“Could you share some of those combat rations?”

Chang-soo asked with an awkward smile.

What he was requesting from me was none other than my cooking—combat rations.

“Uh, was I being too shameless?”

“That’s your request? Really?”

“The effect is incredible. The taste is even better.”

Well, of course.

It was my cooking, after all.

‘Hmm.’

But as the one who made those rations, I had mixed feelings.

‘Even if it’s called combat rations… they don’t hold a candle to properly made dishes in terms of taste or effect.’

To be honest, I wouldn’t consider them my flagship dish.

These people had experienced my well-crafted cooking before.

It was a bit surprising that they only asked for combat rations.

“The taste and effect are great, but there’s something even more significant about them.”

“Huh? What could be more important than taste and effect?”

“They’re consumable items that provide buffs even without a buffer present.”

Ah.

That’s indeed the key feature of the [Combat Rations] skill.

“Plus, anyone can use them just by eating. They have a long shelf life and are compact... It’s unreal. Can I be frank with you?”

“…”

“If this world were a game, they’d patch it immediately for balance. It’s that overpowered.”

It seemed the part that attracted Chang-soo wasn’t the taste or the effect, but that specific feature.

It was my skill, after all.

Even though I’d had it for so long that I used it without a second thought, even the [Pope] who seemed to have experienced similar cooking was surprised by the combat rations.

‘Was this skill more broken than I thought?’

Thinking it over, maybe it really was.

“Of course, I wouldn’t ask for something so valuable for free. I’m sure it takes quite a lot to produce.”

“Sure, take them.”

“We’ve gathered quite a few valuable items ourselves as trade… Wait, what did you say?”

“I said, take the combat rations.”

Chang-soo looked flustered and waved his hands in protest.

He was the one who asked for them, but—

“No, no, no. This isn’t something you can just hand over like that.”

“It’s fine. Considering we’re going to maintain a friendly relationship, it’s not an issue.”

It was true.

The moment someone joined our unit, they received dozens of these as a basic supply.

‘We’ve stockpiled plenty of monster meat now, so giving some away won’t even make a dent.’

They weren’t difficult to make, either.

After unlocking the [Mass Cooking] talent, my cooking speed had skyrocketed.

Beef jerky for combat rations? If I had the ingredients, I could make hundreds or thousands a day with ease.

“That won’t do.”

When I tried to hand them over, it was Chang-soo who refused.

I chuckled at the situation.

“Who turns down something offered for free?”

“I told you, the combat rations are incredibly valuable. Food is scarce these days. We can’t just take something like that for free.”

“There’s no need to feel burdened.”

“Those words are more of a burden. We aren’t part of your guild, and we want to maintain an equal relationship.”

Hmm.

Even if he said that—

Thinking about what Chang-soo had said, the combat rations were indeed valuable.

“So if we put a proper price on them, they’d be quite costly.”

“Yeah, I suppose.”

“Would you be able to pay that price?”

They might have earned some points from fighting monsters, but they’d been relying heavily on that [Hard Rye Bread] from the shop.

Given how expensive that bread was for what little it offered, they probably weren’t rolling in points.

“We’ve found some valuable items in the city. Maybe we could trade those—”

“We have quite a stockpile back at base. Most things won’t catch our eye.”

“Still... I’d like to pay something for them. Just one per member for emergencies, at least.”

If that’s the case, he should’ve just taken them when offered.

They wanted the combat rations but were too proud to accept them for free.

So how should I handle this?

“Oh. I have an idea.”

“Hm?”

It was a sudden thought, but it seemed reasonable.

“Since the city is overrun with monsters, your group is hunting them, right?”

“Exactly. We’re focusing on leveling up.”

“Bring us the monster corpses. I’ll use them to make combat rations for you.”

“Is that possible?”

“In exchange, you’ll give us 50% of the monster meat. Consider it a service fee.”

This way, they’d be paying something, and we wouldn’t be at a loss.

