Farming in the Tower Alone [EN]: Chapter 220

“Kkueng, did Daddy eat something yummy without you? Theo, is that right?”

Sejun quickly tried to clear up Kkueng’s misunderstanding, asking Theo for an explanation.

“What are you talking about, nyaang?! Chairman Park looked happy while eating what I gave him, nyaang! And didn’t he make the ‘Keeeuh’ sound he only makes when eating something delicious, nyaang?!”

Theo had been watching Sejun’s reaction to eating the golden bead. Theo thought Sejun was trying to forget about him giving the bead. So, Theo told Kkueng everything he saw. “Puhu-hut. You can’t fool me, nyaang!”

“Oh?! That’s true.”

Sejun thought, ‘He did eat orange-flavored soda… so he did eat something delicious. Still! Hmmph! Theo never helps me!’

‘Then I have no choice.’

Shashashak.

Sejun looked at Kkueng and quickly rubbed his palms together.

Kkueng?!

[Daddy is admitting he ate alone…]

Kkueng looked confused at what Sejun was doing.

“Kkueng, look at this.”

As Sejun moved his palms further apart,

Bzzzt.

Red sparks appeared between his palms.

“Heh heh heh. How is it? Amazing, right?”

Sejun felt proud because even he thought it was cool and spoke boastfully, but

Kkueng? Kkueng?

[What is that? You were going to show me that?]

Kkueng reacted without much interest.

Kkueng!

[Kkueng can do that too!]

Shushushushuk.

Kkueng carefully rubbed his front paws together, just like Sejun. A strange sound came from Kkueng.

‘Eh. Surely not?’

Sejun tried to ignore the bad feeling. Still, he had electric-type talent, and Kkueng didn’t, so he thought sparks couldn’t be created that easily.

But

“Huh?!”

Kkueng’s fur stood on end.

Bzzzt. Crackle.

Strong, white sparks came from Kkueng’s paws.

Kkueng!

[Mom said not to do this because it tangles the fur!]

Thump.

Kkueng let the electricity on his front paws flow to the ground and spoke to Sejun as if warning him. If I get caught doing this, Mom will smack my butt!

Lick. Lick.

Kkueng quickly licked his body to tidy up the fur that had spread out, before his pink fur could catch him.

“I’ll help, nyaang!”

Theo helped Kkueng with his grooming from the side.

“The reason for getting scolded isn’t because it’s dangerous, but because the fur gets tangled…”

Sejun watched them, amazed again by Kkueng’s strength.

Brush. Brush.

Sejun also helped tidy up Kkueng’s fur by brushing it with a comb.

A little while later, as Kkueng’s fur was almost tidy,

Grumble.

Kkueng’s tummy rumbled, because he had used a lot of energy to groom himself.

And

Kkueng! Kkueng!

[Kkueng is angry and hungry because Daddy ate something delicious alone! Kkueng wants to eat rice cakes dipped in honey!]

Kkueng remembered Sejun eating something delicious alone earlier. Hungry Kkueng really wanted rice cakes, chewy treats made from rice. He thought he had gotten away with it, but…

“Wait a moment!”

Sejun quickly ran to the kitchen.

Nom.

[You have consumed a piece of Eileen’s healthy fist meat.]

[The effect is activated when all food is eaten.]

[62 pieces remaining.]

Sejun ate the meat Eileen gave him for breakfast because he needed a lot of rice cakes to make Kkueng happy.

And so, Sejun kept making rice cakes without rest.

Kkuhehehe. Kkueng!

[Hehehe. Rice cake with kudzu honey is the best combination!]

Kkueng sat with his butt glued to Sejun’s butt and deliciously ate rice cakes dipped in kudzu honey. Kkueng was now happy and full.

A little while later,

Kkueng!

[Kkueng is going to check on the medicinal herbs!]

Kkueng, having eaten his fill of rice cakes, filled his snack pouch with rice cakes and honey and left for the western forest.

“Whew. So hectic.”

Slurp.

Sejun, who had made a huge amount of rice cakes since morning, sat down for a coffee break.

At that moment,

“That’s right, nyaang! I have more to give Chairman Park, nyaang!”

Theo, who had been lounging next to Sejun, suddenly stood up. He had suddenly remembered the things he had packed for Sejun.

“Oh! What is it?!”

“Puhu-hut. Look forward to it, nyaang!”

Thump. Thump.

Theo began to take out the items he had brought from Tricera’s workshop one by one from his bundle.

“This is? A stone pot? Oh?! There’s even a millstone?”

Sejun was excited as he looked at the items Theo had taken out. He could use the stone pot for cooking rice, and grind the five-colored beans with the millstone to make tofu, a soft food made from soybeans?

“I’ve decided. Tonight’s dinner is tofu!”

Sejun took the colorful beans and put them in the stone pot. He poured cool water over them. The beans smelled earthy and fresh. He knew they needed to soak for hours before he could grind them with the heavy millstone Theo had brought.

After that, Theo took out rice bowls and water bottles made of porcelain from his bundle, making Sejun very happy.

“As expected of Vice Chairman Theo!”

