Chapter 18 : Poison, Gift, and Bulgogi

Some truly strange things happened.

Yuseong dragged the massive Steel Buffalo down to the nearby riverbank to dismantle it.

It was an utterly insane act.

If the site had been at a higher elevation and the riverbank was not downhill nearby, it would have been nearly impossible to drag that huge body there.

But Yuseong, driven by superhuman determination, managed to pull the Steel Buffalo over and hang it from a tree.

He was so pleased that he began dismantling it while humming the Bulgogi Dombap Song, when suddenly a large figure appeared.

“Poor guy.”

Yuseong didn’t know exactly what was wrong, but he approached and said a word, and the man fainted.

Looking at his ankle, it seemed he had been bitten by the Jungle’s Poisonous Snake. His ankle was terribly swollen.

Yuseong had dragged him to the river, tied his calf, stopped the bleeding, and gave him water, but…

“Buddham Amitabha.”

Yuseong did not expect him to survive.

This Jungle’s Poisonous Snake was no ordinary venomous creature. Furthermore, Yuseong had glimpsed a bright red snake nearby, clearly a Jeokhongsa with deadly poison.

Seeing that the bitten wound was already turning black and swollen, survival was unlikely.

Of course, there was no antidote, and even if he managed to drag this big guy back up, it would take hours.

Most likely, he would die within minutes.

“Should I just end it for him?”

He even thought about offering such mercy but quickly shook his head.

It felt wrong to kill a decent person before having a meal.

“Ugh, I was just getting into the mood.”

Muttering, Yuseong refocused on the bulgogi.

With the meat dismantled, he washed his body and equipment clean in the flowing water.

The 100-liter preservation backpack was already more than half full when he arrived.

Most of it was ingredients for cooking.

Yuseong took out the ingredients to prepare a bulgogi set meal.

He wrapped a clean white cloth tightly around his head.

“Cooking prep complete.”

Yuseong’s eyes changed once again.

From a fiery glare filled with madness to calm, clear eyes.

***

Korea, Japan, China.

All three countries commonly use a seasoning.

Though there are slight differences by country, it is a dark liquid, inexpensive, and made from soybeans.

In Japan, it is called Shoyu; in China, Nochu.

Soy sauce.

Before the Great Change, people who liked soybeans were rare.

But that didn’t mean no one ate soy.

Since soy sauce, essential in many recipes, is fermented from soybeans in brine.

Naturally, Yuseong had brought soy sauce.

Not homemade, but the Simpyoyangjo Ganjang made long ago.

This soy sauce and a moderate amount of sweet sugar.

These two are the core of bulgogi seasoning.

And a little minced garlic.

Adding pear would be nice, but he couldn’t indulge in such luxury.

Instead, he added plants grown in the Abyss.

“Lucky.”

Yuseong said as he placed a green onion-like plant on the cutting board.

Green onion, a non-poisonous plant with a sharp aroma that could substitute for leeks and onions.

He chopped it finely and added it to the bulgogi seasoning.

Green onions were not common, so whenever Yuseong found them, he grabbed them like discovering gold.

In his previous life, when cooperating with other explorers, if he spotted green onion, he rushed over like it was treasure.

Other explorers were both tired of and amazed by his expertise.

Because Yuseong’s knowledge of Abyss flora and fauna was extraordinary.

“Well, it wasn’t like I had a choice if I wanted to survive.”

Thinking back brought a faint smile.

Beyond just combat and strategy, Yuseong’s understanding of all life forms and environments within the Abyss was deep.

Among explorers, many know a lot about monsters.

But none had such comprehensive knowledge of the ecosystem including plants like Yuseong.

“Several years surviving on the field.”

Even compared to active explorers now, the time Yuseong spent in the Abyss was significant.

In fact, in some ways, he had deeper knowledge than scholars who specialize in Abyss research.

Shaking off distractions, Yuseong refocused on slicing the meat.

This was important now.

The core of bulgogi is Gijeom-in Gogi.

Since there was no meat cutter here, he had to demonstrate his knife skills and slice the meat himself.

Clack.

Yuseong placed a chunk of meat on the cutting board.

Bulgogi mostly uses front leg meat, neck meat, or round.

These parts generally have less fat and slightly tougher meat.

That’s why they’re sliced thin and marinated, developing into bulgogi.

But the piece Yuseong laid down was not that.

“Beef is about the marbling.”

Chaekkeut, located just behind the sirloin, is the section used for bulgogi.

Actually, traditional and expensive Korean restaurants sometimes use sirloin or chaekkeut for bulgogi.

It was also the same in Western cuisine.

Wow.

The meat looked gorgeous.

Like a snowfall of fat, it was marbled with layers of creamy white fat, making it mouthwatering.

