The Cook of a Perished World - Chapter 224
Episode 224 Escape
“It’s a contract.”
“Okay…”
The human suddenly exploded.
The body was recovered, at least briefly.
When it seemed like the contractors and our soldiers had calmed down to some extent.
“I don’t know if you know this, but this contract is a terribly unfair contract.”
“Well, I knew that.”
“…? “I don’t know how you knew, but… Anyway.”
I am.
I decided to hear a detailed explanation from Wonjun.
“Everyone knew it was unfair, but I signed the contract knowingly. “Because there was no other way.”
“…hmm.”
I honestly wonder if there was really no other way.
Let’s skip that.
“The contract comes with several conditions. “One of them is this.”
Wonjun couldn’t speak for a moment.
He then lowered his head and said.
“It is a treaty that imposes restrictions on us if we try to arbitrarily break the contract.”
“It’s a restriction.”
What kind of limitation was that?
A few minutes ago.
It was something that could easily be guessed from the pieces of flesh that covered my body.
‘life.’
I already knew to some extent that it was an unfair contract.
This is beyond imagination.
‘Borgin didn’t say anything like that?’
The Greenmane tribe sided with the devil, but later quit.
I wondered how that happened.
When I thought about it, it was simple.
‘That gentleman called Grassland God… must have helped me in some way.’
This is about that part.
Because I can’t get any help.
“her.”
I am so dumbfounded that I am at a loss for words.
Other contractors behind them shouted.
“no. “There was no such thing!”
“Of course, I heard that there are restrictions if you break the contract arbitrarily, but…”
“That restriction is death.”
Other contractors seemed to be aware of the existence of the restriction.
He didn’t seem to know that it meant death.
“Everyone expected to some extent that the restrictions imposed by that devil could not be trivial.”
“….”
“Just look at the [Contract] skill. There was only a clause stating that a price had to be paid, but it did not say what the price was. But we’ve all experienced it. “There is only one thing that devil demands or takes.”
soul and body.
In other words, it is everything for the contractor.
“It wasn’t until a long time had passed since I signed the contract that I realized that the restrictions might mean death. But I didn’t have to say it.”
“why…!”
“I thought it was meaningless to talk about it. “It would be like pouring cold water on people who had made up their minds for no reason.”
Covering your face with both hands.
Wonjun continues speaking in a hollow voice.
“Because I didn’t tell you that… I never dreamed that Mr. Jongwan would die.”
“….”
“We were all determined from the beginning, so I didn’t think about the situation in which someone would quit this contract… It’s all my fault.”
All of this is Wonjun’s fault.
That thought seems to be the same among other contractors.
“How… is that possible?”
The one who was their leader not long ago.
There were many people who gave him hostile looks.
“I came this far because I trusted you.”
“You’re hiding such an important fact…!”
“…sorry.”
“This won’t end with me saying sorry…!”
The first person to make a contract with the devil was a man named Wonjun.
It seems that the rest were those who accepted his offer and proceeded with the contract.
The sight of resentment being concentrated on one person.
Of course…
either that or not.
“So what do you plan to do?”
The soldiers.
They didn’t seem to be very interested in the contractors’ bickering.
Due to the effectiveness of my cooking.
These people are not very interested in people outside of the Legion.
Except for Minjae, who knows the effectiveness of my cooking.
In the first place, they are not inclined to be very immersed in others.
furthermore.
“I would rather die now…”
“Aren’t they the ones who attacked us and tried to kill us? Honestly, I don’t think it’s something we should care about.”
Because those guys are also our enemies.
Even if they say they regret it now and die trying to break the contract.
Not a bad thing on our part.
‘Some soldiers might find it rather refreshing.’
What they did.
That thing comes back and drives one to death.
Because it is not strange to call it encouragement and punishment.
but.
Umm.
“I don’t like it either.”
“…yes?”
Those contractors actually did something for humanity.
I don’t want to calculate all that detail.
“Aren’t you guys even angry?”
“…that. “What are you saying that I should be angry about?”
“That devil guy.”
Whatever the motive.
What they committed was clearly an evil act.
