How the Rank 0 Chef Survives 021: Ramen Soup and Rising Jealousy
"Hmm... what should I ask this time?"
Hura muttered as he familiarly navigated the translucent system window, tapping the inquiry button. After pressing it, he waited a dozen seconds or so.
"Hello! I'm Sebastian, the fairy of the fantasy world here to assist you. How may I help?"
With a poof, the fairy popped into existence in midair and greeted him with her usual refined politeness. Of course, only Hura could see her.
Hura's face turned serious as he spoke. "When boiling ramen, do you add the soup packet before the water boils, or after?"
"Naturally, before it boils."
"Why's that?"
"Because if you add it after, it bubbles up wildly and startles you. Plus, the steam can burn your hand."
"Hm. Makes sense."
The fairy giggled briefly before naturally perching on Hura's shoulder.
"And you, customer?"
"I've been alternating between the two methods to compare the flavor differences."
"And? Any difference?"
"Nah, can't really tell."
"Ahaha, I see."
Remembering not to forget, Hura got to his original question. "Oh, and I have a real question."
"Go ahead."
"I heard you can cook with monsters. How do you tell which ones are edible?"
"Simple. If it looks tasty or smells delicious, eat it. If it reeks and you have zero appetite for it, don't."
"Ah."
"We made it easy to distinguish, so no confusion."
"Yeah, seems that way."
Hura murmured, recalling the stench from the orc leg he'd hacked off.
"By the way, have you heard what happened to that Tteokbokki Legion?"
"Beats me."
Hura chatted animatedly with the fairy. And watching him from behind, propping her chin with a displeased glare...
"...Is this an inquiry or just chit-chat with a friend?"
It was Molrangkau, observing from the rear of the wagon.
Hura had climbed onto the front roof of the cargo wagon, claiming he'd inquire about identifying edible monsters. But to her, it looked no different from casual banter with a buddy.
"It was an inquiry last time too."
Molrangkau muttered, recalling the scene she'd "accidentally" spied through binoculars from the bushes before.
"...But why'd he show her the treasure chest during that one?"
As she tilted her head, someone approached.
"Excuse me. Molrangkau-nim."
"What. Oh, yes?"
Catching herself mid-casual speech, Molrangkau corrected to polite form and turned.
There was Geugeon Jejang U-san Imnida-man, who'd pulled her horse up beside the wagon. A female thief-class player, she whispered conspiratorially.
"Um, how'd you customize your face?"
"...Pardon? Face customization?"
"Yeah. It's so pretty and natural. What's your secret?"
Caught off-guard by the sudden request for tips, Molrangkau blinked. After all, her only changes were dyeing her hair and eyes red.
"I didn't customize my face..."
"Huh?"
"Well, I put up a photo of Molrangkau-nim next to me and matched it as closely as possible."
"...While constantly comparing?"
"Y...eah?"
Geugeon Jejang U-san Imnida-man clapped her hands.
"Aha! That's a method! I'll pull up a celeb photo and do the same. Thanks!"
"Y-yeah. But can I ask you something too?"
"What?"
Molrangkau leaned in and whispered.
"Do people usually inquire a lot?"
"Customer service? No. Only when I got hacked."
"Not the online one. The in-game fairy chats. Like him."
Geugeon Jejang U-san Imnida-man glanced where Molrangkau pointed.
"Hm? Isn't he just talking on the phone with a friend?"
"...That's the point. You don't usually talk to the fairy like a buddy, right?"
"Of course not. Just inquire and done."
"I see..."
Grind. Molrangkau clenched her jaw without realizing.
The fairy form was to avoid breaking immersion, but they were undoubtedly game company staff. And customer service reps were mostly women. Hura was flirting with another woman right now. In front of her. Blatantly.
"W-well, I'll be going."
Sensing Molrangkau's ominous expression, Geugeon Jejang U-san Imnida-man spurred her horse away from the wagon.
Molrangkau glared at the back of Hura's head. Her heart felt unsettled. Something sticky and foul churned inside, leaving her displeased.
Why?
Perplexed by this unfamiliar emotion, she questioned herself.
Similar before? She reflected on the past, comparing feelings.
Friends she'd thought were true. She'd once overheard them talking to others. But that was different. Betrayal. Sadness. Rage. Crushing despair. Endless freefall. Just thinking made her nauseous.
She shook her head to dispel it. Definitely not that.
Then what is this?
Confused by the new sensation, Molrangkau quietly watched Hura's back as he spoke to thin air.
Just watching him didn't unsettle her. She wanted to approach. Tease him, poke his cheeks, make him notice.
But if he was looking at some woman in that empty space... a very pretty one... She wanted to approach. Tease, poke, force his gaze to her. Only her. Capture those black eyes.
...Is this how friends are?
And watching such a Molrangkau was...
"Huff— huff—"
Geum Taeyang, running alongside the wagon. On Hura's orders to build stamina, he matched the wagon's pace.
