The Cook of a Perished World - Chapter 296

Episode 296: To the center.

After crossing the barrier, the guild message function stopped.

but.

‘I mean, this is something that was already expected.’

I don’t know if it’s something like an unexpected decline in my abilities.

I’m not foolish enough to come here without preparing for what I already expected.

Constant communication with the headquarters is more important than anything else.

This was precisely the reason why I left Ariella near that magical place.

‘Corporal Seo Soo-hyuk… can catch a glimpse of something beyond the wall.’

That barrier is not visible from far away.

A bar that suddenly appears only when you get close to it.

If you look at it from a huge distance where no barriers are visible.

You can even peek inside to some extent.

There.

It has been confirmed that this radio sent by our unit also reaches other areas.

Near the barrier where Ariela stays, the vampires convey my message.

The Corps sends a reply through this radio.

That such a structure could be created.

‘Actually, this seems like a really buggy play.’

Is it because the impact is not as large compared to directly crossing the barrier?

There was no penalty on this side.

‘Anyway. It has been confirmed that communication is possible through this.’

How to use this.

I don’t know yet what I can request from there.

This could definitely be a great weapon.

“Mr. Youngjun?”

I can’t believe I was thinking like that.

After a while.

“It’s meeting time.”

Meetings held periodically by this group.

The time has come.

* * *

“Food production has increased….”

“The next trade is….”

After going through many hardships, he succeeded in gaining their trust.

I act as a kind of advisor.

I was able to participate in their meetings.

Actually, today is not the first time.

I had participated in several meetings before this.

but.

‘I never said anything.’

Almost all I do is listen.

‘If you think about it, it was like that in the military’

because there are many people who are smarter than me.

I usually just showed up for meetings and then went to cook in between.

Although it’s similar this time too.

The reason was a little different.

‘I need to figure out the situation.’

To learn more about the situation here.

All I did was listen to the story.

and.

After hearing so many stories, the conclusion I came to was simple.

‘It might be more dangerous than you think.’

Even when I first came.

I thought it was in pretty good condition compared to Myoyangsa Temple that I visited before.

At least everyone went through an awakening.

Regardless of my mental state, I had adapted to this world to some extent.

‘With one unified force… Humans are basically all in a state of awakening. Recently, as the potential for production jobs became apparent, we began manufacturing equipment.’

Right now, the average strength may be a bit lacking compared to Gangwon-do, excluding the corps.

To the extent that human forces are virtually unified.

Originally, there was potential for explosive growth.

the problem is.

“The group over there is about to run out of food… but the supply team isn’t coming.”

“Hmm. “It’s not easy to break through that blizzard.”

“What happened? Maybe I should send a messenger…”

This was it.

‘It looks like it’s very difficult to move.’

A huge barrier created by an awakened person in another area.

Inside, the environment was surprisingly livable thanks to the many fires created by the ‘Druids’ by burning the trees they had made.

It wasn’t outside at all.

Because it is difficult to move due to the cold.

Even though integration has been achieved, exchanges are not taking place well.

Outside activities of awakened people are rare.

in other words.

‘It looks like growth has almost stopped.’

Of course, they also can’t have monsters wandering around.

It seemed like they formed their own warrior team and went hunting consistently.

It seemed like they were limited to hunting monsters near each group.

When winter came.

Our unit also became difficult to engage in external activities and began internal maintenance.

These are also similar.

but.

If it’s like this…

‘Monsters will become stronger as time goes on.’

It might be okay to hold out for now.

One day, when the monsters become stronger.

I thought it might be difficult to fight back.

“A place called the epicenter of the cold.”

and.

There was something that bothered me from the first time I heard them explain the situation.

“Is there any information you have about that place?”

My words came out while the meeting was in progress.

In those words.

The leaders looked at each other’s faces and answered hesitantly.

“Well, it’s an embarrassing story.”

“We don’t know anything about that place either. “It’s just that the president of the association and the elites headed there and disappeared.”

Let’s hear that.

I couldn’t help but frown.

‘It’s not good.’

This is just my feeling.

It is the source that caused the entire Gyeonggi-do to be engulfed in that huge snowstorm.

‘Even if it’s difficult to solve the phenomenon, you don’t even know the cause?’

This situation…

was very dangerous.

“You said you wanted advice, so I’m doing it.”

I opened my mouth seriously.

“We will have to properly investigate the cause of that cold.”

“yes?”

Because they were busy adapting to the rapidly changing environment.

There would not have been time to properly investigate the cause.

Even if it means squeezing out all the strength you don’t have.

That cause needed to be investigated.

