How the Rank 0 Chef Survives 024: Mulrangkau's Soft Act
"Molrangkau-nim! You're safe!"
"No injuries? Here's a potion!"
The two merchants clambered down from the carriage in a frenzy, thrusting potions at Molrangkau.
Molrangkau calmly accepted one and downed it.
"Ahh— that's refreshing."
She tossed the empty bottle over her shoulder and sauntered back to the carriage with a lazy sway.
"What happened to that ranker?"
The merchants trailed after her, asking anxiously.
"What happened? Obviously, I smashed him flat—"
"Ahem. Ahem."
Molrangkau cut herself off and shot me a puzzled look.
"Ahem. Ahem."
I kept fake-coughing and winked furiously at her with one eye.
Got it yet? You're still Mulrangkau, and you have to keep playing her until the escort's done!
"...Why's he acting like that?"
...She hadn't gotten it.
Molrangkau squinted and glared at me.
"Quit whining, punk. Huh? You think I'm gonna baby you or something?"
Damn. No choice.
"Aah! My head!"
I collapsed dramatically like a tragic heroine.
"Hey! You okay?"
My acting must've been convincing because Molrangkau leaped onto the carriage in an instant.
"Aah. Come closer, Molrangkau."
"Where's it hurt? Tell me exactly so I can—"
I hooked her neck like a grappling claw and yanked her face right up to mine.
Staring into her wide ruby eyes, I whispered quickly.
"You're not Molrangkau—you're Mulrangkau. Got it?"
"Uh, wh-what?"
But Mulrangkau just flailed in total panic, her pupils bouncing wildly in those big eyes.
"Listen up. You still have to pretend to be Mulrangkau. Those two think you're her. Reveal you're the real Molrangkau and this escort quest is toast."
Finally getting it, Molrangkau nodded slowly.
"...Your breath smells like strawberries."
"Potion flavor."
"Tasty stuff."
"Yeah. They got other flavors?"
The merchants came rushing up with more potions.
"Chef-nim! You alright?"
"We have plenty of potions!"
"Aah. One more should do the trick."
I snatched one and gulped it down. Mmm. Strawberry.
"Ahem. Feeling better now. The fake Molrangkau—er, Mulrangkau—says she'll explain what happened."
Mulrangkau just blinked at me.
...Beats me now. You're on your own.
I nudged her firmly toward the merchants.
"What happened? That ranker?"
"Did you persuade him? How?"
"Uh, well..."
Mulrangkau fumbled for a bit, then started spinning a clumsy tale.
"Th-that guy... I scared him off."
"Huh? How?"
"Well, y'know, I know some high-rankers. Not super close or anything. But I name-dropped one and he bolted."
"...For real?"
"Of course! How else would fake Molrangkau—me—make it back alive?"
The merchants finally exhaled in relief. A totally different kind from the frustrated sighs before she showed up.
"What a relief. Huge relief."
"Can't thank you enough."
"Mind if I have one more potion then?"
"Of course! One? Take the whole box!"
"Sweet."
Mulrangkau muttered under her breath, pumping her fist as she grabbed the potion crate, grin ear-to-ear. The bucket-haired merchant—TakeEverythingButDapam—asked her,
"Uh, but this fire barrier. Shouldn't we hurry before it fades? Looks taxing."
"Oh."
Mulrangkau shoved the potion box at me and dropped the fire curtain, then flopped down like a frail damsel.
"Aah. Pushed too hard—dizzy spell."
"Gasp! You okay?"
I caught her and yelled urgently at the worried merchants.
"No time! We gotta get out of this canyon fast! I'll handle her—you two drive!"
"Right!"
They hopped into the driver's seats, cracked the whips, and the carriage barreled toward the canyon's hazy exit.
Poke. Poke.
A finger prodding my knee. Looking down, Molrangkau winked mischievously with one eye.
...Is that a wink? Looked more like something in her eye.
"How'd I do? Nailed it, right?"
Hard to believe this is Rank 5.
"...Yeah. You did good."
Clatter-clatter—
The carriage dodged craters like meteor impacts.
* * *
Out of the canyon, a peaceful forest path stretched ahead. No ambushes—maybe rumors spread, or bandits don't operate here.
"Guess it was a shortcut after all."
Shin-dong Village was just around the bend.
"We're here! Finally!"
"We did it! We made it!"
At the tiny village entrance, the merchants hugged in joy.
I looked away and surveyed Shin-dong Village.
It was straight out of my mental image: a forest hamlet. Lush green everywhere, serene vibes washing over me. Trees growing in harmonious chaos, wooden houses nestled naturally among them, cozy paths linking it all. Birds chirped atop the canopy, sunlight dappling through.
"...Beautiful."
"...Burns real nice."
As we muttered our takes, the merchants approached.
"Truly grateful. Wouldn't have made it without you."
"Just the job."
"He hogs all the credit. Nearly died showboating solo."
"...Small place. Much demand?"
I ignored Molrangkau's grumble and pressed on.
"Not huge, but steady."
"We scouted with analysis and surveys. Niche market."
"Got it."
I nodded. Merchants aren't for everyone—more fun trading than swinging swords or slinging spells.
