At the center of the bloodstains lay Goldie.
He was alive, at least for now.
My heart pounded wildly, but I had to keep my emotions in check.
Carefully, I lifted the exhausted Goldie who had been sitting down, probably resting for a moment, and asked in a worried voice,
“What happened here? What’s going on?”
(Owner, don’t worry so much. I chased that guy away.)
“That guy? Who are you talking about?”
(Predator Catbird. Looks like it came down from the mountain.)
“Look at all these bloodstains on the ground. Are you really okay?”
(None of this blood is mine.)
Listening proudly to Goldie’s words, I examined his body from every angle.
Come to think of it, his golden feathers were spotless—no blood stains anywhere.
Only his claws, stuck with black fur, were dyed red.
“Thank goodness. What about the other hens? They’re okay, right?”
(Of course. If it attacks again, I won’t let it get away that easily.)
“Y-yeah. Goldie, you’re really dependable.”
Seeing Goldie unharmed brought me a deep sense of relief.
[Chief Rooster ‘Goldie’ senses Owner ‘Do Minho’s sincere worry. The Passive Skill (2) of ‘Communication-Chicken(+)’ activates.]
The alert window blinked, but there was no time to check it.
As a carnivore, the cat family ranks as a top predator in the food chain.
It was fortunate that nothing serious happened this time, but there was no guarantee luck would hold next time.
Recruiting another male to protect the flock was urgent.
I also needed to quickly find some health tonic to give Goldie.
I’ll ask Kim about getting a rooster first, and also look into what kind of tonic would be good for the chickens. I’ve read novels where they feed gochujang to chickens.
After tidying up the trashed field, I poured plenty of feed for the hungry chickens, hoping that Goldie, who had been through so much, would eat at least one more bite.
Watching the chickens eat peacefully as if nothing happened, they soon finished the feed and began to doze off.
“Everyone, get some rest.”
With Goldie burying his head deep under his wings, I quietly left the poultry house and went inside the house.
First things first—I needed to call Kim.
Rrrrr—rrrrr.
Despite the long ringing, Kim didn’t answer.
Busy, maybe? Well… I’ll eat first.
Maybe because the tension was finally easing, my hunger began to surface.
It was already mealtime.
Feels like I just had soy sauce egg rice, but life in the countryside really is just meal after meal and meal prep after meal prep.
I opened the refrigerator and looked inside.
“Fresh… how about some greens?”
I tried to put on a cheerful voice, but I couldn’t find much energy.
I already disliked greens, and eating them almost every day had made me tired of them.
But the poor have no choice.
Throwing away ingredients in the fridge was unthinkable.
Luckily, the mountain greens were either gathered fresh in spring and frozen or collected just a few days ago, so they were still fresh.
The first thing I pulled out was chamnamul-muchim, seasoned with perilla oil.
Though I disliked greens, I couldn’t deny their fragrant aroma.
I buried my nose in the container and inhaled deeply; the fresh scent filled my nostrils.
After placing the chamnamul outside, I poured water into the pot.
“Next is this~”
I had the handmade broth pack that Grandma Park had given me recently.
Just adding this pack, packed tightly with kelp and anchovies, would transform plain water into a flavorful broth, enhancing the stew’s umami.
Thump, thump, thump.
I dropped cubed potatoes into the broth.
One good thing about the countryside is how you get handed these root crops here and there.
Watching potatoes bigger than my fist swimming around, the broth soon started to bubble.
I mixed in a spoonful of store-bought soybean paste and a spoonful of Grandma Park’s handmade soybean paste.
“Since I have greens, how about making it a bit spicy?”
Adding a spoonful of gochugaru immediately filled the air with a spicy aroma.
Of course, I had to add minced garlic—an essential for any Korean stew.
I also added enokitake, onions, oyster mushrooms, and tofu from deep inside the fridge.
“Hngh.”
My mouth was already watering.
