The Cook of a Perished World - Chapter 66

Episode 66: Subway (4)

“Oh, you’re not missing?”

“Sergeant Shin? “Are you okay?”

“You can tell when you see it, right? “I’m fine.”

The soldiers who tried to catch me as I tried to move across the sand looked at me with blank expressions.

Of course, I thought that Gwang-il would be eaten by the desert like that guy.

I’m standing there just fine.

You might be wondering what’s going on here.

“Is this sand desert back to normal?”

“Maybe it was just Corporal Jeon Gwang-il who did that.”

“Then I also-.”

“No no no no! Everyone stop!”

Soldiers who saw me standing there thought that the desert had become normal.

When I saw them trying to follow me in, I quickly stretched out my hand and stopped them.

‘I tried to play around a little, but I almost got into big trouble.’

I’m standing there just fine.

It was obvious that the moment they set foot on this, they would immediately fall into quicksand.

“It’s the effect of the skill.”

“Skill.”

“Is there such a thing as a chef’s skill?”

[Absolute taste]

The second effect.

[The sense of taste absolutely focuses on one ‘characteristic’ of the dish.]

Catching even the slightest taste of the ingredients in the dish.

Well, there were some complicated explanations attached.

To put it simply:

‘The characteristics of the monster used as material. You can pick one of them and get it.’

Is it just a temporary buff?

It was an incredibly powerful ability in that you could choose its characteristics at will.

“If Gwangil puts his foot in the sand, he sinks. Those monsters were walking around just fine, right? It doesn’t seem light enough to not fall into quicksand.

“Oh, so.”

“I thought there must be some characteristic that would make that possible.”

and.

If I could acquire that trait, wouldn’t I also be able to move freely through the desert like those monsters?

The prediction was exactly right.

It is this characteristic that is obtained through doing so.

[Energy of black sand]

[This is a special characteristic of the black sand bugs, a species that turns the area around them into quicksand.]

[A special energy is emitted from the body. An entity with this energy can move freely in the area of black sand.] [

Of course, other than the black sand worms themselves, there is no entity with this characteristic.]

Right now, the same energy that those monsters emit is coming out of my body. .

Although it may not be visible to others.

A type of energy that can only be recognized by those who emit the same energy.

Right now, I am giving off this energy.

The strange magic spreading across the desert recognizes me as an ally.

Being able to move freely across the desert.

“If I think about it, I think this is why Taejun’s fortune changed.”

At first, I thought my fortune had changed because I became stronger.

Because of the effect of [Absolute Taste], explosive stat growth was achieved.

However, when I entered the dungeon, the existing power was sufficient.

The problem is the desert environment.

My fortune probably changed because I was able to overcome that environment.

“Was it something like that?”

“Weren’t you all surprised?”

“Tsk tsk. “I wanted to make fun of you.”

“Next time, tell me in advance.”

of course.

As it is a powerful ability, there are many penalties.

Increased abilities, etc.

All other effects that the dish originally had disappear.

While this skill effect is in effect, you cannot receive any buffs.

As a chef, my combat skills are somewhat weak, so not being able to receive buffs would be quite fatal.

There is one more drawback.

“I can’t believe you have acquired such a skill…”

“Then, please apply it to us as well. “If we all attack together with that ability, these monsters will do nothing.”

“ah. “I want to do that too.”

Absolutely, the sense of taste is not an ability that improves your cooking skills or anything like that.

Literally an ability related to the chef’s sense of taste.

“this. “It’s an ability that only applies to me.”

“yes?”

No matter how good your taste is,

There is no way to make someone else’s food taste more delicious.

Both effects of absolute taste.

There was a restriction of [limited to myself].

in other words.

“Everyone is waiting here. “I will come back.”

What can go in there?

It means I’m the only one here.

“yes!?”

“Don’t say nonsense!”

Naturally, the unit members protested.

This means that I, the unit’s core buffer and guild leader, will head towards the enemy camp alone.

Unit members had no choice but to protest.

“What can I do? “This is the only way.”

I was thinking about how to persuade him.

I thought there would be no way to allow the captain to operate alone.

So I feel a little sorry.

This was the decision to go ahead with it.

Since you have already set foot on the desert.

Because the troops won’t be able to catch me.

“Everyone, take care of yourselves.”

“Now, just a moment, corps commander!”

“I will be back!”

Leaving behind the noisy unit members.

A dark subway station covered in sand.

I stepped into the depths.

You can roughly tell where the goal is.

The magic I can feel in the sand I’m stepping on.

If you go towards the place where this magical power becomes stronger.

You will face the person who created this desert.

* * *

Evil evil.

Let’s go somewhat deeper into the dungeon.

Now I can no longer hear the voices of the unit members calling me.

‘It’s quiet.’

In a dark space.

The only sound I could hear was my feet on the sand.

In my heart of hearts, I want to make something that can help you see in the dark.

The moment when you try to see the effects of different dishes.

You will be sucked into the desert in an instant.

