The Cook of a Perished World - Chapter 41

Episode 41: Ghost in the Mart (2)

“It’s as if a ghost has appeared.”

After hearing Suyeon’s explanation, Sang-ah and I’s expressions turned blank.

What a ghost.

…really?

* * *

The destination Sooyeon mentioned was a supermarket similar to the place we visited this time.

The only difference is that it is larger.

“Actually, we were also surprised that the products in such a supermarket were still intact.”

“You could have just considered it suspicious, but why did you bother to step in?”

“I couldn’t afford to go back just because it was suspicious.”

This mart is well known for its large size and location.

There’s a reason why the survivors didn’t rob those places.

To be exact, I guess I couldn’t shake it off.

“There were no problems at the beginning… but the moment I felt like everyone had entered the inside to some extent.”

“People suddenly died. “That’s it.”

“yes.”

This is the story I heard from Suyeon.

I advised the two siblings to take a break for now.

He then returned to the unit members and told them the conversation they had had.

“That way. I decided to receive information as a condition of being allowed to join the unit. Now that I think about it, I feel sorry because I made the decision alone.”

“no. Well, if it’s Sergeant Shin’s decision, there won’t be a big problem, right?”

“It would be good if the youngest child grew, right? “It takes a while for the kids, though.”

In fact, the decision to increase new unit members.

I felt a little sorry because I thought it wasn’t something I had to decide on my own.

Fortunately, everyone was understanding.

It must have had a bit of an impact on my trust in people.

But that’s probably not the main reason.

Outside of unit work, these soldiers are quite indifferent and callous.

The standard for that camaraderie is whether or not you belong to our unit.

If you were an outsider, you wouldn’t know.

If you were to become a member of the unit, you would be quite lenient.

but.

The real problem is the other side.

“Well… I don’t mind recruiting.”

The soldiers heard the whole story.

One of them raised his hand and said with a slightly pale face.

“that. “It’s not really a ghost, right?”

“….”

“Sergeant Shin?”

“….”

“Quick, tell me it won’t be! “It’s scary!”

“no. Even if you say so.”

The story is that while all the people were dying, the monster was nowhere to be seen.

Just listening to the story makes me wonder if a ghost has really appeared.

There’s a part of me that wonders if that’s really true.

“Honestly, this is the situation. “Do you think I would believe it even if a real ghost appeared?”

There is no place where rumors about ghosts circulate more often than military bases.

In fact, there were often soldiers who returned to their dormitories after duty and made a fuss that they had seen a ghost.

When that happens.

If it was me before.

-You must have read it wrong, man. It’s not some kind of kid. Where are the ghosts in this world?

I guess I passed it on.

But now that monsters have started to appear, me.

“Because it has become a world where zombies roam. Honestly, even if there were ghosts, I think that might be the case.”

“That kind of thing…”

It happens like this.

The faces of the soldiers changed in various colors after hearing my answer.

There are some calm guys and some frowning slightly.

“Keukheuhum.”

The problem is that some people have a noticeably pale complexion.

“What is that?”

“Do you really have to go there?”

“…Why are you guys shaking?”

“Who says you were shaking!”

Soldiers who are quite accustomed to battle.

But that and ghosts and all are different things.

Isn’t it true that even fighters with great skill often can’t watch horror movies alone?

Unit members were no exception.

Although there were relatively calm soldiers.

Some soldiers turned pale and even trembled.

It looked quite scary.

at that time.

“You guys are still sons of a man!”

A soldier shouted.

The huge size that I have become accustomed to now.

“These are the same guys who could endure a life-threatening fight with a monster! “Where are all the people who stuck the knife into the Lizard’s mouth going?”

“That Corporal Jeon Gwang-il?”

It was Corporal Jeon Gwang-il.

“The Marine Corps said they could slay ghosts. “It means that we will be able to defeat ghosts and all with our courage!”

