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Chapter 70: Item (5)
It was no longer surprising when events that didn’t happen in the original appeared. Hong Bi-Yeon sitting in front of Baek Yu-Seol, skillfully grilling samgyeopsal with tongs, didn’t faze him.‘Wow, it really doesn’t suit her. But then again, whatever she does, she looks beautiful, so even the sight of her grilling meat looks like a scene from a pictorial.’
‘But has the princess ever grilled meat before?’
Sizzle!
“Hey, it’s burning! Flip it!”
"I was going to."
"Give me the tongs."
“No. Today, I want to serve you.”
“Ah, shut up and give them here.”
‘To burn this precious meat…’
‘As expected of the fire incarnate. She sure knows how to burn things.’
Hong Bi-Yeon patiently waited, her chubby face resting on her hands, while Baek Yu-Seol skillfully flipped the samgyeopsal and cut it into bite-sized pieces with artistic precision.
"Here, eat."
Since she was a princess, she usually only ate high-class food, so even the expensive black pork was nothing more than cheap food to her.
Still, Baek Yu-Seol intentionally chose this kind of food. If he randomly picked a fancy restaurant, he would be overwhelmed. He had to bring Hong Bi-Yeon to a place she didn't know so that he could sit confidently.
"It's decent."
It meant that it didn’t taste good. Normally, when she tasted something that didn’t taste good, Hong Bi-Yeon would contort her face and forcefully spit it out. But today, she somehow managed to swallow it reluctantly.
He knew the reason why.
It was because a product of magic engineering had been developed in the Alchemy City.
The information had not yet been disclosed to the public to prevent the technology from leaking, but Hong Bi-Yeon would have long obtained it through the information network of the Adolevit royal family.
Perhaps she wanted to have a direct connection to the item business through him.
Introducing the innovative technology called items through a person like Hong Bi-Yeon would increase her power.
However, he had one question.
"They intentionally let you know that I’m the co-author, didn’t they? But why me? They could have contacted Assistant Alterisha directly."
"There might be some misunderstandings. While the item is important, I consider the connection with you as an individual even more important."
“Oh, really?”
“You’re quite a capable individual. It wouldn’t hurt to have a relationship with you in some way.”
‘I see. I didn't know she thought so highly of me.’
Sizzle!
Hearing the sound of samgyeopsal being grilled, he thought about Hong Bi-Yeon.
She was in a very precarious situation.
She was running full speed towards a cliff that could collapse with a slight misstep.
It was dangerous.
Even though she knew that, she kept running. He knew very well how desperate that girl in front of him, who was just 17 years old, was.
Her own power.
Her own authority.
Those were the things she needed most urgently.
So at that moment, he was willing to accept whatever Hong Bi-Yeon did.
She was no longer a villainess.
He didn’t know how she changed because he wasn’t a mind reader, but he decided to think that way.
In the original story, she became a villain simply because the circumstances were unfavorable. Her relationships got tangled, she was driven to a cliff with no retreat, and coincidentally, the protagonists enrolled in the school.
That was how it happened.
She could improve.
Just like Eisel, Hong Bi-Yeon Adolevit Princess also deserved a bright future.
No player had ever shown a bright future for Hong Bi-Yeon and Eisel.
Seeing her chew on a piece of meat in her mouth for a long time, it seemed like she couldn’t really swallow it.
"It doesn't taste good?"
"No. It's edible."
"Your expression says it all."
He knew the reason.
‘Her sense of taste is very slightly... well, not just slightly, but significantly distorted, so it’s extremely sensitive.’
When she ate food that an average person would perceive as sweet, she perceived it as sour, and when she ate salty food, it tasted bitter to her.
In addition, she experienced symptoms where she perceived common flavors in an opposite and distorted way.
She couldn’t properly sense the most essential “sweet and salty” in human life.
So Hong Bi-Yeon would struggle hard to find foods that reacted to her taste buds, but she probably wouldn’t be able to find them without the help of the players.
Even in Aether World, thanks to the players who tried to conquer the villain countless times, forcefully feeding various foods to Hong Bi-Yeon, they were able to discover how she reacted to different types of food.
First and foremost, spices.
While she couldn’t properly perceive sweet and salty, she could clearly taste spicy flavors. Spiciness was not really a taste but a sensation.
Additionally, she could correctly detect aromas and astringency. Considering these factors...
He chose kimchi.
