The Military Chef of a Ruined World

Chapter 18

There’s a presence threatening our unit.

It’s certain, but we don’t know who it is.

A few days ago.

I also discussed this matter with Min-jae.

“The biggest clue is the man Young-joon spoke to us about. We’ve identified the room number. Also, some of the people who share the same room,”.

The room was shared by five men.

According to information gathered discreetly by soldiers from survivors, it seemed like they were aware of the zombie outbreak before it happened.

“But just because they were close doesn’t mean they’re all accomplices.”

“Yeah. Conversely, all five of them could be the threat.”

But it wasn’t as simple as just going up to them and saying, “You might be a threat to us, so come with us.” It wasn’t that straightforward.

Not only would the other survivors object, but we didn’t even know how many of them might pose a threat.

We still didn’t know what kind of threat they might pose to us in the first place.

“But we can’t just wait until the threat materializes.”

Waiting until our unit is under threat and then trying to catch the culprits would be too late.

Given the unknown nature of the threat, it could result in greater damage than anticipated.

We have to deal with it now, before it happens.

“…There may be a way.”

There is a way to find the culprit.

We’ve used plenty of methods so far.

“In the future, survivors will help with the unit’s tasks, right?”

“Yeah. It’ll be limited to tasks like cleaning the living quarters or dining hall.”

“Then, arrange for that man that I have mentioned to be assigned to the dining area.”

The request itself had nothing to do with finding the threat.

Normally, this would prompt the question, “What method are you planning to use?”

“…Ha. Are you planning to ‘persuade’ him?”

“Well, something like that.”

Sergeant Min-jae sighed.

He turned towards Gwang-il, someone who was too scared to move before the monster had become someone who sought out the monster’s weaknesses.

My persuasion turned the anxious soldiers into becoming willing fighters.

“…Since I have used persuasion so blatantly, it’s not surprising if they catch on.”

Min-jae, who had witnessed all the persuasion, seemed to have sensed that I had some special means.

“I’m not sure exactly what ability it is… but since we’re in a situation where we need that kind of power, I won’t say much more. Still, relying too much on that ability might not be a good idea.”

“I know. I’m being cautious.”

[Chef’s Special Sauce]

The power to regulate the emotions of those who eat the food.

It’s certainly a powerful ability, but…

“If word gets out about this ability, no one will want to eat my cooking.”

Min-jae seemed to have vaguely sensed it already.

If I were to overuse this ability, then the likelihood of its true nature being discovered would increase.

“I shouldn’t overuse it, but when I do use it, I need to be careful not to get caught.”

[The Honest Heart Misutgaru Ice Cream of a Junior Chef]

“We could just bring that man here and force-feed him.”

Imagine someone suddenly becoming excessively honest after eating my cooking. Everyone who witnessed that change would inevitably suspect the food that went into their mouths just before the change occurred.

Survivors, even soldiers, would start to be wary of my food.

So, the prepared method was:

‘Dishwashing support.’

We would offer snacks to those who came to help in the kitchen.

It was something we had done even when the unit was normal, and it was a natural reason to give out food.

If we did this a few times, rumors would spread.

“If everyone else has eaten the food and if something strange happens this time then they won’t suspect the food.”

Also, there might be enemies among those who could potentially become a ‘threat’ to our unit.

But they wouldn’t be suspicious of snacks that everyone else had eaten.

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“I made a snack, please have some before you go.”

“Oh, this is the famous ice cream, isn’t it?”

Exactly like this man.

“Has the word spread?”

“Haha, you wouldn’t believe how envious the people on cleaning duty are. All the people who went to help in the kitchen come back with big smiles.”

Are the people on cleaning duty envious?

“Oh… I’m sorry for those who went to help with cleaning. We should have done something for them too…”

“There’s no need for that. They will rotate anyway. Those people over there are probably eagerly awaiting their turn to help in the kitchen.”

I didn’t know about this.

