The Chef From the Apocalypse Enters the Food Industry - Chapter 78

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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 78. Hearing Their Stories
As PD Ga’s mind cleared, he became acutely aware of something.
‘That’s it. This is what I was trying to create with Culinary Salvation!’
This was it—the perfect healing of weary souls and bodies through a single dish.
The true essence of 【Culinary Salvation】 that I had envisioned.
That essence lay right here, in the bowls of this worn factory canteen.
‘Feeling this is why I even scouted that arrogant Ha-yun, isn’t it?’
Yet despite all the preparation, I couldn’t take a single step forward.
It was frustrating.
And fortunately.
The very food to dissolve that frustration sat right before my eyes.
‘Let’s eat. Eat. Yes, eating feels this good. Let me receive salvation first!’
He dove into the food like a madman.
PD Ga set down his spoon with ragged breathing, having drained even the broth in one go.
Color had visibly returned to his previously pallid face.
* * *
Truly, he was someone who ate with gusto.
One might wonder if he had talent as a mukbang creator rather than a PD.
“Haa… I feel alive again. This is insane.”
I waited for him to finish before asking.
“What’s wrong? For the great entertainment PD to drink himself into oblivion like that.”
At my question, PD Ga’s face hardened with bitterness once more.
Choi PD beside him let out a heavy sigh and spoke instead.
“It’s… some damned sponsor latched onto the program like a leech.”
“A sponsor? Isn’t that supposed to be good?”
“Yes, normally it is. But they want to turn a healing variety show into a bloody survival competition out of nowhere.”
“Huh… that’s a completely different concept?”
“They’re doing whatever they want with their money. Money? Fine, sure. But not like this. Ugh….”
PD Ga continued with a hollow laugh.
“Do you know who this crazy sponsor throwing money around is?”
“Who? Don’t tell me—”
“Your suspicion is probably right. Jang On-gyu. That man.”
“Jang On-gyu? He’s capable of that much?”
“Turns out he is.”
“Really?”
This was somewhat surprising.
Jang On-gyu. He’s certainly impressive.
Isn’t he one of the icons of self-made success?
Yet even such a man has his limits.
You can’t just waltz into that prestigious broadcasting station as a sponsor just because you have money, can you?
But he went in anyway.
‘So there is something there?’
Choi PD explained what that something was.
“His family background is different.”
The explanation that followed was shocking.
Jang On-gyu was known to have succeeded from the absolute bottom.
But apparently, that wasn’t the case.
It’s true he started with a single restaurant.
But underneath that, there was thorough family support backing him.
“It’s not illegal, exactly. But it’s ambiguous, you know? When people say he did it all alone… you have to wonder if that’s really true.”
“Because the starting line itself was different?”
“Exactly. It’s like hitting a home run from third base and pretending to be some amazing batter, you know? I didn’t swing the bat myself. Heh…”
Choi PD wore a bitter smile as he spoke.
“Well, honestly, I understand it intellectually. Support? They’re your own kids—who wouldn’t want to help? Of course you’d want to. But…”
Yeah. I could understand that.
Anyone would want to provide support if they could.
And it wouldn’t be easy for the one receiving it to refuse.
“But what?”
“Don’t act like you did it all yourself from start to finish. That’s disgusting. It’s like stealing poverty itself and wearing it as a costume.”
“Ah…”
The problem was acting like he’d done it all himself.
Pretending he’d risen through his own talent alone.
Choi PD’s taste seemed bitter.
“Damn. That’s why I do investigative reporting in the first place. I thought I could at least live comfortably here. But look at this bastard. I’m seeing it again right in front of me.”
“…What, man. What’s wrong with me?”
When the attack suddenly turned toward him, PD Ga tried to get angry.
“Shut up, you punk. Don’t get all proud.”
Today, Choi PD didn’t back down either.
“All mouth and no substance.”
“All pride and nothing else.”
They hurled insults at each other.
“…”
“…”
What remained was silence.
Fortunately, that silence didn’t last long.
“Anyway… it seems like with that kind of situation, he even got sponsorship through family connections. The problem is why he’s using that here.”
“It’s actually obvious.”
“How is it obvious?”
“He’s holding a winning hand in both hands.”
“A winning hand?”
“Exactly. Look at it this way. If Jang On-gyu gets sponsored like this, wouldn’t our Owner be upset?”
“He’d be upset, right?”
It would be strange if he wasn’t.
“So if he hears about it and doesn’t appear on the broadcast?”
“…That’s profitable?”