Why kimchi?
Wasn’t it a random choice?
Even if it was not kimchi, as long as it was a dish with ingredients like chili peppers or garlic, Hong Bi-Yeon could eat it without any problem.
For that reason, it was fine to feed her gambas and it was fine to feed her mala hot pot. There could be various options, but as a Korean, he chose kimchi.
"Try eating this."
"It looks unappetizing."
"Stop complaining and just try it."
When he forcefully handed her kimchi, Hong Bi-Yeon reluctantly took it, slightly wrinkling her brows, and started chewing it with a surprised expression.
It was not that kimchi tasted delicious to her.
Simply put, she could taste it. There were very few foods that could stimulate her taste buds.
The reason why Hong Bi-Yeon carried ginseng candy with her was not for health reasons or because it tasted good.
She simply carried it because it was one of the few foods she could taste.
Baek Yu-Seol felt quite proud as he saw her hesitantly continue eating kimchi.
While kimchi existed in this world, it was not particularly popular, so Hong Bi-Yeon had never tried it.
"Here, have some ginseng candy for an aftertaste."
"..."
She flinched. It wasn’t because of the kimchi but because of the candy. She quietly stared at him and then took the candy.
He kept one for himself.
As he observed her gradually changing, he felt a sense of excitement.
If Hong Bi-Yeon continued to stand on the side of righteousness, it would be a great help. So in order to improve her good impression of him, he wanted to add a few words.
Suddenly, an unwelcome guest interrupted. "Oh, it's Bi-Yeon, isn't it?"
Someone approached their table and cast a shadow over them.
A charming guy with a pleasant smile on his face.
‘Who is this?’
Baek Yu-Seol tilted his head, but Hong Bi-Yeon's fingertips trembled. It was so subtle and shallow that he wouldn't have noticed if it weren't for his enhanced vision.
So he immediately put on his Sentient Specs and was able to confirm his name.
‘Edmon Atalek.’
The “death flag” that would lead Hong Bi-Yeon to destruction appeared in front of Baek Yu-Seol.
"Bi-Yeon, we were supposed to have lunch with the club members today."
"Senior, I clearly told you that I had an important appointment."
Hong Bi-Yeon frowned slightly. He was not sure, but it seemed like she was quite angry.
Edmon glanced at Baek Yu-Seol and Hong Bi-Yeon alternately. "You canceled our appointment just to have lunch with a commoner?"
He didn’t remember much about Edmon Atalek. But his information was detailed in his Sentient Specs.
Firstly, he was highly jealous.
He already considered Hong Bi-Yeon as his woman, and the fact that she was having a meal alone with another man...
That wouldn't sit well with him, especially if that man was a commoner.
That was also a weakness of a character named Edmon Atalek. Despite usually being wise and composed, he had a tendency to become dark and jealous, which clouded his judgment.
"He's not an ordinary commoner."
Hong Bi-Yeon said in a stern tone as if reading a book.
The fact that Baek Yu-Seol was a co-author of a paper on the Alchemical Engineering Cross Technique was kept secret, so very few people knew about it.
Although rumors quietly spread within the alchemy academic community, due to the overwhelming impact of Alterisha, nobody paid much attention to another anonymous co-author.
Hong Bi-Yeon, using the intelligence of the Adolevit royal family, had discovered the facts about Baek Yu-Seol during her investigation, so it was not entirely incomprehensible that Edmon Atalek didn't know about it.
She wished he wouldn’t intervene in matters that he didn't even know about.
"Baek Yu-Seol. It's a name I’ve heard frequently these days, and I understand that he's a capable talent... But I honestly doubt whether you rejecting our appointment and creating such a situation is the right thing to do."
'How tiresome.'
Being disregarded as a commoner was now familiar to him. However, he simply didn't like the character of Edmon Atalek.
If he didn’t bring that man down, Hong Bi-Yeon would never find her happy ending.
In truth, there were plenty of ways to help.
To bring Edmon Atalek down and ensure Hong Bi-Yeon safely inherited the throne, the solution was recorded in the Sentient Specs.
It was not a method he came up with.
It was the result of years of research by eccentric players who were so fond of the villainess that they made every effort to save her.
Although the ending of her death remained the same...
‘What should I do?’
It was impossible to bring down Duke Atalek right now.
Moreover, the timing was not favorable. By now, Duke Orkan, who was engaged in a power struggle with Duke Atalek, would be supporting her sister, Princess Hong Si-Hwa.
