The Cook of a Perished World - Chapter 189

Episode 189 Friend (1)

-This monster’s weakness is….

-Hun zombies…

in the southern corner of Gangwon-do.

A man was smoking a cigarette and absentmindedly listening to a radio broadcast.

After a long time had passed.

“Ha… these bastards. “I can’t believe it.”

A man listening to the radio.

He muttered in an incredulous tone.

“You’re just throwing away such valuable information?”

“When I first heard it, I thought, what kind of crazy people are these people?”

“That’s right. “Do you know what those who grew up listening to that information will do?”

We live in an age where food and clothing are precious.

A world where you can never trust people even if they are the same person.

Rather, most people viewed fellow humans as competitors for survival.

“I don’t understand.”

Now there is no internet.

Even the smallest piece of information has tremendous value.

However, such valuable information is provided without any compensation.

Spreading it out all over Korea through radio?

“He’s a soldier.”

Why did you do such a crazy thing?

There was only one thing I could guess.

“Is it their duty to protect the people?”

“oh my god.”

“So you gave away that valuable information for free?”

“What is this when there is no longer a country to pay salaries to soldiers?”

It’s ridiculous, though.

In fact, other than that, there is no reason to guess.

“Is this really a surviving military unit?”

“Hmm. “Well, that’s fine.”

“They say that particularly strong monsters have appeared at military bases. He said it, right? “There are people who survived there… I can’t believe it.”

“I’m not sure either.”

A man taking a deep drag on a cigarette.

“No matter what, the military base will be overflowing with powerful weapons.”

“That’s right.”

“What if the man who commanded that unit was truly an incredibly great hero?”

“….”

“The possibility of surviving those powerful monsters… is not zero.”

In those words.

The man standing behind him responded as if he was dumbfounded.

“what the. “Is this the Admiral Yi Sun-sin of the 21st century or something?”

“Tsk tsk. We don’t know that yet. “Surviving so far and being able to survive in the future are two different things.”

at that time.

Another man who was quietly listening to the story lowered his head and spoke to ‘brother.’

“older brother.”

“uh.”

“I don’t think we can leave those guys alone.”

“Is that so too?”

The fact that it is a surviving military unit itself is not a big problem.

the problem is.

“If you survive like that, you will live on your own.”

“Is there still a military spirit left behind? “The problem is that we are a military unit that helps others.”

It’s not enough that they survived.

To save other humans.

They started spreading information.

“It would be nice if this information ended here, but if it continues to grow.”

“The average power of humans will increase dramatically. in other words.”

“Our master will hate it very much.”

Pick….

“You can’t go against your master’s wishes.”

After extinguishing the cigarette that was in my mouth, I roughly rubbed it on the floor.

The man who got up said.

“These guys. “Where is it?”

“This is Chuncheon. Luckily, it was Gangwon-do, where we are located. But…”

“Yes. “If you look at this amount of information, they must have formed an incredibly large force.”

“I think it may be difficult for us to eliminate it alone. Even if it succeeds, it will suffer enormous damage.”

“Hmm.”

A man touches his chin and thinks for a moment.

After a while.

“Is there a large military base nearby?”

After thinking for a while, he opened his mouth.

“That’s because Gangwon-do is the front line. “The military base is overflowing.”

“Is that really the case?”

“Among them, if it is near the area shown on the broadcast… it is the territory of the 12th Legion.”

“The 12th Legion.”

He was talking to himself.

The man soon gives a chilling smile.

“Gather brothers who are ready to sacrifice.”

“All right. “What should we do next?”

12th Legion.

The front-line corps of the Republic of Korea, bordering the ceasefire line.

The Republic of Korea Army is said to be one of the best in the world.

Among them, it is a corps that ranks at the top in terms of size….

“Those guys called themselves the ‘Steel Corps,’ right?”

“yes.”

“Sounds like fun.”

“…What are you talking about that’s fun?”

now.

This is a legion that will be occupied by monsters.

“If they are monsters that have taken over the 12th Legion.”

