The Cook of a Perished World - Chapter 231
Episode 231 Special Quest
“…Are you serious?”
“No matter what, I don’t joke about things like this.”
After returning to the unit.
I told the leaders what I experienced at the wall.
“…her.”
OK.
All of the commander-level soldiers opened their mouths in shock.
“That barrier…”
“You can get over it?”
“okay.”
A wall of black fire that blocked access to other areas.
The results I tested.
That wall…
was not a wall that could never be overcome.
“There is no wall in the world that cannot be overcome.”
“I wonder if that’s the word to use in times like this…”
Corporal Seo Soo-hyuk said, frowning.
“Anyway, this is ridiculous. “Of course, I thought it was a restriction that could never be exceeded.”
“That’s right.”
When I first heard about that wall.
Like that [system].
I thought there must be some law in place that we can’t touch.
‘That was one of the reasons why our guild was so eager to occupy Gangwon-do.’
I thought I couldn’t go to another area anyway.
Since I couldn’t do anything else, I tried to follow the occupation strategy suggested by the system.
but.
‘At least it wasn’t a place that couldn’t be crossed due to some law.’
just.
The difficulty level to pass is just too high.
‘At first… I thought it was when the vampires said they tried inserting their arms.’
The result of the vampires sticking their hands into the wall of fire.
He said that his hand was burned from the excessive heat and disappeared.
but.
If that is really an ‘insurmountable wall’.
‘Isn’t it normal for your arm not to go in in the first place?’
You might be thinking, right?
To compare directly.
A place where escape has been systematically declared impossible.
‘Because that was actually the case in the case of dungeons.’
At the point when the no-escape declaration was issued.
The entrance to the dungeon has changed to become completely impossible to pass through.
There was something like a wall that no physical force could pass through.
At that point,
I thought, maybe.
This is the result of an experiment I did not long ago.
“If you think about it, it was a wall that the radio we shot through also passed through.”
“Oh, definitely… no matter how much I was protected by Sergeant Lee Min-jae’s magic. “It wouldn’t be surprising if, at the point when radio waves passed through that barrier, other things could also pass through.”
I guess I was right.
“Then why is there that wall in the first place…?”
Captain Lee Sang-ah raised a question.
“It’s not like I’m attacking people like monsters, so I wonder what benefit there is in doing that…”
“Uhm…”
Those words.
Sergeant Lee Min-jae seemed to think for a moment and then spoke.
“I have no doubts.”
“yes? “Can you guess?”
The soldiers’ gaze is focused on Sergeant Lee Min-jae.
Sergeant Lee Min-jae himself answered in an easygoing tone.
“I’m not sure either. But if there is a reason for something like that, there is only one that comes to mind.”
“What is that?”
“Maybe… for protection.”
In those words.
“…Protection.”
“Who are you talking about protecting me from?”
Captain Lee Sang-ah tilted his head to see what he was talking about.
Corporal Seo Soo-hyuk also frowned.
“No way! “There are going to be a lot of monsters out there that are much stronger than us…!”
Corporal Jeon Gwang-il’s face turned pale.
At those words, the other leaders also widened their eyes, wondering if that was what they meant.
“No, I don’t think that’s what it means.”
“yes?”
What is Minjae trying to say?
I also have some expectations.
‘Who are you trying to protect from?’
That means.
Actually, it’s a little bit wrong.
‘Who’ is missing.
“We may not necessarily be the ones being protected.”
“yes?”
From whom.
What are you trying to protect?… I guess that’s right.
“It could be that they are trying to protect those in other areas… from us.”
“…What is that?”
“It’s like a beginner protection system.”
[Beginner Protection System]
This is a concept that often comes up when playing MMORPG games.
There are various users in the game.
Not all of those users can be at the same level.
In games that allow PVP, the gap is especially huge.
For users who have not yet achieved sufficient growth.
This is because they are inevitably vulnerable to attacks from other users.
and.
To prevent such new users from being slaughtered by existing users.
The system that exists is the [Beginner Protection System]
‘Tutorial Map.’ There were many cases where beginner villages did not allow PVP or even prevented high-level users from entering.’
Until the beginner grows enough to be able to block attacks from existing users to some extent.
