The Cook of a Perished World - Chapter 116

Episode 116: Jungle (2)

“Blue….”

[Combat power meter] indicates that the strength of the enemy is divided according to color.

Su-ju-no-cho.

And blue.

‘Even if it’s only yellow, it’s quite strong.’

If it’s a green monster, it’s a monster that even our unit members would have to work together to deal with.

Beyond that, it’s blue.

actually.

It wasn’t the first time I’d seen a monster emitting blue energy.

A monster that is still in my shadow.

‘The night noble race was just blue.’

but.

The blue color that appeared when looking at Ariella was very, very light.

It’s a power that barely falls into blue, but that’s just what it means.

That’s true, just looking at the title of baronet.

On the other hand, the being in front of my eyes….

‘It’s not very dark, but it’s not light either.’

This means that it is at least a stronger monster than Ariella.

I wasn’t lacking confidence either.

If I wasn’t confident, I wouldn’t have come in here alone in the first place.

-How shall we take action?

There are only 100 troops in the shadows.

Little sunlight enters the dense jungle.

There will be no reduction in power.

However, the problem is this environment.

‘It’s a monster that moves the jungle.’

If that guy is the one controlling the trees around here.

This battle is not 100:1.

‘It’ll be like fighting this whole forest.’

Maybe I won’t lose, though.

The damage must have been significant.

After thinking for a moment, I quickly made a decision.

‘Just check the appearance first and then retreat.’

In the first place.

Because my strength is not all-out war without knowing each other’s information.

[Chef’s Eyes]

[Ingredient Identification (Enhancement)]

Two abilities that identify the enemy’s weaknesses and information.

And the [Cooking] buff that can organically respond to weaknesses identified with that ability.

My main strategy is to use the harmony of these two to lead the battle to my advantage.

There is no need to fight right here.

However, in order to use that strategy, you must first see the enemy in person.

[Chef’s Eye] does not activate until you look at the opponent with some concentration.

Silence the sound of footsteps.

Carefully move your body inside.

A shape radiating blue energy.

The moment when I was about to see a little of that.

Kwasik.

“…!?”

Sensation of tightness in ankles.

The tree roots on the floor caught my ankle.

‘crazy.’

Have you been caught!?

I checked the characteristics just in case.

[Environmental assimilation] was maintained.

It means that I am still a being who has assimilated into this jungle.

But how…

no.

“Damn, it’s a blue monster.”

It’s not strange that anything is possible.

In particular, this forest is its territory.

No matter how [assimilated] it was, I shouldn’t have let down my guard!

Paaaaaaaa!

I thought the tree roots holding my ankles were growing rapidly.

I started moving my body somewhere.

I’m not sure.

You’re not doing this to do something nice for me.

“Ready for battle…!”

I quickly look at the shadow and shout.

There is nothing we can do about it.

I have no choice but to fight even if the vampire forces are completely divided.

I changed my thinking circuit to combat and hastily drew my sword.

First of all, I was planning to block the next attack and then cut down the tree that cut off my ankle.

….

There was no subsequent attack.

“what…?”

A tree that was moving somewhere holding onto my ankle.

The movement suddenly stopped.

Even if you look around carefully, there is no movement to attack.

The moment I turned my head back to where I wanted to know something.

“…t…what a surprise.”

The front of my face.

I made eye contact with the being looking at me.

[Ingredients Identification – Enhanced]

[Alraune]

[Chef’s Eyes]

[Acquire the intermediate cooking secret ‘Enlightenment on how to prepare Alraune’.]

What was there…

was a small tree.

A major forest densely filled with huge trees.

A tree that is too small and dwarfed to occupy the central part.

If there’s anything different.

The only thing I found was that the pattern was a bit strange.

Why is there such a thing?

The grains and patterns of the wood look like a human face.

The same goes for this tree.

The pattern in the center looked as if the facial features of a person had been cut out.

however.

Duruk.

‘This is bad for your mental health.’

The facial features that were stuck in the tree.

I thought his eyes would open, and then he would roll over and look at my face.

‘Was it a real face, not a pattern that looked like a face?’

A face covered in tree bark looks at me blankly.

I started a snowball fight thinking I couldn’t lose.

I didn’t think it was good for my mental health.

This thing looks so creepy.

“….”

-…

The snowball fight continued for a while after that.

Let alone attack.

The guy who continues to look at my face in silence.

-master? Shall we attack?

“no no. “Just wait for now.”

Now I was hanging upside down in the air with my feet caught.

The feeling of blood gathering at the top of my head was quite unpleasant.

It’s not something I like, though.

Looking at the atmosphere.

It doesn’t seem like they’re trying to attack me.

“If I am attacked, I will fight back immediately. If necessary, you can lose all your descendants. “I put my life first.”

-As you command.

First, just in case, give that command.

I hung on and looked at the tree in front of me.

– Tilt…?

