The Military Chef of a Ruined World

“Actually, there is one thing I’m suspecting…”

“?”

“Tell me, do you know why we can’t leave this place?”

“Well, I’m not sure.”

“Do you see that wall, flowing like a waterfall?”

“The water pressure there is immense. Some have tried to escape before the monsters appeared, even trying to drive vehicles out, but the vehicles got shredded.”

“So that waterfall is the problem?”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

I see.

But these people…

‘This dungeon appeared on the first day of the apocalypse, and they didn’t even know this was a dungeon.’

Normally, when entering a dungeon, there would be a message about entering the dungeon.

If they had gone through that process, they couldn’t have been unaware that this was a dungeon.

, But they haven’t actually entered this dungeon at all. Their original home just happened to become a dungeon.’

So, if they tried to leave, they should be able to do so, unlike a regular dungeon.

“Doesn’t that mean you can escape outside?”

“As I said, it’s too difficult. Even vehicles got shredded trying to go through that waterfall.”

“But we did meet someone who actually escaped.”

“Hmm. If that’s true, then… Ah.”

Chang-su seemed to have realized something.

“There might be someone capable of doing that, but…”

“Do you have an idea of what that could be?”

“No, it’s probably not the right answer.”

He shook his head, as if it couldn’t be that.

“It would have the ability, but not the reason to do so.”

“So, there is a being that could potentially help us escape?”

“It’s not really helpful information, but since it’s not a secret, I’ll tell you. Do you remember when I stopped you from trying to cook with the fishmen earlier?”

The sudden mention of that caught me off guard.

“The reason was simple – there have been cases of monsters, and even humans, being devoured by that thing.”

“…?”

“And the result wasn’t very good.”

Chang-su’s expression darkened a bit as he said that.

“I had a feeling that some kind of story would unfold.”

“Your body became abnormally swollen, and you would gained immense strength. But it seemed the consumer would lose his intelligence in return.”

‘….’

“Later on, they would even try to eat people alive.”

As expected,.

“After that incident, eating the monster became taboo. It’s one of the many taboos spread throughout this city.”

“I see.”

‘Sometimes few would come forward who would try to eat the monsters in order to gain the power of revenge, but we are doing our best to dissuade them. They may momentarily gain some strength, but in the end, they will only lose their intelligence and become wandering monsters.’

I had encountered a similar existence before.

‘The Gourmet Glutton.’

The large plunderer group that we had exterminated.

The human who had reigned as the leader of that group had strayed far from what could be called the human form.

It was so powerful that even the elite members of our unit could not gain the upper hand against it.

“That monster is still wandering somewhere in this city. It might even be able to withstand that water pressure.”

The Gourmet Glutton that we had encountered.

I had only thought that its appearance was the result of devouring its own kind.

‘But it started eating humans only later. Before that, it only ate monsters.’

It seems that was not the case.

‘I’m curious. What did you do that allowed the people who ate the monster to remain unharmed?’

Chang-su tilted his head and asked.

Well, that’s a fair question.

“I don’t know either.”

“What? Hahaha! That’s impressive!”

If I had to guess, it might be because of…

[Intermediate Chef Lv. 22]

The occupation of being a chef.

Perhaps this had some kind of effect.

After the conversation ended, I looked out towards the city center from the rooftop.

The dungeon that had covered the entire city.

It was on a completely different scale compared to the dungeon in the subway that we had conquered.

I wish our unit’s strength alone could resolve this, but…

‘It seems that will be quite difficult.’

Even after including Chang-su’s group, we might face difficulty clearing this dungeon.

While we might be able to improvise solutions for other problems…

‘The absolute power is simply too lacking.’

Hmm.

I decided to ask Chang-su, just in case.

“Forgive me for asking, but…”

“Hmm?”

“Is there no one else who can participate in the dungeon conquest?”

Honestly, I didn’t think there would be.

Chang-su’s group was special.

Considering the people I had met before, there would likely be no one willing to venture into such a dangerous battle.

“If not, then there’s nothing can be done, but–”

“No, there are some.”

“Huh?”

But Chang-su’s answer was contrary to my expectations.

“While they may not be as capable as us, there are a few groups that do not avoid confronting the monsters.”

“Is that so?”

“Unlike us, who make a living by slaying the fishmen, they engage in combat with the monsters for the sake of survival. They can gain levels and points by hunting the monsters, so they fight them to a certain extent for the benefit of their survival. You could try approaching them about the dungeon conquest.”

I see.

In that case, I should definitely try to persuade them.

“However, the question is whether you’ll be able to convince them.”

Chang-su spoke with a concerned tone.

“As I said, they engage in combat with the monsters solely for the sake of survival. It’s not the same as our purpose of hunting them. In other words…”

“If the battle becomes one that requires sacrificing their lives, there is a high chance they will withdraw.”

That’s only natural.

The dungeon conquest, or anything else, is not more important than their own survival.

Moreover, there is no certainty that the conquest will succeed even after the dangerous battle.

So…

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Translator: OneForce