“We’re not the Marine Corps…”

“…That guy. “Are you Corporal Jeon Gwang-il, the one who ran away when we watched horror movies because he was scared?”

“uh. “I think maybe not.”

He was originally more timid than anyone else in the unit.

I have a rough idea of why it’s doing that now.

‘Hmm. A side effect of psychotherapy….’

The cause may be that I injected too much ‘courage’ into the dish.

The effect of the cooking must have ended.

But should we call it an aftereffect?

It seems like the fear has completely intensified.

However, since he has a docile personality, there are usually no problems.

“I can’t believe that the great Han’s Geon-ah is as scared as a fawn! “What kind of obscenity is this!!!”

Seeing that the unit members were scared, it seemed like the side effects of the psychotherapy were taking full effect.

The soldiers, who were already very scared due to Gwangil’s threats, became tearful.

at that time.

“It’s not determined that it’s a real ghost.”

It was Sergeant Lee Min-jae who calmed the atmosphere.

“It’s possible that it’s just a monster that creates a ghost-like phenomenon that can kill enemies invisibly. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to be convinced that it’s a ghost.”

“Is that so? “When I hear the description, nothing but ghosts come to mind.”

“That’s because we try to look at the object with our common sense.”

Minjae hyung habitually searches his pockets to take out a cigarette.

But I’ve long since run out of cigarettes.

He cleared his throat as if he was embarrassed and continued speaking.

“Think about it. Most of the monsters that have already appeared are ones that deviate from our common sense. “That’s true from the moment a monster appears in the first place.”

“Hmm. “That’s right.”

“It would be better not to try to confirm the identity of the monster based solely on our common sense and abstract images. Rather, it will become difficult to determine its true identity. “They won’t be kind enough to show up for our common sense.”

As the saying goes.

It is dangerous to be certain of the enemy’s identity based only on what you have heard, rather than what you have seen in person.

Eventually.

“I have no choice but to go and experience it myself.”

Confirming it with your own two eyes.

There is no other answer than that.

“Things turned out to be more complicated than I thought. “Because I can’t go back with nothing.”

“I will start the car right away.”

Thanks to the modified vehicle, traveling short distances was no problem.

Once you’ve decided, it’s a waste of time to hesitate.

The unit members quickly prepared to move.

The same goes for the two siblings who decided to join.

The moment we brought them out to board the vehicle.

“…Hibb.”

“huh? what’s the matter?”

“Oh no. “Because it’s not the car I thought it would be.”

“ah.”

The visuals of the vehicle are a bit different.

Still, the siblings quickly gathered themselves together and got into the car.

“depart.”

“Let’s go!”

Cars began to drive toward the place Sooyeon had heard about.

And not long after departure.

I saw Suyeon, who was sitting next to me, looking around.

“Is there anything you’re worried about?”

“yes? no. “That’s…”

Su-yeon looks anxiously at the cars outside the window.

“I was wondering if there was anything like a tank.”

Because we are soldiers.

Of course I thought there were tanks or something.

“Unfortunately, there is no such thing.”

“yes?”

“There is no such thing as a tank. “If you look over there, it’s called Retona. Unfortunately, there are military vehicles there.”

“Then. How are you going to solve the monster where you are going now?”

“hmm? The priority is to figure out the identity. Basically, the soldiers will have to handle it themselves.”

“yes?”

Suyeon said, surprised by my answer.

“It’s too much!”

It’s impossible.

“You were the one who gave me information about that place and recommended that I go there?”

“Well, since I am a soldier, I thought there would be another way…!”

“Is there another way?”

“Tanks, missiles, etc… Even if there are ghosts inside, if you destroy the place itself, the ghosts might disappear.”

hmm.

I think it could be that image of a soldier solving something.

But what can I do?

“As I said before, tanks and missiles. Unfortunately, there is no such thing.”

“…!!!”

A small radar unit perched on top of a mountain.

