I Inherited the Basement of the Tower - Chapter 67

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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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Inherited the Basement 1 of the Tower – Episode 67

“…Wow.”

The moment Min-hee took her first bite of the dish, she cupped both cheeks in her hands, unable to contain her admiration.
I too placed a slice of steak into my mouth and widened my eyes.

‘This is insane.’

The meat that Yahwi had grilled crudely on the griddle was heavenly, but this was on an entirely different level.
As the juices burst across my palate, the vitality of the ingredients seemed to radiate throughout my entire body.

‘Didn’t James mention he had a keen interest in fine cuisine?’

That was precisely why the Association President had entrusted Chef Ahn Yeong-jae with preparing a special meal for the distinguished guest.
And having tasted Chef Ahn Yeong-jae’s cooking myself, I was certain of one thing.
He would absolutely become our ally.
That’s how delicious this was.
Though there was some exaggeration in my reasoning, one thing was certain: as long as Chef Ahn Yeong-jae remained in Korea, he would never stand idle while watching Korea’s destruction.
All because of his cooking alone.
And that’s not even mentioning the taste.

Ding!
【You consume a dish infused with Chef Ahn Yeong-jae’s soul.】
【Buff: All stats increase by 10% for 24 hours.】

“Oh.”

A buff effect that no Hunter could ignore.
All stats increased by 10% for 24 hours.
No need for separate training, no need to consume bitter elixirs or practice breathing techniques.
Delicious, convenient, and with no side effects whatsoever.

‘Well, if there’s one downside, it’s that I might burst from how delicious it is.’

Both the taste and performance were overwhelmingly superior.
The meat itself, which naturally contained sunlight, was already exceptional.
When I simply grilled and ate it, the permanent stat increase was limited to just 1.
But with an exceptional chef preparing it, even temporary yet powerful buffs emerged.
The synergy between ingredients and craftsmanship wasn’t limited to alchemy alone.

‘The ingredients are available in unlimited quantities.’

What if I had a professional chef at Ahn Yeong-jae’s level?

‘I could receive buffs every single day.’

Ahn Yeong-jae’s worth was literally priceless.
He was someone with the pride of running his own restaurant.
Asking him to adjust his schedule for my climbing was never going to work in the first place.

‘But what if I drew from the gacha?’

The Underground Temple residents had diverse specializations.
Not just Yahwi for combat and Barkalor for strategy, but also Eltos from the production line.
So why wouldn’t there be a chef among them?

‘Well, it would be hard to establish that a cooking apostle of Nix exists.’

Human history was long, incredibly long.
And with that length came all manner of different people.
Anyway, since it wasn’t immediately necessary, I returned my focus to eating.

“Boss. I really think leaving the Sage Guild was the best decision ever. I’ll work like a machine for the rest of my life!”

Jeong Min-hee, holding a wine glass, made her vow with an entranced expression.
I too washed away the fatigue of recent days while savoring a satisfying meal.
However, as the courses progressed toward their end, three faces flickered through my mind.
Yahwi, who would be conquering the basement floors; Barkalor, who would be brewing tea; and Eltos, who would be hammering away.
When eating something delicious, it was family that came to mind.

“Chef, if I may.”

I spoke seriously to Chef Ahn Yeong-jae as he entered to bring out dessert.

“Yes, Hunter Kang! Was there anything unsatisfactory?”
“No, it was excellent. But would it be possible to get the leftover meat wrapped up for me?”

At my request, Min-hee choked on her wine.

“M-Master! Th-this is a Michelin three-star restaurant! P-packaging?! This isn’t some neighborhood meat shop!”
“Is that not possible?”

I asked brazenly, and Chef Ahn Yeong-jae chuckled.
As if he’d expected this all along.
It was a curious reaction—surely no VIP had ever asked to take leftovers or requested packaging at his establishment before.
Yet the chef soon burst into hearty laughter.

“Don’t worry. The Association President informed me this was for your family waiting at home. I’ve already prepared it carefully in an insulated container.”

