While Jinwoo was preparing food at that very moment,
[The Strongest Hunter in History, the Anonymous Hunter Has Done It Again!]
As Jinwoo enjoyed his peaceful daily life, the world outside was in an uproar.
Everyone was certain that the one who cleared this S+-rank dungeon was once again the Anonymous Hunter.
In other words, from the fastest subjugation of an A-rank dungeon, to solo S-rank dungeon raids, fastest clear times, bringing multiple villain groups to ruin, and now even the S+-rank dungeon—everyone judged that all these feats were the work of a single person.
And that guess was correct. All those secret deeds were Jinwoo’s.
[The Anonymous Hunter, Who Is He?]
[He Has Proven Himself—Anonymous! Having Earned the Title of World’s Strongest, the Strongest Hunter in History, Who on Earth Is He?]
[We Want to Know—Who Is the Anonymous Hunter?]
[Anonymous Hunter—An Individual or a Group? Experts Believe It’s an Individual….]
[Anonymous Hunter, What Is the Source of His Power?]
[Experts Speculate on the Anonymous Hunter]
[Is the Anonymous Hunter the Incarnation of a Constellation?]
[Just Who Is His Constellation?]
The world already believed that the Anonymous Hunter had made a contract with a Constellation. For an ordinary hunter, for a mere human, the results he had achieved were simply incomprehensible.
So, public opinion buzzed with guesses as to which Constellation had made a contract with him. Was it the Great Mage Constellation, since he unleashed such explosive magic?
Or maybe, since he seemed to use a sword… perhaps Chuk Jun-kyung, a renowned hero of Korea?
All sorts of speculation ran rampant.
The public was truly curious about the Anonymous Hunter’s identity, and at the same time, they felt reassured by his presence.
After all, seeing him capture villains one after another and clear dungeons, it was only natural that people saw him not as an evildoer, but as a force for good.
In fact, there were even those who hoped he would never reveal his identity.
With a mysterious hunter like him in Korea, how reassuring was that for Koreans?
If, by any chance, the Anonymous Hunter revealed his identity and defected to another country? That would be a tremendous national loss.
People shared their thoughts in the comments of the articles.
— I hope the Anonymous Hunter keeps doing what he’s doing, just living as a super hero with a hidden identity.
— I hope he stays as our neighbor.
— The Anonymous Hunter must never reveal his identity. If a nameless, faceless hunter in Korea reveals himself? That means he’d defect to another country.
— Honestly, compared to being a hunter in Korea, it makes more sense to go to America where hunters get the best treatment. That’s why I also hope the Anonymous Hunter’s identity never comes out.
— Traditionally… those who hide their faces… always have something to hide… Reveal yourself proudly!
— Old man, why don’t you show your face first?
— If his face and name get revealed, other countries would go crazy trying to recruit him, right? A war could break out over a single hunter, and that’s not just an exaggeration.
— By now, there’s probably at least one person who knows who the Anonymous Hunter is, but maybe they’re hiding it because of the aftermath.
There was someone sitting on the sofa, reading these public reactions with great satisfaction.
“Heh heh, our lord’s popularity is through the roof.”
“Big brother’s popularity is through the roof!”
(Anonymous 1): Kya~! I’m getting drunk on this!
(God of Rain and Sunlight): Attention is always thrilling.
(Father of Crops): You got more than your fair share of attention, didn’t you?
(God of Rain and Sunlight): When I pretended to be a god? That was a thrill, too. It was just hard because my life wasn’t my own. Jinwoo enjoys his own life and gets attention, too. I’m envious.
(Returnee from the Demon Realm): They say the best thing in the world is being rich when no one knows who you are. Jinwoo has it all—no one knows who he is, but he’s famous, rich, and strong. It can’t get better than that.
(Water God of Cheongha): Somehow… our descendant doesn’t care much, but we’re all excited.
(Liberated Swordsman): That’s because we see the world through Jinwoo.
(Endless Waiting): Jinwoo is my world, so of course.
(The Last Blacksmith): Hm, I agree.
It was Eric, Alton, and the Constellations.
Jinwoo himself wasn’t interested in any of this, but whether he cared or not, they were ready to pop champagne in celebration.
Alton even rushed out to the living room from discussing farming with Maru as soon as Jinwoo came up in conversation.
Maru, left alone, watched this scene from afar, a little crazed, before shuffling off to the playroom.
While Eric and Alton were laughing with the Constellations, and Byul and the spirits were playing in the playroom,
I walked my own path.
I set aside the fermented soybeans sent by the Father of Crops, reserved for cheonggukjang, then added a handful of anchovies to water, slicing onion, green onion, and chili on a bias.
I also shredded some well-fermented kimchi, and cubed some tofu.
Once the broth had plenty of flavor, I removed the anchovies and added the prepared kimchi and pork. There’s no rule saying you have to put meat in cheonggukjang, but meat usually enhances the taste of the stew.
Sizzle—! Bubble bubble—
I minced golden garlic, added chili powder and fiery pepper, then put the lid on.
The water boiled quickly, steam beading on the lid, as the ingredients inside released their color and fragrance into the broth.
Meanwhile, I separated the cheonggukjang soybeans by hand.
‘Now, open the lid.’
The soup came to a full boil, filling the kitchen with a savory aroma. As the scent of kimchi spread sharply, I added the fragrant cheonggukjang and the remaining ingredients.
Just a little longer, and it would be ready.
‘Alton is leaving for the Demon Realm in thirty minutes… That should be enough time to eat.’
I’d already handed over the crops and seeds Alton would need to use in the Demon Realm.
Now, I just had to feed him before he left.
“Everyone, gather up.”
“Okay!”
