Chapter 26: The Feast That Broke Elena
1.
“What’s wrong? Did you… bite a bone or something?”
Elena froze, and Noir asked in a panic, worried something was wrong with the food.
– ???
– What’s up with her?
– Glitch?
– Is it so bad she’s stunned lolol?
“Noona, I said it’s boneless galbi-jjim. How could she bite a bone? And her mouth’s still moving even if her body’s stopped.”
As everyone puzzled, Carrier walked out from the kitchen.
“Oh, right. Then why’s she like that?”
“She’s shocked because it’s too delicious. Elena-nim, don’t mind it, Noona, eat up before it gets cold.”
“Uh, okay.”
– Shocked from deliciousness lolol? What is this, a cooking manga???
– For real lol, she’s good at cooking, but that’s some crazy confidence…
– Isn’t it sus they didn’t show the cooking? Just reheated store-bought stuff, right?
Trolls in the chat stirred trouble at Carrier’s claim.
But they didn’t know—Elena was genuinely trembling with awe, just as Carrier said.
Chew chew—
The moment she bit in, the meat tore apart tenderly along its grain.
The soy sauce, simmered for hours, had seeped deep, filling her mouth with rich, heavy flavor from a single bite.
‘Best galbi-jjim I’ve ever had!’
And the rice—perfectly cooked, releasing a nutty sweetness with each chew, harmonizing with the meat.
“Wow, this is seriously amazing…”
Swallowing the galbi-jjim, Elena couldn’t help but gasp. It was a dish worthy of endless praise.
“My viewers know I’m a huge fan of Korean food, right?”
– Yup lol
– Famous for it lol
– Elena’s a Korean food snob
– Went to Japan and hit a Korean restaurant in two days, that crazy girl ㅇㅇ;
– Known for packing gochujang tubes
– Elena’s Korean food love is next level bb
Skimming the chat, Elena continued.
“So my agency usually books Korean fine-dining for meetings. I always order galbi-jjim, but this… it’s better than anything there.”
She brought the camera close to the plate, lifting a piece of galbi.
With a slight tug of her chopsticks, the meat tore along its grain.
“See how tender it is? It melts in your mouth, and the sauce just explodes… I’m speechless.”
Mid-explanation, Elena stared at the galbi, dazed.
Gulp—
She swallowed hard and popped it in her mouth. Pure instinct.
– lol
– Thought she was acting, but guess not lol
– Look at her face lol
Elena was baffled.
She’d been explaining, but when had she eaten? She couldn’t comprehend.
Chew chew—
Yet her mouth kept moving.
It was just that good.
“Elena-nim! Try it with the potato! It’s a total hit!”
At Noir’s urgent shout, Elena hurriedly grabbed a potato.
So soft, she had to focus just to pick it up.
A piece of galbi and a potato chunk. S
he placed both on a spoon and ate.
Chew chew—
The mashed potato mixed with the rich sauce, creating the perfect consistency.
‘The galbi alone was a bit heavy, but the potato’s moisture balances it perfectly…’
The sauce’s saltiness and sweetness softened with the potato’s starch.
It was undeniably better than the meat alone.
“This… is a real hit…”
“Right?”
Noir grinned at Elena’s words.
They smiled at each other, devouring the galbi. Then a thought hit Elena.
‘The meat… it’s disappearing.’
Obvious, really.
Food exists to be eaten, and eating makes it vanish.
Her mind got it, but her heart couldn’t accept it.
The once-heaping galbi was now less than half.
While she savored and explained, Noir had eaten it all!
‘I can’t just sit here!’
Realizing the galbi was finite, urgency kicked in.
Gulp—
Elena grabbed another piece.
No time for awe, explanations, or savoring.
She had to eat as much as possible.
Her mouth moved at lightning speed, ignoring the chat, focused solely on eating.
– Elena got serious all of a sudden?
– She’s eating faster now?
– Wasn’t she a light eater???
– Girl who downs two bowls of bibimbap a light eater???
– For real lol
“Uh, uh… Elena-nim? I was gonna eat that…”
Elena snatched a piece Noir was reaching for.
When Noir protested, Elena shot her a cold glare.
“N-No, it’s fine… I’m okay, eat as much as you want…”
Noir’s spirit broke under that stare.
With Carrier’s holy power drained, the Courage blessing faded, leaving her unable to argue.
– Poor Noir ㅠㅠㅠㅠ
– Look at her being all cautious lolol
– Elena, you madwoman…!
– Our Elena’s sorry… She’s not usually like this, just weird today…
– Usually? Like this? Not? Really?
Noir just bit her chopsticks, silently watching.
Elena demolished the galbi mercilessly.
“Another bowl of rice!”
The heaping rice was gone, and she grabbed a second bowl without hesitation.
The once-plentiful galbi vanished quickly.
Only after scraping the last of the sauce did her frenzy stop.
“Well eaten.”
Elena wiped her mouth with a napkin, leaning back and patting her stomach—a picture of satisfaction.
– Look at her face lolol
– Must’ve been really good
– First time seeing Elena eat so messily…
– Thought she only got messy in games, but food too, huh
“Was it to your taste?”
“Yes. Best galbi-jjim of my life. The salad earlier was amazing too.”
“Glad you liked it. Want dessert?”
“There’s dessert?”
“Yup. A refreshing fruit sorbet to cleanse your palate.”
“Bring it now.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
At Elena’s firm request, Carrier headed to the kitchen.
– lol
– Her eyes are sparkling again
– Dessert too? ㄷㄷ The detail’s insane, like a full-course meal
– Three-course meal vibes
Soon, a sorbet arrived in an ice cream bowl, topped with colorful fruit pieces.
“Looks refreshing just seeing it.”
“It’ll taste even more refreshing.”
Elena scooped a bit of sorbet.
The smooth, white sorbet, made from pear, spread a cool, subtle sweetness on her tongue, followed by pineapple’s tangy aroma.
Strawberry, blueberry, and kiwi bits added a sweet, crisp aftertaste.
“Even the dessert’s perfect. It really cleanses the palate.”
Not extraordinary, but ideal for wrapping up.
“I’m so happy… Eating food this good in VR…”
She hadn’t expected this level of satisfaction. Carrier’s confidence wasn’t empty.
“It’s wild feeling full. That goes away outside VR, right?”
“Yes. It’s virtual food, after all.”
“Sigh, so I’ll have to eat something in reality… After this, instant ramen or delivery won’t cut it. It’s too cruel!”
“But eating in VR means no weight gain.”
“Oh, right!?”
Elena jolted.
The downside was needing real food later, but the upside? No calories in VR.
“Wow, eating this much with zero impact on my weight? This is huge…”
– Everyone’s dream, right? Eating tons with 0 calories ㄷㄷ
– Rich folks would pay big for this
“It’s not like I’m the only one who can use Flavor Link.”
“But you’re the only one who can make it taste this good. If word spreads, you’d rake in cash.”
“Even if I could, I’m not interested. Doesn’t suit me.”
Carrier shook her head firmly. Elena clicked her tongue.
“Shame. I’d be your first customer…”
“I’ll invite you again.”
“Really!? Promise?”
Elena jumped up, extending her pinky.
Carrier laughed and linked fingers.
“Promise. Sealed. Signed. Copied. Laminated.”
“Got it.”
“With the cooking done, we’ll wrap up. Thanks for watching!”
『Stream has ended.』
The stream ended, but its ripples were just beginning.