Pop-pop-pop!

Seo-jun swiftly carved up the Arutus leg using a Chinese cleaver.

The reason for using a Chinese cleaver? It just felt right for cooking.

Like how jajangmyeon isn't complete without pickled radish, or how fried chicken needs its pickled radish, this was the same.

"It's huge."

Even after cutting it up, the pieces were still so large that a single one matched the size of an entire chicken leg.

The cut pieces needed to be blanched in boiling water. It was essential for removing any gamey smell.

Adding two spoonfuls of rice wine would help, but if rice wine wasn’t available, soju would do just fine.

After blanching, rinse the meat separately and drain the excess water.

Once the water was drained, lightly season with salt and pepper. Since it would take time for the seasoning to seep in, it was time to prepare the vegetables.

Seo-jun particularly liked the potatoes in braised chicken.

When the soy sauce marinade soaked deep into the potatoes, giving them a sweet and savory flavor, it was pure bliss.

Ta-ta-tak!

Because of that, he made sure to cut the potatoes into large, chunky pieces.

Then, the prepared potatoes and vegetables were placed into a wok with water and brought to a boil.

Bubble-bubble—!

Once the water started to boil vigorously, it was time to season.

It was best to season with dark soy sauce.

Instead of using sugar or corn syrup as a sweetener, cola worked best.

‘Cola is a lot more expensive than before, though.’

Still, when it came to adding sweetness to braised chicken, nothing could beat cola.

As Seo-jun poured in the cola, a thought suddenly crossed his mind.

What would Park Yeon say if he saw this?

Even without seeing his reaction, he could already imagine it.

Chuckling to himself, Seo-jun tasted the broth.

‘Not bad.’

After that, he added the previously drained Arutus meat and lowered the heat.

From this point on, it just needed to simmer gently.

When the meat was fully cooked, he added the pre-soaked glass noodles.

Once the noodles were ready, he topped everything off with a handful of chives.

And just like that—braised chicken, complete!

The thick, simmered soy sauce glaze, and the golden potatoes infused with its deep flavors, were enough to make his mouth water.

He set aside a portion for his family and transferred just enough to a plate for himself.

Carrying the plate of braised chicken and rice, he sat down at the table.

Now, time to eat—

Ring!

The store’s door swung open as Cha Jinmyung walked in.

“Hello….”

“Oh, Jinmyung, it's been a while.”

“…Looks like I interrupted your meal. I’m sorry.”

“No worries. What brings you here?”

“Tomorrow is the store’s day off, right?”

‘One drink’ closed every Monday.

Tomorrow was Monday.

Seo-jun nodded.

“It’s nothing big, but my grandmother wanted to invite you for a meal tomorrow.”

“A meal?”

“She feels bad for always being on the receiving end, so she wants to treat you. Would that be okay?”

“Of course, that’s perfectly fine.”

“I’ll let my grandmother know, then.”

“Wait a moment.”

“Yes?”

“If you haven’t eaten yet, join me. It’s braised chicken.”

Cha Jinmyung, who had been eyeing the dish hungrily, waved his hands in refusal.

“No, no, I’m fine. See you later!”

Before Seo-jun could say anything else, Cha Jinmyung quickly bowed and left the store.

“Hmm.”

Every time he saw Jinmyung, he got the impression that the kid was extremely shy and a little timid.

That wasn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it did make him feel somewhat sympathetic.

‘Given his circumstances, it’s no surprise he lacks confidence.’

Seo-jun understood. After all, he had also grown up under his grandmother’s care and in poverty.

Just then, Park Yeon burst into the store.

“Demon King…!”

“You’re later than I expected.”

“You lied to me! How could you tell such a massive lie with a completely straight face—”

Sniff, sniff.

“What’s that smell? It smells amazing.”

“I made braised chicken.”

Park Yeon casually grabbed a rice bowl and sat down.

“If you think this will make me forgive you, you’re gravely mistaken.”

Seo-jun frowned.

“Where did you even learn that phrase?”

“From your brother. By the way, how do you eat this?”

Seo-jun demonstrated.

Following his example, Park Yeon began eating.

With surprising dexterity, he picked up a piece of Arutus leg with his chopsticks.

Then, she took a big bite—chomp!

‘Whoa! T-this is delicious!’

No matter how many times she experienced it, it never failed to amaze her.

Was this guy really a Demon King, or was he a chef?

And to think the Arutus, infamous for its toughness, could have such incredibly tender meat….

The flesh practically melted in her mouth.

But the best part?

Scrape, scrape—scrape, scrape.

He mashed a potato into her rice with a spoon, poured some sauce over it, and took a bite.

At that moment, a ridiculous thought crossed his mind—

‘Maybe the demons didn’t submit to the Demon King’s power… but to his cooking.’

It was that good.

The mashed potato mixed with rice, the sweet and savory sauce—it was beyond incredible.

‘Damn it. A hero like me shouldn’t be thinking this way… it’s humiliating.’

And yet, he couldn’t stop eating.

He simply couldn’t put his spoon down.

In the end, he finished three whole bowls of rice before stopping.

And, of course, the final touch…

“See? Cola is best enjoyed when you’re full.”

Cola.

“I’m sorry for making you come to such a shabby place. We’ve received so much from you, and I wanted to repay you somehow, but there wasn’t much else I could do.”

“Not at all.”

Shaking his head at Lee Sook-hee’s words, Seo-jun slowly took in his surroundings.

As expected of a house in a hillside shantytown, it was old and worn.

The walls were moldy, likely from leaks whenever it rained, and cobwebs hung from the upper corners.

And then—

Squeak, squeak—!

Perhaps neither Lee Sook-hee nor Cha Jinmyung could hear it, but to Seo-jun, the sound was as loud as thunder.

