The Military Chef of a Ruined World

This base and its surrounding community had taken a long time to stabilize. If we inadvertently harmed them while trying to eliminate the jungle, it would be a classic case of killing the chicken to scare the monkey. 

“So instead, we’ve been slicing them back as they encroach.”  

Snip! 

“Every inch of progress threatens us.”

With the shears in hand, capable of generating devastating cuts, she was slowing the jungle’s expansion.

‘It’s funny how she can use those shears for both haircuts and tree-trimming now… she’s quite resourceful.’

I looked around and noticed that other soldiers had similarly taken up saws to deal with the advancing jungle.

“Are they not attacking?”

“It seems fine as long as we don’t enter deeper inside.”

So they launch an attack if you advance, huh? Yikes.

“Anyway, you guys help out.”

“Yes, sir.”

The expressions of my troops shifted uneasily.

‘Ah.’

I began to understand their concerns.

What we were engaging in now resembled the tasks they dreaded when stationed at the base.

“Ugh, we have to do weed control…”

“Had we awakened our abilities sooner, this wouldn’t be so bad.”

But what could we do? It was time to charge ahead.

* * *

“Phew… this is tough.”

Even for us Awakened individuals, dealing with such robust growth was draining. Sweat trickled down her face as she labored.

“Just a moment.”

“What is it?”

I reached into the shadows and pulled out a desired ingredient.

[Cold Horn of Samiran]

A variety of creatures was brought by the city’s Awakened individuals.

I had stored everything that seemed useful with me in the shadows.

‘This guy wasn’t even a mage but managed to shoot ice out of its horn.’

The horn was not only cold to the touch but also emitted an odd chill around it.

With a swift motion, I struck the tip with my knife, shattering the end like ice breaking apart.

I poured some water from a cup in the dining area over the shattered horn and added a touch of syrup on top.

And just like that—

[The dish is complete]

[Intermediate Chef’s Frozen Samiran Drink]

The effects were numerous—temperature control, enhanced resistance to cold, and fatigue reduction…

“Drink this.”

“Oh! Thank you…”

While there were various benefits, the most significant aspect was simply that it was refreshing and sweet.

“Ahh!”

I had prepared similar drinks in Chuncheon a few times, and they proved to be quite satisfactory.

Refreshment after sweating, ideal for replenishing energy.

“It’s been a while since I got to taste your cooking, Commander.”

“Not sure if I’d call this cooking, though.”

After she drank, her demeanor brightened slightly.

While we exchanged casual conversation about the jungle, I felt compelled to ask about the man I had been curious about most.

“Is that guy still unconscious?”

“Yes, I’ve been informed that his condition is improving, but he still hasn’t regained consciousness.”

The man who had fled from the dungeon to find us; it seemed he was still in that state.

There were so many questions I wanted to ask, but that could wait for another time.

“The bunker and the nearby town have also expanded quite a bit. There have been more inquiries from people wanting to join the guild too.”

“Glad to hear that.”

I asked about other news as well.

It seemed things were progressing well here until the jungle appeared.

“Ahem. Cooking boy… or should I say, Commander?”

As I listened to Sang-ah speak about the state of the troops, someone approached us.

It was a familiar face.

“Ah, Cheol-wook!”

“Ha-ha! Just call me freely now.”

The reason I remembered him was simple; he was responsible for supplying our vegetables.

He was an Awakened farmer.

Yet something felt off.

The way he mentioned to call him casually, the way he looked—especially with the knowledge that I was a commander, which the town folks didn’t know.

“Ah, I just mentioned about the increasing inquiries from people wanting to join, right? Mr. Cheol-wook one of them?”

“Oh, really?”

I was taken aback.

Joining our ranks did come with rewards, albeit a cautious consideration due to the risk of fighting monsters at the frontlines.

People often preferred a safer route in exchange for a tiny fee for protection.

The farmer was no different.

“After spending some time here, my thoughts have changed a bit.”

Scratching his head, he continued.

“I initially hesitated at the thought of being conscripted into a military unit, but I’ve found the faces of the soldiers here aren’t so bad. Even if I join, I’ll just be farming, so it doesn’t seem too dangerous.”

“You had a group you were leading, right? What happened to them?”

“The village has stabilized now.”

Apparently, everyone was able to manage without their leader.

The fact that he, who had been cautious before, now considered joining us indicated a significant shift in the perception of our unit.

That’s good news.

But then he lowered his voice.