The Chef From the Apocalypse Enters the Food Industry - Chapter 50

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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 50. Showdown
The store was in the eye of the storm.
Lee Hyeon-seung and Ha-yun occupied the bar seating together.
Just the two of them made the space feel completely full.
‘Their presence is overwhelming. So this is what it means to be number one in a field.’
Ha-yun. True to her epithet as the Eating Broadcast Empress, the aura she radiated was formidable.
She stared at me intently, her arms crossed.
“I’m looking forward to this. Hyeon-seung’s been making such a fuss about it.”
“I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.”
“We’ll see. My palate is rather particular.”
“Ha. That’s unfortunate.”
“Pardon?”
“Because it won’t be particular anymore.”
“How amusing.”
She twisted her crimson lips into a smile.
Provocative.
Yet beneath it all, that hint of weariness remained.
I felt a surge of satisfaction within.
The most demanding customer becomes the most loyal regular—that’s how it works.
Then it happened.
Screeeech—!
A car came to a harsh stop outside.
‘What’s this?’
Another vehicle pulled up in front of the store.
This one was equally extraordinary.
A Porsche 911 Turbo. And a provocatively red sports car at that.
Vroooom—vroom—
The engine’s exhaust roared through the alley.
Everyone’s attention shifted that way.
“What’s this?”
“Who else is coming?”
All eyes turned toward the window.
Beyond the transparent glass, the outside world came into view.
The sports car’s door opened, and someone stepped out.
Brilliant blonde hair. A model-like tall frame. An appearance that immediately captured attention.
The store door swung open.
“Sorry I’m late!”
* * *
She entered with a bubbly, energetic voice.
In that instant, the air in the store froze.
Ha-yun’s eyebrows twitched.
“…You?”
The woman who entered removed her sunglasses and winked.
“Oh my, you’re here too, unnie? I had no idea.”
[Beauty & Mukbang Youtuber TN ‘Sonny’]
3.5 million subscribers.
If Ha-yun was the authentic big-eater style mukbang queen,
then Sonny was a hot influencer who captivated the MZ generation with her glamorous visuals and uninhibited charm.
The two were famous rivals and bitter enemies in the industry.
“What brings you here?”
Ha-yun’s voice had an edge to it.
Sonny paid no mind and plopped down next to Ha-yun.
“What brings me? I came to eat something delicious. This place is hot these days, right? My algorithm has been flooded with it.”
“Today is reservation only. Only invited guests come here.”
“I know. That’s why I pestered Hyeon-seung. Asked him to let me join. Right?”
Sonny shot a flirtatious glance at Hyeon-seung.
Hyeon-seung broke into an awkward smile, cold sweat dripping between the two powerhouses.
“H-ha ha… Yes. Well, it’s nice to eat together, right? Unnie, isn’t it?”
“….”
“The picture’s fun too?”
“…Ha.”
Ha-yun glared at Sonny instead of answering.
* * *
Sonny rested her chin on her hand and looked at me.
“Owner? Hello. I’m Sonny.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“But owner, you’re really handsome, aren’t you? You could do mukbang with your face instead of your cooking.”
Sonny seemed ready to invite me on her broadcast right then and there.
That’s when Ha-yun’s frown deepened further.
“Hey. If you came to eat, then eat. Don’t make things awkward for the owner.”
“Why? The owner seems to like it too, doesn’t he? It’s good for both of us if I promote the place.”
“Ha. This isn’t that kind of place.”
“Really? Fine then. But unnie, I heard you’ve lost your appetite lately? Don’t force yourself to eat. Just go. I’ll eat it all for you.”
“Who said I lost my appetite? And what business is it of yours to worry about me?”
Sparks flew through the air.
A collision between the mukbang queen and the trendsetter.
‘This is entertaining.’
The scene was entertaining.
Hyeon-seung beside them could barely breathe, just watching nervously.
He was almost on the verge of tears.
‘I drew something provocative because it seemed stimulating. But they can’t handle it. Ha.’
But I wasn’t like that.
This situation wasn’t bad.
No, it was actually good.
[Hidden Quest condition has been updated.]
[Competitive psychology stimulates appetite.]
The system responded.
Things became easier.
It’s natural—when a rival appears, the fire burns hotter.
I needed to turn their psychological warfare into obsession with my cooking.
I brought the knife down hard against the cutting board.
The blade sang out sharply.
“You two, save your energy for fighting.”
Both women’s gazes locked onto me.
“You’ll be too busy eating soon to say anything.”
I grinned wickedly and grabbed the wok.
Whoooosh!
A massive flame erupted.
It was time for dopamine to explode.
* * *
The kitchen glowed red from the intense heat.
Ingredients danced inside the wok.
‘If I’m going to do this, I’ll do it right.’
Without hesitation, I unleashed my skills.
[Skill 【Ingredient Enhancement】 is activated.]
[Skill 【Flavor Enhancement】 is applied.]
[Skill 【Heat Control (Lv.Max)】 is triggered.]
This wasn’t a meal.
‘It was an attack.’
