“Looks like our shifts ended at the same time today.”
Lee Do-hyun said as he took a seat at the bar table next to the kitchen.
“Yeah, it’s been a while since we left work together. Feels nice.”
Kim Seo-ah replied with a bright smile.
“Then why not go on a date at some fancy restaurant with a great vibe?” Sang-woong teased.
Lee Do-hyun laughed heartily. “Haha, is there a tastier restaurant around here than this place? We’re in the mood for a drink today, so whip up some delicious appetizers.”
“How about galbi? I’ve got some nicely marinated ribs ready.”
At Sang-woong’s suggestion, Lee Do-hyun’s eyes lit up. “Galbi sounds great. I love it, and so does she.”
“Perfect. Give me a moment.”
Sang-woong deftly placed the galbi on the grill installed in the kitchen.
The sizzling sound and sweet, savory aroma filled the restaurant.
While the meat cooked, Sang-woong put fresh ssam vegetables in a basket and plated well-fermented kimchi.
Finally, he brought out a steaming bowl of doenjang jjigae, creating a mouthwatering spread in no time.
“Wow, that was fast. Your hands are like magic,” Lee Do-hyun said, marveling at Sang-woong’s efficiency.
“It’s not just that. This kitchen is amazing—fully equipped, even with a grill,” Kim Seo-ah added.
“This kitchen reflects my hobbies,” Sang-woong said with a grin. “So, how’s the taste?”
He carefully poured cold soju into their empty glasses.
“It’s delicious. It’s crazy how the food here keeps getting tastier,” Lee Do-hyun said, giving a thumbs-up.
As a few drinks were exchanged, the conversation naturally shifted to the new tenants, Koo Yoo-jun and his younger sibling, Koo Eun-woo.
It turned out Kim Seo-ah and Lee Do-hyun knew them.
Koo Eun-woo had been admitted to Kim Seo-ah’s ward for a while, and Lee Do-hyun was familiar with Koo Yoo-jun, who frequently visited the hospital’s billing office due to medical expenses.
“He’s famous for doting on his little sibling. It’s such a shame someone so young got that disease,” Kim Seo-ah said with a regretful expression.
“I heard the dungeon disease causes a lot of pain?” Sang-woong asked.
“Yeah, and the medical bills are steep. Even though anesthetics help, the heart issue requires surgery, which isn’t possible,” Lee Do-hyun explained.
Dungeon diseases were hard to treat with conventional medicine.
Caused by the unique atmospheric conditions of dungeons, only medicines made from dungeon plants were effective.
Such treatments were extremely rare and expensive, making it nearly impossible for those without money to get proper care.
“Dungeon diseases are nasty. People are hush-hush about it now because of dungeon resources, but it’s going to be a huge problem later,” Lee Do-hyun said bitterly.
“I agree. The number of people getting dungeon diseases keeps rising, but treatment is getting harder,” Kim Seo-ah added with a worried look.
“Even if people stay quiet, the government shouldn’t. Once this issue blows up, it’ll cause uncontrollable chaos.”
Sang-woong listened silently, deep in thought.
He knew more about this issue than most.
In his past life, focused solely on hunting, he hadn’t paid much attention to social issues, but he vaguely recalled the uproar over dungeon diseases.
Public opinion to close dungeons had grown, and decisions to shut them down, once rare, became more common.
But ultimately, it hadn’t slowed the spread of dungeon diseases.
At some point, dungeons began appearing faster than they could be closed.
Dungeon threats weren’t limited to diseases.
Dungeon breaks caused massive societal chaos and destruction.
This was a major reason Sang-woong had been so dedicated as a hunter in his past life.
“This talk’s getting too heavy. Let’s change the subject,” Lee Do-hyun said, steering the conversation.
“Oh, Ji-an mentioned you’re raising a super cool, smart dog.”
Sang-woong chuckled and nodded. “Haha, yeah. I ended up taking care of it.”
“She used to go on about a cat, but now she’s obsessed with that dog. I’m curious to see how awesome it is,” Lee Do-hyun said, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.
“It’s pretty impressive. And smart,” Sang-woong replied with a hint of pride.
“I’ll show it to you sometime soon.”
“Oh, and this.” Lee Do-hyun pulled a small box from under the table and handed it to Sang-woong.
Sang-woong looked at it curiously. “What’s this?”
“It’s a small gift to thank you for looking after Ji-an. It’s just a wallet,” Lee Do-hyun said with a shy smile.
“No need for this…” Sang-woong said modestly, waving his hand.
“Ji-an’s so friendly, I enjoy having her around.”
“Please, take it,” Lee Do-hyun insisted gently, pressing the box into Sang-woong’s hand.
“Since coming here, Ji-an’s atopic dermatitis has improved a lot, and she’s much brighter, like she used to be. Moving here was the right choice.”
“Alright, I’ll use it well. Thank you.”
