A Veteran of Infinite Buffs - Chapter 26

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 26

I had earned quite a substantial fortune.
Without even counting each coin individually, the total easily exceeded several dozen gold.
It was possible because the village’s entire income was concentrated in the hands of a select few.
“…Just how much is all this?”
The gap between reality and the game had grown even wider.
The amount of money I’d accumulated over these past few days was comparable not just to a monthly salary, but to an annual one.
I was certainly suited to this savage world within the game.
The only drawback was that my current position as a Black Dragon Faction executive came with considerable padding and exaggeration.
In my previous life, I could have been called far stronger, but here I still hadn’t escaped the framework of being a newbie and the weak.
That’s why I needed to become even stronger than I am now.
Living as the weak in a world of survival of the fittest was far too painful.
“Everything’s been smooth sailing so far.”
My profits had exceeded my targets, and my level had a scheduled explosive leveling showcase at the Fountain.
The forces in the Southern Forest were going through all sorts of trial and error for their hidden class promotions, the Training Instructor had likely made contact with the Sword Guild Master, and the newbies who had joined at the time were being raised according to standard methods.
Except for the variable of Eden, whose whereabouts had become unknown, everything was flowing smoothly.
I had just over two hours to spare.
Since it wasn’t much time to exert influence outside the village, I decided to continue my activities within it.
Now that my destination was set as the Fountain, I needed to drink from its waters to raise my Eternity stat as well.
Click.
After searching for a reasonably sized and well-maintained building, I arrived at a restaurant called Nok-hyang-gwan.
Still, aside from the NPC owner and staff, no one was visible.
That didn’t mean there were no traces, however.
The remnants of meals suggested that just ten minutes ago, the place had been quite crowded.
Judging by how hastily they’d eaten and left, dishes were scattered everywhere.
The Chinese User Leader I’d let escape earlier must have held quite an important position.
It seemed significant enough to warrant an emergency summons across the entire village.
“Haa….”
Since there were no users inside the shop, I no longer needed to mind my appearance.
In this case, I could speak naturally as I normally would.
“Hello. What’s your specialty here?”
The owner, not a staff member, responded to me.
“Our seasoned venison stir-fry is the most popular! But we can prepare any number of other premium dishes, so please feel free to tell me if there’s anything you’d like!”
Perhaps the NPC sensed something unusual about me.
Even the NPC maintained a deferential posture throughout.
Looking back, my expression and gait were exactly as they had been when dealing with hostile forces in my previous life.
Combined with the manner of speech of the Training Instructor from Liam Village, it was no wonder the other party felt intimidated.
I decided to flash a bright smile and plant an image of warmth and consideration.
“Haha. Then, would it be alright if I added one more request along with a dish made from your finest ingredients?”
“Eek!”
“Hmm?”
For some reason, the shop owner’s complexion had turned ashen.
An expression of unmistakable terror.
“I’m so sorry! Please spare my life!”
“Ah.”
I looked at myself and understood the reason.
I was drenched in far too much blood.
“I have no intention of harming you. How about this? I’ll go wash up while you prepare the meal.”
“In that case, I’ll offer you the bathroom. This way….”
The place I was led to was the bathroom the shop owner used.
The nearby door was firmly shut and locked.
From the signs of presence beyond the room, they appeared to be the shop owner’s family.
“Shall I warm the water for you?”
“No, thank you. Simply washing is sufficient.”
Now was the time to lower their guard.
I decided not to make any unreasonable demands.
Well, except for one thing.
“However, I would appreciate it if you could put extra care into the premium dish.”
“I will absolutely do my very best!”
The moment I return to the Fountain, I plan to drink water and increase my Eternity.
This means one buff slot will be secured.
In the newly secured empty slot, I will maintain Boa Village’s finest cooking buff indefinitely.
Splash.
Bathing here was simply a matter of dumping a bucket of water over oneself and washing away the filth.
There was an enormous difference compared to Liam.
After all, Liam was fully equipped with Korean-style bathhouses infused with magical artifacts, complete with saunas.
Of course, according to what Sung-chul (Elder) told me, even more luxurious facilities exist.

-Certainly, a famous architect has a different approach even within the game. He entered a Major City long ago and recreated everything from lavish ancient Roman baths to Japanese hot springs. I’ve even heard that the bathhouses managed by the Royal Court have all sorts of blessings cast upon them. I wonder if I’ll be able to use them someday?

