“Before, I felt feverish and heavy, but now I feel completely fine. No, I feel refreshed, even?”
Choi Hongmin (23, male), a kitchen staff member working at Dok’s restaurant, said as he put down his chopsticks.
“Hongmin, you too? I suddenly feel like my condition has changed. I’m not even sick.”
Upon hearing this, the serving staff also chimed in, agreeing with the sentiment. Turning his waist noisily, he felt the changes in his body.
At the center of these changes was the food made by Jong-pal. Jong-pal typically treats the staff to the food that will be served that day so they can confidently recommend it to customers and explain its taste and ingredients.
So today, like any other day, he presented the food in that manner, unaware of the unexpected outcome.
A kitchen staff member who claimed to have a cold suddenly felt better, and even the waitstaff mentioned a change in their condition.
Of course, Dok Jong-pal himself was surprised when he tasted the food.
“Boss, did you happen to put potions in today’s dishes? The pricing won’t match if you sell it at this rate.”
“That’s what I’m saying! But the taste of the food is too good to have just put in potions. What on earth is going on?”
All the staff were speaking up. Hearing their words, Jong-pal could guess. It was about what caused the change in the taste of the food.
“Oh, it’s because of the ash rune.”
At first, he was flustered, but upon careful consideration, he realized it was actually a good thing.
‘He could create dishes comparable to potions? And without compromising taste? As a chef, what could be better than that?’
The most important point here was that he could also take care of his family’s health with the food he made.
Jong-pal, who had been dumbfounded, soon burst into a hearty laugh and stumbled over his words. He couldn’t tell them he had eaten the ash rune.
“I didn’t put potions in it, I just acquired a similar skill. You all know my previous occupation was a hunter.”
“Oh… I see. There’s a skill like that? Anyway, congratulations, boss!”
“From now on, the customers will flock in, won’t they? I’ll work hard! Oh, and congratulations, boss.”
The staff congratulated him unanimously. Jong-pal smiled wryly, a mix of pride and embarrassment. And at that moment,
“Food, give me food!”
“You should say ‘Give me food,’ you know.”
“Umm. Food, please!”
Jong-pal, along with Yeona and Haeli, entered the store.
The staff, including Jong-pal, greeted Jong-sik’s group warmly as usual.
“Hey, Hyung. Welcome back. I was just about to call you.”
“Big boss, hello. Yeona student, hello… Huh!”
In the midst of it, a staff member noticed Haeli walking next to Jong-sik and gasped.
Is such a face really made by God? Despite being a child, an overwhelming aura emanated from her.
With cute features, long red eyelashes extending from her eyes, and contrasting red lips against white skin.
The staff member approached Haeli as if entranced, then sat down in front of her and asked.
“Big b-boss. W-who is this kid? Wow, she’s so beautiful. She looks like a foreigner…. Wow. Look at those chubby cheeks.”
“Wow, amazing. I’ve never seen such a beautiful child before. Could she be a model? Wow, I’m speechless. Hello, little one?”
They were at a loss for words as they looked at Haeli. Indeed, Haeli’s beauty was out of this world.
It’s not for nothing that they say she’s a dragon.
Anyway, Haeli, who was attracting attention from the staff, lifted her head proudly.
If it were an ordinary child, they might have been startled and cried at the sudden approach of an adult man, but Haeli was not an ordinary child.
She spoke in a fairly haughty tone.
“I’m not a baby, my name is Dok Haeli. And I’m hungry.”
With that, she swiftly pulled out a chair and floated up with a feather-light movement. It was the power of magic.
“W-what just happened?”
“Boss. Is this kid an Awakened?”
“Surely I mentioned not to use magic recklessly just now. Did she forget about it in less than ten minutes?”
Jong-sik sighed quietly at the sight. He realized he needed to pay closer attention this time.
“Dok Haeli. What did I just tell you?”
“Umm, I did something wrong.”
“Tell me exactly what you did wrong.”
“Umm, that is….”
Here we go again. Sticking out her lips, the trick was back.
If that’s really cute, it’s a bargain.
Jong-sik didn’t bat an eye and let out a quiet sigh. But the others were different.
‘Oh dear. She might start crying.’
But even crying would be so cute.’
“Uncle. Don’t say that. Just give her a chance.”
“Right. Hyung. She’s still a child. We can talk after she eats. And no one else saw it. I’ll take care of the employees. And remember, we don’t bother the dog when it’s eating. Okay?”
Haeli burst into a mischievous laugh at the reactions of those who cared about her. Eventually, Jong-sik nodded and roughly ruffled the kid’s hair.
“I’m really only giving you one chance.”
“Hehe.”
“This tastes bad.”
“No way. How could a hot dog taste bad?”
“The one Little Dad gave me tastes better.”
Dok Haeli, taking a big bite of the hot dog, wrinkled her eyebrows. Who cares about snacks sold in department store food corners compared to the food made by Jong-sik? Especially considering it’s not just ordinary food but something imbued with divine power.
“But still. Saying a hot dog doesn’t taste good. Doesn’t she realize how valuable K-food is?”
Jong-sik swiftly snatched the hot dog from Haeli’s hand.
“You can ask for more whenever you want. If it doesn’t taste good, give it here. I’ll finish it for you.”
“I’ll throw it away.”
“Why waste something so precious?”
As he said that, Jong-sik swallowed the hot dog in one bite.
Haeli looked on in astonishment and exclaimed. Wasn’t Yeona unni supposed to say you should chew your food thoroughly?
“Adults can eat in one bite. But you shouldn’t be picky about food already. I can’t just feed you Jong-sik’s food three times a day.”
“Picky? What’s picky eating?”
