Chapter 207 - Making Charcoal With The World Tree

Chapter 207: Making Charcoal with the World Tree

Translators: ChubbyCheeks

PR: MattForgenti

60 Making Charcoal with the World Tree

“Ey! You should give me something delicious. Why give me something like this?”

Minhyuk began to complain but he soon brightened and rejoiced again. The reason was because the organizers told him that they would help him continue to eat market food. And that wasn’t all.

“The market vendors who helped us run the Eat Quickly Contest will make it personally too. After all, Player Minhyuk looks so happy whenever he eats. They said that they like you since you remind them of their grandson.

“Wow. Really?”

“Yes. But there are conditions.”

“Conditions?”

“Yes. Player Minhyuk looks like he’s doing a ‘live broadcast’ whenever you’re eating. So we want you to do a live broadcast for the viewers around the world while we are currently waiting for the next event. I hope you don’t take this the bad way since we have intended to promote our country’s market food.”

It was not a bad condition since Minhyuk’s face was already known and revealed through the competition so he nodded his head to agree.

“Then I’ll call you once the setting is complete.”

“Yep!”

While waiting for their call, Minhyuk went to the players’ waiting room to check and absorb the MVP trophy. What he acquired was similar to what Kerry had acquired. He gained 10,000 achievement points, 100 platinum as well as the Production MVP title.

(Production MVP)

Common Title

Title Effects:

─ DEX +100UppTodated from nô/v/e/lb(i)n.c(o)/m

─ All stats +1%

Description: A title that can only be received by the users who won as the MVP in Athenae: Korean War. They have proven their worth and are now eligible for Athenae: World War.

He thought the title effect in itself was not that bad. In the case of the +1% in all stats, it was literally the concept of %. This meant that the higher Minhyuk’s stats were, the greater the effect would be.

“Well then. It’s time to go.”

Not long after, a staff member came inside to fetch him and guide him towards the area for the broadcast. When the staff member opened the door to the area that they had prepared, Minhyuk’s eyes widened in surprise.

“......Heop!”

There was only one reason why he was so surprised. It was because the sight of a familiar ‘market’ greeted him.

Athenae was literally a game so they could easily set up and build a world if they wanted to. They even created this place in a hurry just so they could promote Korea’s ‘market’ to the world.

Even the smell that wafted from the stalls were the same. He could even see someone selling steaming and piping hot tofu on one side. It looked like it was just grilled and baked too. On the other side, he could also see a man who seemed to be selling fish.

Before the Korean War staff member could even guide him, Minhyuk already knew where to go.

‘It’s here......!’

Minhyuk was totally amazed. He went straight to a ‘buchimgae’ stall.

“Hello!”

“Welcome. Take a seat.”

An old but energetic grandma greeted him as he told Minhyuk to sit down. As soon as he sat down on the chair, the grandma started grilling the buchimgaes to a golden brown.

Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle, sizzle, sizzle─

The sound of the buchimgae meeting the grilling pan was exciting. In addition, watching the cooking process was quite fun. It was like hitting two birds with one stone for Minhyuk. The first buchimgae to be placed in front of him was a kimchi buchimgae.

“Hiyaa. Grandma. The ends are well-cooked!”

“Of course! I’ve been selling buchimgae in the market for 20 years now!”

“I’ll eat it well!”

“Go on.”

The grandma looked at him happily. It was a truly warm smile, just like when she looked over her own grandchildren. Meanwhile, she kept on sending some bindae-tteok, buckwheat crackers, and potato jeon in front of him.

Minhyuk quickly took his chopsticks to tear his freshly-fried kimchi buchimgae. Without any hesitation, he took the steaming piece in his mouth.

“Fwoo, fwoo.”

It was freshly scooped out of the grilling pan so he couldn’t help but roll it around his mouth and let out some wind with a ‘Fwoo!’ to cool it down a bit before chewing. As soon as he bit down, he could taste the perfectly browned batter and crunchy kimchi together.

And just as he was smiling happily at the taste of the buchimgae, another jeon was placed in front of him. It was none other than chives jeon. So he quickly tore apart the chives jeon and dipped it in soy sauce before putting it in his mouth. When the jeon entered his mouth, he closed his eyes to chew and savor the flavor of the healthy and flavorful chives.