Striking their tongue and stomach to force surrender.
Ordinary cooking wouldn’t cut it. I needed something that would sear itself into their minds.
I had to deliver an unforgettable impact first!
‘If it’s the first time and I just play it safe, it’s boring. The opening move has to be fierce.’
So naturally, I chose a spicy dish for the first course.
But I avoided painful heat.
‘Why would I do something so crazy as to make them lose their appetite?’
It had to be deliciously spicy.
Not painful heat, but an addictive spice that made you unable to put your chopsticks down once you started!
That kind of natural appeal was what I pursued.
I spread the special chili oil I’d prepared beforehand across the wok.
Sizzle!
The spicy, pungent aroma seized the hall in an instant.
“Cough! What is this?”
“Wow… smell that.”
The Youtubers sitting at the bar sniffed the air.
Im Ha-yun and Sonny, who had been locked in their silent confrontation, fell silent.
Their gazes fixed on the tips of my fingers.
* * *
“Huff….”
I could hear Ha-yun swallowing hard.
Her stomach was exhausted right now. Indigestion, loss of appetite.
But the moment she caught the scent of my cooking, I could see her dormant stomach stirring to life.
[The spicy aroma forcibly awakens the appetite of 【Im Ha-yun】.]
Good. First strike successful.
I didn’t stop working the wok.
I poured broth over the vegetables and seafood that had been stir-fried over high heat.
Whoooosh!!
Explosive steam from the temperature difference rose up as the rich broth came to a boil.
As if waiting for that moment, I finished the dish with a final stir.
‘The fun comes when the stomach is satisfied right after the stimulation!’
[The dish 【Hellfire Seafood Jjamppong】 has been completed.]
“Here comes the first dish.”
Two steaming bowls were placed on the counter.
The bright red broth practically screamed how spicy it was.
The delicious seafood piled on top stimulated the appetite even more.
Just looking at it made you feel like you’d break a sweat.
No one backed away here.
“I’ll dig in.”
Clink—
Ha-yun was the first to pick up her spoon with both hands.
She scooped a full spoonful of the red broth and brought it to her mouth.
Slurp—
With her eyes wide open like that, she grabbed the seafood with her chopsticks and took a bite.
Her eyes widened even further.
“…!”
For some reason, she didn’t continue speaking.
She didn’t scream,
didn’t let out an exclamation.
She simply stared blankly, her eyes wide, alternating her gaze between me and the jjamppong.
That was the beginning.
Slurp, slurp.
Faster. More.
Even as beads of sweat formed on my forehead, I didn’t stop moving my hands.
‘Perfect. The color is returning.’
As quickly as the red broth, a rosy flush began spreading across her cheeks.
It was the moment her dormant taste buds screamed back to life.
Sonny, not to be outdone, inhaled her noodles as well.
“Slurp! Mmph…!”
Sonny’s eyes curved upward in delight.
She seemed to have forgotten the camera was rolling.
Gone was her usual sharp, tongue-lashing commentary.
Instead, she began desperately sucking down the noodles.
* * *
The two queens went wild.
They made the jjamppong in the enormous bowl disappear as if inhaling it.
Hyeon-seung beside them was no different. Despite saying his digestion wasn’t great, he devoured every last bit.
“Wow…”
“Whoa. It’s spicy. So spicy. But what is this umami flavor exactly?”
“Exactly!”
Their eyes were filled with admiration.
Lee Hyeon-seung’s mouth was still working, savoring the taste.
But this was only the beginning.
“Well, now that you’ve had a taste, shall we move on to the next one?”
“Already?”
“Of course. The next dish is already prepared in the meantime. Now the real show begins.”
I served the next dish without even waiting to clear the empty bowls.
This was an offensive strategy, wasn’t it.
I couldn’t give them time to breathe.
I had to land the next blow before they could regain their senses.
[Dish: Black Pork Bomb Rice Bowl]
I served a different style of rice bowl from the one I’d presented at the cooking competition before.
This wasn’t a simple rice bowl.
It was a thick cutlet fresh from the deep fryer.
Hidden beneath the crispy golden coating was black pork tenderloin absolutely bursting with juices!
Over that, I drizzled a sweet and spicy sauce, and garnished it with a perfectly soft-boiled fried egg.
‘If the previous dish captured them roughly with its spicy heat, this one captures them gently.’
Someone might ask how a rice bowl could be gentle.
But that’s the thing about cooking—it’s all relative!
“Second batter stepping up to the plate.”
The moment I set the bowl down, Ha-yun’s chopsticks moved.
Truly, she was an empress.
One would think she’d be full after finishing such a large bowl, yet she didn’t stop.
Her hands moved urgently as she broke the yolk and mixed the meat with rice.
Scrape. Scrape.
Munch. Munch.
“Mmm…!”
Sonny beside her looked much the same.
She stomped her feet in admiration, not bothering to wipe the sauce from the corners of her mouth.
A glamorous Youtuber? In this moment, she was nothing but a ravenous beast.
I was determined to feed these beasts until they were satisfied.
“Coming right up!”

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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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