Wild animals usually have less fat than domestic cattle, and the same is often true for monsters, but the Steel Buffalo was different.

Thanks to its powerful hide and horns, reigning like a king on the fourth floor, it boasted beautiful marbling.

Yuseong evenly coated the sliced meat with seasoning.

Though marinating for hours would be better, it wasn’t essential.

Using solid fuel, he lit the stove and lightly oiled the pan.

He started by adding the green onion and meat, excluding the seasoning at first.

Sizzle.

As the oil, green onion, and meat met, a loud sound burst out.

It wasn’t necessary to cook in this order, but it was Yuseong’s preference.

As the oil, green onion, and meat fried, a nutty fragrance rose. The key was to stir-fry until the seasoning was just about to burn.

When the green onion turned slightly translucent, he added water and seasoning.

The heat was strong, and soon the bulgogi began bubbling vigorously.

Though there is a style of bulgogi cooked without seasoning or extra vegetables, today he wanted a brothier bulgogi.

The reason was simple.

“Bulgogi has to have japchae noodles.”

He added the soaked japchae noodles.

There was nothing more delicious than slurping smooth noodles before eating rice.

The meat turned golden brown, and the japchae began to spread out.

Yuseong grabbed four Hatban pre-cooked rice containers warmed earlier.

It would have been best to prepare rice cooked in a pot, but instant rice wasn’t bad at all.

Honestly, instant rice beats leftover night-old rice after a long day on the electric rice cooker.

“Alright.”

Peeling the package from the hot Hatban, a glossy, steaming mound of rice appeared as expected.

The grains were plump and distinct.

What pairs better than this with bulgogi broth?

“Heh heh, hehe… heh.”

Yuseong’s excitement was practically off the charts in front of the food.

With the night prepared and the bulgogi almost cooked, it wouldn’t be long now. Once the noodles were done, it would be complete.

He prepared chopsticks and a spoon and was ready to eat.

Suddenly, the big guy lying nearby, waiting for death, caught his attention.

“Feels weird to eat with him hanging around, better move him first…”

Yuseong was startled.

Even the veteran Baek Yuseong couldn’t help but be shocked at that sight.

This was someone who had clearly been on the brink of death moments ago.

Yet, with a face tinged purple, he was getting up and approaching Yuseong.

“I… I’m hungry…”

Jang Dojin reached out to Yuseong with a weak voice as if the wind was about to blow him away.

He had been wandering the edge of life and death, but the rich scent of bulgogi revived his consciousness.

Thanks to the water Yuseong gave, his nausea had eased, making the hunger even stronger.

That hunger was powerful enough to overcome severe poisoning.

“Ugh… ugh.”

Jang Dojin clutched his stomach in pain.

Gurgle.

His stomach growled loudly.

Hearing that thunderous sound, Yuseong was dumbfounded and stammered.

“Wow, he’s alive.”

Even top explorers face danger if bitten by the Abyss’s poisonous snakes.

Without proper treatment, their throats swell and suffocate them in an instant.

Yet, this man had just barely crossed death’s threshold moments ago.

Now he was up and complaining of hunger.

“Fo-food…”

“I can’t give you this. No way.”

“No, no? It’s not that, it’s an Energy Bar.”

“I don’t eat Energy Bars. I don’t have any.”

Jang Dojin was confused whether this conversation was reality or hallucination caused by poison.

Meanwhile, Yuseong inwardly grew anxious.

“What kind of bulgogi is this…?”

An explorer he thought would surely die suddenly stood up.

Howling hunger filled his body, but Yuseong had no spare Energy Bars to give him.

His Grandfather always said not to hesitate to share food with the starving, but judging by this guy’s size, usual portions wouldn’t be enough.

Yuseong closed his eyes tightly.

“Damn it! Why? Why now of all times…”

“Uh…”

“Why is he standing up just after being bitten by Jeokhongsa?”

Why he survived was a ridiculous question.

Jang Dojin had no time to be offended.

“My body is a bit special… I have a Gift.”

Saying that, Jang Dojin groaned and slowly got up.

At that moment, a name flashed through Yuseong’s mind.

“No way.”

Pieces fell into place in his head.

A nearly two-meter tall man. A special constitution able to withstand Jeokhongsa venom. A person with such a Gift…

“Introduce yourself.”

“Huh?”

“If you want food, introduce yourself first.”

“Oh, I’m Jang Dojin. I’m 19 years old, and my Gift is Cheonghad Aejangsa. But, uh, I’m not supposed to tell anyone this.”

“19?”

His face was so discolored from poison that Yuseong hadn’t recognized him.

Yuseong shut his eyes tight.

Just as he suspected.

