They Told Me to Build Good Karma by Selling Side Dishes - Chapter 54

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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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54. Seasoned Sprouts (3)

“What did you do to our Gom-dol?”

Gom-dol turned his button eyes toward me and answered with utter calm.

– I did nothing.

As if understanding that response, Hae-tae poked my cheek with his front paw.

“The Frogs are scared because of that. So stop it.”
– I did nothing.
“That’s exactly the problem—your very existence terrifies them!”

The Frogs huddled together adorably, croaking in distress.

– Croak…! Croak…!

Watching the Frogs writhe as if pleading for help, I spoke to Gom-dol.

“Why were you trying to approach them?”
– …I was curious about the sprouts.

I turned back to the Frogs and said,

“See? Gom-dol may look frightening, but he’s not a bad child.”
– Croak-ooooak?
“If Gom-dol does anything wrong, Hae-tae will be here to help you.”
– Croak, croak!

I should simply remain quiet here.

– Such small creatures have no flavor anyway.

With this blunt remark, the Frogs let out a chorus of panicked shrieks.

– Croak!!!
– Cr-croak croak!!!!

Hae-tae cried out in alarm.

“Don’t say such things, nyah. The Frogs have work to do, nyah!”

Gom-dol tilted his head at an odd angle and spoke slowly.

– I merely stated the facts.

‘…Both Hae-tae and Gom-dol telling them not to mention work….’

The Frogs huddled against my heels as if grasping at straws.

– Croooak….
“It’s okay. Everyone talks like that.”
– Croak?

I nodded vigorously.

“Right?”

Gom-dol observed the Frogs’ commotion and my response before opening his mouth with perfect composure.

– Don’t worry. I wish to see the host.
“Want to see the host?”

Gom-dol turned his button eyes toward me and nodded.

– I want to see what went into the jar.

But there was a problem. Due to Gom-dol’s small frame, he couldn’t see into the jar and could only bounce up and down.

“Should I lift you up, Geul-seon-dae?”

I extended my palm. Gom-dol stared at my hand for a moment before accepting reality and stiffened.

– …Pardon the intrusion.

Gom-dol gently climbed onto my palm. The soft sensation of its paws was familiar.

“Be careful with that one.”
“Got it.”

I slowly transferred Gom-dol into the sprout container. The vessel was packed densely with bean sprouts.

Despite the space being devoid of light, each stem bore a thin, delicate luminescence—as if they held breath within them.

“What do you think?”

For a long moment, Gom-dol’s gaze remained fixed on the sprout stems.

– They’re alive.
“The sprouts are?”
– Yes.

I plucked a few sprouts and presented them before Gom-dol. Water droplets clung to the stems, trickling downward.

– So this is a sprout…
“Yes. Sprouts. I’ll make stir-fried sprouts for you.”

With Gom-dol in my palm, harvesting more sprouts would be difficult, so I set it down on the floor. Gom-dol settled quietly in place, unable to tear its gaze from the sprout I’d given it.

‘…This situation is a bit strange, I admit.’

It’s adorable.

‘This is why you shouldn’t judge things by appearance alone.’

I picked up a colander and plunged my hand into the sprout container. The stems writhed with an uncanny, almost fish-like undulation—as if I’d touched something living.

“Wow.”

Live fish—literally live!

I seized a bundle of sprouts in one swift motion, as if landing a prize catch, and pulled upward. Drops of water fell in succession. The curves formed by the bending sprouts possessed an oddly beautiful grace.

[Sprouts Infused with Forest Moisture (S)]
[Sprouts with Distinctive Fragrance (A)]
[Sprouts of Standard Quality (B)]

Thanks to the Frogs diligently bringing fresh water, not a single C-grade sprout was visible. I placed the sprouts into a colander as I spoke.

“The sprouts grew beautifully, didn’t they? My little croakers are the best of the best!”

At my praise, the Frogs chirped in unison with delightful sounds.

