The Cook of a Perished World - Chapter 70

Episode 70: Large group of survivors

A large group of survivors is said to be gathering in the north.

When you expressed your intention to contact them.

The reaction of the unit members was lukewarm.

“Wouldn’t it be dangerous?”

“The awakened farmers must have settled nearby, so we could be self-sufficient on our own. Why…?”

But my thoughts were a little different.

Only the minimum conditions for making a living have been met.

We cannot be at ease when a place overflowing with monsters like that county is right nearby. We

never know when monsters will invade and destroy our current base.

‘In the first place, an army is not that powerful with just one unit.’

The strength of the modern military does not come from the power of a single military unit.

Strength built by multiple units complementing each other’s weaknesses and cooperating.

Now that other military units have been wiped out.

If only we could create a human ally who could take on that role.

There’s nothing bad about it, right?

“Honestly, when I first heard rumors about it, I was skeptical because the conditions seemed too good, but if you think about it, the conditions we accept survivors in are quite unconventional in a world like this, aren’t they? “In the end, I decided I had to meet him in person.”

“If you really think that way, I can’t help it.”

“Still, just in case, you need to bring enough power with you, right? “It’s true that it can be dangerous.”

That’s true.

After deciding to leave the management of the unit to Min-jae and leader Lee Sang-ah.

I decided to form a group of soldiers to move with me.

“haha! i look forward to! “Sergeant Shin.”

“…i look forward to.”

Corporal Jeon Gwang-il, leader of the combat team.

Corporal Seo Soo-hyuk, leader of the gunnery team.

In addition, three people were selected from each battle group in order of level.

“It would be an honor if I could be of help to my benefactor.”

In addition, there is even a drone Jeongsooah for visibility.

The most elite members of our unit.

There are a little over 10 people in total.

In the game, the level is a bully.

‘It’s safe to say that about a third of the unit’s strength is here.’

Unless it’s a very strong monster.

We had enough power to easily clear out the zombies and pass by.

“The location of a large group of survivors? “I know roughly.”

“Do you mind if I lead the way there?”

“Sure. “It’s also a pretty famous rumor.”

Jeong Soo-ah, who has spirit eyes, decided to provide directions.

We boarded a combat vehicle modified by engineers and immediately began moving.

At least it’s a car with no noise.

That only reduces the number of monsters approaching from a distance.

Basically, it was impossible to avoid combat.

however.

“From here to the right.”

“yes? “Then wouldn’t it be better to go back?”

“Sometimes going back is the faster way. To the right.”

but.

It was possible to move with minimal engagement through Jeongryeongan.

Let’s take the path she instructed.

In the distance, I could see giant monsters located along the original straight path.

‘Just looking at the cancer, it’s a deceptive ability.’

Even the recently acquired subway system has that ability.

If you use it well, it seems possible to advance to a more distant city…

well, that will only be possible after the occupation war here is over.

So let’s move some distance north.

“According to rumors, it must be somewhere around here….”

Jeongsooah said, looking around.

Even if I didn’t say that, I had the feeling that we were slowly arriving.

‘The number of zombies and monsters has decreased noticeably.’

Just as we periodically scouted the area near the ammunition battalion and reduced the number of monsters.

They are also organizing security in the surrounding area.

“I thought about the possibility that the rumor itself was just nonsense, but I guess that’s not the case… hmm?”

at that time.

A group of humans could be seen in the distance.

“Those people…”

“Huh? ah. I think they are ordinary survivors. “It’s a place with a lot of rumors, so there are a few groups like that nearby.”

“Stop for a moment.”

I think Jeong Soo-ah didn’t say anything because she didn’t think it was necessary to report it.

That group.

It’s a look that’s quite familiar to me.

After stopping the vehicle, I got out of the car and approached them.

The group of survivors seemed to be wary when they saw me approaching.

“That military uniform. “You guys…”

Let me get closer.

A man approaches me, very surprised when he sees my face.

“also. “I guess I didn’t see it wrong.”

“Those soldiers from back then!”

past.

There was a time when monsters around the area were hunted to awaken the survivors of the unit.

at that time.

I once encountered a group of survivors.

