The day to head toward the Dragon Palace dawned.
I woke Minjun, who was still asleep, with a light kick. When I stepped outside, Suyeon was already sitting on the sofa.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Sure did. You’re up quite early.”
“Yes. Actually, I didn’t sleep very well.”
Looking closely at Suyeon’s face, the dark circles under her eyes were severe.
“You look very tired. Was the bed uncomfortable?”
“No, it’s not that… Phew, I was so excited about the Dragon Palace that I couldn’t sleep a wink.”
She then gave a little giggle.
Even though she was a veteran Hunter who had cleared dozens of Dungeons, she seemed curious and fluttery about seeing the Dragon Palace.
“You might end up nodding off once we get there. Instead of doing that, go inside and get some sleep. I’ll wake you up when it’s time to eat.”
“Would that be okay? Then please, I’ll count on you.”
Suyeon staggered her way into Kasia’s room.
“Big Brother, I’m so excited! A Dragon Palace like the ones from fairy tales… it doesn’t feel real!”
Jinsu, who had just come out of his room, chattered excitedly.
Hearing those words made my heart feel a bit heavy.
The reason we were going to the Dragon Palace was actually because the Dragon King was unwell… was it really okay to go with such high expectations?
I should tell them not to make it too obvious that they were enjoying themselves.
‘Goldie said he’d stay with the other chickens. I should go see Little Pepper.’
As I stepped out of the house, the sunrise was slowly beginning.
If I timed it right, I might even run into Ddakkongi.
With that possibility in mind, I hurried my steps.
Sure enough, Ddakkongi and Little Pepper were just finishing their shift change.
(No abnormalities during the night shift-yong! I hope you have a good day shift-yong!)
(Of course, I will stand guard thoroughly-chu! You worked hard last night, so sleep well-chu!)
Look at these little guys.
I had only let them stand guard because they insisted on it, but they were actually quite disciplined.
Seeing them check for reports and even encourage each other…
They were so cute.
Since cute things were doing cute things, the cuteness was doubled!
“Hey, guys!”
I couldn’t resist petting them and quickly ran over.
(The Owner is here-chu! What’s going on this early in the morning-chu!)
(Owner, you’ve arrived-yong! Did you sleep well-yong!)
Both were cute, but the difference in their personalities was evident from their speech.
I wondered if their personalities followed their appearance or their crop type.
Little Pepper, born from a spicy Gochu, seemed chic yet assertive.
On the other hand, Ddakkongi had a round appearance and a soft, affectionate personality.
But then again, considering Pa-rongee, that theory didn’t hold up.
A lazy green onion…?
I couldn’t even imagine it.
“Ddakkongi, you worked hard all night. You looked very gallant.”
(Hehe, that’s right-yong! I have this whole area under control, so you don’t have to worry-yong!)
(Owner! What about me! What about me-chu! Am I not reliable too-chu!)
“Of course~ Little Pepper is reliable as well.”
At that moment, Ddakkongi, who had stayed up all night, couldn’t help but yawn out of exhaustion.
Hwaaaa~
(Gasp! To think I would yawn in front of the Owner…. I am disqualified as a Peanut Guardian-yong.)
His change in expression was quite dramatic.
Just a moment ago he was grinning at me, but now he was so depressed over a single yawn.
“It’s okay. You stayed up all night, so of course you might yawn. I don’t mind things like that, so don’t worry.”
(Is that so-yong? What a relief-yong!)
Now that greetings were over, it was time to get to the main point.
“Ddakkongi, do you remember what I said last time? About going on a trip.”
(I remember-yong!)
“We’re planning to go to the Dragon Palace today. Do you want to come along?”
(Of course-yong! I will follow the Owner anywhere-yong!)
I knew Ddakkongi would say he’d come.
“You must be tired, will you be okay?”
(I’m perfectly fine-yong! Ddakkongi is strong-yong!)
Seeing him speak like that, it wasn’t just him forcing himself because I was there; he truly wanted to go.
I had really wanted to take Ddakkongi, who always works so hard, so I’m glad.
“Little Pepper, you’re coming too, right?”
(I want to go-chu! But if even I go, who will protect the Farmland-chu!)
“Oh, right. I didn’t think of that.”
Did it absolutely have to be guarded?
The things in the Farmland were crops that hadn’t even fully grown yet, and no one was going to be home anyway.
(I will stay-chu. The Farmland must be protected-chu!)
“You’re saying it absolutely must be protected…. Then shall we have Pa-rongee guard it this time?”