Because I have no intention of covering it up.
but.
“They were playing with humans.”
“…!”
What makes me angry.
It was this part.
“By cleverly hiding the contents of the contract and making it impossible to escape from it… he put people who had good intentions under his control.”
Until destruction came.
Humans who reigned as the masters of this world.
Us like that.
‘The guy from outside played with it as he pleased.’
I am.
This point.
“I’m so… pissed off.”
I glance up into space.
[Ingredients Identification (Enhancement)]
[Demon Species – Demon]
His eyes still haven’t left this place.
He was glaring at me.
The guy too.
You know I’m watching you.
but.
‘You look relaxed.’
The initial bloody momentum was gone.
For now, just take it easy.
He looks like he is enjoying this situation.
Even if they say they can’t interfere on the ground.
Those humans are already tied to that devil through a [contract].
There is no way to resolve this situation.
I think I’m taking a leisurely wait and see approach with that thought in mind…
‘Be shameless.’
This is a guy I already didn’t like.
If that guy is so relaxed.
Can I just get over it?
“Shouldn’t you give me a punch?”
“…yes?”
* * *
It’s not that these guys are particularly pretty.
Although I talked about the situation one after another.
That he was willing to sacrifice himself to humanity’s crisis.
Just hit that part.
In the end, it is an unchanging fact that we are the enemy.
but.
‘If this goes on, I don’t think my frustration will go away.’
I’m sorry.
To relieve my frustration.
“Now… you raised hands.”
You guys.
I need you to take advantage of me a little.
“Everyone focus.”
“…?”
Contractors blaming each other and saying it was your fault or mine.
Let me say that as I stand in front of them.
I feel everyone’s eyes are on me.
“I’m sure you all have a lot to say, so please be quiet.”
“….”
“Big….”
The devil can only look down at this place.
Direct interference is impossible.
All minions summoned by the devil have been subdued.
Due to their strong [desire to survive], they are unable to even resist us, let alone make a [contract].
This one is clearly number one.
That one is clearly Eul.
“Just ask a few questions.”
“You’re asking…”
“What do you mean all of a sudden…”
“I think everyone has now realized that they were scammed.”
I look at them.
He opened his mouth in a slightly arrogant manner.
“First, explain the evil deeds you have done so far.”
“….”
“What are you talking about? Can I just accept that I want to die?”
“Oh, I understand!”
Contractors filled with the desire to survive thanks to my cooking.
Let’s point a gun at his head.
The answer came fairly quickly.
“It is true that I committed several evil deeds under his orders.”
“It was mainly things that would be helpful when He came later…”
“What do you mean by things that would be helpful?”
“…The leader has the trait of knowledge of evil deeds. With the knowledge gained from that trait, you can draw something like a magic circle that stores evil energy in various places…”
“Huh.”
The energy accumulated in the place drawn like that.
It was planned to be absorbed by a demon that would descend someday.
“Ha, but believe me. “I have rarely caused harm to others!”
“Well, that’s fine. “Even if you say that, I still can’t believe it.”
They say it is to save at least a small number of human beings.
To achieve that, these guys were willing to use any means possible.
I thought maybe they had already immersed a significant number of humans.
“…There is a reason.”
“huh?”
“It would be a lie to say it didn’t cause any damage, but…”
The man was acting as a guide.
Wonjun said.
“It hasn’t been that long since I first made a contract with the devil. “We still have too few numbers.”
“What does that matter?”
“…What the devil ordered me to do was to first make many comrades. The reason is simple. “As the number of comrades that can be offered increases, the ways in which the devil can interfere in this world through contracts will become more diverse.”
The more contractors sacrifice their lives at once.
Wishes you can make to the devil also become more powerful.
“Even if we encountered other humans, we set up a strategy to recruit them as much as possible… That’s also why my group, which initially had about 20 people, has now grown to this number.”
In the end, that wish will also be made to achieve what the devil wants.
From his point of view, the number of contractors should have been increased as much as possible.
“Hmm…”
“But like I said, I don’t think it did any damage.”
He continued speaking with a face full of guilt.
“I explained to them… there is no way to survive in this world. “It led them to despair.”
