Dok’s Restaurant, break time.
Jong-pal was sharing about a small commotion that happened a few hours ago, prompting Jong-sik to scold his younger brother.
“If something like that happened, you should’ve called me. You know I’m in charge.”
“What, you think I’m still a kid? Do I have to come running to you every time something happens?”
“Aren’t we both grown up now?”
“We’ve been grown up for a while. Anyway, you handled it well. But, looking back, it seems like it was resolved easily because of you…”
“What do you mean?”
It sounded like nonsense to Jong-sik, who looked at his brother with a puzzled expression.
“It was almost going to get noisy, but the waiting customers helped out. And it turns out they were friends of your team members?”
The Hunters who helped. They found this place through acquaintances and those acquaintances happened to be Jong-sik’s subordinates.
“My team members’ friends? Are they from the dungeon clearing team?”
“I heard they’re not from the Healing Guild.”
A figure brushed through Jong-sik’s mind for a moment.
The strategy team members who enjoyed his lunchbox.
Didn’t they even come to the infirmary and ask for Dok’s Restaurant address?
“Oh, they’re the Hunters I met on a business trip.”
“Really? Anyway, next time you see them, please thank them for me. I’ll ask you to do that. Oh, and when they come to the store, I’ll give them plenty of service.”
“Well, they’ll probably appreciate it.”
Their faces, filled with delight as they devoured the lunchbox, were bright.
“That’s a relief. But it’s funny how those high-profile Hunters came in and left without looking back.”
Even as they left, Manager Go muttered, “Do you think I’m the only one? Just wait and see!” But Jong-pal wasn’t afraid. He had no intention of returning as a Hunter.
“That’s just the way of the world. Did you finally realize that?”
“Well…”
“Anyway, it was resolved well. But why do you look so serious?”
Despite everything, Dok Jong-pal’s expression was deeply serious.
“Well, you see, because of that, I have something I want to discuss with you, hyung…”
“Is there something to discuss that’s weighing on you like this? What’s the matter?”
On the second day of making food imbued with divine power.
He had thought it was all good to serve high-quality food to his family and customers.
However, since hearing about Trigo’s involvement in building shelters, Dok Jong-pal had been lost in thought.
In a situation where even dimensionals were lending a hand, he wondered if it was alright for him to continue living such a mundane life. And what about his brother?
“My brother and Trigo are both putting in so much effort for the sake of their families…”
With such thoughts swirling in his mind, Dok Jong-pal was approached by the guild representatives. That confirmed his worth. Now, all that was left was to make a decision.
“It might be off-topic, but I have a desire to help my brother. So, I was wondering if there’s anything I can do to assist with the abilities my brother gave me?”
Dok Jong-pal spoke with a serious tone.
“I know exactly what my brother is doing. He’s preparing for disaster. That’s why he’s installing bomb shelters in the house, acquiring ashen runes to distribute to the family, participating in national operations even though he finds going on business trips bothersome. It’s all to protect our family. After all, our family can only exist if the country does.”
“…”
“So, let me help too. It’s not just my brother who wants to protect the family. I feel the same way. Of course, I may not be as reliable. I’m not as strong as my brother, nor do I have exceptional abilities like Trigo. But still, I want to help. I mean it.”
Upon hearing those words, Jong-sik suddenly remembered his conversation with Trigo.
“They’re both concerned. What’s going on?”
This morning.
Jong-sik handed over the ashen runes he had obtained before to Trigo, asking for assistance with the emotional suppression of the black ring. In the process, Trigo cautiously mentioned something.
He said that Master Jang mi-ae had once again requested assistance in building shelters. Trigo had refused several times before, but for some reason, this time he wanted to help. So he asked Jong-sik if it was okay.
Jong-sik was curious about Trigo’s change of heart and asked him. Trigo replied:
[Upon reflection, even if our family can take shelter in the bomb shelters in case of a disaster, what about the customers who come to the store? They won’t have anywhere to go. We’ve eaten together and built relationships, so… I thought about it and felt like I should help them. Also, for the time being, or rather, if I want to continue staying on this Earth, then this place needs to be safe.]
