I Only Baked Bread, but I Was Mistaken for the Best - Chapter 129

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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 129. Bearing a Dark Lantern (2)
In that sense, discovering Yeon-gi’s Pastry Shop was providence itself.
Had it not been for that, I would not be feeling this warmth right now, but rather floating in a space devoid of all sensation, existing in a void.
‘This really is a terrifying space….’
True to the notorious reputation of an A-Rank Gate, this place was nothing short of a hell made manifest.
Not because of the grotesque monsters.
Rather, every monster that appeared here posed a danger level of C-rank or below.
Soo-min and Seung-hyun could dispatch them with ease, but that wasn’t the problem.
‘The sensation of being cut off from all senses is absolutely dreadful.’
That terrible horror I had experienced in the cold was now descending upon me directly.
Back then, I was fortunate enough that my senses weren’t severed, but now it was different.
No light, no sound, no touch, not even the taste of air could be perceived.
I was taking steps, yet I felt none of it.
I couldn’t even tell if there was ground beneath me.
I couldn’t even sense my muscles moving.
Sometimes I even questioned whether I was breathing at all.
I couldn’t tell if Whitey was beside me, or at the very least if Seung-hyun, my companion, was there.
‘Yet it’s strange. How was it that only that distant Pastry Shop remained visible?’
In a space where even mana knots couldn’t be detected, only that anomalous Pastry Shop revealed itself with perfect clarity.
Was it only the sight?
The savory and sweet aroma of the bread and pastries that composed the house captivated my entire sense of smell.
Even the clattering sounds of daily life reached my ears.
‘And the closer I drew, the more my senses returned….’
It was commonly known that the rules of a Gate itself have a set method of being negated.
For instance, if a candle within the Gate is designated as the rule, then the fire can only be extinguished according to the method that Gate has established.
The rule this Gate had set was the complete severance of sensation.
There might be a way to negate it, but the Pastry Shop was certainly not the answer.
‘Because this is a space separate from the Gate itself.’
I had never heard of a monster or substance that moved between Gates, but I had already heard that within the Association, this entity was listed under the name Yeon-gi with a danger level of S-rank.
A monster with intelligence equal to humans, or perhaps even superior.
Judging solely from the fragments of power it had displayed so far, it was impossible to even estimate how many S-rank Hunters would need to band together to defeat it.
This alone would be enough to strike terror into the hearts of ordinary people, but Soo-min had gone one step further.
‘The danger level needs to be raised. If no grade exists, we must create one.’
Its anomalous nature of moving between Gates, making it impossible to predict where it might appear.
And on top of that, the mysterious ability to nullify the very characteristics of a Gate through its mere existence.
“Gulp.”
“Ugh. This is nerve-wracking!”
Unlike Soo-min, who swallowed hard without realizing it, Seung-hyun’s thoughts were running in a completely different direction.
Though he was certainly tense as well.
From Seung-hyun’s perspective, Yeon-gi was a fateful encounter.
It was sincere, despite sounding like wordplay.
‘Ever since experiencing that bread, my synergy success rate has increased fivefold!’
In truth, the overwhelmingly spicy bread had granted him durability comparable to dedicated tank hunters, though Seung-hyun hadn’t thought that far into it.
He simply poured forth overwhelming praise toward Yeon-gi!
“Since our last meeting, I’ve been wondering what words of gratitude I should offer!”
“Ah. Yes….”
“My friend waiting outside must also be beside himself with appreciation!”
“Kiiiiiiieeeeeek!”
Seung-hyun didn’t realize that the piercing scream actually meant ‘Please, just leave me alone!’
Regardless, Yeon-gi sat across from them and spoke calmly.
“So the reason you came all this way was to make a new friend, correct?”
“Exactly! According to my investigation, there’s a high probability a powerful friend exists in this place!”
“Said investigation: Seung-hyun’s baseless speculation. Evidence: nonexistent.”
“I believe intuition is also very substantial evidence!”
“Unfortunately….”
Seung-hyun and Soo-min were two who could never understand each other.
Even when Yeon-gi asked what kind of friend they sought, the only answer that followed was uncertainty.
Eventually, as if losing interest, Yeon-gi turned her gaze toward Soo-min.
“Is escaping this place what matters most?”
“Affirmative.”
“But… but I still haven’t found a proper friend yet….”
“Silence. Demand. Correction. Order.”
“Ugh… next time I’ll prepare more thoroughly and definitely….”
Seung-hyun, like Soo-min, understood that escaping their current situation took priority.
Yet he couldn’t abandon his obsession and lingering attachment to finding a new friend.
But with Soo-min being so resolute, all Seung-hyun could do was hope for another opportunity.
Perhaps noticing their predicament, Yeon-gi gazed into empty space for a moment before continuing.
“You’ve been fortunate.”
“Fortunate? What do you mean by that?”
“I happened to want to test whether something would be effective.”
“Oh! The bread! Slurp!”
“Was there such a thing? Owner?”
The four-legged beast beside Yeon-gi asked at her words.
Seung-hyun remembered it well.
It was that very creature who had spoken of the price to be paid.
‘Only now do I truly sense it. What tremendous power….’
Despite being no larger than a cat, the strength contained within that small form was utterly formidable.
Even with his diligent training, if he faced it now, he would vanish without a trace—such was the overwhelming magnitude.
‘I must grow stronger.’
If a subordinate possessed such power, how strong could Yeon-gi, the master, truly be?
