When he heard the name, Cayton’s eyes widened like saucers.
Vitus.
Throughout the entire kingdom, there were only about a hundred upper-rank adventurers.
A number that could be considered either many or few.
Among them, the reason Vitus was especially famous was his swordsmanship.
He wielded a unique style passed down through his family.
Cayton’s gaze was drawn to the sword at Vitus’s waist.
A rapier.
Longer and sharper than a normal sword.
A form specialized for lightning-fast thrusts aimed at the heart.
That was the swordsmanship Vitus used.
Cayton glanced back and forth between Vitus and Fabir.
The two people who seemed quite close.
Suddenly, a sense of crisis crept into one corner of Cayton’s heart.
Thanks to Fabir’s achievements, the apothecary’s reputation grew day by day, and the more it did, the heavier Cayton felt about being merely the “promotional model” for the shop.
He had worked hard to become someone worthy of the apothecary’s fame, and recently he had even been promoted in rank.
Yet the sudden appearance of Vitus was simply too strong a rival.
Compared to Vitus’s fame, Cayton was nothing more than a newborn pup.
Perhaps Vitus would be far more suitable as the apothecary’s promotional model.
But.
Cayton had no intention of backing down. He desperately wanted to be recognized by the very Fabir who had led him to become an adventurer.
Moreover, he greedily wanted to stay by Fabir’s side.
It was a comical situation for a beginner adventurer showing competitive spirit toward an upper-rank one but in this absurd scenario, Cayton burned with more passion than ever.
Fabir spoke.
“I’m late with introductions. This is Mr. Cayton.”
Vitus’s gaze suddenly stopped at Cayton’s waist.
“So you’re the one who received that sword?”
The gaze felt like it was sizing up his skill, and the pressure was immense.
Until now Vitus had paid him no attention, but the moment he saw the sword Fabir had made, his attitude changed completely.
And that gaze didn’t feel bad at all.
Far from being intimidated, Cayton actually felt relieved.
An upper-rank adventurer was paying attention to someone who had only just stepped onto the adventurer’s path.
That fact only fanned Cayton’s competitive spirit further.
“You recognize this sword?”
“I was the very first person to touch it. As a swordsman myself, I quite liked it.”
“It’s far too good a blade for someone like me. I’m doing my best to become a man worthy of it.”
“Is that so? Mr. Fabir must feel reassured.”
A subtle war of nerves unfolded between the two.
There was no way Vitus had come to the apothecary for no reason.
He was clearly trying to build a closer relationship with Fabir as well.
An upper-rank adventurer like him couldn’t possibly ignore the tremendous talent Fabir possessed.
Cayton did not let his guard down.
***
Well, well.
Vitus’s eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
It was such a minute movement that no one would notice, but his expression had definitely shifted.
A fledgling who had only just become an adventurer was acting like he was on the same level as an upper-rank like himself.
It was absurd.
Instead of feeling honored, the kid was trying to match him as if it were only natural.
To put it nicely, he was confident; to put it harshly, arrogant.
He had clearly let his rapid growth go to his head and forgotten his place.
And it’s all thanks to this apothecary.
Vitus had not come here by coincidence.
He had accepted a request directly from the capital’s Adventurer Guild.
– Recently, adventurer promotions in Alburton have skyrocketed. Investigate whether there is any foul play, and if it’s legitimate, identify the cause and report back.
The moment he saw the request, Fabir’s face flashed through his mind.
“I’ll take this request personally.”
“Huh? You want to go yourself? Why?”
The guild found it strange, but he gave no explanation. There was no need to, and part of him didn’t want to let others know about Fabir’s existence.
As the disciple of a dwarf master craftsman, Fabir possessed skill that even Vitus acknowledged as extraordinary.
Building a connection before Fabir became famous would undoubtedly bring enormous benefits in the near future.
And yet…
“They say the vitality drinks sold at that apothecary keep adventurers full of energy even after training all day.”
The strange rumors didn’t end there.
“I heard a frail person became an adventurer thanks to that medicine. A complete underdog victory.”
It sounded like a fairy tale. If such a miraculous leap truly existed, why had no one heard of it until now?
But at the same time, he understood.
What began as mild curiosity gradually swelled into greater expectations.
Still, he couldn’t judge without seeing it with his own eyes.
That was the wisdom earned from long years as an adventurer.
Then, the day before arriving in Alburton, he learned the truth.
“That apothecary? It’s famous for things made by Mr. Fabir.”
He had thought it impossible, but sure enough, it was Fabir’s shop.
Not a single person near Alburton didn’t know about the vitality drinks.
Even ordinary farmers praised their incredible effects.
His steps quickened. He could not afford a single moment’s delay.
He wanted to confirm the truth with his own eyes as soon as possible.
The moment he entered Alburton, he headed straight for the rumored apothecary. And there Fabir was.
And with him was this guy named Cayton.
He had wanted to have a serious conversation with Fabir, but an unexpected obstacle had appeared.
A loyal dog growling because he feared losing his master’s affection. And one who didn’t know his place, at that.
There was no real need to entertain him, but the sword on Cayton’s waist kept catching Vitus’s eye. A little curiosity had been sparked.
Was the rumor about the once-frail adventurer true, or was it exaggerated?
***
Vitus spoke.
“I have business at the Adventurer’s Guild, so I should get going. I’ll stop by again later.”
“If you’re heading to the guild, I’ll guide you.”
Cayton walked side by side with Vitus toward the Adventurer’s Guild.
