Surrender Over a Bowl of Ramen
Near Harten, in a snow-dusted forest. Pababat—figures raced swiftly through it. All clad in black suits, they scanned their surroundings as if searching for someone, darting about restlessly.
Geum Taeyang was the first to spot Molrangkau hovering high in the sky. She was disguised in the form she'd worn when she first met Hura in Harten.
Geum Taeyang called out to her with all his might.
"Mol— I mean, ma'am!!"
"……?"
Molrangkau, floating in the air, soon noticed Geum Taeyang waving vigorously below. Whoosh—she descended rapidly.
Grab—Without warning, she seized him by the collar.
"You punk. What did you just call me?"
But Geum Taeyang replied calmly.
"Please stay composed, Molrangkau-nim. With people around, how could I call you that?"
"…True enough."
Release—she let go of his collar.
Grab—then grabbed it again.
"Still! What if Hura hears? It'll just make things awkward between us!"
"You've both confirmed your feelings, so what's the harm?"
"Hey!"
"Just kidding. The master is far from here."
"……."
Release—she let go.
"So, why'd you call me?"
"Nothing urgent, but I wanted to brief you on the current situation. Using the clones, we've grasped the overall picture."
Molrangkau asked urgently.
"Do you know where the Sap Knight went? I lost him. He didn't go to Hura, did he?"
Geum Taeyang shook his head, calming her.
"No need to worry. The Sap Knight is being well handled by Jeil Hura-nim, the master's clone."
"…Huh? A clone is holding the Sap Knight?"
Molrangkau's eyes widened.
"He'd be smashed in under a second. How?"
"I'm not entirely sure, but it seems he persuaded him with words."
"Ah."
Molrangkau nodded immediately, convinced. Being Hura's clone, his manner of speaking was just like Hura's. That made sense.
"Another me is watching, and right now, they're playing tag on the ground."
"…Tag?"
"Yes. Both are giggling away—it looks quite fun."
"…No wonder I couldn't spot him."
Molrangkau shook her head.
'…Weirdos sticking together, huh. They get along.'
"Anyway, that's a relief."
"Yes. Also, the Sapjaru Squad is chasing the master."
"Jeil Hura?"
"No, the real master this time."
"……! Where?"
"Near the village entrance. He's heading toward the village but dodging their pursuit by zigzagging nearby. Ah, he's finally reached the entrance. Molrangkau-nim, you need to—"
"Got it!"
Molrangkau shot into the sky without hearing the rest.
Bang—she tore through the air diagonally. The wind from her passage sent Geum Taeyang's hair fluttering refreshingly.
"Mission complete."
Shimmer—the clone Geum Taeyang vanished like a mirage with a satisfied smile.
* * *
Meanwhile, Tteoksoon-i found Dahyun hiding in a tree. Or rather, Dahyun had found Tteoksoon-i scurrying about.
"Hey! Tteoksoon-i!"
Tteoksoon-i jumped, looking around frantically.
"Up here! In the tree!"
"Ah, fairy-nim!"
Tteoksoon-i looked up with a delighted smile. Dahyun was hugging the thick trunk with her whole body, hidden just as Hura had instructed.
"Where are you going?"
"I found you, fairy-nim!"
"You found me?"
"Yes!"
"Why?"
Tteoksoon-i explained rapidly and clearly.
"First, the situation: The Sap Knight is with Jeil Hura-nim, and the master is fleeing the Sapjaru Squad."
"……?"
Dahyun blinked, trying to process.
"Master… Sap Knight… Jeil Hura-nim… What?"
"The master is being chased by the Sapjaru Squad."
"Jeil Hura-nim?"
"No, the real master! He's fleeing toward the village entrance right now!"
"……!"
Dahyun's eyes widened as understanding dawned.
"We need fairy-nim's help!"
"Got it! Not sure how much help I'll be, but I'm going!"
Dahyun declared spiritedly and climbed down the tree.
"……."
Unlike her bold words, she descended slowly, grunting with effort, then dashed toward the village.
"Customer-nim! I'm coming! Hold on just a bit!"
Tteoksoon-i watched her go, beaming proudly before melting away like snow.
"Mission complete."
Shimmer—
* * *
In the forest where the Tteokbokki Cult was regrouping, Tteoksoon-i paced anxiously nearby. A shadow dropped suddenly before her.
"Tteoksoon!"
"Eek!"
Tteoksoon-i punched in surprise.
"Gah!"
The shadow barely dodged and quickly removed his mask.
"Tteoksoon! It's me, Jang U-san!"
"Ah, Jang U-san-nim."
Tteoksoon-i sighed in relief. They'd bonded over drinking games.
"What are you doing here?"
"Um, is Gwisinigo Kalroli-nim inside by any chance?"
"Yeah. Why?"
"I think it's best to pass this on to her."
Tteoksoon-i pulled out a crumpled note.
"Geum Taeyang sunbaenim said the Tteokbokki Cult isn't in a position for this, but I still think we should deliver it."
"I'll pass it on. Just give it here?"
