They Told Me to Build Good Karma by Selling Side Dishes - Chapter 15

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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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15. Tasting Corner (1)

The wake of Geol-gwi’s rampage was absolute chaos.

“Now… all that’s left is cleaning up….”
“Think you can handle it?”
“You have no idea how much fun cleaning can be.”
“That’s only you, though.”

I grabbed a bowl and stepped into the kitchen, only to feel my vision spin.

“Whoa!”

Potatoes harvested from the Dimensional Space were scattered haphazardly everywhere.

“How am I supposed to handle all this…?”

Roughly five kilograms per box, seven boxes total, so a rough calculation would be…?

‘Nearly enough for 170 servings….’

How was I supposed to deal with all of this? Give away potatoes?

Nobody these days appreciated receiving raw ingredients. Besides, giving away ingredients was a surefire way to invite criticism.

So what then?

“Even if I made all of this into stir-fried potatoes to sell….”
“I might not be able to sell it all.”
“…You’re right.”

Hae-tae was correct—even selling them as stir-fried potatoes posed a problem. No matter how long Dimensional Space potatoes stayed fresh, few customers would come in specifically to buy stir-fried potatoes.

“Raw ingredients from the Dimensional Space can’t be sold to humans. If that were allowed, wouldn’t everyone and their dog be peddling Dimensional Space ingredients at the market?”
“I suppose that’s true….”

I nodded in agreement.

“Then there’s only one option left.”

If I couldn’t sell them as ingredients?

“I’ll have to make stir-fried potatoes and give them away.”
“You’re going to give them away?”

I stroked Hae-tae’s chin with resolute determination, but Hae-tae regarded me with skepticism, as if unable to believe me.

“Can you really make that much in just one day?”
“Don’t you trust me?”
“That’s exactly it.”

I nodded to affirm my confidence.

“I once made enough for a hundred people.”

Having honed my skills at the Restaurant handling portions for a hundred guests, seven boxes of potatoes were nothing to me.

“I should open a tasting corner at Hyang-suk’s Side Dish Shop.”

I washed my hands and dishes at the sink while planning my strategy for the days ahead.

“A tasting corner?”
“Yes. Earlier, the status window showed that Grandmother’s old regulars have started whispering about Ji-gu’s touch, remember?”
“Did they?”
“So I suspect there are customers who don’t trust my cooking skills running Hyang-suk’s Side Dish Shop.”

It was understandable. In any restaurant, when the head chef changes, the taste of the food changes too. From a customer’s perspective, it was only natural to harbor some doubt.

“There are people like that?”

Hae-tae frowned as if the notion was absurd.

“Are you taking my side?”
“I suppose I could be.”

You’re taking my side?

“I think it’s only natural. I haven’t shown you my skills yet.”

Hae-tae cautiously approached and sat down beside me.

“…Well, humans don’t believe what others say until they experience it themselves.”
“Exactly. That’s why I need to make them believe.”

I sprinkled water over the potatoes in the colander.

“Besides, stir-fried potatoes isn’t an expensive dish anyway, right? So if I let the customers at the sampling station taste it, I think it’ll work out well.”

Why would every supermarket have a sampling station? Once people taste something, their guard drops, and their wallets inevitably open.

“I thought you only cooked, but you’ve got brains too.”
“Are you saying I’m stupid?”

Hae-tae approached me and opened his mouth.

“In that case, I’ll help.”
“…What?”

Hae-tae answered flatly, seeing my bewildered expression.

“Peel a potato skin.”

I quickly peeled one potato and presented it to Hae-tae.

“Why so fast?”
“I’m South Korean.”

When Hae-tae lightly tapped the potato with his front paw, it sliced cleanly like french fries, piece by piece.

“You have this kind of skill?”

My eyes widened in astonishment. But Hae-tae replied in a deflated tone.

“I’m only doing this because we’re giving it away free to customers. Otherwise, I absolutely wouldn’t do it.”
“…Does it take a lot out of you?”
“Using this power means I have to go back into the Dimensional Space to recharge. It’s quite exhausting.”

I nodded in understanding and rolled up my sleeves.

“Thanks for helping.”

Hae-tae, who had been yawning, glanced at me sideways.

“It’s nothing.”

Then, looking embarrassed, Hae-tae covered his face with his front paw.

“Why are you embarrassed?”
“…It’s nothing.”

I chuckled softly but didn’t press further. If I kept digging, he’d genuinely sulk and refuse to help. So I quietly gripped a mandoline in my right hand and a potato in my left, eyes wide with determination.

“Alright. Let’s begin.”

With that resolve, I swiftly peeled away the potato skin.

“You’re fast!”

Hae-tae’s eyes widened in wonder, and I grinned, focusing intently on peeling. One by one, the potatoes tumbled into the colander.

Watching me work, Hae-tae paused thoughtfully, then hopped onto the sink and meticulously washed his front paws. Once he climbed back down, he waited for me.

“You washed your paws?”
“You said hygiene was important.”
“I did, didn’t I?”

Hae-tae tapped a potato lightly with his front paw. The potato split as smoothly as wind parting silk, and in the blink of an eye, it scattered into perfectly uniform julienned strips that cascaded into the colander with a soft rustling sound. The thin, even matchsticks layered and arranged themselves in neat rows.

“….”

I was momentarily speechless.

“…This is more consistent than cutting it with a machine?”

Hae-tae shook out his front paws and spoke with indifference.

“Me-ow.”

I gave him a thumbs up.

“That’s my cat for you.”
“My-ow?!”
“What? You’re my cat.”

Hae-tae narrowed his eyes and sighed.

“Fine-ow. Just make me some stir-fried potatoes later-ow.”

I chuckled and nodded. But just as Hae-tae was continuing to tap the potatoes rhythmically, he suddenly lifted his head.