As they walked, they subtly competed to walk half a step ahead of the other, waging a silent war of nerves.
The sight of the two together drew quite a lot of attention.
“Isn’t that guy Vitus?”
“No way, why would Vitus come to a remote little city like this?”
“I’m pretty sure it’s him. But why is Cayton with him?”
“They’re heading to the guild, right? Let’s follow them.”
Every adventurer they passed joined the crowd, and soon a large group had formed behind them.
When Cayton tried to glance back, Vitus stopped him.
“Just leave them be. I’m used to it.”
His voice was dripping with smugness. Cayton found it irritating, but he couldn’t deny the truth.
“That building over there is the Adventurer’s Guild.”
“But why is that shop across the street so crowded?”
The “Healing Restaurant” stood opposite the guild. Adventurers were swarming, many leaving with packed lunches.
“It’s a takeout place. Mr. Fabir runs it.”
“What? Mr. Fabir does?”
Vitus’s mouth fell open slightly. It was a rare reaction from someone who always tried to maintain composure.
“The food Mr. Fabir makes is more than just sustenance to adventurers. It’s something essential, something with value far beyond mere food.”
“Value beyond mere food?”
“If you’re curious, try it yourself. But I take no responsibility for what happens afterward.”
“What do you mean by ‘afterward’?”
Vitus tilted his head, and Cayton shrugged.
Their silent exchange of glances meant this:
This little punk. Laying such obvious bait?
If you’re curious, eat it yourself. What, scared?
In that split second, their eyes clashed fiercely.
The crowd watched with bated breath and growing excitement.
“Is he really going to eat bibimbap?”
“He’s gonna be in big trouble if he does.”
“No way. He’s an upper-rank adventurer. This should be nothing to him.”
“Even we regulars lost our minds to kimbap back in the day.”
“But that’s bibimbap! Has anyone ever stayed sane after eating it?”
“He’s got experience, though. He’s survived countless dungeons. His mental resistance must be insane.”
“Wanna bet?”
“You’re on!”
Buzz buzz.
The adventurers who had followed them began heated debates and eventually split into two camps to wager.
“Go ahead and try it. I’ll buy. Everyone’s dying to see your reaction anyway.”
Cayton drove the final nail in.
Only then did Vitus realize something was very wrong. He shot Cayton a murderous glare that said:
You vicious little… using such a cheap trick?
Running away now would look pathetic. What’re you gonna do?
There was no choice left. The water had already been spilled.
“I’ll gratefully accept.”
The adventurers’ reactions were a bit unsettling, but it was just food. How bad could it be?
Cayton flashed a wicked grin.
“You’ve come a long way. Please, go first.”
“Of course.”
The adventurers willingly let Vitus cut to the front, and the moment the words left his mouth, a bowl of bibimbap was in Vitus’s hands.
“…”
Holding the bibimbap, Vitus couldn’t believe the situation he was in.
“You have to mix bibimbap well with a spoon before eating.”
“That red sauce is called gochujang. Make sure it mixes thoroughly.”
“Spread the vegetables evenly with the rice too.”
Tips came flying from all directions.
Why was he, of all people, surrounded by adventurers on the street, forced to sample bibimbap?
He felt like a monkey in a zoo.
Vitus sighed inwardly and opened the lid.
In that instant, an aroma unlike anything he had ever smelled assaulted his nose.
“Th-this is…”
An extreme, transcendent savoriness.
Vitus’s pupils shook as if an earthquake had struck.
Just smelling it was enough to make his mind waver!
An overwhelming presence.
It was comparable to the oppressive aura exuded by a boss in an upper-rank dungeon.
But…
Gulp.
Unable to resist the temptation, he swallowed hard. Like an adventurer who knows the danger yet still steps into the dungeon.
Vitus steeled his mind and thoroughly mixed the bibimbap with his spoon.
Finally, he took a bite.
And in that moment.
ZAP!
THUD. Vitus’s legs gave out and he collapsed to the ground.
The onlookers held their breath.
“Did he faint?”
“No, look, he didn’t fully collapse.”
Opinions were divided.
“Look! He’s getting back up!”
“Urgh…”
Vitus struggled back to his feet with every ounce of strength.
But the moment he clenched his jaw.
Crunch, bouncy-bouncy!
The chewy rice and crisp vegetables burst in his mouth, unleashing a flavor aftershock.
THUD.
Unable to hold on any longer, Vitus collapsed completely.
“He fainted after all.”
“Still, five whole seconds. That’s impressive for an upper-rank.”
The adventurers gave the unconscious, blissfully smiling Vitus an encouraging round of applause.
“Ugh!”
Vitus opened his eyes on a bed.
A familiar place no adventurer could mistake, the infirmary run by the Adventurer’s Guild.
“Damn it…”
A curse flew toward the ceiling the moment he woke up.
He had fainted. An upper-rank adventurer like him had failed to withstand it and passed out.
The shocking, intense flavor still lingered in his mind.
Was there truly anyone who could savor that dizzying dish while remaining sane?
And the adventurers of Alburton ate this every day?
They might be fledglings in body and skill, but their mental fortitude was on another level.
If one could eat bibimbap without fainting, they’d probably shrug off most mental attacks from upper-rank dungeon monsters.
“Just… what the hell is going on in this city?”
He had accepted the request half out of personal interest.
Only to discover that a colossal truth capable of shaking the entire capital, perhaps the entire world, lay hidden here. Vitus was utterly speechless.