Though surprised by the unexpected gift, Sang-woong felt warmed by Lee Do-hyun’s heartfelt words.
Carefully unwrapping the box, he found a sleek, high-quality leather wallet.
For someone used to a worn-out wallet, it felt like an extravagant gift.
He thanked Lee Do-hyun sincerely again, tucking the wallet carefully into his pocket.
From then on, the restaurant gained another regular.
It was Koo Eun-woo.
As Koo Yoo-jun spent more time in dungeons, Eun-woo naturally started eating at the restaurant.
“Mister, don’t you have any other menu items? Nothing here looks appetizing,” Eun-woo grumbled as soon as he walked in, as usual.
His pale face carried a hint of discomfort.
“Oppa, why do you talk like that? Can’t you speak nicely?” Lee Ji-an scolded, glaring at him.
The two had become close naturally.
Living in the same building, being similar in age, and with their parents and siblings knowing each other, they often crossed paths and quickly bonded.
“No, I mean, the menu’s kinda lacking,” Eun-woo replied in a subdued tone.
Despite his usual bravado, he oddly couldn’t hold his own against Ji-an.
Having spent so much time in hospitals, a girl his age was an unfamiliar and awkward presence.
Especially Ji-an, with her bright and positive vibe, was unlike anyone he’d met.
Her straightforward and confident demeanor flustered him, while sparking a faint, unfamiliar feeling of excitement.
“Then tell him what you want to eat. Mister may look like that, but he’s an amazing cook,” Ji-an said.
Sang-woong furrowed his brow slightly. “Ji-an, what’s that supposed to mean? What about how I look?”
“Hehe, not that you look weird! It’s just… you seem more like a hunter than a chef. Honestly, you look way more like a hunter than Yoo-jun oppa!” Ji-an said playfully.
Startled by her blunt comment, Sang-woong feigned nonchalance and changed the subject.
“Alright, Eun-woo, what do you want to eat?”
Eun-woo, still with a sulky expression, asked skeptically, “What, you’ll actually make whatever I want? How do you know what I’ll say?”
As he got defiant again, Ji-an’s eyes narrowed.
Under her sharp gaze, Eun-woo flinched and mumbled, “Sundubu jjigae. I want spicy sundubu jjigae.”
“Our Eun-woo wants sundubu jjigae? You should’ve said so earlier,” Sang-woong said with a warm smile.
“Mister, do you even have the ingredients for sundubu jjigae?” Eun-woo asked, still suspicious.
“Of course, I always keep those on hand.”
His trusty inventory was always stocked with various ingredients for the Afua tribe, and soft tofu was a staple.
“What about you, Ji-an?” Sang-woong asked gently.
“Can I order something too?” Ji-an asked, her voice full of excitement.
“Of course. This restaurant has everything except what’s not here,” Sang-woong joked with a laugh.
“Hmm… then tangsuyuk!” Ji-an exclaimed enthusiastically.
“Tangsuyuk? That’s easy,” Sang-woong replied readily.
“Really? Wow, thanks to Eun-woo oppa, I get to eat something delicious today!”
Ji-an beamed at Eun-woo, and his face instantly flushed red.
Pfft, young love.
Sang-woong smiled softly, watching them.
He started with Ji-an’s tangsuyuk.
He skillfully sliced pork loin into bite-sized pieces.
Seasoning it with soy sauce, ginger juice, pepper, and a touch of mirin, he lightly coated it with a mix of rice flour and potato starch.
In a wok, oil began to sizzle.
Carefully placing the coated pork into the hot oil, Sang-woong whipped up a sweet-and-sour tangsuyuk sauce with practiced ease.
Next, he began preparing Eun-woo’s sundubu jjigae.
In a clay pot, he heated sesame oil, sautéed pork and well-fermented kimchi, then added anchovy-kelp broth.
He generously added soft tofu, fresh vegetables, and seafood from the freezer.
Finally, he cracked an egg into the pot and sprinkled spicy red pepper powder, letting it simmer.
The crispy, sweet tangsuyuk and spicy, refreshing sundubu jjigae were served together, making the kids’ eyes sparkle.
“Wow, Mister, you’re amazing! Your hands are so fast!” Ji-an exclaimed, unable to contain her admiration.
Her thumbs shot up repeatedly.
Eun-woo couldn’t close his mouth either, amazed at how quickly and easily the dishes were prepared.
“Eat up, kids.”
Sang-woong set out a refined spread with side dishes.
As always, he secretly added land plants to Eun-woo’s sundubu jjigae.
He included Solaris to boost immunity, Montesla to enhance stamina, and enoki mushrooms to reduce a hunter’s contamination level.
While he hadn’t found a land plant specifically effective for Eun-woo’s symptoms, these were still helpful.
In fact, Eun-woo’s complexion was noticeably brighter than when they first met.