Retired Hunter, Become Haenam - Chapter 125



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Retired Hunter, Becoming Haenam Episode 125

Second tower collapse

Grilled dotbenjari, also known as the native chicken of the fish world.

The taste was absolutely fantastic.

‘Wow, it tastes like the puffer fish I used to eat.’

I had been to a puffer fish restaurant in the past, and the taste was very similar to the puffer fish I had there.

It was attractive because it had a strong flavor and a chewy texture like native chicken.

When we think of grilled meat, we usually think of soft, flaky flesh.

It felt like Dotbenjari had opened up a new horizon for grilled fish.

‘How can a hallway grill be this different?’

While the raw fish was oily and soft, the grilled fish had a firm texture, which was surprising.

Hard doesn’t necessarily mean dry.

Rather, I liked the rich flavor that spread with every chew and the oily taste that slowly seeped out.

‘It must be because the fat layer from the raw fish spread throughout the grilled meat.’

A rich flavor that can be felt even with just a sprinkle of salt.

It was a luxurious taste worthy of its nickname, native chicken.

“Is this… a different fish from the one I ate earlier?”

“No, it’s the same fish.”

“It can be so different depending on the recipe. I’m learning something new, hehe.”

“Park Dal-gu’s cooking always teaches me something.”

“To that extent… haha.”

What’s good is not my cooking skills, but the state of the fish in this other world.

You’re saying that you don’t know what to do with yourself because your face is covered in gold?

My face felt hot for no reason, so I picked up a few more pieces of grilled food and then turned my attention to the stew.

‘They say that Japanese people eat this delicious dotbenjari stew.’

In Korea, when we say ‘braised fish’, we usually think of red pepper paste seasoning.

It felt strange to see soy sauce braised food like this.

But the aroma of soy sauce, which becomes even deeper as it is heated, tickles the tip of my nose… .

Its destructive power was no less than that of Korean braised fish.

What does Japanese people’s Benjari cuisine taste like?

First, I pulled off the fish flesh with chopsticks.

I sniffed carefully and then put it straight into my mouth.

The feeling I got the moment it touched my tongue was—

‘It’s so delicious?’

The moment the stewed flesh touched my tongue, it stung.

Soy sauce braised dish that asserts itself as a side dish itself.

I chewed it carefully with my teeth and it had a strong texture like grilled meat.

The feeling of the soy sauce flavor slowly seeping into your mouth with every chew.

‘There’s no way Japanese people can’t handle seafood.’

Of course, as a Korean who likes spicy food, I wish it was a little spicier… .

The braised pork belly in soy sauce was a great dish in itself.

Because even I, a Korean, could understand the taste.

And the elves in front of me were also savoring their soy sauce stew.

“This is also delicious. Could this color be… made based on the sauce in front?”

Edwood pointed to the soy sauce and vinegar sauce that he had set aside to dip the fish in.

“Yes, it’s the same soy sauce. However, the soy sauce you use to dip raw fish in is called raw fish soy sauce, and this is called regular soy sauce, which is a different type.”

“Wow, there are so many different types of sauces and so many recipes… I guess I’ll have to live a long time to eat your cooking.”

“Uncle, you’re still in good spirits.”

“That’s true, hum hum.”

Edward chuckled and grinned.

I couldn’t help but laugh, knowing that my cooking was being praised.

Naturally, my gaze turned to the elf children at the end of the table.

“Even the children eat well. I heard they don’t eat meat much… … .”

“Because it was difficult to obtain fresh vegetables during the war, we often ate meat. Moreover, this was probably the first time we had such a delicious meat dish. … Our elven kingdom did not have a developed cooking method for handling meat.”

“okay…….”

Listening to Charlotte, I felt sorry for the skinny elf children.

The sight of them eating so hurriedly was heartbreaking.

‘I have to feed you lots of delicious food from now on.’

Even though they are children of a different race who do not share a single drop of blood.

These are the children who believed in me and came to another world at Charlotte’s request.

So, if possible, my wish is to help you live a happy life… a life where you can laugh a lot.

I, too, have experienced great upheaval and know firsthand how terrible famine and starvation can be.

“I would like to thank you again for embracing us in your world.”

