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As the wok sizzled with steam, everyone’s eyes lit up.

The aroma wafting from the kitchen had already built up a mountain of anticipation.

Using tongs and a ladle, I served a modest portion onto Kim Guk-min’s plate, the eldest among us.

Kim Guk-min accepted the plate with gratitude and began savoring the scent.

“Mmm, the smell is amazing. Everyone, dig in. Let’s eat together.”

I grabbed a few chopsticks’ worth of noodles, added two pieces of monster meat, and ladled some broth, serving everyone before Jeong Gyeoul finally took her seat.

“Try it first, then help yourselves later.”

“Yes! Thank you!”

“Let’s eat, shhh!”

Following Kim Guk-min’s lead, everyone took a moment to savor the aroma before finally picking up the noodles.

“…!”

It was like a symphony playing in their mouths.

The noodles and monster meat danced on their tongues, creating a perfect harmony.

After a bite, all eyes turned to Jeong Gyeoul.

“Wow! This is amazing!”

“You could sell this! Nothing else is needed, this alone is a hit!”

“Is it good? I’m glad.”

A mix of excitement and awe filled their gazes.

There was no denying it—this was the best ramen they’d ever tasted.

In no time, their plates were empty, and everyone rushed to the wok.

Jeong Gyeoul smiled, pleased with their reactions.

‘Not full yet… but feeling good.’

As the meal progressed, Jeong Gyeoul’s reputation soared.

From a questionable little chef to a seasoned professional.

They chatted about the taste, aroma, and texture, and soon the wok was spotless.

If not for the lingering smell, you wouldn’t even know ramen had been served.

“I’ve had ramen at expensive hotels, but this is incomparable… truly delicious.”

“Hotels? Aren’t those places charging tens of thousands for a bowl?”

“The one I went to was around 30,000 won, but this is way better. So… how much should this cost?”

“I’m not planning to charge for this. Monster Restaurant will operate with even more delicious dishes.”

“But what kind of meat is this? Iberico or something?”

“Wait a minute… is this…?”

Han Seo-jin’s eyes widened as if she’d caught onto something.

The meat that suddenly appeared after questions about monster meat during the interview.

‘Honestly, I thought everyone would ask what kind of meat it was when I started cooking.’

But everyone seemed to assume it was pork, too busy chatting to ask.

“Is this… not monster meat?”

“It’s wild boar.”

A clever evasion—neither confirming nor denying it was monster meat.

“Ah, wild boar? That’s why it tasted different from regular pork. But… I heard wild boar has a strong gamey smell. This was incredibly tasty.”

“Exactly. Wild boar can be quite gamey, which puts some people off. That’s why I used Iron-Shell Wild Boar.”

“…Iron-Shell?”

Jeong Gyeoul couldn’t help but laugh at their reactions.

‘Am I a bit of a pervert? Why do I enjoy this so much?’

The teasing, half-truthful conversation was just too fun.

“Is there really such a thing as Iron-Shell Wild Boar?”

Winter and Yuna, clueless about monsters, innocently asked.

Kim Cheol-soo, who had been spacing out, reflexively answered.

“Iron-Shell Wild Boar is a common type of monster…”

As the scorpion’s explanation continued, everyone’s expressions soured.

“…It was delicious, but… I feel betrayed.”

“So that’s why you asked about monster meat during the interview…”

“But it was good, right?”

When Jeong Gyeoul stated the undeniable fact, they had no choice but to nod.

“…True.”

“It was really good. I could eat this for a month without getting tired of it.”

“At this level, you could really sell monster dishes. Honestly, knowing it’s monster meat makes me a bit hesitant… but with this taste, I’d come back for more.”

“That’s exactly why I wanted to cook with monster meat.”

Jeong Gyeoul smiled, pleased that they were finally appreciating the true flavor of monster meat.

***

“Anyway… did everyone enjoy the meal?”

“Yes, shhh! It was the best!”

“It was really delicious, Gyeoul.”

Seeing everyone so happy made me feel full… not really.

I sat and ate with them, but it was just five servings of ramen, onions, green onions, and meat shared among six people.

It barely satisfied our hunger. There was no sense of fullness.