“….”
“It instilled a sense of mission in such despairing people, saying that they should save at least the bare minimum of humanity.”
Something like that.
Other humans they encounter are like them.
“I made him his slave… This is also an extremely evil act.”
He continued speaking.
He raised his head and looked at my face and said.
“But believe me. “You were the first to attack others, even at the cost of sacrificing precious comrades on a large scale.”
“okay. That also worried me. “Why did we attack in the first place?”
“You sent out that radio.”
“…huh?”
radio?
I think you’re referring to the radio that was sent based on Minjae’s opinion.
‘Why is it here?’
I was a little puzzled by the unexpected reason.
It seemed like that was a very important reason for them.
“As I said, he wanted to increase the number of contractors. However… the name devil sounds very ominous to humans.”
For ordinary people.
A contract I would never choose.
“Those who have a little bit of money or hope do not choose to make a pact with the devil. “At the very end, when there are no other options left, the choice you have to make is… a contract with the devil.”
To make a pact with the devil.
There should be no leisure or hope.
so.
“The radio you sent out had to be blocked somehow.”
“…indeed.”
The radio we put out.
As a result, humanity learned how to hunt monsters.
It will still be getting stronger in real time.
“If humanity becomes stronger, there will be less need to depend on others and there will be no more contracts with the devil.”
“Similar, but one more thing.”
“huh?”
“Your very existence would have become hope for other humans.”
“hope?”
“Hope that one day the surviving military unit will come to save them.”
….
It’s hope.
“Humans with hope do not rely on the devil. The number of humans capable of serving Him would have been greatly reduced. so.”
“It had to be removed as quickly as possible.”
“Yes.”
indeed.
To some extent, I understood why they attacked us.
‘I don’t know if it’s too grandiose to have hope or anything.’
Eventually.
It was decided that we would be disturbed by that devil.
“…I roughly understood.”
Maybe we’ll be given a little more time.
If their power grew bigger.
There was a high possibility that it would have caused great harm to other humans.
Just like us.
Because there must be more human forces somewhere that could harm the devil.
“Then let me ask you one last question.”
“what?”
“I understand you made a pact with the devil. then.”
But should I say I am fortunate?
So far… at least it doesn’t seem to have caused much damage.
“If only there was a way to be free from that contract.”
“…?”
One suggestion.
I felt like I could hand it over.
“Are you going to follow?”
“…!”
In those words.
A commotion spreads among the contractors.
“What?”
“There is such a way…”
“Wait!”
Contractors buzzing.
It was Wonjun who silenced them.
“everyone. What kind of situation did Mr. Jongwan just become? “I’m sure you haven’t forgotten it already.”
“…ah.”
“Everyone should be careful what they say. “If you make a mistake here, you’ll be in big trouble.”
One man already tried to cross over to us and ended up dying.
Those contractors too.
The moment you open your mouth incorrectly, you will inevitably end up like that.
nevertheless.
“I don’t know what you meant by your question.”
“hmm?”
A person who was their leader.
Wonjun casually opened his mouth to me.
“I guess you already told me? “The devil has become the master of our souls.”
A half-desperate face.
Even if I end up dying like this, there is nothing I can do.
That’s probably what you’re thinking.
“Didn’t you say that it is absolutely impossible for us to escape that control on our own?”
“hmm. “I heard about that.”
I heard it.
I heard it.
“Isn’t the last part just your personal opinion?”
“what…?”
I responded with a dumbfounded expression.
It is absolutely impossible to escape control.
“Isn’t it a bit much to give up without even trying?”
The military thing.
It is not an organization that always operates rationally.
Sometimes, nonsensical orders come down from above.
but.
When that happens.
A soldier who appears to be attempting even the impossible.
And a soldier who refuses orders because it is impossible.
“That’s it.”
Of the two.
The type of talent the military wants is usually the former.
“If you have the means to be free, just tell me whether you will choose it or not.”
“…You must have already seen it? “The moment we say that, we become.”
“You didn’t tell me what the means were, right? Absolutely. “It could be a way to pray to the devil and just let him go.”
