Chapter 3
Chapter 3: Feeding the Puppy
Yuna had ended up eating five Tteok Skewers.
Even after eating five Tteok Skewers at eleven at night, she still seemed unsatisfied—she glanced over at me, and I raised both hands. Understanding that gesture to mean the ingredients were all gone, she flushed red.
"S-sorry. I ate everything…. I am the President of the Righteous Food Lover's Club."
"No, it's fine. So. Does it seem commercially viable?"
"Yes! I think everyone will love it!"
Those deep blue eyes were full of conviction as she said that to me.
‘If a current academy girl is saying it'll sell well, I suppose it really will.’
"The proper shop won't open for a few days yet, so I hope you'll bring plenty of friends along."
"Yes, yes! I don't have many friends, but I'll make sure to bring them!"
‘She doesn't have many friends.’
‘Didn't she say she was student council president?’
"So, when do you plan to open?"
"I'd like to do it soon, but look—how can anything come of it with the place in that state?"
"Ah…."
Seeing her openly disappointed expression, I laughed without thinking.
"Even without a proper shop, I can at least run a stall. As long as the ingredients are in place."
"Ingredients?"
"That's right. I can't very well open a shop just to serve Wheat Tteok and call it a day. Once the ingredients are ready, I can open any time."
"Ah…. I see. Understood!"
"Anyway, the night is getting late. Go home and get some sleep, kid."
"Oh! Yes, I will. Well then, I'll see you again. So…. What should I call you?"
"Whatever you like."
"Yes! Boss!"
Yuna bent at the waist a full ninety degrees in a polite bow, then turned around and disappeared just like that.
‘What a windswept girl.’
Either way, my first sale and first customer had returned home, and the ingredients were completely sold out.
That customer said she'd definitely bring others along, so the signs are good.
Now then—before that customer comes again, let's see what can be done about these ruins.
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Even with proper magic I could handle it in one go, but doing that would obviously get me caught by my Master.
Mages are sensitive to changes in the world.
Even someone at my level, when focused, can detect a range large enough to encompass several buildings—and in my Master's case, as someone who has stepped into Transcendence, she likely has detection ability spanning an entire city.
And my Master knows my magic pattern far too well.
If I let magic flow outward, she'll catch me for certain.
She'd drag me straight back to the Mage Tower and not let me out until I'd reached the 8th Circle.
She's a cave-dwelling Master far scarier than any cave-dwelling hermit.
But who am I?
The next candidate for Mage Tower Lord. A monster who came from another world. A genius with all the talent this world has to offer gathered into one.
‘The application of magic as an academic discipline is limitless.’
'Magic, at its core, is the act of connecting one's will to the world and drawing impossible phenomena into reality.'
I, too, belong to this world.
In other words—to put it plainly—manifesting a fireball behind my back and manifesting a fireball within my body are the same thing.
If magic cannot be manifested externally, manifest it internally.
'Fixing the world connection to the body's interior. All subsequently manifested magic is based on the interior.'【Physical Enhancement】【Strength Enhancement】【Endurance Enhancement】【Agility Enhancement】【Mental Fortitude Enhancement】
Magic that strengthens the physical body is exceedingly rare in this world.
If you're going to use magic that way, you'd be better off learning one more bombardment spell.
But me—I was the one who'd had to wipe every piece of filth in Thunder Strike.
Magic that enhances oneself is passive to me.
Can't move debris with telekinesis?
Then move it with raw strength.
Can't command wind spirits?
Then move as swiftly as the wind.
Can't be as heavy as heavy machinery?
Then replicate it with mental fortitude and endurance.
It's the lowest-grade magic a madman would be laughed at for by any other mage—but right now, for me, it's a lifeline.
That night.
I cleared the rubble until dawn broke.
"Huu…. Hh…. I'm going to die…."
No matter how you look at it, one person clearing the wreckage of an entire building doesn't make sense.
Hunger hit me, and when I opened my Subspace to prepare breakfast, I realized.
The ingredients had been completely plundered by the high school girl I'd met the day before.
'It was delicious!'
‘You little—Righteous Student Council President…!’
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Even in a backwater like this, there's a dungeon, so there's a village—and where there's a village, there's trade. I managed to get my hands on at least some flour.
"Excessive carbohydrate intake. To be more precise—it's not easy to get access to any nutrients other than carbohydrates."
I remember watching a video about it online once. Medieval people who couldn't get proper nutrients resolved almost all their dietary needs through carbohydrates, and as a result, side effects, various illnesses, and rapid aging followed, apparently.
