Chapter 21: The Raid

As preparations were complete, Sang-woong began distributing the food with care.

“Zepha, eat lots.”

“Jelsu, you too.”

Calling each Afua by name affectionately, he generously served freshly grilled premium Hanwoo beef onto their stainless steel trays.

His warm touch and gentle voice filled the Afua’s hearts with warmth and happiness.

Tasting the premium beef, the Afua wore ecstatic expressions, as if savoring heavenly food, exclaiming repeatedly.

“This is the most amazing taste I’ve ever experienced, hua!”

“Sang-woong, thank you so much for making such delicious food, hua!”

“This warm broth is incredible, hua!”

“These side dishes are the best, hua!”

“Today’s chief selection is the happiest day in our tribe’s history, hua!”

They showered praises, thoroughly enjoying the feast Sang-woong had prepared, and the land soon brimmed with joyful laughter and delicious aromas.

The Afua savored the lavish banquet, spending an utterly blissful time.

Their cheerful laughter filled the night sky, and a warm glow enveloped them like a cozy campfire.

Watching their happiness, Sang-woong smiled with satisfaction.

His heart swelled with pride, like a farmer reaping a bountiful golden harvest.

“I’m counting on you all going forward,” he said softly.

His words weren’t mere pleasantries; they carried a quiet resonance, reaffirming his deep bond with the Afua.

He silently vowed to do his best for their happiness alongside them.

Days later, Sang-woong opened the restaurant as usual.

Soon, a truck loaded with ingredients pulled up.

The supplier, Mr. Kim, stepped out with a wide smile.

Seeing Sang-woong, who had ordered fresh seafood and pasta, Mr. Kim spoke first, curiosity in his eyes.

“Planning a new menu, boss?”

“Yeah, I’m thinking of expanding the menu a bit.”

“Good call. Your menu’s been a bit limited compared to other places.”

Mr. Kim nodded, agreeing with Sang-woong.

“Customers these days want variety, especially the younger crowd who chase new flavors. With your cooking skills, any new dish will surely be a hit.”

Sang-woong smiled shyly at the praise, responding humbly.

“Thanks. I’m always grateful to you, Mr. Kim, for getting me quality ingredients at good prices.”

“No, I’m the grateful one. You sell so much consistently. If you need special ingredients for the new menu, just let me know. I’ll get you the freshest, best quality.”

“Will do, Mr. Kim. I’m counting on you.”

Sharing ideas for new dishes, Sang-woong and Mr. Kim moved the ingredients to the restaurant’s storage.

After Mr. Kim left, Sang-woong checked the new ingredients carefully before transferring them safely to his inventory.

“Having money is great. I can order freely without worrying about prices. I’m already curious about how the Afua will react to the seafood pasta I’ll make,” he thought excitedly.

To Sang-woong, the pure and lovable Afua were his best customers.

Their delight and amazement at his food were the greatest praise and joy.

Imagining their excitement over the pasta, he passed through the dungeon gate with a thrilled heart.

“Master, we’re in trouble!”

As soon as he entered, Aria flew toward him, shouting urgently.

Her anxious, tense expression signaled something serious had happened.

“What’s wrong?”

“Some Afua got hurt!”

“What? Why?”

Shocked, Sang-woong asked, his voice trembling.

“Monsters suddenly attacked from a direction where there were no golems. I’m sorry, Master,” Aria said, bowing her head, tears in her eyes.

“Aria, it’s not your fault,” Sang-woong reassured her before asking, “How many are hurt? Did anyone… die?”

His voice shook with worry.

“Seven. Thankfully, no one died,” Aria reported.

Sang-woong let out a deep sigh of relief, grateful no lives were lost.

He hurried to the injured Afua, concern heavy in his heart.

“Master, scary monsters attacked suddenly, hua!”

The new young chief, Bebe, ran to him, teary-eyed, and clung to his embrace.

“You must’ve been scared. It’s okay now, I’m here,” Sang-woong comforted her warmly, then checked on the injured.

Fortunately, none had life-threatening wounds.

He retrieved medicine and clean bandages from his inventory, kept for emergencies.

Having faced countless injuries in dungeons as a hunter, he skillfully applied first aid, carefully treating and bandaging the wounds.

“Bebe, I’m so sorry. This might be my fault,” he said, guilt weighing on him.

With a furrowed brow, he slowly surveyed the land.

I got careless.

He knew monster raids had become more frequent as the land’s energy recovered.

Messages popping up like end credits every time he passed through the gate made it obvious.

He had reinforced defenses with wood and stone golems, but he hadn’t anticipated an attack from an unguarded direction.

He assumed monsters would target the nearest golems, not slip past to infiltrate deeper.

It was a miscalculation that left him feeling blindsided.

“The shop warned me about this.”

The shop listed sturdy fences for sale, but Sang-woong had dismissed them as unnecessary, ignoring the warning until now.

I need to install fences urgently to ensure safety.

But there was a problem: the expanded land required a massive number of fences.

I’ll surround the land’s core as widely as possible with fences. Securing a safe evacuation space for the Afua will make things much safer.

He immediately began installing sturdy fences around the core, covering a wide area meticulously.

Seeing the fences go up, the Afua’s faces relaxed with relief.

Pausing the fence installation, Sang-woong hurried to prepare food to comfort the Afua, shaken by the sudden raid.

“Nothing lifts spirits like delicious food.”

Today’s special was fragrant seafood pasta.

He boiled water in a large pot and, in another, sautéed minced garlic and fresh onions in aromatic olive oil until golden.

As the sweet aroma spread, the food-loving Afua showed keen interest.

“Master, what are you making, hua?” Bebe asked impatiently, curiosity brimming.

“Today, I’m making delicious seafood pasta. Bebe, can you pick some ripe cherry tomatoes from the field?”

“Got it, hua!”

Bebe scampered off to the tomato field, followed by a few curious kids.

As the garlic and onions cooked appetizingly, Sang-woong added cleaned shrimp, plump mussels, and juicy clams, splashing in white wine.

The fresh, deep seafood broth tasted like the ocean itself.

Its aroma drew interest even from the injured Afua, despite their shock from the raid.

The scent was that unique and enticing.

In another pot, pasta danced lively in boiling water.

He drained the perfectly cooked noodles, mixing them with tangy tomato sauce, fresh cherry tomatoes from the kids, and the seafood, tossing gently.

The vibrant red sauce and colorful seafood blended beautifully, like a watercolor painting.

Sprinkling finely chopped fresh basil for a rich finish, the seafood pasta was complete.

Sang-woong served it on stainless steel trays, first to the shaken, injured Afua.

“I’m sorry. I’ll make sure this never happens again.”

Instead of blaming him, the injured Afua smiled brightly.

“It’s okay, Sang-woong. We’ve been through this countless times. These injuries are nothing, hua!”

“Yeah, compared to the past, we’re living safely and happily now, hua!”

Their warm concern for him deeply moved Sang-woong, renewing his strength through their resilience and positivity.

After the meal, he invested all his points in buying more sturdy fences.

Installing them was easier than expected—just place the fence item, and it set up instantly.

Like assembling Lego blocks from childhood, he meticulously connected the fences.

“Wow! So cool, hua!”

“Master, I want to climb the fence, hua!”

As he worked, the kids followed, chattering excitedly.

“Sure, you can climb, but be careful.”

“Got it, hua!”

Unlike level 1 fences, level 2 fences had sturdy platforms and convenient stairs for safe patrolling.

The kids eagerly climbed the stairs, standing side by side on the platform, marveling at the wide world beyond.