“The current environment in Gyeonggi Province is blatantly strange. “At least we need to figure out the cause so we can prepare for future dangers.”

Because they didn’t understand it at all.

Just hold on until that barrier opens.

Maybe the Legion will come to help someday.

Considering that, there may be no need for them to become stronger.

‘That will also take quite a bit of time.’

There was no certainty that ending the occupation war would open that wall.

I think it will take at least 3 months to finish the occupation war.

What if the cold suddenly gets stronger before that?

All the people inside this wall could freeze to death.

“Hmm.”

“Even if you say so.”

but.

They seemed skeptical about my suggestion.

“I understand that what I’m saying may sound a little absurd, but this is absolutely necessary…”

Unlike the characters in the legion, who believed me to some extent even if my words were based on ‘feel’.

Although they may have accepted me, they were unable to build that level of trust.

Of course, I thought they were skeptical about my proposal because it wasn’t persuasive enough.

“No, it’s not because what you’re saying is strange.”

He cut me off when I was about to explain further.

It was Park Jung-gu.

“We should investigate the cause of the cold. That’s a good suggestion. and.”

“and?”

“It’s a topic that has gone back and forth between us several times.”

“yes?”

Let me be a little surprised.

Han Yi-seo and Kang Jae-ho said hesitantly.

“Well, we’re not stupid either.”

“This is a place where it is presumed that there is a cause that caused the surrounding environment to look like this. I’ve always thought that we should investigate the cause. the problem is.”

“We can’t do it alone.”

Jung-gu sighed and said with a heavy face.

“Even though we deployed all of the association’s elites, we failed to attack this place. “I don’t know what was there that caused such a large force to fail to attack it… but it is highly likely that it would be impossible to attack that place with just the power of our Northern Branch.”

“Just because they failed doesn’t mean they will fail, right?”

“Yes, but.”

Jung-gu scratches the back of his head as if he is embarrassed.

“It may not be much compared to you, but I am also confident in my skills. But even so, I tend to admit what needs to be acknowledged.”

“…?”

“In terms of power between branches, the power of the old central branch was incomparable to ours. Right now, each and every one of the guild’s executives was strong at a similar level to me. “The epicenter of that cold is a place so dangerous that they all disappear.”

As the central branch is a place where the attack failed.

This means that it is impossible to attack with these alone.

“But that doesn’t mean I don’t even think about trying…”

“I thought about it. “To be precise, we discussed the opinions of the central branch’s elites as soon as they went missing.”

what?

“Are the people who went there dead or alive? “Now I think there’s no hope, but at the time, I really didn’t know.”

Although the guild system provides information about people.

Just because there was a death, they were not removed from the guild member list.

“Contact has been cut off and he has not returned for a while, so he is considered missing, but we don’t know if he is still alive. “When the disappearance first became known, our group suggested that we should at least check on the fate of the missing people.”

“Then why?”

“That is our group’s opinion. Other groups don’t seem to think that way either. Except for us, all the other groups were not so positive about that opinion. The central branch lost all of its power and had no power, and the eastern branch said there was no need to do anything dangerous. “The southern branch was the only one that was neutral, and they said they couldn’t do such a dangerous thing unless all the groups united and launched a large-scale operation.”

I said, frowning.

“…Wasn’t it an integrated group?”

“It is an integrated group, but [the association] is more like a union of several groups. “There is cooperation, but that doesn’t mean there are no conflicts.”

Han Yi-seo looked at Jung-gu and said.

“Isn’t this a world where resources are too scarce for many people to live together in one place in the first place? Although they have joined a guild called the Association, most survivors remain active in their original areas. I, too, have been a member of the same group as Mr. Junggu for a long time. “At that time, Uncle Jung-gu led us.”

“hmm. In fact, the existing forces have formed an alliance, and the indigenous forces in that location are still active in that location.”

They are all like different forces.

Does the organization work that way?

“Of course, it wasn’t to the extent of saying this until recently. “Because in the center was the president of the association… the president of our guild.”

“….”

The very president of the association.

Now, all the elites that were in the central part of the association have gone missing.

This guild is nothing more than a cooperative organization of several organizations.

“Cooperation is still happening.”

“In my case, since I can make food, exchanges such as receiving supplies from other regions with that food take place.”

“But in order to confirm the ‘cause of the cold’ that Youngjun mentioned, at least the entire remaining guild will have to move.”

and.

This means that it is not something that can be achieved through their will alone.

“We thought the same thing as you and talked to other groups several times. The eastern branch is somewhat closer to here. but.”

“I was always rejected. “They said it was an overly risky gamble.”

“….”

Contrary to my expectations.

