Chapter 2

“Alright, then….”

In the well-organized kitchen of the forest cabin, filled with warm air.

“Time to eat dinner.”

I was preparing a meal.

“How can one be this happy, just eating and sleeping without a job.”

It was the so-called happiness of the unemployed.

“Now that I’m unemployed, I can finally fulfill my duty as a potato pig…. I must sit at the dinner table for 3 hours.”

I was a gourmand and a glutton.

The life of a teacher, where I had to display a regular, inconspicuous, and appropriately tactful social life, was too harsh for me, a cultured pig.

“I always thought that I wanted to enjoy a menu of my liking alone at a time that was personally convenient.”

I expressed great satisfaction with my characteristically blunt face.

Even when I came back to Gangwon-do after moving up to Seoul, I couldn't even dream of such a luxurious private house.

“To think I would achieve my dream of a rural life only after losing my job and becoming a portrait, is life truly a hurricane.”

It was unpredictable and even fun.

Though a real hurricane wouldn't be fun, of course.

“Then for today, simply….”

With a lantern, its candle flame flickering yet unextinguished by the wind, hanging above, I took out the ingredients.

Sweet potato.

“…….”

A hefty sweet potato.

I blinked twice, as if planning today’s daily bread, and soon reached a conclusion.

“…Should I try making Stir-Fried Honey Sweet Potato.”

It was a dish I often made when the elderly would occasionally send sweet potatoes and the necessary ingredients were a bit of honey, salt, sweet potatoes, and butter.

Nothing else was needed.

Fortunately, all these ingredients were in the cabin.

Just like the wooden spring that existed even though I hadn't thought of it at all, the furniture and ingredients inside the cabin had also been stocked up together.

In particular, the ingredients that always maintained their best condition even after several days, perhaps a feature of the painting world, deeply moved Seo Jio.

“Hmm….”

Clatter.

I took out the honey in its jar from a cupboard that smelled of cypress wood.

“…Were the dairy products in the basement.”

Dairy products like milk, cheese, and butter, as well as foods that basically required refrigeration, were all gathered in the cabin’s underground storage.

The storage, enclosed on all sides by transparent ice, maintained a cool chill and served as an excellent refrigerator.

My breath would turn visible upon entering, but perhaps thanks to evolving into a haunted portrait, I didn't feel the cold.

‘Just moderately cool.’

Considering that the other ingredients didn't freeze either, I wondered why my breath turned visible at all.

“It’s a phenomenon that completely ignores the laws of physics… but it’s funny, so it’s fine.”

Holding a small bowl and a knife, I went down the stairs leading to the underground storage, and the storage door, made of a cool and heavy wood like metal, appeared before me.

Upon opening the door, a few small, haphazardly arranged jars and a large shelf inside the ice cave came into view.

‘When I checked last time, the variety seemed quite diverse.’

I rummaged through the butters displayed on the shelf.

“I’d prefer butter with a mild fragrance.”

Among the ingredients that provided sweetness, honey had a particularly strong fragrance.

Sweet potato and honey alone were sufficient, and if the butter's scent were also strong on top of that, it could become a bit overwhelming.

Finding a pale yellow butter among the various types, Seo Jio cut a small piece of it.

“It’ll be greasy if I add too much….”

After taking out just enough butter for this dish, I wrapped the packaging neatly, closed the storage door tightly, and went back up to the kitchen.

Seo Jio’s cooking skills were on the excellent side. Otherwise, he, a gourmand, would not have even come up with the idea of cooking for himself.

“Ah, so fresh.”

With a skillful touch, I cleaned the sweet potatoes thoroughly.

I contemplated how to slice them.

“…For starters….”

After blinking twice, I cut the sweet potatoes into long rectangular shapes.

They were stick-shaped with a moderate length.

“…Since the amount isn’t that large.”

I prepared only 17 hefty sweet potatoes.

The iron plate with the finely cut sweet potatoes went straight into the furnace.

The preheated furnace quickly cooked the surface of the sweet potatoes.