If he blindly brought down Duke Atalek, an imbalance of power would occur. Was that really important?
After all, Hong Bi-Yeon would awaken as the incarnation of fire in the future and be able to stand on her own without any help. Even if she was in danger at the moment, slightly shaking Duke Atalek didn’t seem to be a problem.
‘Well, even so, there's not much I can do right now.’
‘I still haven't built a solid foundation, so it's impossible for me to face the nobles as a commoner.’
‘However, I can take advantage of the fact that the cards given to me are much stronger than I thought.’
"Senior, please stop. I'm considering using this commoner to establish a connection with the alchemist Alterisha. Anything beyond that would be crossing the line."
Baek Yu-Seol was still hiding the fact that he was the co-author of alchemical engineering. That was why Hong Bi-Yeon didn't mention it.
"Do you really think that way? Bi-Yeon, snap out of it. A mere commoner..."
As the two argued, Baek Yu-Seol let out a sigh of frustration and spoke up. "Fine, forget it. I'll just leave."
"What?"
Unusually, Hong Bi-Yeon looked startled.
"Well, wait a minute..."
"Let's pretend we never had the item trade discussion."
At his words, she bit her lip with a bewildered expression and lowered her head. It was frustrating for her to be unable to express her resentment, knowing it would make Edmon want to kill him.
‘I'm sorry, but I can't help it. I'm doing it all for you.’
“You’ve made a wise decision. A commoner should know their place.” Edmon flashed his bright white teeth and spoke confidently.
“Also, regarding the item business transaction, Duke Atalek has been very clear. I’ll inform Alterisha that we will not supply it to the Adolevit Kingdom.”
Edmon’s expression hardened. He wasn’t scared by Baek Yu-Seol’s words.
It was because he was arrogant and conceited.
That was how it was.
In the end, Hong Bi-Yeon, who had clenched her fists and bit her lip, stood up first.
"I'll go now."
"Yeah, Bi-Yeon. I'll be waiting at the restaurant we always go to."
As she left, Edmon glanced at Baek Yu-Seol again. His gaze contained disdain, disgust, and contempt.
He slightly lowered his head, speaking softly enough for only him to hear.
"Do you understand now, commoner?"
"..."
"You and Princess Hong Bi-Yeon don't match. You should have known your place and stayed quiet."
Baek Yu-Seol wasn't looking at him, but he could tell Edmon's expression was contorted like a demon’s.
"What was it you said? Duke Atalek refuses to trade?"
Edmon deliberately let out a hollow laugh.
"I genuinely don't understand. It's fascinating that you think such a pathetic threat would work."
"Considering your foolishness as a commoner and your enrollment in Stella, I'll overlook the crime of insulting nobility. But you've disrespected a senior. So right now, kneel..."
Edmon was about to say something more, but he couldn't bear to listen any longer.
Sizzle!
‘Now!’
The pork belly had cooked to perfection.
If the juices weren’t sizzling, Baek Yu-Seol would never truly experience the real taste of this meat.
As he reached his hand forward, Edmon flinched and stepped back. But his hand wasn't going for Edmon; it was reaching for the pork belly pieces on the grill with chopsticks.
He swiftly tossed it into the lettuce!
Green onions, peeled garlic, three chili peppers, a spoonful of rice, and topped with ssamjang.
The proportions were crucial.
He carefully strained the ssamjang with chopsticks, and the amount of rice depended on the size of the pork belly piece.
He didn't cook the garlic considering Hong Bi-Yeon's preferences, but raw garlic was also fine. The important thing was that garlic was included.
Raw garlic was good for stamina anyway.
The savory aroma of grilled pork belly tickled Baek Yu-Seol’s nose. It would be perfect with a glass of soju, but it was a pity he was underage. The completed lettuce wrap was slightly exaggerated in size, almost as big as his fist, but there was no problem fitting it into his mouth.
Crunch!
As the lettuce broke and the juices burst out, his whole body trembled with excitement.
Mmm…
‘This is the taste I've been longing for.’
"You really have no shame. You brought this upon yourself, so don't expect smooth sailing in your future academy life."
Admonishing murmurs escaped from Edmon's mouth as he disappeared, but Baek Yu-Seol didn't pay any attention.
He had to quickly devour the wrap before the lifespan of the pork belly expired.