“Puhu-hut. I knew Chairman Park would like it, nyaang! Chairman Park should only trust me from now on, nyaang!”

Theo, enjoying Sejun’s praise, lay down on Sejun’s lap and stuck out his belly, sending a look that said, ‘Pet me now, nyaang!’

Stroke. Stroke.

“Vice Chairman Theo, are you asleep?”

Snore.

Theo answered Sejun’s question with a snoring sound. With a few strokes from Sejun, Theo quickly fell asleep.

Stroke. Stroke.

“Now I need to work.”

“Nyaang···”

Sejun, having finished his coffee while stroking Theo’s belly, put the sleeping Theo on his leg and headed to the brewery.

And

“Alright, let’s work.”

Ookkie!

He started making the starter mash by pouring rice flour into the jars Theo had brought yesterday with the monkeys.

Swish.

“Wow. The cost of making alcohol is similar to the money spent on making rice cakes earlier?”

Sejun said after filling all the jars with rice flour. How many rice cakes did I make earlier? Sejun thought again about how much Kkueng could eat.

“This is no time for that.”

Sejun quickly helped the monkeys, taking charge of one of the jars and pouring hot water inside to stir the rice dough.

And so, it was only in the afternoon that the starter mash work for 3000 jars was finished.

Chairman’s office of the Korean Awakened Association.

-A nuclear missile will arrive in Niue in 5 minutes.

Han Taejun watched the video being filmed in real-time by the satellite with a tense expression.

Han Taejun found clues about the Three-Headed Society on his hunter phone. He knew it was too dangerous to handle alone. So, he asked the United States for help. With a US military satellite, he learned about what was happening in Niue.

But the situation in Niue, filmed by the satellite, was serious. There were no people in Niue, only locusts.

And the ominous altar stood in the center of the island. The altar was made of dark stone, and strange symbols were carved all over it. They looked like no language Han Taejun had ever seen, and they seemed to glow with a faint, dark light. He didn’t know what they meant, but Han Taejun felt extreme fear as soon as he saw the altar. It felt like his instincts were screaming that it was dangerous.

Fortunately, the United States also felt that the altar was unusual and launched a nuclear missile towards Niue, sharing the video with Han Taejun.

Silence hung heavy in the air. Han Tae-joon waited, his heart pounding. Five minutes crawled by. Then, a blinding flash lit the sky. Far away, over Niue, a terrifying mushroom cloud billowed upwards. It looked like the end. But then… “Huh?! What’s that?” Tae-joon squinted, spotting a huge, dark shape moving within the swirling smoke.

Creak, creak went the old millstone as Sejun turned it. Suddenly, a happy sound broke the rhythm. “Kkueng! Kkueng?” A small, furry creature, Kkuengi, bounced into the room. “[Kkuengi’s here! Daddy, what’s that?]” he chirped, tilting his head at the millstone. He smelled faintly of herbs, as he’d been working in the garden.

Sejun smiled. “Kkuengi! You’re back early. I’m grinding beans to make tofu.”

“Kkueng? Kkueng?” Kkuengi’s bright eyes widened. “[What’s tofu? Is it yummy?]”

“Delicious,” Sejun promised. “It’s soft and white and tastes wonderful.”

“Kkueng! Kkueng!” Kkuengi hopped with excitement. “[Kkuengi will help!]” He was always eager to be useful.

“Alright then, little helper,” Sejun chuckled. “Squeeze the water out of these beans for me.” He showed Kkuengi a cloth bag full of ground beans.

“Kkueng! Kkueng!” “[Okay! Kkuengi is strong!]” Kkuengi puffed out his chest and set to work, his small hands surprisingly strong. He really is a good helper, Sejun thought with affection, turning back to the millstone. Soon, all the beans were ground. “Perfect.” Sejun carefully poured the bean juice into a pot, ready to make tofu.

But then, Sejun frowned. “Huh? Why isn’t it becoming solid?” He peered into the pot. The bean juice remained stubbornly liquid. He stirred it faster, then slower. He even tried adding a bit more heat, but nothing worked. The tofu simply refused to form.

“Kkueng!” A small, rumbling sound came from Kkuengi. “[Daddy, I’m hungry!]” Kkuengi’s usual cheerful face was now a little droopy, his tummy clearly empty after all his hard work.

Sejun sighed. “Tofu will have to wait. But don’t worry, little one, we’ll eat something else.” He glanced at the leftover bean pulp, a large, soft mound from Kkuengi’s squeezing. “Bean pulp stew it is!” Luckily, he had some salted shrimp he’d made from freshwater catches.

Quickly, Sejun chopped some green onions and stir-fried them with locust meat and the bean pulp. The kitchen filled with a savory smell. He added water, then a spoonful of the salty shrimp, stirring it all together. In no time, a steaming pot of bean pulp stew was ready.

As the steam rose from the pot, a series of messages flashed in Sejun’s mind. You have created the first savory five-color bean pulp stew in the Tower! Recipe registered at Cooking Level 7. Cooking Level 7 proficiency increased. He blinked, used to these strange notifications. “Alright, everyone, food’s ready!” Sejun called out to his animal companions. He carefully divided the stew into bowls, then paused, looking at his own portion.