"Yes. It's a rough summary of the overall situation we've grasped."
Jang U-san took the note from Tteoksoon-i.
"Ah, you can read it too, Jang U-san-nim."
"…Nah. What would I know from reading it?"
Jang U-san shook his head.
"I'll make sure it gets to Gwisinigo Kalroli-nim properly, so don't worry."
"Thank you! Then."
Tteoksoon-i bowed and dissolved into the air like mist.
"…As expected. Not your average chef."
Muttering, Jang U-san slipped into the shadows.
…….
Plop.
"Hm?"
A note fell onto Gwisinigo Kalroli's lap as she bandaged herself. Looking up, nothing was there. With no choice, she unfolded it crinkle.
"……."
Her expression darkened instantly upon reading.
'Jeil Hura somehow has the Sap Knight, but how long can he hold out? Even if Hura-nim is strong, it's just a clone.'
Gwisinigo Kalroli pocketed the note, thinking.
'Molrangkau's probably busy with the Sap Knight. That leaves no one to stop the Sapjaru Squad.'
Of course, Jeil Hura had the Sap Knight well in hand, but the brief note couldn't convey the details, leading to this misunderstanding.
'Given Hura-nim's dislike for fighting, he'll just run instead of handling it himself…'
Gwisinigo Kalroli looked around. A ragged bunch of remnants, morale endlessly sinking without any fighting spirit. A normal commander wouldn't go. And that would be right.
'But I have to go!'
Having sorted her thoughts, Gwisinigo Kalroli clenched her fist and stood.
She strode toward the Chairman.
"……?"
The Chairman eyed her curiously, a hint of wariness mixed in.
But Gwisinigo Kalroli approached calmly and whispered—though loud enough for nearby members to hear by "accident."
"Hura-nim is at the village entrance."
A nearby member treating wounds echoed like a megaphone.
"What?! Hura-nim is at the village entrance?!"
All eyes turned. Everyone stopped and stared.
The Chairman looked at her like she was mad, but Gwisinigo Kalroli brazenly continued.
"Hura-nim is being chased by the Sapjaru Squad."
"What?! Hura-nim is being chased by the Sapjaru Squad?!!"
The dying remnants sprang up.
"Those damn lunatics! Finally!"
"Let's go! Beat those crazies!"
"Wooo!!"
Morale skyrocketed instantly. True fighting spirit surging.
Gwisinigo Kalroli smirked at the sight.
"Chairman-nim. As Chairman, you should heed your members' will, right?"
"……."
The Chairman, staring at her oddly, reluctantly stood. Meeting each member's gaze, he nodded.
"…Let's go."
"Wooo!!"
* * *
"Sap haha!"
"Cooking Throw! Cooking Throw!"
Cooking Throw
-[Nature's Fire Tteokbokki ★★☆☆☆] : The dish spreads across the ground as sticky lava, sealing the enemies' movements.
"Tch… like a zombie horde."
There was one unexpected variable Hura hadn't anticipated: these damn persistent Sapjaru Squad members.
"Sap haha!"
They leaped through his Cooking Throws unfazed. Even stealth couldn't shake them—they sniffed him out like ghosts. Hearts floated above their heads, but for potential emergencies, he held back on using Cooking Command.
"Huff… huff…"
Harten's village entrance loomed ahead.
"Damn…"
Zigzagging hadn't worked; he'd ended up at the village. Stamina bottomed out.
'Now it's do or die!'
Hura stopped fleeing and planted his feet. Turning to the locust-like horde bounding toward him, he prepared to activate Dark Chef.
'No choice. Gotta bluff strength again.'
He clenched his fist, watching the approaching Sapjaru Squad.
'…Hope it works.'
As Hura halted, the Sapjaru Squad closed in swiftly.
"Sap haha!"
"“No!!”"
Molrangkau and Dahyun shouted, rushing from opposite sides.
Shling—Dahyun's pistol extended into a rifle.
Fwoosh—Red flames bloomed in Molrangkau's hands.
Just as bullets and fire were about to fly—
The Sapjaru Squad, now at Hura's side, extended a hand.
"Aigoo, Chef-nim. Truly delicious. Thank you."
"…Huh?"
Hura blinked in confusion.
"Haha. Reminded me of my late father. He often made us ramen when we were kids."
The Sapjaru Squad had simply wanted to meet the chef who'd made such tasty food. Just to say thanks.
Stumble—
"Ugh!"
"Kyaa!"
Molrangkau and Dahyun, who'd sprinted desperately, lost strength at the anticlimax. They tripped and face-planted into the snow.
"……."
"……."
While they lay there, Hura shook hands with the Sapjaru Squad, looking dazed. They stayed down for a while.
"Thank you. I'm a bit busy now—mind if we talk later?"
"Of course."
Excusing himself, Hura hurried into the village and set up in a spacious square-like area.
Dahyun and the disguised Molrangkau trudged over.
"Eh? Dahyun-ssi. I told you to hide."
"…It's fine."
