Chapter 268: Why Is This Guy Ranked Number One?
TL: Hanguk
Again?
Park Sejun spoke indifferently as he saw a small bird, flustered upon realizing he was ranked the highest after greeting Cuengi. Such treatment was all too familiar to Sejun.
Is your name Piyot?
As Sejun initiated conversation with Piyot,
Piyo! Piyo!
[Yes! That is correct! I am Pirururur Yotra from the White-Headed Long-Tailed Tit Tribe!]
Piyot responded in a disciplined voice.
Oh! Youre from the White-Headed Long-Tailed Tit? No wonder youre so cute. Alright, Piyot, lets get along well from now on.
Sejun gently shook Piyots wing,
Piyo! Piyo!
[Thank you! I will serve Chairman Park diligently from now on!]
Piyot bowed deeply, feeling honored. Meanwhile, internally, Piyot was in deep confusion upon seeing Sejun, an existence that greatly deviated from the laws of the wild.
Why is this guy ranked number one?
To Piyot, who had only been alive for a month, the known method of ranking was solely based on strength. By that measure, Sejun should have been ranked below him.
Lets just watch for now.
Piyot, selected as a messenger bird immediately upon birth, had to leave right after receiving a few days of training, so the teachers didnt have time to teach Piyot everything.
Pirururur Yotra, if you dont understand, just watch for now.
That was the advice given to Piyot. They were truly great teachers.
Without such guidance
Krueng! Krueng?!
[Piyot, did Cuengi just see a disloyal look in your eyes towards Dad? Dont tell me youre disrespecting Dad?!]
Piyo!
[No No!]
Otherwise, Piyot would have been punished by Sejuns bodyguard, Cuengi.
Piyot, show Chairman Park the fried egg, meow!
Thus, unknowingly avoiding a fatal situation, Theo instructed Piyot to take out an egg.
Fried egg?
As Sejun was puzzled by Theos words,
Piyo!
[Here it is!]
Piyot took an egg out of its bag.
What?! This is?!
Sejun excitedly observed the egg Piyot had taken out.
However,
This isnt an egg?
[Egg Fruit]
The name written on the egg was different from what Sejun knew.
Although it looked and felt like an egg on the outside, it was named Egg Fruit?
Whats this?
Sejun curiously examined the egg.
[Egg Fruit]
A fruit harvested from the Mother Tree.
Encased in a hard shell are layers of white and yellow liquid.
Rich in nutrients.
Cultivator: Mother Tree
Shelf Life: 30 Days
Grade: C
A simple description.
Yet,
An egg grows on a tree?!
It was enough to astonish Sejun. He somewhat anticipated it due to the name fruit, but it was still fascinating.
Was the fried egg given by the Black Rabbit also made from this?
Thud.
Sejun prepared to taste the Egg Fruit by placing a frying pan over the fire and adding oil.
As the frying pan heated up,
Tap.
He lightly tapped the Egg Fruit against the edge of the pan and applied pressure to crack it open,
Sizzle.
The sticky white and yolk from the Egg Fruit started to cook in the pan, spreading a delicious smell.
Thats right.
It was the scent of the fried egg Sejun was thinking of.
Krueng!
[It smells like the fried eggs we had at the big brothers house!]
Cuengi also confirmed the scent. Indeed, the fried eggs eaten at the Black Rabbits castle were made from this Egg Fruit.
As Sejun and Cuengi shared a fried egg and displayed content expressions,
Puhuhut. Chairman Park, how is it, meow?! Did I, Vice Chairman Theo, work hard by trading peanuts for fried eggs, meow?! Did I not work hard, meow?!
Theo asked with an immense air of smugness.
Theres more of this?! Our Vice Chairman Theo really worked hard!
Puhuhut. Of course, meow! Im Vice Chairman Theo, so I work hard, meow!
Having received Sejuns approval, Theo was completely over the moon. He lifted his head and looked at Cuengi and Piyot with a smug expression. You guys are way behind me, meow! Puhuhut. This is what it means to be a Vice Chairman, meow!
