How the Rank 0 Chef Survives 042
"Hmm..."
I peered quietly at the business card in my hand.
'I, I'll go!' It was the card that a blushing Dahyun had hurriedly handed me before dashing off without buying anything.
[Fantasy Games]
Service Management Department
Lee Dahyun
……
Luckily, when I asked the convenience store owner, he said as long as I found a replacement and handed over the reins properly, I could leave right away.
"Who could do it..."
After getting off work at the convenience store and coming home, I was flipping through my phone's contacts.
"Ah, this guy's still around? Does he live nearby?"
The guy's name was Kim Man-su. A friend I'd hung out with in high school, but we'd lost touch after graduation at some point.
I called without hesitation.
Ring- Ring-
"Hello?"
"Hey, Hura. Long time no talk?"
"Oh, Man-su. How've you been?"
"Eh, getting by. How come you never hit me up after graduation?"
"I'm doing it now."
"Cold bastard. Bet you're only calling 'cause you need something."
"……."
"Am I right?"
"No way. Just thought of you."
"Hah."
"I'm dying to know how you've been. What's up lately?"
"Faker. Lounging at home, getting nagged by the parents. Why?"
"You still living there?"
"Yup. You?"
"Just scraping by on part-time gigs to cover rent and bills while living alone."
"Ooh, living solo? Big shot now."
"...Something like that."
"I'm job hunting too, but they all say 'we'll call you' and ghost. Jerks."
"Oh ho. Really?"
"'Oh ho' my ass. Who you mocking?"
"You wanna do convenience store work?"
I heard him bolt upright on the other end. Must've been lying down.
"You mean convenience store part-time? Hell yeah!"
"It's the SU store near your place. I'm quitting for another gig—"
"When do I start? Can I go now?"
Clothes rustling—he was changing.
"Idiot, I'm already off. Come by 9 AM tomorrow."
"Got it, boss!"
"I'll tell the owner, so bring your ID and bank book copy."
"Roger!"
"See you tomorrow. What time?"
"By 9!"
"Don't be late."
"Never!"
"Tomorrow then."
"Rest well, sir!"
Click.
How fast Man-su picks it up will decide when I can quit. Ideally, he'd learn it all in one day.
"Hm..."
I fiddled with the black business card and set it neatly aside.
I'll text Dahyun tomorrow after seeing how Man-su does, let her know when I can start.
Everything's falling into place.
With a satisfied smile, I slipped on the Dream Gear.
The Fantasy World was a crisp morning.
"Ahh— so refreshing."
I stretched, breathing in the cool air.
"But when's that old man coming back?"
The geezer who'd given me the quest had no plans to return. Nothing left to see around Shin-dong Village anyway.
I opened the quest window.
Demonic Chef
Become the Demonic Chef who enchants the entire world!
📍 Follow his footsteps across the continent, gathering clues about the Demonic Chef.
🔑 Keyword Acquired: 'Dark Chef'
🔑 Keyword Acquired: 'Demon King's Revival'
"Maybe I should just storm the Demon King's Castle."
With nothing else, I poked around the translucent windows, then pulled up my friends list and finally remembered what to do.
Or rather, I'd totally forgotten.
One name I'd overlooked was there.
My eyes locked on the top of the list.
⊳ Beda
A rough-looking exterior hiding a pure heart—so beautiful. The kind benefactor who'd helped me twice. Without him, I wouldn't have even passed Cook's Qualification stage 2, let alone become a chef.
I'd promised to cook him something delicious once I did, then totally forgotten.
No hesitation—I tapped his name firmly.
Ring-
"Hello?"
"Hello, Beda."
"Sorry, who is this?"
"It's Hura! The chef from Genesis Village who made you fried eggs. You hunted rabbits and prepped them for me."
"Ah! Chef! Long time no see!"
Beda's voice was delighted.
"Yeah! I'm thrilled too! You busy right now?"
"Kraaaah!!"
Some mystery beast roared on his end.
"Haha! Busy? Not at all."
"Aren't you in combat? Heard a weird noise."
"Nothing much. What's up?"
"Oh, just... I became a chef!"
"Ooh, really? Congrats!"
Thud! Rumble! Kraaak!
Explosions, crashes, and smashes echoed faintly, but Beda's voice stayed calm, not even winded.
"Thanks. It's been a bit since, actually. Been busy, sorry for the late call."
"Hahaha! No need for apologies. Thrilled you told me now. I've thought of you often. Chef at last—perfect."
"...Thanks."