"Here's your pay."
Bucket-head TakeEverythingButDapam handed over a hefty coin pouch. It nearly threw me off-balance.
Full quest reward minus advance, by the looks.
I handed it to Geum Taeyang and asked,
"The others?"
"Sadly, all dead. Can't pay 'em. Contract says so."
"Oh..."
Felt kinda guilty. Good folks. Loved my food, trusted my reckless plans.
"They got advances before leaving, and this quest's a success on record. Better than wipeout."
SteadfastMerchant consoled my hesitation. Great names, both.
"At least that's something. We'll head out then. Good luck with business."
"Thanks! Small now, but one day we'll rule Fantasy World trade!"
"Berry Merchant Group! Remember us!"
"Humble beginnings, glorious end!"
Their fierce vow stirred me.
Me too. Me too. Gonna be an awesome chef.
"Right! Humble start, massively glorious finish!"
"No need to say more!"
"Let's do this! I'll walk the chef's path—you guys the merchant's! All roads lead one way—meet at the end!"
"Ooh! Inspiring words!"
"Let's crush it!"
"Azar azar!"
"......"
We hyped each other's dreams in seconds; Molrangkau hung back, embarrassed.
"Uh, Hura-nim. Friends...?"
"Sure."
Added to my friends list:
⊳ -Issneun Himkkeul Beda
⊳ -Molrangkau
⊳ -TakeEverythingButDapam
⊳ -SteadfastMerchant
"Mulrangkau-nim too..."
Zing—
They tried friending her, but she hissed like a feral cat with killer eyes. Rejected.
"I-if you don't want, no biggie. Guess this is goodbye."
"Thanks a ton, Hura-nim, Mulrangkau-nim."
"Yeah. Good luck!"
"......"
Molrangkau seemed pissed for some reason, just nodding curtly.
Merchants gone, Molrangkau stomped over.
"Molrangkau. Check this."
I grinned and shook the heavy pouch Geum Taeyang held.
"Whoa, jackpot. Way more than expected."
But she ignored it, glaring coldly.
"Hey."
"Yeah?"
Icy tone.
What'd I do?
"You friend anyone?"
"Huh?"
Her eyes burned with unknown grudge.
"No, c'mon. We just met and you add 'em?"
"Not anyone. It's fate or whatever."
"With me... tch."
Molrangkau grumbled, then smacked my shoulder.
"Ow! Why?!"
"......"
Smack-smack—
Dodged shoulders, so she went for my back.
"Ow! Ow! That hurts!"
"Meant to!"
"I'm injured, y'know? Didn't see that thug smash my forehead?"
"Your forehead's on your back, idiot?"
"Y-you gonna talk pretty or not?"
"Nope."
I snatched the pouch from beaming Geum Taeyang.
"Ow! Quit it! Gotta split the gold! Keep hitting and I take it all!"
Smack—
"Take it!"
She yelled and stormed off stomping.
"Th-thanks—wait, no! Hey! Your share!"
"Don't want it!"
"Where you going?!"
"Got stuff! You the only one with errands?"
"O-okay, tell me when done!"
Molrangkau stomped away without reply.
What the hell got into her?
Oh well. Split cash later. Pouched it into inventory.
"Aah— so fresh and innocent. Perfect. Great flow."
Geum Taeyang nodded happily at still-stomping Molrangkau.
"...What? Didn't see me get hit?"
"Shall I join?"
"...Said no."
* * *
"Not a word the whole way, then a few chit-chat lines at the end. And that's enough for friends? Friends that easy? That casual?!"
Molrangkau stomped blindly, kicking grass and rocks.
"Took me so much to even suggest friendship. All that courage. And it's just that? 'Friends...? Sure!' Like it's nothing."
She mimicked us mockingly.
"......"
She stopped, leaned against a tree.
Her aimless gripe boomeranged.
"...Yeah. I'm the weirdo. That's normal."
Haa—
Deep sigh.
Arrow turned to canyon events.
"...Couldn't protect him."
Molrangkau stared at her palm.
Hura stunned the guy himself; Geum Taeyang rescued him. Hura escaped on his own power. She did nothing.
Fine fire control. Focus, restraint, subtlety. Never needed 'em before—or thought she would.
Never tried.
Stared at palm. Clenched fist.
"...Not enough."
Can't protect Hura. He's not her only friend, but she's his.
"......"
So what? So what! Small vessel her fault?
"......"
It is.
One good friend beats ten meh ones. Somewhere.
She'll protect hers. No need others.
"Time to train."
Molrangkau tapped her deferred main quest.
Red Witch
📍 Become the true fire mage reborn from flames, incinerating all as fire incarnate!
◈ Travel the continent following her footsteps, gathering clues on the Red Witch.
◈ In eternal winter Harten where blizzards never cease, seek traces of the Red Witch.
"Alright. Gonna do it. Message Hura first. Worry if I vanish. He'll manage without me."
Opened friends list.
-Hura
Sparse.
"...How to message?"
Never sent one— no friends till now.
"This?"
Beep! Beep beep beep!
Molrangkau mashed buttons to hang up frantically.