At this point, Sung-chul (Elder) would be using the bathhouse in the Major City.
This was back when dark circles hadn’t yet deepened—the days of being a newbie.
Come to think of it, I’d always had a fondness for newbies, both then and now.
Upon witnessing the newbies here, I’d lost myself and orchestrated this grand spectacle—all stemming from a hunger for newbies.
Whoooosh!
This was a story I’d experienced firsthand with my entire body.
Without newbies, the game collapses.
Therefore, no more villages like this should ever exist.
Whoooosh!
I washed away all the blood that had splattered across my body.
With a damp cloth, I scrubbed away the blood clinging to my clothes and wooden sword.
Only then did my true self from Liam fully return.
“Thank you for using the bathhouse.”
“Ah, welcome. I’ll bring out some food for you.”
“Yes.”
Her expression still carried wariness, but mercifully, her voice had grown considerably gentler.
At last, the atmosphere was ripe for genuinely enjoying a restaurant within the game.
“Our most popular dish is the seasoned venison stir-fry, and this is the Nok-hyang-gwan—our establishment’s pride.”
“Mm.”
It looked like excellent cuisine at first glance.
Even the venison’s distinctive aroma had been enhanced in a positive direction.
As this was a restaurant frequented by wealthy ruling-class users, both the flavor and buff effects were guaranteed to be exceptional.
“This looks wonderful. I’ll enjoy it.”
“Yes.”
I postponed the main course for later.
The buff needed to remain active at least until I drank from the Fountain.
I’d spent considerable time bathing and maintaining my equipment, so by the time I savored the dishes, the timing would work out nicely.
First, I’d start with the most popular seasoned venison stir-fry.
Following the rising steam, the venison’s rich, nutty aroma blended harmoniously with the spice notes, awakening my appetite.
“Oh.”
It was tender yet had a satisfying chew.
Venison, which tends to be somewhat tough, had been utterly transformed by masterful preparation.
Moreover, whether from the Southern Forest’s venison or not, the rich, distinctive fat flavor remained vibrant.
With each bite, umami deepened.
It was entirely different from the venison roast I’d eaten before.
Perhaps because most cooking ingredients were hunted from the wild.
I realized that high-end restaurants had carved out a distinctly differentiated position from wild cooking.
Now that I thought about it, even the bread Andy had given me tasted exceptional.
“…This really is delicious.”
It was a premium comfort-food dish that could effortlessly empty three bowls, endlessly stimulating my appetite.
I committed the flavor to memory.
“Ah, I nearly forgot something important.”
Next came the time to assess the buffs.
Taste was one thing, but verifying the performance was essential.

[Active Buffs]
[Meticulously Seasoned Venison Stir-fry (Masterwork)]
[Strength +12 Stamina +7 Agility +7 Luck +1]
[Running speed and reflexes significantly increased]
[Duration: 35 minutes]

“Good heavens.”
The buff was overwhelmingly superior to the hearty, delicious baked bread that had also been a masterwork.
With such diverse ingredients going into it, it seemed I could elevate a dish’s tier in this manner.
A cooking buff of this caliber couldn’t displace my existing buffs, but it was luxurious enough to fill any vacant slots.
“…Guest?”
I determined that further verification was necessary.
Other samples lay scattered across an unorganized table nearby.
So I decided to taste another seasoned venison stir-fry as well.
“Mm.”

[Seasoned Venison Stir-fry (Common)]
[Strength +6 Stamina +3 Agility +3]
[Running speed and reflexes increased]
[Duration: 20 minutes]

Indeed, the grade makes all the difference.
I could clearly discern that the masterpiece dish crafted with such devotion was truly exceptional.
This special treatment was far from unpleasant.
In fact, if I were in their position, I would greatly prefer it.
“I sincerely apologize! I will do better next time!”
“No, no. It’s quite alright. Thanks to this, I was able to broaden my culinary horizons. I’m grateful to have tasted a dish prepared with such extraordinary care.”
Leaving the proprietor’s bewildered expression behind, I settled back into my seat to savor the next course.
Now came the main dish—Nok-hyang Broth—prepared using the finest ingredients the establishment had to offer.
Given that the restaurant itself was named Nok-hyang-gwan, my anticipation was considerable.
“Excellent.”
The braised venison with spices had been remarkable, but the Nok-hyang Broth emanated an even more intense and vibrant Chinese culinary essence.
“I’ll start with the broth itself.”
The essential ingredients in the broth were ones I had frequently consumed in my previous life for vitality—deer antler and deer blood.
To this base, a subtle fruit wine reduction was added along with various seasonings, completely eliminating any unpleasant aftertaste.
“Wow.”
Despite the heavy nature of blood and deer antler as ingredients, the broth possessed a refreshing quality with an excellent mouthfeel.
The deep umami and saltiness that stimulated the palate were remarkably addictive.
The various vegetables and medicinal herbs in the broth, along with the venison thoroughly infused with the rich stock, all harmonized perfectly without a single discordant note, remaining true to the essence of Nok-hyang Broth.
All these elements combined to create a dish that boasted exceptional flavor in its own right.
“…So this is Nok-hyang Broth.”
I could feel vitality coursing through every part of my body.
The Nok-hyang Broth buff had been applied.

[Active Buffs]
[Nok-hyang Broth (Masterpiece)]
[Strength +10 Agility +10 Stamina +10 Wisdom +10 Luck +10]
[Health Recovery Speed Dramatically Increased]
[Physical Damage Resistance (Medium)]
[Mental Attack Magic Resistance (Medium)]
[Duration: 10 minutes]

“…!”
An absurd buff had been applied to me.
At this level, it was competitive with the existing infinite buffs.
The only drawback was that the buff’s duration was ten minutes.
Other than that, it was a perfect buff.
“…Chef.”
“Me?”
“Please accept this.”
I handed five gold coins directly to the shop owner.
Naturally, the amount carried gratitude, but it was also necessary for my original purpose.
“Customer! That’s far too much!”
“No. I have a favor to ask.”
“What kind of favor could it possibly be…?”
“From now on, please provide drinking water to any foreigners seeking Fountain water. For one month.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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