129 – A Well-Known Wedding Feast Has Plenty of Food #2
Being a third-year high school student is tough.
Even under martial law due to the “Zombie Incident” and the “Black Rain,” one must still go to school.
With the national exams just around the corner, there was no room for leisure.
‘The fact that school isn’t canceled is truly legendary.’
Geumseo was the quintessential high school girl, born and raised in a typical middle-class family right in the middle of South Korea.
Her parents were稳定的 public servants, so Geumseo had never been troubled by financial problems.
She attended all the cram schools she wanted to, and her allowance was more than enough.
But being a third-year high school student was indeed difficult and burdensome.
A vague fear of the future weighed heavily on her.
“Ah, hell! I didn’t even eat breakfast, and now this weather?”
Shaaaaa-
Blocking the “Black Rain” with her umbrella, Geumseo trudged on with heavy steps.
The all-girls school, Man-gae High, located in City D and attended by Geumseo, was renowned for sending many students to top-tier universities.
Most students were diligent in their studies; during the “Zombie Incident,” some were so immersed in their studies that they continued memorizing English vocabulary while injured from zombie bites.
For Geumseo, the pressure to compete with such students made entering the classroom feel suffocating—but today, the classroom atmosphere was strange.
Humsuhumsu-
The noisy classroom.
As Geumseo slowly entered, wondering what was going on, one of her friends, Gyucheon, thrust her smartphone screen right in front of her face, causing Geumseo to momentarily scowl after hitting her nose.
“Hey, Geumseo! Did you see this?”
“Korea’s Next Hero, Hanamjin, is holding an open-call matchmaking event!”
“Qualification – any unmarried woman can participate.”
“Preference for foot size 240mm or smaller.”
“Hanamjin is holding a public matchmaking event! Could this be an opportunity for us, too?”
Gyucheon was a member of the fan club for Hanamjin, affectionately known as “Namsoonies.”
Hanamjin was of no particular interest to Geumseo, whose life had been rather ordinary. However, the idea that anyone could participate in the matchmaking intrigued her somewhat. With that feeling, she decided to go along with Gyucheon after school.
“We’ve arrived in front of Hanamjin’s house, twenty days after he went missing in the Great Labyrinth.”
“Congrats to Hanamjin for his safe return!”
Amidst the crowds of people and TV crews, Geumseo was astonished. First by the number of people crammed into the narrow alley, then by the striking appearance of the women, each competing to dress more elaborately than the next.
‘The competition is fierce.’
Of course, this was Korea’s most famous high school boy holding a public marriage recruitment—naturally, women with varied desires would flock to the event.
While most of the attendees seemed opportunists looking to cash in on the event, the joy and anticipation on their faces gave Geumseo a strange feeling.
Think of the “Zombie Incident,” “Demon Nam Woo-joo,” “Black Rain,” and the “Genesis Temple.” How many calamities had Korea endured?
In such a depressing world where laughter was scarce, this public matchmaking was an odd yet significant event that brought genuine happiness to people.
But…
“Wow, look over there! It’s Seugal.”
“She’s gorgeous, isn’t she? Her skin is perfect, not a single blemish.”
“Is Seugal also joining this public recruitment?”
Ordinary Geumseo felt even more unremarkable when she saw the impressive young women her own age.
‘I guess I should just focus on my studies. What am I even doing here?’
Geumseo had spent a lot of time contemplating her future but realized she needed to stick to her duty: to exert effort in an ordinary way, as she was just an ordinary person.
“Participant number 124, Miss Geumseo, it’s your turn to go inside…!”
At that moment, a strange fairy-like girl called out. Was it really her turn already? It was strange.
Geumseo entered the yard and then the living room of the run-down house. Made of wooden floors creaking under her steps, this old house was a surprising sight even in the age of high-rise apartments, but she soon stopped paying attention because her eyes met those of a boy sitting on the sofa, causing her face to immediately heat up.
“Ah…Hi, you’re Hanamjin, right? I’ve seen you on the news.”
Geumseo wasn’t a member of Hanamjin’s fan club, but facing a celebrity up close filled her with tension, stammering her words.
Hanamjin spoke to her.
“Geumseo, it wasn’t originally your turn, but I called you earlier because your name is unusual.”
Ssssh-
Geumseo felt slightly uncomfortable with the overt gaze of the boy, scanning her from head to toe. Having spent her whole education in all-girl schools, she wasn’t used to the attention from boys.
‘He must think I’m boring compared to such a glittering name. I must be insane for doing this awkward experience – why am I even here?’
“Skills?”
“Huh?”
“What skills do you have? Imagine if a kidnapper kidnapped you and told you to perform your best skill, threatening to hit you if you didn’t. What can you show?”
Skill?
Geumseo was at a loss for words from the sudden question. What was she good at?
“…I’m…good at eating live octopus.”
In fact, Geumseo had received praises in her childhood for eating live octopus well enough to even appear on TV.
Although it seemed trivial now as she grew older, it was, after all, the only thing remarkable in her very ordinary life.
“Mhhh… This Baonoi is prepared to provide live octopus in advance for such occasions! Taste this disgusting writhing mollusk!”
Ck!
The plate of live octopus was placed before her, its squirming movement uncannily resembling her current situation.
‘What am I doing here?’
With a resigned sentiment toward whatever might happen, Geumseo swallowed the octopus whole.
Ummmm!
It actually tasted good.
Right at that moment,
“Wahhh! Swallowing that big thing in one gulp! You really can eat live octopus! In one bite, alive as it is, swallowing it whole!”
The boy, Hanamjin, stared at her with wide, exaggerated eyes in apparent amazement.
“What is Baonoi witnessing now? Verily, it’s the nymph of wat!?”