Panting heavily, he flashed Molrangkau a knowing grin.
"Huff— huff— Why the long face, Mulrangkau-nim?"
"Wh-what?"
Snapped from her reverie, Molrangkau spotted Geum Taeyang looking up, breathless.
"Ahem. What?"
"Huff— huff— You look troubled. Something on your mind?"
"......"
Molrangkau stared at the gasping Geum Taeyang.
"...Not something you should say."
Ignoring her, Geum Taeyang pressed on.
"Huff— huff— Could it be... jea-lou-sy?"
"Wh-what? Jealousy?!"
Jealousy was one emotion Molrangkau knew well. It popped up constantly in novels and dramas.
"Ridiculous! Why would I be jealous?"
"Huff— huff— Then why so fidgety?"
"I'm not. Buzz off before I torch you."
"Haha— Understood. But if you change your mind, tell me. My seminar welcomes students anytime."
"Seminar?"
"'Saving Friends as Lovers Under a Different Name.' Perfect for you anytime—"
Whoosh! Fire arrows flew at Geum Taeyang, but he dodged nimbly, retreating from the wagon.
"Hahaha! Think it over!"
"Scram!"
Then, a shout from ahead.
"Ryuken Gorge!"
Sure enough, a massive canyon shrouded in thick fog loomed majestically before them.
* * *
"...This is seriously intimidating."
I muttered, scanning around. I tried estimating where the facing cliffs ended, but dense fog blocked my view, so no confirmation.
The fog carried its distinctive damp scent. Helplessly, I looked down at the fog-shrouded cliff face—steep and jagged.
"Perfect spot for bandits."
If a castle sat at the end, it'd be a natural fortress for sure.
"Molrangkau. You know shield, right?"
"Y-yeah. Yes."
"They'll start with arrows, so prep it. When they pop out, unleash your fire magic."
"Got it."
"Alright, slow and steady. First impressions matter. Make sure they know Molrangkau's here."
At the axe-man's signal, the wagon creaked forward.
As he predicted, ambushes hit early—twice.
"Uahaha! You dare pass here fearless?"
"Jackpot!"
But they played out the same.
"The Red Witch! Red Witch is here!"
"Run! She's gonna collapse the gorge!"
Afterward, word must've spread, as it got eerily peaceful.
We traversed the silent canyon without a single footstep echoing.
"Not even a horse neigh. Ryuken Gorge this quiet? Unreal."
"Yeah. Even top rankers get hit first. Guess Molrangkau scares 'em good."
"......"
Molrangkau—or Mulrangkau—was oddly quiet. She'd been all hyped playing Molrangkau earlier.
Reflecting on her infamous past?
"Hey, you okay?"
"Huh? Y-yeah."
Subtle reaction.
"Something happen?"
"...No. Nothing. Just thinking random stuff."
"...Okay."
It bugged me, but what could I say if she claimed fine?
Meanwhile, the crew chattered excitedly.
"They all pissing themselves over Molrangkau. Boss! Let's eat here?"
"Nice vibe. Snap a pic for me."
But the axe-man wouldn't let them slack.
Thwack!
"Ow!"
"You idiots gonna sit or what? Get back to post! Snap out of it?!"
He smacked them back to positions.
"C'mon boss, we're almost through."
"No ants in sight. What's the harm?"
"You...!"
As they said, the massive gorge was nearing its end; fog began thinning.
"Anyone slacking from now gets pay docked for negligence. Got it?"
"Tch. Strict."
"Fiiine."
Grumbling, they held posts, alert for battle.
Then—
"Ambush!"
Dungul Dungul's cry rang as arrows rained down.
"Master!"
Tteok Sun-i on the wagon instantly deployed her fried-egg shield, blocking them.
"Attack!"
"Waaaaah!"
Roars followed as foes poured from both sides.
I yelled hastily.
"Molrangkau! Planning to bury the whole gorge?!"
Mulrangkau atop the wagon made flashy casting gestures anyone would recognize, prepping magic. Red energy swirled in her hands; bandits freaked and retreated.
"Real Molrangkau! Who said fake?!"
"Boss did!"
"Boss! It's the real Molrangkau!"
They screamed for their boss while fleeing.
Then, a low voice from the thick fog above.
"Aaa—I said it's not."
And—
Fwoooosh—
"Dodge! Something's falling!"
BOOM!!
Like leaping from the rim, a long whoosh cut the air before something slammed into the ground at tremendous speed.
Neighhh!
"Guh! Stay put!"
Horses panicked from the shock; debris flew, dust billowed thick.
In the chaos, a burst of air—
Pop!
The dust vanished like vacuumed away.
In the cleared path's center stood a man, fist raised. No ordinary guy at a glance.
He looked up at Mulrangkau on the wagon and whistled appreciatively.
"Oho. Dressed pretty convincingly, huh?"
The boss shouted.
"It's a ranker!"