He set down the dessert he’d brought and bent down to retrieve something.
It was a beautifully packaged premium bento box.
The Association President had my back.
I felt gratitude toward Yun Tae-sik as well.
But Chef Ahn Yeong-jae also seemed remarkable for readily accommodating what could have been considered an impertinent request.
Overwhelmed by a wave of emotion, I extended my hand for a handshake with the chef.

“It’s truly an honor.”

Ahn Yeong-jae smiled and clasped my hand in return.
I imagined the reactions of the residents when I brought this bento box back.
Just thinking about it made my shoulders rise with anticipation.

‘Ah, so this is why people take home leftovers.’

When I was very young, before my father passed away, he would often bring home leftover food from company dinners.
I think I finally understood his feelings back then.

“Ah, so that’s why…!”

I glanced over to see Min-hee covering her mouth.
Her ears were flushed red—she seemed embarrassed for having scolded me.

“I had no idea. I just kept eating because it was delicious.”
“No, well. They’re my family, not Min-hee’s family, so how could I take care of a coworker like this?”
“Come on. You’re not just a coworker—you’re the boss’s family, so you’re family to me too.”
“What? No. Even if I traced the family tree, it wouldn’t work out that way.”
“Chef! I’m truly sorry, but would it be alright if we packed about ten more servings even if it takes longer? There’s someone in this Hunter’s family who eats quite a lot.”

Was Eltos talking about this?
The two of them did seem to work closely together and were closer than the other residents.
Ahn Yeong-jae accepted the sudden request without any sign of displeasure.

‘To think he would care like this.’

I felt ashamed of myself.
I had never even been curious about Jeong Min-hee’s family.

“I think I’ll order a few more servings too.”
“Yes? Who are you getting them for? Could it be a woman!?”
“No. For Min-hee’s family. Since you took care of my family, I wanted to take care of Min-hee’s family too.”

Then Chef Ahn Yeong-jae, who had been listening to my words, interjected.

“Ah, you didn’t know. Min-hee’s family comes here often—”
“Shh!”

However,
at Jeong Min-hee’s urgent reaction, Chef Ahn Yeong-jae hastily cut himself off.

“…Ah! I left the gas on in the kitchen. Excuse me for a moment.”

Then he hurried into the kitchen.
What was that? Such obviously suspicious behavior.

“…Min-hee. Didn’t you say this was your first time here?”
“Yes, that’s right! My first time.”
“First time seeing Min-hee?”
“Ah, well. Um, the meat! I’ve never had wild hog meat before. It really is delicious.”
“Then what about that story regarding your family?”
“Ah…! I don’t have any siblings, and both my parents live far away. Since it would probably spoil anyway if I took it, you can take care of me next time. Hehe.”

Min-hee suddenly shed her usual cheerful and clever demeanor, her expression visibly flustered.

“Ah, yes.”

I wouldn’t press further.
But the way she was hiding something—there was definitely something there.
Could she be some notoriously wanted criminal?
Had I carelessly touched upon some painful secret?

“….”

I had no hobby of deliberately unearthing things people wished to conceal.
An unexpected pang of guilt washed over me.
Well, she’d tell me about it someday.

“Please visit us again!”

Shortly after, we left the restaurant with our hands laden with the chef’s special bento sets, our hearts full and satisfied.

* * *

“Master! You’ve returned!”
“Welcome back, Master.”
“Welcome, honored guest!”

The moment we stepped through the portal connected to the Underground Temple,
three residents greeted me as if they’d been waiting all along.
Rather than offering grand pleasantries, I simply set down the elegant boxes I’d been carrying onto the temple’s wide stone table with a thud.

“Everyone gather around. It’s time for a feast.”

As I opened the boxes, the exquisite meat dishes crafted by the surface’s finest chef gleamed with radiant beauty.
The subtle aroma that wafted forth transformed the very air of the temple.

“This scent is…!”

