“How is your wound regenerating like that?”

Even if they asked.

‘If even you healers don’t know, how should I?’

I shifted my gaze back to the wounded area.

The flesh wiggled as it regenerated.

‘It doesn’t feel like this is just from a cooking effect...’

And it wasn’t the healers’ doing?

“We need to start treatment right away. We’ll explain later.”

“I was worried the wound might be contaminated, but if it’s healing this well, we should be done soon.”

The medic gripped a needle in his hand.

A priest, a former Buddhist, held a cross and recited a prayer.

I didn’t know much, but ahead of me, the other soldiers were still locked in battle.

Now wasn’t the time to find answers.

‘I’ll just have to let it go as a stroke of luck.’

I turned my gaze back to the fight between the giant and the soldiers.

An overwhelmingly powerful monster.

“Sergeant Shin fought that monster alone!”

“Losing even with our numbers would be humiliating!”

As the battle dragged on, injuries began appearing among our troops.

The soldiers managed to hold on, but most of the city's residents couldn’t endure for long.

‘Are we even hurt? How can it be so strong?’

The lightning strikes from Min-jae and the mages had directly hit above this building.

The one who must have taken the brunt of those strikes was that thing.

If that’s how powerful it was even after being injured...

‘Still, the situation isn’t hopeless.’

There would be significant losses on our side, but it felt like we would win if we kept at it.

‘The others will manage well enough on their own.’

I thought I’d just sit back and watch the newer recruits struggle from the sidelines.

That was when—

[The children of my kin are not coming.]

The creature looked around as it spoke.

Children of its kin.

It was probably talking about the other monsters flooding outside.

Even fighting just this one Pope was a struggle.

If the other monsters joined in, the battle would tilt heavily against us.

‘They’re not coming.’

I’d made sure of that beforehand.

[Surely, it is your doing.]

Perhaps it sensed its impending defeat.

Its aura shifted slightly.

[Then I must brace myself.]

And then—

“Goooooo!!!”

A bright, white glow enveloped the giant’s body.

* * *

“What... What’s happening?”

“Don’t panic!”

Suddenly, it seemed to be shrouded in that white glow.

The giant’s presence changed drastically.

‘It looked like a monster from a horror movie before, but...’

Now, with that divine light surrounding it—

It resembled a god-sent giant of light.

“Hah. It’s still just one.”

“I don’t know what it’s trying to do, but if we hold our formation, we can handle it!”

“Yes, sir!”

But we had been through countless experiences.

The troops responded calmly.

However—

Crash!

“Urk!”

“Byeong-min!”

“Stay calm, fill the gaps in the formation!”

The soldier who blocked the attack was sent flying.

The weapon that blocked the blow was cracked.

‘It knocked out one of our troops in a single hit?’

The city’s collaborators might have lower levels, so that could happen.

But our troops were elite in both level and equipment.

Even the soldier just sent flying had fought alongside us since the beginning.

This monster, already powerful—

Was now even stronger.

‘Is this a second phase?’

The already tough monster getting stronger was absurd.

I was at a loss for words.

At that moment, a message appeared.

[The Pope of the Deep Ones activates its last divine power.]

[The Dasmur Temple is designated as a Holy Ground.]

[Escape from the Holy Ground is impossible while it remains active.]

[The physical capabilities of the Pope of the Deep Ones are greatly enhanced.]

[In exchange for burning its last divine power, the Pope’s body begins to collapse.]

Of course.

“There’s no way an ability like that wouldn’t come with penalties.”

Especially not after it had tried to turn me into minced meat.

If we could just hold on, it meant the thing’s body would collapse on its own.

The only issue was—

Boom!

“Damn it, how many did we lose?”

“There are too many gaps in our formation! At this rate...”

“Hold your ground with everything you have!”

Before the collapse finished, it looked like our unit would be wiped out.

Ugh.

I had hoped to watch from behind and reap the benefits.

“Sergeant Shin?!”

“You need more rest...”

“This is enough.”

After confirming that my wounds were somewhat healed, I stood up.

My mind was a mess.

‘I’ve tried everything I could.’

Sacrificing mages to strike with lightning.

Persuading the city’s people to reinforce our numbers.

Enhancing them with the effects of my cooking.

I’d bought as much time as I could against that monster using every trick in the book.

What more was there to do?

‘...There’s one last idea, but it’s risky.’

It was something I had only considered in theory.

I never thought I’d actually need to do it.

“Gooooooo!”

“Argh...!”

But the creature had grown too strong to defeat with conventional methods.

In that case—

“I’ll have to gamble.”

* * *

Dragging my heavy body, I approached the formation where the battle was raging.

The mages in the rear.

I sought out one person among them.

“Jeong Soo-ah.”

“Oh, it’s you!”

Jeong Soo-ah.

The only spirit master in our unit.

With her unique ability, Spirit Sight, she played an essential role in our squad.

But her combat ability was far from impressive.

I had seen her swept away by the waves created by the giant.

“Are your wounds okay?!”

“More or less.”

“More or less? You need to protect yourself.”