“Right. He becomes famous through the broadcast. Recovers his image again. And the Owner being upset is just a bonus.”
“What if he does appear?”
“That’s good too!”
“Why?”
“When viewers who watched the tracking broadcast see the two of them together, what will they think? It’s a broadcast—they won’t curse each other out, right?”
“Ah…!”
“They’ll think the two of them got along. Or maybe they’ll manipulate public opinion a bit, saying Jang On-gyu took him in well.”
“Wow. You really know how to use your head, don’t you?”
“Right. I used it well.”
I understand. Either way, it’s a winning hand for Jang On-gyu.
Refined to the point of being ruthless—the way he devours people is exceptionally sophisticated.
PD Ga summed him up in a single phrase.
“That’s why money madness is so terrifying.”
“Absolutely insane.”
Choi PD chimed in, venting his frustration.
‘That’s impressive.’
Not only did I place my spoon on the table he’d set, but I completely flipped it over and even revived the night market—his resentment was clearly at a boiling point.
And he’s releasing that venom in this way.
But as I listened to his explanation, a strange smile spread across my lips.
‘…This is actually fun?’
The tyranny of massive capital?
A bloody survival game?
Compared to when I was fighting for survival against monsters in the Apocalypse, this is child’s play.
Rather, isn’t this an entertaining game I can actually enjoy?
So after thinking for a while, I spoke.
“Could you explain that plan in more detail?”
“Why?”
“I want to think about whether there’s a way to flip the board over.”
“!!!!”
Both PDs’ eyes widened at my response.
‘Fight fire with fire.’
* * *
“Flip the board? Ohhh!”
At my words, PD Ga’s eyes lit up brightly.
His gaze became clear, as if even the lingering alcohol had instantly evaporated.
Those were the eyes he had when he first came to me with the project proposal.
‘He’s come alive.’
I could see the spark of ambition igniting within him.
“So… you’re saying you’ll broadcast if Jang On-gyu provides support?”
“If we think we can shake up the market.”
At my casual response, PD Ga’s lips twitched upward.
I could see the characteristic instinct and fierce excitement of a PD bubbling to the surface.
“Heh heh. Really? Well, I’m an expert at designing these things too. Making it look convincing, you know.”
“Wow. You really are a broadcasting station person, aren’t you?”
“When have I ever not been a broadcasting station person? Shall we craft a truly convincing scheme?”
Our chemistry clicked perfectly.
I suppressed my laughter internally and leaned slightly forward across the table.
“Good. But here’s the thing. If we’re going to overturn this, we should make sure they suffer massive losses…”
“Losses, you say?”
“…How about this?”
I lowered my voice and began laying out the thoughts swirling in my mind.
Swallowing whole the table that Jang On-gyu had set with his own money.
And in turn, delivering a devastating counterattack that would inflict severe damage upon them—a blueprint for a painful strike.
“…”
“…”
As I continued speaking, both PD Ga and Choi PD’s jaws dropped.
Their eyes trembled uncontrollably.
Soon, astonishment and elation erupted simultaneously like fireworks.
After finishing my explanation, I gave a light shrug.
“What do you think?”
“Wow… really… Owner… I have no regrets, do I?”
“You pestered me a bit to broadcast it?”
“…Uh… I apologize. Let me apologize in advance. Heh heh heh.”
“It’s a bit strange when you say that while laughing.”
“I think I’ve lost my mind. Heh heh. In a good way!”
PD Ga slammed the table and jumped to his feet.
The drunk man who had been stumbling around like mochi just moments ago was nowhere to be found.
In his place stood the face of a perfect entertainment department PD in full combat mode.
“I’ll prepare everything right away. Make it look absolutely convincing, then turn it into a disaster.”
“Good.”
At my firm affirmation, PD Ga left the store with a gleeful smile.
His footsteps seemed as light as feathers.
“Hey! Hey! What about me, being left behind like this!”
Choi PD, who stood up next, clicked his tongue.
He grabbed his coat and approached me to speak.
His expression was one of exasperation, yet genuinely delighted.
“Owner, this is entertainment, right?”
“Of course.”
“Well, if PD Ga does it, it’s entertainment. But later on.”
“Pardon?”
“Just make sure you don’t commit any crimes later. Please don’t let any cases come to our investigative news program. Whew, you’re just too ruthless… I’m already dreading having to deal with you. Haha.”
“Don’t worry. Go in carefully.”
I chuckled and saw Choi PD off.
Watching the two figures recede into the distance, a deep smile spread across my face.
‘Jang On-gyu. Let’s have some fun. With the money you’ve given me.’

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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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