Chapter 279: 279

Chapter 279

Michael, Michelle’s biological younger brother, was a chef who would awaken as a cooking-class Player and become famous worldwide.

His craft with previously existing ingredients was a given, but he would also grow into a Player who could skillfully create various dishes and incredible buff potions utilizing the many new ingredients that were introduced during the Player era.

‘I get that he’s a Player…’

There was nothing strange about that.

‘…but what’s with that light?’

A yellow light was glowing above his head.

‘Is it clickable?’

Upon trying, Hyukjin found that it was.

[Yellow Light]

Possesses a clue to obtaining ‘Märchen’s Breastplate’.

‘Huh?’

Märchen’s Breastplate was the legendary item that Michelle had worn in his previous life. It was extremely rare growth-type equipment, and when it was first acquired, it was already legendary grade.

‘She was still wearing Märchen’s Breastplate in the expert period.’

Thinking back, Märchen’s Breastplate may have even grown into transcendent grade.

‘That’s the artifact that saved Michelle’s life multiple times.’

And Michael had the clue leading to it.

‘Why can I see this?’

Hyukjin quickly landed upon the answer. After springing straight to level 44, his Eye of Perception had become a little stronger.

‘Am I able to see when Players have some kind of clue as a yellow light?’

Now that he looked at it, that yellow light felt very similar to the yellow energy emanated by the Yellow Charm.

“…there?”

Ahyoung’s voice interrupted his thoughts. He snapped back to attention.

“Why are you just standing there?”

“Ah, sorry,” Hyukjin said, before exchanging a simple greeting with Michael.

Looking a little uncomfortable, Ahyoung asked, “Why do you have to meet Michael?”

“Because I’m a VIP, and because I connected the two of you, of course.”

With his poor grasp of Korean, Michael could only sit and listen to the two talk. Unable to follow what they were saying, he just sat there with a big smile.

‘What are they talking about?’

He couldn’t read anything from their expressions.

‘That young man is a VIP?’

The VIPs of his sister Michelle were usually at least in their 50s. He came here today knowing Kim Hyukjin was Ahyoung’s ‘little brother’, but he was surprised when he saw the man’s youth in the flesh.

‘How is this young man a VIP of Michelle?’

His sister had never once made even the smallest request of him. In all his years of life, this was probably the first time she asked him for a favor. And she did it because of this man, no, this youth? A man in his early 20s who had just lost the baby fat on his cheeks?

‘Just who in the world is he?’

He wasn’t the boss of a corporation, nor the guildmaster of Taeguk Shield, the guild that was said to lead Korea’s front line. He couldn’t even be called a member of said guild. Michael didn’t get his identity whatsoever.

“Noona. Does this guy say he knows anything about Korea?” asked Hyukjin.

“He said he’s planning on informing himself from now on.”

“He’s going to open a restaurant in Korea, but he’s only collecting information now?”

“That’s because he’s confident in his skills.”

“Normally, wouldn’t you have told me to shut up and eat?”

Hyukjin’s eyes narrowed into slits. His sister’s attitude was very suspicious. He got the feeling she had taken a liking to Michael.

“I introduced you to a teacher, not a man.”

“…What does that have to do with you?”

“Anyway.”

He wasn’t going to oppose her dating someone and knew he had no right to interfere, but he still needed to find out more about Michael. She was the family he had regained in a truly miraculous stroke of luck.

Hyukjin suddenly remembered something and exclaimed out loud, “Right, I had this.” He took out a Translation Marble and handed it to Michael, whose expression brightened. With a short laugh, Hyukjin apologized. “Sorry, I forgot I had this.”

“It’s fine, it happens.”

Michael laughed as well. But inwardly, he felt a little unsettled.

‘He forgot he had a Translation Marble?’ Judging by his expression and attitude, that seemed to be true. ‘But a Translation Marble’s an extremely precious artifact.’

This item could only be used by the ultra-rich or Players who were getting a lot of sponsorships from Guardians. There weren’t many of them in the world, so they were either used for important national business or for communication between major corporations. Hyukjin was desensitized to its value because he saw it so often in his vicinity, but in actuality, Translation Marbles were rarely used.

‘For him to forget he had one must mean an item of that level is nothing to him.’

A VIP of Michelle. There was no doubt—this person possessed an unimaginable ability of some kind.

A knock sounded at the door. The appetizers arrived and were placed on the table.

“Today, we have prepared seasonal greens and jelly made from crystallized apples for you. In addition, we have whole fried seaweed crisps.”

The meal began. After some time, Hyukjin asked, “Since when did you decide to open a restaurant in Korea?”

“About that…”

Hyukjin could instantly tell.

‘He’s not accustomed to lying.’

It showed. Michael had never intended on opening a restaurant here. He was doing so because he liked Ahyoung. Even his summary was an eyesore.

Summary: Chef who Fell in Love at First Sight

In his previous life, Michael said he fell in love with his wife ‘at first sight’. But now, the target of his affections was Hyukjin’s older sister.

‘The problem is that Noona let it slide even though it’s so obvious he’s a terrible liar.’

Ahyoung wasn’t blind. So if she let his blatant lies slide without objection… that meant she liked him, too. Hyukjin just wasn’t sure yet whether she liked him as a chef or as a man.

Summary: Aspiring Chef Feeling Awkward

After checking Ahyoung’s summary, Hyukjin threw a fast ball.

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“Let me be frank. I don’t believe you’ve always wanted to set up a restaurant here, Michael.”