Sigh.

“I wonder if those self-proclaimed legions can also take over, right?”

* * *

After the radio broadcast ended.

For now, a few engineers decided to remain in the ammunition battalion to continue broadcasting.

This facility will need to be used again when additional information needs to be disclosed.

“Then we will return first.”

“OK.”

Most of the unit members decided to return to the unit immediately.

“Sergeant Shin, are you sure you don’t have to go with me?”

“huh. “I have some business to run.”

I was a while before that.

I decided to take care of my business and go.

Because we came this far.

“Shouldn’t you go and see your friend’s face?”

A large site for the ammunition battalion.

A huge forest invades more than one-third of it.

“It’s tidal here too.”

Let’s approach the entrance.

It was as if the trees had opened a path for themselves.

There was a well-maintained path leading into the forest.

Let’s put our feet up on that path. It seemed

like

the floor was cracking and a tree root was sticking out.

It gently wrapped around my body.

“Are you saying you’re going to take me there yourself?”

He seemed to confirm what I said.

The tree roots took me into the forest at high speed.

How much did it cost?

Compared to the past, the jungle has become much wider.

Arrived at the center.

‘…Why is it warm here?’

Even though winter has definitely come.

The center of the jungle, surrounded by huge trees, was as warm as a greenhouse.

And in the middle of it all.

There stood a figure that was half human and half tree.

[Identification of Ingredients (Enhancement)]

[Queen of the Forest – Alraune]

When I first saw it.

A guy who looked like a face-shaped pattern had been carved into a skinny tree.

That hideous appearance was that of an absolute monster.

‘hmm. ‘It’s a bit much to say this, but.’

but.

It seems like it was some kind of ‘saving mode’.

Let’s solve the tree’s malnutrition by feeding it plenty of fertilizer that I made with great care.

“It looks much better than before.”

The guy.

It has returned to what it should have been.

With abundant red hair.

A tall, beautiful woman.

That appearance gave off a sense of intimidation befitting the title of queen.

even.

It’s not just his appearance that has changed.

-You are here, my one and only friend.

This guy.

I mean, I ended up saying it.

Of course, it is essentially a monster similar to a tree.

The mouth didn’t move.

[Characteristics]

[Mental Language]

A kind of telepathy.

This is a trait that [The Pope of the Deep] also had.

‘It was the same when I checked with the [combat power meter].’

This guy.

It’s a fairly advanced monster.

of course.

Either that or not.

“okay. “It’s nice to see you after a long time.”

-Hehe. Don’t just say it with words. How about visiting more often? It’s because it’s so difficult to see the face of a close friend.

“I wanted to do that too, but I was a little busy recently.”

now.

I made a best friend through my cooking.

[Intimacy – Sang]

It’s an old-fashioned way of speaking that you only hear in historical dramas.

Deep intimacy was evident in every word.

No matter how high a monster it is.

There is no particular reason to be afraid.

– Since you never came to me, I thought I should go find you.

“…If you want to come to me. What is it? Shouldn’t that forest be that much bigger? “Is that possible?”

-It might not be impossible at all. But I didn’t think that was what my friend wanted, so I passed on it.

“…Ugh. “Thank you.”

This guy really seems to think of me as friendly.

He sat me down close enough to be a little uncomfortable and started a conversation.

‘…I’m going to hit my face.’

Maybe it’s because it’s fundamentally a tree.

A feeling of not knowing the distance from other living things.

“by the way. “I heard you lost your temper with the farmer.”

-Hmm. Did he even say something like that?

“Please don’t do that. “He’s a good guy.”

-It’s just a minor prank. I allowed a foreign race, not even my friends, to set foot in my forest. I have to endure that much.

“still. First of all, you’re the one who brings the food, right? “Be friendly.”

-The meal he brings is quite edible. But compared to what you did, it’s a little lacking.

Grinning.

-If you want to win my favor, you will have to serve a dish that is similar to that of your friend.

It’s similar to my cooking.