— Yes!
— Roger that!
— I’m here too!
“Lord, it smells delicious.”
“Big brother…! The smell is… strange!”
“You! How dare you comment on the food prepared by our lord!”
“Ah, I’m sorry…!”
I chuckled at how straight Alton sat, tense with discipline. The reason cheonggukjang is a love-it-or-hate-it dish is because of the smell.
That earthy, pungent odor—like feet—is the biggest hurdle for most people. The Constellations who’d just received food from me reacted differently as well.
(Father of Crops): I’m used to this aroma, I like it.
(Anonymous 1): …Not a fan.
(Endless Waiting): Jinwoo, Jinwoo… hm, hm… I like it. Well, how could I be picky about food given to me by my benefactor?
(Liberated Swordsman): It’s an addictive smell.
(God of Rain and Sunlight): Guts of steel required, respect.
(Water God of Cheongha): Good, good!
(The Last Blacksmith): It pierces through the iron smell… how should I put it? It’s mysterious. I don’t know.
(Returnee from the Demon Realm): Ahh, I missed this, cheonggukjang!!
“Anyway, give it a try. Alton, you too.”
“…Yes, big brother!”
Alton was the first to pick up a spoon. His hands were trembling—he really must not want to eat it. This was a guy who’d survived all kinds of horrors and blood in the Demon Realm, but he balked at cheonggukjang?
How funny.
I said confidently,
“It’ll be just your style.”
He nodded with a reluctant expression.
This was one of the reasons I liked Alton. He was honest. Even though he worshiped me like a god, his face and gestures showed exactly what he was thinking right in front of me.
It made me trust that he truly followed me, not out of empty flattery.
“First, mix the broth with your rice. Add plenty of beans, meat, kimchi, and tofu.”
“…Yes!”
“Now eat.”
I looked at the chat window as I spoke.
It was also a sign for the Constellations to eat as well.
(Anonymous 1): Did he just talk down to us?
(Water God of Cheongha): Anonymous, you’re just sensitive from the smell. Just try it—I just had some, and it’s really delicious.
(God of Rain and Sunlight): …It’s good?
(Father of Crops): *It’s working.
(Anonymous 1): …It really is tasty. Damn.
(Liberated Swordsman): I’ve never doubted Jinwoo! Always trusted him!
(Endless Waiting): Ah, I trust him too. Jinwoo is a god!
(The Last Blacksmith): The savory taste is excellent.
(Returnee from the Demon Realm): Kya~! This is it! I want a shot of soju with this… too bad.
‘Ah, I’ll offer some soju next time, too.’
(Returnee from the Demon Realm): Really?
‘Yes.’
(Returnee from the Demon Realm): You drink on my behalf, Jinwoo.
The Constellations’ reactions were the best.
Byul, Eric, and the spirits trusted my cooking, so they ate without hesitation, all giving rave reviews.
Now, all that was left was Alton’s reaction.
I don’t know why, but I felt a little nervous.
“Wow, this is amazing! It’s amazing, big brother! I want to go back in time and scold my past self for doubting you!”
“Haha, you don’t have to go that far…”
“I’m not flattering you. It’s really delicious!”
“I know it’s not flattery, you didn’t want to eat what I made just a moment ago, right? You made it pretty obvious.”
“T-that’s not it! I’m sorry!”
His shriveled expression after my teasing made me laugh. I reassured him by saying it was a joke.
“Big brother, this is really delicious. I’m going to make and sell cheonggukjang as soon as I get back. I’ll be rich, haha.”
“It’s that good?”
“Yes, the beans melt as soon as they enter my mouth. They’re soft and the flavor spreads all at once. It’s amazing! And the kimchi just dissolves in my mouth, but it doesn’t feel weird at all—rather, the sour taste spreads out nicely. The savory taste of the tofu crumbling is fantastic, too.”
If he’s reviewing the flavors this much, it must be genuinely tasty.
It was a moment that made me quite proud.
*****
Alton returned to the Demon Realm.
“So you came back after all.”
No one loved the Demon Realm Jinwoo had transformed more than Alton. But even though he had just spent two hours on Earth, the world where his most respected Jinwoo lived, his expression was gloomy.
In just two hours, he missed Jinwoo already. He missed Korea’s high-rise buildings and lush forests.
There was Maru, who shared farming stories, and the Constellations, who’d helped turn the Demon Realm into farmland.
Byul, Baekgu, and Sol, who were overflowing with cuteness.
Eric, always dependable, and Jinwoo, his most respected elder.
And the unforgettable savory flavor of cheonggukjang.
He missed everything already.
Like a child waking from an unattainable dream, he sat on the ground, recalling the past two hours. Slowly savoring the memories, like saving a sweet candy for later.
‘Big brother promised he’d call me back.’
Until then, Alton thought, it was his job to make the Demon Realm an even better place. He resolved to shape the Demon Realm just like the Earth he had seen.
Former Demon King Kang Minseok had laid the foundation, and Jinwoo had built up the framework. He believed he could do it.
Yes, it wasn’t an impossible dream after all.
It was just a taste of a dream that would soon come true. Alton immediately gathered the demons and began a speech.
He shared all he had experienced—except for his descriptions of Earth.
He explained meeting Jinwoo, receiving the gift of seeds, and eating cheonggukjang. The demons envied Alton.
“You, too, deserve to experience such amazing things! Let’s transform the Demon Realm!”
Alton ordered a large-scale construction project in the Demon Realm.
Everyone nodded, chanting Jinwoo’s name, and thus, Jinwoo’s reputation soared to yet another height.
[You have cleared the quest!]
— Reward: Unlock a hidden ability at the Coin Shop.
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