I just walked in the direction where the magic I felt from the floor became stronger.

Suddenly, I couldn’t really see anything.

From the pocket of my military uniform, I took out the flare I had brought with me just in case.

Let’s hold the flare like a torch and set it off.

Let’s go….

The red light illuminated the dark underground space.

The first thing I discovered after gaining perspective was this.

‘Crazy…’

A group of bugs staining the entire wall black.

Black sand larvae.

The monsters that attacked us were plastered on the walls and ceiling without distinction.

So many people that even counting them is meaningless.

‘It’s not just the walls.’

This sand I am stepping on.

That part was shaking a little bit.

It looks like there are larvae moving around inside.

‘Did you say it was a black sand hatchery?’

Is it not a hatchery for nothing?

Seeing such a huge number of larvae

makes me feel a little scared.

Here, it is difficult to expect the firepower of our troops to destroy them.

but.

‘also. ‘They don’t attack me.’

I am not a suicidal person.

It’s not like I jumped into the middle of the monsters’ base without thinking.

Even as the light from the flare makes a Farsi sound and shows off my presence.

Countless monsters just repeat their jobs.

There was no attack directed at me.

‘As expected.’

[Learning how to prepare black sand larvae]

[…What you need to be careful about at this time is that the eyeballs, which have completely degenerated into eyeballs and lost their function as visual organs, have such a great taste that some say they exist only to please others. ]

What I learned when I got the grooming method.

These guys.

My eyesight is so bad that I even hear ridiculous claims that my eyeballs exist for other people to enjoy.

So how do those with deteriorated vision distinguish between allies and enemies?

‘It must be this energy coming out of my body right now.’

Insects that live in colonies, such as bees, distinguish between friends and enemies using pheromones.

This is the energy of black sand.

‘It’s exactly similar to that pheromone.’

The same goes for being able to move freely in this quicksand.

I think that by being recognized as an ally by the being that created this desert, we will avoid being eaten.

Seeing as they don’t attack even though they are openly walking among the monsters, their guess is probably correct.

When I look at that number, I feel a bit intimidated.

Convinced that there was no threat, I walked inside, trying my best to ignore the swarming monsters.

While thinking about that, I continued walking.

The magic power spreading across the floor began to rapidly darken.

‘The goal is closer.’

Just as you thought.

Let’s go a little deeper.

-Kiruk….

I was able to find a huge bug that seemed to be twice the size of a person.

‘That’s it.’

A being spreading magical power across this sandy desert.

in other words.

[Chef’s Eye] activates.

[Level Cooking Secret – Obtain ‘Enlightenment on how to prepare a black sand brood mother.’]

A brood mother.

I said this was a dungeon.

then.

That guy is the boss monster of this dungeon.

‘A target I must defeat.’

There are generally two ways to conquer dungeons.

Annihilation of enemies in the dungeon.

Or it’s a boss kill.

Even if it were a dungeon created in reality, it would not deviate from this rule.

If you kill that guy, it will probably be recognized as clearing the dungeon.

A situation where no buffs are provided.

It won’t be an easy battle, though.

‘I have to do it.’

After making up my mind, I placed my hand on the sheath of my belt.

After taking a deep breath.

The exact moment when I was about to pull out [Dokgo Old School].

Hiss!

“…!”

Something flew in front of my eyes.

The head of the ‘pack mother’.

Even though the body is far away.

Only the snake-like long neck and face were flying towards me.

‘I lost the first strike!’

It’s already an unfavorable battle.

With an intuition that the battle would become more difficult.

I quickly raised my arms and took a defensive stance.

…however.

‘…No attacks?’

I didn’t feel the pain I expected.

no.

The expected attack itself did not come.

Let alone attack.

rather.

-Good luck. Meals.

[The brood mother] was gently rubbing her head against my arm, and

a soft sound was coming out of her mouth that was hard to believe came from the oral structure of a monster.

‘This can’t be right.’

It wasn’t difficult to understand what was going on.

This is the hatchery where the brood mothers give birth.

‘This guy can’t believe it.’

And due to the effectiveness of cooking.

I must be radiating an energy that only his kin gives off.

‘Does he think of me as his child?’

* * *

-Kkereuk… Meow, meow.

A ‘mother of the pack’ circling around making soft sounds.

I didn’t feel any hostility in that action.

At that look.

I couldn’t help but be shocked in a different way.

‘Do you mean that there is maternal love… these monsters?’

I knew that monsters were also intelligent.

Those lizards alone have been using strategies to attack us.

but.

Intelligence and emotion are completely different areas.

‘I just give birth to children. ‘Because there are many creatures that are not cared for.’

Dungeons are the result of monsters modifying the environment to suit their needs.

From our human perspective, it is literally an act of aggression.

This guy too.

They are invaders who have invaded and transformed human lands at will.

but.

It’s a hatchery.

‘So the invasion was ultimately for the sake of the children?’

I felt a little strange.

I slaughtered this guy’s children.

That’s me.