Rats were living in the ceiling.

There were cockroach baits scattered around as well, making it clear—the place was a disaster.

Seo-jun Slowly Closed His Eyes.

Rats and cockroaches were creatures that harmonized with the yin.

Though he couldn't control the interdimensional monsters that appeared in the Gate, he could manipulate simple creatures like rats and cockroaches with his demonic energy.

‘Don’t ever come back.’

As the cockroaches and rats scurried away, Seo-jun opened his eyes.

“By the way, where are the young boss and Seo-woo?”

“They couldn't come because of work.”

In reality, both had just overslept.

“That strange young man isn’t here either.”

“Strange young man?”

“That Park fellow.”

“Ah… you mean Park Yeon.”

“Yeah, Park Yeon.”

“Park Yeon couldn’t come either because of work.”

In truth, Park Yeon was busy watching a daily drama at the shop.

“I see. Ah… just sit comfortably and wait. Jinmyung! Jinmyung, the shop owner downstairs is here! Come out and greet him, you rascal!”

Cha Jinmyung emerged from a small room, bowing politely. He still looked quite timid.

“…Hello.”

“Nice to meet you.”

“…Yes.”

Just as they were exchanging greetings, Lee Sook-hee appeared, carrying a pot.

Inside the pot was potato sujebi.

“I should’ve made something better, but times are tough…”

“Not at all. I was actually craving sujebi, so this is perfect.”

“That’s a relief. Eat plenty.”

Lee Sook-hee ladled out sujebi and placed bowls in front of Seo-jun and Cha Jinmyung.

The potato sujebi wasn’t fancy.

Just potatoes, dough flakes, and some green onions.

Its rustic appearance matched its simple taste, but within that simplicity, there was a certain depth.

How should I put it… It reminded him of the sujebi his grandmother used to make.

‘Grandmother used to make sujebi often too.’

She would tear the sticky dough so skillfully, dropping it into the pot with such ease…

Seo-jun let out a small chuckle.

“Hm?”

“It’s delicious.”

“Would you like another bowl?”

“I’d be grateful.”

“I’m the one who’s grateful to see you eat so well.”

Just as Lee Sook-hee was handing over another bowl, Cha Jinmyung, who had been more focused on his phone than the sujebi, put down his spoon and stood up.

“Thank you for the meal.”

“You’re done already?”

“Yes. Grandma, I’m going out for a bit. My friends came over.”

“Alright. But come back early. It’s dangerous to be out late.”

“Don’t worry.”

“Ah, Jinmyung!”

“Yes?”

Lee Sook-hee pulled out three crumpled ten-thousand-won bills from her pocket and handed them to him.

“I’m fine… You don’t have to give me this.”

“Nonsense. Don’t always rely on your friends to treat you—sometimes you should buy for them too. Got it?”

“…I’ll be back.”

“Alright, alright.”

As she watched Cha Jinmyung’s retreating figure with a fond expression, Lee Sook-hee spoke.

“He grew up without parents, raised by his grandmother, so he was bullied a lot as a kid… I can’t tell you how grateful I am that he grew up well.”

“Bullied?”

“That’s how kids are. He was tormented so badly… Even now, when I think about it, my heart aches. But lately, he’s been getting along well with his friends, and that makes me so thankful…”

Seo-jun could feel that Lee Sook-hee was genuinely grateful for Jinmyung’s friends. That sincerity reached him as well.

“Jinmyung has a kind nature, so it’s only natural he has good friends.”

“That’s true. He really is a kind boy.”

Smiling brightly at her grandson’s praise, Lee Sook-hee picked up the empty bowls and stood up. Seo-jun, about to help her, suddenly noticed her knees.

“It looks like your knees are in bad shape.”

“My knees? Ah… Well, I’ve used them for so many years—of course they’re worn out. At my age, everyone has a bit of arthritis.”

“Have you been to the hospital?”

“Hospital? What for… At my age, doctors just tell you everything’s wrong and that you need treatment.”

“How long have you had arthritis?”

“Let’s see… About fifteen years now?”

“Would you mind if I take a quick look?”

“I don’t mind, but I don’t see how you can tell just by looking.”

Feeling a bit shy, Lee Sook-hee showed him her knee.

Using his vision ability, Seo-jun examined her knee and let out a quiet sigh.

‘Her cartilage is severely worn down.’

It was rare to find an elderly person without arthritis, but in her case, it was especially severe.

And that meant she had endured a hard life from a young age.

“Grandma, what kind of work did you do when you were younger?”

“I did all sorts of things.”

She smiled gently as she continued.

“I lost my husband young and became a widow… Life was so hard. My baby in swaddling clothes was crying for milk, but I had to go out and earn money.”

“That must have been tough.”

“At first, I sold insurance. But I ended up in debt instead.”

“Debt?”

“With insurance, sometimes you have to set your conscience aside, but I just couldn’t do it. I made sure to explain every little disadvantage to my customers. It was good for them, but not for me.”

As Seo-jun listened intently, he massaged her knee.

To others, it might look like a simple massage, but he was actually channeling his demonic energy into her.

“So I quit and started working at the market. In a small gukbap restaurant tucked in a corner of the market. I still remember it—Sook-hee Gukbap. I lived in a tiny rented room at the back and worked there. The owner lady was kind enough to help me out, so after about seven or eight years, I saved up some money.”

“It sounds like you saved quite a bit.”

“Not as much as you’d think… I was about to open my own gukbap restaurant when, wouldn’t you know it, my mother-in-law called. She was seriously ill…”

“Ah…”

“Even though she had thrown me out, calling me a wretched widow who had killed her son, she was still my child's grandmother. I spent all my savings on her medical bills, leaving me with nothing. I moved to Busan, selling carp bread at first, then vegetables by the roadside. And then…”