I helped someone who was being attacked by a monster, but they mistook me for a deserter and marauder, so I got into quite a bit of trouble.

‘The misunderstanding was somehow resolved later. They said they were moving to join a large group of survivors.’

If you think about it.

It was through them that I first heard news of a large group in the north.

by the way.

It seems like quite a bit of time has passed since then.

“It’s been a while since I said I was going to join a large group. “Have you finally arrived?”

“no way. “I have already met and talked with them.”

“So you’re already part of that group?”

“It’s not like that.”

The man waved his hand and said.

“It’s been a while since I arrived. “It’s not like they can’t accept all the people who just come.”

“ah.”

“They said they would only accept us after confirming whether they were trustworthy. Until then, I’ll be waiting around for a while. “It’s not just us, there are several other groups like that.”

but.

When leader Lee Sang-ah came to our group.

We didn’t even know there were criminals in there.

If you blindly open the door to visitors, you never know who will come in.

I guess they are also going through verification in their own way.

“I guess that work will take some time.”

“So then I have to stay around here… isn’t that a loss?”

Even though they followed the rumor, they were unable to join and were just hanging around.

The food consumed during that time alone must have been significant.

“What do you mean damage? no way!”

Rather, he is a man who smiles cheerfully.

“They’ve cleaned up the area to some extent, so there’s no need to worry about monsters. Originally, they said there were enough weapons. As survivors were accepted, the number of awakened people would have increased. “It was cleaned with that power.”

“still. “What should I do with food while I wait?”

“That’s what makes it great. “Please wait a moment.”

He seemed to be moving towards the back of the group.

He brought a bag and showed me its contents.

“This.”

“This is the food they provided us. “It seems like they provide it to all groups that express their intention to join.”

oh my god.

You might not know that they are already members of the guild.

They even distribute food to those who don’t know whether they will ultimately join or not.

‘…I think it would be a bit of a waste even for us, don’t you think?’

Are the rumors that a government bunker was robbed true?

It’s hard to imagine this unless you have a lot of spare time.

“I couldn’t believe it either, but it’s true. “Thanks to you, the waiting time was worth it.”

A man laughs and says he did the same.

It’s not bad from our perspective.

This is where you come to find human allies with whom you can cooperate.

It’s good for us as long as our allies are strong.

“Well, that’s until today.”

“yes? “Until today…”

“I didn’t say earlier that there were quite a few groups waiting. actually. Our group’s turn is right around the corner. “I’m planning on joining you tonight.”

“Oh…”

“Now that I think about it, I haven’t repaid the favor that saved my life yet.”

“Grace?”

“Did you forget? I said it clearly back then. “I will definitely repay you for saving my life someday!”

Come to think of it.

My first encounter with this group was when they were attacked by a monster.

Anyway, we were hunting monsters around us to increase the number of awakened people.

I remember helping without even thinking about it.

When he left, I think he said, ‘I will definitely repay this favor.’

“You don’t have to worry about that. We also had circumstances at that time. “I had to slay the monster.”

“Oh, but you saved not just one or two people, but our entire group. Can I just move on? Let’s see.”

The man seemed to think for a moment.

He quickly nodded and said.

“How about doing it like this?”

“What do you mean?”

“Like I said earlier. Our group is scheduled to officially join over there today. “If it’s okay, I’ll tell you about you then.”

About us?

“Seeing as you’ve come this far, don’t you think you’d like to join this group?”

“ah. “It’s similar.”

To be exact, it’s not a joining, but an invitation to alliance.

“I thought so! But like I said, a lot of nearby survivors are gathering here. It takes quite a while just to meet that large group of humans. As you can see from us, it takes longer to sign up. but. “Not all groups take the same amount of time.”

“what do you mean?”

“what. Or having a weapon. There are a lot of awakened people in the group… Anyway, I think they’ll meet people who can be helpful to them a little faster. Because this is the world. “They are also hungry for talent.”

“ah.”

“Unfortunately, our group isn’t very capable, so the wait was a bit long.”

They say they don’t have the ability.

I looked at the man in front of me and activated my trait.