What about this world?
There's magic—a special power nonexistent in the modern era—and there are Sword Masters said to cleave mountains with a single stroke; there are demons and even Demon Kings, making it a fantasy world—but unfortunately, none of that miraculous existence translates to everyday life at all.
Food culture and hygiene are particularly poor.
Normally, food culture should advance alongside cultural development—but in this world, various factors have hindered the advancement of food culture.
A simple example: the existence of Grand Mages and Sword Masters has slowed the development of military rations.
What meaning does developing military rations have when a single Transcendent can flip an entire battlefield even against ten thousand ordinary soldiers?
In a sense, it's as if ICBMs were developed before the infantry. Self-thinking nuclear warheads that can be deployed to the battlefield are worth more than ten thousand foot soldiers.
The vast majority of resources a nation would invest in its military inevitably went toward securing Transcendents.
Beyond that, there's the fact that one can obtain items superior to what human civilization has produced.
The logic of dungeons is straightforward. Hunt, and items drop.
Stronger people can descend further, and better items drop.
These could be magically imbued equipment, recovery potions, construction materials, or gemstones.
If modern civilization advanced alongside human footsteps, in this world, simply by putting in effort, one can obtain items that surpass civilization itself.
There's no need to pursue advancement, and no desire to advance. All you have to do is recruit more Transcendents and throw them into dungeons where high-grade weapons drop.
In a world where owning such treasures constitutes national power, there are almost no fools who would rush to farm ingredient dungeons.
Lastly, Transcendents don't concern themselves with their diet. They can last months without eating.
The higher the rank, the less they need to eat for a lifetime. That is precisely what it means to be a Transcendent—to have surpassed the laws of the world.
In the end, the mindset that eating well is secondary—that filling your stomach is enough—became widespread.
What emerged from all that was a severe addiction to carbohydrates.
"The fact that potatoes were developed as a food crop should be considered a miracle…."
I could have stepped into a nearby shop and filled my stomach with something resembling a sloppy flour-and-potato porridge, but in this world, the basic understanding is that if you get sick, you just get healed right before you die—the concept of hygiene is frighteningly lax.
Transcendents rarely get sick, so the body of research on disease is overwhelmingly thin.
In the end, no matter how hungry I am, cooking it myself is the safest and most delicious option.
I bought flour and a few other ingredients, and while I was at it, I also bought supplies I'd need when I eventually set up the shop.
"Even so, the ingredients available on the market are simply not satisfying."
Then there's only one option.
The ingredient-drop dungeon. I'll have to go into Demeter Dungeon myself and gather the ingredients.
"A mage alone can handle the lower levels to a reasonable degree, but even at the middle levels, party members are needed. In particular, a close-range warrior who can tank is necessary."
That goes without saying. If a high-ranking mage could solve a dungeon alone—crashing and smashing through everything—then there would be no need for Tanks, Assassins, Warriors, Archers, or Healers in this world. Mages would have already dominated the world.
On top of that, past the 100th floor, monsters immune to at least one attribute are everywhere.
"A Tank…."
Who to find, and who to go in with.
‘This is getting complicated.’
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When I returned to the forest, there was already someone there.
Yuna was on her knees with her head bowed low, and beside her, looking at her with exasperation, was Daisy.
‘What are they doing in front of someone else's shop—or what used to be a shop?’
"Could you not handle discipline inside the school?"
"Who is…. Oh. It's you, Shop Owner Yujin."
Daisy looked over at me and didn't lower her suspicious gaze. Being on the receiving end of some inexplicable irritation, I narrowed my brow right back at her.
"If a student is being reprimanded in front of someone's place of business, what do you think other customers will think? The shop hasn't even properly opened yet—customers might be driven away."
"There are no eccentrics at this Academy worth stopping by here anyway."
‘Saying something that mean. What a rude person.’
"You've come all the way here to spread ill words? I already put up with being half-cheated out of a shop without complaint."
"Ugh…. That's not it. I simply came because I wanted to hear about what happened last night."
"Last night?"
"Yes. Student Yuna Linforce came here last night?"
"She did."
"I'd like to hear exactly what happened after that, up to and including the precise time she returned home."
‘This is a sort of informal inquiry, I see.’
‘But why, all of a sudden?’
"The reason?"
"Students who use the dormitories at Demeter Academy have a curfew of 10 PM. Student Council President Yuna Linforce returned after 11 PM."
Yuna kept her head bowed low.
I could shield the student—but in this situation, I don't think covering things up is the same as protecting her.