“It’s okay. As I said back then, we are family who eat from the same pot.”

“I don’t know if it will be of any help, but… I packed as many treasures from the Elf Kingdom as I could into my backpack.”

“Treasures?”

By the way, Edward and Charlotte were carrying what looked like large hiking backpacks when they came to the portal.

When I looked surprised, Edward waved his hand as if to calm me down.

“Don’t feel too burdened. The treasures of the kingdom that will now disappear into history are useless anyway… I just brought them because I thought they might be of help to you.”

“But it is a treasure of a noble kingdom, and such a precious thing… … .”

“We also have our own sense of shame. We cannot continue to cause you trouble. Although I am a princess, I am also a proud warrior of the elves, and my uncle is also a great elven archmage. Therefore, in addition to the treasures, I want to help you with your work as much as possible.”

“… … .”

“I don’t want to see your world destroyed like ours. So please, let me help you.”

Charlotte’s words left me speechless for a moment.

I will work hard to help the Earth not be destroyed along with the treasure.

“It must not have been an easy decision, but thank you.”

“There is no need to be grateful. We will spend the rest of our lives repaying you. You saved our lives, so it is our turn to protect yours.”

“Haha, maybe because we practiced those lines together yesterday, the words are flowing out smoothly.”

“…uncle.”

“Eek, I’m sorry.”

As Charlotte looked at Edward with cold eyes, he playfully touched his lips.

…Edwood, you really are the one who teases Charlotte even at a time like this.

But thanks to that, the mood lightened up a little.

“Please continue to take care of me in the future. As family members and as fellow warriors.”

“…! Thank you. I will do my best to be your bow.”

“I will also try my best to help you.”

After shaking hands with Charlotte and Edward in turn.

After we had almost finished eating, we stood up from our seats.

“Well then, shall we go? To our world.”

“I’m looking forward to it. I wonder what your world will be like.”

“I will take responsibility for the children and protect them, so you take the lead.”

“Let’s go.”

-Oh, I’m going!

– A large-scale movement. Everyone follows this body and the humans!

I threw myself into the sea with the excited ding-dings.

It was the moment when the elves’ first visit to Earth came true.

* * *

After a while.

“This is the real land of the elves.”

“Is this…our new home?”

The place I arrived at leading the elves was the land I had purchased.

Because it was sparsely populated and completely undeveloped, trees and grass grew lushly.

Actually, I did feel a little bit of a sting.

‘I bought it cheap because it was undeveloped land, and I thought the elves would like the forest, so I chose this place… but it might not be that great.’

You must have seen the shiny buildings as you drove in a 10-seater rental car.

If you suddenly arrive at an uncultivated land with nothing to see, you might be disappointed.

If you don’t like the look, put up a building or something—

“I never thought you would be so considerate of us and provide such a nice place… … I would like to express my gratitude once again for your consideration.”

“…yes?”

I blinked at Charlotte’s words.

You’re saying you’re expressing gratitude instead of criticizing? You’re looking at a strange place?

As I was blankly staring at him, wondering if he was some kind of high-level trick, Edward approached me from the side.

“Actually, I had a lot of worries when I came here. We elves live in the forest, and we breathe in the forest… but I can’t even see a speck of grass.”

“ah…….”

“Your world is probably one where grass is rare. Creating an environment like this in such a world… My shoulders are getting heavy again. If anything happens in the future, please let us know. We will definitely help you.”

“… … .”

That is, the elves cannot survive without the forest, and they are grateful that I provided it for them.

I bought the land in the abandoned forest, thinking the elves would like it… .

I liked it so much that I felt a prick in my conscience for no reason.

I guess I’ll just have to do better in the future since my conscience is pricked.

If you just say, “I bought it because it’s cheap here,” the atmosphere will only get weird.

I changed the subject by pointing to a square box planted among the bushes.

“That box is a magical tool. It’s a magical tool that creates a huge perception-obstructing barrier, so it’s unlikely that other people will see or enter this place.”

“I felt it too. A strange magical energy flowing through this land… It must belong to a wizard with quite good skills.”

“That’s what it is.”

“I’d like to talk to you later, hehe.”