To prevent a preemptive attack.
If we apply this concept to a real world area.
There is a rough answer.
“Regional locks are in place to prevent overly strong forces in a specific region from preying on regions that have not yet become strong.”
“An overly strong force….”
Yes.
For example.
“We have already eaten a quarter of Gangwon-do… and it seems like it is only a matter of time before the rest comes.”
“Ah…”
“What. “This isn’t accurate, though.”
Because we don’t know what’s going on outside.
Perhaps we are in a position where we are protected from other powerful forces.
We cannot guarantee that there will not be a force comparable to ours in other regions.
anyway.
I think that the wall of fire is a barrier to prevent certain forces that are too strong from invading other areas that have not yet grown.
“Commander, are you able to overcome that wall?”
“That’s it.”
“Huh.”
but.
It wasn’t a perfect escape.
“First of all, I think I’m probably the only one who can do that.”
“yes? Why was that again…”
“It was such a high fever.”
Fire resistance or something.
There are occupations other than mine that have fire affinity.
but.
“Um… definitely.”
“It must be difficult if Sergeant Shin’s hands are like that.”
Our unit… not that much.
At least according to the information our guild has.
There is no awakened person of a higher level than me in the nearby area.
‘I don’t know what it’s like in other areas.’
That’s not all.
The effect of [Absolute Taste].
The incident that took Ariella’s blood.
Essence of Dathmur, etc.
The result of a combination of several factors.
My stats were comparable to no one in the unit.
Even Lee Hyun-jin, who has the next highest stats after me, has recently been widening the gap again.
These are the stats and fire affinity.
All kinds of dishes that could block the heat were layered on top of that.
“Even though I mobilized that much, my arm was completely black.”
“….”
“If I had stuck my head in, I would have died instantly. I thought I could pass, but whatever. I think I need to be much more prepared to pass properly. “It’s natural that you’ll still get massive burns even after that.”
“If you’re at that level, it means you can’t even take on the challenge with the abilities of other unit members.”
“okay. “It would be quicker to occupy the entire Gangwon-do before then.”
Even if it is possible to pass.
It’s the result of all kinds of coincidences like mine.
‘Absolutely impossible unless you have extreme fire resistance.’
In the general case, there wouldn’t be much difference from a physically impassable wall.
If the role of the beginner protection zone is correct in the first place, it should be impossible to pass.
Now that I am able to do that, I must feel like a bug character.
‘No, maybe it’s not just that.’
perhaps.
The very moment you cross that wall.
There may be some kind of sanctions imposed.
That’s something you really won’t know until you completely cross the wall.
“…so.”
After roughly organizing the story.
Let everyone understand the situation.
The look in Sergeant Lee Min-jae’s eyes.
heading towards me
“Are you going? “Other areas.”
“…hmm.”
okay.
It was confirmed that it was possible to go to another area.
But it is only possible.
Actually going to another area is a different story.
“….”
“…gulp.”
Let me be reticent.
I could feel the leaders’ eyes focused on me.
He seemed strangely uneasy.
The soldiers hesitated and watched me, unable to let go of the tension.
‘You’re probably worried that I might announce that I’m moving to another area at any moment.’
and.
It wasn’t like their concerns were completely non-existent.
‘To be honest, I kind of want to run away right away.’
That’s natural.
This is Gangwon-do.
And until I enlisted. There were
only a handful of people who set foot in Gangwon-do…
because they were from other regions.
‘Because my family and friends… are in Gyeonggi-do.’
People who were precious to me.
They were all in different areas.
While I’m talking here right now.
My family, who have barely survived until now, may be going through the crisis of death.
“Go to another area…”
Get over that wall right now and run to Gyeonggi-do.
The thought of wanting to check on the safety of my acquaintances was like a chimney.
but.
“no.”
still.
For now I just have to endure it.
“…Are you okay?”
Minjae looked at me with worried eyes.
I felt like I knew what he was thinking.
Among the unit members, he was one of the few people who cared about me very well.
But what can you do?
No matter how desperately you want to leave.
“I can’t leave this unit now.”
“…That’s right.”
It is true that our unit is quite strong.
But there wasn’t enough room.
Especially….
