The Cook of a Perished World - Chapter 172

Episode 172: Surviving Winter (1)

“For now. “We sent soldiers and engineers to Hwacheon-gun.”

“Are you sending the engineers to build defense facilities?”

“hmm. I plan to move the mercenary soldiers there as soon as I can afford it. “If the defense facilities are completed, even those tribes won’t be able to get over easily.”

After the battle is over.

I returned to my unit’s home base, Vimana, and focused on dealing with the aftermath of the war.

‘Send engineers to build defense facilities…’

When I heard that.

One thing that came to mind was something I regretted.

“It would be nice to have a fortress like this over there.”

“I agree. “The problem is that it is impossible.”

It seems unlikely that a large-scale battle that would require a fortress will take place in Chuncheon right now.

On the other hand, we have just succeeded in occupying Hwacheon County.

It borders Cheorwon-gun, where the remnants of the Green Mane tribe are gathered.

Even though they suffered great damage from us.

According to the information obtained through [Chef’s Eyes], the speed of their troop replenishment is beyond imagination.

You never know when they will attack again to reclaim the lost land.

It would be great if this fortress was protecting the base of Hwacheon-gun.

“I said it was still difficult to move the fortress.”

“Unfortunately.”

The fortress and headquarters of our guild.

[Mobile Fortress Vimana].

As you can tell when you hear the name.

This fortress.

Despite its huge body, it was originally mobile…

that is.

It seems like it can move.

[Construct the mobile device.]

[Failure]

[Prerequisites for construction have not been met.]

[Prerequisite: Vimana’s level has reached level 3 (1/3)]

“In any case, you need to level up to activate the function. “I felt like I had to raise it.”

“What level?”

Unfortunately.

It was impossible at the moment.

“…How do I raise the level of the fortress? “That thing won’t even hunt.”

“I think it might be possible to raise the average level of the internal facilities.”

I am investing points to gradually raise the level of the facilities.

It’s also not as fast as expected.

As the level of buildings increases, the time it takes to level up and the amount of engineers required also increase.

It seemed a bit difficult to move this fortress right now.

‘But since they mobilized mercenary soldiers, it will be difficult for them to recapture it right away.’

The dragon soldier’s AI isn’t very good, even when it comes to attacks.

Because it boasts tremendous efficiency in defensive battles.

Last time, a guy who looked like a leader over there was beheaded.

Our defense has been replenished to some extent with this.

Next.

“Hmm. Is it okay to teach these people martial arts? “Eun-gong.”

“okay.”

A skill I learned through hard work from my unit members.

It’s time to teach martial arts.

“Anyway… there are more people than I thought.”

Seohwan, who looked at the members of the unit, opened his eyes wide and said.

“Is Eunkong in charge of managing such a large organization?”

“Of course.”

At first, it was a guild that was struggling to survive somehow.

It has grown quite a bit now.

“Why do you look so amazing and what are you doing?”

“hmm? I’m not sure about that. “I have a feeling it will be very difficult to cook.”

“….”

that is.

To be precise, he is not a sergeant but a corps commander.

First of all, this is the guy who joined the guild.

Is [the system] still just for humans?

A shape that does not appear in the guy’s eyes.

It seemed like the system couldn’t even confirm that I was the guild leader.

“No. When I was the youngest, I think I made about 30 servings at most. Aren’t there hundreds of people? “It’s an incredible task to have to feed this many people alone.”

“Uh uhh. “Thank you.”

This guy still only knew that my job was to be a chef.

I will have to explain this part separately later.

by the way.

When I see Seo-hwan talking to me casually, I think it’s amazing.

‘I can’t believe we can communicate like this even outside.’

These guys are probably beings from another world.

As for other monsters.

As the languages used were different, it was basically impossible to communicate.

Miho said this.

-The spiritual energy of Heavenly Mountain is a little special. The only ones who can do something like this outside are the disciples of Tianshan Gate.

Apparently, this was the ‘gate’ where they were.

It seems that the place called Tianshan Gate was a place of quite special status in their world.

‘A place where heavenly beings communicate with earthly beings….’

For that communication.

It was said that it spread the energy that the language barrier disappeared.

‘I think we were able to communicate thanks to that even inside the gate.’

I had no idea that this would persist even outside.

It seems like this was possible because they were the people who lived at Cheonsanmun Gate.

Well, what is good is good.

* * *

like that.

The transmission of martial arts began.

[Training Ground Lv.4]

“Hmm? Do you want to take a look, Eunkong?”

“uh. “I’m also curious about how to teach.”

“There’s nothing particularly special about it…”

When Seohwan was teaching martial arts to other unit members.

I was busy participating in the work of creating my own martial art.

Actually, I was a little curious about how martial arts were transmitted.

‘In my case, I was impressed because they taught me in a very detailed manner.’

I was watching, wondering if they were doing the same thing to those many soldiers.