Though it’d be tasty as is…
“If I don’t add wild shepherd’s purse, it’d be a shame. Adding fresh shepherd’s purse—wild shepherd’s purse doenjang-jjigae complete!”
Bubble, bubble~
Maybe I was turning into an old man, but I kept talking to myself, even putting rhythm into my words…
But I was living alone, so what did it matter!
“Like this~ like this~”
I carried the doenjang-jjigae to the table, then topped a bowl of rice with chwinamul, aralia, gomchwi, and bracken, with a fried egg on top as a bonus.
Then I added gochujang and drizzled a generous amount of sesame oil.
“Sansae Bibimbap too! Lunch is ready!”
Even though I’d been eating similar meals for three years, I convinced myself it made me healthy and ate it anyway.
I cut the fried egg into bite-sized pieces and mixed the rice gently with chopsticks so the grains wouldn’t break.
Savoring the nutty scent of sesame oil, I took a bite.
Mmm.
“Hngh~ Must be the egg. It tastes better than usual.”
When I lifted some chamnamul-muchim, the distinct aroma of chamnamul and perilla oil teased my senses.
Still, compared to other greens, this was pretty tasty.
Nutty, fragrant, and flavorful!
As I was enjoying this, the phone rang.
It was Kim.
“Yes, sir. I’m calling to ask about health tonics for the chickens. Yes, yes, no, I’m not eating it myself—I’m giving it to the chickens. To keep them healthy. Ah, yes. Thank you very much!”
After hanging up, I realized I’d forgotten to ask about recruiting a new rooster.
I decided to ask later and pondered the tonic Kim had mentioned.
Red ginseng… the expensive stuff I can’t even afford, and you want me to feed it to the chickens?
I finished my meal and sat quietly on the bench, feeling bored.
When there’s nothing to do, it’s always the chickens.
I headed to the poultry house to check on them.
But then—
“Huh?”
There were eggs collected again!
They laid eggs twice a day? Is that right?
Excited, I quickly gathered the eggs.
While collecting them, a new information window popped up, different from yesterday’s.
[Egg-A]
An egg laid by a chicken that communicates with the owner.
The chicken, confined in the poultry house, had been stressed, but thanks to the owner’s love, those memories are fading.
Permanently increases Strength by 1 when consumed. (One-time only)
Wow, just by removing the poultry house door, the rating immediately improved?
Originally, the eggs averaged around B grade, but these were now average A-.
That meant their quality was on par with store-bought eggs.
If it’s this good, I could even sell them, right? I’ve heard A+ is the highest grade for agricultural products!
Just then, Goldie approached and spoke.
(Owner, you look happy.)
Turning to Goldie’s voice, I saw all the chickens gathered around me.
The chickens looked at me and the eggs in my hands.
I’d overlooked one thing.
To a chicken, eggs are like their children.
How must it look from their perspective, seeing me take every egg they laid?
Blinded by money, I’d failed to consider Goldie and the others’ feelings.
At a loss for words, I couldn’t answer right away. Goldie tilted his head and said,
(Not good? I tried to help you… don’t you need them?)
Listening to Goldie, I realized the other chickens were happily looking at the eggs I held.
I put down the eggs on the floor and petted the head of a nearby chicken.
A surge of happiness swept over me.
It seemed like I’d been misunderstood.
“I really like it! The more, the better! Goldie, thank you so much for thinking of this. Thank you all!”
My sincere words seemed to reach them, and the chickens started to sing in chorus.
It wasn’t just a fake chorus—they actually sang with varying pitch.
I never thought I’d hear chickens sing.
Goldie, clearly happy, spread his golden wings wide.
(Glad to see you happy. I’ll keep trying… but it’s tiring.)
“Don’t push yourself too hard. Your health is the most important.”
Goldie proudly clucked and then moved away.
The more I looked at him, the more impressive he seemed.