Is there such a thing as a tank?

Oh, there was an anti-aircraft gun, but we couldn’t bring it down.

“If you attack like that in the first place, the mart itself will be devastated, right? “We won’t be able to secure the goods from the supermarket, which is our goal.”

“oh. “That is.”

Maybe I hadn’t thought about it that far?

Suyeon’s complexion turns pale.

“Then. “I’m sorry I brought it up, but I’d rather not go into it…”

“We don’t have the luxury of time either. “If it’s an enemy I can’t deal with, it would be a shame to retreat before I even see it.”

“…I told you! “There were two awakened people, but both of them died.”

“hmm. It must be dangerous. But you know what?”

I think I know what she’s thinking.

A place where the group of survivors that the siblings belonged to was wiped out.

He must be worried that the same thing might happen to us because he guided us there.

An enemy whose identity is unknown.

Maybe it really is a ghost.

“We are not without confidence either.”

* * *

We arrived at a three-story large supermarket following Sooyeon’s guidance.

Our first impressions upon discovering the supermarket were as follows.

“…It’s rather bizarre.”

Bizarre.

The reason for that sentiment was simple.

“You’re so fine.”

Ironically.

The seemingly normal appearance actually felt bizarre.

It wasn’t like ‘it wasn’t stolen’ like Sooyeon said.

“It’s because the lights aren’t on, this is….”

“It’s just like the old supermarket.”

It’s been over two months since the monsters appeared on Doomsday.

Since then, we have only seen a collapsed society.

This seemingly normal appearance felt rather bizarre.

“I wonder what kind of being is inside.”

“He’s such a ghost that I can’t even touch him, so what should I do?”

The soldiers look at me and ask.

There is only one answer I can give.

“What should I do? “Then you have to jump out.”

“Yes?”

“Even if it’s not necessarily a ghost, if it’s judged to be an unattackable monster, it will definitely jump out. “Drivers keep their engines running just in case.”

“It’s pretty mean, isn’t it?”

“Call it strategic.”

Since ‘Mac’ had eaten something, there was room for attack.

You can’t feed a ghost anything, right?

Of course it should pop out.

“Of course, that’s the worst case scenario.”

There is no need to be scared and already thinking of the worst.

“I guess you won’t know until you try it.”

“That too.”

The soldiers who heard me also nodded.

Now he seems quite aloof from battle.

the problem is.

“If you are a ghost, you really need to retreat…!”

They must be a small number of people who are still shaking.

“You cowards…!”

“Calm down first, man.”

“But Sergeant Shin…”

Corporal Jeon Gwang-il’s face turned red when he saw that.

“You won’t be able to fight properly with that mental state.”

“That’s right.”

“What do you plan to do? “It might be better to have them excluded.”

Just like the guy said.

Being scared like that won’t help you in battle.

But it’s not something that can be solved by getting angry.

In the first place.

Because there are items provided for times like this.

Including the ones I’m very scared of.

He spoke to the waiting soldiers.

“everyone. “Take out combat rations.”

“Yes yep!”

Soldiers pulling out combat rations from their waist pockets.

“Eat it in one go. practice.”

“…Enjoy your meal!”

Our unit’s unique combat posture.

Combat rations were eaten.

This time, I was ordered to eat number 1.

Actually, it’s nothing special.

This is the guy we are most familiar with.

[Lizard meat jerky filled with the courage of a low-ranking chef]

“Tsk tsk. “It’s ghost hunting.”

The effect appeared immediately.

Because the expressions of the soldiers who bit into the beef jerky changed drastically.

“I was getting tired of zombies, so it’s good.”

“Grrrrrrr…”

“Where is the enemy! “Is there anyone who can satisfy me?”

“Kiyoooot!”

“Okay, okay. “It’s nice to see everyone’s enthusiasm.”

Soldiers full of courage.

“Sister… those soldiers in the military are strange….”

