Chapter 6

Chapter 6
006. Drake Bulgogi
Ria peeled away the drake’s hide, which was as hard and tough as cast iron.
I struck the removed hide with the back of my knife.
CLANG! CLANG!
It sounded as though I were striking metal.
When I hit it at an angle, sparks even flew.
There was a fish called the alligator gar.
I once bought one at a local market in Canada and prepared it myself. Its scales were so hard that tapping them with the back of a knife produced a faint metallic sound.
If struck at an angle, tiny sparks would flicker.
That was why I avoided the hardened dorsal scales and instead took flesh from the comparatively softer belly.
‘Despite the toughness, the meat had been delicious.’
I had heard that its scales were once used as armor material.
However, compared to the drake’s hide, the alligator gar’s scales were nothing more than child’s play.
“This feels harder than steel.”
At my remark, Ria replied,
“That is true. Armor made from drake hide is lighter than heavy iron equipment and offers superior defense.”
“Then it must be extremely valuable?”
“Indeed. It is very rare and is often used for the armor of high-ranking nobles or royalty.”
A great pile of such rare hide now lay before us.
There was one regret.
For hide to fetch its full price, it must be without blemish.
Yet this drake’s hide was covered in sword marks.
‘So she was not exaggerating when she said it had not been an easy fight.’
The creature must have been extraordinarily tough for her to leave such marks across its entire body.
Soon, Ria finished removing the hide and began the true butchering process.
She started by separating bone from flesh.
‘I do not even need to give advice.’
Her blade work was nothing short of art.
With a few swift motions too fast to follow, bone and meat parted cleanly.
I had studied the trimming and deboning of pork and beef extensively. Though I had never obtained formal certification, my skill was nearly professional.
Even to my experienced eyes, Ria’s technique approached artistry.
Still, I could not simply stand idle.
“Place the separated cuts on this table. I will trim them by section and store them in Arkresia.”
“Understood!”
We worked together for hours until the entire butchering was complete.
After storing the prepared meat, I asked,
“In your homeland, how did you use drake bones?”
“The ribs were sometimes fashioned into weapons. However, they were less durable than steel. The horns are suitable for bow-making.”
“Is that so? Then aside from the horns, I shall boil the rest into bone broth.”
“Bone broth? What is that?”
“It is a stock made by simmering bones for a long time. It becomes rich and savory. Usually, if the meat is good, the broth is as well.”
“Oh, I would like to taste it.”
“I will prepare it. The bones are particularly hard, so they will require at least two days of simmering.”
“…I see.”
Once again, her expression grew faintly lonely.
It was time to extract the magic stone from the heart we had set aside.
‘It must be the highest-grade magic stone.’
Such stones ranged from at least one hundred million won to whatever price one could demand.
Even among highest-grade stones, attributes varied.
Non-attribute stones were the least expensive.
Fire attribute stones were the most prized.
Hung like a chandelier in winter, a fire-attribute stone could warm an entire mansion.
An ice-attribute stone could serve as an air conditioner.
The wealthy clamored for them.
‘They are that rare.’
Even a party with an S-rank Hunter could only barely face a highest-grade Monster, and at mortal risk.
Encountering one was rare in itself.
Ria cut open the heart and extracted the stone.
It was a non-attribute highest-grade magic stone.
A slight disappointment—but still immensely valuable.
It was not mine to claim; Ria had defeated the drake.
“So this is a highest-grade magic stone. It is radiant.”
Ria nodded.
“With this, I can feel somewhat at ease.”
“At ease about what?”
“I will tell you when we return.”
Having seen that same expression before, I could guess the reason.
But I did not press her.
After storing even the bones in Arkresia, we made our way back to camp.
***
By the time we arrived, the sunset had begun.
It was time to cook the drake.
“It is not overwhelming, but there is a slight gamey odor.”
Each cut carried it.
If grilled as-is, the smell would ruin the dish.
As I considered what to prepare, I settled on one of the most effective ways to neutralize such odors.