OK.

The face stuck in the tree had a puzzled expression.

Hwiik.

I was drawn to the tree roots that grabbed my ankles.

My body, hanging upside down, moves somewhere.

Let’s take a quick look back.

There was one fairly large tree.

Hwiik.

To another place.

Another tree, this time of a slightly different species.

“What are you doing hanging people upside down? This.”

-I understand, right?

“what?”

I was embarrassed by the inexplicable behavior.

Ariella, who was looking at it from a third person’s perspective, must have guessed something.

-You’re comparing it to other trees.

“What is that…”

-I think it’s a tree that looks like it’s seeing its owner for the first time.

“….”

The characteristic [environmental assimilation] is maintained.

It means that I am still assimilated into the jungle.

In normal cases, it is a trait that is only used as a hiding ability.

Actually, this guy had no effect as hiding.

but.

This does not mean that this characteristic has completely lost its effectiveness.

-I don’t know from the hanging master’s point of view, but it feels exactly like that from here. Why does this one look so different? Comparing things here and there while doing it.

“…That sounds plausible.”

Even though the hiding effect has disappeared.

Since the effect of being assimilated into this jungle is maintained, it recognizes me as a uniquely shaped tree.

If you think that way, you can understand those eyes.

-Was there a tree like this?

That’s right.

It is a tree that walks on two feet without being planted in the ground.

I think it would be amazing if I were from that guy’s point of view.

-For now, isn’t it all good? This means you won’t be attacked.

“We don’t know that yet.”

It looks like you have some free time right now.

I looked at the information I had just found out about Alraune.

[Alraune]

[This is the Alraune, a legendary race that only rarely appears in forests with an extraordinary history and scale.] [This

is a race born with the power of being the ruler of plants that can influence surrounding plants. The mighty Alraune, whose full potential has fully blossomed thanks to its special ability, is also called the World Tree.] [

To prepare Alraune, first wash the roots thoroughly -]

According to the explanation.

This guy has the ability to dominate and influence the plants around him.

‘This jungle must be the result.’

and.

“If you look at it from this guy’s perspective, I’m a tree that isn’t under his control.”

A monster with the ability to dominate plants.

Such a guy faced a being that did not follow his rule.

I don’t know how they will react.

There is one scene that passes through my mind.

‘You’re so arrogant that you refuse to listen to me!’

A scene where an arrogant nobleman rips off the head of a rebellious slave.

If this guy is a being that dominates plants.

They might dismiss me as arrogant for refusing to be governed.

Depending on the reaction, the response will also vary.

and.

Toouk.

“uh. Are you dropping it off?”

A tree trunk that carefully puts me down.

Let’s stand with our feet on the floor.

This time, the roots growing from Alraune’s body approached me.

Roots gently swaying in front of me.

This.

“Do you want to shake hands?”

-Good for you.

A giggling sound coming from within the shadows.

A being that dominates all plants.

An undominated plant that appeared before him.

I thought they might get rid of it for being arrogant.

-I see you were recognized as a friend?

If you think about it.

It is possible to recognize them as equals.

* * *

Alraune didn’t do anything after he put me on the floor.

Just quietly looking at me.

It seemed like there was no intention to attack, so I thought I could feel at ease a little.

The guy’s eyes slowly closed.

This can’t be right.

“…Are you sleeping?”

-It’s a pretty easy-going tree.

No matter how much you recognize them as equals, that’s true.

Isn’t there a level to being comfortable with something?

‘But whatever. It won’t be dangerous.’

It’s funny that he’s sleeping comfortably and I’m the only one feeling nervous.

I also relaxed a little and looked around.

Giant trees reaching up to the sky.

“It’s even more amazing when you look at it slowly.”

This much jungle.

It was certain that it would not exist, at least not in Korea.

Is it even possible to go overseas?

Is it because it is the center of the jungle?

Each of the trees around was huge and tall.

Wouldn’t a baobab tree you saw on the internet look like that in real life?

Especially around Alraune.

The giant trees gathered together as if to protect their owners were especially huge.

The size you only see in movies.

Thanks to this, Alraune, which was the size of a less-grown street tree, looked smaller.

I looked closely.

The jungle wasn’t just about giant trees.

A variety of plants as seen for the first time.

I said it was my first time seeing it, but since I didn’t know much about plants,

I naturally wondered if the things on this mountain had mutated.

[Burgestoma herb]

[Miscus twig]

“What?”

I looked closely.

It was not of this world to begin with.

Now that I think about it, the plants seem to have started to look a little strange in the middle.

The words Cheol-wook left came to mind.

-Inside there! Things that make a farmer’s soul burn are growing!

“I guess it was about these things.”

Same as other monsters and Alraune.

Plants from another world.

As a farmer, it is natural for him to be excited.

but.

[It is not growing properly due to the influence of the environment.]

[Quality deteriorates somewhat.]