Of the eggs harvested this morning, two were left, and now there were nineteen more.
In just one day, there were already twenty-one eggs.
Whether it was their harmony or Goldie’s efforts, all the eggs laid by my hens were fertilized.
Fertilized eggs were more nutritious and could be sold at a higher price.
Goldie’s role was becoming more important.
I really need to prioritize health tonics for Goldie.
In the corner of my vision, the alert that had been postponed began to blink again.
It was the info window that said the Passive Skill (2) of ‘Communication-Chicken(+)’ had activated.
[Communication-Chicken(+)]
Allows communication with animals in the Galliformes order.
Rapid Growth was applied as a special first-time Sympathy bonus. (20 subjects applied)
Active Skill: Inactive
Passive Skills:
(1) I am the Chief Rooster!
(2) Two Eggs Per Hen!
- I am the Chief Rooster!
When successfully mating with the chief rooster, the quality of eggs improves. (Chief Rooster – Goldie) - Two Eggs Per Hen!
The affiliated rooster causes each hen to lay two eggs a day. (1 rooster / 19 hens)
Thanks to the passive skill ‘Two Eggs Per Hen!’, the hens laid eggs twice daily, in the morning and afternoon.
My sincere worry must have reached Goldie, fulfilling the condition for the passive skill.
At this rate, selling eggs with just twenty chickens might be possible soon… but do I need separate egg quality inspections to sell? I can see the grade myself, though.
Since the eggs were comparable in grade to those on the market, I looked for clear standards.
Hmm. Randomly sample 100 eggs and run various tests for grading. Some places don’t require grading. Since this is the highest grade on the market, getting them graded officially would be best.
“Wait! Don’t think about selling eggs first—just hatch them! If rapid growth applies to those eggs, that’s a jackpot! Even with ten hens, that’s twenty more eggs a day. Right, Goldie?”
(Owner, I don’t understand what you’re saying.)
“Hahaha! I’m smart. I’ll put the eggs back!”
Goldie looked puzzled at me.
I put all the eggs back where the hens could brood.
I even patted the eggs gently.
Just then, Kkaetok!
[Message from younger brother has arrived.]
[Almost there.]
Short and simple.
That’s Minjun. Wait, almost there?
Staring at the message, I jumped to my feet.
“I told you to call before you come!”
Just like three years ago, Minjun always knocked on the door without warning.
Maybe he knew I’d tell him not to come if he called ahead.
Still, he sent a message this time. That’s some progress.
There was no time for silly thoughts.
Though I pretended to be grumpy, Minjun was the one who always worried about me.
If I was messy, I had to show him I’d improved.
Ding dong!
Ding dong! Ding dong!
•Ddi-ddi-ddi-ddi-ddi-ddi-dding dong!
I shoved that thought aside.
How could he not wait a few seconds and ring the bell like he was breaking it?
“I’m coming, I’m coming! Stop ringing!”
I wiped off the sweat with a towel and opened the front door.
Standing before me was my only blood relative who looked exactly like me as if I was staring in a mirror.
“Hyung.”
“Minjun, it’s been a while…”
He came running with open arms and a tearful look of joy.
What’s gotten into him?
I thought we’d embrace for an emotional reunion, but—
Slap!
“Ah! Why are you hitting me?”
Just when I thought he was about to hug me after three years, he started slapping my back with all his might.
Slap! Slap!
“Seriously, that hurts! Stop it!”
“You still haven’t come to your senses? No contact at all?”
“I’m sorry…”
I rubbed my stinging back behind me, trying to look as apologetic as possible.
“But you didn’t contact me either…”
“Do I look like a jobless bum?”
“Well, not quite a bum…”
“Then what have you achieved in these three years?”
“Uh… chickens…?”
Since I was young, I always felt childish around Minjun.
Even now as adults, it was the same.
“You’re not seriously saying it took you three years to raise chickens, are you?”
“Uh? No, of course not…”
“Then?”