“…Nonsense.”
Although I said it.
It is true that this is nonsense.
actually.
All the contractors were looking at each other and couldn’t keep their mouths shut.
like that.
A period of silence follows.
‘Well… this is normal.’
There was a plan I came up with just in case.
It seems that there is no need to carry out that operation.
When you think so.
“…indeed. understood.”
A man who seemed to be silently thinking about something.
Wonjun soon opened his mouth.
“Guide… not. you. I can’t believe I understood. what…?”
“When you answer that question… the only person who will die will probably be the person who answered.”
Huh.
Sigh…
Cold sweat drips from the man’s face.
A rough breathing sound escapes from the mouth.
“Then…”
Breaking the [contract] is.
There is only one person who will answer my questions.
The rest are not directly violating the contract.
How can one possibly preserve one’s life?
in other words.
“I started this. “It’s right for me to finish it.”
To pay for Borgin’s sins for arranging a contract with the devil.
As if trying to carry out the warchief’s orders.
“Are you ready?”
“…exactly.”
“then. “Just repeat what I say.”
Wonjun made his first contract with the devil.
he is.
He promised to pay for what he had done.
“[I want to be free if possible without violating the contract].”
“…I want to be free if possible without violating the contract.”
Until just now.
A person who received all the hate because he first started signing.
When he said that.
“It’s all you…!”
“Guide!?”
The contractors looked at him in great surprise.
The act of choosing one’s own death on behalf of everyone else.
Immediately, the gaze falls on Wonjun, wondering if his head is about to explode.
“…Whoop!”
Wonjun actually said those words as well.
He had a premonition of his own death and closed his eyes tightly.
“…?”
“Oh, you’re not going to die?”
There was no explosion.
No price was paid for breaking the contract.
‘…This is what happens.’
Ultimately, the content of the contract they made is.
The point was that if an attempt was made to break the contract, restrictions would be triggered.
so.
‘I made a condition that the contract should not be broken.’
Honestly, I didn’t think it would work.
It was a phrase I added just in case.
It seems that the contract was barely violated.
Eat.
the problem is.
Here, in case they actively try to get out of the contract.
The only problem is that restrictions will be imposed without any hesitation.
“good. “I liked it just a little bit.”
The cooking method of [need for survival] is still being applied to them.
Even though it was obvious that he would lose his life in such a situation.
With mental strength.
The fact that he overcame the effects of my cooking and spoke out.
“That’s enough. “I will take care of the rest.”
“…What are you going to do?”
Wonjun was in a cold sweat in anticipation of death.
And the contractors, including him.
They look at me with expressions full of doubt.
“I told you, didn’t I? There’s no way that guy will let us go free…!”
“Um… about that. “I want to tell you an interesting story.”
“what?”
I am a cook though.
I wasn’t the type of person who started cooking in society.
instead.
Among his successors, there were two former chefs.
There were many times when I heard various stories from them.
“My successor… there is a guy named Junhyuk.”
“The right successor? “Suddenly something.”
“I heard from that guy that working at a restaurant is extremely difficult?”
My somewhat unexpected words.
Contractors, of course.
“…Sergeant Shin?”
“What are you saying all of a sudden?”
The soldiers also looked at me with puzzled eyes.
“That’s why they say there are always 0 job postings for kitchen staff. So, this means permanent hiring. That means it’s hard to find people.”
“So why are you suddenly talking nonsense?”
“But actually, that’s not a big problem. “The real problem is when you save someone in such a difficult way.”
Because the work is so hard and intense.
Even if they say they are trying to find employees somehow.
“There are so many people who work one day and disappear without a word the next day.”
“…?”
“Even if they offered to send me the wages for the first day’s work, I chewed it with my teeth clenched and ignored my calls. In fact, it wasn’t even someone else’s story. Junhyuk said he was like that at first too.”
Sigh.
“Would you like me to tell you what the moral of this story is?”
These guys’ jobs are devil contractors.
The reason they could not be free is also because of their occupation.
then.
“You don’t need to get permission from your boss to quit your job.”
If you make it so that you are not a contractor.
Isn’t that enough?