Chapter 29
I was walking absentmindedly following the Lesser Outer God's guidance.
At first, I only saw things that looked like snacks, but as I went further, I started to see foods that seemed somewhat familiar.
For example...
I could see foods like kimchi stew, jajangmyeon, pork cutlet, stir-fried pork, and such!
Seeing these foods that I had been wanting to eat again since being possessed in this world made my stomach growl.
"Ah, I'm hungry."
I hadn't even had breakfast before being dragged away and all this happened, so the desire to put something in my mouth grew stronger.
Let's finish this quickly and go back...
As I was walking along following the Lesser Outer God's guidance, for some reason, the Lesser Outer God's movements seemed rather sluggish.
Thinking its condition might not be good, I was watching quietly when suddenly it crossed its arms and turned around.
"...Hm?"
Wings fluttering irritably.
The corners of its mouth seeming to grumble.
Above all, trying to show a sulky expression but looking clumsy.
This is highly likely to be something it's not happy about.
"Friend?"
When I called it by its usual name, it shook its head vigorously as if disliking something.
What's it unhappy about now...
Ah.
Could it be...
"...Do you need a name too?"
Did I see wrong?
For a moment, the Lesser Outer God's expression brightened up, then it shook its head and turned away with a look that seemed to say "Hmph!"
Geez, this transparent little one.
Unlike the Observer's energetic feeling, its subtle way of showing its feelings was cat-like.
Looking at its current state, it seems like it will keep holding onto this if I don't fulfill its request.
A name, huh.
Well, it is a bit strange to keep calling "friend" to a child that followed me because it liked me.
My confidence was a bit shaken after naming the Observer earlier, but I still racked my brain.
Right.
First, it looks like a fairy...
If its color is pink... can I think of it as a flower?
Since flowers are plants...
"Talia! How about Ria for short?"
I remembered a fairy name from a fantasy novel I once read and threw it out there.
It was quite a pretty name that had stuck in my memory, so maybe the Lesser Outer God would like it too.
"...!"
Fortunately, did my naming sense work this time? The Lesser Outer God's expression brightened up, and it flew to my neck and hugged me.
There, there.
Was receiving a name that good?
I'm glad you liked it.
As I ruffled Ria's hair with my fingertip, it closed its eyes tightly and smiled happily.
If I told people "Actually, Outer Gods are very affectionate!", they'd all think I was crazy.
When I removed my finger from Ria, as usual, it became limp and started fluttering its wings to guide me again.
It was already such a cute child that this small happening only felt adorable.
"You only try to give me weird names! Waaah!"
...I feel like I heard something that pricked my conscience, but I decided to ignore it for now.
The guidance continued, and as we went deeper inside, the food started to become more diverse.
But how should I put it?
It felt like the foods that had been maintaining their original identities were now twisting among themselves.
For example, what should have been jjamppong had pasta poured over it.
Or pork soup with rice had red-seasoned intestines not just in it but overflowing and spilling outside the bowl.
This got worse the deeper we went, and later the bowls themselves merged into bizarre shapes, making me doubt whether what I was seeing was really food.
But strangely, looking at those foods made me feel a surge of appetite.
The urge to put them in my mouth right away rose up.
Maybe they're actually okay to eat?
Right, I have the Super Chicken Mod.
I don't get affected by mental interference.
Thinking that, I picked up something random, but only half a bowl that seemed to have been fitted like a puzzle piece came up.
Anything was fine.
I'm hungry, so hurry...
"...!"
Ria flew over and grabbed my arm to stop me.
I looked at it wondering what was wrong, and Ria was shaking its head vigorously as if to say this wasn't for eating.
I thought it might be okay to eat since I hadn't spilled it on the floor, but if Ria says no, I guess I have to listen.
Sighing deeply, I put the bowl on the ground, and Ria exhaled as if in relief. I followed its guidance.
Barely suppressing my appetite as I walked, finally something like a building came into view.
Ria also smiled brightly as if that was the right place and pointed at the building, then flew ahead with a flutter.
Let's finish this quickly.
Even if I go back to the original world, there won't be the food I want, but I felt like I needed to eat something to hold on.
I started running after Ria and arrived at the front of the building where Ria had stopped.
The appearance of the building was, how should I put it...
It looked like one of those run-down buildings often called "hidden gems" in Korea.
There was one narrow attic door, and an awning that made you wonder if it could properly block the sunlight.
Above all, even the outer wall of the building had slight cracks.
"Hm?"
Looking closely, there seemed to be some strange writing on the outer wall.
Hmm... familiar style.
It was the Recorder's text.
I wonder what nonsense they've written this time.
I've reached the point where I look forward to it now.
Thinking about the previous walkthrough, I might be able to get information about this Outer God.
-Hello!
Today I visited the 'Knight's Restaurant' located outside of Rondan, quite a distant place!
The 'Knight's Restaurant', located at the boundary between Outer God space and the human world, is not just a simple restaurant.
The advantages of the 'Knight's Restaurant' include a very neatly organized interior that provides a comfortable atmosphere for those who enter, and it's a very special restaurant filled with the cook's affection and effort.
In this review, I didn't have time for a meal, so I simply ordered an 'Americano' to drink, but unlike the espresso I've tasted so far, it was excellent with its light and smooth taste!
I absolutely recommend trying it!
Other dishes sold at the 'Knight's Restaurant' are also delicious, so if you happen to come to the boundary of the world, be sure to drop by!
My rating for the 'Knight's Restaurant' is ★★★★★!
...I was still annoyed by the dizzying blogger-like tone, but the content inside was good for reference.
I see, so it was a real restaurant.
