Not a single demon beast on this island was edible.

They were either poisonous, their flesh crumbled like dirt the moment they died, or they were simply too tough to chew.

Yet someone was actually cooking.

“Looks like they finally arrived.”

The fierce glint in Dokgo Jun’s eyes softened.

He approached a party member and struck up a friendly conversation.

“Hey, where is that person right now?”

“I, I’m not exactly sure. The smell of food is drifting from the west…”

“Thanks.”

Dokgo Jun left before the other person could even finish speaking.

Shin Sooa, sensing something, hurriedly followed in his wake.

As they headed in the direction the party member indicated, the faint aroma of delicious food wafted through the air.

“Ah, Seo Kangrim!”

Dokgo Jun called out cheerfully as he approached Seo Kangrim.

Seo Kangrim was boiling something over a campfire and looked up as the visitors arrived.

He looked completely at ease, as if he were on a camping trip.

Ignoring Dokgo Jun, he addressed Shin Sooa.

“Ms. Sooa. Hello. What brings you here?”

Shin Sooa smiled warmly at the sight of Seo Kangrim.

Though it had only been a few days, she felt a sense of gladness as if reuniting with an old friend.

Hiding that joy, she spoke.

“People were saying they smelled cooking nearby, so I came to check it out… It really was you, Mr. Kangrim.”

Seo Kangrim was the only one skilled enough to casually cook in this Demon Realm.

Shin Sooa glanced around the area.

Examining the leftover parts from the butchering, it seemed he had caught a demon beast roaming this realm.

“Mr. Kangrim, you shouldn’t eat the demon beasts here. They’re poisonous.”

“I am aware. I removed all the toxins, so it’s fine.”

“You removed the toxins?”

Shin Sooa asked, her eyes wide with surprise.

Amidst the commotion outside, rustling sounds emerged from inside a tent.

Soon, Father Yohan stumbled out, still half-asleep.

His hair was a tangled mess, making him look like he had a bird’s nest on his head.

“Ah, Sister Sooa. And Brother Dokgo Jun is here too.”

“Hello, Father Yohan. …Are you alright?”

Shin Sooa asked with concern as she looked at Father Yohan.

It was a warranted question, considering Father Yohan’s face looked terrible.

His face was haggard, like someone who had pulled an all-nighter.

Father Yohan offered an awkward smile and spoke.

“Y-yes. I’m fine. I was doing some work yesterday…”

What on earth could he have done to look so haggard?

Since Father Yohan’s Special Ability was in the recovery line, Shin Sooa assumed someone must have been severely injured yesterday.

Meanwhile, the cooking seemed to be done, as Seo Kangrim ladled a generous portion into a bowl.

A rather appetizing aroma drifted from it.

He called out to Father Yohan.

“Father Yohan. Come and eat. You have work to do today as well.”

Father Yohan flinched at the word ‘work’ but eventually nodded.

He sat near the campfire and began eating listlessly.

Dokgo Jun watched the scene with fascination.

“Wow, he really must have removed the poison. Seo Kangrim, give me some too.”

As Dokgo Jun approached with a grin, Seo Kangrim served the food into a bowl.

It was less than half a bowl.

He held the bowl out to Dokgo Jun and said,

“One serving is 1,000 Spirit Jade.”

No matter how you looked at it, that was a clear message not to eat it.

However, without showing any sign of offense, Dokgo Jun opened the trade window.

“Whoa, expensive meal. I’ll take it for now.”

Soon, 1,000 Spirit Jade was transferred to Seo Kangrim.

Shin Sooa watched this unfold before speaking to Seo Kangrim.

“I’ll buy a bowl too. The Spirit Jade…”

“200 Spirit Jade.”

Dokgo Jun stared at Seo Kangrim at the sudden drop in price.

“Huh? The price is different from mine?”

“It’s the owner’s prerogative.”

“Well, Ms. Sooa is the heroine, so it can’t be helped. Still, you’re actually charging her.”

Ignoring Dokgo Jun’s snickering, he heaped the bowl full and handed it to Shin Sooa.

Seeing this, the gods chimed in as well.

【Kangrim, the portion is way different from what you gave Dokgo Jun earlier.】

【Hey, it’s almost double.】

【I-It’s not like I’m giving you more just because!】

Seo Kangrim barely held back the urge to shout a retort at the sky.

In the meantime, voices began to echo from nearby.

They were familiar voices.

“So who’s cooking?”

“No way… The demon beasts here aren’t edible.”

“Huh? Master!”

The people who arrived bearing weapons were the members of Zone 2.

They couldn’t believe the sight before their eyes.

The aroma of cooking, something they hadn’t smelled in a long time.

Seeing Dokgo Jun and Father Yohan eating something, everyone began to salivate.

Yoon Gyeoul approached with curiosity.

“Master, what is this?”

“Just made it from a demon beast I caught.”

“I guess this one is edible. Give me some too.”

“200 Spirit Jade.”

Yoon Gyeoul pouted.

“Can’t you give it to me for free? You’re too cold to your disciple.”

“You’re not my disciple. Don’t eat it if you don’t want to.”

“Fine. Here.”

Yoon Gyeoul grumbled but ultimately bought the food.

When Yoon Bom also paid full price and received a bowl, the others watched with intense envy.

“I wonder if it tastes good?”

“200 Spirit Jade is too expensive…”

“Still, I want to eat something. I’ve only had rations and White Fragrance Fruit for days…”

They had barely managed to pick fruit from the Orchard, but eating only that for days had left them sick of it.

