October 15th, 2023
Relieved that the shop was fine, I went to the kitchen to check the safety of the broth first. The broth was a little watery, but… it was good enough. As I clasped my hands together in prayer, Sa-young followed behind me and peered over my shoulder.
“What are you doing?”
“Be quiet.”
I did not believe in religion in particular, but today I decided to thank the Buddha. I remembered the warm smile on Min-ki’s fan. I repeated my thanks and apologies over and over again in my mind, and then I remembered how terribly I had offended the Buddha.
“You don’t look that religious.”
“Shut up, it’s just for today.”
“Also, that’s the god of Nairon.”
I prayed once again to show mercy and forgive him for his irreverence. It wasn’t for Lee Sa-young, but for the sake of my own.
I walked back out of the kitchen, grabbed an apron, and came back in, fully equipped for the business, and called out to him.
“Hey.”
“Lee Sa-young.”
There it is again…. I glanced at the gas mask, but since he had been gracious enough to bring me here so quickly, I obediently complied with Sa-young’s request.
“Lee Sa-young, don’t touch anything in the kitchen.”
“I can’t even watch?”
“Are you planning to poison a group of guests at Haejang-guk house?”
“I’m wearing gas masks and gloves.”
Sa-young waved his black leather-gloved hands in the air, but he walked out of the kitchen willingly. I glanced back at him, then set out the ingredients I needed.
“Lee Sa-youn-“
“Yes, what.”
“What time is it now?”
“Four forty.”
“…Hyung?”
Opening in… 20 minutes?
I looked slowly around the kitchen. The evening business is much busier than in the morning. Moreover, there were a lot of customers these days since the discussion about J was being held at Haejang-guk house. After looking at the ceiling for a while, I looked at Lee Sa-young standing in the hall for a moment.
Wouldn’t it be okay since he’s wearing a gas mask and gloves? I unknowingly had terrible thoughts and shook my head wildly. A mishap that might happen was also a problem, and the possibility of the rat poison in the food could not be ruled out. Sa-young must have been aware of this, so he would have stepped aside.
Just like that, my Haejang-guk house credo of accident-free and sincere operation collapsed. It was time for me become a girder of the Haejang-guk house, to despair.
“Hey, I’m back.”
“This is… Congratulations on your safe escape from the battlefield, sir!”
A round thing suddenly popped out from the shadows of the robe. I couldn’t take my eyes off the cheerful appearance of even making a hand shade around his eyes and looking around. I forgot to say hello in courtesy, holding onto Min-ki’s wrist that had just popped out of the shadow and saying urgently.
“Mr. Min-ki.”
“Yes.”
“Are you good at cutting?”
“What?”
“No, I can’t, but I’m sure an A-rank could.”
“Sir, I think that’s a fallacy of generalization.”
Min-ki tried to rebel timidly, but he was completely ignored by Ui-jae, the monster born by Haejang-guk house. I set the wooden chopping board and knife down with a clang, then beckoned to him.
“Cut the cheongyang chilli and put it in this container.”
“What?”
“You can take the apron out there and put it on.”
“What? Yes…”
“I’ll lend you a pair of goggles if you start to tear up, but just chop it up, there’s no time, now.”
As I lit up my eyes and instructed him step by step, Min-ki, who had been stuttering, realizing there was no getting out of this, nodded hesitantly.
“Okay, can you put the knife down from your hand and say it?”
“Why? Do you think I’ll poke you with this?”
“…..”
“Let’s get moving, because I’d rather set up shop in the time than stabbing you and clean up the blood.”
It seemed that Ui-jae had a talent for saying scary things casually. However, Min-ki, a strong-willed worker, could not break down here. He still had one more job to do.
“V, very well, sir. But why don’t you first lift the curse of weakness and then do it?”
“It won’t affect the business, so let’s do it later tonight.”
Min-ki’s heart almost collapsed once more when he heard that. He could almost see the dark gas mask of his abusive boss superimposed over the face of Ui-jae, who was casually ordering him to work overtime.
