NOVEL NEXT Chapter 114.2
Perhaps he might even accept betrayal without a hint of suspicion.
Such thoughts clutched her heart uncomfortably.
‘He must have his thoughts as well… but perhaps I should bring it up.’
Thus, she finally voiced her concern.
“I worry that you’re granting too much kindness.”
Upon hearing her, I looked at her with confusion.
“Bestowing grace is indeed a noble act. However… there are those in the world who don’t reciprocate goodwill.”
“True enough.”
“Those who fill their bellies and gain strength through the meals you prepare… they may turn against us later.”
While it pained her to challenge the Savior’s actions, if he veered off course, it was her duty to guide him back.“You might think everyone’s inherently good, but in reality—”
“…Do you see me as kind?”
“Of course! But not everyone is like you.”
Seeing his humble demeanor as he listened to her, she felt a surge of admiration.
He nodded in agreement, “True, that’s a fair point.”
Ah… he gets it!
Just as she was about to let out a sigh of relief…
“Of course, there’s no need to worry.”
Wait.
Was he preparing to say something like, “there’s no need to be suspicious of others”? That thought made her heart clench again, but his next words surprised her.
“Nothing comes for free, you know.”
“…Are you hinting at the 80% fee? Seems trivial compared to the meals you provide.”
“Not that.”
What other benefit could there be?
“In this city, there’s an overflow of Awakened individuals.”
“That’s true.”
“That probably represents a reward far greater than what we’d gain from dungeon hunting.”
“…?”
His words were puzzling her, but he continued without pause.
“Their main issue is a lack of food.”
“Ah, I see.”
“If not for some intervention, they might soon become thousands of plunderers, but I can handle that, right? I can turn useless monster meat into food, after all. Who wouldn’t want that?”
A mischievous smile spread across his face, like that of a little rascal.
“And my combat rations possess unmatched flavor and effects. The chef profession isn’t very common, and even if there are other chefs, I have confidence I wouldn’t be outdone.”
“Ah.”
“Do you really think that those who’ve tasted my cooking could be satisfied with anything else?”
At that moment, Jeong Soo-ah finally grasped his intention.
Thousands of Awakened individuals.
All of them would taste the meals prepared by him.
Offering tremendous buffs and a flavor surpassing all expectations.
‘Only He can create such meals.’
Once someone experienced his divine cooking, turning back would be impossible.
The throngs of Awakened would have no choice but to look to their benefactor for sustenance, whether they liked it or not.
A shiver ran down her spine.
In her gaze towards the man before her, a deep sense of reverence washed over her.
‘He sees far ahead, doesn’t he?’
The miracles he wrought were extraordinary enough to deserve a place in religious texts, yet the foresight he exhibited rivaled even those feats.
“Well, that’s the part I owe to Min-jae and Su-hyeok. I hadn’t even considered it.”
“So humble, even in victory.”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
She couldn’t help but bow her head in admiration at such humility.
“Well, there’s one more advantage to it.”
“Really?”
“Many people have died. The world has become harsh enough that even Awakening is difficult, and out of the survivors, only one in five is likely to be Awakened.”
The war between humans and monsters had left the humans at a glaring disadvantage.
“They’re likely dying even now in other places.”
“True.”
“We wish our guild could help, but it’s not that simple to extend our resources elsewhere. So…”
He grinned.
“By generously offering food to this region, we may just be helping others in distant areas.”
“Ah…”
“Under normal circumstances, we’d need to deploy units to assist, but it turns out there are so many willing to work in exchange for food. It’s a sweet deal, isn’t it?”
“Ha ha. Indeed.”
Though he initially made the statement lightly, he gradually adopted a serious demeanor as he continued.
“I hope for as many people as possible to survive this apocalypse.”
“….”
“True, some may eat my meals and still harbor ill intentions. But…”
He tapped the pistol nestled within his clothing.
“The Legion is not going to lose to those kinds of people.”
After concluding the conversation with Shin Young-joon, Jeong Soo-ah bowed her head in respect before returning to her room to kneel and pray.
Ah, magnificent one.
The soldiers of the Legion tend to push others away.
But you are different.
‘Your intention is the salvation of all humanity.’
To fulfill that, her benefactor wielded insight so profound she could hardly comprehend.
‘My faith was never misguided.’
Her already firm beliefs deepened even further.
Ding!
[Conditions met]
[1. Fragment of Divinity (1/1)]
[2. A devotee with a certain level of faith (1/1)]
[As a reward for completing the conditions, a new stat: Divine Power has been now unlocked]
“……?”