After finding a martial art that suits each person through simple sparring.

The full-scale training began.

“I will start by saying this first.”

After gathering the warrior-type soldiers.

Seohwan, standing in front of him, shouted.

“This instructor can be either an angel or a devil depending on your actions!”

…huh?

‘I think I heard something familiar.’

What did I hear?

I am under the illusion that I may have heard something wrong.

“Can’t you move quickly!?”

“You were brought here!? “Didn’t you come of your own free will!?”

“This instructor will also do things properly from now on. “It’s not my fault, it’s your fault for training insincerely!”

The full-scale training begins.

‘….’

The comments that Seohwan shouts out in anger are….

when he had just entered the training center.

These were the lines that gave me PTSD from those terrible times.

“Where on earth did you learn such words?”

I’m so dumbfounded that I mutter this.

Miho, who was watching the training from the side, heard that and responded.

“Where do you learn it?”

“…?”

It’s as if he’s asking what’s the problem.

She tilts her head in a nonchalant manner.

…no way.

“That can’t be right. “Is that really how you teach?”

“For now, yes.”

“….”

“If there’s anything different, is it the word instructor? Since Eungong has given us the role of instructor… only that part has changed. “This is generally how Tian Shanwen’s training goes to adapt its first disciples.”

oh my god.

“no. “You didn’t do that when you taught me, right?”

“That’s right… I can’t show that kind of attitude towards the person who gave me a favor.”

“….”

“I was a little worried about whether Seohwan would be able to do well since he has little experience teaching anyone yet… hehe. Looking at it this way, I think that child has a greater talent for teaching.”

Seohwan screams evilly at the soldiers.

Miho looks at this with pleasure and smiles.

No matter what world it is.

The relationship between instructors and recruits seems to be roughly similar…

“Anyway, it’s fascinating.”

“hmm?”

Miho said.

“Inherently, people have different talents. “It’s the same for you too.”

“however?”

“The minimum conditions for using martial arts… It takes the same amount of time to learn them all. “Exactly three days.”

“…hmm.”

but.

No matter how much I think about it, I have no talent for ssambakjil.

And Corporal Jeon Gwang-il, who was born with the greatest fighting talent in the unit.

It took 3 days for both of them to learn ‘martial arts’.

This might be it.

‘I guess the system makes it that way.’

Just as there is a set amount of time needed to upgrade the fortress’ facilities.

The time required to learn a skill from a trainer NPC is also limited.

“Is 3 days too slow?”

“No way. “It is only possible for people with considerable talent to learn martial arts forms and achieve first star status in three days.”

Ah, that 1 star seems to refer to the mastery level.

Once you reach mastery level 1, you can train on your own and increase your level.

“It’s amazing that even people who don’t seem to have any talent are succeeding at it.”

“What about that? “That’s not a bad thing.”

anyway.

I don’t think it’s a bad thing for us.

There are many unit members, but less than half of them are talented.

like that.

Another world that has been destroyed.

The legacy left behind there.

We began to settle into this world through our guild.

* * *

“Flame Throw!”

Paaaaak –

A square near Chuncheon City connected to Vimana.

There, fire wizards shoot out flames.

Why does fire suddenly shoot out in a place where there are no monsters?

Well, it’s nothing special.

“It looks like snow is being removed.”

“ah. yep. “Now we don’t even have a snowplow.”

It was snow removal.

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“What. “This is no big deal.”

Clearing the sky of trash was a painful time for all soldiers.

There was no need for all the soldiers to step forward now.

All it takes is for the fire-type wizards to give us a little trouble.

Looking at the melting eyes.

I crossed my arms and was lost in thought.

‘Winter has come.’

Our guild is still in a good situation.

A fortress that serves as the guild’s base.

The interior of the [Vimana] has its own temperature maintenance function.

The downside is that there is a limit to the number of visitors.

Right now, the number of guild members is less than that, so there is no major problem.

‘still. Activities are bound to be a little diminished.’

The post-destruction world was already an environment where it was difficult to travel long distances.

Smashed cars or corpses of monsters.

Hidden zombies, etc.

Even our soldiers who have adapted quite well to this world.

You can’t let go of tension while traveling a long distance.

On top of that, the condition of winter is added.

In Gangwon-do, snow piles up especially high.

There is no snow removal vehicle to remove the snow.

Although this place has been stabilized, fire magicians are clearing the snow.

There is no time to worry about going outside the city.

‘Even if an awakened person has physical abilities, they are not at a level that would be fine even while sleeping on the street during a harsh winter.’

Our activities too.

It’s inevitable that you’ll feel a little intimidated.

* * *

Since we have no choice but to reduce external activities.

Our unit decided to begin internal reinforcement.

“The interior needed to be remodeled at least once anyway.”

“what… “I’ve been so busy growing that I haven’t had much time to spare.”

I don’t know the exact reason.