She was rarely in battle, but with all the water around here—

Her contract with the water spirit allowed her to contribute somewhat.

I spoke to her as she inspected me with worried eyes.

“I have a plan. Get ready.”

“Huh...? But—”

She seemed worried that I, who had been sidelined due to injuries, was back.

But she was now a soldier in our unit.

Time for a little military spirit.

“Only answer ‘yes’ to commands.”

“...Yes, sir!”

“Good.”

I relayed my plan to her and told her to pass it on to the other troops.

I then moved to the front of the formation.

[...You.]

The giant, fighting our soldiers, spoke with a voice full of loathing when it saw me.

Even at first glance, the monster, affected by Min-jae’s magic, didn’t look in good shape.

Now that I was closer, it looked even worse.

‘The holy glow made it seem divine.’

Its body was scorched and cut in various places.

Chunks of its flesh were crumbling like dust.

That must be the body’s collapse.

[The absence of my kin’s children must be your doing as well.]

This dungeon was full of monsters.

Normally, a one-on-one fight with a boss monster would be impossible.

But—

“Your blood... seems high-quality.”

I’d taken that into account.

Outside this temple, a battle must be raging to hold back the pursuing monsters.

[It is shameful and pathetic. To be hunted by these mere insects.]

Glaring at me, its eyes brimmed with resentment.

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

Whoosh!

A massive fist came hurtling at me with incredible speed.

My body still felt heavy.

[Fleet Footsteps of Sleipnir]

Thud!

The stacked effects of the cooking buffs were still active.

And thanks to the treatment I’d received, I managed to dodge the attack.

The giant’s fist slammed into the ground next to me.

I swung the knife in my hand at the arm.

[Dokgo Culinary Technique]

A knife designed for handling fish.

It almost seemed pleased to be used for its intended purpose.

The sensation of slicing through flesh came naturally.

“Gooooooo!!!”

A howl of rage rang out.

‘What an overreaction.’

It was massive.

This kind of attack would only be a scratch.

Hurting it wasn’t my goal anyway.

[Foreleg of the Pope of the Deep Ones]

Clutching the piece of its flesh, I leapt to the back of the formation.

[Where do you think you’re going!]

“You tell me!”

The giant tried to pursue me.

But the soldiers at the front line threw themselves at it, blocking its path.

“Urgh...!”

I heard a short groan from behind.

A soldier who had taken the blow for me was sent flying.

‘I’ll remember that face!’

I owe him a dish later.

After retreating to the back by the combat vehicles, I looked at the piece of flesh in my hand.

[Foreleg of the Pope of the Deep Ones]

[A legend is passed down among the Dasmur, the beings of the deep sea.]

[Those who consume the flesh of an adult Dasmurian, the guardian race of their world, are said to achieve immortality.]

[Many dismissed this as mere rumor, but it isn’t entirely false.]

[The Dasmurian, chosen as the guardian race by the gods, is born with immense potential.]

[The flesh of an adult, who has fully awakened this potential, is considered one of the finest ingredients.]

Well.

“That’s quite an explanation.”

[Warning!]

[This is a high-grade ingredient.]

[The chef’s current skill level is insufficient.]

[Attempt

ing to cook with this ingredient at your current level may result in failure.]

[It is recommended to improve your skills before attempting.]

The description was more detailed and grand than any other ingredient I’d handled.

This monster was far more formidable than I thought.

The ingredient was so rare that it was hard to handle even for a seasoned chef.

But...

“You’re saying my current skills aren’t enough?”

I had my pride as a chef.

To challenge my pride like that—

‘I must cook this for the plan to work.’

Fish flesh.

No proper cooking tools available.

The only dish I could make quickly was one.

I’d never formally learned it.

But I had almost ended up learning it from my junior cook as a last resort.

The best use of [Dokgo Culinary Technique].

‘Sashimi.’

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

And—

With as much care as I could muster, I sliced through the grain.

‘This may be a high-grade ingredient, but... I’m not exactly in an ordinary state right now.’

[Active cooking effects (4)]

The stacked buffs I forced on myself.

My ability stats were elevated significantly.

A chef’s attributes affected the outcome of the dish.

The knife I wielded was designed for handling fish.

Even if it was a gamble—

I’d maximized my odds.

And the result—

[The dish has been completed!]

[Sashimi of the Pope of the Deep Ones]

In this gamble, it seemed I had won.

[Successfully cooked a dish using a high-grade ingredient.]

[Your abilities as a chef have greatly increased.]

[Experience points acquired.]

[Experience points...]

“...Done!”

Somehow, I managed to finish it.

‘I wish I could share this with the others.’

[Activating skill - Five Loaves and Two Fish.]

[This is a high-grade dish!]

[Insufficient mana.]

[Skill - Five Loaves and Two Fish activation canceled.]

Even with my “mass cooking” talent awakened, it said I didn’t have enough mana to replicate it.

‘...It would’ve been too strong a buff for them anyway.’

An excessive buff could harm the body.

So, I decided to eat it myself.