[Food ingredient discrimination (enhancement)]

[Primates – Human species]

[Freshness – Best]

[Awakened: Park Cheol-gon]

[Occupation: Lesser Sword Fighter Lv. 12]

‘Oh?’

The level was a whopping 12.

The characteristics and stats seemed to have grown quite evenly.

‘I don’t know if it’s our unit. Among the survivors, it’s rare to see anyone above level 10.’

A man whose level exceeded 10 and who completed his job change from the lowest level to a low level warrior.

In terms of level, we are at least mid to upper level in our unit.

Among survivors, he will definitely belong to a high level.

It’s to the point where a person like this is put off because he doesn’t have the ability.

“How high is the group over there?”

“hmm? “What are you talking about?”

“Oh, it’s nothing.”

no.

If you think about it, it’s taboo among survivors to ask for detailed occupations or levels.

Although I am just looking at other people’s information without thinking much about it.

In fact, this may be considered quite rude to others.

Because we don’t know each other’s levels.

Was it just treated as a group with only one awakened person?

“greatness. Anyway, that’s what happened to us, but you’re soldiers, right? “Looking at the military uniform, it looks like he’s from the special forces.”

Military uniforms made of lizard leather look a little different from ordinary military uniforms.

A military uniform with a black and gray pattern and a strange texture.

It’s a design that someone who doesn’t know would think of it as a special forces unit.

“Those from the special forces are great talents even if they are not awakened. Besides, there are quite a few awakened people among you. Judging from the way you stabbed that monster, it seems like you are a swordsman… no?”

“It’s somewhat similar.”

“also. If I tell you the news, we might be able to meet right away, sometime today or tomorrow. There is no one who would reject someone with that level of ability. If you also tell them that you saved our group’s lives, you’ll probably pass the personality test as well. “Maybe you will be accepted to join right away.”

Of course, our goal is not to join their guild, but to form an alliance.

But it seems like it would take quite some time to even contact them for immediate conversation.

If this man helps you, you can save a lot of time.

I nodded, thinking it wasn’t a bad thing.

“Then may I ask you a favor?”

“haha. Leave it to me. Of course, I don’t think I can repay the entire favor with this, but I hope it helps even a little.”

The man who said that drew us a map and said,

“Please wait here. This is the building we originally stayed in. There are no monsters around here thanks to the large group that has taken care of security. “We’ve done some cleaning here, so you won’t be dissatisfied with your stay for a few days.”

“You even decided on a place to live. “Thank you.”

“Thanks is what we do, right?”

A man who smiles and speaks.

It was a very human-looking smile.

“Then let’s go.”

“I hope everything goes well.”

“haha. “I’ll see you later.”

The man and his group members left to join the larger group.

“I guess this will work out better than I thought?”

“Good things are meant to be given and seen.”

to be honest.

My doubts about whether I can trust that large group have not completely disappeared.

‘If they are looters or something. There would be no reason to supply food to those waiting.’

I decided to trust it just once.

Those who provided free food to others.

…Unless food is not important in the first place.

This means that they are people who have their own humanity.

* * *

“Mr. Park Cheol-gon?”

“I am Park Cheol-gon.”

Large group in the north.

no.

A guild called [Gangwon-do Survivors Association].

Someone called Cheolgon who arrived at the meeting place with the guild.

He was a tall man with a pale face.

“The verification process has been completed. Mr. Cheol-gon has never done anything problematic in the past, and the members seem to be ordinary people.”

“You mean…?”

“I passed. “Welcome to join our guild.”

“Oh oh…!”

Cheol-gon was feeling anxious inside.

Although I trust my group members, there were cases where I was unable to join the guild if there was a problem among them.

Cheolgon was heartbroken over the fact that it was a useless worry.

“Please follow me.”

“Where are we going?”

“Let me introduce you to our representative.”

The guild man spoke to Cheolgon.

Cheol-gon was happily following him.

I looked at him and talked to him.

“that. Mr. Officer? Should I call you that?”

“You can call me whatever you want. “Aren’t we going to be family now?”

“haha. is it? anyway. “Actually, I met someone I knew before I came here.”

Stop.

The steps of the officer who was moving with Cheolgon stopped for a moment.

“You mean someone you knew?”

