NOVPUBI stepped back involuntarily when I confirmed Hyang Rok's presence.
Every time Hyang Rok was in the Hanok-style annex of the Tiger Mansion, I remembered the events that happened there, and I couldn't bring myself to go in.
"...Eui-shin?"
I stopped at Ahn Dain's call.
I couldn't just go in while Ahn Dain was calling me.
Maybe if I came up with a reasonable excuse to persuade her, she would let me go, right?
Just as I was about to explain why I needed to leave immediately...
"Come in! I've been waiting!"
Before I could speak, Hyang Rok came out to greet me.
As Hyang Rok approached, a sharp herbal smell filled the air.
Each herb smelled fine individually, but Hyang Rok knew how to combine the taste and smell of hell, so I couldn’t let my guard down.
I was about to greet and retreat, but before I could, Hyang Rok pointed inside and said:
"Come on in!"
Hyang Rok, about the size of Hwang Yoo-ho, looked up at me.
Hyang Rok’s eyes were sparkling brightly, and it seemed like he was looking directly at my left eye.
Kind and curious Hyang Rok might be so excited because he was interested in my left eye.
I started to follow Hyang Rok’s lead absentmindedly but then stopped abruptly when I remembered the taste of the elixir.
'Hyang Rok’s elixir isn’t kind...!'
Maybe it would be better to talk to Hyang Rok another time.
As I hesitated, Hwang Jiho spoke to Hyang Rok.
"Hyang Rok, do you remember how much you need to make today? It's not just one person you're preparing for."
Not just one person...?
So, I wasn’t the only one who would be a sacrifice?
I didn’t know who else was going to be sacrificed.
It would be great if some of that "batch" was for Hwang Jiho, but I doubted the picky old tiger would accept it neatly.
"Yes, of course! I was preparing for the two humans who just arrived."
Two humans?
I had assumed that anyone besides me would be from the aristocracy, but I was wrong.
The answer was right in front of me.
"I heard you’re making elixirs for me and Eui-shin today. I’m counting on you."
"Leave it to me! The air around you is incredibly clear and clean, are you using skills? Or is it just your physique?"
What was this? Was Hyang Rok planning to feed Ahn Dain the elixir too?
Hyang Rok’s elixirs are good for the body, and if the aristocracy is taking care of Ahn Dain, that's a good thing.
But should Ahn Dain really suffer through this elixir?
She was already strong and healthy...
‘...But Ahn Dain said she wanted to get stronger.’
I remembered Ahn Dain saying she wanted to become stronger with Ju Su-hyeok and Maeng Hyo-don.
Ahn Dain had sought help from the aristocracy to become stronger, and the elixir seemed to be part of that.
I remembered taking the elixir from the Rok Tribe before I acquired the Eye skill.
"I heard that taking the elixir would help develop an aristocratic skill. Even if my soul is close to the aristocracy, my body is not. I’ll adjust my body’s condition so I can acquire those skills faster."
With Ahn Dain’s words, I was completely cornered.
I couldn’t let Ahn Dain take the elixir alone.
As I hesitated, Hwang Jiho, who had been silently observing, finally spoke.
"Good thinking, Eui-shin. If you had run, I wouldn’t have been able to stop you. Then Ahn Dain would have had to take the elixir alone."
The old tiger, who had probably known I wouldn't run, seemed to have left me no way out.
That’s true.
I gave up and followed Hyang Rok to the annex.
"Today, it’s not just elixirs. There’s a big deal that was made!"
What else could there be besides the elixirs...?
Please let it be just one thing.
Hyang Rok, with confidence, turned away from the kitchen and said:
"Today, I’m going to serve medicinal food!"
There’s a saying that "medicine and food come from the same origin," which means the essence of both medicine and food is the same.
There’s also a concept called “food therapy,” which involves curing diseases through food.
In that context, medicinal food could be considered a form of medicine.
‘But there was no medicinal food on the secret menu from the Rok Tribe in Plmago, right?’
In Plmago, there was a system called the "Secret Shop of the Rok Tribe."
It was a shop that opened after completing a long and complicated quest, and as the number of uses accumulated, hidden menus would unlock.
But there was no medicinal food menu there, only "custom elixirs."
The fact that there was yet another secret menu I couldn’t get in that failed game left a bitter taste in my mouth.
Hwang Jiho, oblivious to my discomfort, said proudly:
"The effects of Hyang Rok’s medicinal food are outstanding. Although, Hyang Rok’s interests have shifted to elixirs and experiments after the conflict with modern medicine and abilities."
"The times have changed, right? Isn’t the clash between modern medicine and otherworldly abilities fascinating? It’s fun to make medicinal food again after such a long time."
"If others find out that Hyang Rok is making medicinal food again, other Jin tribes will line up just to have a taste."
What would they know about the taste of that medicinal food? I wasn’t sure if I wanted them lining up to eat it.