He gave me a fierce look like a relentless interrogator.
Still, I’m the older brother.
I instinctively shrank back and looked up at him.
He glanced down with narrowed eyes.
“You were born only a minute before me, right?”
“Huh? Did I say that out loud?”
“Your thoughts are predictable. If you want to be treated like an older brother, act like one.”
“Hey now. There are strict family rules.”
Minjun narrowed his eyes even more at my words.
Though he teased me, I knew it was all because he cared.
Even with his busy schedule, he still came to see me.
“You still busy these days?”
Minjun had awakened as an Awakened three years ago.
It was the same day I had awakened with Sympathy in the dungeon.
“No matter what, I’m probably busier than you.”
Maybe a coincidence, but I called it a twin awakening.
His tone was still fierce, like he wanted to keep teasing me.
But seeing my only blood relative come all this way made him look good to me.
“Any injuries?”
“None since awakening.”
The difference was that Minjun worked as a front-line tank?
He hadn’t told me much; I was pretty out of it back then.
“Got it. I’ll contact you more often. Sorry.”
“You’re quick to apologize, huh?”
“Come on in. If you’d said you were coming, I would’ve prepared something.”
“Don’t worry. Just take this. It’s heavy.”
“Ah, what gift did you bring? Just come over.”
Gift? Nah, he just grabbed some stuff from home to clear out.
Minjun handed me a pretty big gift set.
Honestly, when I opened the door, my eyes first went to the gift, but I don’t think he noticed.
I hope it’s something edible.
Before Minjun could change his mind, I took it and untied the ribbon.
!!
“Did I see that right… Korean beef? And it’s Two-Plus (투쁠)? Is this real? You’ve been making some money since becoming a Hunter!”
“I’m an A-Grade Hunter. I get sick just smelling beef now, so take it away.”
“You’re the best! Love you!”
“What’s wrong with you! Go away!”
Ah, Do Minjun!
I swear, he was just so admirable. If only he’d change his tone a bit.
Korean beef, and Two-Plus grade at that!
I hugged him tightly and shook him, but he pushed me away in surprise.
Fixing his messy hair, he glared at me, and fearing a slap, I quickly stepped back.
“Wow. Look at this glossy color. This is the best-looking beef I’ve ever seen.”
“Just putting it in the fridge makes me feel greasy already.”
Despite Minjun’s gruff tone, the corners of his mouth twitched upward.
He hadn’t shown it, but he had put thought into choosing this.
How did he think to bring galbi? So thoughtful.
Galbi was always a dream dish of mine.
And Two-Plus Korean beef!
It was 3 kg—enough to eat without holding back or feeling guilty.
“If I ration this, it’ll last two months.”
“You’re planning to eat it all alone? What about me?”
“…You said you’re tired of beef? Still… well, I guess I’ll share one piece with you…”
“What are you sad about! Just take it all.”
“No way! That’s absolutely not happening!”
Clutching the gift with a serious face as if afraid it would be taken away.
“You’ve gotten a lot better.”
“If being a Hunter is hard, just quit and come here. You’d really like it.”
“That’s what you say to a bright A-Grade Hunter now?”
“It’s dangerous… But you’re already A-Grade?”
I thought I’d misheard earlier, but no—it was true.
There were no S-Grade Hunters domestically yet, so that made him a top-tier Hunter.
“After checking with the Association, they said my ability is a growth-type one. That makes it easier to rank up.”
“What’s your ability?”
“Don’t you know it since I’m your younger brother?”
“…I was a bit out of it back then…”
No matter how apologetic I looked, it didn’t seem to help.
Grumpy guy.
But since he answered, I figured he was functioning in society at least.
“‘Sharing.’ That’s my ability.”
“Sharing?”
The name matched my own unique Sympathy ability that allows sharing emotions or thoughts.
What kind of ability was his ‘Sharing’ that made him a Hunter?