Min-ki fumbled with a thin, long, rectangular piece of leather in his pocket, indicating that he had a scroll.
“While you’re at it, take a knife and slice it right here in the middle…”
“This is a kitchen knife.”
“…Then please give me another one.”
I slightly bent my waist and took out the small scissors I had left inside. It was included in Ha-eun’s stationery set, and it was useful as a knife for opening packages at some point. The handle had a cute ribbon pattern, which contrasts with the vicious face of Ui-jae who was rushing to open.
Cut-
As the leather snapped, I felt my body feel lighter.
When I looked at him to see if he was done, Min-ki nodded vigorously and took the apron out of the kitchen corner basket and put it on. I washed my hands cleanly and wore sanitary hats, aprons, and gloves.
It was fortunate that I didn’t cook rice before going to the center. I opened the rice cooker, searched it, and began to put it in a stainless-steel bowl.
[Unique traits: Adept’s Hands (S+) are activated]
[Trait proficiency has been achieved to the limit]
I frowned. I was in a hurry, but I couldn’t see anything through the white window.
‘Do not obstruct my view.’
I ignored the system notification and doggedly pressed on with the rice. A moment later, a firecracker exploded in front of me with a bang.
[Congratulations! A new trait is blooming!]
[You have gained Combat Woven into Life (S)]
Someone who gets a new trait when eating rice. I had suddenly gained the S-class trait that all these hunters craved, but I’m not happy about it. I’m grateful, but it’s suspicious. Besides, there was no way a part-time worker at a shop that was about to open would have the time to check its contents.
‘I have to open the store in 10 minutes right now, but don’t bother me and get lost.’
The system seemed to know that it would be the same, so it kindly presented the explanation itself.
[Trait: Combat Woven into Life (S)]
To me, housework is war. A trait for those who can’t give up chores or battle. Increases attack, attack speed, and dexterity when performing actions classified as chores.]
…It was too good a skill to ignore. I stopped my fast-moving quenching.
‘Actions classified as chores?’
Cooking, cleaning, and laundry would all be considered chores, then… I looked at the hand holding the spatula. Cooking is a chore. Putting rice in a bowl to set the table was also a chore.
[Trait: Combat Woven into Life (S) activates]
As if to confirm my answer, a notification popped up to activate the talent. For some reason, the hand holding the wooden spatula felt lighter. With this talent… Five o’clock opening, yes! The hand that held the spatula began to dance.
At that time, Min-ki, who was behind me, was blinking back tears under his sunglasses.
The topic of the 110-minute debate in his head was: ‘How big should I slice the chengyang chilli, and how should I slice it?’ He wished he had a specimen to look at and follow, but all he had was a cutting board, some chillies, and a chef’s knife. He thought he’d take the tap off first, so with his nitrile gloved hand he snapped it off.
The tremendous energy gave him goosebumps all over his spine.
‘There’s something…’
It was so intense that he couldn’t even dare look back. Obviously, Ui-jae is the only one behind him, so can the mood change like this in a moment? Maybe Ui-jae is angry because he wouldn’t be able to meet the opening time instead of scooping up the rice? Don’t tell him, he’s going to deal with him for not doing his job properly?
He had to check, but he was so afraid of the fierce momentum. Min-ki swallowed his saliva.
‘…No! No matter how angry he is, he won’t kill me.’
Didn’t Cha Ui-jae say it himself. It’s efficient to prepare for opening than to kill him. Although it went through somewhat distorted filtering, the meaning itself was similar. The intense energy was getting thicker. Min-ki believed what he said and turned his head carefully. And then,
Min-ki opened his mouth without realizing it.
‘Ah…’
Cha Ui-jae was still cooking rice in the restaurant’s rice cooker.
Clink, clink, clink, clink-
But very quickly. It’s so fast that you can see so many arms!
‘…Asura?’
