How the Rank 0 Chef Survives - Chapter 126: Rustle-Rustle
Rustle—rustle.
In the depths of a dense, people-less forest. An open clearing within it.
Rustle—The Tteokbokki-dan Uijang halted his steps.
Across the leaf-strewn clearing stood a short man quietly chuckling.
A fellow with short hair and a sturdy-looking jaw that caught the eye.
The Uijang opened his mouth, keeping a certain distance from the man.
“Are you the boss?”
“That I am.”
The Uijang narrowed his eyes.
“...Doesn't seem like it.”
It was said with conviction.
Because he didn't resemble Hura in the slightest.
“I have no business with you. Call Hura-nim.”
“Hura-nim? I'm no acquaintance of such a grand chef.”
“No time for word games. Nor the inclination.”
The mysterious man grinned in response.
“Figured as much. Doesn't work on you.”
Snap—
He snapped his fingers.
A blue light flickered briefly around him, and his height shot up while long hair cascaded down to his shoulders.
But those sharp, glinting eyes remained unchanged.
“...Hah.”
The Uijang drew in a sharp, involuntary breath at the sight.
“So it was you, Hura-nim.”
“Yep. In the flesh.”
“You use magic too? Or do you have a mage companion?”
“Think what you will.”
“......”
That could mean either one, or both, or neither at all.
Watching Hura's opening move, the Uijang steeled himself.
'As expected, no ordinary man. Gotta keep my wits sharp.'
Hura, for his part, was quietly impressed by the Uijang too.
'Sharp instincts, alright. Coming alone after sending his underlings away.'
For a moment, knowing glances passed between them, each harboring their own thoughts.
Next came words laced with razor edges.
“Nice to meet you.”
Hura spoke first.
“Likewise. It's truly an honor, Hura-nim.”
“Honor? What should I call you, then?”
“Just 'Uijang' will do.”
“Your title is your name now, huh. Like calling the class president 'class prez' back in school.”
“Something like that.”
The exchange was peaceful on the surface, but beneath it writhed savage intent.
“Brings back memories. To think a customer from my early tteokbokki stall days has become such a big shot.”
“Big shot? That's high praise I can hardly live up to.”
The Uijang bowed politely, as if grateful.
“Hura-nim, you're the one who's become a great figure without me needing to say it.”
“Great figure? Just a humble chef.”
“Excessive humility borders on pride, Hura-nim.”
“That so? Fine, great figure it is.”
“...Pardon? Ah, yes.”
The Uijang stared at Hura in brief confusion before regathering himself.
“How was the spicy ramen? To your taste?”
“Of course. As Tteokbokki-dan Uijang, it's odd to say, but it made me want to rename us Ramen-dan for a moment. Haha.”
“Hahaha. That good, huh?”
As they laughed together, Hura murmured almost to himself.
“So, you sent your underlings away and came alone?”
Hura's eyes flashed sharply for an instant.
The laughter between them cut off abruptly.
Cold silence settled, pierced by exchanging glares.
The Uijang spoke slowly.
“...As I said, it's an honor to meet you, Hura-nim. Truly a pleasure. That much is sincere.”
He continued, gazing steadily at Hura.
“But something unpleasant has soured my mood a bit.”
“That's a shame.”
Hura smirked in reply.
The Uijang's face hardened.
Before meeting him, Hura had sorted his thoughts.
We're busted.
The Uijang's closest aide, Jang Wusan, figured out my connection to Ichaera.
Irreversible blunder.
No time to argue fault, and pointless anyway.
Now, how to smooth it over—or turn it to my advantage.
Hura pondered.
Smoothing it over's tough.
From what Jang Wusan spilled, this guy's instincts are razor-sharp.
He's long suspected Ichaera, and even after dropping it, he sensed something off and tailed her again.
He's onto us for sure. Even if I silence Jang Wusan, he'll sniff it out from her vibe.
100%.
Fact is, Jang Wusan's gone AWOL—that alone probably confirmed Ichaera's involvement.
So, what now?
Simple: since it's out, milk it for all it's worth.
Use it so well no regrets, spread the word how masterfully played.
Hura's sly grin was his stepping stone.
“...Disappointing, Hura-nim. Didn't think you'd be this type.”
The Uijang said with a stiff face.
But Hura just kept grinning.