Savory Five-Color Bean Pulp Stew. The description appeared in his mind: Made from five-colored beans, squeezed to release their full power, with locust meat, green onions, and salted shrimp. Eating this stew will boost one of your stats – Strength, Stamina, Agility, or Magic Power – by 10% for 10 minutes. It was signed: Cook: Tower Farmer Park Sejun. Expiration Date: 30 days. Grade: B.

“Wow,” Sejun murmured. “These beans really are amazing.” The stew smelled rich and earthy, with a hint of saltiness. He hoped Kkuengi would like it.

“Kkueng!” Kkuengi was already eagerly tasting his stew. “[Savory! Delicious!]” he declared happily, his face smeared with bean pulp. Sejun smiled, relieved. At least dinner was a success, even if the tofu wasn’t.

Dinner finished, Sejun still puzzled over the tofu. “Why didn’t it solidify?” he muttered, staring at the pot of bean juice.

Hee hee hee. Kkuengi giggled, pointing at the bronze mirror. “[Hehe. Kkuengi’s grandma is cooking!]” He was watching Kim Mi-ran through the mirror again.

Sejun glanced at the mirror. “Ah! Kkuengi, look, that’s tofu.” He pointed at the white cubes floating in Kim Mi-ran’s soybean paste stew.

“Kkueng? Kkueng!” Kkuengi’s eyes widened. “[That’s tofu? It’s so white!]” He leaned closer, fascinated by the bouncy, pudding-like squares. He reached out and gently touched the cool surface of the mirror.

Just then, a soft humming sound drifted from the mirror. Hum hum hum.

“Huh?” Sejun froze. He knew that hum. “Mom?” he whispered, his heart leaping. “Mom!” he shouted, louder this time, his voice cracking with emotion. It had been so long since he’d heard her voice.

“-Huh? Sejun? Is that you?” Kim Mi-ran’s voice, slightly confused, echoed from the mirror. She looked around her living room, searching for the sound. Then, her eyes fell on the mirror. “-Eek!” she shrieked, jumping back. Sejun and Kkuengi were clearly visible in the reflective surface.

Then, her shriek turned into a gasp. “-Oh… so cute,” she breathed, her voice softening.

“Mom, calm down!” Sejun pleaded, a smile spreading across his face despite himself. He knew his mother.

“-Calm down? How can I calm down?!” Kim Mi-ran exclaimed, rushing back to the mirror. “You have a baby! And you didn’t tell me? You should have brought him to see his grandma right away!”

At that moment, Kkuengi, understanding he was being talked about, stood up straight and bowed deeply, just as Sejun had taught him. “Kkueng! Kkueng!” he announced proudly. “[Kkuengi says hello, Grandma! Kkuengi is Daddy’s son, Kkuengi!]”

“-Oh my goodness!” Kim Mi-ran clutched her chest, her eyes wide with delight. “He’s bowing! Our baby is so polite!”

“Mom, are you alright?” Sejun asked, his voice full of concern and love. “Are you comfortable? Is everything okay?”

“-Yes, yes, I’m fine, dear. They said the danger is gone now. Your father went back to work, and Sedol is at school. They’ll be home soon. How are you, Sejun? Are you eating properly?”

“I’m doing well, Mom. Really.”

As they talked, a faint crack sound echoed from the mirror. Then another, louder crack. Thin lines spider-webbed across the bronze surface. The mirror was straining, overloaded by the connection. It wouldn’t last much longer.

Just then, Kkuengi tugged on Sejun’s sleeve. “Kkueng!” he urged. “[Daddy, ask Grandma about the tofu! How to make it!]”

“Mom, wait, I have a question!” Sejun quickly said.

“-Yes, dear, what is it?” Kim Mi-ran replied, her voice still warm with emotion.

“I tried to make tofu, but it didn’t become solid. Why?” Sejun explained what he had done.

“-Oh, Sejun, you need to add something to make it solidify!” Kim Mi-ran said, surprised. “You need bittern. If you don’t have bittern, you can use vinegar and salt…”

Crack! The mirror groaned again, the cracks widening. Kim Mi-ran’s voice started to break up. “…vinegar and…”

CRACK! CLANG! The bronze mirror shattered completely, plunging the room into silence. The connection was broken.

“Mom?” Sejun called out, but only silence answered. He sighed, looking at the broken mirror pieces scattered on the floor. “Aileen,” he said, “can you fix this?”

Aileen’s voice echoed in his mind. The Tower’s administrator will repair the bronze mirror.

“Thank goodness,” Sejun breathed, relieved. “Thank you, Aileen.” He turned to Kkuengi, a determined look on his face. “Alright, Kkuengi! Let’s try making tofu again!” Following Kim Mi-ran’s quick instructions, and using vinegar and salt, this time, the bean juice slowly began to thicken and solidify. Soon, perfect, white tofu was forming in the pot.

“Kkueng!” Kkuengi clapped his paws with delight. “[Delicious! Grandma’s tofu is the best!]” He looked at the broken mirror pieces, then back at Sejun, his eyes filled with a new longing. Kkuengi wanted to meet his grandma in person more than ever.