“This Inonoi doesn’t know what this is exactly, but I must say this is truly amazing!”
They all seemed genuinely shocked and impressed.
Despite the mild embarrassment, being complimented wasn’t entirely unpleasant.
Ck!
Hanamjin grabbed Geumseo by the shoulder.
“Geumseo, right? Watching you eat is truly adorable. Have you ever thought about doing a food broadcast or something similar? I think you have potential.”
Talent?
Geumseo was flustered. It felt like she was being teased.
But upon reflection, ever since she was young, she had excelled at eating everything. Perhaps her talent wasn’t eating live octopus but rather just eating well.
“Well, I’ll tell you the interview result. The result is—.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Geumseo covered Hanamjin’s mouth with her palm.
It was obvious anyway.
She didn’t want to hear a rejection.
However, Geumseo felt unexpectedly light-hearted.
Because she had realized what she did well and what she truly wanted to pursue.
‘I liked showing others how well I eat! After the college entrance exam, I might as well study how to do food broadcasting.’
With that thought, Geumseo exited the living room.
The “Black Rain” that had been falling since the morning had stopped, and now the sun was shining brightly, making her way back feel especially bright and refreshing.
# # #
“Truly remarkable. Swallowing this ‘Mountain Squid’ in one bite.”
The ‘Mountain Squid’ was a creature discovered in the Great Labyrinth.
Although resembling an octopus, it was actually an alien being. Even nymphs didn’t know its origin. It’s described as some sort of root-based mollusk.
Regardless, it was highly beneficial for health, blending the virtues of ginseng and octopus. It was excellent for women’s skincare and enhanced stamina for men. It’s an incredibly rare ingredient.
However, nymphs didn’t like it.
“This girl who swallows this highly resistant and wriggling ingredient alive in one bite! This was truly impressive… I wanted to give her high marks, but she left!”
Indeed.
I intended to give her a score but missed the chance. Anyway, that’s how I was progressing with the public matchmaking event.
An atmosphere of grandeur and excitement.
A well-known feast, indeed!
All sorts of people with their own motives naturally gravitated toward such a grand event. Even Old Man Hugi or members of the Genesis Temple might have infiltrated.
That’s how we connect with them.
“So, who’s next?”
The line was extensive, so the interview had to progress quickly.
When I called the next person, a young woman entered, opening the gate.
It was a striking girl with fiery red hair and a frilly skirt paired with black stockings—charming indeed.
“Hello, I’m Foxy from the U.S. and I’m your fan, Hanamjin.”
She is a fan, which is great.
It’s natural to feel intrigued by someone who says they like you.
“What skills do you have?”
“I’m good at everything.”
The confident answer from the American student Foxy made me want to test the truth behind her confidence.
“What’s 12 multiplied by 36?”
“That’s not hard. It’s 432.”
“How about 441 times 17?”
“That would be 7,497.”
“Wow, really impressive. How about massages? Test it out by kneading my legs a bit. I always need thorough care for my legs. If you want to date me, knowing how to give a massage is basic.”
Sssh.
As I extended my leg, the American exchange student Foxy looked startled.
Probably the first time a man asks her to massage his feet upon their first meeting.
“Can’t do it?”
“I can.”
Ck-
The American student Foxy extended her confident hands and firmly pressed my foot.
Gaaaack, kwaakkk!
She pressed with such vigor, it kind of hurt. Still, proper finger pressure can be a bit painful.
“Wow, your grip strength is impressive. It feels like my blocked qi is flowing again.”
“Alright, done?”
“Very good. Now, I’d like to return the favor. Come here, I’ll give you a kiss. Let’s celebrate!”
Pa!
I suddenly pulled the American student Foxy toward me.
She squirmed like a wild animal suddenly trapped by a hunter.
“What is this?! We’ve just met!”
Chuuuuuuu!
I kissed her with such vigor that it felt like I might s*ck her cheeks clean.
“Hhhhhhhuuaaaa!”
Like a pterosaur whose drinking was interrupted by a sea monster, the American student Foxy screamed.
I burst out laughing.
“So, this is Seugal’s style. Is your hair dyed or a wig?”
“…How long have you known?”
“From the moment you entered. What do you think my ‘instinct’ concept is? Your disguise is excellent, but my nose isn’t fooled because I can smell ‘Seugal.’”
Kkungg!
As I twitched my nose, the disguised Seugal furrowed hers and swiftly removed her wig.
“This is so annoying!”
Actually, even I was unsure.
Changing appearance merely by altering spots on the face and expressions? With Seugal’s ‘mimicry’ concept, imitating the appearances and facial muscles of others would certainly not be difficult.
Soon, Seugal removed the spots on her face and explained as if to justify herself.
“I regained consciousness and heard about the public match-making. I wanted to monitor to see if you were up to anything strange. There is no hidden motive, so don’t misunderstand me.”
Misunderstanding? What misunderstanding?
“In fact, isn’t this a kind of romance comedy where the secretly infatuated Seugal tries to go on a match with me without others knowing? Don’t worry. Someone like you wouldn’t do such things.”
“…Hnn, you know me well.”
“Conveniently, this is perfect. Women usually understand women. With about 30 people still lined up, I’d appreciate if you help me grade the candidates.”
“Huh? You’re actually planning to continue this bizarre recruitment? And even asking me to help?”
“Exactly. It’s an opportunity to meet women like me. Dangerous ones might also be lurking.”
Having Seugal by my side was an advantage.
We don’t know how the Genesis Temple terrorists might approach, but Seugal will surely be a strong ally. I gave a hint about unexpected visitors, and surely clever Seugal would understand my intentions.
“Alright, fine. If you insist, I’ll thoroughly grade them with you.”
Thus, Seugal began her rigorous assessment akin to that of an auntie.