“Disappointing? What for between us?”
“......”
“An eye for an eye. My favorite saying.”
Goodwill with goodwill, malice with greater malice.
Twisted goodwill with even greater malice.
Hura remembered the Tteokbokki-dan chanting his name while rioting in Genesis Village.
And all the other stunts raising his name high.
Hmph.
Hura snorted.
Who told ya to eavesdrop?
Didn't think you'd get caught?
You dug your own grave.
“First off, why come all the way to Harten? Let's hear that.”
At Hura's words tabling Jang Wusan for now, the Uijang swallowed dryly.
A sword is scariest in its sheath.
The man before him knew that well.
“......”
The Uijang stared at him.
Come to think of it, pinpointing Hura's location—and pushing this northern expedition to Harten—was thanks to Gwisinigo Kalroli.
'...Have we just been dancing in his palm?!'
Yet here he was, asking why he'd come after summoning him.
His expression was innocently puzzled, nonchalant. Utterly brazen.
A true villain.
Still, the Tteokbokki-dan had come with purpose, so as their Uijang, he spoke.
“To take you with us, Hura-nim.”
“Take me where, by whose say-so?”
“Of course, with proper compensation.”
“I'm listening.”
“Money? Any amount. Rare ingredients? Just say the word, we'll procure them.”
Hura furrowed his brows.
“That's your unilateral decision, isn't it? 'Proper compensation' implies agreement from both sides.”
“Come along first, think it over. I'll buy you something tasty on the way.”
“...What do you take me for? Some kid lured by snacks?”
“Oh? Not?”
Their gazes clashed sharply.
“...Provoking me like this won't end well.”
“Who knows. With Jang Wusan maybe captured—or already dead—who knows what I'll do?”
Draw the sword from its sheath already.
'Not bad.'
Worth leading a group.
Hura nodded and replied.
“As you know, she's no stranger. I'd hardly mishandle her. You dangled that bait knowing, right?”
“Jang Wusan showed promise as a Tteokbokki-dan member, so I offered recruitment. If she's safe, show her yourself—then we'll know truth from lie.”
“I'll show her whether you like it or not, so no worries. Let's finish talking first.”
Hura steered the conversation back.
“What do you want me to do once you drag me off?”
“Just cook a few simple dishes. Like tteokbokki, or your new spicy ramen.”
“How many?”
“No plans to hold you long.”
“Sure. One day becomes a week, a week a month, a month a year.”
“That's jumping to conclusions.”
The Uijang took a deep breath.
“The road's long. Let's talk en route.”
“You've been rushing since earlier. Some reason?”
“Yes. There is.”
The Uijang's face was rigidly set.
“The Sapjaru-dan is heading here.”
“......!”
Hura feigned surprise.
“Time's short. You must flee before they arrive.”
“Flee? Not in my dictionary.”
“Didn't you flee Genesis Village?”
“...That was a tactical retreat.”
“Difference?”
“A clear one!”
“......”
“Anyway, as it says there, business has one more day. No quitting now.”
Hura pointed to the fiery sign unfurled in the sky.
D-1
“You don't get it. We know you're strong, Hura-nim. But the foe is the Sapjaru-dan and their leader. Even you can't handle them.”
“Doesn't matter what anyone says. I'm doing business.”
Hura crossed his arms firmly.
The Uijang's expression hardened.
“...No choice, then. We'll take you by force.”
Even as an unofficial ranker, the Tteokbokki-dan had confidence in dragging him off.
Close analysis of videos suggested his strength was exaggerated, and preparations had delayed their departure accordingly.
But Hura just snickered.
“Think you can?”
Hura flicked on Dark Chef just a bit.
Thick darkness rippled from him.
“......!”
The Uijang's eyes widened in disbelief.
'Rumors of him overwhelming dozens of top rankers alone—thought it exaggeration, but no...'
He gulped.
But not wholly unexpected.
They had Plan B for if he proved far stronger: persuasion via threat.
The Uijang spoke calmly.
“Even all Tteokbokki-dan charging wouldn't catch you easily.”
“You know it.”
Hura reeled in the darkness as he replied.
To that Hura, the Uijang began his grave threat in a solemn tone.
“But we're persistent.”
“...Pardon?”
“Persistence means Tteokbokki-dan, Tteokbokki-dan means persistence.”
