‘To cut to the chase, we decided to discuss a contract with the Healing guild, just as we initially planned.’
‘No one showed any signs of dissatisfaction during the process. Even those who had been boasting about their own guilds were recommending and supporting the Healing guild.’
The reason for this outcome lay in the conditions Jong-sik proposed.
“My condition is unconditional support.”
Unconditional support meant taking care of all the trivial tasks except cooking. This included sourcing raw materials, delivery, customer management, and so on. They were especially demanding regarding raw materials, all for the sake of achieving the best efficacy. Jong-sik and his brother aimed to receive as much support as possible to allow Jong-pal to cook to his heart’s content under the sponsorship of the Healing guild.
“Support? Isn’t that a given? Is that even a condition?”
“Yes. But the important thing is that my brother’s goal isn’t money. If you’re expecting to profit by recruiting him, then there’s nothing more to discuss.”
In other words, they were asking for full support regardless of sales…
“Wait a minute. Are you saying that through guild agreements, you want to donate your talents and volunteer for free?” Pyeong-ari asked with widened eyes.
Jong-sik continued, meeting her gaze.
“You could call it volunteering, yes. In fact, my brother mentioned something like that today. He wants to help people with his cooking.”
“Hmm. You mean he wants to cook for the weak? Perhaps by donating food to patients…”
‘She missed the mark.’
“No, that’s what doctors do. My brother wants to stand up in the face of disasters. He wants to cook for you, the hunters. In a way, it’s a talent donation for the strong, not the weak.”
Of course, this was Jong-sik’s perspective. Jong-pal had just vaguely mentioned wanting to help the country with his cooking. But if they were going to help, wouldn’t it be better to invest in something productive?
Upon hearing this, the hunters poured out their admiration. Everyone gathered around Jong-pal and Jong-sik, offering their support.
“To cook for us? This is truly unexpected. It’s so touching.”
“That’s right. We’re all paid to participate in missions.”
“Anyway, it’s a commendable decision.”
“Why is everyone looking at me? It’s not me, it’s my brother who wants to do this.”
Jong-sik said, clapping his hands.
“Anyway, we’re looking for a guild that can provide comprehensive support… Naturally, the Healing guild came to mind first. As Pyeong-ari mentioned, it’s the guild I’m a member of, so there’s a comfort factor. Also, the Healing guild has a department for developing combat rations, so it would be easy to provide support in that regard. Um, another reason is that I’ve provided quite a bit of benefit until now, haven’t I? So I think I can adequately support my brother…”
The Healing guild was not only involved in dispatching healers but also in developing and distributing combat rations. And this experience seemed like it would be of great help to Jong-pal’s lunchbox business.
Upon hearing this, the other hunters all nodded in agreement.
“In that regard, the Healing guild is definitely outstanding.”
“Our guild focuses more on weapon development… We probably wouldn’t be as specialized as the Healing guild.”
“It’s a shame, but it can’t be helped. It seems like the Healing guild is the perfect fit.”
‘So what did Pyeong-ari think?’
Jong-sik looked at Pyeong-ari.
“To be honest, regardless of what conditions you mentioned, I would have accepted unconditionally. But now that I’ve heard the conditions, I feel even more strongly that we should bring you into our guild. Chief Dok, please make arrangements for a contract with Jong-pal.”
Pyeong-ari was beaming with a brighter smile than ever.
***
With Jong-pal’s contract negotiations concluded, they indulged in food and drink.
Several hours later.
As midnight approached, people began to rise from their seats.
The floor was littered with empty bottles, but not a single person among them was unconscious.
Even the workers who could handle their liquor were maintaining their composure. Despite drinking soju straight from the bottle.
It must have been thanks to Jong-pal’s cooking.
Yet, they hugged each other as if intoxicated, expressing their regrets. It seemed like the atmosphere had taken them over.
Thanks to this, the workers, who used to be intimidated by the hunters, could now comfortably engage in conversation with them. To an outsider, it would seem like they had known each other for a long time.
“You’re the site foreman, right?”
“Yes, that’s right!”
“You seem like the youngest worker, but you’re impressive. I’ll have to ask my brother if we need any construction work in the future.”
“It’s an honor for me. Please feel free to contact me anytime!”
“Haha. Anyway, I’d like just one more drink…”
“It’s best to leave when it’s regretful, isn’t it? I have to go to the construction site early in the morning, so I should head back now.”
“Oh, right! That’s true. Chief Dok, you have to work on the blacksmith’s workshop site. You shouldn’t linger here. Go on, quickly. If you have any difficulties, contact us.”
“Ah, just hearing your words makes me feel stronger. Then, I’ll be off!”
Among these individuals, there was a man holding a plastic bag. He was over fifty and was one of the workers who participated in the blacksmith’s workshop construction.
As he finished exchanging casual greetings with his colleagues and was about to leave for home.
“Hey, are you leaving, Oh?”
Trigo called him over and Oh turned around in surprise at the sound of his name.
“Ah, it’s Trigo. I was just about to smoke a cigarette and leave. I almost left without even saying hello. It’s late, but thanks to you, I ate well and I’m full.”
