Healing in the Country Side with a Baby Dragon - CHAPTER 28 (This is K-Crop)

Have you ever had tear-soaked 'budaejjigae' (army base stew)?

Honestly, there probably aren't many people who have ever eaten a meal that made them cry. Usually, saying a dish is "crying-good" is just a modifier.

But James deserved it.

I wondered if the saltiness of the 'budaejjigae' kept changing depending on how many tears he shed into it. It was only after hearing his story that I truly understood his situation.

‘US troops in Korea, gates, dying during an operation, years lived all alone.’

It must have been an incredibly difficult time. Even someone so strong that he was called the "Guardian of America" carried that kind of deep pain. I guess everyone has their own circumstances. Because I had been through a similar pain, it felt even harder to watch.

I poured a shot of soju into James’ glass.

*Glug, glug, glug.*

“You have wonderful parents.” I offered, trying to comfort him.

“They were great. Truly great.”

“You must have been lonely.”

“A lot. So much.”

“Yeah. It’s not easy. It’s never easy for a child who has lost their parents to grow up alone.”

James looked up and stared at me blankly, his eyes asking, 

'How could you know?'

“Yes, I lost my parents to a gate, too.”

When I held out my glass, James silently poured soju for me this time. We clinked our glasses and drank without saying another word. The alcohol tasted sweet.

Sometimes, people who share the same pain don't need words. Just their presence is enough comfort. James was that comfort for me today, and I wanted to be that for him.

“How much soju do you have left?” James asked.

“Plenty. Don’t worry.”

“I’m going to drink until my nose runs today.” 

James smiled faintly, tossing back another shot. It looked like he was really planning to let loose.

“Good. The food is great, the air is clean. Let's have a proper drink tonight.”

The very moment I said that—*thud*.

James collapsed sideways onto the floor. Instantly, loud snoring filled the room.

Hey, wait a minute. How few drinks did it take to completely knock you out? I thought he was joking at first, but he wouldn’t budge even when I shook him. He was fast asleep.

“Pa-pa... Ma-ma...”

He was even talking in his sleep, dreaming about meeting his parents. I guess having massive muscles doesn’t necessarily mean you can hold your liquor. With no other choice, I covered him with a blanket and turned to my remaining company.

“Would you like a drink, Oh-sik?”

“Thank you, my lord.”

I offered a glass to Oh-sik, who had been staring intently at the soju bottle. I had checked his stats last time we ate fresh flatfish, and the system confirmed he was technically an adult. Oh-sik took a sip and made a satisfied face.

“I really do enjoy makgeolli (rice wine), but this is excellent.”

A knight who enjoys Korean rice wine—how precious. Still, Oh-sik kept drinking shot after shot because the combination of spicy 'budaejjigae' and crisp soju was genuinely good. He let out a warm, relaxed breath.

“This really is a wonderful place.” he said, smiling gently. 

He reached out a hand and softly stroked the three puppy brothers who had suddenly wandered over to sit by my side.

Meanwhile, I was busy blowing on some ramen noodles to cool them down before feeding them to Seol-ah.

“Munch, munch—!”

I nodded, watching Seol-ah happily stuff her face, her cheeks puffing out.

“Yeah, it’s a nice place. What was it like where you used to live, Oh-sik?”

After pondering my sudden question for a moment, Oh-sik answered. 

“It was a harsh place. A world where you had to do absolutely anything just to survive.”

“It must have been tough.”

“Perhaps.”

“So... are you happy now?”

In response to my question, Oh-sik took another sip of soju and nodded with a warm smile. 

“Yes, it is wonderful. Though farming is quite difficult. I’ve just realized there are things out there much harder to master than a sword.”

“Oh, really?”

“Indeed. I have learned a great deal. Farmers spend their entire lives fighting against the land to survive. It made me wonder if I was simply weak, having only ever known how to fight other humans.”

I paused, surprised by a response that was far deeper than I expected. 

“Well, it’s really good to see you like this.”