Chang-soo’s eyes widened at the proposal.

“That’s enough compensation?”

“...Isn’t 50% a lot?”

“We can’t eat monster meat, anyway. Even if we can use their hides, the meat is a waste for us.”

There was a saying that those who ate monster meat would become monsters themselves.

So it made sense for them to see it as useless.

“That meat has value to us.”

I had yet to see any negative side effects from the food I’d cooked.

More ingredients were always welcome.

“Still, it seems like you should charge more.”

“50% is plenty. Take it or leave it.”

“No, no! That’s fine.”

“Then it’s settled.”

Once the deal was confirmed, I reached into the shadow and pulled out a box of combat rations.

“...That subspace ability? No matter how many times I see it, it’s odd. You have skills like that and yet your job is just a chef.”

[Chef’s Special Sauce].

I sprinkled a handful of the sauce on the contents of the box and handed it to Chang-soo.

“Think of this as a down payment.”

“...Thank you, truly.”

No need for thanks.

Clearing that dungeon so quickly was largely due to his help.

Especially since Chang-soo himself fought alongside us to the end without falling.

The combat rations I gave him were laced with a sauce that promoted mental stability.

Even if these people were driven by revenge, they hadn’t lost their humanity.

I hoped these would help keep them grounded.

“Once again, thank you. If you ever need our help, just ask.”

“Yes, yes. Take care.”

---

* * *

“Well, shouldn’t be an issue, right?”

After sending Chang-soo off, I reported the deal to the officers in the unit.

“He fought hard for us, after all. If Sergeant Shin approves, then I’m fine with it.”

“Right?”

Gwang-il laughed, and I thought there wouldn’t be any problem.

But—

“Hmm.”

The soldiers were giving me an odd look.

Sergeant Lee Min-jae and Corporal Seo Soo-hyuk.

‘...?’

Come to think of it—

Those two were known for being especially pragmatic and efficiency-driven.

They were what you’d call extreme efficiency enthusiasts.

Looking at their expressions, I suddenly had a thought.

‘Did I act like too much of a pushover?’

This deal—

Chang-soo’s group was an ally, and making combat rations wasn’t difficult for me, so I’d handed them over without much thought.

Considering the actual value of the combat rations—

It could look like I was being overly generous.

A bad feeling started creeping up on me.

‘This is definitely going to be a lecture.’

Both of them usually respected my decisions, but if they thought something was off, they’d deliver their advice wrapped in a scolding.

“Can I ask you one thing?”

“Oh? Sure.”

I braced myself for some tough advice.

But Corporal Seo’s question was different from what I expected.

“You said that people who regularly eat high-quality dishes don’t get as much effect from lower-quality food. Are you sure?”

“Ah, yes. I only learned that recently.”

The dungeon boss, the [Pope of the Deep Ones].

It turns out the title [Pope] wasn’t just a metaphor.

He must have been at the pinnacle of power in his world.

Because he’d eaten all kinds of high-quality food—

‘My dishes couldn’t satisfy his refined palate.’

It was still frustrating to think about.

If I’d had time, I would’ve honed my cooking skills to the point where he’d regret those words by tasting a meal beyond his imagination.

After answering Seo’s question, Min-jae spoke up.

“You’re probably the best chef right now, Young-jun.”

“So, hmm…”

They both seemed to be calculating something, deep in thought.

Soon, they exchanged a nod and smirked.

“As expected of you, Young-jun.”

“Wise choice.”

“Huh?”

What?

I’d been watching them think for a while, and this was their conclusion?

“I get it now. We should inform the soldiers. Tell the city’s awakened that if they want combat rations, they need to bring monster meat.”

“We’ll charge a higher fee for others. We should show that those who are friendly to our guild get better terms.”

I wasn’t sure what was going on, but—

The two continued their conversation without me.

‘I thought I’d get scolded for acting like a pushover, but now we’re talking about offering combat rations to others, too?’

What on earth were they planning?

