Chapter 9

Dungeon Food Truck Owner - Chapter 8 (9/302)

Dungeon Food Truck Owner Chapter 8

Squeak!

As the well-heated iron griddle received the two slices of bacon Ji-eun had laid out, the bacon began to sizzle and turn golden brown almost immediately.

Ji-eun, who had cooked the bacon to a perfect tenderness on both sides, picked it up with tongs and placed it on the cutting board. She then spread the beaten eggs she had prepared in a bowl over the well-oiled iron griddle.

The eggs quickly took shape and began to cook on the iron griddle. Using a spatula, Ji-eun gently folded the eggs into a roll, continuously adding more egg mixture to ensure a consistent thickness.

When the roll was about halfway done, she placed the well-cooked bacon on top. She then continued to roll the eggs, layer by layer, until a rich, savory aroma filled the air.

Despite using a wide iron griddle instead of a square frying pan, Ji-eun quickly and neatly completed the bacon and egg roll.

“There’s still more!”

Ji-eun then added the pre-cooked rice from the refrigerator to a pot of boiling water. After washing the bowl that had held the eggs, she dried it with a clean towel and added two rounds of sesame oil.

Using a ladle, Ji-eun poured the pre-cooked rice, which had been heated to the right temperature, into the bowl with the sesame oil and began to mix them together.

The sesame oil’s rich aroma infused the rice, and the grains lost their stickiness at just the right moment.

After filling a colander with ice, Ji-eun placed the rice, which had been mixed with sesame oil, on top of the ice to cool it slightly.

Checking the time, Ji-eun’s movements became even more brisk.

“Wow… That’s really impressive.”

“This is nothing, really.”

Ji-eun’s ability to prepare several dishes at once left Joo-hyuk in awe as the food was quickly ready.

Putting down the ladle and picking up a knife, Ji-eun began to slice the bacon and egg roll on the cutting board into uniform pieces.

She handled the roll with care to prevent the eggs from breaking, applying gentle pressure to the center where the bacon was placed to ensure a clean cut.

After neatly slicing the long egg roll, Ji-eun opened a shelf and took out a sheet of dried seaweed.

Turning on the gas, she quickly grilled the seaweed with chopsticks and laid it out on the cutting board.

Thwack. Thwack. Thwack.

Ji-eun’s hands were busy, slicing the seaweed into thin strips. She prepared 12 pieces of egg roll and cut the seaweed into 12 strips to match.

Wearing plastic gloves, Ji-eun, like a surgeon, began to shape the cooled rice into balls.

“Is this egg sushi?”

“Yes, Koreans need to eat rice!”

Ji-eun had been a bit concerned that today’s menu was sandwiches.

But Koreans should eat rice to regain their strength. Although it was pre-cooked rice and not freshly cooked, the quality of a large corporation would be sufficient in this dungeon.

She placed the well-shaped rice balls on a plate and topped them with the sliced egg rolls. She then added two strips of the thinly sliced seaweed.

Traditionally, egg sushi is wrapped with one strip of seaweed in the center, but with the addition of bacon and a larger egg roll, she needed two strips to hold it together.

Twelve pieces of bacon and egg sushi were quickly completed.

The neatly rolled eggs maintained their shape, looking very appealing. The eggs were alternately poured to create distinct layers of white and yolk.

Placing the completed bacon and egg sushi on a long piece of paper, they looked as neat as those sold in restaurants.

After closing the plastic lid and attaching a sticker, Ji-eun, not satisfied yet, checked the time and added water to a pot.

“Ji-eun, this is enough.”

“No, the most important part is missing.”

Ji-eun quickly took out a miso soup teabag from the shelf. Although she wanted to make a proper miso soup, she added the teabag and a piece of kelp to the boiling water to create a rich broth.

“Egg sushi should be served with miso soup.”

“Perfect.”

Ji-eun’s determined attitude made Joo-hyuk laugh.

She washed a bunch of green onions and chopped them finely. Adding a tablespoon of minced garlic and a block of tofu, she poured the ingredients into the boiling miso soup.

After adding two tablespoons of soy sauce, Ji-eun took out shiitake mushrooms, cut off the stems, and chopped them finely before adding them to the soup.

“What will we use to serve the soup…?”

Ji-eun rummaged through the shelves, unable to find what she was looking for, and with a “Hiss!” sound, she stood on tiptoe to open a shelf on the ceiling.

“I found it!”

It was a thermos she had prepared to make coffee for her business. Without hesitation, she opened the thermos, washed it with water, and carefully poured the steaming miso soup inside.