Pa-rongee, who was usually sluggish, flinched immediately when his name was called.
Of course, I wanted to take Pa-rongee too, but he had already been to Eliya… and in fact, this fellow never even stood guard.
I was grateful that Ddakkongi and Little Pepper didn’t complain about it, but I couldn’t give him special treatment every single time.
This was a chance for Pa-rongee to earn some points with his Peanut Guardian seniors.
“Since Pa-rongee is slow to answer, I’ll take that as an okay. For the sake of your seniors who are always working hard, please work hard for just one day.”
Even this time there was no answer, but I could feel Pa-rongee’s body drooping on my shoulder.
He didn’t say it, but he clearly wanted to go along.
Still, I intended to let the Peanut Guardians settle the hierarchy among themselves.
When the lingering Pa-rongee clung to my clothes, Ddakkongi spoke with dignity.
(Pa-rong! You must come down-yong!)
Pa-rongee flinched.
Since he was pressed against me, I could feel his emotions directly.
(…I… want to go too…. Pyu-pyu….)
Still, perhaps because his senior Ddakkongi called him, he didn’t hold onto my clothes any longer.
“Ddakkongi, I’m counting on you. I’ll come to get you later.”
(Understood-yong! I will take responsibility for completing the new recruit’s training-yong!)
…Why did Ddakkongi and Little Pepper look like drill instructors from a training camp?
Now it was time to prepare breakfast.
One should fill their stomach properly before heading out on a long journey.
The food might not be to our taste, and there was no telling what might happen on the way or once we arrived.
So, what would be a simple yet hearty dish?
Ah! That would be good.
I took out some cans from the cupboard.
Then, I lined up the simple seasoning ingredients on the counter.
– What kind of dish are you making this early in the morning?
Whether Kasia had woken up or not, she approached as soon as she left the room and watched from the side.
Right, be as curious as you want.
“Today’s star is Tuna Mayo Deopbap. Have you ever heard of it? It’s a simple but delicious dish!”
– Ho. It is my first time hearing of it. Hm?
Kasia tilted her head after seeing the Tuna Can.
“Why? Do you know about canned tuna?”
– Is this not the food that Heuknyang and Hindungi eat? It seems you gave it to them often…. Are you certain you are making food for us to eat?
“Hahaha, you sure remember well. It’s the same type of canned food I gave them. It was originally developed for humans to eat, but pets like it too.”
Despite the explanation, Kasia didn’t let go of her suspicious look.
But it’ll be different once you taste it.
Just you wait.
Click.
As I opened the lid of the Tuna Can, the savory scent of tuna spread out.
I carefully tilted the Tuna Can to drain the oil.
– Why are you throwing that away? Was it not for eating?
“You can eat it. It’s vegetable oil, so it’s not harmful to the body at all.”
– Then why are you discarding it? Is it not a waste?
“But I’m going to add something called mayonnaise later. If I keep this oil in, it could become extremely greasy. Just trust me and wait.”
– I understand. I shall look forward to it!
I took out a wide, deep bowl and put the contents of the Tuna Can inside.
I planned to make the tuna mayo seasoning all at once here.
It had to be this shape so that even with a large quantity, the contents wouldn’t splash out and could be mixed easily.
Since I was stacking up tuna for seven people, the amount was quite significant.
It looks delicious already.
Then, I squeezed mayonnaise in a long stream over the mountain of tuna.
Eating a lot of mayonnaise might make me gain weight… but it tastes better when you put a lot in.
To me, eating delicious food is more important than gaining weight.
“Now, if you add mayonnaise and soy sauce to the tuna like this and mix it up, the basic part is complete.”
– Me! I shall try doing it.
“It’s more delicious if you mix it well so the seasoning doesn’t clump, without crushing the tuna chunks.”
– Leave it to me!
Kasia took the bowl and stirred the contents here and there with a spoon.
It must have been quite difficult since there was so much, but she seemed to find the mixing fun and stirred the spoon excitedly.
Well, the seasoning is done.
“Should we add Eggs too? It’ll look prettier if we do, right?”
– Eggs? Are you putting in fried Eggs! I like those.
“No, this time I’m going to put in Scrambled Egg. That way it’s easier to eat and the texture is better.”
– Scrambled Egg?
I took the Eggs out of the refrigerator and cracked the shells against a plate.
Tap, tap.
When I cracked seven Eggs into one plate to match the number of people, the volume was quite something.
“Kasia, do you want to try this too?”
– Uh? I have already finished mixing the seasoning…?