– Croak~~!
– Croak croak~

Hae-tae translated the Frogs’ words.

“They say they’re happy to be praised, meow.”
“That’s adorable.”

I chuckled softly and gathered more sprouts to pick.

‘This much should be enough.’

The large colander was brimming with sprouts. As I lifted it, water droplets cascaded down in streams.

“Alright! Shall we head to the kitchen now?”

Hae-tae bounded over with perfect timing and hopped into my apron pocket.

“Ready to depart, meow.”
“You like the apron?”
“It’s convenient, meow.”

Gom-dol was still gazing at the sprouts.

– Croak!
– Croak croak!

The Frogs croaked again as if to see us off. I lifted the colander and called out loudly.

“Let’s go! Thank you, Frogs!”

The Frogs all croaked together in rhythm, tapping their front legs.

– Ribbit! Croak! Ribbit!

Gom-dol, perched on my shoulder, spoke.

– Loud as they are, it’s fine.
“Right?”

My steps toward the Kitchen felt remarkably light.

***

I crossed the threshold of the Dimensional Space, treading upon autumn leaves. A dark night air, as if all color had been drained away, greeted me.

‘Just moments ago, I was bathed in such rich autumn light that my skin felt scorched.’

I placed the colander on the Kitchen sink and pulled the apron strings tight.

‘Let me start by taking out the ingredients.’

Gom-dol, who had been on my shoulder, returned to his original form and separated from me, settling at the table while still holding the bean sprouts.

“Here we go.”

I retrieved the cooking ingredients from the Refrigerator.

‘Shishito peppers, onions… and marbled beef.’

“Wow… look at that marbled beef.”
“It looks delicious even just grilled.”
“Exactly!”

I unwrapped the marbled beef with particular care. Gazing at the fine marbling throughout the meat, my mouth watered.

First, I placed the shishito peppers and onions in the sink and rinsed them under running water. Once cleaned, I laid them on the cutting board and turned on the gas range, setting a pan over the flame.

“Hae-tae is grilling marbled beef?”
“I want to see, meow!”

Hae-tae slipped out from the apron pocket and gazed at the marbled beef like a front-row VIP spectator.

Once the pan was sufficiently hot, I placed the marbled beef on it immediately.

Sizzzzle—

The heat met the fat layer of the beef, releasing an appetizing aroma of meat. In an instant, the marbled beef curled and cooked through.

– I remember this smell.
“You remember it?”
– I used to emit this smell often.

I laughed lightly, waving the tongs.

“Wait a bit longer. I’m about to add the bean sprouts too.”

I grabbed a handful of washed bean sprouts from the colander and lifted them up. The moment I placed them on the pan and released them, the white sprouts touched the beef fat and immediately became translucent, glistening.

“The oil is splattering, meow!”

Simultaneously, oil flowing from the marbled beef trickled through the gaps between the sprout stems, mingling with them. I added the remaining shishito peppers and onions, then shook the pan up and down.

‘The aroma transforms!’

The spicy fragrance of the shishito peppers and the rich scent of beef fat made my stomach ravenous. I reached out and pinched a bit of MSG.

‘At home, I’d definitely add MSG.’

Next, I drizzled oyster sauce in a circle, added a splash of cooking wine, half a spoon of minced garlic, and a light pour of brewed soy sauce.

Sizzzzle—!

The wok flavor, umami, sweetness, and saltiness all blended together at once, infusing the kitchen with vitality.

“Done!”

The pan over the flame came to a rolling boil one final time. I gave it a light shake and transferred the seared beef sprout stir-fry onto a serving dish.

“Done.”

I set the dish on the table.

“Sniff sniff!”

Hae-tae caught the aroma first.

“This smells incredible!”
“Looks delicious, doesn’t it?”
“Of course! I can’t wait to eat it!”

Hae-tae’s voice was brimming with excitement. His front paws were practically trembling with anticipation.