My throat tightened oddly. Why's this guy so damn nice?
I cleared it away with a cough.
"Ahem. Remember that promise?"
"Pardon?"
"I'd treat you properly once I was official."
"Ah, yes. Of course."
"I wanna be a responsible guy who keeps his word. Where are you now?"
"Does location matter for free food? Where are you? I'll come."
"Ah, Shin-dong Village."
"Shin-dong... Not far. Be right there."
"Prep accordingly. Come hungry."
"Yes!"
"Krahhh!"
The beast's death cry ended the call.
"Heh. Time to prep."
I pulled half-charred fried eggs and tteokbokki from inventory via Cooking Clone Art.
"Cooking Summon!"
Cooking Summon
Poof—
"Greetings, Master."
They bowed politely as always.
"Good. Busy day ahead."
"What is it?"
"Our benefactor's coming."
Geum Taeyang and Tteoksoon-i's eyes widened.
"Benefactor?"
"Yeah. Without him, I might not be a chef. Meaning you two might not exist."
"……!"
"Master! Command us!"
They dropped to one knee instantly.
"We'll prepare a feast for the benefactor."
"Where to start?"
Sharp Geum Taeyang asked.
"Hm. Wild Boar Barbecue first."
"Yes!"
Boom—!
Kieeeek—!!
A massive wyvern shrieked, its wing shredded by the greatsword.
"Shut it."
Kaboom—!!
The greatsword slammed into the bellowing wyvern's head. It died without another cry.
The area was littered with wyvern corpses.
Beda casually wiped wyvern blood from his face and checked his quest.
Reward: 300 Gold
Pocketing the gold, Beda grinned and approached the last trembling wyvern.
Kie, kieeek!
It flapped to flee, but chains bound its legs.
"Shin-dong Village. Not too far."
Beda had spared the fastest one on purpose.
He slashed the chains and hopped on.
"Fly. Destination: Shin-dong Village."
Kieeek—!
Grabbing its horns like reins, Beda steered freely. The wyvern wept but obeyed.
Hura was cooking Wild Boar Barbecue with Geum Taeyang and Tteoksoon-i's help. Having done it once, it went smoothly.
Tteoksoon-i set up portable table and chairs, laying out forks and knives.
"Master, when's the benefactor coming?"
"Said soon, so not long."
"M-Master, drool's dripping from that tree again."
"...Ignore it."
Hura had spotted the drooling tree but pretended not to notice. Ghost. How does it keep finding me? It scarfed two Clear Watermelon Whipped Cream Cakes last time. Saved my life and cleared the dungeon, so no big loss. But with a guest now, he ignored it.
Then, an ominous cry from above.
Kieeeek—!!
"What?"
Looking up at the roar, vast wings filled the sky.
"D-Dragon?"
"Master!"
Geum Taeyang shielded Hura; Tteoksoon-i reddened her threads, battle-ready.
A faint voice echoed from high above.
"Told you to be quiet?"
Smack—!
"Kieek!"
"No noise from now on. North till no people. Got it?"
"……."
"No answer?"
Smack—!
"Ki, kieeek!"
"Good. Go. Now."
The winged beast flapped frantically away. Something heavy plummeted from the sky.
Whoosh—
"Master! Something's falling!"
Kaboom—!
It crashed 10 meters from Hura—more collision than landing. Ground cracked; dust billowed.
Gulp.
Hura and the summons stared tensely through the dust.
A rugged man emerged.
"……!"
An eerie aura chilled spines, a heavy pressure crushing hearts.
"...Tteoksoon-i!"
"Yes, senior!"
Insanely strong at a glance. Beyond the spear dragon he'd beaten.
Geum Taeyang and Tteoksoon-i prepared to buy time for Hura's escape, even at life's cost.
"Master, when I signal, run without—"
"Hahaha! Beda!"
But Hura brushed past them toward the man.
Before they could stop him.
"……?"
"……?"
The stunned summons gawked at their master's back, then chased.
"Dangerous, Master!"
"Not your average foe!"
Beda spotted Hura and beamed.
"Haha! Hura!"
The summons' faces twisted oddly.
"……?"
"……?"
The two met midway, shaking hands warmly.
"Well met?"
"Of course."
"……!"
"……!"
The summons exchanged glances, then dropped to knees mid-stride—quick thinking.
Screech—
Braking, they slid on knees before Beda.
Thud! Thud!
"We greet the benefactor!"
"We greet the benefactor!"
Perfectly natural bows.