This time, Oh-sik looked surprised.

“When you first got here, you looked so stiff wearing that heavy armor.” I explained. 

“But now you look completely comfortable, and your smile is much more natural. You couldn't even smile properly at first, remember?”

“Was I... truly like that?”

“Yeah. You're doing much better now.”

“Thank you. It is all thanks to your guidance, my lord.”

“Do you think you’ll go back someday?”

“Yes, eventually, I suppose I must.”

“You’ll do great over there, too. Just like you're doing here.”

Oh-sik bowed his head deeply. 

“I will never forget you, my lord, even after I return.”

“Okay, okay, that’s enough of that.” 

Seeing him get so formal made me feel a bit embarrassed, so I laughed it off, chalking it up to the alcohol.

*Sniff, hic, sniff...*

Suddenly, a sobbing sound echoed from nearby. I looked over, but Seol-ah was just diligently inhaling her 'budaejjigae'. When I wiped the red soup off her little lips, she just giggled and went right back to sucking up the noodles.

Then who was crying? Could it be the earth fairies?

“The apple trees are growing so big~!”

“Our wonderful tomatoes are growing fresh and healthy!”

“The Great Master hasn’t checked on us lately. We need to show amazing results to get his attention!”

“Everyone, cheer up! *Ta-da!*”

“*Ta-da~!*”

The earth fairies were just chattering happily amongst themselves in the corner, tending to the plants.

Then who...?

I looked back down at James, who was still passed out on his side.

“Jin-sol... Oh-sik... your friendship is so beautiful...” he blubbered, tears streaming down his face even with his eyes tightly shut.

Seriously, it was like his tear ducts were directly connected to his alcohol intake. The night deepened to the peaceful sound of crickets chirping.

The next morning.

“Ugh...”

As expected, the hangover hit hard. I was mostly fine, but surprisingly, Oh-sik was suffering terribly.

“Oh, my soul is leaving my body... I need to use the restroom. I think I see my ancestors...”

As for James, who had only managed a few drinks before passing out, he looked like he was actively dying. Oh man, for such powerful people, their alcohol tolerance was utterly pathetic.

“I’ll make us some hangover ramen.” I announced.

Given how brutally hungover they were, I decided to cook a special version instead of standard instant ramen. I remembered watching a hangover cure video on YouTube a while back. 

'They say tomato ramen is incredible for a hangover.'

How could it not be amazing if it was boiled with fresh tomatoes?

First, I pulled out a few packs of spicy ramen. I sliced some freshly picked golden bell tomatoes in half, chopped up an onion, and fragrant-fried them in oil in a deep pan. Once they softened up, I poured in the water, added the ramen seasoning packets, and brought it to a rolling boil.

Meanwhile, I beat a few eggs in a bowl. When the water boiled, I dropped the noodles in, adding a spoonful of red pepper powder for heat and a splash of vinegar for tang. Once the noodles were perfectly al dente, I swirled in the egg mixture, ladled everything into large bowls, and finished it off with fresh black pepper and sliced green onions.

“Wow, that smells incredible.”

The scent was surprisingly fresh and savory. Oh-sik and James, sitting miserably at the table, snapped their eyes open.

“Is that... tomato soup?” James blinked. 

“As expected of my brother Jin-sol, you really know your stuff.”

It wasn't exactly traditional tomato soup, but it was close enough.

“Give it a try.” I said.

James and Oh-sik tasted the broth first, and their eyes instantly went wide. I followed suit and took a sip.

'Oh, this is seriously good.'

The spicy, slightly sour broth melted away the stale taste of alcohol. Even though I hadn't added any fancy meat or seafood, the broth tasted incredibly rich, as if it had been simmering for hours. Chewing the softened tomatoes and fluffy eggs together made it feel like a high-end gourmet soup.

“Haa... I feel completely alive again.” 

After downing a few spoonfuls, Oh-sik’s pale face finally regained its color.

And then...

“This is so spicy... *sniff*... it tastes like home...”