I picked up a piece of the finished sashimi.

Carefully, I moved it to my mouth.

“...This guy. As annoying as he is.”

I had to admit.

“It tastes great.”

Even without special sauce—

The depth of flavor was unbelievable.

[You have consumed the body of a saintly being, the flesh of the Fish-man.]

[Relevant effects are being applied.]

A mysterious effect was noted in the message.

I’d check that later.

[Do you wish to activate the Absolute Taste effect?]

The prompt I was waiting for appeared.

[Activating the Absolute Taste effect.]

[Temporarily acquire one attribute of the consumed ingredient.]

[Select the desired attribute.]

The effect allowed me to apply any desired ability from the ingredient.

[Mental Language]

[Divine Power]

[Limited Foresight]

[World Erosion]

There were some impressive choices, but—

I ignored them all.

The one ability I was looking for—

‘Found it.’

[Water Attribute Control]

* * *

[...You!]

“Yeah, I’m back.”

I approached the monster as it battled the soldiers.

Even as its body crumbled, perhaps due to the divine glow, it exuded a strangely holy aura.

[In a fight where even escape is wise, you dare return!]

It couldn’t contain its rage at realizing I’d cooked and consumed its kin.

Enraged, it lashed out with its fist.

I also reached out my hand.

And used the newly obtained attribute.

[Water Attribute Control]

The force of the waves increased.

Water gathered, forming a massive spear.

...The power that had submerged this city.

“What...?”

“The water around the monster is...”

The water that covered the entire city—

Began to recede.

Or more accurately, it was vanishing only around the giant.

“Is this... Moses’...?”

I heard someone mutter that, but—

Unfortunately, it wasn’t as glamorous as that.

‘Damn, this is exhausting.’

It wasn’t [Water Affinity] or [Water Resistance].

[Water Attribute Control].

The name alone made it clear how powerful it was.

Just using it for a moment made me feel the mana being squeezed out of me.

[How is it that you wield my power...?]

Seeing its power used against it, even this mighty foe was visibly shaken.

[You... cooked me, didn’t you...? But how could you, without the proper level...]

It had a lot to say, but—

The plan was simple.

[You intend to rob me of my water.]

Chang-soo’s words echoed in my mind.

‘It’s not that they didn’t; they couldn’t. Once on land, they can barely breathe, can they?’

These creatures.

They had the appearance of fish.

Which meant they could only live underwater.

‘No reinforcements. Limited buffs for the troops.’

So—

There was only one option left.

“If you grow weaker, we win.”

[Foolish!]

[The attribute - Water Attribute Control is being interfered with.]

“Wait, the water is...!”

The water I’d just removed started filling back in.

The attribute I stole, [Water Attribute Control].

And the original attribute it held, [Water Attribute Control].

A clash between the two.

[From the beginning, this power has been mine.]

As it said, I’d boosted my stats with all sorts of buffs.

But in a head-to-head match of [Water Attribute Control], the original would naturally win.

However—

“I wouldn’t have started this fight alone.”

[What did you say?]

Just then—

“Spirit of water!”

[...!]

Those in the rear of the formation stepped forward.

Jeong Soo-ah.

The spirit master contracted with the water spirit.

She moved to snatch control of the water near the Pope using her spirit.

“We’ll join too!”

Water-attribute mages stepped in as well.

‘When outmatched, swarm with numbers.’

Even then, the Pope’s control over the water would be stronger.

But—

This was still a battle.

“Argh!”

[Insects...!]

Corporal Jeong Gwang-il’s frenzied attack.

The giant faltered for a moment.

In that brief opening—

[Interference with Water Attribute Control is reduced.]

The water around the giant rapidly receded.

The giant had to keep fighting the soldiers.

And now it had to compete for control over the water.

It was likely hellish for it.

[Interference with Water Attribute Control is reduced.]

[Grr...]

I could feel the tide turning in our favor.

And finally—

“Gah...!”

A groan of pain echoed.

One of the worst forms of suffering.

Suffocation.

* * *

Thud...

The giant Fish-man’s body lost strength and collapsed.

‘Even while unable to breathe, it fought for several more minutes.’

After removing all the water around it—

It had been unable to breathe midway through the fight.

Even then, the battle dragged on for quite a while.

We were victorious in the end.

“...”

And then—

I saw a man approach the fallen giant.

A man wielding a spear.

Most of the people had collapsed or been injured and were out of commission by the end of the long battle.

But Chang-soo had fought by our side until the end without faltering.

He raised the spear high and muttered.

“Die...!”

The spear descended toward the giant’s gills, its weak point.

Smack!

“...What are you doing?”

It was me who caught the spear.

“I see. You want to finish it yourself. Fine, have it your way. I just need to see this thing dead with my own eyes.”

But that wasn’t it.

“I need to try something first.”

Chang-soo and his team were driven by their thirst for vengeance against the Fish-men.

Stabbing it now would satisfy that desire for revenge.

But such a powerful creature—

“Actually, I need to feed it something.”

Wouldn’t it be a waste to just kill it like that?