‘Charcoal-grilled Eonyang-style bulgogi.’
It was my favorite Korean meat preparation.
Until now, I had mostly prepared Western dishes for Ria.
This time, I wanted her to taste Korean cuisine.
First, I sliced the drake loin thinly to bulgogi thickness and placed it in a bowl.
I added soy sauce, cooking wine, minced garlic, pepper, and a bit of ginger syrup.
Then came the key—premium naturally aged pine honey.
‘Eight hundred thousand won per hundred grams.’
Among honey types, pine honey was the most expensive.
Market versions were often artificial.
But this was genuine, aged, and of the highest quality.
I added three generous tablespoons.
Its subtle pine fragrance was excellent at masking unwanted odors while elevating flavor.
“The honey smells wonderful.”
“Would you like to taste it?”
Even as I offered, cold sweat ran down my back.
Refuse it…
But she did not.
“Yes, I would.”
Suppressing my tears, I placed two spoonfuls in a small dish and handed it to her.
She tasted it.
Her face brightened.
“It is refreshing. Slightly bitter, yet cool and refined.”
“That is its charm.”
It was nutritious and expensive for a reason.
Her palate was refined as well.
“I am looking forward to seeing what dish you create.”
“You may.”
I had never met a foreigner who disliked Korean bulgogi.
Especially charcoal-grilled Eonyang-style—it was exceptional.
Even American and Italian chefs had fallen for it.
I resumed chopping.
Minced onions, thinly sliced scallions into the bowl.
Another key—one-third of a Cheongyang chili pepper.
‘Too much heat would overwhelm the flavor, but a gentle spice enhances appetite.’
While chopping, the chili’s aroma rose sharply.
“Ah! It burns my nose!”
“No matter how strong one is, spicy fumes are difficult.”
“Of course. The stronger the scent, the more sensitive the senses become.”
That seemed true.
Since Awakening, my senses had sharpened.
“I suppose capsaicin spray would work after all.”
“What?”
“Nothing.”
How could I confess that I had imagined spraying her and running away?
I kneaded the marinade into the meat with gloved hands.
Then I covered it and placed it in an icebox to marinate.
“Let it absorb the flavors.”
Rice was essential.
I prepared a simple nutritious stone-pot rice with chestnuts, dried jujubes, and pumpkin.
For balance, I made a seasoned dropwort side dish.
“Watching you cook is like watching magic.”
“For a fine-dining chef, cleanliness and precision are life.”
Professional kitchens resembled the military.
Especially fine dining.
The chef’s word was law.
Ingredients had to be cut with precision.
Though such precision did not always affect taste, presentation mattered.
At home, I cooked more casually.
‘For beginners, miso soup will be easier than traditional soybean paste soup.’
I prepared the ingredients and sat beside Ria while the meat marinated.
“So, what is it?”
“Hm?”
Her gaze wavered.
“Are you leaving to avenge your father?”
She looked startled.
Then she shook her head.
“No. I may desire revenge. If my father’s enemies appeared before me, I might act impulsively. But my father did not wish for that. In his final message, he told me to live for my own happiness.”
“I see…”
“He warned that if I took up the blade of revenge, our people would suffer. He loved them deeply.”
She smiled faintly, though sorrow lingered in her eyes.
“If not revenge, then why leave?”
“To find the companions who were pursued alongside me. We agreed to reunite if we survived.”
That, at least, was understandable.
“Then you must go.”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Tomorrow at noon.”
After that, silence.
When the time came, I lit the charcoal.
The heavenly aroma rose as the meat touched the grill.
“It smells incredible. I cannot wait.”
Seeing her smile, I thought,
‘I cannot be gloomy when my friend is about to depart.’
I forced a smile.
“Do not look so sad. I will return.”
Her words brought both reassurance and sorrow.
“When was I sad? If you are gone, I will save on food.”
“What? I do not eat that much! Just wait—I will return and empty your dimensional warehouse.”
“Just make sure you return safely. I will prepare a feast.”