---

* * *

“It seems everyone is here.”

The city was still damp from the flooding.

In one corner of a building, a group of people had gathered.

“About thirty of us. That’s not many.”

“It can’t be helped. Too much has happened to

 trust each other.”

Even the person trying to lead the discussion didn’t seem like a true unifier.

This gathering was made up of people with little in common.

They hadn’t been part of the same group inside the dungeon.

Under normal circumstances, they would never have gathered due to mutual distrust.

“Let’s confirm one thing first.”

Still, they shared one goal.

“Our objective is to escape Chuncheon. Do we all agree?”

“Yeah.”

“Agreed.”

“That’s why we’re here, isn’t it?”

This city.

Everyone here wanted to leave Chuncheon for different reasons.

“Finally, I can go home.”

Some weren’t even from Chuncheon.

They’d come here for some reason and got trapped in the dungeon.

And—

‘At last... I can go see my family.’

Some had loved ones in other cities.

They’d been forced to forget about them while trapped in the dungeon.

Now that they were free, it was a different story.

Family, lovers, friends.

There were people moving to find out if their loved ones were safe.

Lee Ju-hyuk, the man leading the meeting, spoke.

“Let’s start the discussion. Our first objective is to head east and reach Gangneung.”

He unfolded a map as he spoke.

“Everyone’s destination is in the eastern region, so once we reach Gangneung, we’ll split up and go our separate ways.”

One reason they’d managed to gather was that their destinations were relatively close.

The mountain range that cut through Gangwon-do.

Chuncheon was in the western part, while their goal was the eastern region.

The meeting began in earnest after that.

“The roads will be hard to use. They’re full of broken-down cars, and I’ve heard monsters and zombies hide in them.”

“I saw from a rooftop that one of the highways has collapsed completely. I’m not sure about the tunnels, either.”

Various issues were discussed, and most had solutions proposed.

But—

There was one problem without an answer.

“Ugh, food is still a major issue.”

Lee Ju-hyuk rubbed his forehead in frustration.

With most roads impassable, it was unclear how long it would take to reach Gangneung while fighting monsters.

They couldn’t travel that long eating only weeds.

“We could raid convenience stores or supermarkets along the way.”

“Do you know how long we were stuck in there? Most food will already have been taken by survivors.”

“Ugh.”

“What about hunting monsters to eat?”

“Are you crazy? I want to see my family, not turn into a monster and attack them. If you want to become a monster, be my guest.”

“No, no, it was just a joke.”

The group continued to worry without a clear solution.

“We’ll need a lot of food for such a long journey.”

“Yeah, that’s true.”

“...Can I ask one thing?”

“Yes?”

“I want to know how far everyone here is willing to go.”

Lee Ju-hyuk’s sudden question drew puzzled looks.

With a serious expression, he spoke.

“I’m willing to do whatever it takes to see my family. Every day we delay increases the chance that they’re put in danger.”

“I don’t know what you’re implying, but I won’t back down, either.”

“The only way I see us securing enough food quickly is by one method.”

“...Don’t tell me.”

“Taking it from those who have it.”

The group’s expressions hardened.

Attacking others to secure food.

They’d seen similar horrors during their time trapped in the dungeon.

“What are you saying?”

“I’m only talking about a last resort. We should first look for peaceful ways to secure food.”

Lee Ju-hyuk cut himself off, making it clear this was a last resort.

But everyone there thought the same thing.

‘There’s no way that’ll work.’

Their instincts told them that, in the end, they’d have to attack someone innocent.

Just then—

Whoosh—

A strong wind blew outside the building.

A piece of paper that had been rolling outside flew through the window.

“What’s this?”

“Probably just a flyer. Let’s ignore it and focus on the meeting—”

“No, there’s something written on it.”

It was an ordinary white sheet of paper.

Scrawled on it was a single sentence.

And it read:

[Those who seek food. Come to the legion.]

“...?”

It was a way to obtain food, something everyone thought impossible.