“It is due to the influence of the environment.”

The mountain where this jungle arose.

Even jokingly calling it a famous mountain was not enough.

“There were a lot of trees growing sparsely, and the condition of the trees was very poor.”

Well, most of the mountains behind ordinary towns are like that.

The strength of the soil is also important for the growth of plants.

A forest of trees so huge that it is difficult to find them even if you search around the world, let alone in our country.

There is no way the intellect of a mountain behind a single neighborhood could handle it.

“uh. “There’s no way that’s true.”

I turned my head and looked at Alraune, who was sleeping with his eyes closed.

I thought he was such a carefree guy when he suddenly fell asleep.

Let’s look down at the floor where Alraune is stuck.

[Identification of food ingredients (enhancement)]

[Soil]

[Freshness – lowest]

“The lowest…”

You may be wondering what could be better than freshness and dryness when it comes to soil.

That [freshness] contains more content than you might think.

Put it bluntly.

It means that the soil has lost all its intelligence.

According to the description, Alaune is also a type of plant.

In that case, you would have to get your nutrition from the land.

I thought I knew why I suddenly fell asleep.

“It’s malnutrition.”

The earth’s intelligence cannot support Alraune and the surrounding plants.

The reason I suddenly fell asleep wasn’t because I felt at peace or anything.

‘I didn’t even have the strength to keep my eyes open.’

There is no way Alraune, who has no legs, could have walked all the way here from another region.

The unit members also said that it made no sense to break through their surveillance network.

Probably, as I suspected, he suddenly appeared here with a ‘poof’ sound.

As it turned out, the condition of the land was not good.

‘It’s a very unlucky tree.’

The situation was roughly understood.

And assuming what I figured out is true.

“It won’t be hard to handle.”

The main culprit that created this jungle.

Alraune is slowly dying here.

Because of lack of nutrition.

-The expansion of the jungle area…maybe it was an action to find land where new nutrients could be obtained.

“Probably so.”

but.

Our troops are blocking at least one direction in which this jungle is expanding.

Even if you go in another direction, you won’t find land so rich in nutrients.

in other words.

-If I just leave it alone, it will dry out and die right away, right?

Weeding work that unit members are currently doing.

It is enough to expand the scope and continue for a few weeks.

If it doesn’t find new land to nourish itself, it will wither and die alone.

The incident that threatened the ammunition battalion and the village was easily resolved.

It’s not bad.

It’s not bad.

hmm.

“It’s a bit of a waste.”

-yes?

“Those plants.”

Various types of plants spread around Alraune.

I wouldn’t have noticed it when I first awakened, but I could see it now.

“It has magical power.”

Cheol-wook did not pursue his passion as a farmer for nothing.

The same goes for me as a chef.

Meat with magic tastes better and is more effective than ordinary meat.

then.

Wouldn’t vegetables be similar?

“I thought materials these days were a bit poor.”

Wouldn’t it be a waste to let it dry up and die like that?

I can’t just ignore something that’s a waste.

After making a decision, I stood up.

Blink….

Let me start moving.

Alraune’s closed eyes opened again and glanced at me.

But even for a moment.

Slur.

Eyes closing again without strength.

You must be quite hungry.

“I’ll be back soon.”

He didn’t even catch me leaving.

It was difficult going up, but the way down was still better than that.

We were able to come down the mountain and arrive at the unit without any hindrance.

“Uh oh!”

“Sergeant Shin is back!”

Let’s return to the unit.

The troops who were working hard to prevent the erosion of the jungle shouted when they saw me.

Lee Sang-ah, who heard the commotion and came to see me, looked at me with puzzled eyes.

“Have you decided not to do anything reckless?”

“It did. look. “You came back just fine.”

“….”

She seemed at a loss for words.

It’s not that I don’t feel sorry, but I’m a bit busy right now.

Leaving behind Lee Sang-ah, who seemed to have something to say.

I called out the name of a man among the gathered troops.

“Commissioner Park Cheol-wook.”

“Chu loyalty.”

A man runs out from among the soldiers at my call.

Farmer Awakened Park Cheol-wook.

He had been discharged for a long time and had only recently re-enlisted.

Now I am called as a corps commander, not as a bachelor cook.

He seemed a little nervous as he felt the atmosphere for the first time in a long time.

“I have an important mission.”

“Nothing, just talk. “Just tell me!”

I ordered him, who stretched out his body as if he was nervous.

“I need to teach you how to make fertilizer.”

“…yes?”

Is it because he is a nobleman who has been discharged for a long time?

The answer is that you are missing discipline.

“We need nutritious soil, so how to make fertilizer…no.”

“…?”

“Teach me how to cook fertilizer.”

Trees that are malnourished because the soil has lost its nutrients.

Then, as a chef, there is only one thing to do, right?

wait.

‘I’ll make you cry and say that it won’t work unless it’s the dirt I made.’