“Nowadays, there are quite a few soldiers who depend on the corps commander.”
“therefore. “How did I end up like this?”
I felt it the last time I subdued a contractor.
What enables soldiers to overcome today’s world?
It was because of their unreasonable faith in me, their corps commander.
In addition, the facilities of the vimana were upgraded, etc.
There are more than one or two things that only I can do.
What if I suddenly go to Gyeonggi-do to find my family?
Soldiers who were carrying out the war of conquest.
What if they realize that their commander is gone?
‘The mental health of the soldiers who have managed it to the best of their ability will collapse in an instant.’
There is no one I can trust.
Like those contractors who depended on the devil.
“No, it’s nothing to lie about. “To be honest, I’m worried about my family.”
“…Youngjun. “I know how you feel, but the moment you leave.”
“I know, I know.”
Now I feel quite attached to the unit members.
Moreover, now I know how much they depend on me.
“I’m not that kind of a guy, but I’m not a scoundrel so bad that I leave behind the soldiers who trust and follow me without taking any action.”
Even though.
It is not to the extent that we can abandon them irresponsibly.
“Sergeant Shin…”
The commanders looked at me with strange eyes.
From their perspective, even though I am concerned about the safety of my family.
“That’s amazing.”
“I haven’t thought about it like that because this is my hometown, but other people would have wanted to go home right away.”
Giving up your family for your troops.
Because it will look like you decided to sacrifice yourself.
But… um.
What can I say?
I couldn’t tell them.
There was one more thing on my mind.
‘…You haven’t said you’ll give up yet?’
We have no plans to expand into other regions right now.
If I leave this unit, there is a high probability that it will disintegrate.
okay.
‘Because I’m not such a jerk as to leave without taking action.’
and.
Let’s say this the other way around.
‘As long as countermeasures are made, it’s too bad to leave after that.’
I think I said this often to other soldiers, too.
‘me. ‘He’s not that kind of a guy to begin with.’
They are unable to leave because they are afraid that the unit will disintegrate.
then.
The conditions for resolving this situation were simple.
‘If I’m confident that this unit will be able to return to normal even if I leave for a while.’
Even if you suddenly leave.
No one can say anything, right?
For that purpose.
Hmm….
‘I guess I’ll have to suffer a bit.’
The moment my next goal is decided.
but.
I didn’t bother to tell the leaders.
‘It’s a goal that will be nagging if you talk about it.’
ASAP.
We are prepared to the extent that no problems will occur even if I leave this unit for a while.
and.
As soon as all preparations are made.
‘I have to desert.’
Leaving the unit in which you are serving without permission.
I will go to my hometown where my family will be.
Shin Yeong-jun, a late-career sergeant with two days left until the end of his life.
Decide to desert!
* * *
‘Even if I say that, I can’t think of anything that can be said to be ready right now.’
After the story about the wall is finished.
Our unit has returned to normal work again.
“Then the Pyeongchang-gun Expeditionary Force. “Let’s go!”
“Draw it, draw it. “Have you been there?”
Based on Taejun’s prophecy.
The soldiers were engaging in combat activities more vigorously than ever before.
Except for a small number of security forces to protect the unit, most combatants were included in the occupation group.
Excluding vacationers and guards, there were only production workers left in the vimana.
‘Everyone looks busy.’
And while the soldiers were busy fighting.
What did I do?…
“I’ll cook you something delicious when I get back.”
“Oh… I’m looking forward to it!”
In the kitchen.
I was in charge of meals.
‘whatever. This is my original position.’
While others are fighting hard.
I felt a little guilty about the fact that I was cooking alone in a restaurant.
What can I do?
“I was sick for a few days after defeating the contractors last time…”
My fighting style is basically buffing through [Absolute Taste].
However, if you gain temporary strength through this method.
Because the side effects are so great.
‘Actually, I’ve been lucky so far. ‘If you do it wrong, it can really lead to trouble.’
Now my importance has risen too much.
On a day when something goes wrong, the entire unit will be in chaos.
Unless you have to squeeze out all the power you have.
This means that in most cases, it is better not to come forward.
‘My duties as corps commander are being handled by Minjae and Lieutenant Kim.’
In fact, my job as a corps commander is the busiest and most difficult.