Now I have to cut off the head of this monster who considers me his child.

‘I’d rather just jump in. I would have killed him with all my might.’

Although it is a monster sticking its neck out in front of me.

The hand holding the knife did not easily gain strength.

‘…mom.’

Something I had forgotten until now.

The faces of my parents, who I don’t know what would have happened now, came to mind.

* * *

Let’s stand there for a long time without being able to swing the sword.

-What? Meow, meow.

Did he find me suspicious of me like that?

The brood mother’s attitude changed slightly.

Although I can’t understand it, it makes a crying sound that sounds like ‘What’s wrong?’

‘I guess I’ll have to kill him.’

Although it’s a bit uncomfortable.

If we don’t deal with this guy, we’ll be the ones killed.

That’s when I grabbed the knife and tried to swing it.

The head of the elongated flock mother returned to where the body was.

I headed to a place that was hidden by my body and couldn’t be seen.

-Keruk!

The guy took something from there and threw it in front of me.

It’s like handing a gift to a listless child.

but.

When I saw the item he dropped, I couldn’t react like a child receiving a gift.

Although it is dry and twisted.

It remains in its original form intact.

It was a human corpse.

‘….’

-Kerreuk!

When I didn’t react.

The brood mother keeps pushing the carcass towards me.

The meaning of the action was not difficult to understand.

When he saw me standing still, he must have thought that my child was listless.

He probably encouraged you to eat to cheer you up.

This too.

An action that stems entirely from motherly love.

I looked deep into the depths where the body of the brood mother was located.

It’s not completely visible because it’s covered by the guy’s torso.

There were things to see in every corner.

A part of the human body that has lost all moisture.

Bone fragment.

Tattered work clothes.

A human head wearing a helmet.

‘A subway station under construction… These are workers.’

Corporal Seo Soo-hyuk’s words came to mind.

Since the station was under construction, there would be workers who died on the day of destruction.

I thought their zombies might attack.

Strangely enough, there weren’t any zombies near the station.

I thought I had taken a break from construction by chance.

It wasn’t.

‘They were killed to be used as food.’

These people were also someone’s family.

I ended up forgetting about how he treated me like his own child.

The fact that these guys are essentially monsters that eat humans.

Even if it is said that the act originated from motherhood.

Even though this guy thinks of me as his own child.

The most important thing doesn’t change.

As a human being.

This guy should not be tolerated.

‘Is it good or evil? ‘It’s not that kind of problem.’

It may not have been an evil act for him to eat humans.

An act for the survival of oneself and one’s children.

The struggle to survive is natural for everyone.

‘I was like that too.’

To survive, it ate this guy’s children.

With that ability, we have reached this far.

Eating is an act of survival.

As if I came here after eating his child.

It was just trying to survive with its children by eating humans.

It doesn’t matter whether it’s good or evil.

One important thing.

‘Surviving.’

This guy too.

me too.

Ultimately, to survive.

It’s a relationship where both sides have to eat each other.

so.

“Don’t hate me too much.”

-Keruk?

I will end up being eaten by monsters.

Whoever survives by eating the monsters will be the one.

Something I decided to do a long time ago.

I stroked his head with one hand.

With his other hand, he took out a knife and held it.

A large Chinese restaurant [Dokgo Chinese Food].

The thick and heavy blade is made to easily cut even fairly hard and thick materials.

Kwasik!

About the neck of a monster that is not at all wary of me.

I was able to cut it off without even feeling any pain.

Tiring.

[‘Black Sand Mother’ has been hunted.]

[‘Black Sand Mother’s’ skill ‘Black Sand Earth’ is canceled.] [The dungeon collapses

.]

Let’s roll on the floor with the mother’s head cut off.

The magic power that had spread across the ground disappeared in an instant.

The sandy desert that swallows everything was created by the power of this pack mother.

When she died

The dungeon’s environment began to rapidly collapse.

-Kiyaaaaaaaaa!?

The larvae that were plastered on the wall began to run wild.

They must have panicked after noticing the death of the mother and the collapse of the hatchery.

I looked at that and opened the guild message window.

[Chef: Defeated the boss monster. The floor will also be returning to normal.]

[Berserker: Sergeant Shin! Are you okay!?]

[Magical Youth: Youngjun, you bastard…!]

[Chef: Now is an opportunity as the monsters who lost their boss are confused. I’ll leave it to you to deal with the remaining monsters.]

Through a guild message After giving orders to the main unit.

I sat down on the dead body of the brood mother and waited for a reaction.

And after a while.

Quaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa….

I felt a huge vibration from far away.

The soldiers of the main unit began the battle.

Although the monsters in this dungeon are numerous, they are not strong.

There are many wizards in the unit who specialize in wide-area attacks.

The only thing left to do would be to be turned into powder and swept away by the army’s firepower.

and.

The system also acknowledged that fact.

Tiring.

[You have cleared the dungeon!]

[You have cleared the dungeon for the first time in the human race.]

[Rewards are given to those who get ahead.]