Fortunately, it seems like the complaints from those who went to clean weren’t too significant.

“Well then, enjoy.”

The man took a bite of the ice cream.

“Mmm!”

It seemed to suit his taste very well.

“Mmm, mmm!” He continued, playing with the spoon.

Well, I put a lot of effort into making it, so it’s probably delicious.

Especially since it’s a special menu just for you, I didn’t skimp on the ingredients.

“That was delicious! Wow, it’s really tasty! It’s been so long since I’ve had such a sweet dish.”

He quickly finished his bowl.

Even as he returned the bowl, his smile didn’t fade.

“Then, shall we…?”

“I’m glad you enjoyed the meal.”

“Haha, I should be the one thanking you.”

Here it goes.

“By the way, can I ask you something?”

“Hm? Do you have a question for me? Feel free to ask anything.”

It seems eating something sweet has put him in a good mood, making him kinder as well.

Empowered by his kindness, I asked without hesitation.

“Last time, you asked about my occupation.”

“Yes?”

“Why did you ask that?”

“…”

If he wasn’t that ‘threat’ and if the question was just for casual conversation, he would probably answer without much thought, and that would be it.

Then he would just move on, thinking it was just an ordinary question.

But…

“Well, there was a need to confirm the presence of Awakened individuals in your unit.”

Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.

“Even though I don’t know for sure, it wouldn’t be surprising if a military unit with guns had someone who successfully awakened. In that case, we would have needed a different strategy. Hearing that it’s not the case is quite a relief… isn’t it?”

Casually answering at first.

But the guy seemed to elongate his sentences as if feeling uneasy.

“…”

“Well, it seemed like a possibility.”

While talking and laughing he felt something was wrong here.

“…This.”

His expression, distorted to that extent, was surprisingly shocking.

“That’s just a curious question, but if there were Awakened individuals in our unit, how do you think it would have turned out?”

“Well, I would have first confirmed the scale. If there were many Awakened individuals in the unit, there would be no chance in direct confrontation, so we would have sought opportunities quietly. Damn it, what was I…!”

“Ah, I see. If you had confirmed that our Awakened forces were strong, you would have hidden more thoroughly. So, because you didn’t think so, your vigilance became a bit lax?”

Awakened individuals have various abilities.

If this man knew that we were a unit producing Awakened individuals…

He wouldn’t have casually eaten the food I served.

As Awakened individuals have diverse abilities, he wouldn’t have been lax in any aspect of his vigilance.

If that were the case, it would have taken much longer time and effort to capture him.

“So, it’s better to conceal one’s abilities.”

“Damn it…!”

“Ah.”

Realizing that something was wrong, the guy hurriedly turned to flee.

But…

“Just a moment, I have something to ask.”

“…”

With no hint of coercion.

“I have a quick question.”

Upon hearing that, the guy who was about to flee abruptly stopped in his tracks.

And then…

He hesitated.

Turning his head back.

“What is it… that you want to ask?”

With sweat dripping down his cold face, he opened his mouth.

“Hmm, it’s working perfectly.”

There are a few rules regarding “Chef’s Special Sauce.”

One of them is that the more the effect of the dish is maximized, the more the ability of the special sauce is maximized.

While the ice cream given to others was made with just starch, sugar, and syrup…

[The Honest Heart Misutgaru Ice Cream of a Junior Chef]

As the name suggests.

It was a work where I had put tremendous effort for making it by using the almost depleted condensed milk and incorporating air inside for a smooth taste.

“You know what… Logically speaking you shouldn’t be revealing all this to me. But you can’t control yourself, right?”

“Yes.”

“Well, I thought so.”

He now has become more “honest” than anyone else in the world.

So eager to answer upon hearing that there’s something to ask.

“Like the excessive courage that turned Gwang-il into a hero.”

The difference is that, unlike Gwang-il, who didn’t intend to, this time it was thoroughly intentional.