“Oh, we haven’t known each other for a long time. “I got to know him after Doomsday…”

“Did you tell him that he was planning to join us today?”

“Huh? “For now, that’s right.”

“Haa…”

The officer stroked his head as if he had a headache.

An attitude that makes anyone feel uncomfortable.

Cheol-gon, who noticed the sign, was a little confused because he didn’t know the meaning.

This is the first time I spoke up.

I decided to hand over the business as well.

“actually. “I have a favor to ask from those people.”

“What is it?”

“I think they want to join us too. “I know the location, so could you please meet me?”

“…Oh what. Was it something like that?”

The officer’s expression, which seemed slightly angry, relaxed.

“I’m sorry, but as you know, Mr. Cheol-gon, we are behind a lot of orders.”

“Just listen first. “Those people are special forces members.”

“yes?”

A man who reacts as if he is surprised.

“…Special forces. “You mean current job, not former job?”

“They are real soldiers. I also have a gun. “Today I encountered one that arrived in a military vehicle.”

“Hoo.”

Let him start listening to Cheol-gon with an expression of interest.

Cheol-gon said, thinking he would show interest.

“As the officer in charge said, there are so many people waiting that it takes a while to even talk to them once. “There are quite a few survivors who returned because it was a waste of time.”

“That’s right.”

“These people have good character. I’m sure you have the ability. I guarantee it. So, just because you’ve been introduced to me, why can’t you move the order forward a bit?…”

“Okay.”

“Oh thank you!”

“What.”

The pale-faced officer said with a slight smile.

“On the contrary, we are thankful. “I wonder how much you give me.”

“huh?”

“no. “You said you wanted to join us, right?”

“That’s right.”

“then. “Inside here.”

Cheol-gon, who was concentrating on the conversation, finally realized that he had arrived at his destination.

A visit right in front of you.

Inside this.

The guild they were talking about.

This probably means that there is a representative of the [Gangwon-do Survivors Association].

Park Cheol-gon opened the door without hesitation.

however.

“Hey, the lights are off here.”

All there is inside the door is darkness.

I spoke to the officer in charge, but there was no answer.

‘Where has he gone all this time?’

Maybe the representative was just away for a moment.

The moment I tried to find the switch to turn on the light, wondering if I should sit and wait.

sparkle.

‘…?’

I thought a red light was twinkling in the darkness.

something.

An unknown, beautiful figure came towards him.

“what!”

Although it was a sudden attack.

Cheolgon instinctively pulled out his sword.

A warrior-type awakener whose level is over 10.

The reaction speed was enough to easily repel the surprise attack of a fairly large monster.

Kwasik.

Than the sword of Cheolgon is swung.

The figure was quicker than sinking its teeth into his neck.

“Wow… big…”

The color is gradually disappearing from Cheol-gon’s face.

Toouk.

at last.

Cheolgon falls to the floor.

“hmm? This man. “It’s quite useful.”

The figure that had attacked him spoke.

The person who answered those words was the officer who had disappeared.

“Is that so?”

“okay. Did you say he was a warrior awakened? Among the guys I’ve seen so far, he’s high enough. “I think it’s similar to or slightly worse than yours.”

“okay. “I thought he was an unremarkable person.”

“I can’t help it. You wouldn’t know anything just by looking at it from the outside. “It would be impossible to understand the other person’s capabilities just by looking at them.”

at that time.

Someone intervened in their conversation.

“I’m glad it suits your taste.”

A man with vivid teeth marks on his neck.

“I think you’ll be a good member of the household.”

“Thank you….”

It was Park Cheol-gon.

“Queen. “I have one thing to tell you.”

“huh? What’s going on? If you bring in those who are likely to become servants as you did, and eat away the useless old people and children…” “

That’s not right… There is something this man said before he joined the family.”

The supervisor relayed exactly what Cheolgon said.

The ‘Queen’ who heard the story said.

“They were the warrior class in this world. “That’s interesting.”

“then.”

“If they are like that, they will be better servants than these idiots… so we can postpone the other survivors a little later. Try to bring them in as quickly as possible.”

“All right.”

The supervisor bowed his head for a moment, then turned and left the room.

That look.

Park Cheol-gon just stared blankly.