For some reason, I had a feeling that Uncle Bongryong and Edwood would be good friends.

Both of them have some knowledge of magic… .

Since you like alcohol, you might make a good drinking buddy.

“I’ll be heading back now for today. For now, I’ll go home… .”

“It’s a house. You can just make a hut with full-attribute magic. So you don’t have to worry at all.”

“I’ll leave that part up to you, Mr. Edwood. I’ll give you a map of the areas you can’t go outside, so please educate the kids to make sure they don’t go outside.”

“I will train you thoroughly, with the honor of an elven warrior at stake.”

“Okay. Then let’s go.”

I gave a few warnings to Edward and Charlotte and left.

It’s an abandoned forest in the middle of nowhere where no one comes and goes, so you probably won’t meet anyone.

I glanced back and saw Edward and Charlotte using their magic to create a cabin.

‘I guess I should take good care of things like food.’

Wearing a cognitive impairment necklace may allow you to go outside, but food supply is another matter.

First, let’s give them some time to adjust to this land… .

It would be better to have them both join a guild and slowly pay them a salary so that they can become self-sufficient.

‘Salad… do you like it?’

I stopped by the supermarket on my way home and bought a bunch of salad.

If you value fresh vegetables the most, wouldn’t a salad from a large supermarket that costs less than ten thousand won be considered a luxurious meal?

Of course, I didn’t forget to buy meat with children’s nutritional balance in mind.

* * *

A few days later.

Edwood built the cabin in a matter of days.

The huge hut had three floors and could easily accommodate more than ten elven children.

It was a great house, except that it had no bathroom or kitchen facilities.

And when I handed them the salad, the reaction was really enthusiastic.

―Such precious vegetables for us… and so fresh.

―I really don’t know how to express my gratitude to you. Thank you so much.

-No, it’s not that precious… … .

―What a big deal! I know. The people of your world cultivate a lot of nature, so fresh nature is precious!

―That’s true considering global warming. But how do I explain this…?

-Thank you, thank you very much.

I never imagined that I would receive such gratitude for delivering a salad.

It is true that the global community is suffering from environmental pollution… .

It wasn’t like I couldn’t buy her a few salads though.

“Senior, what are you thinking about?”

“Huh? Just thinking about global warming.”

“What global warming? It looks like the tower was going to destroy us before that.”

“You’re right. Anyway, are you ready for today? How’s your condition?”

“It’s full! You rested yesterday too.”

Yang Mi-jin, whom I met in front of Seopseom Island, was in great spirits.

Well, recently, I’ve been slowly and steadily progressing in conquering the top tier.

He was a desirable hunter, as he devoted his remaining time to training.

“Why isn’t Hwang Seo-jun here?”

“Well, maybe he won’t come? There’s still quite a bit of time until the appointment time… Oh, here he comes!”

“Sorry! I’m late!”

“You’re late. You came early.”

Seojun Hwang showed up 3 minutes before the appointment time.

I woke up early today to deliver a salad to the elf side, so I arrived earlier than the appointed time.

But the guy couldn’t take his eyes off his phone.

“Honey is dripping from your eyes. What are you looking at? Is it a picture of Hye-na?”

“Oh, senior, you’re sharp?”

“That’s not it! Take a look at this.”

“What is it?”

Hwang Seo-jun hurriedly denied it and showed me his cell phone screen.

I was wondering why this guy was just staring at his phone.

What the guy showed me was a news homepage.

[ Towers around the world collapse simultaneously, citizens are in chaos due to the second collapse within a week]

[America and Korea are strong even in the midst of chaos… Why?]

[Hunter Management Bureau Director Im Ha-rin’s foresight, ‘If you don’t attack the tower, it will collapse’ reexamined]

[Korea is safe as long as she is there… A flood of requests for naturalization to Korea]

“…What’s going on? The tower collapsed?”

The collapse of the second tower that I had expected.

The world was terrified by the collapses that occurred at one-week intervals… .

Meanwhile, Korea’s four towers remained standing without collapse.

Yes, that’s right.

Im Ha-rin’s guess at the press conference…

‘The tower will not collapse if you conquer it.’

The words she had spoken were becoming reality.