When the outside became crispy due to the strong heat, but the inside was not cooked at all, I took them out of the furnace.

Those pieces, with only the outside cooked and the inside still raw, were lined up on a large wok.

“Now for the butter and salt.”

I maintained a low heat so the butter wouldn't burn and sprinkled a little salt over it.

The sweet potatoes, slowly cooked over a gentle flame, were coated in butter and gave off a sweet and nutty aroma.

“And a little bit of honey….”

Chiiik―.

“In it goes.”

Gently drizzling the honey scooped with a spoon, I quickly tossed the wok.

The honey and butter, mixed with a strong force as if making Chinese restaurant fried rice, settled right onto the sweet potatoes.

“…….”

Just when I thought it was about done.

“Good.”

I turned off the heat and tossed the pan a few more times.

This was to help the butter and honey emulsify with each other instead of separating.

If this step were skipped, the oil from the butter would separate and run and the honey would become unpleasantly sticky, resulting in a monstrous dish.

‘Though that would also be tasty….’

Of course, when it comes to cooking, one must also pay attention to texture.

After all, even with the same taste, a dish can become completely different with just a change in texture.

“…Done.”

I plated the finished Stir-fried Honey Sweet Potato and immediately soaked the dirty wok in water.

‘However foolish a creature man may be, I will not repeat the same mistake.’

Honey mixed with butter, dried and stuck to the pan, was possessed by the spirit of a demon and would test the patience of a good-natured person like Seo Jio.

Anyway, this was his dinner menu for today.

“Nice.”

The Stir-fried Honey Sweet Potato was not difficult to prepare and was an excellent dish for both a snack and a meal.

Sitting at the wooden table, I picked up a sweet potato stick with a fork.

The surface was glossy like candied sweet potatoes, but the much more delicate honey coating, with the addition of butter, gave off a rather complex aroma.

“…….”

Seeing how the fork went into the sweet potato so softly, it seemed to be cooked very well.

I put the sweet potato straight into my mouth.

“…….”

Chew….

I came to a conclusion.

“Delicious.”

It was ordinarily delicious.

‘I like this more than candied sweet potatoes. Grandma did too….’

Unlike candied sweet potatoes, which could sometimes poke the roof of your mouth while eating, the coating on this Stir-fried Honey Sweet Potato was delicate.

The mix of honey and butter simply added a smooth and soft texture.

It was a dish that gave a different kind of pleasure from candied sweet potatoes, which had a somewhat crispy texture.

‘As expected, sweet potatoes and honey are a good combination.’

And the butter and salt also made a well-matched set.

The butter added a unique nuttiness to the honey's fragrance, which could have been a bit simple, and a little salt balanced the dish that could have become too greasy or sweet.

“It might have been nice to add a few herbs on top of this.”

It seemed it would have been fine to add common spices like pepper, parsley, or rosemary.

“But then the fragrance would become a bit strong. It might be hard to enjoy it lightly.”

I liked it just the way it was.

‘The texture is just to my liking too.’

The surface of the sweet potato, which had lost its moisture in the furnace, still maintained its crispiness even after being tossed around in honey and butter.

In contrast, the inside of the sweet potato, which was not cooked at all, seemed to have cooked up moistly thanks to being coated with honey and butter.

‘The moisture inside must have been trapped by the furnace’s strong heat. It was a good idea to bake the outside to a crisp first.’

The long shape also makes it fun to eat, and the textures feel diverse.

It would get greasy if I ate too much, but with this amount, I could have a pleasant meal.

Since I was someone who eats a lot.

“…….”

Looking at the bowl with only a faint trace of honey butter sauce left, I thought.

‘As expected, I’m a cool potato.’

I didn't want to eat that much since it was right before bed and this was just the right menu.

“I like it.”

The lantern light on the table cast a soft glow.

It had a very analog sensibility and just looking at it made me feel a sense of nostalgia, even though it wasn't my hometown.

“This would be perfect to use when camping.”

I remained like that for a long while in a peaceful satiety that seemed to encourage sleep.