Oh scratched his head, subtly hiding the bag he was carrying behind his back.
‘What if he asks why I’m carrying food without eating it?’
He worried about hearing something unexpected. Nevertheless, he didn’t regret bringing the food.
Their eyes met for a moment. Trigo signaled Oh back into the store, clapping his hands.
“You didn’t eat much. Come inside for a moment.”
“Yes? What did you want to talk about?”
“I was just curious.”
“…?”
“Oh, Mr. Oh. Do you live with your family?”
“Yes, I live with my mother, son, and myself, the three of us.”
“I thought so. So, did you pack that for your family?”
As people were leaving, clearing the area,
Oh, who was gathering up the remaining food bit by bit.
Trigo thought to himself.
‘It looks like he packed it for his family.’
Suddenly, Jong-sik came to mind. Didn’t Jong-sik bring home-cooked meals for his family too? Like toast or hotdogs.
‘Jong-sik also brought food in a black plastic bag.’
But those were already packed in bags after preparation, so the contents remained intact.
But the food Oh had gathered was different. It was likely mixed up because he packed it randomly.
Trigo called Oh over for that reason. Of course, Oh didn’t know that. So, he could only bow his head. He had misunderstood Trigo.
“I’m sorry. I packed it even though I knew it was precious. But I really didn’t eat much, and I only packed it after everyone had finished eating. But still, I should have said something….”
“Huh? What are you talking about? It seems like there’s a big misunderstanding. I just called you to tell you to pack it properly in a lunchbox instead of a bag.”
“…Yes, huh?”
“No matter how delicious it is, it should look good. If you pack it like that, it’ll be a mess. Anyway, give it here.”
Trigo took the plastic bag from Oh’s hand. Oh blinked in surprise at the unexpected turn of events.
At that moment, Jong-pal entered the store. He must have come down to clean up.
“Oh? brother Jong-pal. You came at the perfect time.”
Trigo greeted Jong-pal warmly as he entered.
“What’s going on?”
“Oh, you know those transparent containers customers use to pack leftover food? Can I use a few of those?”
“Of course. But why all of a sudden…”
Before Jong-pal could finish his sentence, a man interjected.
“Oh, no, I’m fine. I’ll just take it like this. Just being able to take it is enough for me.”
Jong-pal glanced back and forth between the man and Trigo, or more precisely, the plastic bag Trigo was holding.
Then, with a tight-lipped smile, he went into the kitchen.
A moment later,
Jong-pal emerged from the kitchen holding packaging containers in both hands. He handed them to the man.
“I packed up the leftovers. Here, take these. Food tastes better when it looks good.”
“As expected of brother Jong-pal and me, we think alike. I’m just repeating what I said earlier!”
“Haha, really? Anyway, here you go. Take them.”
The man fumbled with his hands, seemingly overwhelmed with gratitude.
Jong-pal handed him the packaged food.
“…Is it okay for me to take these like this?”
“When you eat something delicious, you think of your family, right? Don’t worry about it, just take them. It’s not much.”
Was it because of the unexpected kindness he received?
Tears welled up in Oh’s eyes as he accepted the food.
He felt embarrassed by this.
Quickly, Oh wiped his eyes.
“Maybe it’s because of the alcohol, but I’m not usually like this. Anyway, thank you.”
“It’s not just something I’m giving you. Well, uh… Oh, that’s good. Think of it as a token of appreciation. Please take it as a sign of asking for your hard work in the blacksmith’s shop.”
It was a remark to ease the man’s burden. Oh couldn’t miss the implication.
“…I’ll work hard like my bones are breaking.”
“If your bones really break, that’s a problem! But I didn’t know you both thought of my blacksmith’s shop that way… It’s really touching, isn’t it?”
Trigo seemed to be the only one who didn’t understand the meaning.
***
Outside of Dok’s Family restaurant at that moment.
Blacksmith workers gathered, smoking cigarettes.
“It doesn’t even feel like we drank. Should we go for a second round?”
“Mr. Kim, what are you talking about? You have work tomorrow.”
“Tsk! Anyway, the foreman is too lenient even when he shouldn’t be.”
“But why isn’t Mr. Oh coming out? What’s he doing over there?”
They could see Oh through the closed transparent restaurant door. The owner was handing him packaged food.
“Oh? Looks like Mr. Oh is getting something?”
“What? Ugh. If I knew this was going to happen, I would have stayed until the end!”
“He doesn’t even eat when he’s not in the mood. He takes everything with him.”
“Should we ask him to share if he comes out? Is that too much?”
Some of the workers responded with envy, while others seemed overly jealous. The young foreman furrowed his brow and said,
“Why are you all making such a fuss when everyone’s already had their fill? Let’s just move on. Mr. Oh isn’t taking much and you all know why he’s taking that.”
“Ah, well. It was just a joke. Don’t take it so seriously. You youngsters.”
“If it’s a joke, that’s a relief. Stop saying unnecessary things to Mr. Oh and go home early. You all have work tomorrow.”
“Alright, alright. I’m going.”
In the end, the disappointed workers began to disperse to their respective homes.
