TRUFT 09

Chapter 09

Over the past three days, many things happened, and a lot changed.

First, Hyunjoon realized that secretly helping people with food is fun.
Kim Howon was a clear example of that.

Second, both Hyunjoon and Yuna received their Awakener licenses.

Third, the location changed.
They decided to sell food in Gapyeong instead of Chuncheon and also take some time to relax at a pension.

And lastly, they created a SNS account.

Because many people asked during the last Chuncheon event where they would be next, his sister-in-law suggested making an SNS account to post their plans.

“Uncle! Be careful, okay?”

“Yeah, I got it.”

Now that he had his hunter license, Hyunjoon planned to hunt in the morning when hunters don’t come, and sell food in the afternoon.

“See you.”

He nodded to his brother, sister-in-law, and Yuna, then headed to the gate.

“Just as I thought, no one is here.”

In the morning, monsters are more violent.

That’s why most hunters avoid going into gates in the morning and go in later when the monsters are calmer.

[Golden Pig]

A C-rank monster.

Most pigs are pink or black, but the Golden Pig has golden skin.

It is a high-quality ingredient that fits perfectly with the word “savory.”

Its meat is soft and rich, with a taste that makes you want to keep eating it.

“Gulp…”

Just thinking about it made his mouth water.

Honestly, compared to the well-known red wolves, this tasted even better to a Korean palate.

“Kuwaeek—!!”

Hyunjoon leaned his upper body back and dodged the pig’s attack.

For a pig, it was quite fast.

Boom—!

The pig slammed its front leg into the gate wall, causing cracks.

“That’s the scary part.”

Its speed was slower than other C-rank monsters, but its destructive power was massive.

That’s why many hunters avoided hunting Golden Pigs.

One hit could be fatal.

“How should I deal with this?”

If he used his traits right away, he could clear the gate instantly.

‘Yuna is hungry today… maybe I should just end this quickly.’

He briefly considered fighting without using his abilities to stay sharp, but there was no need to take it seriously here.

He clenched his fist.

Vooooom—

The gate suddenly trembled silently.

In a completely silent space, living beings feel fear.

Then the gate shook violently, and—

Whoosh—!

All 50 Golden Pigs collapsed at once.

.

.

.

Today’s menu was tonkatsu.

Since he caught many Golden Pigs, he could change the menu daily—tonkatsu today, rice bowls tomorrow.

It was around noon now, and he planned to start selling at 2 PM.

‘What kind of tonkatsu should I make?’

There are two main types:

Modern Japanese style and Western (Korean-style) tonkatsu.

Modern Japanese tonkatsu has thick, crispy batter.

Western-style tonkatsu (often called Korean-style) has a thinner coating with sauce poured on top.

‘Hmm… what should I choose?’

He personally preferred the Western-style one.

It reminded him of his school days and memories of eating tonkatsu while his brother ate soup.

But nowadays, Japanese-style tonkatsu is more popular because it looks better and is good for SNS.

“…Let’s go with the nostalgic one. Western-style tonkatsu.”

After thinking it over, he chose the style his family preferred.

This business was about making his family happy.

He placed the well-prepared pork on the cutting board.

Since Western-style tonkatsu is thin, you usually pound the meat.

Since he didn’t have a meat hammer, he lightly hit it with his fist a few times to soften it.

Then he seasoned it with pepper.

Next came the steps:

Flour → Egg → Breadcrumbs.

‘Now everything is ready.’

He just had to fry it.

He heated oil in a pan to 160°C.

Using his fire ability, he heated the oil quickly.

After frying until golden brown—

“Looks delicious.”

The tonkatsu was complete.

And of course, the sauce.

It was simple: mix vegetables with Worcestershire sauce and pour it over the cutlet.

“Wow… tonkatsu! It looks so tasty!”

Yuna reacted excitedly as soon as he brought it out.

“I haven’t had this in a long time.”

“I used to eat this a lot!”

“Please try it. It’s really good.”

Hyunjoon served the plates.

His brother picked up a fork, swallowing nervously.

“It looks amazing.”

It would taste amazing—because it was made with care.

“And I added a magic effect that restores fatigue.”

Crunch—

“Wow… this is incredible! Even with the sauce, it’s still crispy! The meat is amazing!”

“Yeah… this doesn’t feel like normal Western tonkatsu. It’s so soft. This is crazy.”

“Delicious…”

Yuna trembled with excitement and started eating quickly.

Watching her enjoy it made him happy.

‘This is good.’

At first, it was crispy like Japanese style.

But as he ate, the sauce soaked into the coating, making it softer.

That was the charm.

‘It gets sweeter as you eat.’

And it brought back memories—childhood, eating with friends, and eating tonkatsu while his brother had soup.

“I want to make this too, Uncle! Flour, egg, breadcrumbs, and meat, right?”

“Yes, that’s right. We’ll make it later.”

“Yay!!”

This moment would become a memory for Yuna.

And for Hyunjoon too.

(Later at the Food Truck)

The truck opened.

Hunters who had just finished raids started gathering.

“Hey, want tonkatsu?”

“It feels greasy…”

“Look! It’s Golden Pig!”

“Oh, let’s go!”

Two men quickly approached and checked the menu.

[Classic Western Tonkatsu (Golden Pig) – 150,000 won]
[Soft Drink – 2,000 won]

Monster-based food is usually very expensive.

But Hyunjoon priced it at 150,000 won for 200g.

Since he hunted the ingredients himself, there was no cost.

“Wow, that’s cheap. Four tonkatsu, please!”

Hunters loved it because it was cheap and filling.

It was a win-win situation.

“Four tonkatsu, sir!”

“Yes!”

Yuna carefully prepared the meat.

She coated it in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs with her small hands.

Then Hyunjoon fried it.

“Fun… hehe.”

“Hyung, here are the four tonkatsu!”

“Got it!”

They served the food.

“Enjoy your meal.”

“Thank you!”

“Let’s eat!”

Crunch—

“Wow… this is insane.”

“No greasy feeling at all.”

The man who disliked greasy food was amazed.

“The meat is amazing… how do I even describe this?”

“Just say it’s really delicious.”

“Yeah… I want to keep eating it.”

Then they suddenly stopped.

“Huh?”

They looked at each other.

“Did your mana recover?”

“…Yeah. My wounds are gone.”

They looked around and saw other hunters reacting the same way.

“Let’s ask.”

“Excuse me… are you an Awakener?”

“….”

“Yes, I am.”

Hyunjoon answered.

“I unlocked a cooking trait. It can provide small buffs through food.”

“Ah…! That makes sense. Thank you! My mana recovered and my wounds healed.”

“Same here! Thank you!”

“Don’t mention it.”

Their thanks spread to the hunters waiting in line.

“…So the food here restores mana.”

“Food that works like a potion?”

“Please cook 10 tonkatsu.”

And so—

The battle for tonkatsu began.