episode_0025

The usual town.

The usual, night street.

But today, all that usual felt special.

While small breaths steamed up in the cold night air, a strangely excited heat was rising inside me.

“Alright~ This is the first time I’m doing business since reincarnating, isn’t it? Let’s work hard!”

Dungeons, monsters, weapons and combat!

Forget all of it for today.

Chef Yuan.

For this moment, it’s time to return to that name.

Well, I was a porter and chef originally, though.

But it feels like I’m returning as a complete chef!

This is a corner slightly off the center of the night market district.

It’s a space with dim magic lamps and no roof, but it’s different from usual now.

Because a small and modest street stall was subtly illuminating that place.

Named ‘Monster Gourmet’!

“Hmm? You ask why I didn’t go to the dungeon today?”

Well, the magic refrigerator is on the verge of exploding from storing the monsters I’ve caught so far.

Actually, we don’t always deal with only named monsters, do we?

On the way to the core, small fry like mobs also passed by, and ‘unintentionally’ I caught a few of them, no, honestly, I caught a lot.

The result of collecting mob ingredients little by little like that?

“It was about time to clear it out. But it’s a waste to throw it away, and there’s too much to eat.”

That’s when it happened. When I heard that the Merchant Guild was starting a temporary street stall rental service.

“There’s no reason to hesitate, is there?”

Applied immediately! Approved immediately!

And today is the very first day of opening!

“Looking at it like this, it’s pretty plausible, isn’t it?”

One small and cozy street stall.

In the back, the fryer used during the last adventure and the grill from Alraune’s Flower Garden.

On the front table, simple chairs, wooden chopsticks, and neatly wiped plates.

It’s simple, but I think I’ve properly prepared it with sincerity.

There’s no windbreak or anything—

“Well~ I’ll get hot while cooking, I guess.”

The cooking surface connected to the magic stone is already preheated.

My fingertips are already warm from the heat rising from the fryer.

“Alright. Ready to welcome customers anytime.”

I shook my hands lightly and gently touched the lamp hanging from the street stall ceiling.

Paat!

The bright orange magic lamp spreading light.

Beneath that light, my small but reliable ‘own shop’ was completed.

“In that case—”

Tying the apron tightly around my chest, I shouted.

“Monster Gourmet, open for business!”

Me standing in front of the cooking surface.

A pounding heart, and a slight tension.

But bigger than that—

Was the proud anticipation of ‘Can I make someone smile with my cooking?’.

It was like the feeling of an actor on stage just before the curtain opens.

The gentle night breeze blew,

Quiet footsteps, one… two…

The moment they drew closer towards me.

I welcomed the first customer with a bright smile.

“Welcome~ These are monster dishes you can only meet on this street, nowhere else?”

The first customer was none other than—

“Yes, yes! A shop I haven’t seen before has appeared? Excuse me~ Oh my, Yuan?”

A soft and warm voice.

At the same time, the lamp hanging from the street stall ceiling swayed gently, slightly.

What stepped in under the light wasㅡ

The tavern’s signboard part-timer, the sacred Valkyrie Wilmarina.

Lustrous brown straight hair fluttering with the night air.

Even though she just stepped into the street stall, it felt like a divine aura was flowing somewhere.

Nice? It feels like receiving a blessing before properly welcoming customers!

“Oh, Wilmarina? Aren’t you working at the tavern today?”

I greeted her, my eyes sparkling with joy.

The Valkyrie replied with a bright smile, interlocking her hands as if holding them warmly in her arms.

“I got off early today~ The manager said they saw their grandchild. Thanks to that, I unexpectedly got time to go on a date with Yuan?”

“Wow, that’s really something to celebrate. Wait, what did you say? A date!”

“Yes, yes~ That tone! Even your flustered state is cute, isn’t it? Today, I can think of it that way, can’t I?”

“Really… I can’t win against her.”

Smiling at the rare encounter, I offered.

“Go ahead and sit down. You’re the first customer, so I’ll give you the full course service~”

“Hehe~ Really? Can I, look forward to it?”

Looking at my apron ties with a sincere expression, she playfully extended a finger and lightly tapped my collar.

“Mr. Yuan wearing an apron, honestly, it’s a bit of a strike. It’s dangerous, you know? Should I kidnap you to the heavens?”

“Is… Is that so? I just put on an apron, though.”

Even while saying that, I felt my earlobes getting hot.

Looking at me with those eyes from the front is cheating, you know.

Why is the affection onslaught so intense today!

Wilmarina, who had been smiling brightly, carefully sat on the chair, accepted the water glass and warm fish cake soup I offered, and smiled.

“Warm Korean soup on a night like this… It’s the standard of street stalls~”

“Right? Alright, today’s menu. I’ve prepared a lot of special things?”

Wilmarina opened the paper and read down as if humming.

“Hmm hmm~ Gourmet made from monsters… Huh? What’s this?”

Her eyes stopped at one line.

“This ‘Neobiani using Minotaur meat’? That’s a name I’ve never heard before.”

“That, it’s a dish from my original world. Thinly sliced beef with cuts, marinated deeply in special seasoning, then grilled over direct heat. It’s sweet and savory.”

She quietly, yet increasingly leaned her body closer.

“Just imagining it makes my mouth water~”

“Originally I’d pair it with Makgeolli, but since that’s not available, I recommend Blackberry Wine. The flavor will go very well.”

“Okay! Then I’ll have one Neobiani and a glass of Blackberry Wine, please. Hehe, I’ll look forward to it, Yuan? I hope you put a lot of your affection into it.”

