. I’m no deity, and there’s no way to harvest lives without injury… Well, there is, but not like that. And why is this suddenly coming up?”
“There were wounds. Anyway, what I mean is that it was subdued with minimal damage. That’s why it’s so juicy. Anyway, with such excellent ingredients, it’s bound to taste good.”
Pyeong-ari added an explanation for Jong-sik, who still didn’t quite understand.
Finally nodding his head, Jong-sik thought he should continue to subdue them in the same way in the future.
Now, the two pairs of eyes shifted to Seo sunhwa. It was time for her to speak up.
“Out of all of us, only Pyeong-ari Team Leader and Seo sunhwa have seen the team leader’s skills.”
“For that reason, Seo sunhwa, continue what you were saying earlier. So, what did Team Leader Dok say?”
Elementalist Sanghoon asked, lowering his fork. Seo sunhwa looked at the fried food and then at her teammates before finally saying, “Um…”
“So, Seo sunhwa, isn’t that not the way to do it? By saying it like this, you’re demonstrating it.”
“How so?”
“Suddenly, an arrow appears and pierces through Fire Lizard’s eye. Is it just going to fall like that?”
“Oh, that’s right…”
“And then?”
“So, what’s the ‘and then’? The game’s over. What about when it’s a boss monster? Catching someone trying to hide in the ground!”
“Instead of catching someone, they would just…”
“Oh my, I think I’m choking. I’ll just have a sip of cola.”
Despite saying she would only take a sip of cola, Seo sunhwa quickly grabbed a piece of fried food and put it in her mouth. Baek hodam glanced at her, then locked eyes with Jong-sik.
“Better to hear it from the person involved!”
Several questions poured out. What skill was used, how did you know how to prevent self-destruction, and so on. Eventually, Jong-sik spoke up.
“That’s a trade secret.”
“Oh, really.”
“Oh, and I didn’t think you’d be worried, I’ll tell you up front that next time it’s going to be a while.”
In response to Jong-sik’s words, Elemental Mage Sanghoon quickly replied.
“Can I come with you next time, scouting?”
“Oh, Sanghoon! Even if you’re like that, there’s still room for second time. Team Leader Dok , please go with me next time.”
“Why would Tanker go for Scouting? Scouting is obviously the Ranger’s job! Team Leader Dok , will you also move with me in the next dungeon raid?”
Their combat skills developed drastically after just one handshake. Seo sunhwa wanted another chance like that.
“Let’s decide after seeing the next dungeon environment.”
It’s not easy, after all. Seo sunhwa sighed inwardly, and Sanghoon and Baek hodam cheered. Well, she probably won’t go with Seo sunhwa for the second time either. Then it’s fifty-fifty.
“Nice one.”
“I’ll do my best.”
That’s how it was with Sanghoon and Baek hodam, who downed their bowls of kimchi soup in one shot.
For a moment, the topic shifted to something else. Chatty Seo sunhwa started talking incessantly.
Jong-sik quietly immersed himself in their conversation while enjoying delicious food.
‘It reminds me of the old days when it was bustling.’
“Hey, how was it? Was it delicious? Or, what do they sell?”
The woman scanned the tables briefly. She saw some yellow fried food.
“Eh, it was so-so. It wasn’t particularly tasty or awful. Anyway, I didn’t really like it.”
“It looks delicious though. Didn’t you also have those fried things?”
“No. Weren’t they selling orc head meat in the morning?”
“Ugh… Orc head meat, I really hate that. But it seems like they’re selling fried stuff now. Shall we go in and check it out? Hm?”
“Oh, come on. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Let’s just go. Trust me.”
The best decoration for a restaurant is its customers. The woman grabbed the man’s sleeve as she looked at the people filling the restaurant.
“No. Look at those people, they’re really enjoying their meal. It’s not just the hype of a grand opening; the food they’re eating right now must be really delicious, right? Those expressions don’t come easily.”
“Did you say we should go in?”
“Fine, I got it. If it’s not good, I’ll take responsibility!”
In the end, the woman won. With an expectant expression, she opened the door to the shop. The interior was filled with a savory aroma. The woman spoke with an excited expression.
“Wow, look! The smell is amazing. It must be delicious here.”
“Yeah, the smell is really mouthwatering.”
The man’s uncertain face brightened momentarily. That’s when it happened.
“Oh, I’m sorry. We’re actually fully booked right now. We have a group reservation, so it might be difficult to find a table.”
The restaurant staff, Yeona, came out and explained the situation. Upon hearing this, the woman’s expression turned disappointed.
“Aw, I really wanted to eat here…”
“Well, it can’t be helped. Let’s just go.”
It’s a shame, but what can you do if it’s fully booked? The man turned around, grabbing the woman’s wrist. She shook off his hand and spoke up.
“Just a moment, dear. Excuse me, do you open at the same time tomorrow?”
“We open at 7:30.”
“Is there no group reservation tomorrow morning, by any chance?”
“Hehe. No, there isn’t.”
“Phew, good, I’ll come back tomorrow, but make sure you open the door.”
“Of course. Oh, and our menu changes every day. Tomorrow morning, it will be…”
In response to the woman’s question, Dok Yeona smiled slyly and replied.