For some reason, James’ tear ducts burst wide open yet again. If I told the public that I watched the legendary Hunter James Schwarzenegger cry three separate times in less than twenty-four hours, would anyone actually believe me?

A hilarious thought crossed my mind. Maybe James wasn’t just homesick. 

'Is he going through male menopause?' 

At 48 years old, a hormonal imbalance seemed like a very distinct possibility.

It’s a scientific fact that people can become more emotional as they age. However, James possessed unnaturally high testosterone levels due to his massive muscles and hunter awakening; doctors were always shocked to find his hormone levels rivaled a man in his early twenties.

Yet, ever since he arrived at my farm, he couldn't stop crying. Was it because being back in Korea triggered vivid childhood memories? No, the place he was staying now was thousands of miles away from his actual birthplace.

The real reason was that the man sitting across from him—Jin-sol—kept serving dishes that struck the exact chord of what his soul missed the most.

‘Grandma’s tomato patch.’

This ramen perfectly mimicked the rustic tomato soup his grandmother used to make for him on freezing winter days when he was a kid. It was a flavor that didn't just soothe an alcohol-soaked stomach; it purified a mind and body entirely exhausted by the burdens of the world. With every bite, he felt the deep-seated fatigue and old injuries of a top-tier hunter being gently cleansed.

Who on earth 'wouldn't' cry after eating food like this?

“The 'budaejjigae' yesterday was spectacular, but this... this food is unbelievable. It doesn't even compare to a Michelin three-star meal.” James praised honestly.

“Thank you.” I replied humbly.

Oh-sik chimed in, staring at me with profound respect. 

“As expected of you, my lord!”

James felt a profound sense of warmth. These were truly good people. Being here almost felt like heaven. Having received such incredible hospitality, he couldn't just leave empty-handed.

“I can’t just let this slide.” James muttered, his expression suddenly turning dead serious. 

“I need to give you something proper in return. Man, what a guy. Jin-sol, look at this.”

James began fumbling around in his tactical pants. With a highly secretive gesture, he pulled out a small, luxurious-looking steel case.

What on earth could be inside to make him handle it so delicately? James placed the case carefully on the table, using his massive fingers to control his strength, and whispered like he was revealing a government secret.

“It’s something I obtained while conquering the Mushimushi Gate a while back. It’s a classified artifact that even the US government doesn't know about. I want you to have it.”

“Oh... are you sure that's okay?” I asked.

“Of course not!”

“Then shouldn't you keep it?”

“It’s a gift from the heart! Those bureaucrats back home can’t tell me what to do anyway. I’m the strongest man alive.”

That was technically true, but hearing it come from America’s ultimate defender felt wild.

“I’m going to open it now. Don’t be surprised. I won't take responsibility if you faint from shock.”

James slowly peeled away the thick layers of security seals and popped the lid. A thin wisp of cool white smoke drifted out. As the mist cleared to reveal the contents, a look of surprise crossed my face, as well as Oh-sik’s and Seol-ah’s.

“Uh?”

“Hmm?”

“Huuuh?”

However, our surprise was rooted entirely in confusion rather than awe. Because the precious item resting inside the case was none other than...

“A marble?”

It was a tiny, smooth red bead. It was roughly the size of a quail egg.

James totally misinterpreted our blank stares, thinking we just didn't comprehend its value because we weren't active dungeon hunters.

“Oh, my sweet Jin-sol... and cute Seol-ah! This isn’t just a simple marble. It’s a mythical egg I brought back from the deepest depths beyond the gate!”

It was an unidentified biological anomaly retrieved from another world. This was the most valuable solo-drop James had kept from his entire military career. He smirked, fully expecting us to freak out now that we knew it came from a gate.

“Oh, I see.” I said neutrally.

“The little red sphere is quite pretty, my lord.” Oh-sik added, completely unfazed.

James’ smile instantly froze. He looked completely embarrassed. No, wait. Even if they didn't know its exact marketplace value, shouldn't regular citizens be losing their minds over an exotic object from another dimension?