…that.

Are the standards too high?

Why should I say this?

Because I am somewhat confident in cooking.

“okay. “While I was talking.”

After I smiled too.

He put his hand into the shadows and took out the object he had brought.

[Mixed magic bone meal fertilizer with the sincerity of a war cook]

-Oh. that.

“I heard you helped a lot with the unit’s defense. Thanks to that, I was able to work comfortably in a different place. “This is the reward.”

-It’s a request from a close friend, but that’s about it. I didn’t do this hoping for something in return.

“Still, take it, man.”

-then. I will accept it gratefully.

Let’s sprinkle fertilizer around.

The guy who closes his eyes and focuses on the taste.

-Friend’s meal was excellent, as expected….

“Really? “Is it a little different from the farmer’s?”

-hmm. If only nutrition were considered, his would be far superior to his friend’s.

“Eh?”

This was again unexpected.

‘I thought for sure my fertilizer was much better?’

Since he preferred my fertilizer so much, I assumed it was natural.

Surprisingly, if you only think about nutrition, the farmer’s food is better.

Then I wondered if there was a reason to like my fertilizer more.

-But in terms of taste, the two are almost impossible to compare.

“iced coffee. “It’s like that.”

indeed.

Although the nutrition from the farmer is better.

In terms of taste, mine is overwhelmingly superior.

‘First of all, fertilizer is fertilizer.’

Farmer’s fertilizer whose purpose is to help plants grow.

Cooking by a chef who pursues taste.

Isn’t it a characteristic that comes from that difference?

Why is it so hard for healthy food to taste good?

It feels exactly like that.

-Especially these days, the area of the forest has expanded. I can provide the nutrients needed for growth on my own.

“ah. “Did you say you hunt monsters and use them as food?”

-okay. So, we have no choice but to want taste more than nutrition.

A situation where nutrition is not urgent.

Then, of course, you will pursue taste.

-Even if the farmer could achieve even half of this taste, he would be viewed somewhat favorably. It’s truly a shame.

Even after that.

I chatted with him for a while.

This guy is incredibly strong within his own domain.

Basically a tree rooted in this land.

There is a penalty of not being able to move outside or do anything at will.

‘I’ll be bored if I stay here alone.’

He is protecting the unit because it is my request.

It would be okay to invest some time just to chat.

After chatting for a while,

“then. “I guess I’ll have to go soon.”

-Is it already that time? I could have stayed a little longer.

“I have a lot of work to do. “I have to go back to the base quickly.”

-Is it because the lifespan is short? You are truly impatient.

I can’t just stay here all day.

I guess I should finish the conversation and return to my unit.

-Friend.

“huh?”

-Before you leave, can I give you one piece of advice?

Before leaving like that.

Alraune said with a slightly serious look in his eyes.

-As I said before. Right now, I’m so full that I don’t even need the farmer’s fertilizer.

“What are you bragging about all of a sudden?”

-Maybe it’s because my forest has expanded. Rather… the biggest reason is that the number of meals coming into the forest has increased.

“….”

-The magical power contained in those meals is becoming more and more powerful.

Alraune is said to catch monsters and use them as food.

The fact that she has a lot to eat until she is full.

-It might be a good thing for me, but it might not be for my friend.

There are more monsters.

It’s clear evidence that he’s even getting stronger.

‘Just this guy right now.’

When he was first summoned, he was in a greatly weakened state.

The reason he was able to be summoned without being sealed was probably because he lost that much of his power.

but.

‘Even at that point, he was a monster that could never be said to be weak.’

Now that much of its strength has been recovered… it is

a powerful enemy that even our troops will have to struggle to defeat.

Somewhere in the world right now.

A monster of the same level as Alraune may be appearing.

Our unit might be able to respond somehow.

Monsters that would be a disaster to others.

But whatever.

“Thank you for your concern. I know. “I also took action in my own way.”

-is it? I guess I was worried for no reason. Also my close friend.

Inform the monster’s weakness.

