NOVEL NEXT Chapter 106.2
Let’s Enjoy A Simple Namul With Various Vegetables
The asparagus ends rolled across the floor, and Rooks absorbed them into its body with a squishy motion. It seemed utterly delighted. Yuuri couldn’t tell if the labyrinth-grown ingredients were especially tasty or if Rooks was just happy to be helpful. He didn’t dwell on it, though; Rooks’s joy was enough to make Yuuri indulge his familiar. …And no, it’s not a pet.
“Yuuri, I’ve snapped all of them.”
“Thanks. Now, let’s peel the skin off the bottom few centimeters with the peeler.”
“Does it make a difference?”
“The bottoms are tough otherwise.”
Side by side, they pressed the peeler to the lower ends of the asparagus, carefully removing the skin. There was a lot to handle, but working together made it manageable. As they peeled, the asparagus skins joined the potato peels and okra stems, all disappearing into Rooks’s body. Waiting eagerly for scraps, Rooks made it impossible not to feed it. …Since Rooks arrived, the hideout hadn’t needed to dispose of any organic waste. Everything edible vanished into the monster, making composting obsolete. Convenient, if unusual.
Once peeled, the asparagus went into salted boiling water. They remained whole to prevent them from absorbing excess water and diluting their flavor. The same logic applied to the okra. Vegetables that could be cut after boiling often retained better flavor that way.
The boiled okra and asparagus were drained and cooled, and then the seasoning began. Yuuri started with the julienned potatoes, coating them in sesame oil and mixing in powdered broth—specifically, a light kombu-based one that paired well with the potatoes. …And since certain someone(s) might come charging in, potatoes were chosen for their abundance and ease of preparation.
“For the okra, slice them diagonally in half. For the asparagus, cut them into bite-sized pieces, then quarter each piece lengthwise.”
“Got it.”
After cooking with Yuuri for some time, even the trainees had improved their knife skills. Yakk confidently cut the okra and asparagus, then added them to bowls for seasoning with sesame oil and powdered broth. The okra was paired with fish-based dashi, while the asparagus got chicken stock. These choices reflected Yuuri’s personal taste rather than any culinary rules.
Having tasted Yuuri’s namul before, Yakk was adept at adjusting flavors as needed. With prior experience, it was easier to balance the seasoning, even when using different vegetables. And so, the potato, okra, and asparagus namul were successfully completed—a bounty of vegetable side dishes. Given that namul paired better with rice than bread, Yuuri opted for rice as the main staple of the meal. A vegetable-rich soup and soy-sauce-simmered pork strips rounded out the menu. The balance seemed decent enough.
Come dinnertime…
Predictably, Magg dove straight for the potato namul. The shredded potatoes, cooked to maintain a crisp texture, were perfectly seasoned with sesame oil and dashi, making them irresistible as a side or snack. Though served in individual portions, Magg’s quick consumption pace was alarming. No one commented on whether his stomach was okay; after all, Magg was adept at self-regulation.
Still, it was unsettling when Magg’s red eyes fixated on the platter of namul, even while his own plate was full. He glared protectively at anyone reaching for the communal dish, especially when Urgus tried. Magg slapped Urgus’ hand away, sparking another round of bickering between the elder trainees. The others ignored them, accustomed to the chaos.
What no one expected, however, was Jake.
“This is delicious.”
The scholar, who typically ate sparingly, smiled as he steadily devoured the namul. Jake, usually as frail as his lanky appearance suggested, surprised everyone by eating so much. He paired the namul with rice, even requesting seconds, which drew more shocked stares.
The okra, cut into bite-sized pieces, wasn’t overly slimy, making it palatable for those who disliked its texture. The asparagus, though juicier than the other vegetables, harmonized well with the seasoning. Its firm texture added a satisfying bite.
“…Jake, I didn’t know you liked namul this much.”
“Not necessarily. But today’s okra and asparagus are excellent.”
“Ah, so you prefer these over something like cucumbers?”
“Indeed. I especially enjoy okra. Finely chopped, it’s too slimy for me, but this preparation is delightful.”
Yuuri nodded, smiling as he took Jake’s bowl for a refill. …While he appreciated Jake’s enthusiasm, he quietly reduced the portion size, concerned about overindulgence.
Unsurprisingly, a few hours later, Jake was groaning from overeating. He served as a prime example of what not to do.