For some reason, it seemed like a golden halo was shining behind him. He felt like Ui-jae was doing a knife dance, or a spatula dance. Cha Eui-jae, who put down the spatula, soon flew the lid of the bowl like a commendation. Clink, clink, clink. All settled on the bowl of rice without missing a thing. If the producer, the artisan of life, saw this, he would have to kneel down and pray for him to appear on their program.
‘Is that… Haejangguk house’s pro?’
It was such a waste to see this scene alone! It has to be passed down by video. Min-ki was about to sneak out his cell phone without realizing it.
“Seo Min-ki.”
“Yes, sir… g, guild leader?”
Min-ki was so surprised that he jumped on the spot. Standing on the border between the kitchen and the hall, is Lee Sa-young, a person who does not fit in with this old Haejangguk house! He must have escaped with Ui-jae, but he hadn’t expected to be followed all the way back to the shop, so Min-ki creaked like a broken robot.
“Why don’t you do what you’re told?”
“Yes, sir. But I don’t know what size to cut this into….”
A small sigh flowed through the gas mask when Min-ki answered with hesitation. Min-ki seriously considered whether he should learn more than 30 skills needed to operate a haejangguk house now.
“That one.”
“What?”
“Move.”
When Sa-young pointed to Onjango, Min-ki headed for the pile of balled rice stacked like a mountain. Ui-jae who had become a crazy chore master, was immersed in his work without the slightest nagging. After putting all the rice in, Min-ki wiped his tears with his sleeve and said in a small voice of frustration.
(TL/N: I forgot the name of the ‘ojango’, so you guys can just see the picture of it.
“Still, I… I’ve done my job quickly, sir.”
“…….”
“Exactly the grade you asked for, just right. No jams this time.”
“Well done.”
Min-ki, who was planning to grieve his daily life suffering under the vice boss again today, was surprised by the unexpected answer and hardened. He poked his mouth with a face that he couldn’t believe and finally bit back.
“What? I didn’t hear that well.”
But the gas mask’s face, which had been turned towards him a moment ago, was now turned towards Ui-jae. Min-ki was thrilled that even in his guild life, a small miracle could happen.
October 15th, 2023
Relieved that the shop was fine, I went to the kitchen to check the safety of the broth first. The broth was a little watery, but… it was good enough. As I clasped my hands together in prayer, Sa-young followed behind me and peered over my shoulder.
“What are you doing?”
“Be quiet.”
I did not believe in religion in particular, but today I decided to thank the Buddha. I remembered the warm smile on Min-ki’s fan. I repeated my thanks and apologies over and over again in my mind, and then I remembered how terribly I had offended the Buddha.
“You don’t look that religious.”
“Shut up, it’s just for today.”
“Also, that’s the god of Nairon.”
I prayed once again to show mercy and forgive him for his irreverence. It wasn’t for Lee Sa-young, but for the sake of my own.
I walked back out of the kitchen, grabbed an apron, and came back in, fully equipped for the business, and called out to him.
“Hey.”
“Lee Sa-young.”
There it is again…. I glanced at the gas mask, but since he had been gracious enough to bring me here so quickly, I obediently complied with Sa-young’s request.
“Lee Sa-young, don’t touch anything in the kitchen.”
“I can’t even watch?”
“Are you planning to poison a group of guests at Haejang-guk house?”
“I’m wearing gas masks and gloves.”
Sa-young waved his black leather-gloved hands in the air, but he walked out of the kitchen willingly. I glanced back at him, then set out the ingredients I needed.
“Lee Sa-youn-“
“Yes, what.”
“What time is it now?”
“Four forty.”
“…Hyung?”
Opening in… 20 minutes?
I looked slowly around the kitchen. The evening business is much busier than in the morning. Moreover, there were a lot of customers these days since the discussion about J was being held at Haejang-guk house. After looking at the ceiling for a while, I looked at Lee Sa-young standing in the hall for a moment.
Wouldn’t it be okay since he’s wearing a gas mask and gloves? I unknowingly had terrible thoughts and shook my head wildly. A mishap that might happen was also a problem, and the possibility of the rat poison in the food could not be ruled out. Sa-young must have been aware of this, so he would have stepped aside.