The identity of the zombie was revealed.

As long as that radio spread.

In the future, human power will rise rapidly.

Even for monsters that will gradually become stronger.

Resistance would be possible somehow.

‘Now all that’s left is.’

People who have become that strong.

All you have to do is accept it as the power of the Legion.

-still. As a close friend, I can’t help but feel worried.

“huh?”

-Take this as compensation for the meal you received earlier.

She waves her hand with those words.

OK.

Sreuk….

from far away.

A flower flew out and was caught in her hand.

“What are you going to eat?”

-hmm? Hehehe. Your idea is truly amazing.

A beautiful and colorful flower.

Even the scent was terribly sweet.

They said it was repayment for the food provided.

I thought she was giving me some useful edible flowers too.

I guess that’s not the case.

‘…Have I become too focused on cooking?’

Anyway, it’s definitely a gift.

Let’s try to reach for the flower…

-Wait.

“huh?”

-I recommend not touching it.

Alraune pulls back the hand holding the flower.

-It doesn’t matter to me, but it would be a bit fatal for my close friend.

“…what?”

In those words.

Let’s activate the trait quickly.

[Ingredients Identification (Enhancement)]

[Nepenthes that melts the soul]

What unfolds before your eyes.

It was a little shocking.

[A plant that contains one of the most powerful poisons in all dimensions.]

[It is Nepenthes.]

[Its beautiful appearance and scent melts the hearts of those who see it.]

[It is said that the poison flowing within it even melts the souls of those who touch it.]

[ It is an extremely rare food ingredient and a flower that can only be seen rarely near forests where world trees are located….]

“….”

Extremely poisonous.

It even melts the souls of those it touches.

…This can’t be right.

‘me. ‘Did I just almost die?’

To stick to a flower that I tried to touch without even thinking about it.

These were overly harsh phrases.

-I’m a child who managed to bloom not long ago.

“barely?”

-When I just opened my eyes. If my friend hadn’t helped me, this child wouldn’t have been able to blossom.

Small enough to hold with one hand.

but.

I saw it through the [combat power meter].

‘It’s light, but green.’

This guy had quite powerful magical power.

It’s probably a plant-type monster similar to Alraune.

– Originally, I was a child who bloomed to protect myself… but this time, I will give it up to a close friend.

“You’re giving this to me?”

-It’s difficult for a child to bloom once, but this child grows well in any environment. It doesn’t necessarily have to be land.

A flower that grows even if it is not in the ground.

It didn’t take long to understand its meaning.

-It grows without problems even if it uses living creatures as food.

At the same time as saying that.

Alaune carefully places [Nepenthes] on my arm.

OK.

-Tiring.

[The parasitic herb ‘Soul-melting Nepenthes’ is attempting to parasitize.] [This

is a friendly parasite request.]

[The parasitic herb’s characteristic – ‘Soul Extortion’ does not activate.]

– This is just my hunch.

[If parasitism is allowed, the magic ability decreases by ‘5’ during parasitism.]

[If parasitism is allowed, the characteristic – ‘Soul-melting poison – Nepenthes’ is activated

while parasitism.] [If parasitism is allowed, ‘soul melting ‘ is activated. You are immune to all poisons of a lower grade than ‘Dissolving Poison-Nepenthes.’]

-This child’s poison… seems to go well with your cooking.

“….”

– I’m worried about my friend’s safety, so I think I should do this to put my mind at ease.

Quaddeuk….

-Please take it.

A flower that looks like a small rose wraps around my right wrist.

The thorns on the flower pierced my skin.

A tingling pain felt momentarily.

yet.

I felt this little flower taking some of my magical power.

[Parasite herb – The effect of ‘Nepenthes that melts the soul’ is activated.]

Like a tattoo.

A flower that naturally sits on your wrist.

-Then go in.

“…thanks.”

-Isn’t it between my friend and I? What can you do with this much?

Watching me walk away.

Alraune gently waves his hands with a light laugh.

-I’ll look forward to the day we meet again someday.