Feeling the laziness of the empty but not lacking bowl, and the low voice of the lantern that further softened the air….

Soon, my gaze turned to the window where the spring breeze offered a shy greeting.

“…….”

After looking at the outside that had grown dark a long time ago, I finally got up from my seat.

“…It would be better to prepare the medicinal ingredients in advance.”

It was to make the medicine related to bleeding that the system had informed me of.

For some reason, it didn't seem like the day to use it would come easily, but creating things one by one like this and building up a collection of works was also a joy for an artist.

A collection of sorts.

“First, let’s wash the Mangdung Fruits and lay them out to dry. It will take quite a while to dry them enough to be made into powder. Given their size, it seems like it will take longer than making raisins….”

I almost fell asleep for a moment, but perhaps thanks to the sugar intake, my head started working quickly.

“For later, should I start with about 50 fruits? Even if I don't get much juice since there are only three flowers, if I make a lot of powder, I'll be able to use it later anyway.”

Having reached a conclusion, I began to move.

I washed the fruits clean with drinking water I had drawn from the stream beforehand.

The Mangdung Fruit was a rather resilient fruit and when it went into the water, its inside became faintly visible.

“…It looks a bit like a gooseberry.”

Of course, the difference was clear as the Mangdung Fruit was completely filled with pulp inside.

I continued with my idle thoughts and washed all the fruits.

“…….”

Squeak.

“Nice.”

The bright red, marble-shaped fruits soaked in the clear, clean stream water.

It was surprisingly pleasant to hear them make a refreshing sound as they were scrubbed clean in my hands.

After washing all the fruits, I placed the Mangdung Fruits on a wooden sieve.

“I might get hungry, so let’s set aside some to eat as a snack.”

It was evening now, so it was fine, but the fruits would dry better if left outside where it was well-ventilated and the sun was bright.

I placed the sieve with the spread-out fruits right in front of the cabin.

“And….”

Coming back inside, I approached the hearth where wood was stacked.

‘Now I need fire.’

Crackle, tak.

I shook a plant with a round sphere on it.

Then, a small, dull noise echoed from inside the fruit and a fire flared up with a whoosh.

It was a small but rather strong fire, as its color was blue.

A faint scent was rising from it.

It was just as pleasant to look at as a bonfire burning in winter.

“…….”

I threw it onto the firewood in the hearth to light the fire.

Bellflower

A flower with a black sphere that blooms instead of regular petals, it is inedible.

If the flower is shaken when it is in a spherical shape before fully blooming, the stamen and pistil collide with each other to create fire.

However, since the spark only flies with a strong up-and-down motion, it rarely ignites naturally.

It meant it was a substitute for a lighter or a match.

“…It’s light and even pretty, so if I had sold this on Earth, it would have been a huge hit as a sentimental camping item….”

Muttering worldly greed with a blunt face, I rummaged through the basket.

Then I took out 10 stalks of Baibamunil, which had a similar appearance to an orchid.

I washed those lightly as well and placed them on a small sieve, then hung a pot over the hearth and poured water into it.

Then I waited for it to boil.

“…This should be about right.”

After confirming that the water was bubbling moderately, I dropped in the Baibamunil.

The deep, sweet scent characteristic of vanilla spread.

Plop, po-plop―!

“Hmm….”

To eat it like a vegetable, it would be best to dip it in and take it out right away, but this flower was not a vegetable.

It even had residual toxicity if not cooked properly.

‘The time it takes for the toxicity to be removed is a total of 10 minutes.’

I faithfully followed the system’s words.

I waited for the poison to come out of the flower while eating the Mangdung Fruits I had set aside.

“Is it done?”

After checking the time with the system, Seo Jio stood in front of the pot again 10 minutes later.

With long chopsticks, I placed the wilted flower onto the sieve.

Its shape remained completely intact despite being boiled for quite a long time.

I rinsed the flower, which had been boiled once in clean water, and left it as it was for a moment.

Without extinguishing the weakened fire in the hearth, I only changed the pot on top of it.

