They Told Me to Build Good Karma by Selling Side Dishes - Chapter 102

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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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102. Interview (1)

Hae-tae had said it: there were no gentle Divine Beings. What must it feel like to face one directly before your very eyes?

Death?
Pressure?
Terror?
Fear?

No. It was a rebellious spirit. Strangely enough, it was an emotion that made me straighten my spine.

“That’s a lie.”
[Why do you think so?]

The enormous mass of wind asked with a leisurely tone, as if amused.

“Because not all Divine Beings are good…”

Just hearing Hae-tae’s story alone…. The enormous mass of wind fell silent.

[Ha!]

The wind released an intrigued laugh.

“Why, why is that?”
[Interesting.]
“Pardon?”
[I found it curious that you were the most talked about in the Divine Beings’ group chat.]
“Ah.”

Looking at the detailed unlock window, I’d often seen Divine Beings exchanging messages in their group chat.

[That’s understandable.]
“Is that so?”
[The other Seon-eop Shop owners aren’t providing us with entertainment.]
“There are other Seon-eop Shops?”

[You’re not the only one.]

If there were only me, there wouldn’t be a Company. I’d anticipated as much. The massive wind entity straightened from its hunched posture and settled into a chair at the table.

[Shall we discuss this in earnest?]
“What are you trying to talk about!?”

Hae-tae didn’t back down. Instead, he growled warily, his voice sharp and menacing.

‘Is something making him anxious?’

I reached out and gently stroked Hae-tae’s back.

“It’s okay, Hae-tae. I’m here.”

Hae-tae paused for a moment.

“I’ll protect you.”

Of course… I wasn’t certain I could stand against a Divine Being… I lifted my trembling chin and stared at the massive wind entity.

“So what did you come here to discuss? It doesn’t seem like it’s just about the ingredients!!”
[Are you harboring doubts?]
“No.”

The Divine Being’s mention of doubt refers to this: when delivering ingredients, there’s a condition. Under no circumstances should one harbor ‘questions’. So even if the Divine Being comes, I shouldn’t entertain them.

[We desire entertainment.]
“Entertainment… you say?”

That’s unexpected. I thought they’d ask for delicious side dishes or something like that.

‘What kind of entertainment could a Side Dish Shop possibly offer…?’

I furrowed my brow and lifted my gaze to see the [More] button. At first, I thought it meant “support”—watching over me, willing me to win. Wasn’t that it? I’d taken it as a gesture of goodwill.

But what if it wasn’t? What if they wanted entertainment? Or were they simply curious to see my choice…?

“Could it be that you wanted me to win?”

The massive gust of wind showed no intention of behaving with restraint. It simply burst into laughter as if delighted. The ripples of that laughter swept across the ground and brushed against my hair.

[Hahahaha…!]

“What are you talking about, meow?”

Hae-tae gripped the back of my hand firmly with her front paw and asked.

“It… seems like they want me to win something related to the Spring Festival.”

Dong-sil, I, and Hae-tae all turned our gazes toward the massive gust of wind.

[The one you wish to defeat.]
“Me?”

The massive gust of wind nodded vigorously.

“There are only two people I want to defeat?”
[Simple. You just need to defeat them.]

It was an answer spoken as if it were far too easy. That’s why I doubted it. Nothing in life comes easy. At least, that’s what I’ve learned from living this long. Life’s twists were as unpredictable as equations, and smoothness was always fleeting.

[You’re the protagonist we wish for.]
“Huh!?”

Even in dramas or movies, protagonists who flow through without conflict are never memorable. But I wanted to live a peaceful, comfortable life. I did!

I’m not someone who knows the future, or has regressed, or been reincarnated. How could I possibly guarantee the outcome…!

“…It’s not that simple, is it?”
[Huh?]

The massive gust of wind also showed signs of bewilderment.

“I don’t know what methods they might use to… kill me!”
[Why didn’t you act like you could win?]
“As a chef, naturally I can beat them through cooking.”

Only when I hold a knife and stand before the flames.

“But they’re human. Who knows what schemes they’ve orchestrated? And yet you’d still bet on me?”
[Are you forcing me?]
“Yes. Would you like to raise the Seon-eop points even higher?”

Rather than the Divine Being who had been forcing a choice upon me and attempting to execute it, I turned the tables and forced a choice upon them instead.

[Hmm….]

The massive wind entity fell silent. It wasn’t threatening like before. It crossed its long legs and seemed lost in thought—like that moment before a chess player, without picking up a piece, simply observes their opponent across the board.

[Very well.]
“Pardon?”
[I’ll raise it.]

…Wait? Honestly, I thought they wouldn’t bet. Divine Beings always let things flow their way. So what I said was half audacity, half bluff.

“You’re really betting?”
[You asked, and you showed your resolve.]

The pressure from above withdrew to the side instead. The massive wind entity slowly rose to its feet.

[I’ll add 1 point.]

Once more, a shimmer appeared above the massive wind entity’s head. As if prompting me to click. So I checked.

[Customer Status – More Details]
Name: sd df jj
Recommendation: Spring Vegetable Tempura Skewers and Broth
Status: The Divine Being really hopes Ji-gu wins…! (ง ื▿ ื)ว
Reward: Seon-eop ‘6’ Points

It really did go up.

[Ah.]