“…”

“As you may have expected, I’m establishing an information network of my own. I was unable to find any indication of you debuting a restaurant anywhere overseas, and certainly not in Korea.”

Surprisingly, Michael admitted his lie.

“I wasn’t trying to deceive you.”

“Whoever you date or fall in love with, I have no intention of getting involved.”

Sitting next to him, Kim Ahyoung pinched Hyukjin hard in the side and kicked him under the table. Of course, it was merely a tickle for the level 44 Kim Hyukjin.

“What nonsense are you saying?”

“Noona. I’m talking to Michael right now as a VIP. This is business.”

If Senia had been listening, she might have exclaimed aloud and possibly even retorted, “This is a business talk? Are you sure? What kind of business talk is this chock full of personal feelings?” Thankfully, Senia wasn’t here.

Hyukjin continued. “But if you are unable to separate private matters from business and hurt my sister, you can expect something outside of your ability to deal with to occur.”

“Cut the nonsense,” Ahyoung hissed.

Hyukjin relented, knowing she would truly get mad if he went any further. He defused the tension with a laugh.

“I’m joking. In any case, I’ll help you get established in Korea. If there’s anything you need, please, just ask.”

Michael was sure of it. That threat was no joke. It was 100% sincere. He gulped nervously. But he also knew that Kim Hyukjin’s offer to help was sincere.

Michael laughed as well. “I will contact you if there’s anything I need.”

He meant it. He had a dim idea of Kim Hyukjin’s capabilities, but no more than that.

“Do your best to find a good opportunity.”

Hyukjin ate a piece of the main dish, beef short ribs. It was tender and sweet.

‘He seems… more decent than I thought.’

His first impression of the guy wasn’t all too shabby.

* * *

Translator – Lei

Proofreader – Ash

* * *

A day later, Hyukjin met Michael again, this time without Ahyoung. He then asked about Märchen’s Breastplate.

“You really are establishing an independent info network,” Michael said admiringly. “When I made my first advancement into the cooking class, the NPC who bestowed the class on me gave me this ring. He told me that if you go to the [Mandarin Oriental Hotel] in Singapore with this ring, a gate will open.”

“He gave you that many specifics? The NPC?”

“Yes, he did. It’s just that I’m a cooking class Player and don’t have much need for a breastplate, so I’ve been putting it off.”

He would keep putting it off, then eventually give the Märchen’s Breastplate to his older sister Michelle.

“Would you be willing to sell that ring?”

“Hm.” Michael thought for a moment. “I was originally going to give it to my sister Michelle, but…”

That was what would have normally happened.

“I’ll just give it to you.”

“What?”

“It’s not something I need anyway, and I have the feeling that you’re a much bigger giant than I expected.”

“Is this like a bribe you’re giving because you think I’m a giant?”

“Well, I can’t deny that’s part of it.” Michael shrugged. “But to be honest, you being Ahyoung’s younger brother is a bigger part. As you have noticed, I fell in love with Ahyoung at first sight.”

“…Ah.”

They weren’t very pleasant words to hear, but he wasn’t going to interfere with his sister’s dating life, so he just decided to accept it.

“So please take this bribe with sincere feelings from me.”

And so, a ring found its way into Hyukjin’s hands by a truly baffling means. The ring’s name was ‘Mandarin Oriental Ring’.

[Mandarin Oriental Ring]

Rubbing this ring three times in the lobby of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Singapore will activate the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Gate. The right to enter the gate can be granted at will by the owner of the Mandarin Oriental Ring. By clearing the gate, one can obtain Märchen’s Breastplate.

It was an overly specific and helpful explanation.

‘An NPC gave him something like this?’

It wasn’t completely out of the question.

‘Like how Noah in the U-Plex Dungeon had a transcendent item.’

And that transcendent item was an incredibly powerful artifact named Isabel. So it wasn’t strange that Michael had gotten this ring from an NPC.

Hyukjin’s second meeting with Michael ended on a good note once more. They shared a casual cup of coffee before parting ways.

‘He does seem to be a good guy,’ mused Hyukjin, feeling a bit happier.

He immediately convened the members of Giantgod, who promptly gathered in their office in the DMC.

Yeonseo was already amped up.

“Oh man, I’m so excited. We get to clear an unknown gate with Boss again?”

The way she gently stroked her Demonblade Asura while speaking made her seem like a sword fanatic, but she was hardly alone in her excitement. Everyone here enjoyed the act of Playing itself. Not only did they all have a truly remarkable gift for it, but they were also well-versed in the process. To add onto that, Playing with Kim Hyukjin, an outstanding leader, was an enjoyable experience in itself.

Even Choi Sung-gu looked enthusiastic, for once. “No matter how dangerous it is, it’s still a hundred times better to go in with Boss Hyukjin than to go in with morons.”

“It’s likely I’ll end up monopolizing the reward,” warned Hyukjin. “Like I said before, the reward I’m trying to get is called Märchen’s Breastplate.”

“Hyungnim. That kind of thing isn’t important, not one iota. I’m more than happy to be your doormat and support you!”

All of Giantgod felt the same.

“Just getting to Play with Oppa is fun and enjoyable for me, too!” chirped Sunhwa, beaming from ear to ear.

Jo Sunghyun voiced his agreement, and Giantgod’s business trip to Singapore was decided unanimously. The full roster of Korea’s unofficial #1 guild, Giantgod, headed to Singapore.

When they got there, Hyukjin was greeted by an unexpected person waiting at the Warp Gate in the Singapore server’s Tutorial Building.

“I’ve been waiting for you.”

It was the Korean explorer, Kang Somyi. 

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