How the Rank 0 Chef Survives Chapter 113

"What the heck is that guy doing?"

"Making ramen soup, apparently."

"...That?"

Molrangkau muttered in disbelief. The desk was lined with all sorts of lab equipment you'd see in a science classroom, but it sure didn't look like cooking. A flask bubbling away over an alcohol lamp. Cylinders lined up, filled with mysterious liquids. Petri dishes holding powders of every color. And a beaker off to the side.

"Heh heh..."

In the middle of it all was Hura, wearing safety goggles. He lifted a test tube up to eye level, peering into it carefully, then mixed things into the beaker.

"Heh heh heh heh..."

He looked just like some evil scientist.

"Where the hell did he even get all that stuff? And why's there a microscope if he's not gonna use it?"

"......"

No one could answer Molrangkau's questions.

"He looks just like a villain plotting to take over the world..."

Ignoring Molrangkau's mutterings, Besta quietly pulled Geum Taeyang and Tteoksoon-i aside.

"What is it, ma'am?"

Besta glanced at Hura, who was gleefully experimenting, and spoke up.

"That guy's weird confidence is bothering me."

Her face was full of worry as she said it.

"No need to worry."

Geum Taeyang ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠replied confidently.

"Three thousand people? Even for our master, that'll take a few months."

"Yeah! Even at the fastest, it'd take at least a month, right?"

Tteoksoon-i agreed.

"Is that so..."

But Besta's expression didn't brighten.

"Still, I keep getting this bad feeling."

Logically, it was impossible for three thousand people to flock to this harsh, remote place. But that ominous vibe... Looking at Hura grinning like a villain, it felt like he'd succeed in some unimaginable way. Something extreme. Something dangerous.

"If they had other reasons to come by, sure, but people don't trek all the way here just for food."

"Right! The road here's way too rough."

Even as Geum Taeyang and Tteoksoon-i tried to reassure her, Besta chewed her lip anxiously.

She hadn't really meant it when she said impress three thousand people with cooking in this godforsaken wilderness. She'd planned to tone it down later if things went okay. But Hura seemed dead serious about wowing three thousand with his food. That unyielding glint in his eye, that sly grin—it unnerved her.

"Sigh... Yeah, you're right. Logically, it feels like he aimed too high—"

That's when it happened.

"Found it!"

"What?"

Besta whipped her head around at Hura's triumphant shout. He was holding up a bowl like the Lion King.

"I found it!"

* * *

Ramen soup. That's what decides the flavor of ramen.

The foundation of foundations. The very essence of ramen taste.

It's the most crucial and delicate step. A 1% difference in ratios, even 0.1g, can change everything.

"Found it!"

But after intense study and countless experiments, I'd nailed the golden ratio.

I built the backbone around three key powders: beef powder, shiitake mushroom powder, and chili powder.

Those three make up 90% of the ramen soup. All made using Desert Rose, so top quality, naturally.

Then, for the remaining 10%, I blended various powders: ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠shrimp, garlic, onion, paprika, parmesan cheese, pepper, salt, and more.

Finally, a pinch of "white powder."

"Found it!"

I peered into the bowl in my hand. There was the red powder, the culmination of my efforts. Perfect for one serving of ramen.

"Heh heh..."

Looking at it filled me with satisfaction. Now, the issue was scaling it up three thousand times.

I checked my skill window.

What massive progress. Thanks to constant use, it had improved from 90% loss to just 30%. And with Dark Chef active, down to 20% loss. Meaning copies retain 80% of the original flavor.

80% of the real deal. Totally doable.

Experiments showed copying just the soup and then cooking was way better than copying the whole dish—around 85% of full flavor.

And if I stir each one with the Magic Ladle? Its special effect boosts flavor by another 10-15%, hitting 95%!

"Perfect."

Noodles from scratch would be inefficient, so off-the-shelf it is. I taste-tested tons and picked ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the chewy, soft ones that soak up broth best.

I grabbed four pots, setting them on the flames.

"Ramen's best in a pot, volume-wise."

Dumped in soup powder and noodles into boiling water. Eggs timed for soft-boiled perfection.

Bubbling furiously, ramen done in seconds.

"Heh heh... The power of instant food."

Top with chopped green onions, and done.

Ding!

"Mm. Excellent."

I nodded in satisfaction. Two stars, but factory-line speed changes everything. Huge advantage.

The spicy ramen aroma spread, making mouths water.

"Mmm, smells so good..."

"Homemade ramen..."

"Slurp— I can't resist this smell."

"Gasp... huff..."

They gathered without me calling. I grinned and offered seats.

"Give it a try."

At my okay, they dove in ravenously.

Slurp— slurrrp— sssup— haa— sssup— haa—

Eating like mad, sweating buckets, broth splattering clothes—no one cared.

"Sssup— haa— spicy... so spicy but I can't stop!"

"Spicy in the best way! Sweating already."

"Noodles so chewy! Broth soaked in perfectly!"

"Hnnng..."

Watching them devour it was heartwarming. I get "just watching fills you up" now.