Yahwi’s eyes widened at an aroma worlds apart from the delivery chicken I usually brought.
Even Elder Barkalor’s nostrils, which had been standing with dignified composure, flared ever so slightly.
Eltos was drooling like a waterfall.

“The best chef on this planet made it. I felt bad eating it alone with Min-hee, so I brought enough for everyone. Eat it while it’s still hot.”

Before I could finish speaking, Yahwi lunged forward with chopsticks in hand.

“Woooow! Our Master is the greatest! Thank you for the meal!”

Munch, munch, slurp.
After taking a single bite, thick tears like chicken droppings streamed down Yahwi’s eyes.

“Sniff! It’s delicious! So delicious I’m crying!”
“Tsk, tsk. How barbaric. You don’t know how to savor food. Cooking is all about the sensation on the tip of the tongue….”

Barkalor chided Yahwi while elegantly cutting a piece of meat and placing it in his mouth.
And the next moment.

“…Mmm!”

Even the solemn Elder Barkalor threw down his fork and knife, shoving meat into his mouth at the same frantic pace as Yahwi.

“Get out of the way, you monkey! My portion is shrinking!”
“Hey! Old man, you won’t even digest it—share some!”
“S-Senior, Elder! C-Could I just have a little bit…!”

Between the two locked in their meat battle, Eltos stood nervously, his massive frame fidgeting as he watched.

“Eltos! Come over here. I set aside a portion just for you.”

As Jeong Min-hee smiled and handed Eltos his share, his face finally brightened with joy.

“Elder. Here.”

I also presented him with the herbs I’d brought back from the Special Dungeon Layer.

“Brew it into tea. It tastes good.”
“Ooh…! Thank you, Master.”

The Underground Temple was noisy and chaotic, yet a deep smile had settled on my face.
This peace, earned after enduring the grueling trial of conquering the Special Dungeon Layer.
Elder Barkalor brewing warm tea, Yahwi contentedly patting his belly with a satisfied smile, Jeong Min-hee and Eltos chatting about future equipment—I loved this ordinary moment.

“Well, now that you’ve all eaten your fill, it’s time to earn your keep, isn’t it?”

I smiled and snapped my fingers, and all the residents’ gazes turned toward me at once.

“I’ve brought back quite a lot of new rewards from the Special Dungeon Layer. Floor skip tickets, reset tickets, and more. Starting tomorrow, for a while… we’re going to climb very intensely.”

At my declaration, Yahwi eagerly drew his sword and shouted.

“Just give the order, my lord! I’ll cut down anyone who stands in our way!”

Though the Underground Temple was dark, our future shone brighter than ever before.

Click—!
Flash.

“…?”

A camera flash suddenly went off.
I thought the brightness was just a metaphor.
When I looked over, the culprit—Jeong Min-hee—stood there awkwardly holding her phone.

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was just trying to get a good shot. You don’t like flash, do you?”
“More importantly, why are you taking pictures?”

The existence of this cave is strictly confidential.
Even sharing it with someone I trusted like Jeong Min-hee was forbidden.
As the atmosphere grew heavy, Jeong Min-hee spoke carefully.

“Ah, well… I have a mentor whose bond with me runs as deep as my parents. Today was so enjoyable that I wanted to share it with them. It’s nothing serious.”

Jeong Min-hee quickly showed me her gallery and message history.
Fortunately, there was nothing concerning.
The background was just what could be described as some cave somewhere.
Jeong Min-hee was intelligent, and she would understand the sentiment with which I had introduced this cave.
I would have preferred she be even more cautious, but suspecting her was nothing more than excessive worry.

“Please be careful.”

Of course, I warned her to be cautious since care was necessary.
She nodded in agreement.
But then, I found myself curious about this mentor of hers.
After all, I had Yahwi, an excellent swordsmanship mentor of my own.
Who could have cultivated an alchemist as talented as Jeong Min-hee?
So I asked, and her eyes lit up as she opened her mouth.

“My mentor? Well, it’s….”

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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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