Just like that, my Haejang-guk house credo of accident-free and sincere operation collapsed. It was time for me become a girder of the Haejang-guk house, to despair.
“Hey, I’m back.”
“This is… Congratulations on your safe escape from the battlefield, sir!”
A round thing suddenly popped out from the shadows of the robe. I couldn’t take my eyes off the cheerful appearance of even making a hand shade around his eyes and looking around. I forgot to say hello in courtesy, holding onto Min-ki’s wrist that had just popped out of the shadow and saying urgently.
“Mr. Min-ki.”
“Yes.”
“Are you good at cutting?”
“What?”
“No, I can’t, but I’m sure an A-rank could.”
“Sir, I think that’s a fallacy of generalization.”
Min-ki tried to rebel timidly, but he was completely ignored by Ui-jae, the monster born by Haejang-guk house. I set the wooden chopping board and knife down with a clang, then beckoned to him.
“Cut the cheongyang chilli and put it in this container.”
“What?”
“You can take the apron out there and put it on.”
“What? Yes…”
“I’ll lend you a pair of goggles if you start to tear up, but just chop it up, there’s no time, now.”
As I lit up my eyes and instructed him step by step, Min-ki, who had been stuttering, realizing there was no getting out of this, nodded hesitantly.
“Okay, can you put the knife down from your hand and say it?”
“Why? Do you think I’ll poke you with this?”
“…..”
“Let’s get moving, because I’d rather set up shop in the time than stabbing you and clean up the blood.”
It seemed that Ui-jae had a talent for saying scary things casually. However, Min-ki, a strong-willed worker, could not break down here. He still had one more job to do.
“V, very well, sir. But why don’t you first lift the curse of weakness and then do it?”
“It won’t affect the business, so let’s do it later tonight.”
Min-ki’s heart almost collapsed once more when he heard that. He could almost see the dark gas mask of his abusive boss superimposed over the face of Ui-jae, who was casually ordering him to work overtime.
Min-ki fumbled with a thin, long, rectangular piece of leather in his pocket, indicating that he had a scroll.
“While you’re at it, take a knife and slice it right here in the middle…”
“This is a kitchen knife.”
“…Then please give me another one.”
I slightly bent my waist and took out the small scissors I had left inside. It was included in Ha-eun’s stationery set, and it was useful as a knife for opening packages at some point. The handle had a cute ribbon pattern, which contrasts with the vicious face of Ui-jae who was rushing to open.
Cut-
As the leather snapped, I felt my body feel lighter.
When I looked at him to see if he was done, Min-ki nodded vigorously and took the apron out of the kitchen corner basket and put it on. I washed my hands cleanly and wore sanitary hats, aprons, and gloves.
It was fortunate that I didn’t cook rice before going to the center. I opened the rice cooker, searched it, and began to put it in a stainless-steel bowl.
[Unique traits: Adept’s Hands (S+) are activated]
[Trait proficiency has been achieved to the limit]
I frowned. I was in a hurry, but I couldn’t see anything through the white window.
‘Do not obstruct my view.’
I ignored the system notification and doggedly pressed on with the rice. A moment later, a firecracker exploded in front of me with a bang.
[Congratulations! A new trait is blooming!]
[You have gained Combat Woven into Life (S)]
Someone who gets a new trait when eating rice. I had suddenly gained the S-class trait that all these hunters craved, but I’m not happy about it. I’m grateful, but it’s suspicious. Besides, there was no way a part-time worker at a shop that was about to open would have the time to check its contents.
‘I have to open the store in 10 minutes right now, but don’t bother me and get lost.’
The system seemed to know that it would be the same, so it kindly presented the explanation itself.
[Trait: Combat Woven into Life (S)]
To me, housework is war. A trait for those who can’t give up chores or battle. Increases attack, attack speed, and dexterity when performing actions classified as chores.]
…It was too good a skill to ignore. I stopped my fast-moving quenching.
‘Actions classified as chores?’