However….
‘This much, I can do.’
"Yuna came out on patrol last night. In the middle of the night, with a sword in hand, hiding in the brush, watching my every move with suspicion, keeping watch to the very end. She told me she'd been too worried I might be a villain to sleep. She fulfilled her duty as student council president."
"Is that true, Yuna Linforce?"
"I, well…. That is to say…. Yes. That's right. Because I am the Righteous Student Council President…."
"But if you only needed to confirm, you could have come in and gone straight home—so why did you share a meal and end up returning late?"
"Don't be too hard on her, Professor. The shop was in that state on its very first day, and she was a kind customer who still showed up. I asked her to sample the menu. So half the responsibility is mine."
I gave a small bow of my head, and at that, Daisy pressed her hand to her forehead as though she had a headache.
"Even so, a violation of school rules is a violation."
"She tried to the very end to fulfill the goal of going on patrol. It was a bad adult—me—who led her astray."
"Understood. The demerit points and scholarship cancellation for Student Council President Yuna will be dropped. Instead, it's 50 hours of school community service. Understood?"
"What?! Really?! Thank you. Professor!"
Yuna, who had kept her head deeply bowed, finally lifted it and looked at me—then dipped her head in a bow with a face that looked close to tears.
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After that, a sort of casual conversation followed.
"Yuna ate five Tteok Skewers yesterday. And even then she wasn't satisfied—she asked if there were any more."
"Yes! It's embarrassing, but they were delicious!"
"Is that so? Is the Tteok Skewer the main item you sell? What kind of dish is it?"
"I'm out of sugar at the moment, I'm afraid."
"S-sugar goes into it? That's quite an expensive dish…."
"Oh no…. D-does that mean I ate five of something expensive?!"
‘That's right.’
In this world, sugar commands a fairly high price.
I shook my head with a smile as Yuna's expression stiffened.
"Those were just test pieces. I'm the one who gave them away for free, so don't worry. And to answer the Professor's question—I plan to make whatever fits the ingredients that come in each day. I'm not a cook, I'm a culinary researcher."
"I know it's not my place to say this, given that I approved the tenancy…. But can you actually make a living like that?"
‘Well, that's a fair point.’
"But there's Demeter Dungeon right here. I won't starve to death."
"Ah. You mentioned you'd gather ingredients directly from Demeter Dungeon. Do you really intend to go in? It feels odd for me to say this but…. That dungeon really drops nothing but ingredients, you know?"
"What are you saying? That place holds the last salvation of humanity. Do you know? Demeter Dungeon may be on its way to becoming the sacred ground of humankind."
"…Eh? Isn't that usually what people say about Hephaestus Dungeon? They say it might even drop divine swords or magical swords…."
"You're calling a dungeon that produces nothing but iron and grease a sacred ground? Do you know why humanity began hunting, and why they developed weapons? To catch animals, tear away their flesh, and use it as food. To feast on larger prey, humans developed weapons and advanced. In other words—the essence of all things lies in the meal. Weapons are nothing more than tools."
"Ah…. Yes…."
As I delivered my ode to food, Daisy's eyes gradually went dead and blank, while Yuna sniffled and nodded along.
"That's right…. The black bread. The foul-smelling water. The beans. And the occasional nameless roasted bird—I'm tired of it. I want to eat something more delicious. The Tteok Skewer I got for free yesterday made me want to cry, it was so good. Thank you."
"Student Yuna Linforce. Food is something that, once you've transcended humanity, can ultimately be replaced simply by drawing vitality from nature."
‘There it is again. The Transcendence-solves-everything theory.’
‘Because you spout that kind of supernatural nonsense, you people…!!’
"Tsk."
"Ugh…."
"Oh my. Am I the bad one here?"
Yuna and I clicked our tongues at the same time, and Daisy let out an exasperated sigh.
‘This ignorant creature.’
‘I suppose I have no choice but to show her the greatness of cooking.’
"Wait a moment. With simple ingredients, I can at least make one thing for you."
First, I stir-fried beans in oil—then once they'd crisped up, I removed them and dropped Wheat Tteok cut to the size of rice cake soup pieces straight into that same pan. I deep-fried them in the oil. They sizzled and crackled as they cooked, producing a uniformly crispy Tteok Fritter—and just before plating, I sprinkled salt, sugar, and finally a dash of pepper to season.
I then divided them onto plates and handed the dish to Daisy.
Daisy picked up a fork, speared a piece of Tteok and a bean together, took a bite—and her eyes went wide.