“Gom-dol, what do you think?”
– I am not Gom-dol. I am Geul-seon-dae.
“Right, Gom-dol. How’s the seared beef sprout stir-fry?”

Gom-dol lowered his head to examine the dish.

– The taste may differ.

His button eyes followed the rising steam.

“Of course. My cooking looks even more delicious, right?”
– ….
“Sorry. No need to get so serious about it.”

Even on that expressionless doll’s face, I could see irritation.

– It does smell slightly different from what that child used to eat.

Gom-dol moved closer.

– That’s why I want to taste it.
“I want to eat it too!”

I picked up my chopsticks and grabbed a single piece of the freshly stir-fried beef sprouts.

“Who wants to try it first?”

Before I could even finish speaking, Hae-tae leaped onto the table and opened his mouth wide.

– Go ahead and eat.

Gom-dol stepped back graciously, yielding to him.

“This greedy cat.”
“Meow!”

I brought the chopsticks to the cat’s mouth. Hae-tae didn’t hesitate for even a moment, swallowing it whole. Then he froze.

“Mmm! The oil dances across my tongue and the sprouts crunch so deliciously, meow.”
“That’s all you have to say?”
“That’s how delicious it is, meow!”

Gom-dol watched quietly.

– You’re exaggerating.
“Try it yourself before you judge, meow!!”

I held out another piece with my chopsticks, encouraging him to taste it.

– Then I’ll have a taste as well.

Gom-dol spoke while grasping at one of the seams on his body. It unraveled with a soft sound, and a mouth-shaped opening quietly appeared.

– I’ll eat now.

Gom-dol’s fabric mouth closed quietly around the food, as if it were real. There was no sound of chewing—the piece simply vanished into the cloth.

“…So, how is it?”

The fabric trembled faintly.

– It’s warm.

Like carefully stitching a seam back together, the mouth-shaped gap faded silently away. Gom-dol continued with button eyes cast downward.

– It’s different from the last time that child ate. But you know…

Gom-dol lifted his head very slowly.

– This feels good.

I flinched.

“Geul-seon-dae, are you getting emotional right now?”

But Gom-dol didn’t answer. Instead, he gazed quietly at the bowl.

‘…It seems he was quite fond of that child.’

“How did you eat human food?”

Gom-dol tilted his head slightly. He seemed to be thinking about something.

– I didn’t eat it.
“You didn’t?”

Gom-dol raised his hand while sitting at the table and tapped his nose.

– I knew from the scent that child carried when holding me.

‘A dog’s nose, huh?’

Gom-dol remained still for a moment, then slowly lifted his head.

– I found it.

I paused.

– It’s become lighter.

Shadows began seeping from Gom-dol’s nape. At first they appeared as stains, but soon they covered his entire body.

Thud.

Gom-dol’s form shattered without a sound—no seams tearing, no fabric ripping. In its place, a long, slender shadow lifted its head. Geul-seon-dae had returned to its true shape.

“Where are you going?”

Hae-tae asked as if wondering what was happening.

– That child’s breathing has grown lighter.

Geul-seon-dae wavered, drinking in the light.

– I’ll take this with me.

I didn’t stop Geul-seon-dae as it picked up the side dish container holding the sautéed beef brisket and bean sprouts.

“Take it.”
– Thank you.
“Go carefully.”

As if in understanding, Geul-seon-dae bowed its body long toward the floor. It dissolved into the light and vanished.

– The scent of death draws near.
“Farewell.”

I cradled Hae-tae in my arms and waved my hand.

– I will repay this kindness someday.

Geul-seon-dae’s form melted into the light of the Side Dish Shop’s floor and lifted its head.

“Yes, don’t forget—I’m writing this down in my diary.”

The shadow, which had paused for a moment, trembled lightly.

– Thank you.

It had already stretched into the shadows beyond the shop. Gathering the shadows falling one by one beneath the streetlamps into a single point, it dashed away.

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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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