Chapter 25
The deeper we entered the forest...
The weaker the light became.
Vines as thick as human arms twisted together like spiderwebs.
Wet leaves from unknown plants brushed against my cheeks like ghosts.
But walking while staring only at Zakan’s heels because I was scared?
That was amateur behavior.
I sharpened every sense I had.
The soil beneath my feet.
The strange plants growing around us.
I carefully observed everything.
“Izak.”
Zakan was at the front, cutting a path with his greatsword.
He noticed how intensely I was looking around.
“There is nothing in this forest that we can eat or use.”
His eyes moved across the plants.
“It is filled with poisonous mutant plants.”
Hmm...
It did look that way.
The barbarians living here never ate fruits or plants from this forest.
The slightest mistake could cause swelling.
Or poison strong enough to kill.
But Zakan...
There’s something you don’t know.
Koreans are a people who will try eating almost anything they discover.
Poisonous?
Boil it and remove the poison.
Too tough?
Beat it until it becomes soft.
I wasn’t even exaggerating.
Koreans had a talent for somehow putting even strange weeds nobody else ate onto the dinner table.
And as luck would have it...
I, Kang Jinho...
Was a proud Korean man.
“Ugh! Izak!”
Malko suddenly covered his nose.
“Goblin Armpit Grass!”
He looked horrified.
“Do not breathe! Nose will rot!”
Who the hell came up with the name Goblin Armpit Grass?
I clicked my tongue.
Then focused completely on the bushes Malko was pointing at.
Sniff, sniff.
A strong, sharp, spicy smell rose above the scent of rotting leaves.
...Wait.
This smell?!
It was familiar.
So familiar that it seemed carved into my soul.
A scent that immediately made my mouth water.
I lost all reason.
I threw myself toward the bush.
“Izak! No!”
Zakan shouted.
“That poison plant smells for three days if you touch it!”
Malko grabbed my waist from behind.
“Let go, Malko!”
“Stupid Izak! Zakan! Big problem! Shaman is bewitched!”
I kicked Malko’s thigh until he released me.
Then rushed straight toward the plant.
The closer I got...
The more heavenly that smell became.
My nose twitched on its own.
“BARBARIAN!”
I shouted the Warrior’s Roar without hesitation.
Then activated Peeking.
Zakan tightened his grip on his greatsword and looked at me like I had finally gone insane.
Not important!
[Skill ‘Peeking’ activated.]
My heart pounded.
If my nose was right...
This was definitely...
==========
【Target Information】
• Name: Wild Manong
• Classification: Mutant Plant
【Details】
• A poisonous plant whose leaves and roots produce an extremely strong odor.
• Contains powerful hallucinogenic substances and toxins that cause severe stomach problems. Not edible.
==========
Manong!
Even the name sounded like the garlic I knew!
A garlic-like plant was growing right in front of me.
Then...
I read the rest of the description.
My excitement instantly collapsed.
Not edible...
Hallucinogenic poison...
Severe stomach problems!
I dropped to the ground in despair.
Then repeatedly inhaled the aroma from the leaves.
The scent of garlic.
A smell that made the heart of every Korean beat faster.
You barbarians wouldn’t understand.
You have no idea what garlic means to Koreans.
Garlic isn’t just a seasoning.
Garlic is part of the Korean soul!
You could almost say garlic flows through our veins instead of red blood cells.
What Korean food doesn’t use garlic?
Almost everything uses it.
Kimchi...!
If I have garlic, kimchi may not be impossible.
Kimchi stew.
Something I wanted so badly it was beginning to appear in my dreams.
Garlic was the first step.
My taste buds, exhausted from endless potatoes, cried in misery.
“Izak.”
Malko was still standing far away with his nose covered.
“Is smell so bad you cry?”
No, idiot.
I’m crying because I’m sad.
The tragedy of a chef who finally finds his soul food ingredient...
But cannot eat it.
“Sniff.”
I sadly held the Wild Manong leaves.
Then...
Gamjadori, who had been watching from my shoulder, suddenly jumped down.
“...Potato?”
It tilted its head.
It looked up at my face once.
Then waddled toward the Wild Manong.
Its short arms rose high into the air.
[Gamjadori used a skill on the ‘Wild Manong’ colony.]
[Wild Manong has become delicious!]
Flash.
Blue light flowed from Gamjadori’s fingertips.
It spread across the Wild Manong patch.
What?
What just happened?
I immediately used Peeking again.
Then...
My God.
==========
【Target Information】
• Name: Wild Manong
• Classification: Mutant Plant
【Details】
• A poisonous plant whose leaves and roots produce an extremely strong odor.
• Contains powerful hallucinogenic substances and toxins that cause severe stomach problems. Not edible.
※ The blessing of an Earth Spirit has purified the toxins and hallucinogenic substances. Edible!
==========
A golden sentence had been added at the bottom.
E-Edible?!
“G-Gamjadori!”
“POTATOOOO!”
This was huge.
My adorable little potato spirit...
Could do more than make potatoes delicious.
It could purify the bizarre poisonous mutant plants of the north...
And turn them into edible ingredients!
How had I only realized something this incredible now?
“Gamjadori, you are an amazing potato... no, an amazing spirit!”
“POTATO!”
I genuinely praised it.
Gamjadori’s bright eyes became serious.
Then it puffed out its little chest proudly.
Even that arrogant pose looked unbearably cute.
I hugged it.
Then kissed it repeatedly.
“Potato! Potato!”
Gamjadori happily waved both arms.
[Gamjadori is extremely happy with your praise.]
Ahh...
My precious Gamjadori.
After respectfully returning the wonderful spirit to its place of honor on my shoulder...
I dropped to the ground.
Then began harvesting the purified Wild Manong like a madman.
The wide green leaves.
The underground bulbs filled with that sharp aroma.
Everything went into my sack.
No more plain water stew tonight!
I would make proper barbarian food with a garlic-like base.
“Ugh... Zakan!”
Malko stared in horror.
“Izak really went crazy! He is gathering Goblin Armpit Grass!”
“Izak. Are you really all right?”
Zakan looked worried.
Their concern didn’t reach my ears.
My brain was already filled with dozens of garlic-based recipes.
“It all has a use. Just watch.”
Malko looked at Zakan seriously.
“Izak plans to bring Goblin Armpit Grass to village. I knock Izak unconscious.”
“Do not hurt the shaman, Malko...”
Zakan stopped him as Malko seriously prepared to hit the back of my head.
I said it has a use!
The barbarians called this frontier dead land where life couldn’t grow.
Maybe that was simply because they never understood the value of what was growing here.
Perhaps this forest...
Was actually a treasure house.
As long as I have Gamjadori to turn poisonous plants into delicious food.
“POTATOOOO!”
Yes, yes.
Gamjadori is the greatest in the universe.
After that happy discovery...
