46. Cook Wanted
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Translator: JayM
Chapter: 46
Chapter Title: Cook Wanted
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A week passed.
A quiet morning at the inn.
Jeong Yoo-shin sat at the counter, resting his chin on his hand.
“Ugh! This food is disgusting! Innkeeper, come out here!”
A rabbit beast-person yelled.
He stood up and approached the rabbit beast-person.
“Is it that bad?”
“It’s garbage!”
“I agree.”
He nodded.
Even he couldn’t call Tarman’s cooking delicious.
“Where’s Dalmong?”
The rabbit beast-person asked.
“He’s away on business.”
“Tsk.”
The rabbit beast-person clicked his tongue and left the inn.
He watched him leave, then he entered the kitchen.
“Tarman.”
“Yes, Skar-nim.”
“You said you were a good cook.”
Tarman scratched his head. His shaved head glistened with sweat.
“My friends always complimented my cooking.”
“I just got yelled at by a customer. He said the food was disgusting.”
“R-Really?”
“I’m lying.”
“…”
“Tarman.”
“Yes.”
“I think this is the end of our relationship.”
Tarman’s eyes widened.
“What?!”
“I’m lying.”
“Ugh.”
Tarman clutched his chest and stumbled.
“I need to hire a cook. Someone who can actually cook. Go to the monster dismantling shop and bring Snout here.”
“…You knew?”
“That you’re Aldein’s contact? Everyone in this neighborhood knows. And check on Silva while you’re there.”
“Understood.”
Tarman took off his apron and left the inn.
Jeong Yoo-shin closed the inn and sat at the counter, lost in thought.
He had seen Aldein’s words and actions, and he had seen the eastern district. He could deduce that there were people out there far worse than the slave hunters.
The question was whether they were aware of him.
He might be overthinking it.
But it was better to be prepared. And there was a chance that the remaining slave hunters might try to infiltrate the inn disguised as cooks.
He needed Aldein’s help.
He needed a filter to weed out the trash.
Birds of a feather flocked together.
Those from the underworld would recognize each other.
He waited patiently.
A few hours later…
Tarman and Snout entered the inn.
“Skar-nim.”
“So, everything alright?”
“Yes.”
“I need help hiring someone.”
“Understood.”
Snout replied immediately, bowing his head.
He then turned to Tarman.
“You’ll be in charge of serving the food once we find a cook. Your cooking is… terrible.”
“Alright.”
Tarman replied dejectedly.
He posted a large “Cook Wanted” sign on the inn’s front door.
Snout wrote the job requirements for him. The man was a smart and capable beast-person, and he was starting to see him as a valuable asset.
“Don’t get your hopes up.”
Snout said.
“Why?”
“You’re a barbarian, Skar-nim. People might assume you’re looking for a female cook… for other purposes.”
“…Let’s just wait and see.”
One day. Two days. Three days.
No one applied. On the fourth day, he stood up from his stool behind the counter.
“Tarman.”
“Yes?”
“You seem unconcerned. Can’t you see that the fate of this inn hangs in a balance?”
“…”
“Go outside and shout. Tell people we’re looking for a cook.”
“Yes.”
As Tarman shuffled towards the door, it opened.
Clatter!!
“I heard you’re looking for a cook.”
A small fox beast-person with yellow fur stood at the entrance, speaking confidently.
He narrowed his eyes as he looked at the fox beast-person, then he turned to Snout.
“Is this… it?”
“You should at least interview them.”
He nodded and pointed at the seat across from him.
“Sit down.”
“Yip!”
The short fox beast-person scurried to the table and struggled to climb onto the chair.
He watched the fox beast-person for a moment before picking her up and placing her on the chair.
“Thank you.”
“So, you can cook?”
“Of course.”
“You’re a bit small. How would you even reach the stove?”
“I have summoning magic.”
The fox beast-person puffed out her flat chest and lifted her chin.
“What do you summon? Food? Or familiars?”
“Familiars.”
The conversation stalled.
“So you’re saying you’ll use your summoned creatures to cook?”
“That’s right.”
“Show me.”
“Watch closely. Hup!”
The fox beast-person clasped her hands together, then spread them out towards the table.
A flash of light, and something appeared on the table.
His eyes widened.
‘What the…?!’
Three small, colorful slimes appeared on the table.
“W-What are those?”
He asked, his mind reeling.
The fox beast-person pointed at a red slime crawling on the table.
“This one is Licky. Cute, right?”
“…”
“This blue one is Dreamy. What do you think?”
“And this green one is Chompy. He he.”
He stared blankly at the slimes.
He watched them crawl around on the table for a moment, then looked up.
“You’re going to cook with these?”
“I-I can do it!”
The fox beast-person seemed determined to prove her abilities.