“Wow, were they always like that?”

“hmm. “There may be a dangerous battle, so it’s a good idea to raise your spirits before that.”

The two siblings who didn’t eat their combat rations were a little puzzled, though.

Let’s just roughly wrap it around, isn’t that so? And it looks like it’s moving on.

I said while looking at the soldiers who were excited.

“Let’s go in.”

“KIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK!!!”

“To the battlefield!!!”

bang!

The soldiers burst through the door with great courage.

But that momentum is worthless.

“It’s quiet.”

A supermarket that doesn’t feel like it’s popular at all.

The only sound around us was the heavy breathing of our soldiers.

“Let’s go in further.”

“yes!”

Meanwhile.

“oh.”

“…?”

“Something is strange.”

“what?”

Suhyuk, the younger of the siblings following behind, said.

“This is where Cheol fell…”

“What?”

Now that I think about it, it was strange.

The survivors who died here

can’t even see their bodies.

Obvious anomaly.

“Everyone pause for a moment.”

I tried to issue a stop order.

Other soldiers were going inside without fear.

and.

“Where are you?” “Where is my enemy… ugh.”

A soldier walking right in front of me.

The guy suddenly let out a sound full of pain.

‘attack!’

grasp!

I quickly stretched out my arm and grabbed his shoulder.

I threw it behind me.

“Medical chaplain!”

“yes!”

The guy who was thrown backwards had a stab wound near his waist.

Blood was flowing from there.

“What are you doing! “If you don’t get treatment quickly!”

“All right!”

“The rest of the soldiers stop! Prepare for an attack!”

“Stop stop!”

“Everyone, stop!”

Soldiers who faithfully follow orders.

“Big….”

“Please be patient just a little longer.”

Behind me, a soldier with a hole in his back was being treated for his wound.

I was walking right behind him.

I saw clearly what happened.

the problem is.

‘Even though there was obviously no enemy… I got stabbed by something.’

What was it?

I couldn’t figure it out at all.

“It’s the same….”

At that time.

Suyeon, who was following behind, said.

I didn’t have to listen any more to understand what was being said.

‘It’s the same as when the survivor group was wiped out. I guess it’s something like that.’

If it’s really the same situation.

The attack will not end here.

I looked around nervously.

.

.

.

“…what?”

The attack did not continue.

“…what I said earlier.”

“yes yes?”

“Explain it again.”

I do not neglect the vigilance of my surroundings.

I spoke to Sooyeon.

“What happened here. “Please explain in more detail.”

“Oh, even if you ask me to go into more detail… that’s really all. “Auntie Suni, who was ahead, was attacked… and the rest of the people ran away in a hurry and were all attacked by something.”

hmm.

However, there are no additional attacks against us.

If there is a difference.

‘Is it just that we stopped instead of running away?’

After confirming that the attack was not continuing, I calmly observed the situation.

Right in front of me is where the soldier was stabbed.

There was some blood splattered on the floor below.

I don’t see anything strange.

If it’s a feature.

Just because it’s very close to a nearby shelf…?

at that time.

[Attribute – Food Ingredient Identification is activated.]

I guess it’s because I’m looking at my surroundings carefully.

The characteristic has been activated.

[Food material identification]

[Aluminum]

[Polyamide]

The place where he was stabbed was in the snack section.

Last time, the limitations of cooking ingredients disappeared for me, and

it became possible to distinguish the ingredients of snack bags rather than ingredients.

Of course, I wondered what it would mean to know information about snack bags

.

[Cedar]

[Polyethylene terephthalate]

[Blue water drop]

[Aluminum]

.

.

.

…what?

Something.

‘There was something strange mixed in?’

I looked around the area again.

This time, I actively use the characteristics.

And the visible phrase.

[Blue water droplets]

The object on which that phrase appears is.

It was a bag of snacks that looked ordinary even after washing my eyes.

indeed.

“Is that what it was?”