“I just told you this is a legendary egg I harvested from beyond the gate?!”

“Yes, we heard you.”

'No! Why weren't you curious?!'

But I had my own valid reasons. When you regularly find actual, literal dragon eggs randomly dropping in your front yard, a glowing red marble doesn't exactly scream 'miracle.'

“It’s nice and shiny.” I offered as a closing compliment.

James looked physically wounded. How could this be happening? Was it possible for human beings to be this aggressively indifferent?

“You don’t get it! You really don't get it! This damn thing is incredibly awesome!”

“Please mind your pronunciation, James. It's 'gu-seul' (bead), not whatever curse word you just accidentally yelled.”

“It’s a massive, world-changing artifact! A priceless treasure that I literally had to hide inside my underwear to smuggle out!”

“Seol-ah, cover your ears.” I immediately ordered, clapping my hands over Seol-ah’s ears to shield her from his loud, butchered Korean words.

Meanwhile, James kept wildly shouting broken words, completely obsessed with calling the bead an egg. Seol-ah, completely oblivious to the chaos, just smiled brightly, loving the feeling of my hands holding her head. Her chubby cheeks crinkled up, making her look incredibly adorable.

Watching the legendary hero throw a literal temper tantrum in my kitchen made Oh-sik and me burst into sudden laughter. Once the commotion finally settled down, I decided to throw him a bone.

“Look, James. The reason Oh-sik and I aren't losing our minds is because we're already completely used to things coming out of dungeons.”

“What? Used to it? How could ordinary farmers be used to dungeon drops?!”

“We literally just ate one.”

“...What?”

“A crop from beyond the gate.”

“......?”

James slowly lowered his eyes to the empty ramen bowl he had just scraped clean. What had been in there? Onions? Noodles? Wait... no way.

“The 'tomeiluo' (tomatoes)?!”

“Yep.”

Panicking, James instantly summoned his hunter status window. A golden holographic system alert manifested in the air.

[You have consumed Golden Bell Tomato - Grade: A]

[All residual fatigue and biological toxins have been completely purified.]

James dropped his jaw so low it looked like it would hit the floor. What kind of insane hidden item was this? A grocery crop with top-tier divine purification properties? And a certified 'A-grade' at that?!

How many tomatoes had been floating in that ramen broth? How many had he just unceremoniously swallowed? James’ hands began to visibly tremble. He had just casually inhaled a legendary-tier consumable without even realizing it!

“Ji-Jin-sol... this... this is...”

“What? It's fine. There are no negative side effects.”

“What a waste! We should have auctioned it!” James shrieked in absolute agony.

I just laughed at his dramatic reaction and pointed out the kitchen window toward the courtyard. 

“Don’t worry. There are plenty more where that came from.”

Out in the yard, hundreds of glowing, perfectly ripe golden bell tomatoes were neatly piled high in wooden crates, waiting for the day's delivery.

James shook his head, utterly shell-shocked. 

'Oh my god! Unbelievable! Absolutely insane!' 

As he let out a barrage of colorful English exclamations, Oh-sik cleared his throat.

“Hey, James.” Oh-sik spoke up, his expression suddenly shifting into one of immense, solemn pride.

“Huh?”

“This.” Oh-sik declared, puffing out his chest arrogantly, “is the legendary K-crop that has China trembling, Japan weeping with envy, and the United States completely obsessed.”

“...!!”

“Never underestimate the power of Korean agriculture again.”

“K-crop! Please sell it to America! I beg of you!” James practically pleaded.

...It was now officially confirmed that the nationalistic, clickbait Korean YouTube channels Oh-sik secretly watched in his free time had completely rotted his brain.

I rubbed my temples, feeling a massive headache coming on.

‘Why on earth is a literal knight from a fantasy dimension acting like a proud patriot for Korean agricultural exports?’

It was a mystery that I, Baek Jin-sol, would never be able to solve.