Leveling Up through Eating

The night has arrived and Instructor Valen has once again given a powerful blow and sent away a user who was picking a fight against him. 

‘Hoo… I’m tired.’

This was his routine each and every day and no deviation would happen at all. 

‘It’s almost time for my shift to end.’

After 12 hours he could take turns with another staff who would work the night shift.

And just at that moment the staff who’s supposed to relieve his shift came.

“Good job Instructor Valen. You can go and take a rest now.” 

“It’s going to be tough on you [1].”

When Valen turned around he was still able to see Minhyuk diligently eating bread. 

‘It would be nice if he’s still here tomorrow too…’ 

The past two days were truly enjoyable. 

Minhyuk, a young man who was happy with just one bread, could make anyone smile just by looking at him. 

He turned around to leave with those thoughts as his companion. 

“Instructor.” 

Minhyuk quickly kept his sword and approached him.

“Huh?”

“Hehe, are you getting off of work now?” 

“That’s right.” 

“By any chance… Have you eaten already?” 

“Not yet. I’ll eat when I get home.” 

Of course he didn’t eat yet. 

Minhyuk knew this but still decided to ask. 

“Theeeeeen….” 

“…It’s fine, you can say it.”

“I’d like to make you a delicious dinner, Instructor!” 

“Hmm? A delicious dinner?” 

Valen halted when he heard those words. No user has made this offer before and he also has never had anyone ask to come to his house.

“Yeees!” 

Minhyuk has already secretly planned this in his head. 

‘There’s no way I can get any tools right now so the only way I can make a delicious meal out of hard bread is to borrow the Instructor’s tools! And if we get even closer I could probably borrow those tools even if I go out of here.’ 

Of course it won’t be for free. 

He said that he would cook a meal for him. 

“Would you really do that?” 

Instructor Valen laughed out loud. He could probably tell what he was secretly planning. 

“You.” 

“Yes!” 

“You just want to eat something delicious, right?” 

Sting! [2] 

“N… Not at all! I really want the Instructor to eat something delicious!”

“Hahaha, you! You’ll probably fill a river with how your mouth is watering. Let’s go.” 

The two of them walked away together.

***

Valen’s house was very close, it was a small cabin located opposite of the scarecrow training grounds. 

However small the cabin is, there’s something inside it for sure. An oven, a pot or anything that could make fire.

“Isn’t this cozy?” 

“It’s cozy. In fact I’ll be okay with it as long as there’s no old bachelor smell [3].”

Valen smiled wryly when he turned around and saw Minhyuk looking around in the kitchen. 

‘Has anyone ever been here before?’ 

Valen always went straight home after a hard day’s work, then he would take a shower, read a book and fall asleep. Then he would wake up, go to work and go home. This was how his days usually went by.

He was always ‘alone’. 

There were only two NPCs stationed at the scarecrow training grounds. One for the day shift and one for the night shift. 

And there were always plenty of users who flattered and tried to get close to them. These users did it for the possibility of getting more rewards. But none of them wanted to go and visit his home. 

‘So what if it’s just so you could eat something delicious.’ 

Instructor Valen liked Minhyuk. This was the first time that he could feel warmth after so long. 

“Hmm? These are the only ingredients you have?” 

Minhyuk arranged the ingredients and frowned. He thought there would be plenty of ingredients but Valen’s available ingredients were a bit shabby. 

“The protectors of Athenae get the same food everyday. You can go to town and buy other foods and necessities but I don’t think it’s necessary in my case.” 

It’s comfortable eating alone. 

He smiled bitterly.

When he said protectors of Athenae what he meant were the NPCs. 

Minhyuk’s eyes widened with his words.

The only ingredients he had were the hard bread that Minhyuk ate, and some ingredients to make soup. It was all he had available. 

‘Well… No matter how high the quality of the game is, it’s still a game.’ 

It would be strange if they gave the NPCs a different meal everyday. 

Minhyuk rolled his sleeves. 

“I’ll definitely make you a really delicious meal!” 

“I’m looking forward to it.” 

Minhyuk gave a hehe and smiled. 

“By the way, there’s a lot of bread in here … Can I eat some while I cook?” 

The loaves of hard bread were piled up like a mountain. 

“Help yourself.” 

Valen smiled brightly while Minhyuk spread out all of the ingredients. 

He memorized a lot of recipes about hard bread earlier. Half of the recipe he memorized can’t be cooked. He has to find something he could make with the ingredients he has. 

Then… 

‘Ah… That’s it…!’ 

Hard bread, garlic, butter, honey, condensed milk, and parsley can make that! 

He could make garlic bread. 

“I’ll go and wash up.” 

“Yes!” 

“Well, don’t worry too much.” 

“Of course.” 

Valen entered the washroom with a grin.

“Yummy.”

Minhyuk had a piece of bread before he started.

***

Footnotes

[1] 고생하시게 : Something difficult or draining has happened to you. Usually said if it’s draining after work. It’s the same with 수고하다 (수고 and 고생 both means trouble) in a sense that you say this to acknowledge someone’s hard work at the end of the day. 

[2] 뜨끔 : this is basically that sting or prickling of your consciousness when you’re guilty of something. In this case, our Hyukie is guilty of wanting to eat something delicious. Lol

[3] 홀아비 냄새 : lit. widower smell, I read somewhere that it can be used as a substitute for 노총각 which lit means old bachelor smell. We could probably compare this to old people’s smell but that would be different, I think they were referring to the smell of a room of a single man. Lmao this is hard to explain. I hope you get it. Kek.

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