Her voice sounded oddly deflated. Hura tilted his head, then asked Molrangkau.
"The Sap Knight?"
"…Jeil Hura's entertaining him well. No worries."
"Uh… okay."
Her drained tone left Hura puzzled. "Entertaining well"? He didn't quite get it but let it slide.
As he prepared to face the Sap Knight, the Tteokbokki Cult arrived.
"It's Hura-nim!"
The horde surged. The watching Sapjaru Squad tried to intervene.
"Hey, Tteokbokki Cult. Chef-nim's busy—come back later—"
"You filthy Shovel Squad scum! Why are you here? Trying to bother Hura-nim?!"
"No, you're the ones—"
"Shut it! We lost, but not our beliefs!"
Tteokbokki Cult members bickered with the Sapjaru Squad.
"Oh my god! Real Hura-nim!"
"I'm a fan! You look even better in person!"
"C-can I get a photo…?"
Undeterred, they swarmed Hura, squealing.
"……."
In a word: chaos.
"Calm down!"
"Everyone! Attention please! Attention!"
Despite the Chairman and Gwisinigo Kalroli's tearful efforts to control the crowd, veins bulging in their necks, the disorder only worsened. Pure pandemonium.
Watching the hopeless scene, Molrangkau muttered.
"…Should I just burn them all?"
Fwoosh—flames flickered in her hand, but Dahyun grabbed her shoulder.
She drew her pistol and aimed skyward.
Bang! Bang!
The loud shots silenced the area instantly.
Dahyun stepped forward.
"Anyone want Hura-nim's autograph? Raise your hand?"
Whoosh—hands shot up everywhere.
"He'll sign only for those who quietly step aside~?"
"……!"
Whoosh—the crowd parted like the Red Sea.
"Hura-nim's busy now. So wait nicely, okay?"
Nod nod. They didn't even reply, just as told.
Dahyun winked at Hura. He chuckled, nodded, and hurried with preparations. Had to finish before the Sap Knight arrived.
Geum Taeyang and Tteoksoon-i approached.
"When preparations are ready, let us know. We'll signal Jeil Hura-nim."
…….
A moment later.
"Then, we'll send the signal."
Nod.
Soon, a earth-shaking roar like exploding ground echoed, followed by a bizarre laugh that rattled the earth.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
"Sap haha! Sap hahahahaha!!"
The mad laughter carried a hint of sorrow.
Boom!
Tteokbokki Cult, Sapjaru Squad, and countless onlookers from shops—all parted to the sides, holding their breath. Rank 8, the Sap Knight, appeared.
Seeing him, Hura grinned welcomingly.
"You've arrived."
The Sap Knight eyed Hura.
"…Hura."
His pink eyes blazed blue.
"Truly glad to see you."
"……."
Hura whispered to Geum Taeyang.
"Why's he pissed?"
"I'm not sure exactly."
The Sap Knight pointed his shovel at Hura.
"…Hura. We settle this now. Right here."
"Of course. No running now that you're here."
Hura nodded readily.
"But as they say, even the Diamond Mountains are best after a meal. Care for some food first?"
Hura gestured to the bubbling pot before him.
"…What?"
The Sap Knight's pent-up rage erupted.
"Are you joking?! Do you know my state of mind?! Right now—"
Hura quietly lifted the lid. A spicy aroma spread instantly. Inside bubbled appetizing red ramen.
"……."
The Sap Knight's eyes locked on it. Drool trickled from under his helmet.
Hura stared straight at him.
"What were you saying?"
Bewitched, the Sap Knight approached slowly, stammering.
"I meant… we'll eat first, then start. I'll finish quick."
"Haha, take your time."
He'd long forgotten his "friend" Jeil Hura.
The Sap Knight removed his helmet, revealing a surprisingly young, handsome man under thirty with tousled pink hair. He inhaled the ramen.
Slurp—slurrrp—
"……."
The crowd watched blankly.
"Kah—"
He slurped the broth clean and stood.
"Sigh… Truly delicious. First time for ramen this good. Thanks. Sincere."
"I know."
"But still, no mercy!"
"I know."
The Sap Knight hastily replaced his helmet to hide tears in his eyes. Hura stood.
Geum Taeyang and Tteoksoon-i cleared the pot swiftly.
"Ooh… It's really starting."
"Insane."
"Totally epic! Good angle?"
"Yes, sis."
Onlookers watched eagerly, hearts pounding in anticipation of the epic clash.
"How shall we duel?"
"Until one surrenders and admits defeat cleanly?"
"Sap ha! Hot-blooded, eh. To the death, then."
The Sap Knight gripped his shovel, laughing heartily.
"Fine."
"These witnesses will see who wins. Deny defeat, and you're a cowardly cheater poopypants."
"Music to my ears."
"Then, we begin."
"Sap hahaha! You strike first. Come at me!"
Hura gazed at him steadily, then grinned and called.
"Sap Knight."
"What?"
To the still Sap Knight, Hura said.
"Surrender."
The Sap Knight replied.
"I surrender."
The watchers' eyes bulged wide.