Later known as the Steel Buffalo Slayer, one of the top tank explorers.

He had met Yuseong a few times before.

“How did you end up coming all the way from the fourth floor?”

“Sniff, well, this is my first expedition. My father bought me a strategy guide from a famous explorer… uh, well…”

Seeing Yuseong’s curious expression, Jang Dojin, half crying, started pouring out his story.

He was so emotional that Yuseong understood only half of it.

But one thing was clear.

The charismatic explorer many later admired was,

“A spoiled kid.”

Big in size but completely a child.

“Steel Buffalo…?”

“Yeah? Steel Buffalo?”

When Yuseong mumbled his name, Jang Dojin timidly asked,

“Steel Buffalo… want to eat Steel Buffalo meat?”

Yuseong sighed.

He had planned to finish cooking alone, but this kid, barely twenty, was whining like a baby.

Recalling his Grandfather’s advice not to be stingy sharing food with the hungry, he couldn’t just ignore him.

“And I might have triggered a special effect…”

Yuseong had achieved the ‘Double Gift’ achievement and gained the ‘Two Hearts’ special effect.

The ‘Two Hearts’ doubled all resistances and was originally meant for Jang Dojin.

No one knew when Jang Dojin had obtained it, but if he had this special effect, he wouldn’t have looked like that after being bitten by the poisonous snake.

“I don’t know for sure… but now, I think I could even enjoy Abyss monsters.”

“Alright, chopsticks. Or are you no good with chopsticks?”

Many in the younger generation have trouble using chopsticks properly.

“No, Abuji says meals should be eaten together. Even when eating Energy Bars, we gather and eat with chopsticks from a shared plate.”

“Your Abuji is a fine man.”

Yuseong nodded and handed him an extra spoon.

He had considered giving only one Hatban rice, but after seeing his size, he reluctantly gave two.

“Just pile the meat on and eat it with rice. No need for detailed instructions.”

“Um… but what about Abyss creatures having poison…”

“They don’t here. If you don’t want, that’s fine.”

“No, no. It’s not that.”

Yuseong’s expression suddenly darkened, and Jang Dojin waved his hands apologetically.

“Well then, I’ll eat well.”

“Alright, eat well.”

Yuseong scooped a generous bundle of japchae noodles with chopsticks.

The japchae, richly soaked in seasoning, had a glossy pale brown color.

Slurp.

The noodles had a uniquely smooth texture.

They passed over the palate and tongue with pleasant slipperiness.

The sweet seasoning and savory beef fat were well infused, filling the mouth and bringing an involuntary smile.

And the majestic bulgogi.

He grabbed a large clump of meat that hadn’t clumped and spread out finely, placing it on the Hatban.

Like wrapping a ssam, he bundled rice with bulgogi generously and put it into his mouth.

“Choo-um. Koo.”

The hot broth spread with presence inside his mouth.

The bulgogi and rice filled his mouth.

The combination of protein and carbohydrates was something the body recognized and delighted in.

It felt like each grain of rice was coated one by one in meat juice.

Indeed, the Steel Buffalo was no less than Korean beef.

[Perfect combination of flavors!]

[The reward fitting your hardship.]

[All wounds healed.]

[Vitality noticeably increased.]

The accumulated wounds and fatigue from the grueling battles healed.

A pleasant warmth spread throughout his body.

With vitality rising, the effects of Tammijuui would also gradually strengthen.

Of course, Yuseong wasn’t the only one moved by the taste of bulgogi.

Jang Dojin quickly finished a Hatban rice bowl without hesitation.

“Ugh… now I’m ready to die.”

He even shed tears like raindrops.

Yuseong frowned, finding it disgusting.

[The taste that saves the throat!]

[First time awakening taste in the target.]

[Coolness soothed and wounds healed.]

The taste that saved the throat.

It made sense.

Jang Dojin had been poisoned, struggling painfully.

Sure enough, his purple swollen face began returning to normal.

Though still rough-looking, he looked much better than before.

“Does he have a Blessing too?”

Yuseong wanted to grant a Blessing to Jang Dojin instead of boosting his own abilities with Tammijuui.

Though now a spoiled kid, he had the potential to rise to the top someday.

But a message different from what he’d received from Shin Jiana or Chief Choi rang out.

[Conditions met.]

[Gift functions improved.]

[Target’s affinity resonates with Gift holder.]

“Huh?”

Yuseong was stunned.

[Blessing evolved.]

“Uh, ugh ugh ugh…”

Jang Dojin dropped the Hatban and spoon he was holding.

“W-what…?”

Then his body began trembling uncontrollably.

Yuseong quietly lowered his chopsticks and took a step back.

“What have I done?”

Armor began growing from Jang Dojin’s body.