Having only one guard was an advantage for me. I quickly memorized the scenery before me. Hyungjunghyuk boldly offered the bowl of Malatang to the warrior.

“You, try this.”

“Yes, leader.”

Not knowing whether it was poisoned or not, the warrior accepted the bowl without a hint of doubt. Before the broth even went down, Hyungjunghyuk impatiently asked,

“Painful? Hurting? Suffering?”

“……It’s delicious.”

“What?”

A previously stoic and impassive face now showed expression. With a slightly reddened face, the warrior responded,

“It’s truly delicious. May I eat the entire bowl?”

“Be my guest.”

That expression was praise for my culinary skills. I smiled and nodded my head. Who wouldn’t be happy when someone enjoys the food they’ve made?

I was pleased, and the warrior was pleased, but there was one person who was not. It was Hyungjunghyuk.

“Unbelievable! Let’s go to someone else.”

From my point of view, there was no need to refuse the offer. I hurriedly went to grab the pot, and the impatient Hyungjunghyuk snatched the pot and started walking briskly. I followed him, carrying the bowl and ladle.

‘Oh, so this is what the inside of the sect looks like.’

I thought it would be difficult to understand the internal structure, but I never thought I’d have this opportunity to see it so easily.

Trying my best to memorize the direction of the labyrinthine paths, I followed Hyungjunghyuk.

The people of the sect were as fierce and scarred as I had anticipated. However, their gaze changed the moment they tasted the Malatang I made.

“Wow, did the young lady make this?”

“Are you a chef?”

“Is there more?”

Receiving friendly glances was both proud and touching. I easily realized why they liked Malatang so much.

‘Poor things. Living trapped in this mountain valley, it must have been difficult to get even one proper bowl of Malatang.’

Transporting ingredients to the mountaintop is no ordinary task. Not to mention there are no paved roads, and everything must be carried by hand. It was praiseworthy to have rice at all.

Hyungjunghyuk mumbled in a dazed tone,

“Unbelievable.”

The situation was entirely reversed. I folded my arms and looked down at Hyungjunghyuk haughtily,

“There’s nothing unbelievable. Just admit it. You’re a spice wimp.”

“A spice wimp, me…….”

Hyungjunghyuk seemed truly shocked. Looking at him, he appeared like an ordinary person, despite the deeds he had committed. I momentarily stared at his broad back and then shook my head.

“But it’s strange, you. You don’t know pain when stabbed by a knife, but your tongue seems to feel the spice?”

“Huh?”
Hyun Junghyuk’s eyes widened at my words. He seemed to have realized that fact just now.

“Is that so?”

He rubbed his chin with his palm. Then he chuckled and muttered.

“It hurts.”

Anyone else would have grimaced in pain. But it was uncomfortable to see him smiling brightly even in pain.

(This is a time separator.)

After that, I had to keep making spicy food. It was because Hyun Junghyuk asked for it.

“I cannot bear having a weakness in me. Make spicy food until I get used to the spiciness.”

“Being a spicy food crybaby…”

“I can’t stand you looking down on me like that!”

You say you’ll get used to it, but it seems like enjoying a newfound pain?

Anyway, for that reason, I worked hard to make spicy food.

‘Ugh, spicy food isn’t my specialty, actually.’

Most spicy food made in Korea uses kimchi, doesn’t it? But there’s no kimchi in this world. No gochujang either.

‘Commonly thought of spicy foods are tteokbokki and kimchi stew, but I can’t make either.’

So what I kept making was stirfried pork. But without gochujang, it didn’t taste the way I thought it would.

But the Hyulgyo people ate it deliciously anyway.

“Wow, I feel like it’s all going down.”

“If you need any ingredients, just tell me. I’ll search the whole mountain if I have to!”

“Can I ask for something I want to eat?”

Looking at him twinkle his eyes and say that, people couldn’t look so goodhearted.

‘They all just look like hungry people.’

But you shouldn’t be deceived by appearances. And then.

“Ah! I’m not used to cooking in large quantities! Enough! I’m taking a break for lunch today!”

“Eeeeh~.”

I’m not even caught as a cook, why should I be kidnapped and cook? As I was grumbling, Hyun Junghyuk blocked me and said.

“Everyone, get lost.”

“Yes!”

He’s only funny in front of me, but it seems he’s still a frightening leader to others. When Hyun Junghyuk put strength into his eyes, everyone scattered like cockroaches.

Hyun Junghyuk patted my shoulder.

“Take a good rest today, steamed bun.”

At that moment, a bell rang in my head.

It was today.