She closed her eyes and muttered something.
“Hup! Transform!”
The slimes jiggled and changed shape.
One transformed into a bear beast-person, another into an elf, and the last into a shapeless blob.
He pointed at the blob.
“What’s that?”
“It’s a dragon.”
So dragons existed. This truly was a fantasy world.
He rubbed his face with his hand.
How could he politely reject this applicant?
It was a difficult situation.
He looked at the fox beast-person and slowly spoke,
“That’s… an impressive skill, but your abilities are… irrelevant to the duties of this establishment…”
He stopped and stared at the fox beast-person.
“Waaah… I don’t understand what you’re saying.”
Tears welled up in the fox beast-person’s large eyes.
He could feel Tarman and Snout staring at him.
He sighed.
“Come back and… perform sometime.”
“I’m hungry!”
‘This is killing me.’
Dealing with a small, crying fox beast-person was more difficult than fighting for his life.
Snout, smiling, took some coins from his pocket and offered them to the fox beast-person.
“Here. Buy yourself something to eat.”
The fox beast-person’s eyes lit up at the sight of the copper coins.
“Wow! Thank you, mister!”
The fox beast-person bowed politely and scampered out of the inn.
The three men sitting at the table crossed their arms and looked at each other.
“Does that kid even know what a barbarian is? She’s fearless.”
He muttered in disbelief.
Snout chuckled wryly.
“It’s strange, but it’s not a bad start.”
“I wish I could say the same.”
He said while looking at the inn’s entrance.
A moment later…
“Are you the barbarian?”
‘Who’s this old man?’
An elderly dwarf with a long white beard sat across from him while staring intently.
“Old man, please be more specific about what kind of barbarian you’re referring to.”
“Are you the good barbarian who doesn’t rape?”
“That’s me. The only righteous barbarian in the Labyrinth City.”
“I’ve never seen anyone like you before.”
The elderly dwarf muttered, looking dazed.
“Old timer, are you here to apply for the cook position?”
“No.”
The dwarf stared blankly at him.
He sighed and looked up at the ceiling.
“Go away. You’re not hired. Next.”
“You’re an interesting fellow. I’ll see you around.”
The elderly dwarf stood up and left the inn.
The next applicant sat down.
They wore a crow mask and a robe, and carried a suspicious bag.
“Are you… here to apply for the cook position?”
“…Buy this.”
The crow mask took something from their bag and placed it on the table.
Their voice was muffled, making it difficult to discern their gender.
“What’s this?”
A fist-sized glass bottle filled with pink liquid sat on the table.
“It’s a happiness potion.”
“Is that a drug? Get out.”
He growled.
“It’s a love potion. It drives women wild.”
“Same difference. Get out.”
The crow mask clicked their tongue, put the bottle back into their bag, and stood up.
“This is expensive stuff. I won’t offer you this price again.”
“You’re not hired. Next.”
The crow mask left, and the next applicant sat down.
A hyena beast-person with yellow fur and a long scar across one eye.
‘Oh?’
He sensed an aura of mastery.
Like someone who had dedicated their life to a single craft.
“Can you cook?”
He asked the hyena beast-person with anticipation.
“I don’t need to.”
His face crumpled at the hyena beast-person’s reply.
‘What’s this guy’s deal?’
He was reaching his limit.
No cooks, just strange people.
“Are you the one who suddenly appeared in the eastern district and slaughtered the slave hunters?”
He turned to Snout, who nodded.
So they were from the underworld.
“That’s me.”
He replied.
A look of competitiveness appeared on the hyena beast-person’s face.
“You’re the one who single-handedly killed thirty-one men in one night? You look a bit… frail for a barbarian.”
“Don’t judge a book by its cover. You have to try it to know.”
Silence fell over the inn.
‘Did I say something wrong?’
He looked around the tavern.
Several applicants grabbed their belongings and hurried out.
The hyena beast-person’s face flushed slightly.
“D-Don’t tell me… you want to… compare… that?”
Damn it.
“No.”
“I… I see. Anyway, I have a proposition.”
“Tell me.”
“Join our clan. We’ll treat you well.”
“Sigh.”
He leaned back in his chair and looked at the hyena beast-person.
He didn’t know what a “clan” was, but he assumed it was some kind of underworld organization.
“You want to hire me?”
“Yes. It’s a bit different, but similar.”
He looked into the hyena beast-person’s eyes.
The hyena beast-person flinched.
‘What’s… with his eyes?’
A chill ran down his spine as he saw the strange glint in Jeong Yoo-shin’s eyes.
Jeong Yoo-shin slowly stood up, his hand resting on the hilt of his long sword.
“Nobody move.”
Those who were about to leave the inn froze.