“I smell bread-ow.”
“Bread smell?”

At that very moment.

Knock knock!-

At the sound of someone tapping on the shop door, I peeked my head up to look outside. Kim Myeong-ja stood beyond the glass, waving a paper bag.

“Grandmother Kim Myeong-ja?”

I hurried over and opened the door.

“Grandmother, what brings you here?”
“An oven arrived at the bakery, so I baked some bread to try it out. I brought some for you to taste.”

Kim Myeong-ja hung the paper bag containing the bread on my wrist.

“Why are you holding potatoes?”

I’d rushed out so quickly that I was still holding the potatoes. I laughed sheepishly and answered.

“I received an excess order of potatoes by mistake, so I’m thinking of opening a tasting corner.”
“A tasting corner?”
“Yes, like at a large supermarket. So if you know anyone who might want to come try the stir-fried potatoes, feel free to invite them.”

Grandmother Hyang-suk, grasping my meaning, laughed heartily and gave my forearm a light tap.

“I understand exactly what you’re saying.”
“Ah, you’re so perceptive.”
“A lawyer I know is coming tomorrow. I should tell him to stop by.”
“A lawyer?”
“He frequents the side dish shop regularly. I’ll make him a loyal customer for you.”

This way, I’m the only one who benefits.

“I really want to do something for you, Grandmother…!”

Blink, blink.

As I blinked earnestly, Kim Myeong-ja scratched the back of her neck.

“You want to do something for me?”
“Anything at all!”

Grandmother, whom I thought would refuse, smiled slyly.

“Could you do me one favor sometime?”
“A favor? What kind of favor?”

Grandmother gently brushed away a strand of hair clinging to my forehead with her fingertips. From her weathered hands still wafted the savory, comforting scent of a bakery—the aroma of flour and warmth.

“Later.”
“Yes! I’ll do whatever you ask.”
“But what if it’s a difficult favor?”
“Even if it’s difficult, I want to help you.”
“Then I’ll have to ask for something very difficult.”

Kim Myeong-ja asked gently, a soft smile on her face.

“But do you think you can manage on your own? Should I help?”
“No! I can do it!”
“Well, that’s a relief. I’ll be going then?”
“Yes! Please go!”

I waved goodbye as I watched Grandmother Hyang-suk’s retreating figure. Then I stepped back into the shop and held out my palm to Hae-tae.

“For tomorrow’s success.”
“Meow.”

Hae-tae glanced at me, then quietly raised her pink front paw and delivered a gentle paw bump to my palm.

***

Oh Jong-hee was a lawyer renowned for his rigid principles and exacting palate.

He had known Kim Myeong-ja for a long time, and having some business to attend to, he arrived at Myeong-ja Bakery, which was currently in the midst of renovation work.

“Grandmother Myeong-ja, what are you eating right now?”

In this brief visit, he witnessed a peculiar sight.

“What else? Stir-fried potatoes.”

Kim Myeong-ja picked up stir-fried potatoes from a paper cup with chopsticks and took a bite. The savory aroma of potatoes fried golden in oil assaulted his senses.

“The smell….”

Oh Jong-hee unconsciously swallowed hard. He should have refused, but the fragrant aroma emanating from the fluffy stir-fried potatoes stimulated his entire body.

As the sweet notes seeping from the oil-heated potatoes mingled with the aroma of onions, his stomach protested even more loudly.

“Why don’t you try some?”

Kim Myeong-ja asked with an amused smile.

“I….”

His lips trembled, but he couldn’t form a response.

“Where did you get this from?”
“Hyang-suk’s Side Dish Shop.”
“Hyang-suk’s…?”

The moment that name left her lips, Oh Jong-hee’s eyes wavered.

“That’s right—the shop you complained had a weird sign.”

Kim Myeong-ja replied with casual ease, lifting the paper cup.

“You remember?”

Oh Jong-hee adjusted his glasses without a word, trying to ignore the aroma of stir-fried potatoes. But as the savory fragrance crept into his nostrils, his hungry stomach let out an audible growl.

“Well, well—so the esteemed lawyer Oh Jong-hee is human after all. I thought you were an AI these days?”
“That’s enough….”
“If you want to eat, just eat.”
“When have I ever craved such things?”
“You said the side dishes at your usual shop don’t taste the same anymore. There’s nothing wrong with finding a new favorite place.”
“…I suppose that’s true.”

Watching Oh Jong-hee’s almost-wavering resolve, Kim Myeong-ja struck at the heart of it.

“The stir-fried potatoes are free—just try them.”
“What? A tasting?”
“Yeah, that’s why I brought it in a paper cup.”
“Well, then….”

Oh Jong-hee’s feet were already carrying him toward Hyang-suk’s Side Dish Shop. Once outside the office, he paused, looking across the street.

“Hyang-suk’s… Side Dish Shop….”

Even from a distance, the sign was clearly visible. The aroma of stir-fried potatoes drifted faintly on the morning air.

“Should I go or not?”

After hesitating for a moment, Oh Jong-hee made his choice.

“It’s just a tasting, after all.”

With resolve, he made his way forward, and before long, he arrived at Hyang-suk’s Side Dish Shop.

“Stir-Fried Potatoes tasting corner! Come try a sample!”

A bright, cheerful voice caught his ear. Turning his head, he saw freshly stir-fried potatoes arranged on a small table in front of the shop. The warm aroma tickled the tip of Oh Jong-hee’s nose.

“Would you like to try some?”

Ji-gu held out a paper cup with a radiant smile. Oh Jong-hee was about to wave his hand in refusal, but his stomach betrayed him with an audible growl.

“Since it’s freshly made, it’s bound to be delicious! Please, have a taste!”
“Well then… just a small taste.”

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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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