“...Since when?”
“Always have been. Pay attention to us Tteokbokki-dan.”
“Ah, yes. Sorry.”
“Anyway, we're confident in hounding you annoyingly. Know how many we number? Over three thousand!”
“...Why not earlier, then?”
“You're elusive, hard to pin down. And out of respect, we meant proper treatment.”
“...For real?”
“Yes. But if you force our hand...”
A sleazy threat, truly.
Not outright harm, but endless nagging clinginess to irritate.
Caught off-guard by the petty ploy, Hura was momentarily speechless.
“...That far?”
“Why not?”
Hura sighed.
Leave 'em be, and they'd probably do it.
Sticky bastards.
Time to unsheathe the blade.
Slice these clingy fools with its edge.
Hura snapped his fingers toward the rear.
Shirr—
Magic dissolved like peeling transparent cloth, revealing the hidden scene.
“Mmph—! Mmph!”
Jang Wusan, gagged and tightly bound to a thick tree.
“...Jang Wusan!”
As the Uijang rushed forward in alarm, Hura raised a hand to stop him.
“Now now, that won't do, Uijang-nim.”
Wagging his finger side to side was downright infuriating.
“Let me sum it up.”
Hura raised his wagging index finger.
“One: I'm vending till tomorrow. Made a promise, don't wanna break it.”
“...Didn't peg you for such a promise-keeper.”
The Uijang glared, grinding his teeth, but Hura ignored him and added his middle finger.
“Two: Tteokbokki-dan stays out of my business. Order more spicy ramen if you want. But no interference, period.”
“...Tch.”
“Three... Hm, I'll think on three and tell you later.”
At Hura's brazen nonchalance, the Uijang glared with bloodshot eyes.
“...Tteokbokki-dan won't agree.”
“Sure they won't. But you? You've got reason to.”
With that, Hura ungagged Jang Wusan.
The moment it came off, Jang Wusan bellowed at the top of his lungs.
“Uijang-nim! Don't mind me! Do what you must as Tteokbokki-dan— as our Uijang!”
“......!”
The Uijang's face wavered.
But he steadied his trembling breath and resolve.
'Right. I'm the Uijang who unites our members' wills and acts on them.'
He clenched his fist and shouted with all his might.
“Tteokbokki-dan rejects those terms, Hura-nim! Countless members sacrificed to reach here. We can't let that go to waste!”
The Uijang cried out in surging passion.
“Tteokbokki-dan's noble cause lives on! It shall never fade! Never!!”
His voice echoed thunderously through the forest.
In the suddenly hushed woods, faint applause rang out.
Clap... clap... clap...
Hura shook his head in admiration, clapping.
“Impressive. Truly.”
Panting roughly, the Uijang eyed him.
“Hm... But a question lingers.”
Hura drew a pistol from his pocket.
“If that noble cause is built on countless sacrifices...”
Cock—
He casually chambered a round.
“...is it really worth it?”
Hura pressed the barrel to Jang Wusan's temple, nonchalant.
“Your call, Uijang-nim.”
Click—
Hura shrugged and pulled the hammer back.
Jang Wusan's scream exploded.
“Eeeeek! Uijang-nim! Save me!!”
His earlier brave resolve had long scattered at the cold metal on his temple.
“...! W-Wait! Stop!”
The Uijang startled, halting Hura.
But Hura kept the barrel pressed, eyeing him.
“Why? Got something to say?”
“Th-That is...”
As the Uijang stammered, Jang Wusan screamed desperately.
“Uijang-niiiiim!! Save me!! I'm dying!!”
“Speak if you have words. Or since it's loaded, shoot first and chat after?”
“Th-That's not...”
Jang Wusan shrieking for his life, Hura grinning back at him.
The Uijang glanced frantically between them.
“Oops, mistake.”
Click—
Hura half-pulled the trigger.
“Aaaaah!! Uijang-nim!! I'm really gonna die!!!”
Finally, the Uijang blurted in a fluster.
“Cancel! We cancel! Tteokbokki-dan will heed Hura-nim!”
Only then did Hura smile and holster the gun.
He'd won the intimidation game.
“You said it yourself, Uijang-nim. No taking it back, right?”
“Y-Yes. I swear it.”
Hura flashed a refreshing grin as he pocketed the pistol.