“Then I’ll keep asking. Do you have any comrades? Among them, are there any who could be considered Awakened individuals and a leader?”

“There are five of us who share the same dormitory, all comrades and Awakened individuals. The leader is Park Gwon-chang, who is in charge of the dormitory…”

“Wow, all five of them?”

Park Gwon-chang, who took on the role of leader, was a middle-aged man who seemed to be trying to argue why Lieutenant Kim hadn’t appeared in the conversations with survivors.

These guys seemed to have their own standing even within the survivor group.

“With five of you gathering, what were you planning to do?”

“We were planning to take over this unit.”

Though I thought it might be something like that.

The important thing was the method.

How to occupy a unit with over 100 soldiers armed with guns?

“First, we would have taken some time to ensure there are no awakened individuals or other threats…”

This part is not a concern.

I’ve advised the unit members not to reveal themselves as awakened. If any awakened had revealed their powers, then these fellows might have acted more discreetly, deeming them as threats.

“And after observing for several days… we’ve concluded that there are no awakened individuals or equivalent threats within this unit. So, we have decide to proceed without operation.”

Continuing to leak their own operation…

But something seems odd.

“Huh?”

Wait a minute.

“Did you say ‘decided to proceed’, and not ‘will decide and then proceed’?”

“Yes. Since no awakened are present, the operation will be carried out tonight.”

Upon hearing that, I glanced out the mess hall window.

It was already dark outside.

Finishing dinner, it was the time for post-meal cleanup.

…Isn’t it a bit off now?

“As soon as I return, the operation will commence.”

“Insane.”

Out of nowhere he flashed a grin on his face. The previously tensed expression had vanished somewhere.

“Well… It deviated slightly, but the plan was to proceed upon my return.”

In that moment,

Fwoosh!

“Fire?”

From that guy’s body, a blazing fire erupted.

For an instant, it seemed like he had set himself on fire.

Chuckle…

It seemed like he wasn’t feeling any pain.

Instead, he emitting a sinister laughter.

“I was bewildered about what happened, but on second thought, there’s no need to be. Judging by the circumstances, although there seem to be quite a few awakened in this unit… at best, aren’t you just a chef who only knows how to cook?”

“Hmm? Yeah, right?”

Even in answering his own question the ‘honesty’ still prevailed.

‘Honesty doesn’t equate to being docile or anything like that.’

You know, like those characters in comics or movies.

They answer all the questions the other side has while continuously attacking, like an annoying villain.

That’s exactly the feeling.

The blazing fire gradually extended towards the guy’s entire body.

Before long, all the flames moved to his right hand.

Creating a massive fireball.

“In that case, I just need to burn you down! It’s painful to have our cover blown, but we can regroup with our comrades and start over somewhere else!”

After saying that he shouted ‘die!’, and hurled the massive fireball gathered in his right hand towards me.

It was like something out of a movie, a spectacular and massive blaze charging towards me.

Although the sight of the huge fireball flying towards me was undoubtedly imposing.

“Hmm.”

That heat wasn’t as terrifying as expected.

‘Being a chef, you get quite familiar with fire.’

Why else would diner ladies casually grab hot pots with their bare hands?

It’s similar to that.

Kuuwoong.

Flick.

“…You’re really no match.”

The huge fireball that touched my body,

Disappeared without any effect, as if asking what had happened.

[Junior Grade Fire Affinity]

[From its origins, cooking has always been associated with fire.]

[Before the scorching flames, wielding a steel pan is the destiny of a chef!]

“Sorry, but let’s have a little reality check.”

“What the…!”

His trusted fireball failed to produce any effect and disappeared.

Leaving the guy greatly flustered, stumbling backward.

Slosh.

Whether he realized it or not,

In my [Chef’s Eyes] holding the sushi knife.

[Junior Grade Cooking Secret – Enlightenment of Primate Preparation]

The ‘effective method of handling him’ was visible before my eyes.

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Translator: One Force

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