However, neither Cuengi nor Piyot paid any attention to Theos gaze.
Krueng!
[Daddy Cuengi is hungry!]
Especially Cuengi, who was only upset that the grilled fish was getting cold.
Alright, just wait a moment.
Sejun grabbed a Kudzu root infused with overflowing magic power and squeezed it tightly, sprinkling lime-scented Kudzu juice on the grilled fish.
As he sprinkled lime-scented Kudzu juice on the grilled fish,
[Grilled Piranha with Lime-scented Kudzu Juice is completed.]
[Your Proficiency of Cooking Lv. 8 has slightly increased.]
[The effect of Cooking Lv. 8 is applied.]
[The effect applies as much as the Overabundant Magic Power Kudzu Root is consumed.]
Messages appeared.
The effect applies as much as its consumed?
Among them, there was a message Sejun saw for the first time.
With Sejuns cooking skill reaching level 8, the effect now applied proportionally to the amount of each ingredient consumed, even if not eaten completely.
Nice. Lets eat, everyone!
Puhuhut. I will enjoy this meal, meow!
Kueng!
[It looks delicious!]
Following Sejuns cue, Theo and Cuengi rushed towards the grilled fish.
However,
Meoow! Chairman Park, what did you do to the grilled fish, meow?! It smells weird, meow!
Kueng!
[Its so delicious!]
Their reactions were completely opposite due to the lime flavor. Theo disliked the lime flavor.
Chairman Park, I cant eat this, meow! Please make the grilled fish again, meow!
Theo whined about the lime-flavored grilled fish he couldnt eat.
Just eat it. Alright.
Reluctantly, Sejun peeled off the lime-flavored fish skin and only served the flesh.
Then,
Since Chairman Park prepared it, Ill eat it as something special, meow!
Theo ate the grilled fish while tolerating the faint scent of lime. Although he disliked the lime flavor, he enjoyed that Sejun prepared the fish flesh for him.
Puhuhut. Im eating it because of Chairman Parks dedication, meow!
While Theo was enjoying the fish flesh prepared by Sejun,
Swoosh.
Kuehehehe.
Cuengi also started sneakily eating the fish flesh prepared by Sejun, setting aside the grilled fish he was eating.
The fish flesh quickly disappeared as Sejun diligently prepared it to prevent the two from fighting.
While Sejun was busily preparing the fish flesh,
Is this the secret to being ranked number one? Does preparing fish flesh increase ones rank?!
Piyot observed Sejun and learned a new method of ranking hierarchy.
Then,
Ook!
Monkeys entered the kitchen to eat dinner.
Piyo! Piyo!
[Hello! I am Pirururur Yotra from the White-Headed Long-Tailed Tit Tribe!]
Piyot earnestly greeted the monkeys. The teachers said that just by greeting well, you can be loved!
After exchanging greetings with the monkeys, Piyot also grabbed a grilled fish and began to prepare the flesh using its feet and beak.
***
4th Floor of the Tower.
Drip. Drip.
10 beginner hunters were busily harvesting grapes in the vineyard.
This is more fun than I thought?
Exactly.
The hunters expressions had brightened compared to the beginning. They werent assigned any difficult tasks, and they were given breaks in between.
This isnt the time to be happy. Surely, theyll just make us work until we die.
Mendal said with a frightened expression.
Then,
Stop now.
The Black Skeletons approached them and spoke.
Are they really going to kill us?
The hunters tensed up when,
This is the payment for your work so far.
The Black Skeletons handed the hunters 10 bags filled with grapes.
Payment?
Yes. If youre thinking of working again, come back. Follow them, and outside the vineyard, youll get your weapons back.
The Black Skeletons said this and left.
Come back if were thinking of working again?
The hunters were stunned by the Black Skeletons words.
Is this a trick to let our guard down before killing us?
Suspicious, the hunters followed the Black Skeletons when,
Clatter.
The Black Skeletons truly returned their weapons and then left for the vineyard.
What?
Lets hurry and go! What if they change their minds and come after us!
Yeah. Lets head back for now!