It was a reasoning similar to that of his younger brother, Dok Jong-pal.
They both emphasized the importance of protecting the country first, even before family. And of course, Jong-sik agreed with that.
So, he had announced the transfer of the ashen runes, support for the Raiding team, and even mentioned the gate.
“But the pace of the invasion is too fast, and the information network of the hunters here is still too weak.”
Therefore, Jong-sik decided to take a more proactive approach. In that sense, his response to Dok Jong-pal was as follows:
“I know I’m not reliable… I’m well aware. What help could I provide with healing items of the same level as potions? If I’m going to help, I need to do it properly. Here, take them.”
At the same time, he took out the ashen runes that had been set aside for Yeona and Haeli’s share. Jong-sik realized he needed to elevate Dok Jong-pal to the level of a buff maker.
***
A few hours later…
Jong-sik was out at the blacksmithing site.
“Hyungnim!”
Trigo, who was supervising the construction site, welcomed Jong-sik. Then, instinctively, Trigo’s gaze turned towards Jong-sik’s hands.
“Yeah. You’ve been working hard. Is the demolition proceeding smoothly?”
“Everyone’s putting in effort as if it’s their own work, so I think we’ll finish by the end of this week.”
The guild chairman, Nam Woo-jong, had sent many workers as promised for the demolition and construction of the site. Thanks to that, progress was being made swiftly.
“That’s good. Ah, what about lunch? Jong-pal said you didn’t even come to the restaurant.”
“Jang mi-ae Workshop sent over some food carts, so we ate here. We had toast for snacks too. Oh, right. Hyungnim, make sure to stop by the toast shop on your way back. Oh man, it was so delicious. Ah! Of course, the toast you treated me to before was also very tasty.”
As he spoke, memories of the past came flooding back.
‘Didn’t he recommend toast ingredients to the toast stall owner nearby?’
It seems like Trigo heard Jong-sik’s words.
There’s only one toast shop nearby, owned by that old man.
“As expected, their tastes align.”
Just as he was thinking that…
Trigo cleared his throat and spoke.
His gaze was still fixed on Jong-sik’s hands, or more precisely, the bag he was holding.
“Hm! But I smell something delicious. Hyungnim?”
“Anyway, forget about it.”
“Hehehe.”
“Jong-pal thought you might not have eaten, so he gave it to me to give to you. But he said you’ve already eaten both lunch and snacks?”
“He just has a separate lunchbox for you, doesn’t he?”
“What nonsense.”
“…It means he really wants you to eat what you brought.”
Trigo’s mouth watered. Jong-sik chuckled and handed over the lunchbox he brought.
“It’s just a joke, take it. I brought plenty, so call people over and eat. Oh, and Jong-pal said he’s closing early today, so make sure to bring everyone here. He wants to take care of dinner himself.”
“As always, there’s no one who thinks of me like Jong-pal does.”
“Hmm?”
“Well, of course, except for you, Hyungnim!”
“Anyway, since I’ve delivered it, I’m going.”
It was a visit simply to deliver the lunchbox.
Today’s destination was different.
As Jong-sik was about to leave, Trigo quickly grabbed him.
“Just a moment, Hyungnim!”
“What? Do you have something to say?”
“It’s about the black ring you gave me this morning.”
“Hmm. Is the enchantment over already?”
The black ring obtained after killing the demon duke. Jong-sik had asked Trigo to analyze its exact function.
But Trigo shook his head.
“It’s not that, but it seems like it might take some time, after all. There’s a magical inscription inside the ring, and it’s a type of inscription I’ve never seen before.”
“Oh, really?”
“So, I was thinking, Hyungnim. I heard there are Awakening Ones who specialize in enchantments. If it’s urgent, wouldn’t it be faster to go to them?”
It was an unexpected answer. Jong-sik had thought that Trigo, being the descendant of his former colleague Kutja , who was exceptional not only in crafting but also in enchantments, might have similar capabilities.
‘Well, not all dwarves are the same.’
Jong-sik nodded his head.
“Hmm. I understand what you mean. Let’s go see an enchanter then. It’s better to be faster, after all.”