Cooking, cleaning, and laundry would all be considered chores, then… I looked at the hand holding the spatula. Cooking is a chore. Putting rice in a bowl to set the table was also a chore.
[Trait: Combat Woven into Life (S) activates]
As if to confirm my answer, a notification popped up to activate the talent. For some reason, the hand holding the wooden spatula felt lighter. With this talent… Five o’clock opening, yes! The hand that held the spatula began to dance.
At that time, Min-ki, who was behind me, was blinking back tears under his sunglasses.
The topic of the 110-minute debate in his head was: ‘How big should I slice the chengyang chilli, and how should I slice it?’ He wished he had a specimen to look at and follow, but all he had was a cutting board, some chillies, and a chef’s knife. He thought he’d take the tap off first, so with his nitrile gloved hand he snapped it off.
The tremendous energy gave him goosebumps all over his spine.
‘There’s something…’
It was so intense that he couldn’t even dare look back. Obviously, Ui-jae is the only one behind him, so can the mood change like this in a moment? Maybe Ui-jae is angry because he wouldn’t be able to meet the opening time instead of scooping up the rice? Don’t tell him, he’s going to deal with him for not doing his job properly?
He had to check, but he was so afraid of the fierce momentum. Min-ki swallowed his saliva.
‘…No! No matter how angry he is, he won’t kill me.’
Didn’t Cha Ui-jae say it himself. It’s efficient to prepare for opening than to kill him. Although it went through somewhat distorted filtering, the meaning itself was similar. The intense energy was getting thicker. Min-ki believed what he said and turned his head carefully. And then,
Min-ki opened his mouth without realizing it.
‘Ah…’
Cha Ui-jae was still cooking rice in the restaurant’s rice cooker.
Clink, clink, clink, clink-
But very quickly. It’s so fast that you can see so many arms!
‘…Asura?’
For some reason, it seemed like a golden halo was shining behind him. He felt like Ui-jae was doing a knife dance, or a spatula dance. Cha Eui-jae, who put down the spatula, soon flew the lid of the bowl like a commendation. Clink, clink, clink. All settled on the bowl of rice without missing a thing. If the producer, the artisan of life, saw this, he would have to kneel down and pray for him to appear on their program.
‘Is that… Haejangguk house’s pro?’
It was such a waste to see this scene alone! It has to be passed down by video. Min-ki was about to sneak out his cell phone without realizing it.
“Seo Min-ki.”
“Yes, sir… g, guild leader?”
Min-ki was so surprised that he jumped on the spot. Standing on the border between the kitchen and the hall, is Lee Sa-young, a person who does not fit in with this old Haejangguk house! He must have escaped with Ui-jae, but he hadn’t expected to be followed all the way back to the shop, so Min-ki creaked like a broken robot.
“Why don’t you do what you’re told?”
“Yes, sir. But I don’t know what size to cut this into….”
A small sigh flowed through the gas mask when Min-ki answered with hesitation. Min-ki seriously considered whether he should learn more than 30 skills needed to operate a haejangguk house now.
“That one.”
“What?”
“Move.”
When Sa-young pointed to Onjango, Min-ki headed for the pile of balled rice stacked like a mountain. Ui-jae who had become a crazy chore master, was immersed in his work without the slightest nagging. After putting all the rice in, Min-ki wiped his tears with his sleeve and said in a small voice of frustration.
(TL/N: I forgot the name of the ‘ojango’, so you guys can just see the picture of it.
“Still, I… I’ve done my job quickly, sir.”
“…….”
“Exactly the grade you asked for, just right. No jams this time.”
“Well done.”
Min-ki, who was planning to grieve his daily life suffering under the vice boss again today, was surprised by the unexpected answer and hardened. He poked his mouth with a face that he couldn’t believe and finally bit back.
“What? I didn’t hear that well.”
But the gas mask’s face, which had been turned towards him a moment ago, was now turned towards Ui-jae. Min-ki was thrilled that even in his guild life, a small miracle could happen.