Thus, the hunters returned to Earth, arms full of vitality-infused fragrant grapes.
***
If I get them to eat the fish flesh Ive prepared, theyll become my subordinates, so I should create more subordinates to increase my rank.
Piyot was diligently applying seasoning to the grilled fish to increase its rank.
However,
Piyo?
[Why isnt anyone eating what Ive prepared?]
Since Piyot had almost crushed the fish flesh to a powder, nobody wanted to touch it.
For the tiny Piyot, it was a manageable size, but not for the other animals.
Piyo! Piyo!
[Raising my rank isnt as easy as I thought! Ill have to practice diligently from now on!]
Piyot was determined to improve its skill in preparing fish flesh. If only Piyots teachers had told it to simply ask when curious
Thanks to that, Piyots beak and feet became shiny with an oil coating.
Piyihihi. Piyo.
[Hehe. But this is actually quite tasty.]
On the bright side, Piyot discovered the taste of grilled fish.
However, the amount of grilled fish powder Piyot ate was very minimal,
Huh?! Piyot, are you playing with your food?
Piyo Piyo
[That wasnt my intention Im sorry]
Piyot got scolded by Sejun for the remaining fish powder.
10 minutes later
Pirorong.
Piyot fell asleep to Sejuns scolding, using it as a lullaby.
Huh?! Asleep already? Were you that tired?
Sejun carefully picked up Piyot with both hands and exited the kitchen.
Chairman Park, lets go together, meow!
As Sejun stood up, Theo quickly grabbed a piece of fish flesh with its mouth and clung to Sejuns leg.
Thus, Sejun and Theo headed to the bedroom.
Swoosh.
Inside the wooden box house previously used by the Black Rabbit, Sejun laid down some straw and gently placed Piyot on top.
Then, leaving the bedroom, he headed back to the kitchen as Cuengis meal was not yet finished.
Thus, Theo clung to Sejuns leg as they returned to the kitchen.
Lick. Lick.
Theo, clinging to Sejuns leg, finished eating the fish flesh and started cleaning the oil off its front paws.
Meow! This unpleasant stuff got on my front paws too, meow!
Lick. Lick.
As Theo was annoyed and diligently licked its paws to remove the lime scent,
Woong.
A soft silver light emanated from Theos body.
Meow?! Chairman Park, I just awakened a talent, meow!
Talent?
Just like that? Unexpectedly?!
Consumption may rarely lead to the awakening of absorption-related talents.
Sejun recalled the information written on the Overabundant Magic Power Kudzu Root.
But considering the amount Theo ate was less than one ten-thousandth of a Kudzu The already low chance was astronomically lower.
Thats impossible
Against such dreadful odds, Theo awakened a talent. Truly a lucky cat.
Lucky guy So, what talent is it?
Sejun, envious of Theos luck, asked in a languid voice. Why do I feel so drained? Did I overdo it today?
Its a talent called Energy Drain, meow!
Energy Drain?
Thats right, meow! I can absorbs energy from surroundings to become stronger!
Ah absorbing energy from surroundings I see! Hey! Get off!
Sejun tried to shake off Theo, realizing the reason for his lethargy was Theos new talent: Energy Drain, which was sapping his energy.
Meow?! I dont wanna, meow!
As Sejun attempted to remove Theo from his leg, Theo clung to him like a leech.
Hey get off Youre draining my energy
Thud.
Sejun collapsed while speaking.
Meow?! Is it because of me, meow?! Chairman Park, snap out of it, meow!
Then, Theo quickly controlled its talent and
Slap. Slap.
began slapping Sejuns face, using a healing spell.
Chairman Park, wake up, meow!
Slap. Slap.
Theo was giving trouble and then providing the remedy.
Thanks to Theo, Sejun was able to go to bed early and woke up feeling refreshed the next day.
****
Piyot (More Images here: /1880)
*****
For extra chapters, you can read them on my Patreon at /HangukTranslations.
Join our Discord for announcements or to report any mistakes.
https://discord.gg/Z2Z6TdQk4g
New novel 𝓬hapters are published on (f)reeweb(n)ovel.com