The Military Chef of a Ruined World

“Just respond with ‘yes’ to orders.”

“…Yes sir!”

“Good.”

I conveyed my commands to her, then instructed her to relay the information to the other squad members involved in the operation.

I moved to the front of the formation.

[……You.]

The giant, engaged in battle with my comrades, called me out with a voice full of hatred.

Even when I first saw him, he hadn’t looked great under the influence of Min-jae’s magic, but now he appeared even worse.

‘Was he only glowing with that light before?’

So, this was what “collapse” meant.

[The fact that the kin aren’t coming is clearly because of something you did.]

This place is a dungeon overflowing with monsters.

Under normal circumstances, facing a boss monster one-on-one would have been impossible.

However.

“Your blood… it seems to be of high quality.”

It was impossible not to consider that.

Outside this temple, a battle has been waged to fend off the monsters pursuing us.

[It is so pathetic and miserable. To be hunted down by these wretches.]

The fury was palpable.

Its glaring eyes were fixed on me.

[Even if I return to my sea, I will take you with me.]

Whoosh!

The giant monster launched a fist towards me at an incredible speed.

Despite my sluggish body,

Boom!

The effects of the stacked dishes were still active, and thanks to some rudimentary healing, I managed to dodge the attack just in time.

I witnessed the giant’s fist narrowly miss me, embedding itself in the ground beside me.

With a swift motion, I swung the knife towards his arm.

[Dokkkogusik Knife Fish Cutting Style]

The blade was originally designed for cleaning fish.

Could it be that it felt happy to finally fulfill its intended purpose?

The sensation of slicing through flesh felt entirely natural.

Graahhh!!

A howl filled with rage echoed through the air.

The giant was massive; this level of attack would only leave minor scratches.

To begin with, I hadn’t intended to inflict real harm.

But

[The Flesh of the Pope of the Deep Blue’s Forelimb]

I gripped the severed flesh and launched myself back toward our ranks.

[Where do you think you’re going?!]

The giant chased after, but our frontline warriors threw themselves in the way, blocking its path.

“Cough…!”

I heard a short groan behind me.

One of my squad members, who had taken the hit for me, was flung far away.

‘I’ll remember your face!’

I’ll definitely have to prepare a proper side dish for that one later.

Thanks to them, I managed to escape to the rear where I examined the giant’s flesh still clutched in my hands.

[Flesh of the Pope of the Deep Blue’s Forelimb]

[A folklore is handed down among the tribes of Dasmur, deep within the world of the ocean]

[It is said that those who consume the flesh of the guardians, the merfolk known as Dasmurians, can achieve immortality]

[Many believe this story to be mere superstition, yet it contains more than a grain of truth]

[Chosen by the gods as a guardian race, Dasmurians are born with immense potential]

[The flesh of an adult whose potential has fully awakened is regarded as one of the finest culinary ingredients]

How should I put it?

“Quite the grand explanation.”

[Warning!]

[High-grade ingredient]

[The chef’s skill is below par relative to the ingredient]

[If you attempt to cook with your current abilities, the chances of failure are exceedingly high]

[It is advised to increase your skill level before attempting]

The description was more detailed and extravagant than any culinary ingredient I’d ever handled.

This monster must have been far greater than I’d initially thought.

To be such a high-quality ingredient that cooking it would be difficult.

But.

“Are you saying it’ll be tough to handle with my current skills?”

I have my pride as a chef.

Touching my pride like that, they dared to challenge me.

‘For the sake of the mission, I have to cook it no matter what.’

In this environment where pulling out proper cooking tools was virtually impossible.

The only dish I could quickly whip up was one.

Though I’ve never truly learned it,

But I ended up as a subordinate of a cook and learned it.

The most appropriate application of [Dokkkogusik].

‘Sashimi.’

I carefully brought the knife to the Pope’s flesh.

And then, with as much care as I could muster, I began to slice through it.

‘They say it’s a high-grade ingredient, but… I’m not exactly in an ordinary state either.’

[Current Cooking Effects Being Applied (4)]

As a result of pushing myself and stacking buffs, the increase in my stats was enormous.

The chef’s ability has an impact on the dish’s effects.

The knife I held was originally meant for cleaning fish and slicing sushi.

Even if it was a gamble,

I had stacked the odds as much as possible in my favor.

As a result:

[The dish has been completed!]

[Sashimi of the Pope of the Deep Blue]

It seemed that luck was on my side.

[Successfully cooked a high-grade ingredient.]

[Your skills as a chef have greatly increased]

[You have gained experience.]

“…Yes!”

I had somehow managed to finish it.

‘If it were up to me, I’d want the squad members to try it as well.’

[Skill – Five Loaves and Two Fish]

[This is a high-grade dish!]

[Not enough magic energy]

[The activation of the skill Five Loaves and Two Fish has been canceled]

Even though I had awakened the talent for “Large-Scale Cooking,”

It seemed I lacked the magic energy needed for duplication.

‘…Ultimately, it would have been too overwhelming of a buff for the squad anyway.’

Excessive buffs can do more harm than good.

In the end, I decided to eat it alone.

I picked up a piece of the completed sashimi and cautiously placed it into my mouth.

“…That thing. It’s an annoying monster, but.”