“This is something new. If you whisk it with chopsticks as if you’re cutting the whites, the yolks and whites will mix well. Isn’t it interesting?”
– It is indeed interesting. However….
“Hurry and try. You have to stir so they mix well. Like this.”
I tilted the plate and showed her the hand motion.
When Kasia tried to follow, it seemed quite difficult as she was splashing egg wash everywhere and making quite a mess.
Still, it lightened my workload… so I should be satisfied.
“In the meantime, I should serve the rice.”
This time I took out deopbap bowls and filled them with warm rice.
It was white rice with steam rising from it.
As expected, white rice with its beautiful color is the best whenever you’re mixing something in to eat.
– Whew. I have finished mixing it.
“Good job. You mixed it well.”
– Huhu. Of course!
Sizzle~
As I poured the egg wash into the heated frying pan, a pleasant sound could be heard.
Since Kasia might fail at this part, I personally moved the chopsticks around the frying pan to make soft, fluffy Scrambled Egg.
– Oh. It looks remarkably soft.
“Try some. Say ah~”
– Ah~
As soon as Kasia put the Scrambled Egg in her mouth, her expression brightened up.
– It is as soft as it looks! And the egg flavor is strong!
“It’s good, right? I’m going to put this in the rice as well.”
I spread the Scrambled Egg widely over the bowls where I had served the warm white rice.
Then I placed the tuna mayo seasoning I had made on top.
– Oh. Is this what is called plating?
“Something like that. It’s about serving the food so it looks delicious and good.”
Finally, if I sprinkle some seaweed flakes for color.
“Tuna Mayo Deopbap is finished!”
– I wish to taste it quickly! But did you not say it was simple? My arms seem to ache….
“Cooking is always like that. But once you eat it deliciously, you forget the hard work and feel proud.”
I didn’t bother telling Kasia that I only made her do the hard parts.
She would only know by feeling it herself how much effort I usually put into preparing meals.
“But Sunwoo isn’t coming. She said she’d come for breakfast.”
– Could it be that she is a Human who does not keep her promises? Sigh. I knew it.
However, contrary to Kasia’s expectations, the doorbell rang.
Ding-dong~ Ding-dong~
“Yes~ It’s open. Please come in!”
“Excuse me~”
As promised, Baek Seonwoo came to have breakfast together.
After seating Baek Seonwoo at the table, I called out the four Hunters who hadn’t shown their faces while I was cooking.
“Everyone, come eat~”
Then, as if they had been waiting, the room doors opened and people poured out.
“I made this with Kasia. I made plenty of rice and seasoning, so please enjoy.”
Since there were people who didn’t know Baek Seonwoo yet, I decided to do a brief introduction.
“This is Baek Seonwoo, who does Potion research, and these people are… let’s each introduce ourselves.”
“Yes, I am Alchemist Baek Seonwoo. It’s nice to meet you.”
“I’m Domo Minjun.”
Starting with Minjun, the group took turns introducing themselves.
However, Kasia was still just sitting there blankly.
When I poked her in the side, she blurted out with an unhappy expression.
– Do you not know already? It is Kasia.
The short but awkward introduction time ended.
“Since you must be hungry, let’s eat first and then take time to get to know each other!”
And I put the sesame oil, which I had forgotten, onto the table.
The mayonnaise and tuna provide enough richness, but it was a consideration for those who wanted ultimate savoriness to add as they liked.
“Big Brother! This is so delicious! Even though there’s mayonnaise in it, it’s not greasy and it’s so savory, it’s exactly my style!”
“Kaaa~ The food you make, Sir, is something I wouldn’t get tired of even if I ate it every day!”
“Hey, you should be thinking about making it for him yourself!”
“Hmph, just say you’re jealous if you’re jealous.”
They were starting again.
Minjun was finishing his food in an instant, scooping up half a bowl of rice in one spoonful.
That kind of action feels even better than words.
Looking to the side, Kasia was eating her rice ravenously, as if she had been hungry while cooking.
“Kasia, eat slowly. There’s more.”
– It is soo delicious, what am I to do. I shall eat this quickly and then have another bowl!
Kasia, you worked hard mixing this and that, so you can eat a lot!
At that moment, Park Janghyeon unexpectedly spoke up.
“You could even open a restaurant.”
Since Park Janghyeon, who is usually a man of few words, said such a thing, I felt proud as the person who cooked.
Seeing everyone eating so well, I should invite them over to eat often.
Now that we’ve had a hearty breakfast, shall we get ready to leave for the Dragon Palace?