Haeli was curious about everything. From the moment she left the store until now, she had been asking question after question. “What’s this, what’s that.” The world was full of wonders when you first encountered it, and it hadn’t changed.
Then, at that moment, Yeona, who had gone to the information desk, returned. Jong-sik greeted her warmly as she approached.
“Uncle-!”
“Oh, Yeona’s back?”
“Yes. They said the girls’ children’s clothing section is on the third floor.”
“Is that so? Let’s go shopping quickly. We have many places to visit today.”
“Yep! Haeli, hold unni’s hand. This is a department store, and it’s crowded, so you could get lost if you don’t pay attention. So don’t let go of unni’s hand.”
“Okay. But Yeona unni, what’s picky eating?”
“Picky eating? Well… Picky eating is when….”
Although Jong-sik was the one who brought them, Yeona took on half of the parenting responsibility. She patiently answered Haeli’s questions.
The questions continued even after that. What is an escalator? What are mannequins used for?
And so, with questions and answers flowing back and forth, they arrived at their destination, the children’s clothing store.
“Oh my, oh my. It’s chaos. Absolute chaos. How could each outfit fit so perfectly like this?!”
The clothing store manager exclaimed in amazement as she watched Haeli coming out of the dressing room in a new outfit.
With her red hair contrasting against the white dress, Haeli’s appearance was enough to evoke admiration.
Meanwhile, Haeli was asking about unfamiliar words. Of course, Yeona provided the answers.
“Fit perfectly? They’re complimenting pretty Haeli in her new clothes.”
“Oh, compliments? Hmm.”
Just then, Haeli, wearing the white dress, dashed over to Jong-sik sitting nearby.
“Uncle? Am I pretty?”
While Haeli tried on several outfits, Jong-sik silently watched. But Haeli wanted to hear his opinion directly.
Just as others were amazed by her, Jong-sik also hoped to respond similarly. But it wasn’t so easy.
“Yeah, they all look good, but this one looks the best.”
Jong-sik praised with a nonchalant expression. Despite his dry tone, it was sincere.
Even when Haeli wore the hastily cut long-sleeved shirt from Yeona, she looked cute, but when she wore clothes that fit her body, words were unnecessary. Clothes were her wings.
“Hehe. Then I’ll only wear this one. I like this one the best.”
“Just that one? Did you come all the way here just to buy that? Excuse me.”
Jong-sik called a staff member.
“Yes, sir!”
“Could you please ring up the outfit the child is wearing?”
“Will you be wearing it out?”
“Yes.”
After receiving the card, the staff member hesitated before speaking. There seemed to be something else on their mind.
“Um, excuse me, sir. Are you the child’s father? I mean, the child is just so, so beautiful. How is it that nothing seems to not suit her at all? It’s unbelievable…”
“Oh, yes.”
As if on cue, the staff member revealed their true intentions in a subtle tone.
“If it’s not too much trouble, could I take a few pictures of the child? She’s just too, too beautiful for me to keep it to myself. I really, really want to share it with the headquarters. I’m sure there will be offers for child modeling…”
Jong-sik promptly declined her offer.
“No, that’s a bit inconvenient. We’ve never thought about child modeling, and I don’t feel comfortable with the idea of using the child’s pictures commercially.”
“…Ah.”
“So, please just ring them up. About twenty pieces in total, right?”
It was a regretful response, but she understood. Nodding at Jong-sik’s refusal, she spoke.
“I’m sorry. I think I might have overstepped because the child is so beautiful. I apologize once again.”
“It’s okay. But what about the rest of the clothes? There are too many to carry out right now. Can they be delivered?”
“Of course. Just write down your address, and we’ll arrange delivery for you. If you’re in Seoul, they’ll arrive this afternoon.”
“Oh. The address is…”
And with that, as one morning appointment ended, Jong-sik finished paying and left the store with the children in tow.
Shortly after Jong-sik’s group left the store, there was a customer looking for them.
“Are these the clothes the child who just left was wearing? Can my daughter try them on too?”
“Welcome, sir. Of course, you can.”
They were just the beginning for the mother and daughter. These were parents who had been wanting to come in but had been hesitant, fearing their daughter might be compared to Haeli.
“We’d like to buy without trying on. Could you please check the sizes?”
“Sure, let me just get them for you. As for the fitting, we’ll assist the other customer first and then guide you to the fitting room.”
“…? Oh, just give me the same clothes the child who left was wearing. I don’t need to try them on.”
It seemed like today might break their record for the highest sales. The shop owner moved swiftly, thinking to themselves, ‘It’s all because of that child. Even if she doesn’t do child modeling, with that appearance, she’s bound to become famous… I should send out a bunch more of the clothes we sold today as a service.’
On the other hand, as they exited the store, Yeona called out to Jong-sik.
“Um, Dad. Are we going straight to the real estate agency?”
“Yeah. Do you want to go home first if you’re tired?”
“No! It’s not that. I just want to take Haeli to the bathroom.”
‘Here we go again.’
Jong-sik nodded in response.
“Oh, sure. Take your time. I’ll wait here.”
“Okay. We’ll be back soon. Let’s go, Haeli.”
“Hehe. We’ll be back.”
In a Seoul department store restroom, there was a despicable little rat harboring base desires.
He entered a stall, locked the door, and waited for his prey to arrive. He had already achieved his desired outcome, but it wasn’t enough.
And finally.
The prey he had been hoping for entered the restroom.
“Haeli, can you do it by yourself?”
“Yeah, I can.”
“Okay. If you come out first, don’t go anywhere else. Wait for me here, okay?”
“Okay!”
From their conversation, they seemed to be siblings. Their voices were youthful and lively.
“Hehe. I did well to wait. Please, come to this stall.”
The rat fervently prayed.
Click.
His prayers were answered.
“Nice!”
