The signboard of Dok’s Family Restaurant was closed.
However, the inside of the restaurant was bright and bustling.
In the center were Trigo and the hunters.
“Trigo, it’s been a long time. How’s your adaptation to life in Korea?”
“Once we adapt, we dwarves adapt! Don’t you know that dwarves are the race that survives even when stranded on a deserted island?”
“Hmph. As far as I know, you’re the only dwarf, Trigo.”
“Well, that’s true.”
“Anyway, I heard you’re doing well?”
“Yeah. Waking up in the morning, having a cup of coffee, listening to music over Bluetooth, and eating Korean meals three times a day – isn’t that enough to say I’ve adapted? Wait… a vibration.”
As Trigo finished speaking, he quickly pulled his smartphone from his pocket.
“Oh no. That vibration made me think it was a call, but it seems not,”
he said, showing off his latest model smartphone.
Look, I’m a modern dimensional being who uses a smartphone!
…his inner desire to boast about it was clearly evident.
Pyeong-ari smirked and played along.
“Oh. Isn’t that the new smartphone?”
“Is it? I’m not sure. I just picked it with Yeona. Hehehe.”
Trigo replied, raising the corners of his mouth.
“Hmph. Anyway, you have a smartphone and have really adapted properly. Instead of this, shall we exchange numbers?”
“Exchanging numbers… Well, there’s no harm in that. Here, why don’t you dial your number first?”
Trigo handed his phone to Pyeong-ari, who started entering his number.
Then Trigo made a call to me with his phone.
Dok Jong-sik, Dok Jong-pal, Dok Yeona. In addition to the three names stored in Trigo’s contacts, one more number was added.
“Here. I also saved Trigo’s number. Oh, and I heard you’re opening a blacksmith’s workshop! Congratulations.”
“We started construction today, and rumors spread fast. That’s right. I’m setting up a workshop not far from here. These people who came with me today are all workers helping with the construction of the blacksmith’s site. Please greet them.”
Trigo’s words made the workers laugh heartily. It was understandable, considering they weren’t high-ranking hunters who could be difficult to approach. Especially the hunter in front of them, Pyeong-ari – a healer representing Korea. How could one easily strike up a conversation with someone like her?
“Why has everyone become tongue-tied? Wahaha! Now that I see it, you all feel embarrassed, huh?”
Unaware of their discomfort, Trigo burst into laughter at the awkward workers. On the other hand, Pyeong-ari smiled faintly and nodded to them. Then she looked at Trigo and asked:
“Anyway, I’ll definitely visit once you open. Oh, can you also make protective gear? Since I’m in a profession that requires body protection.”
“Hmm. I do have some pending work, but since we’re on good terms, I can’t pretend not to know you. When I open, make sure to drop by sometime. Of course, it won’t be free. Remember that.”
“Hmph. Do you think I would request it for free? Don’t worry about the money. I’ll pay you what it’s worth.”
The rumor that even Jang Mi-ae, a top representative of South Korea, respects Trigo, the master craftsman, has already spread throughout the hunter community.
Perhaps because of this, other hunters who were listening to Pyeong-ari and Trigo’s conversation began to chime in one by one.
“Ms. Pyeong-ari. Getting protective gear made? From him?”
“Instead of that, why don’t you introduce us too? Huh?”
“Hello. I’m Kang Chang-soo, a colleague who participated in operations with Mr. Jong-sik.”
“It’s not a bad idea to establish a direct connection like Captain Kang Chang-soo does, right?”
“Well, well. Then. I…”
“I’ll greet you too.”
While they were chatting away,
Jong-sik suddenly started bringing out trays full of food.
***
“You all have waited for a long time.”
Side dishes were served on the table: kimchi, lettuce wraps, ssamjang, bean sprout side dish, garlic, and sesame oil sauce. The spread hinted at what the main dish would be.
And the main dish was none other than Fire Boar pork belly – the perfect choice after hard labor, according to Jong-pal.
But with so many people, why were there so many side dishes?
The workers sitting down clapped their hands but protested, shaking their heads.
“Oh, this is too much. Please stop bringing more. It’s enough already.”
“Yeah, we had full lunchboxes earlier. Really…”
“I’m not sure if it’s right for us to eat such a fancy meal after working up a sweat.”
Despite their words, their eyes eagerly followed the food being served – a clear sign of their true feelings. Jong-sik chuckled and said,
“Don’t worry about that. Just enjoy what my brother has diligently prepared.”
“Well, if you insist, we’ll gratefully eat, but…”
“No need to feel burdened. Enjoy your meal, and make sure to keep up the hard work tomorrow too. Oh, and since the meat will be ready soon, everyone, please light the grill.”
As soon as Jong-sik finished speaking, everyone lit the fire and started reaching for the freshly served side dishes.
“Ah, is this really bean sprout side dish?”
“I knew it! The food from this place makes you feel energized and refreshed, even when you’re exhausted.”
“Hey, Kim! Take a little bit and leave some for everyone else. Will you regret it if you finish all the sides before the meat arrives?”
“…I have no appetite, so I’ll just eat a little and leave.”
It wasn’t just the workers; the hunters’ reactions were equally enthusiastic.
“Yeah, this tastes amazing!”
“You should’ve listened to my suggestion to come here right away instead of a company dinner, right?”
“Finally, a good idea from you. Very commendable. Excellent.”