“Yes~ The first order has come in~”

I took a breath inwardly and carefully placed the Minotaur meat on the small grill.

Sizzle sizzle—

The thinly sliced meat quickly cooking over the flames.

Plump juices formed, and soon the sweet seasoning aroma spread through the night air.

And as if drawn by the scent, someone passing by on the street started glancing at the small street stall.

Alright, let’s grill the best late-night snack for the Valkyrie.

“Customer, the Neobiani you ordered is ready. Please be careful as Blackberry Wine can make you tipsy if you drink it quickly~”

I carefully presented the plate before her.

A plate of Neobiani full of grilled meat aroma, and a glass of shining ruby-colored Blackberry Wine.

A dish grilled directly on the hot plate, served with sauce and made with sincerity.

As it’s today’s first customer, I also put affection into it and served it.

“Wow~ You gave me an incredibly large plate? Isn’t this losing business?”

“Just catching one Minotaur yields a very generous amount of meat, you see. Besides, today is a special service. Because the first customer is… you.”

“Saying something like that, suddenly… it’s cheating, isn’t it?”

Wilmarina, whose cheeks were turning peach-colored.

Was it that she wanted to hide that shyness?

She quietly took a soft sip of the Blackberry Wine.

“Haa…”

A breath sighing out like a small exhalation.

The alcohol effect spread, and the wings on her back fluttered gently.

“My body is getting warmer. Not because of the alcohol… could it be because of Yuan?”

“Isn’t that a bit too much of a leap?”

“Then maybe it’s both?”

Sending a playful wink, she picked up a piece of Neobiani with chopsticks.

Soon she put the meat in her mouth and chewed it nibble-nibble.

Closing her eyes slightly, she let out a happy exclamation.

“Yuan.”

“Huh? What’s wrong? Is the meat undercooked by chance?”

“No…”

She slowly opened her mouth.

“It’s so yummy. I’m truly moved. This taste, it corrupts me…”

She flinched her shoulders, then cupped her face with both hands and whispered quietly.

“If it’s this delicious… I really want to make Yuan my ‘Hero’, you know?”

There is a legend that Valkyries want to find their own Hero (husband candidate) and go to Valhalla (wedding ceremony), they say.

Is she talking about a hero in that sense?

“Hehe. Yuaaan~ Let’s open a restaurant together. Just. The. Two. Of. Us. I can do serving better than anyone!”

In that state, flushed red perhaps due to the alcohol, lifting her glass towards me.

My heart, for an instant, strangely leaped.

“Ah, ahahaha… Is it that good? That’s a relief.”

Stammering, I took out the fried food.

Service food prepared for the first customer.

“Here’s also fried shrimp made from Tripi Tropi Tropah Tripa Shrimp. The crispy texture should be alive.”

“Woow~ This shop is the best!”

Looking at the fried food with sparkling eyes, she carefully picked up the chopsticks.

After chewing that crispy bite nibble-nibbleㅡ

“This shop, it’s open every day, right? Then I… I’ll come every day. So I can… eat with Yuan, every day.”

“Unfortunately, it’s limited operation? Just for today.”

Rolling up my sleeves, I shrugged it off with a small smile.

Half serious, half joking.

Actually, I felt a slight regret about ending it after just today, but that wasn’t the time to say it.

At those words, Wilmarina pouted slightly and took another sip, putting the glass to her lips.

“That’s a shame… Seriously… I was thinking about changing jobs, you know?”

“Changing jobs?”

“Yes~ Quitting the tavern part-time job, and a position specifically for tasting Yuan’s cooking, something like that?”

She lowered her voice as she laughed and placed the glass on the table.

Then she quietly straightened the hand that had been holding chopsticks, and gently beckoned towards me.

“In that case…”

Her eyes lowered slightly, then quickly rose playfully and gently.

“For this moment, please focus entirely on me. My Einherjar (Hero)-nim?”

With those words, the light swayed slightly, and the inside of the street stall became quiet like a small sanctuary just for the two of them.

The fried food was crackling on the brazier,

She behind that brazier was smiling warmly, closer than could be seen anywhere else in this world.

“That’s cheating.”

It felt like the sound of my heart slid up the chopsticks to my fingertips.

Truly, in this moment, more than cooking, more than business,

My mind couldn’t help but be completely focused on that single smile.

[Eyecatch!]

Today’s Pick!—Wilmarina’s Favorite Street Stall Menu

1. Grilled Minotaur Neobiani

An otherworld-style Korean dish born from Yuan’s bold idea!

The difference is using Minotaur meat that’s matured tough and muscular.

Thanks to that, they say it boasts a more plentiful and chewier taste?

Slice the meat thinly, make cuts, and sizzle it on the grill~

When special soy sauce permeates it evenly, the chewy and savory flavor explodes!

“Since it’s the same cow, couldn’t it be Neobiani too?”

ㅡThe chef who racked his brain because he wanted to eat Neobiani somehow

2. Blackberry Wine.

A common drink sold if you go to any tavern.

Originally, since Neobiani is Korean food, Bokbunja wine or Makgeolli would suit it, but unfortunately, they don’t seem to exist in this world.

So, providing Blackberry Wine which is even slightly similar to Bokbunja!

“Yes, yes! Please wrap up one Neobiani! And can you wrap up you too?”

ㅡThe Valkyrie who ended up drinking 3 bottles of Blackberry Wine and getting completely drunk