The marketplace buzzed with life; vendors shouting over one another, the scent of grilled meats and spices filling the air, and the chatter of customers weaving through tightly packed stalls.
Ji Hoon strolled leisurely between carts, his eyes scanning baskets of produce and hanging bundles of herbs. Behind him trailed Beatrice, already flustered, and Ardine, his ever-silent guard.
"Young master," Beatrice puffed, quickening her steps to keep up. "You really don't need to come down here yourself. If you'd only make a list, I could send a servant to fetch everything you need."
Ji Hoon barely registered her words. His mind was busy assembling flavors.
'Cream, whole milk… strawberries for the sauce. For sweetness—sugar. But… do they even have sugar here? If not, maybe honey could work…'
He turned abruptly. "Beatrice, do you guys have sugar in this world?"
She blinked. "Sugar? Of course. But which one do you mean? White sugar, sea sugar, brown suga—"
"Wait." Ji Hoon stopped mid-step. "Did you just say sea sugar? Don't you mean sea salt?"
Beatrice tilted her head. "No? Sea sugar. I didn't misspeak."
He frowned. "Sea… sugar? You're telling me there's sugar in the ocean?"
"Oh yes." Her voice brightened as though it were the most ordinary thing. "It comes from the Saccharum Marinum. A rare sea. But it's far too expensive since the extraction method is hard, only the Emperor's kitchens can afford it, and even then, rarely."
Ji Hoon froze, stunned. A sea that makes sugar? What the hell…?
Beatrice eyed him suspiciously. "But, young master… why did you say 'this world'? You talk like you're some alien."
"Ah—" Ji Hoon coughed, waving her off. "Slip of the tongue. Forget I said anything. Anyway, are there any dairy shops around here?" He quickened his pace, desperate to change the subject.
But his thoughts raced ahead of his feet. A whole sea that produces sugar… ingredients I've never even imagined. This world's food might be more exciting than I thought. His lips curved in a faint, hungry grin, ambition glittering in his eyes.
Lost in thought, Ji Hoon almost wandered into a narrow alleyway before Ardine swiftly stepped in front of him."Young master, don't go that way," the guard warned firmly.
Beatrice hurried to catch up, her eyes narrowing as she tugged at his sleeve. "You shouldn't step into that place, young master."
Only then did Ji Hoon really look. The alley was suffocated in shadow, the stench of rot and damp filth spilling out even from a distance. And he instinctively took a step back."What's in there?" he asked, voice laced with unease.
Beatrice's tone sharpened. "That is the slum, where cutthroats, exiles, and the desperate gather. It is dangerous enough by day… by night, far worse." she said "Some even say slave auctions are held there."
Ji Hoon's brows lifted, curiosity outweighing his fear. "A slave auction? And the officials turn a blind eye to that?"
"Well, the slavery system is official as long as the slave or his family has committed treason or signed a magical pact," Beatrice explained, her voice lowering. "But these ones… they have all types of slaves. From humans to beastkins and even monsters, snatched from their homes by mercenaries and sold off illegally."
Ji Hoon's eyes lingered on the alley, a faint twist stirring in his gut. Slavery wasn't a foreign word—his world's history had carried its own share of cruelty.
But it had long been abolished, replaced with human rights and laws that gave people dignity. To see it here, alive and thriving, was like staring into a mirror of the past.
This world played by different rules. And if he wasn't careful, he'd end up tangled in its darkness.
With a sharp breath, he turned away. The stench of the alley clung to him as he cast one last glance into its shadows before walking on, making his way toward the dairy shop.
Beatrice led him into a small shop that specialized in dairy products. After a short exchange, they left with fresh whole milk and cream.
"Your total is thirty-two bronze, sir," the shopkeeper had said, and Beatrice had pulled out a small leather pouch, counting out the bronze-colored coins with practiced ease. Ji Hoon realized then how this world's currency worked—bronze, silver, and gold coins, simple but solid.
Back in the market, Ji Hoon picked up the rest of his ingredients: berries, fruit, and a few herbs. But no matter how many stalls they passed, he couldn't find one thing.
Gelatin.
He sighed heavily, his plans faltering. Without gelatin, the panna cotta won't set. It'll be nothing more than sweet soup.
They wandered further and further into the market until the smell of salt and fish reached them. The fishmongers' cries filled the air as Beatrice tugged at his sleeve.
"Young master, are we not done yet?" she groaned, clearly exhausted. "Did you really not find what you're looking for?"
Ji Hoon was about to admit defeat when a voice cut through the crowd.
"Fresh Wagashi baits! Come buy, perfect for catching Kelpfang Trout!"
His eyes snapped toward the stall. A man was displaying up bundles of something: a long, red, stringy plants that looked like seaweed.
"What's that?" Ji Hoon muttered, curiosity pulling him closer.
The seller brightened when he saw the interest. "Ah, young master! These are Wagashi baits, the best for luring Kelpfang Trout. Strong scent, unbeatable in the rivers!"
Ji Hoon tilted his head. "Kelpfang Trout? No, I meant—what are these exactly?" He pointed at the crimson strands.
The man blinked. "You don't know? They're just bait plants used for luring the Kelpfang Trout fish."
Beatrice tugged his sleeve again, frowning. "Come on, young master. You can't cook or bake with those things."
The seller chuckled, realizing they weren't fishermen after all. "Ha, I thought you were serious customers! No human eats these. Only fish."
But Ji Hoon didn't move. Something about the plant nagged at his memory. He narrowed his eyes, then whispered low enough that only he could hear:
"Inspect… type."
========
Item: Wagashi Bait – Aquatic Plant.
Species: Rhodophyta — High Gelatinous Content.
Quality: B.
========
Ji Hoon froze. Then, slowly, a grin spread across his face.
'High gelatinous content… it's just like red algae back home. This is exactly what I need.'
"We'll take it," he said suddenly.
Beatrice's eyes widened. "But Master Cassian! What would you even do with those? They're worthless!"
Ji Hoon's grin only grew wider. "I have my uses. Trust me."
Beatrice paid reluctantly, but to Ji Hoon, this was a blessing. With this, panna cotta was possible. For the first time since waking up in this world, he felt excitement not from magic or titles, but from the thought of creating something he truly loved.
They made their way back to the estate, arms full of ingredients. Ji Hoon's mind was already racing with recipes. He could almost taste the smooth cream, the sweet sauce, the silky texture…
Just as they stepped onto the estate grounds, a servant rushed toward them, panting heavily.
"Young master!" The boy bent over, catching his breath. Then he straightened and blurted out:
"Your fiancée, Lady Vale, is waiting for you!"
Ji Hoon stopped dead in his tracks.
"…Fiancée?"