The Iron-Shell Wild Boar meat was all used in the ramen, leaving only red jaguar meat and vegetables.

The vegetables and sauces were only provided for today; starting the actual restaurant operation, we’d have to buy them with coins…

I guess today was a test to quickly decide on the menu.

And after earning coins by tomorrow, we’d purchase ingredients and start the real business the day after.

The schedule was lightning-fast, but it felt manageable.

‘At least we get daily sales in coins, so that’s a relief.’

If I had to cook every day, then hustle for coins afterward, even I’d be worn out.

I got up from my seat and put on the full kitchen set again.

“We’ll do the dishes, Gyeoul!”

Winter and Yuna urgently stopped me… but what dishes? I haven’t even started eating yet.

“I came in to cook…”

“Ah… right. What are you planning to make this time?”

“How about Stir-Fried Pork?”

“Wow! Stir-Fried Pork is great!”

I spoke to Winter, but the reaction came from the scorpion team.

A man can go anywhere with just Stir-Fried Pork and tonkatsu.

That truth holds whether you’re a celebrity or a hero.

The men started talking about Stir-Fried Pork, then somehow shifted to military stories.

Winter and Yuna, bored by the military talk, leaned against the pickup counter and peeked into the kitchen.

In the past, I might have trembled or blustered, overdoing the knife work and slicing my finger.

With two beautiful women watching, it’s only natural for a man, right?

But now, all I could think was, ‘They’re pretty.’

It’s a relief that I don’t like men or women anymore.

Will I never dream of romance in this lifetime?

But… the thought of dating, whether with a man or a woman, gives me the creeps.

Giving up seems better for my mental state.

Anyway, that’s how it is.

‘Is this the unconscious of a chef?’

While lost in thought, my hands were busy making seasoning sauce.

Gochujang, chili powder, minced garlic, sugar, soy sauce, pepper.

I skipped sesame seeds since I personally don’t like them.

After mixing the seasoning, I sliced the green onions diagonally and julienned the onions.

No matter what I cook, I always julienne onions.

Even when making curry.

‘That’s the best way.’

I cut the red jaguar meat into bite-sized pieces and placed them in a large bowl.

I poured the prepared seasoning over it, mixed well, and put it in the fridge.

It would taste good stir-fried right away, but letting it marinate in the fridge enhances the flavor.

Meanwhile, I cleaned the wok and kitchen tools I had used.

“Hey! Gyeoul, we’ll do the dishes, just leave them.”

“I prefer cleaning the kitchen tools I use. You can clean the plates after we eat.”

“…Alright. Shhh!”

After looking around the kitchen and planning the workflow, about 30 minutes passed.

I placed the cleaned wok back on the stove, heated oil, and tossed in green onions to infuse the oil.

“The smell is already amazing… I’m full but still hungry.”

“Is that the process of becoming a pig?”

“…I ate less than you.”

Ignoring their bickering.

As the green onions turned golden and the oil’s aroma filled the air, I added the marinated meat.

Sizzle—

The sound was perfect for ASMR.

After cooking the meat a bit, I tossed in the onions and started stir-frying vigorously to infuse the flavors.

The sauce reduced, but I wanted it just before burning, that sticky consistency.

I turned off the heat and left the wok on the stove.

The residual heat from the stove and wok was enough to finish cooking.

I placed leftover lettuce on a large plate and piled the Stir-Fried Pork on top.

Ding—

I rang the bell on the pickup counter, and Winter carried the dish to the table.

Once again, everyone’s eyes widened in amazement.

“Wow, the smell is fantastic!”

“The presentation is great too, looks like I’ll overeat from breakfast.”

“Gyeoul, you could really run a restaurant.”

Praise won’t get you free service. Hehe.

I took off the full kitchen set and joined the table.

The meat disappeared as if hiding, vanishing in no time.

“…Didn’t you all say you were full?”

“Even if I’m full, I’ll keep eating! This is insane! Did you put drugs in it?”

“Whoa, Yuna’s saying dangerous things. Honestly, I feel the same. What’s this addiction?”

The ramen was made for them, so it didn’t matter how much they ate…

But if you guys finish all the Stir-Fried Pork too…

What am I supposed to eat?

 

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