Though I wondered if it was really food that humans could eat.
Right, first I should go in and look inside.
With that thought, I carefully opened the door, and suddenly a loud 'ding-a-ling' sound rang out.
"Uh, huh?"
Was it a trap after all?
Thinking this was bad, I tried to turn around and run away immediately.
"Welcome!"
Until I heard a fresh yet mature voice from behind.
Because it sounded just like a real shop owner greeting a customer, I unconsciously turned around, and only then could I see what the inside of the building looked like.
Neatly arranged tables and chairs, and a counter surrounding the kitchen.
But the arrangement of the chairs was a bit strange.
They were stuck to the ceiling as if glued, and the lights were shining from the floor.
The strangely mixed foods outside and the clumsy imitation of a restaurant's appearance made me feel a bit odd.
And in the center stood a beautiful woman with a mature figure wearing an apron, smiling mysteriously as if nothing was out of the ordinary.
A human?
No, there's no way a human could be in a place like this.
That means this woman was likely the Outer God that Ria had been trying to guide me to.
And to be able to create such a unique place...
'Probably Greater Outer God class.'
It's not very accurate since it's a rank determined by the Knight Order, but anyway, it gives me a scale to think about how to deal with it.
Should I run away now?
I'd need to experience it once to analyze what kind of entity it is, but there was no guarantee things would go well like when I dealt with the Gardener.
Not all Outer Gods were guaranteed to show goodwill towards me unconditionally.
Right.
Let's retreat for now.
I don't know if I can escape, but since I haven't shown any hostility, that Outer God probably won't chase after me.
Thinking that, I gradually stepped backwards.
"Thank you for visiting our Knight's Restaurant."
Despite my retreating attitude, the Outer God spoke as if I would naturally come in.
I tried to ignore it and leave.
Huh? What?
Contrary to my intention, my body won't move.
I thought it might be mental interference, but it didn't feel like that.
Rather, it felt closer to my body not wanting to move away of its own accord.
"Are you perhaps a knight? Or a Candle? As per our restaurant's name, we offer service benefits to knights?"
I unconsciously answered to the seemingly enchanting tone.
"Yes, I'm a knight."
"Oh my, I see! Our restaurant always strives to provide a hearty meal to knights who always work hard for the world!"
As if to prove those words, the scent of food wafted from inside the door.
This smell...
It was somehow familiar yet nostalgic.
"Oh my, it's for two. Is the small guest also part of your party?"
Ria was also drooling and licking its lips.
My stomach growled.
As if pulled by a force, my feet that were trying to step back moved forward.
"Now, two guests entering!"
I entered the restaurant following the guidance.
Ding-a-ling.
***
When that Outer God started guiding, I was startled as the chair that was on the ceiling near the counter moved in the blink of an eye with a 'bang!'
Regardless, the Outer God smiled and guided me to sit in that chair, and I looked around with a sullen feeling.
It certainly evoked a nostalgic feeling reminiscent of a shop in rural Korea, but I wondered if it was right to stay like this.
Because it was such an impulsive decision, I was extremely worried, but seeing Ria already excited and dancing with the pre-set spoon in front of me, I could only sigh.
I'm firmly gripping the party flute in my pocket.
It was for just in case.
Right, it's good that it's a restaurant, sure.
But why run a restaurant in a place like this?
As I was lost in thought looking down at the table, a menu-like thing suddenly entered my view.
Startled, I looked up to see the Outer God smiling kindly, or rather, Outer God-ly.
"Here's the menu. Please ring the bell after you've decided!"
"Ah, yes."
I was surprised by the polite attitude of the Outer God, to the point where I unconsciously used polite speech.
Had there been an Outer God who used polite speech to me before?
I think most of them had spoken casually to me.
"..."
Well, from an Outer God's perspective, the human race must be a weak and inferior species, so I guess it could be considered a cultural difference, right?
It's definitely not because I'm afraid of the aftermath.
Let's look at the menu first.
Having come this far, I have no choice but to choose something.
Looking at the menu names that caught my eye, I couldn't help but shed tears.
"...Army stew, pork soup with rice, pork cutlet, stir-fried pork?"
Ah.
Am I seeing this wrong?
Is this really properly written text?
Moreover, not just that, but in the corner where alcoholic beverages were listed, "soju" was proudly occupying a spot.
And the text written at the very bottom of the menu:
'All these menu items are provided for free! Please stop trying to pay money!'
"Sniff, sob..."
"...!"
The Lesser Outer God, who had been excitedly choosing from the menu beside me, was startled by my suddenly wailing voice and tapped my arm, not knowing what to do.
But how can I not cry seeing this?
Suddenly being dragged here and living as the flow took me in an unknown world, and now being offered hometown foods for free.
Perhaps hearing my sobbing, the Outer God who had been tidying up in the kitchen was surprised and walked towards me.
"G-guest?! Are you alright?"
"S-sniff, sob. No, I'm fine. I, I've chosen my menu."
"I-I don't know what circumstances you have, but I'll do my best to make it delicious to comfort you!"
How can even comforting words be so beautiful?
Unable to resist the tears flowing from my eyes, I pointed at a menu item and said:
"T-then... I'll have one stir-fried pork and a bottle of soju..."
At my words, the Outer God smiled warmly and said:
"Order received!"
And so the cooking began.
I felt expectant, but.
Thud.
Suddenly, a collapsing sound was heard from somewhere.
Turning my head towards the sound, I saw a woman collapsed on a table.
With drool flowing from her mouth.
W-what's this?
Ria flew over quickly to check her pulse, but.
The result was...
Shake of the head.
...She's dead.