The water left over from boiling the Baibamunil would contain toxins.

“I should dry this too.”

I picked up the sieve with the flower on it and went outside again.

As I opened the door.

“…….”

Whoosh….

A gentle spring breeze blew.

“…It’s refreshing.”

The texture and temperature were as if a lukewarm cloud was gently enveloping my face.

It was a pleasant wind.

‘Soft and cool.’

My eyes blinked slowly in the hazy wind that somehow made my heart pound and carried a hint of sleepiness.

‘It would be perfect to fall asleep like this.’

The wind, neither hot nor cold, was as soft as fine traditional paper or silk, making my fingertips tingle.

“…….”

After savoring the small, unannounced happiness, I finally moved my feet.

“…I hope it dries well.”

Placing the Mangdung Fruit and the flower sieve side by side, I returned to the house.

There were already two baskets in front of the house, but there was still more to prepare.

This time, what I picked up was a transparent flower named Rurupu.

“…….”

What was I supposed to do with this?

Perhaps because sleepiness was setting in, I couldn't think clearly, and after pondering for a moment, I requested help from the system.

“Elixir Recipe.”

Elixir Recipe: Place the petals in warm, potable water and wait until they melt and release juice. Never touch it during the process. The juice extracted this way can be used with various medicinal ingredients.

Applicable Elixir Recipe: Blood Pills using Mangdung Fruit and Rurupu juice.

“Thank you.”

After thanking the system, I poured water into the newly replaced pot.

The cold water entered the heated pot and turned into a lukewarm temperature.

When I held my hand right above the water, I could feel steam gently rising, and it looked quite warm.

‘Since it said warm water, not hot water, wouldn't this temperature be just right?’

Thinking so, I held the flower I had brought from the spring in my hand.

The Rurupu flower, which seemed to be made of water yet was sturdy as if woven from silk, had a clear and sweet scent like a dewdrop made of honey.

As I carefully placed it in the pot….

“…….”

The sparkle of the petals, like the Milky Way, spread throughout the water in the pot.

“…Surely the sparkle of the Rurupu is due to it scattering the light from the sun or a lamp.”

Had it trapped the bright sunlight or the vivid light from a lamp in its body?

It felt like watching ice made with glitter melt in warm water.

“…Oh.”

Soon the sparkling subsided, and the water in the pot gave off a more distinct fragrance.

The capitalistic thought that it would sell well if made into a perfume suddenly crossed my mind, but I scooped out the contents before the water boiled completely.

‘That was close.’

The flower water I scooped out was poured into a glass bottle I had prepared in advance.

“It doesn’t look like much at a glance, but I can make medicine with this.”

Even though the Rurupu juice was simply dissolved in water, it had a mesmerizing glow, like paint created by an artist who poured out their soul.

A doubt arose as to whether I could really make medicine with this.

“…….”

Well, there was nothing I couldn't do if I tried.

That's just how life is.

“When a perfectly living human has become a haunted portrait, why couldn't I make a strangely colored medicine.”

Having finished all the preparations, I went up to the second floor of the cabin.

The sleepiness that had been tickling my eyelids for a while now was encouraging me to sleep.

The wooden stairs felt somewhat warm against the soles of my feet.

Though it was surely solid wood, there was a strangely soft texture to it, and a scent that comforted the heart emanated from here and there, as if it were made of good wood.

The bed in the bedroom I reached was as soft as if it were made of water.

“Haa….”

Poof―.

I burrowed right into the bed.

“…….”

My eyes, which had been blinking a couple of times as if to organize the day's events, soon closed quietly like a child being caressed in its parent's arms.

Through the wide-open window, a breeze carrying the scent of the forest flowed in, and the gentle wind passed cautiously over my whole body as if it were shy.

Once on my forehead, once on my fingertips, once on my knees….

A pitch-black field of vision. In the meantime, the sound of birds that had woken up in the evening fades faintly into the distance.

“…….”

With the soft song of the insects as a lullaby.

Jio fell asleep.

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