He smiled blissfully. The oil that greased his lips while eating the jeons had made his smile much softer and gentler.

And the people around the world had a variety of responses.

[I’ve been watching it for quite some time unconsciously. The food that he is eating is called buchimgae. It is a pancake made with flour, water and eggs. It’s a dish where you can add a variety of ingredients.]

[I can see him rolling the kimchi buchimgae in his mouth. Ah, my mouth is already watering without me knowing anything.]

[I’ve also tried kimchi buchimgae before. At that time, I was eating it while drinking some white alcohol. I still can’t forget it. It was called......]

“Kggghk! If I have a glass of makgeolli here then it will be the best!”

***

The big shots and influential people in the country all earned their MVP titles as well as the honor of participating in Athenae: World War.

Tonight was the night before the final competition. A reporter came inside the players’ waiting room in real life. It was none other than Reporter Go Eun-ah. She was given the honor to interview the participants in the World Tree competition. Since the players had requested that they did not want to be rushed nor crowded together, she had to do the interviews quickly.

‘Wow. Locke-ssi really has a big head just like in the video.’

Go Eun-ah could see Jisoo and Seoktae sitting beside each other. However, due to the rules of the competition, more than two members of the same guild could not participate in the same event.

She calmly went around and started her interview.

Meanwhile, Locke, who was scratching his arms in his seat, immediately heard a voice.

“Five years ago? The guy who suddenly appeared like a comet, defeated me in kendo in the Middle School National Sports Festival, then became the champion?”

“......”

Locke slowly turned his head around. Coincidentally, the person right next to him was none other than ‘Lee Dawoul’.

“There were actually three people who cheered him on. I don’t know where the fat girl is now but I remember you two.”

Jisoo did not answer him.

“I did a lot of research back then. Weren’t you an outcast back in middle school?”

Jisoo turned his head back.

That was right. He was an outcast.

The corners of Lee Dawoul’s mouth quirked up.

Jisoo might have been ugly but he was in his prime these days. He even has a fanclub called ‘ULPraise’. It was short for ‘Ugly Locke’s Praise’. On the contrary, he also has a lot of anti-fans.

But there was one thing that he was sure of. Jisoo was facing the most important moment of his life.

“What happens when your past gets revealed?”

“......What?”

Jisoo’s brows furrowed while Dawoul just shrugged his shoulders without turning his head to look at him.

“It’s just. I remembered that time. And Minhyuk, I even saw him in a competition not too long ago.”

“......!”

Jisoo’s face distorted.

“Tell him not to bump into me in Athenae or I’ll do an infinite PK on him.”

It was both a threat and mockery. And it was his warning to Minhyuk. Besides Lee Dawoul knew how scared Jisoo was when it came to revealing his past. After all, he was talking about such a man.

And just like he thought, Jisoo was really afraid. He was just a powerless student who was bullied during his first year in middle school. And right now, he was afraid that something like that would be revealed.

Meanwhile, Go Eun-ah had already started interviewing Dawoul.

“A lot of attention is turned towards Lee Dawoul since you won the gold medal in the London Olympics. Please say something about this.”

Lee Dawoul smiled pretentiously.

“I’m flattered since Athenae is a game. Haha. Of course, it’s a huge game that is reflected in reality. But I still think that you overestimate me. Some say that I’m not that great. Haha.”

“You’re as modest as what I have heard.”

Go Eun-ah smiled while Jisoo remained silent.

Outcast.

Loner.

Past.

When something like this came out and got revealed he was sure that people would giggle and mock him on various internet sites.

Then, it was Jisoo’s turn.

“Jisoo-nim is one of the hottest users these days. In addition, you’re a healer and a huge damage dealer so a lot of attention has been drawn to you......”

Then, Jisoo raised his hand.

“Please wait.”

“Yes?”

Go Eun-ah tilted her head in confusion while Jisoo frowned and blocked his nose.

“I can’t do the interview because the smell of perfume wafting beside me smells so bad. I feel like throwing up.”

“......?!”

Go Eun-ah’s eyes widened as Jisoo jumped up from his seat. Then, he made a deep but impactful fall.

“Ueeeeeeeaaaack!”

***

TL’s corner!

You go Jisoo! Mock that arrogant guy. Let’s go! I’ll go and do an infinite PK with you. Smh.

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