The [Green Mane Tribe], who lost the war and retreated, is also strangely quiet.

This winter.

Teach martial arts to unit members and check the unit’s system.

It will be a time to control the inside rather than the outside.

Fortunately, we can use it like this.

‘It’s going to be a pretty difficult time for most people.’

The physical abilities of awakened people far exceed those of ordinary people.

Just because it’s a little cold doesn’t mean your abilities will decrease significantly.

but.

That wasn’t the only fear of winter.

‘Not only would there be snow… there would be no more grass to pick up.’

Many people will have to go through a difficult time.

Fortunately.

Still before winter begins in earnest.

It is a timing that can be said to be the beginning of winter.

“Sir, Lord? “What about the item I asked you for last time…”

“Ah. “Please wait a moment.”

Those who survived.

I started preparing for winter.

“Here it is.”

“Oh oh…! This is it.”

“yes. “The vegan you mentioned last time… it’s a combat ration made from grains.”

It was the monks of Myoyangsa Temple who came to visit me this time.

Those who were already suffering from food problems.

After what happened last time.

They became completely dependent on the food I made.

‘There’s nothing bad about me.’

At least, unless they have their own means of securing food.

They will not be able to give up their alliance with us.

For me, food production is a fairly easy task, so this alliance is overwhelmingly advantageous to us.

Until now, this food provision had also been made up of beef jerky.

Some monks said.

-I had no choice but to eat it.

-Still, it’s better if it’s not meat if possible.

This is what I made after hearing that request.

This is it.

[Grain energy bar filled with the courage of a war chef]

“Oh…!”

A rice field near the Inje-gun ammunition battalion.

An energy sea made from rice grown by the awakened farmer who manages the place.

‘I’ve always wanted to try something other than beef jerky.’

The name of this skill is [Battle Rations].

Because it’s not [beef jerky].

[Combat rations] Because it was created through the skill, the shelf life is almost unlimited.

Compared to beef jerky, it has the disadvantage of not being able to give it various characteristics.

The ability bonus itself was at a similar level.

It would be suitable as winter food for Myoyangsa Temple.

“Thank you so much, Lord!”

“then. Here are the items you asked for last time…”

According to the terms of the alliance.

We do provide some of the food, though.

As the amount is considerable.

The rest comes and goes through transactions.

and.

‘…Amazing, Great.’

Oil, monster by-products, etc.

A significant amount of goods could be obtained through them.

“I am always grateful to the corps members.”

“Really. “You give us that precious food in exchange for things we don’t need.”

Oil and monster by-products are extremely valuable items to us.

Because they are not as active as us.

And things that are useless to them.

For us, it is rotting combat rations.

By exchanging those two things…

a win-win trading relationship has been established.

“What. by the way. Is food enough? “The cold or something like that.”

“It’s not that I’m not worried, but isn’t our Myoyang Temple deep in the mountains? “There is plenty of firewood.”

“We will have to endure the cold while protecting the temple.”

“indeed.”

Like this.

Those who survived tried to find a way to survive the winter by making a deal with us.

Even after that.

Changsu led the group of awakened people in the dungeon and has now created a guild.

Several friendly Awakened factions fought the same battles as us, and more.

Many people came to our guild and made deals.

“It’s fortunate that the proportion of awakened people around here is overwhelmingly high.”

“…That’s right.”

Let me mutter like that.

The person who answered was Sergeant Lee Min-jae.

But…

“Around here. “Yes, I’m glad.”

On that face.

A pale shadow began to appear.

okay.

This place is fortunate, though.

Elsewhere….

“People who don’t even know we exist may be dying one by one.”

“….”

The area where our power extends is only a very small part of the northern part of Gangwon-do.

How are humans in other regions responding to this winter?

“Whoa.”

We didn’t know.

* * *

That kind of winter was being prepared.

A group of people came to the corps’ visiting room set up in the square.

“What brings you here?”

“I would like to meet the commander of this unit.”

“…Hmm. “How may I introduce you?”

The soldier standing guard became wary as he saw the crowd of people.

but.

It seems like those people have no intention of being hostile.

He opened his mouth in a humble manner.

“There is no name to explain it.”

“I think it can be explained as follows: several awakened groups around here gathered together.”

The number of nearby awakened groups is significant.

Leaders from several of them gathered in one place and visited our unit.

Normally, the soldiers would have just responded.

‘It seems like a significant number.’

Those gathered are all leaders of their respective groups.

If you include the number of people in that group, it would be a significant number.

at last.

“hello.”

The external leader of our unit.

“My name is Lieutenant Kim Hyun-seok, and he is the leader of this unit.”

Lieutenant Kim came out to greet them.

OK.

gulp.

“Lieutenant Ki Kim.”

“…This is the real Lieutenant Kim Hyun-seok.”

Those who saw it.

I muttered while breaking into a cold sweat.

“Lord of the Legion….”