"Oh my…. This is…."
"Not bad, is it? I simply fried some clumped-up flour and beans together."
"To think that such simple ingredients and a simple method could produce a taste like this…. Remarkable."
"Has your thinking about food changed? Do you feel the necessity of a proper meal now?"
"This is a taste that calls for alcohol. Aah. If only it were a day off, I'd want a drink. Aah. Isn't there a decent wine somewhere?"
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‘Well, I suppose that's fair enough.’
‘Food doesn't have to exist strictly for filling the stomach—a fine side dish and a fine drink can constitute a meal too.’
"So…."
"Indeed. Even with the cheapest wine—if you can pair it with this wheat-ball bean fritter…. The flavor would come alive several times over. Remarkable. Yujin Kalintz. A culinary researcher is also a side dish researcher."
"W-well…. That is…. I suppose that's true."
Daisy smiled and gave a nod.
"I apologize for being suspicious. I look forward to more excellent side dishes from you in the future."
"……"
Daisy smiled faintly.
‘No.’
‘That's not what this is about.’
‘I'm not a specialist manufacturer of tasty drinking snacks….’
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After serving the Tteok Fritters—or, in Daisy's terms, wheat-ball bean fritters—the atmosphere around Professor Daisy softened considerably.
I'd made quite a lot, and they disappeared in no time.
The culprit was Yuna, who inhaled the Tteok and beans without pause.
"They're delicious…. This is the taste of justice…!"
Daisy and I both ended up laughing at Yuna.
Setting aside the student eating to her heart's content, I decided to have a conversation between adults for a moment.
It seemed she'd become fully convinced that I wasn't a suspicious character conducting strange experiments, but a genuine culinary researcher. The mood had ripened at just the right time, and I put into words what I'd been thinking.
"Even if I treat the ruined shop as a shop, I do need to do some business—so starting tomorrow, I plan to begin sourcing ingredients. So, Professor Daisy. There's something I'd like to ask of you."
"If it's a dungeon entry permit, I can issue that to you right away."
"Thank you. But that's not all."
"I'm sorry, but I can't offer any favors that exceed my authority."
"No. What I want isn't anything like that…. I'd like Yuna Linforce to accompany me in gathering ingredients."
"What? Yuna?"
Daisy and I both looked for a moment at the girl happily eating Tteok Fritters.
"I'd like her to join my party and stand on the front line."
‘That Tteok Fritter.’
I'd tasted it myself, and narrowed my brow.
More than anything, the quality of the Tteok was far too poor. I could have made better Wheat Tteok.
I'd wanted to lightly brush the fried Tteok with soy sauce—that wasn't possible either. It's the kind of dish where you make it at home, eat it, and think why did I even bother.
I'd give this dish about a 3 out of 10.
Clearly, ingredient sourcing is necessary—and to source better ingredients, I need to dive deeper into the dungeon.
For that, party members are required, and in my case, I need someone who can tank up front.
And if there's no Tank—I'll make one.
I'll train one with my own hands.
Even while concealing that I'm a mage, there are plenty of ways to develop a swordsman.
"But…. That's…."
"Isn't giving students real combat experience also part of the Academy's responsibility?"
"That's…. true, I suppose. Understood. What do you think, Yuna?"
"Huh?"
Still chewing on a Tteok Fritter and savoring the taste in her mouth, Yuna responded like a simpleton when she heard her name called.
"During your community service hours, I intend to hire you and enter Demeter Dungeon."
"D-dungeon, you say?"
"That's right. We'll go into Demeter Dungeon and procure top-quality ingredients. All for the sake of eating more delicious food until we can't move."
"E-even more…. More than this?"
Yuna's eyes wavered as she glanced back and forth between the empty plate and the direction of the dungeon.
Unease and tension filled her gaze.
"Will you join me? Of course, while accompanying me, you'll receive three meals a day—along with one snack during each expedition. And whenever new ingredients come in, you'll be able to sample new product candidates for free."
"I dedicate this life and soul, and will do my utmost in school community service!"
Her fighting spirit ignited, and vitality overflowed. Resolve creates conviction, and forges the courage to step forward into the future.
"Beyond that—exploring dungeons is a student's duty. Righteous Student Council President Yuna Linforce. I have no intention of running from the enemies of humanity standing before me!"
"Is that so."
"Yes! For the sake of humanity!"
‘I don't quite know the full context, but that last line is right up my alley.’
‘Improving food culture is precisely the path of justice.’
That's right.
For the sake of humanity.