Hyang Rok, looking very pleased to be making medicinal food after a long time, beamed at Ahn Dain and me.
"Alright, try it!"
"I’ll enjoy it."
"...I’ll enjoy it."
I could hardly speak.
It smelled nice, but I wasn’t sure what the taste would be.
But I couldn’t let Ahn Dain walk the path to hell alone, so I had to try it too.
I moved my spoon.
I took a tiny bite, and I was surprised by the taste.
‘...It’s delicious.’
If this was the taste, I could see why the Jin tribes would be lining up to eat it.
As soon as I took a bite, warmth spread throughout my body, and I felt an invigorating energy rise up.
Hwang Jiho’s cooking was good, but Hyang Rok’s medicinal food felt refreshing, as if it was making me healthier rather than just filling me up.
"Is it good?"
"Yes, it’s delicious."
"If it weren’t custom-made medicinal food, I would want to share it."
Ahn Dain and I weren’t just saying that out of politeness.
Even though the effects of the elixir were great, I was reluctant to share it with anyone, but this medicinal food felt different.
Maybe Olmu would also enjoy this.
I had made an elixir without Olmu’s consent last time, and it hurt him, but I thought he would agree to this medicinal food.
As Ahn Dain and I finished our meal happily...
The moment we emptied our bowls, a pungent smell suddenly hit my nose.
‘No way...’
Hyang Rok had brought more than just medicinal food for the big deal Hwang Jiho mentioned.
There was also an elixir...
I had let my guard down after being tricked by the delicious taste of the medicinal food.
Before I knew it, instead of the bowl with medicinal food, there was a large pot full of elixir placed in front of me.
Hyang Rok said innocently:
"I’ve eased your tongue with the delicious medicinal food, so the effect of the elixir should be even stronger. I’m glad you enjoyed the food!"
It seemed that Hyang Rok had been asking about the taste when he made the medicinal food, thinking that was the real goal.
As Ahn Dain gently said, not having tasted the hellish elixir yet:
"Good medicine is supposed to taste bitter. I’ll drink it."
Ahn Dain drank the elixir without hesitation!
There was no chance to stop her.
I could only watch helplessly as the great misfortune befell Ahn Dain.
Soon, Ahn Dain’s complexion changed, and Hwang Jiho immediately handed her a medicinal soup.
Ahn Dain didn’t hesitate and drank the soup.
Her expression relaxed, and I felt somewhat reassured, but I soon realized that now wasn’t the time to worry about others.
"I made yours even worse than Ahn Dain’s! I made sure to specially adjust it because I thought you might have gotten used to the elixir."
I hadn’t gotten used to it at all.
That kind of consideration wasn’t necessary, but since Hyang Rok had worked hard, I couldn’t just complain.
My hand trembled as I reached for the elixir.
I swallowed it, trying to keep my consciousness away from my tongue.
And for a moment, the world seemed to close in.
My taste seemed to leave this world and return, as if it had gone to another dimension.
"Eui-shin, do you need medicinal soup too?"
Why ask me when you just gave it to Ahn Dain?
In a rush, I answered honestly.
"Yeah."
"Good job. When you need help, just say it like that."
As I swallowed the extremely sweet medicinal soup, I felt my senses slowly returning.
It was just a small amount, like a cup of water added to a big fire, but it was better than nothing.
When I finally came to my senses, Hwang Jiho spoke.
"Hyang Rok has someone else to take care of."
Who was Hwang Jiho trying to sacrifice this time?
Whoever it was, they wouldn’t just drink the elixir and not eat the medicinal food, right?
Hyang Rok responded to Hwang Jiho’s words.
"Yes, I remember! They used the elixir of life, right? I can’t wait to see how they’re doing!"
Although he didn’t specify, I knew who he was talking about.
It was Unsa.
"Since Hyang Rok is here, we brought him to the annex for a bit. You should greet him too. I’m sure Unsa will be happy to see both the aristocrat’s child and the benefactor."
Even though I had just drunk the elixir and my mouth and stomach were burning, I couldn’t just leave.
In the end, I went along with them to meet Unsa.
At the innermost part of the annex.
Unsa was lying quietly on a large bed.
Standing silently by his side, as usual, was Baek Ho-gun, who gave us a brief nod. 𝘯𝑜𝘷𝘱𝘶𝘣.𝘤𝘰𝑚
After a short greeting, I looked at Unsa.
‘He looks better than before.’
Unsa was still very thin, but he had gained some weight, and the flow of his abilities had improved.
Hyang Rok checked Unsa’s pulse and then spoke.
"Why is this?"
"Didn’t you say he wouldn’t wake up for a while?"
"He won’t. Is something wrong with his condition?"
Hyang Rok shook his head.
"No, I think he’s about to wake up soon! The elixir that he can take directly is much more effective, what do you think?"