I am comfortably giving Lieutenant Kim a hard time.
Thanks to you, my main job is as a cook.
I started focusing on cooking.
Other than that, there are two things to do.
One was to interpret the [astrology] Taejun sent me and then tell it to me as if it were a strategy I had figured out.
Another one….
[Entering fortress management mode.]
[Mobile Fortress – Vimana (Lv.1)]
Our first base.
It was about managing the mobile fortress vimana.
[Building List]
[Training Center Lv.5]
[Blacksmith Lv.5]
[Lab Lv.5]
….
….
“Kya. “It makes my heart feel bigger.”
Mobile fortress vimana.
When it was first summoned, the interior was filled with empty spaces.
In fact, it was half-built…
it was almost like an unfinished fortress.
However, as we won the occupation war, our territory gradually expanded.
The number of suppliers of [Jump Run Points] has also increased.
‘All of the increased points… have been used to create and strengthen facilities.’
Thanks to.
Now there was no empty space inside the fortress.
“I mean, this is kind of fun.”
It feels like the territory-raising game I played as a student.
Unlike back then, when I couldn’t do anything because I didn’t have money, I have a lot of points now.
There’s no way this isn’t fun.
We built all the buildings that could be built.
The level of facilities is also high.
Except for one building, all buildings have reached level 5, which is the maximum level that can be raised at this point.
And….
[No, this!?]
[The worker’s passion and talent shines!]
[The facility level-up speed is greatly reduced.]
Same thing this time.
Occupation battle points entered into the occupation of Hongcheon-gun.
By investing those points.
The last remaining level 4 building.
[Prison Lv.4 -> Prison Lv.5]
[The level of the facility has increased!]
We decided to strengthen the prison.
It’s probably a facility for confining prisoners.
‘So far, I’ve ‘reformed’ all the guys who could be prisoners through cooking.’
What if it had fallen into the hands of another force?
A prison that had very little use in our unit.
Thanks to that, I put off leveling up until the end.
The moment you reach level 5.
-Tiring.
I’m used to it now.
A refreshing sound rings out.
[Congratulations!]
[All facilities have reached level 5!]
“Huh?”
Right in front of you.
An unexpected message appeared.
[Conditions have been met.]
[Build all facilities and reach maximum level (1/1)]
Kugugugugugugugugung….
The fortress was fine.
It starts to shake suddenly.
“What is happening all of a sudden!?”
“All corps members emergency!!!”
due to a sudden earthquake.
Legion members waiting at the vimana run out with their weapons in hand.
‘It unintentionally became something like an emergency drill…’
When an emergency situation occurred, soldiers ran out with weapons in less than a minute, let alone five minutes.
That sight was extremely satisfying for a corps commander… but
what’s important now is.
It wasn’t like that.
[The conditions are met and the reward is given.]
[Fortress upgrades begin.]
[Mobile Fortress Vimana Lv.1]
“The fortress…”
“Is it expanding?”
A huge fortress floating on the river.
There was a bridge built by engineers to connect the fortress with the ground.
Blah blah blah…
As the size of the fortress expanded.
The bridge built by the engineers is being pushed roughly and is torn and broken.
“Kwaaaaah….”
“How did they make that bridge? That’s…!”
I felt sorry for the engineers, though.
What is this?
It wasn’t hard to guess.
[Promotion has been completed.]
How do I upgrade?
A level of vimana that I could not have imagined.
[Mobile Fortress Vimana]
[Lv.2]
That…
has reached level 2
and.
[The perk has reached level 2!]
[A perk quest has been granted!]
[Quest: Grow the fortress!]
[Condition 1 – All Vimana facilities must reach level 10. (0/1)]
[Condition 2 – Vimana’s ruling power must have sufficient reputation and influence. (16842583/10000000) (Completed)]
[Condition 3 – Vimana’s operational artificial intelligence must be activated. (0/1)]
[Condition 4 – Vimana’s operational magic must be met. (0/10000000)]
With new quests.
You can get it when you solve the quest.
[Reward upon completion]
[1. Mobile Fortress Vimana Lv.3]
[2.Facility – Mobile Device Activation]
“…Mobile Device?”
Compensation.
that it has been presented.