I sat next to Molrangkau with a smile, pouring cool water from Changsu Dragon's Horn into cups.

"Good?"

"Slurp... haa— yeah! So good!"

She wiped her eyes.

"You crying?"

"N-no! Just the spice."

Molrangkau gulped water, making excuses. Could be the heat... or some memory I triggered.

"Molrangkau."

"Yeah?"

Her flaming tongue cooled, she answered without panting.

"Can you use fire magic to keep a giant sign lit up?"

"Like how?"

"Like this."

I showed her the pre-written text. She tucked red hair behind her ear, studying it.

"Hmm. How big?"

"Bigger the better."

"Gimme a pen."

Molrangkau started sketching magic circles on the paper.

"Mana from ambient via this circle. Output control next door for steady flow, stabilization here..."

Complex formulas ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠filled the page fast.

After muttering and scribbling, she nodded.

"...Yeah. Should work."

"Great. Do me a favor?"

"Sure... but you're serious?"

She handed back the pen.

"About pulling three thousand in a week?"

"Pfft—"

"What? A week?"

The three slurping ramen from pots gawked at me. I met their shocked stares calmly.

"Obviously."

The paper I'd given Molrangkau had "7-Day Limited" in bold.

"Are you insane? How in a week? And not just feed—impress them!"

"I know, Lady Besta."

I had no plans to hole up months in this backwater selling food. Go big or go home. Guess I inherited Sulis's wanderlust.

"Impossible! What if you fail the task?"

"Heh heh... No worries. It'll succeed."

"H-how?"

"I have plans."

Right on cue, a system message.

Ding!

"Gonna take this call."

I excused myself and pressed my ear.

"Hello?"

"Ah, Dapam. Fast. Where are you?"

"Be right there. Wait a sec."

Click.

I turned to Molrangkau.

"Molrangkau. Disguise spell, please."

"Got it."

Fwoosh—

"Done."

I stood.

"Ingredients are here. I'll head out first."

"O-okay..."

Besta stared blankly. I flashed a grin and headed off.

* * *

A large wagon waited at Harten Village's entrance. And a familiar, welcome face.

A cute bowl-cut boy sat in the driver's seat, looking like a high schooler.

I waved enthusiastically.

"Dapam!"

"...Huh?"

Dapam blinked innocently.

"No way... Hura-nim?"

"Yep."

"Whoa! Long time no see, Hura-nim!"

He hopped down, grabbing my hand with both of his and shaking.

He'd been sending neat updates on "Berry Merchant Group" via messages, as reports to our big investor.

Perfect timing—he was in Yuten Village, so I called, and he came himself.

"Disguise magic?"

"Yeah, mage friend."

Dapam nodded knowingly.

"Ah, Molrangkau-nim? She's doing well, I see."

"Yep. Heard Berry Merchant Group's rising fast. Knew you'd make it big."

"Haha, all thanks to you, Hura-nim."

"...Still, steer clear of Tteokbokki Cult. They're nuts. Profitable now, but cut ties before they bite back."

"Haha... they're a bit weird, but good folks."

Dapam scratched his head, defending them. The shock when I heard they'd exclusive-contracted with Berry... indescribable. He and Mirae had broken the news carefully, knowing my ties.

"...Alright. You have your reasons."

Tsk tsk. Cut those crazies loose ASAP. But I'm no merchant to meddle.

Sensing my thoughts, Dapam changed topics.

"You're the famous one now, Hura-nim! Honored to know you."

It worked.

"Hahaha, honor? Come on. Hahaha."

I waved it off modestly, but my twitching lips betrayed me.

"Mirae's in the south. Regretted not coming north when I said I was meeting you—pounded the ground."

"Haha, really?"

I glanced at the wagon.

"All the ingredients I asked for?"

"Yes, of course."

"Fits in there?"

Seemed tight for the volume.

"Looks big, but it's got space expansion and lightweight magic. All in."

He handed me a clipboard. Inventory matched: ramen noodles, eggs, green onions, pots, kimchi, chopsticks, spoons, tables, chairs, etc.

"Checks out."

"Sign here, please."

I signed.

"Special for you: cost price, no shipping fee."

"...Pardon?"

Always making customers worry.

"You need profit."

"You've given plenty."

"Gonna keep this up?"

Dapam grinned.

"Then cook us something. Saw you prepping ramen?"

I chuckled.

"Coming right up. This way."

"Yes!"

Crunch— crunch—

Whispering as we walked.

"How's that thing I mentioned?"

"Smooth. Working channels discreetly."

Merchants thrive on rumors. Ears always perked. Info experts. Means they can seed whispers too.

"No using my name?"

"Of course. Focused on the food, not chef."

"Make it natural."

"Don't worry. Berry's small but top-tier loyalists."

"Thanks for the hard work."

I slipped a heavy coin pouch into his pocket.

"No need~"

But his beaming smile said otherwise. Money-lover, true merchant.

He lowered his voice cautiously.

"...Ask Tteokbokki Cult for help?"

"No."

I shook my head.

"Got a friend there."

I smirked inwardly.

Precisely, my third prakchi.