The massive gust of wind bowed its head. A sudden breeze swept through, and the hair that had fallen across my face was instantly blown back.

[There’s something I should tell you.]
“What is it?”
[As your Seon-eop points rise, things will become harder for you.]
“For me? Why?”
[The higher your Seon-eop points climb….]

The higher they climb?

[I was going to say that as Seon-eop rises, easier tasks no longer come your way.]

No more easy tasks?

“So everything up until now has been easy tasks?”

The massive gust of wind pointed a finger at its head.

[Think carefully about it.]
“….”
[As your points rise, Seon-eop will place you on the trial stage far more often.]

Well.

“I’m already used to it.”

The massive gust of wind stopped moving.

“Even if I’m placed on the trial stage, it’s fine.”
[Yes, that’s right. That attitude is what the Divine Beings favor.]

I leaned forward as well, paying close attention to what the massive gust of wind was saying.

[Whoa!]
“Aaah!”
[Hahaha!]

A massive gust of wind teased me mischievously.

“You really do have a terrible personality, don’t you?”
[A Divine Being must have a terrible personality.]

That’s just an excuse, isn’t it?

[Perhaps.]

The massive gust of wind gradually dissipated. The shop returned to the ordinary sounds of everyday life.

“Why is it like that?”
“That’s just how such Divine Beings are, meow.”

Hae-tae kept her gaze fixed on the spot where the wind had vanished, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“There are Divine Beings like that?”
“That’s right, meow. There are no gentle Divine Beings, meow.”
“I know. That’s why I was careful.”

I exhaled a long breath.

“Now I can finally breathe.”
“I’m hungry too, meow.”
“Me too….”

Hae-tae climbed down from my arms and moved to the table.

“…At least it didn’t ask me to come in first place.”
“It told you to win, meow?”

I nodded, looking at the spring vegetables laid on the counter. I returned the container that the massive gust of wind had scattered to its proper place and wiped the blade with a dry cloth.

“Can those others win then, meow?”

Hae-tae’s question carried weight.

“Yes.”

I set the knife down again and added my thoughts.

“They’ll win.”

This was certainty.

“I just hope the booth assignment goes well tomorrow.”

Tomorrow was the day for the random booth draw.

***

In front of the Happiness Welfare Center.

People moved back and forth beyond the glass doors of the low building’s first floor. Paper notices and banners swayed in the wind.

A large sign read “[Spring Festival Pre-Event – Random Booth Assignment].”

I stepped out of the car, pulling on my padded jacket.

“This is the right place, right?”
“That’s right, meow.”

I checked the paper once more at the entrance. Hae-tae poked his head out from my shoulder and peered inside.

“Lots of people, meow.”
“Yeah. They came earlier than I expected.”
“Everyone’s quick about these things, meow.”
“Am I the last one here?”
“Could be, meow.”
“Come on, let’s hurry inside!”

I grabbed the door handle and stepped in. Hae-tae lowered himself against my neck and grumbled.

“It’s loud, meow.”
“That’s how it is.”

The heater was running inside, making it warm and cozy. I removed my padded jacket and shifted Hae-tae into my arms. He wore an indifferent expression.

The interior was more crowded than I expected. Plastic chairs were arranged in neat rows, and each table was stacked with numbered placards and document folders.

That’s when it happened.

“Ji-gu!”
“Oh, Ga-rin.”

It was Ga-rin. She approached with a name badge around her neck and a clipboard in one hand.

“You look amazing!”

Yun Ga-rin swatted my forearm, telling me not to get people excited with such unnecessary remarks.

“Haven’t the other owners arrived yet? I ran here thinking I was the last one.”
“Not everyone’s here yet.”

Yun Ga-rin smiled slightly and handed me something.

“Here you go.”

Yun Ga-rin guided me to my seat along with an event information sheet. I sat in the assigned plastic chair. It creaked softly under my weight.

“The other owners contacted us saying they’d be a bit late. We’ll start shortly once everyone arrives.”

Yun Ga-rin checked the seating arrangement and nodded.

“Make yourself comfortable! When your name is called, please come forward, alright?”
“Yes, I will!”

With those words, Yun Ga-rin turned and walked away. I leaned back in my chair and looked around. Everyone had similar expressions on their faces.

But then….

‘That Couple’s Side Dish Shop?’

So they’re participating too.

‘They came.’

The Simple Chef’s kittens were also seated in chairs almost directly across from us.

Hmm.

Seeing their faces, I felt a slight revulsion. Hae-tae was peeking out from my arms, showing only his face.

“Still haven’t arrived, meow?”

As Hae-tae said, it was already past the scheduled time. The murmuring grew louder. Yun Ga-rin grasped the microphone and asked for patience.

“Please wait just a moment longer. We’re still waiting for one more person to arrive!”

Sighs and frowns rippled through the crowd. Some crossed their arms while others checked their watches. It was amid these exchanged sighs that it happened.

“My apologies!”

The voice came slightly breathless. The woman who hurried in with her coat half-draped over her shoulders was the Middle-aged Female Owner. As she caught her breath and took a few more steps forward, another person followed behind her.

“Young Man!”
“…Ah, I’m sorry.”

He appeared to be a young man, the Middle-aged Female Owner’s son. Despite knowing they were late, he showed no sign of embarrassment.

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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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