In response, Trigo handed the black ring back to Jong-sik.
“Of course, I’ll continue to look into it! I’ll let you know as soon as I have accurate information!”
“Got it. Anything else?”
“Nope. Oh, but why did you come all the way here, is it just to give me lunch?”
“Well, if that was the case, I would’ve called you. I stopped by on my way to somewhere else. Anyway, see you in the evening. Take care.”
“Yeah. Hyungnim!”
After Jong-sik left…
“Hey, guys! Feeling a bit hungry? How about some food?”
Trigo called over the workers who were working.
Actually, they weren’t hungry at all.
It hadn’t been even an hour since they had their snacks, the toast.
However, they followed Trigo’s call because snack time meant break time.
“What’s all this?”
In front of these workers, Trigo opened the lunchbox.
The rice rolled into a perfect round shape, wrapped in green pumpkin leaves, with a red seasoning sauce on top.
That was none other than…
“Pumpkin leaf ssambap,” a worker exclaimed, identifying the food in the lunchbox for Trigo. Trigo nodded and immediately offered the ssambap to the workers.
“Oh, ssambap? That’s something new, isn’t it?”
“It’s rare to see these days… Haha.”
“Yeah? Well, come on, everyone, eat up. It’s from my family, and it’s going to be delicious, and you won’t even notice if one of you dies.”
Even as he said that, Trigo was quicker than anyone else to reach out and take a bite of the ssambap.
“Mmm.”
For a moment, Trigo’s face lit up with bliss.
Understandably so, because this ssambap was made by Jong-pal, who had absorbed two additional Ashen Runes. This meant that both the taste and efficacy were doubled.
“It’s, it’s really delicious!”
It was a bit exaggerated.
The workers chuckled at Trigo’s admiration.
“Hehe. He really loves Korean food.”
At the same time, a strange sense of national pride welled up.
Why was that?
It was like the feeling you get when you see a foreigner enjoying Korean food, a sense of national pride. Moreover, they were from a different dimension.
“If it’s that good, why are you just staring instead of eating? Should I finish it all myself? Hurry up and try it.”
So said the employer, or rather, the employer urging Koreans to eat Korean food. In that case, even if you were full, you had to eat.
“Then, I’ll just taste it.”
“I’m also full….”
Gradually, the workers swallowed the ssambap. And the room fell silent as if they were savoring its flavor.
“…!”
“Hehehe. See? I told you it’s insanely delicious. It’s so good that you can’t even speak, right?”
Trigo’s words were not an exaggeration; the ssambap was indeed delicious.
Moreover, they weren’t just astonished by the taste.
Suddenly, their sealed mouths opened all at once.
“This is the first time I’ve had ssambap this delicious!”
“Are there special ingredients in it? I can’t see any otherworldly ingredients, though.”
“Oh, man. Do you feel like your energy is just surging?”
“Uh, uh, yeah. Are you feeling the same?”
After hours of labor since dawn, how tired they had been.
But now, that exhaustion seemed to wash away.
It wasn’t just a sense of national pride; it felt like they had received a real energy boost.
And that wasn’t all.
Even the muscle pain that they usually endured as part of the job seemed to disappear.
The cause of this change was undoubtedly the pumpkin leaf ssambap.
They glanced at each other.
“This important site… Food is different too. Sharing this with the workers.”
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I have to eat more!”
“Is this food disguised as a potion? Like a message to work tirelessly? Well, with this kind of condition, there’s nothing we can’t do!”
***
A moment later.
The workers began to approach their meal with a sense of determination. They showed a strong resolve to eat more, as if they couldn’t possibly stop.
Judging by their momentum, it seemed like they would finish the demolition and construction faster than expected.
“Uh, uh. What’s going on? Slow down, everyone!”
Meanwhile, at that moment.
Jong-sik was stepping into the Hunter Bureau’s Seoul headquarters.
It was one of the promises made by Nam Woo-jong, the chairman.
He was there to receive it.
And it wouldn’t hurt to gather information about the emotion mages while he was at it.
“Hmm. Let’s see, I believe it’s this way?”
Jong-sik’s steps were lighter than ever before.
