“Huh? You’re not sinking in?”  

“Sergeant Shin? Are you alright?”  

“Can’t you see? He’s perfectly fine.”  

The soldiers who were trying to grab me to stop me from moving on the sand looked at me with bewildered expressions.  

They had expected me to get swallowed up by the desert just like Gwang-il, but here I was, standing unharmed.  

“Could it be that the desert has returned to normal?”  

“Maybe it was just Corporal Jeon Gwang-il who got caught.”  

“Then I can-”  

“No, no, no! Everyone stop!”  

Seeing that the desert had seemingly returned to normal, the soldiers were about to follow me onto the sand.  

But I quickly raised my hand to stop them.  

‘I almost caused a big mess by trying to play a little trick.’  

While I was standing there fine, the moment they stepped onto the sand, they would have sunk in immediately.  

“It’s the effect of the skill.”  

“Skill?”  

“Can a chef’s skill have something like that?”  

Absolute Palate’s second effect:  

[User Exclusive, when activated, you can amplify the subtle [characteristics] of a dish]    

In other words, I can choose and obtain one of the special characteristics/traits of the monster ingredients used in the dish.  

It’s an immensely powerful ability, even if it’s just a temporary buff.  

“Gwang-il got sucked in just by stepping on the sand, but those monsters were moving around just fine. They didn’t even look light enough to avoid sinking into the quicksand.”  

“Ah, that’s why.”  

“I figured there must be some special trait that allows them to do that.”  

And if I could obtain that trait, I too could freely move around the desert just like those creatures.  

My guess turned out to be correct.  

The trait I gained was this:  

[Energy of the Black Sand]  

[A special trait possessed only by the Black Sand Worm species, which can turn the surrounding area into quicksand]  

[A unique energy is emanating from your body]    

[Entities imbued with this energy can move freely within the Black Sand’s domain]    

[Of course, there are no other entities aside from the Black Sand Worm themselves that possess this trait]  

The same energy that the monster creatures were exuding is now coming from my own body.  

While invisible to others, it allows me to be recognized as an ally by the mysterious forces pervading the desert.  

“Now that I think about it, that’s probably why Taejun’s divination changed.”  

I had initially thought it was because I had grown stronger with the effects of Absolute Palate.  

But once I actually entered the dungeon, my existing combat power was already sufficient.  

The real issue was the desert environment, which I’ve now overcome.  

“So that’s how it was?”  

“Weren’t you all surprised?”  

“Heh heh, I wanted to play a little trick on you.”  

“Next time, let me know ahead of time.”  

Of course, this powerful ability comes with considerable drawbacks as well.  

All the other effects the original dish had are completely negated.  

I won’t be able to receive any other buffs while this skill effect is active.  

For a combat-focused chef like me, not being able to get those buffs is a significant weakness.  

And there’s one more downside to this skill…  

“To have gained such a skill…”  

“Then why don’t you start applying that ability on us as well? With that power, we can all charge in. Those measly monsters won’t be-”  

“Ah, I’d want to do that too, but…”  

Absolute Palate isn’t an ability that boosts cooking skills or anything like that.   

It’s literally just an ability related to a chef’s sense of taste.  

“This ability only applies to me.”  

“Huh?”  

No matter how refined my sense of taste is, I can’t make the food others eat taste better for them.  

Both effects of Absolute Palate have the user exclusive limitation.  

Meaning,  

“You all just wait here. I’ll go on ahead and come back.”  

The only one who can proceed into there is me.  

“What!?”  

“Don’t say such absurd things!”  

Of course, the squad members protested.  

As the core buffer and guild leader of the squad, for me to say I’ll advance alone into enemy territory is something they can’t accept.  

“Well, what can I do? This is the only way.”  

I did try to think of how I could persuade them, but I knew they would never allow the commander to do a solo operation.  

So, feeling a bit sorry, I’ve made the decision to just go ahead.  

Once I’ve stepped onto the sand, the squad members won’t be able to stop me anyway.  

“Take care, everyone.”  

“Wait a moment, commander!”  

“I’ll be back!”  

Leaving behind the clamoring squad members, I moved my feet towards the dark subway station buried under the sand.  

I have a rough idea of where my target is.  

The magical energy I’m sensing from this sand – by following where it grows stronger, I should be able to confront the one who created this desert.  

As I delved deeper into the dungeon, the voices of the squad members calling out to me could no longer be heard.  

‘It’s quiet now.’  

In the dark space, only the sound of my footsteps on the sand could be heard.  

I wish I could make some kind of cooking that could give me vision in this darkness, but the moment I try to use another dish’s effects, I’ll likely get sucked further into the desert.  

I’ve just been walking blindly towards where the magical energy felt the strongest, but now I really can’t see anything.  

I took out a flare from my military uniform pocket, something I had brought just in case.  

As I ignited the flare and held it like a torch, the dark underground space was illuminated in a red glow.  

And the first thing I discovered in this newly lit area was…  

‘Damn…’  

The walls were covered in a swarm of insects, the Black Sand Larvae that had attacked us before.   

They were crawling all over the walls and ceiling, impossible to even count.  

And it wasn’t just the walls.  

The sand I was standing on was also rippling in places, with more of the larvae moving about underneath.  

‘So, this is the hatchery for the Black Sand,’ I thought.  

Seeing the sheer number of larvae, even I can’t help but feel a little intimidated.  

And with no friendly firepower to mow them down, the situation looks rather bleak.  

But…  

‘As expected, they’re not attacking.’  

I’m not some suicidal maniac who would just recklessly charge into the heart of the monster’s lair.  

Even as the flare’s light flickered, dramatically announcing my presence, the countless beasts simply continued about their business, without any attacks directed at me.  

‘Just as I predicted.’  

[Acquired Junior Grade Cooking Secret: Enlightenment of Black Sand Larvae preparation]    

[Their eyes, which have completely lost function as visual organs, are considered an excellent ingredient meant solely for cooking. Therefore, they should be separated carefully without damage]    

So, if their vision is so degenerated, how do they distinguish friend from foe?  

‘It must be this energy emanating from my body.’  

Insects that live in hive-like colonies are said to use pheromones to identify allies and enemies.  

And this “energy of the black sand” seems quite similar to that pheromone.  

Being recognized as an ally of the one who created this desert is likely why I’m not being attacked.  

Seeing how I can walk openly amongst the swarming monsters without incident confirms my guess is correct.  

While the sheer numbers are daunting, I’m confident there is no real threat. Ignoring the writhing beasts, I pressed on further inward.  

As I continued walking, the magical energy permeating the ground suddenly grew much more potent.  

‘The target is close.’  

Just as I thought.   

Proceeding a bit deeper, I spotted a massive insect, easily twice the size of a person.  

‘That must be it.’  

The entity radiating magical energy across this sandy desert.  

In other words, the target I must defeat.  

[Chef’s Eyes activated]  

Acquired Junior Grade Cooking Secret: Enlightenment of Black Sand Swarm Mother]   

“….”  

Since this is a dungeon, that colossal creature must be the boss monster I need to defeat.  

The general methods for conquering a dungeon are to either eliminate all the enemies within, or to defeat the boss.  

And since this is a real-world dungeon, it’s unlikely to deviate from those standard rules.  

Defeating that creature should allow me to clear the dungeon.  

With no buffs or advantages, this will be no easy battle.  

But I have to succeed.  

Steeling my resolve, I reached for the hilt of my sword.  

Taking a deep breath, just as I was about to draw [Dokkkogusik Knife].  

Swoosh!  

“…?!”  

Something flew towards me.