They also thought they had to attack the epicenter.

Since the conditions were not conducive to this, the current situation had to be maintained.

“…okay. “While we’re at it, can I just make a suggestion?”

“yes?”

When you’re thinking like that.

Jung-gu thought for a bit and then opened his mouth.

“It’s something I’ve been meaning to bring up before.”

“What is it? Uncle Jung-gu.”

“As Kang Jae-ho said, our guilds all play separately, but we do cooperate. A representative example is trade where goods that are in short supply by region are traded.”

“yes.”

“In a few days we will be heading to the center of the association for that very trade.”

Come to think of it.

I think I heard from other people that they would soon leave for trade.

“Now that all the executives who would share the situation through [guild messages] have disappeared, meetings are held whenever we gather periodically for trade. “That’s where we exchange opinions and information.”

“In the case of our northern branch, I mainly go on trade trips. “It’s dangerous to go outside, so combat workers come into play.”

After the explanation of the trade is over.

Park Jung-gu said, crossing his arms.

“And this is the business.”

His gaze.

It’s focused on me.

“That trade… and at the guild meeting.”

“…?”

“I want you to come with me.”

Say something like that.

I put it in my mouth.

* * *

“Mr. Youngjun. “Is it true that you are leaving for the central branch?”

“Huh… How long have you been friends and are you already going somewhere else?”

After the meeting is over.

I briefly said goodbye to the group members I had become close to.

The food I fed them was meant to put their minds at ease.

Just by breaking down the wall in your heart caused by the harsh environment.

I was able to become friends with them quite quickly.

As soon as we could become friends like that.

Although it was a bit of a waste for me to leave right away.

“no way. “It’s not like I’m going to stay forever, I’m just visiting for a short time.”

It’s something that can’t be helped.

We said goodbye and promised to meet again someday.

Before leaving on a journey.

I stop by the kitchen for a moment.

After making the necessary items.

“So… are you ready?”

“yes. “Let’s go.”

Han Yi-seo accompanied me to participate in the meeting.

And the large barbarian warrior Park Jung-gu.

I joined the group of combatants led by him.

As it is a place for trade.

A fairly large group decided to move with a vehicle containing food.

After the party stood in front of the wall.

Instead of going out right away, we had to start preparing.

“ignition.”

Howling….

An environment where a huge snowstorm is raging.

Even the sun is obscured by the snow clouds that fill the sky.

Even though we were moving in broad daylight, we had to light a crude torch.

“buff.”

“yes!”

Even though there is no combat.

A priest awakened or an auxiliary wizard, etc.

Buffers with buff skills come forward and provide buffs.

‘The waste of magical power must be considerable.’

If you eat the dish I made, you will receive a buff.

It is unlikely that magical power will be depleted simply by providing a buff.

Because the environment out there was that harsh.

Most combat positions had to maintain buffs to be able to move even in situations where there was no battle.

‘In a full-scale battle, the magic power consumed here will be fatal.’

All of that.

Penalties created by this environment.

The cause that created that environment.

It was something that had to be figured out somehow.

“I guess this is enough preparation. let’s go!”

Let Park Jung-gu declare.

Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

of the huge barrier door opens.

A huge snowstorm blew through the open door, extinguishing the torches inside.

“Everyone move forward!”

“Check regularly to see if your colleagues in front or behind you have disappeared!”

Through that blizzard.

The party begins to advance.

‘It’s a meeting at the central branch.’

I joined the advance, raising my arms to block the blizzard hitting my face.

And then I thought.

‘Now that their leadership is gone… This is actually the place where the most executives of this association gather.’

It was a place I needed to visit at least once.

No way.

I didn’t know they would bring up that proposal first.

-Like you said, I think we need to check the cause of that cold. But… except for the central branch, the power and speaking power of the other branches are similar. We couldn’t convince the other groups on our own.

-…So?

-But if you decide to cooperate with us… and are also of the same opinion that we should investigate the cause of the cold, things will be a little different.

The point is that we need to attack the epicenter of that cold.

My opinion and that of the northern branch leaders were identical.

-I want you to help me convince them.

-yes? When I asked for help persuading them, they said they believed in me… but since I only recently joined, my words won’t have much of an impact on other people.

That’s the result of working hard to gain their trust.

I wondered if my persuasion would mean anything to the humans in other branches.

-Of course, that is what you say. However,

he is a battle enthusiast who believes that everything in this era revolves around the logic of power.

A person who was astonished when he saw my fighting power.

From Park Jung-gu’s perspective.

I am a human being who participates in the meeting.

-The way to persuade others…isn’t it just about words?

It seemed like it had quite a lot of meaning.