Chapter 57:Money and Talent Pour In
Chapter 57: Hoyang TV (1)
I didn’t go straight home.
“Hmm.”
I felt like I shouldn’t just leave. The reward for helping the elderly woman had been a Potion of Youth Recovery. It felt too unsettling to simply brush it off as a coincidence and move on.
Actually, to be more honest.
Setting the quest aside, I just didn't want to ignore it.
The image of the grandmother struggling up the stairs was still burned into my mind and wouldn't leave.
The sensation of her hand patting my shoulder, too.
It reminded me of my own grandparents, who always showered me with love whenever I visited them during the holidays.
“Right.”
Aside from any complicated reasons, I just wanted to do it.
That was reason enough.
There was no point in agonizing over it any further.
I hurried to a nearby pharmacy. After buying a pack of Bacchus (an energy drink), I added two drops of the potion into one of the bottles. Then, I drove a long way back around. I parked the car near my destination and walked back to the house with the blue gate where I had dropped her off.
*Will she drink it?*
For now, I had no choice but to try.
Stopping in front of the gate, I took a deep breath and reached out.
*Ding-dong.*
The doorbell rang, and before long, the gate opened. Fortunately, the same grandmother I had escorted appeared.
“Oh? My, did you leave something behind?”
“No, it’s not that.”
“Then what brings you back? It must have been exhausting with all those stairs.”
“I was about to head home, but for some reason, I kept thinking about you. You reminded me of my own grandmother, so I wanted to bring you a small gift. Here, please take this. It’s Bacchus.”
“Oh, my, this is…”
The grandmother seemed momentarily speechless. Soon, her expression softened warmly.
“In the old days, neighbors used to share meals and give each other food all the time.”
“Ah… is that so?”
“Of course. Young people these days probably don’t experience that much. It’s only natural not to know. But receiving a gift like this from a young man… it brings back old memories. It’s lovely, truly lovely.”
As soon as she took the pack of Bacchus, Ryu Seong moved his hands busily. He quickly pulled out the specific bottle he had spiked with the potion and twisted the cap open.
“Please, have one right now.”
“Thank you, truly.”
Thankfully, she drank the Bacchus without any suspicion.
“Well, I’ll be going now.”
“Why don’t you come in and have a meal with us?”
“I’m alright, I have somewhere I need to be.”
“Get home safely, then.”
The grandmother waved her hand with a hint of regret.
Ryu Seong gave a polite bow and headed back to where his car was parked.
Now, it was finally time to go home.
Returning home, I waited for evening to come.
The atmosphere was harmonious. In the midst of it, Ryu Seong alone was reminiscent of a character from *Mission: Impossible*. He maintained a constant surveillance operation, masked by forced smiles.
Only one thing mattered now.
He needed the keen eye to catch the perfect timing when it arrived.
“Phew, my throat feels a bit dry.”
At my mother’s words, I immediately presented the water glass I had been preparing. Two drops of the Youth Recovery Potion had already been dissolved into it.
“Mom, here.”
“Oh? Thanks.”
I watched her face intently as she gulped down the water. I couldn't see much of a difference.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Huh? Oh, it's nothing.”
“Anyway, thanks for the water, son.”
“Yeah, sure.”
I set the glass on the sink and kept an eye on her. She was watching a drama, but even as time passed, she didn't seem to notice any change.
“That’s strange.”
“What’s strange?”
“No, it’s just… do you happen to feel like your condition has improved or anything like that?”
“What on earth are you talking about all of a sudden?”
Ryu Seong tilted his head in confusion and went into his room.
*Is the effect too subtle?*
It was a Low-Grade potion, so that was possible. Still, I had to make sure they took it. My expectations had dipped slightly, but I couldn't stop now.
“Drink some water while you work.”
“Oh, thanks.”
“You too.”
“Hmm… don't tell me you did it again. Nah, probably not.”
“I didn't spit in it, you brat.”
“Hehe.”
Surprisingly, Ryu Hwan and Ryu Hyeon-ah were easy targets.
Ryu Hwan drank the water as soon as I set it next to his desk, and although Hyeon-ah was suspicious, she drank it without a word—likely because I’d given her some allowance recently.
“Anyway, thanks, Bro!”
“Sure thing.”
Finally, I
brought a glass to my father while he was reviewing documents at home.
That takes care of the family.
Unlike the description, there were no dramatic transformations, but there was no doubt things had improved. I decided to be satisfied with that.
The next morning.
The whole family gathered for breakfast, but the atmosphere was peculiar.
*What is this?*
I looked at them, puzzled.
"Uh...?"
Should I say they were glowing? To exaggerate a bit—yes, they were dazzling. Ryu Hyeon-ah, watching me stand there blankly, reached out and poked my cheek.
"Wow, your skin looks better too, Oppa."
"Huh...?"
Her action and words snapped me back to reality.
"You looked so scruffy yesterday. What did we even eat? Mom, Dad, me, you, even Ryu Hwan—everyone’s skin is just radiating health."
She was right. Especially my parents; the change in them was significant.
It seemed the Potion of Youth Recovery didn't take effect the moment you drank it. It appeared to manifest gradually while we slept. What I felt yesterday... must have been the placebo effect. In short, I had been imagining things.
"Dad, you look like you've gotten younger."
"You see it too?"
"Yes. Absolutely."
"Haha, well, when I was washing my face this morning, I did think I looked better than usual. I suppose some days are just like that when you're feeling good."
Fortunately, the change wasn't so extreme that it defied logic. It was at a level people could accept—like the way your skin looks better after a face mask or the glow you get right after washing up. It was just about that much.
"Let’s eat first."
"Ah, yes."
"Thank you for the food!"
I observed them while we ate.
"By the way, honey."
"Yes?"
"Strangely enough, my knees feel a lot better too."
"Really? My back feels a bit more comfortable, too."
"Maybe it's because we slept well?"
My parents just shrugged it off, but it was different for me. I knew all of this was the effect of the potion.
*It’s incredible, truly.*
Seeing effects that exceeded my expectations made me feel greedy. Part of me wanted to start a beverage business right then and there.
"Tsk."
But the limitations were too clear. The item's effectiveness capped at exactly two drops. Besides, it cost 200 points. The price itself wasn't realistic for mass production.
And above all else.
It was too dangerous. Releasing such a treasure without having a solid foundation was just asking for unnecessary trouble.
In the end, foundation was everything. Only when I had a proper setup would I be able to act without constraints. I didn't need to start big. Small, modest—I could start like that and grow slowly.
"That was a good meal."
Whatever the case, consistency was the answer. Things were improving bit by bit, and they would continue to do so. Eventually, the day would come when everything I imagined would become reality.
Today, I handled a task I had been putting off: I visited a judicial scrivener to apply for corporate business registration. I was told it could take over two weeks due to the Chuseok holidays, so I put it out of my mind and waited.
*Is there anything fun to watch?*
I was rolling around on my bed after getting home when a YouTuber I followed started a live stream.
*Ooh...!*
Without a second thought, I joined.
[Hello everyone, Hoy! So, today I came out for some pork belly for lunch! Looks delicious, right? If you grill some kimchi right along with the meat... whew, my mouth is already watering.]
It was the famous mukbanger, Hoyang, known for devouring massive quantities of food.
*This is my first time catching Hoyang's live stream.*
Having just finished a satisfying lunch myself, I settled in to watch with a happy heart.
[Boss! 20 portions of pork belly, please!]
[Pardon...?]
[Just 20 portions to start, please.]
[Ah, I take it you have a party joining you?]
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