Seung-hyun wiped away the sweat that had beaded on his forehead as tension mounted, speaking first.
“If there is a price, I will gladly pay it!”
“A price? Hmm… No. What I received before was quite substantial.”
“Pardon? But… however….”
“I must admit, that is fair. Meow.”
“Now that I think about it, I haven’t introduced her. Chohong, come here.”
Something small came fluttering through the air—*fwip*—toward Seung-hyun, who still couldn’t grasp what was happening.
It settled gently into place, tilting its head with curiosity while regarding him with large, round eyes.
In that moment, Seung-hyun understood.
This being had been born from what he had given as payment.
“Kyuu?”
“Kheugh! It’s adorable!”
“So cute!”
The Two Hunters, utterly defenseless against anything so endearing, were completely captivated by Chohong.
* * *
“I couldn’t understand why they traveled together, but now it makes perfect sense.”
“Didn’t you say it was for training? Isn’t that enough? Owner?”
“Of course it isn’t.”
Soo-min and Seung-hyun were people who differed in every conceivable way—appearance, personality, everything.
Soo-min had a small frame and sharp edges, yet possessed considerable shyness.
Seung-hyun, by contrast, possessed a towering physique that evoked the biblical Goliath, paired with a characteristically carefree nature.
They were like drawings in entirely different styles—how could they possibly stay together simply because they shared the same goal?
“Both of you had the same weakness: you’re defenseless against cute things.”
The moment Seung-hyun laid eyes on Chohong, he cried out with a voice like a steam engine being boiled alive.
And beside him, Soo-min shrieked with uncontrollable delight at how adorable it was.
Until they had entered the Witch’s Cottage, the two hadn’t seemed to get along at all, but now they displayed the complete opposite.
“Soo-min, you also love those precious little wing flutters, don’t you!”
“Affirmative. Additional observation: marveling at how all facial features fit perfectly on such a tiny face.”
“I share that sentiment entirely! Hahahaha!”
“Kyuuuu….”
Caught between them, Chohong must have been having a terrible time.
Even Gora was trembling so violently while watching that nothing more needed to be said.
“In any case, what is this effect you wish to test? Have I been baking new bread without realizing it?”
“No. Remember what we were discussing earlier?”
“Meow? Isn’t that the unleavened bread we planned to use for the feast? Besides, there’s still a day left before the ointment is complete.”
“The ointment is actually already finished as is. I was just trying to make it taste even better.”
“Even so, what does that have to do with now?”
“Just wait and see. Gora? Let’s prepare.”
“Gora gora!”
Noir still couldn’t comprehend, but she dutifully followed along behind me regardless.
Since Gora didn’t know how to make unleavened bread, I’d brought along all the ingredients necessary for making decent bread in the first place.
“Ah. All you need is water and flour. Gora.”
“Gora? Gora ra!”
“I know. That means it’ll taste bland. But what can I do? That’s the recipe.”
“Gora ah….”
After Gora reluctantly organized the other ingredients, what remained before me was nothing but water and flour.
“Let’s give it a try.”
Since there were barely any ingredients going in, using quality materials for each one was paramount.
Even more so than usual.
“And I need to bring out the natural texture of the ingredients themselves.”
For this reason, instead of using the finely milled golden wheat flour I normally used, I opted for whole wheat flour.
With this, the more you chew, the more nutty flavor emerges, and the enzymes in saliva would react to create a subtle sweetness.
“Here, a bit of water and salt.”
Two cups of flour, half a cup of water, and a pinch of salt—this secured the basic flavor and texture.
Now, for the aroma, I added the Rosemary oil I’d made earlier.
Since too much could throw off the overall balance, I finished by adding just two drops.
“Now I just knead it, right? Owner?”
“The process is correct, but ‘kneading’ isn’t quite the right term.”
“But doesn’t that make it chewy?”
“There’s no fermentation process.”
Since there was no natural starter—no Fairy wing powder, yeast, or baking powder—no fermentation would occur.
But if I were to knead it here and develop gluten, the texture wouldn’t be chewy so much as hard as stone.
So I finished the dough by gently gathering it just until the flour was no longer visible.
“Is that really all?”
“Strange, isn’t it? I think so too.”
“Well… seeing as I, a Familier, vaguely remember this, it seems to be a recipe from ages past.”
“It’s the method from 2000 years ago, so it won’t produce bread like what we have now. Instead, there’ll be some variations.”
I planned to go through a resting process using artificial cold that didn’t exist back then.
In fact, I think this might be the most important part of the entire process.
Only through this step will the oil and herb aroma distribute evenly through the flour, and the texture become somewhat softer.
“Normally, you’d wrap it in plastic and refrigerate it for about an hour, but I have this.”
The ice I’d secured when I met Soo-min.
The moment I placed the bowl of dough on the ice, the fierce cold that poured out ended the resting process in an instant.
“Next is shaping.”
I rolled out the dough, now more dough-like, to a thickness of 3 to 5 millimeters.
Then I cut it with a circular mold, and carved a cross-shaped pattern on top with another mold.
After that, I baked it using the Witch’s Oven.
“This is well-baked.
The unleavened bread, pulled out when the surface turned slightly golden, wasn’t hard at all—it had a distinct crispness to it.
But this isn’t the end….
“If I just apply a thin layer of glaze to the surface once more….”
Ding!
“Done.”
With a cheerful notification from the status window, the bread was complete.

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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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