In the end, the others also paid the steep price and received a bowl.

Before long, a crowd gathered around the previously quiet tent and began eating.

Everyone took a bite and their eyes widened in surprise.

“Huh? It’s good. It tastes like gukbap.”

“There’s this indescribable savory flavor.”

“Ah, it’s been so long since I had a proper meal…”

【Wow, this place is a top-tier gukbap joint.】

【Innkeeper! Another bowl of gukbap here!】

【But seriously, how did he make it so good that the kids are losing their minds?】

【Guess it’s worth 200 Spirit Jade after all.】

Shin Sooa also took a spoonful and marveled at the taste.

The demon beast meat, medicinal herbs, and what looked like grain kernels combined to create a complex flavor.

Dokgo Jun had already polished off his bowl as well.

“It’s delicious. How did you remove the poison?”

“Trade secret.”

“So stingy. Give me another bowl.”

“We’re out.”

With so many people, the large pot was already scraping bottom.

Yoon Bom, who was scarfing down the demon beast gukbap, looked up.

“Huh? There’s none left for you, Master?”

“It’s fine. I’ll eat separately later.”

At those words, Father Yohan’s shoulders flinched.

Hearing that the pot was empty, the people looked disappointed.

“Huh? It’s already gone?”

“I was going to buy another bowl…”

“It’s really so delicious.”

From all around, voices of praise mixed with disappointment echoed.

This was a chance for Seo Kangrim to earn more money.

He stood up.

“Please wait a moment.”

He picked up the pot and disappeared into the bushes behind him.

Yoon Gyeoul, who had tried to sneak a peek at the cooking process, returned only after being thoroughly scolded.

Soon, Seo Kangrim finished prepping the ingredients and placed the pot back over the fire.

As the delicious aroma began to drift again, the people wore happy smiles.

“Ah, it smells amazing.”

“I wish it would finish quickly…”

About an hour later, the second batch was ready.

Seo Kangrim looked at the crowd and spoke.

“200 Spirit Jade per bowl.”

The moment he finished speaking, trade windows popped up before Seo Kangrim’s eyes.

[You have acquired 200 Spirit Jade.]

[You have acquired 200 Spirit Jade.]

[You have acquired 200 Spirit Jade.]

[You have acquired 200 Spirit Jade.]

[You have acquired 200 Spirit Jade.]

These were the same people who had initially grumbled about the price being too high.

Yet now, they all paid the 200 Spirit Jade as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

The pot was emptied in an instant.

【The demon beast gukbap literally melts in your mouth, doesn’t it?】

【Hey, Kangrim, you should open a restaurant.】

【Isn’t this the second coming of a master chef?】

【If word gets to the cooking gods, there’s going to be an uproar.】

Seo Kangrim stared at his inventory window, which had swelled in the blink of an eye.

It was an amount that could make him feel full even if he starved.

[Spirit Jade Owned: 11,230]

With this much, he felt he could buy most items.

The people instantly devoured the second batch as well.

Seo Kangrim addressed the crowd.

“Business is closed. If you’re done eating, please leave.”

“That was delicious, Mr. Kangrim. Can I come back to eat tomorrow too?”

“If you bring Spirit Jade.”

“Wow, I’ll be back tomorrow!”

Though they had paid a hefty price, the meal was satisfying enough that no one seemed to complain.

Anticipating another delicious meal tomorrow, everyone’s faces lit up with excitement.

They all returned to their original campsites, leaving only Dokgo Jun and Shin Sooa behind.

As Seo Kangrim cleaned up, he glanced at Shin Sooa.

“Why aren’t you leaving?”

“I have something I’d like to discuss with you, Mr. Kangrim.”

“Me too!”

Dokgo Jun raised his hand and spoke, but Seo Kangrim’s gaze was fixed solely on Shin Sooa.

“Go ahead.”

“Are you aware of the clear conditions for this place, Mr. Kangrim?”

“No. I don’t.”

“If you obtain a White Fragrance Fruit from the Orchard on this island, you clear it. The problem is, that’s only for the lower-grade difficulty.”

Seo Kangrim already knew this, but he nodded anyway.

“I see. Thank you for telling me. It seems you’re looking for something of intermediate grade or higher, Ms. Sooa.”

“Yes. So, I was thinking…”

Shin Sooa looked into Seo Kangrim’s eyes and spoke.

“I would like it if you could lend me your strength, Mr. Kangrim.”

When Seo Kangrim didn’t answer, Shin Sooa continued.

“We’re trying to clear the realm, but the people from other zones are causing more trouble than the demon beasts.”

“Other zones?”

“Yes. We ran into another zone again this time, and they’re more interested in us than the demon beasts. A fight breaks out every time we cross paths.”

It seemed the situation was unfolding similarly to his past life.

He had heard it was quite intense back then too, but he wasn’t very inclined to help Shin Sooa.

Seo Kangrim glanced at Dokgo Jun.

“Did you also acquire a White Fragrance Fruit, Mr. Dokgo Jun?”

“Yeah. But I’m not satisfied with just the lower grade either. I’ve been searching around more, but it’s not going well.”

“Then the two of you should work together.”

At those words, Dokgo Jun and Shin Sooa looked at each other.

Neither of them said a word.

They both seemed reluctant.

“I think I work better with you, Mr. Kangrim.”

“I prefer hanging around Seo Kangrim too.”