“Wow, this is even better than the lunchbox? Incredible.”
Even the usually reserved Hunter Kang Chang-soo was stuffing his mouth full of kimchi. He glanced at Pyeong-ari sitting across from him.
“Hmm. This makes me crave some soju. Don’t you, Ari?”
“…Oh. Yes. I’ll have it with rice.”
Pyeong-ari looked at them in confusion. Understandably, she hadn’t tasted the lunchbox brought by Jong-pal, having been unconscious at the time.
“Hmm. Ari, you have such self-control.”
“Hahaha. What’s so great about it? The meat will be here soon enough.”
In other words, Pyeong-ari hadn’t tasted Jong-pal’s food imbued with sacredness yet. For that reason, Pyeong-ari waited quietly without picking up her chopsticks. ‘Seems like everyone was really hungry,’ she thought.
Meanwhile, Dok Jong-pal caught hold of his busy brother, Jong-sik, who was serving the food.
“Brother. Stop now and come eat. These are your comrades. You came to see me, but go and chat with them a bit.”
“I came to see you. Can’t you see everyone’s shouting how delicious it is?”
“Oh, come on. Surely not for that reason. I came partly for that.”
“It’s true. Anyway, you’re suffering because of me again. You should’ve just taken care of the workers.”
“Don’t say that again. Stop talking and go eat comfortably. I’ll pack some food for Yeona and Haeli, and we’ll eat up here. Oh, and if you need more side dishes after finishing them, they’re all filled up in this container here, so feel free to take some.”
“Hmm. Alright then?”
Sigh.
For a moment, Jong-pal’s stomach grumbled.
“See that? Even I’m hungry. I’ll go up, so hurry up and eat comfortably.”
And a moment later,
Jong-sik, having finished serving, finally joined the group.
But for some reason, everyone was only reaching for the side dishes, not the main dish, ‘Fire Boar’s pork belly.’
‘Everyone knows what’s delicious,’ Jong-sik thought, watching his colleagues hastily eating.
“What’s the use of asking, but how is everyone finding the food?”
“Wow, this is incredible! I mean, what happened in just a few days? Of course, I know Jong-pal’s cooking skills are amazing, but this… ”
The first to respond was Pyeong-ari. She tasted the food belatedly and couldn’t help but express her admiration. Even as she spoke, she could feel a surge of energy coursing through her body. It was as if there was an effect similar to the skill 【Healing Touch】.
“Isn’t it amazing?”
“Yes! It’s truly beyond words. Just to ask, did Jong-pal really make this himself?”
“Why?”
“…No, it’s just astonishing. How can ordinary ingredients produce effects rivaling potions? This is truly revolutionary. Even a 7-star hotel chef couldn’t make such food! I can guarantee it.”
Pyeong-ari’s eyes sparkled.
Seeing that, Jong-sik suddenly remembered Jong-pal’s words.
“I want to be helpful to the country like my brother and Trigo. That’s our family’s duty.”
Trigo is contributing to the country by making shelters, and he himself is obtaining runes through participation in operations. Ultimately, it’s to protect the family.
“Anyway, if that’s the case, how can Jong-pal be of help? The answer would probably come from Pyeong-ari.”
‘Being in the same guild offers many advantages. As the successor of the Healing Guild, Pyeong-ari’s support would be invaluable.’
Jong-sik, having reached his decision, spoke up.
“My brother made the food. Speaking of which, a few guild officials visited the restaurant today, again offering recruitment.”
“Oh? Did he accept?”
“No, he sent them away. Now, here’s the thing: if the Healing Guild were to recruit my brother, would you be interested?”
Jong-sik’s direct question sparked enthusiasm in Pyeong-ari. This was a rare and potentially life-changing opportunity.”Yes, yes, of course! Absolutely!”
“However, there are a few conditions.”
Just then, before Jong-pal could finish, someone barged in. It was Hunter Kang Chang-soo.
“Sorry to interrupt, Chief Dok. If you’re looking for a guild, could I introduce ours?”
“Hahaha. I found myself listening too. Chief, please consider giving your brother to our guild!”
And it wasn’t just him. The hunters who had been busy eating were now boasting about their own guilds while looking at Jong-pal.
As hunters participating in national operations, their guilds had a reputation both domestically and internationally.
Perhaps feeling a sense of crisis, Pyeong-ari exclaimed in frustration.
“W-what are you all talking about? Isn’t it obvious that the needle should go to the thread? Chief Dok, since you’re affiliated with our Healing Guild, your brother should naturally join our guild too! Chief Jong-pal, instead of this, shall we discuss quietly somewhere?”
“No, I was just going to share some of the benefits of our guild. That’s all.”
“Yes, I didn’t see it that way, but Pyeong-ari, you’re quite ambitious! It’s rumored that Chief Dok spent quite a bit of money on his re-contracting. Can you handle his brother’s deposit?”
“What did you just say? Seriously, don’t cross the line!”
I didn’t expect it to get this noisy. If I had known, I would have brought up the topic when we were alone. But the cat’s out of the bag now.
“It seems like there’s some misunderstanding here. While it’s fine to boast about your guilds, let’s first hear the conditions I’m talking about and then discuss.”
Jong-sik had to bring things back under control. So he raised his voice. Once they hear the conditions, the overheated atmosphere would likely calm down.