Having quickly prepared the fluffy egg sushi and hot miso soup, Ji-eun smiled and handed the packaging and thermos to Joo-hyuk.

“Did you wait long?”

“Watching you cook was so enjoyable that I didn’t even notice the time. Did you learn cooking?”

“I learned and practiced a lot.”

“I’ll enjoy it. But what about the thermos?”

“The thermos… Well, you don’t have to return it. If we meet again, you can give it back then.”

“I look forward to meeting you again.”

Ji-eun nodded in response to Joo-hyuk’s bow.

Meeting such a good customer in the dungeon after awakening as a food truck owner, a hidden class, seemed like a sign of good luck for her business.

“Now, it’s almost closing time. I need to finish the dishes and take out the trash, so I’ll have to close the shop.”

“Yes, I need to move on as well.”

Joo-hyuk, holding the egg sushi in a plastic bag and the thermos, greeted her. As he disappeared into the darkness, Ji-eun looked around the kitchen.

The greasy iron griddle, half-cut green onions, slightly broken tofu, and sesame oil-stained rice grains in the bowl. Plus, eggshells, shiitake mushroom stems, and the container of pre-cooked rice.

“Kamang, do you know what the most pitiful beggar in the world is?”

Kamang, who had been lying on a cushion and occasionally wagging his tail, lifted his head and said, “Meow? Aren’t all beggars pitiful?”

“The most pitiful beggar is definitely the one who has to do the dishes.”

After cooking, the kitchen was always filled with dishes to wash. The beginning and end of any task are the most important and the most challenging.

“So, why do you make so much and give it away for free? Your service is too generous.”

“Service is crucial! It helps spread the word and bring in customers. Service is part of the business strategy! Don’t you understand?”

“I don’t understand… I’m so sleepy after being in human form for a while.”

Ji-eun, glancing at Kamang yawning widely, busily washed the dishes and separated the trash.

“Take a nap. The tutorial is over, and I have a lot to figure out, so I’ll end today’s business.”

“Understood.”

Ji-eun, having finished cleaning, reflected on the recent events.

‘Joo-hyuk said…’

‘This is the first time I’ve had such fresh and delicious sandwiches in the dungeon.’

His surprise seemed more about the existence of sandwiches than their taste.

And when Joo-hyuk first discovered the food truck and the sandwiches on display.

‘Is this real or an illusion?’

After spending an hour together, Ji-eun realized that Joo-hyuk’s expressions were genuine signs of surprise.

She wanted to ask Kamang but felt bad waking him up as he was snoring softly while she washed the pots.

Finally, with five minutes left until closing time, Ji-eun put all the dishes back in their places, dried them with a towel, and even sprayed kitchen cleaner to finish cleaning.

“Ah… I’m so tired.”

“Are you done?”

“Yes! Now we need to go back to the driver’s seat because I have to drive.”

Holding Kamang, Ji-eun carefully picked up the cushion covered in black fur and went outside the truck.

After closing the roof and sides of the truck, she shook out the cushion and stroked Kamang’s head.

“Are you shedding too much fur?”

“It’s because it’s my first day in human form. The shedding will decrease over time.”

“Even if you don’t shed, you can’t come near the cooking area.”

“I’m so bored.”

“Why didn’t you say anything earlier?”

“If I spoke in front of other Awakened or regular people, they might make a fuss about a talking cat and disturb my rest.”

Kamang, a hidden spirit, was a rare entity. While she didn’t know how many Awakened had hidden classes, a talking cat would certainly attract attention.

Not everyone in the world is kind, so there was a risk that a customer might target Kamang. Opening the driver’s side door and stepping on the footrest, Ji-eun said,

“So, you won’t speak in front of others from now on?”

“That’s a problem we can think about later. Now that your tutorial is over, you have a lot to learn.”

“Huh?”

“Did you do well in school?”

“Ugh… School.”

The word alone made her head throb. After graduating high school, she had focused on recipe research and business planning rather than studying.

Kamang, sitting on the cushion, lifted his head and declared,

“First, you need to study the characteristics of Awakened and the dungeons.”

“Sigh… I guess so.”

As Ji-eun sighed, a system message appeared.

The message indicated that the business was closing, and a soft light filled the driver’s seat.

When she opened her eyes again, she was outside the dungeon.

Surprisingly, the food truck had not returned to the Han River Park but to her apartment parking lot.

“I put in some effort.”

Stroking Kamang’s head, Ji-eun, holding him, got out of the car and said,

“First day of business is over! Let’s go home and rest!”