He slung his sword over his shoulder and stood at the entrance.
Clang!!!
Click!!!
He locked the door.
He turned and looked at the remaining applicants.
“Are there any more of you from the eastern district?”
Several people flinched. Others remained silent.
“So you’ve heard the rumors. They spread fast.”
He ran a hand through his black hair.
“Let’s be clear. I didn’t kill those men for personal gain or glory.”
A few people scoffed.
He continued, undeterred,
“They crossed a line. Explorers fight and kill each other. This is the Labyrinth City. I understand that. But gouging out the eyes and ripping open the mouths of innocent children? And then sending me their heads? You’re begging to be killed by me, you vermin.”
His eyes gleamed.
The silence in the inn grew heavier.
“I don’t know what kind of bastards you are, but if you’re walking around in broad daylight after doing something like that…”
“Skar-nim, there’s no one like that here.”
Snout stood up and tried to calm him down.
“Sigh.”
He sighed and rubbed his eyes, suppressing the surge of killing intent.
Bang!!!
Creak!!!
He opened the inn door.
“Everyone who’s not here to apply for the cook position, get out.”
Most of the applicants left the inn.
Some glared at him as they left. Others nodded, seemingly understanding. And some couldn’t even meet his gaze.
“Tsk. This is hopeless.”
He sat back down.
The hyena beast-person remained seated.
“Leave.”
The hyena beast-person didn’t move.
“You came to the Labyrinth City for something. Everyone has desires. Tell me what you want. I’ll do what I can.”
Snout stiffened at the hyena beast-person’s words. It was a bold proposition, the kind that would make Aldein furious.
“What I want…”
He looked towards the entrance of the inn.
“Yes, tell me. What do you desire?”
He remained silent.
After a long moment…
“None of your business. Get out.”
“Sigh.”
The hyena beast-person sighed and glanced at Snout.
“I see. I missed my chance.”
The hyena beast-person stood up and left the inn.
The three men were alone again in the empty tavern.
“It’s hard to find a cook.”
“Indeed.”
Snout nodded in agreement.
Evening approached, and the streets grew dark.
“Should we call it a day?”
As he was about to stand up, he saw someone standing at the inn's entrance.
A red-haired girl.
A rear guard from Karl’s party.
Anne.
Tarman froze.
Anne strode over and stood before him.
“Anne?”
Anne bowed her head deeply.
“Skar-nim, thank you for sparing Tarman.”
She addressed him formally.
So she knew.
“You’re welcome. Did Tarman tell you?”
“He hasn’t been back to our lodgings for a week. He just left some money at the door and disappeared. I didn’t know what happened, so I quit my job…”
Tears welled up in her eyes.
He and Snout crossed their arms and looked at Tarman.
“Ahem… ahem…”
Tarman coughed awkwardly and avoided their gazes.
“It seems like you have a lot to talk about. Go to the kitchen.”
“Thank you.”
Anne sniffled and glared at Tarman.
“Tarman, come with me.”
She dragged Tarman into the kitchen.
He heard the sounds of crying, shouting, and something breaking from the kitchen.
He and Snout crossed their arms and stared at the ceiling.
A short while later…
Tarman emerged from the kitchen while trembling, a large bruise on his cheek.
Anne was smiling, seemingly relieved.
Hmm.
“Anne, can you cook?”
Anne’s eyes widened at his question.
“What?”
“We need a cook at our inn. I’ll pay you well. What do you say?”
Tears welled up in her eyes again.
“Thank you.”
“Good. You seem to have a place to stay, so go home for tonight and come back tomorrow morning.”
“Yes. Thank you.”
She bowed repeatedly, expressing her gratitude.
He nodded and looked at Tarman.
“Good for you.”
“…Yes.”
Tarman’s voice was hoarse.
Anne grabbed Tarman by the scruff of his neck and dragged him out of the inn.
He stood up, went to the cupboard behind the counter, retrieved a bottle of liquor and two glasses, and placed them on the table.
He poured Snout a drink.
Glug.
“Snout, good work.”
Snout smiled faintly at his praise.
“I’m glad you found a cook.”
Snout said, and raised his glass.
He chuckled and poured himself a drink as well.
“We’ll have to see how good her cooking is. We’ll figure it out later.”
He raised his glass.
“I’ve said this many times, but it’s really hard to find good help these days.”
“I agree.”
Clink.
The two men clinked their glasses and smiled. It was a summer evening in the quiet inn.
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T/N - Wait, Tarman was Aldein’s contact? Since when? It’s still fine if it was after the massacre, but if it was before then Aldein’s quite the jerk for not informing him the MC was on the way that night. He almost died in the MC’s hands, after all. Also, I’m liking Snout more and more now. I hope he continues to be the MC’s friend.