How the Rank 0 Chef Survives 005: The Back-Alley Cook

Cropped short hair. Fierce eyes. A scar around the eye that amplified that ferocity. The resulting intimidating impression. A hulking, muscular build. A massive greatsword slung across his back. And an unfamiliar pressure so heavy it made even the cold night air feel oppressive.

I knew this man.

"Isn't this the chef?!"

The man burst into hearty laughter and extended his hand. The heavy pressure weighing on my shoulders vanished without a trace at his smile. He was the kind-hearted guy who'd rewarded my humble fried egg with a pouch full of gold coins.

"Hey! Good to see you again."

"Haha, yeah. What a coincidence."

I cautiously spoke as he shook my hand vigorously. "Um, about what you gave me last time... did you maybe give me too much?"

"Pardon? What's wrong with it?"

"It was way too much money."

He chuckled. "Haha, what, that's it? Compared to what you did for me, chef, it's nothing. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Anyway, what are you doing out here in the dead of night?"

"I was doing a job change quest. But it seemed impossible, so I was about to head back."

"Pardon? Mind if I ask what it was?"

I let out a deep sigh and explained my situation. "The deadline's one day, and it wants me to hunt 30 rabbits, butcher them, and bring them in. Only 7 hours left, and I've only got 9 out of 30. Gotta finish by morning, but no way."

He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm... rabbit meat. Can't ruin the meat, right?"

"Of course. Gotta butcher 'em properly."

"Then, could you step back over there and wait a bit?"

"Pardon? What are you gonna—"

"Just trust me once."

As he said, I backed off a good distance and watched. He crossed his arms leisurely and opened his mouth.

"Come!!"

Crack—!!

"Guh!"

I quickly clamped my hands over my ears. Even from afar, my ears were ringing.

Rumble rumble—

The ground shook from all directions. "What the—?!"

Rabbits started pouring out of the darkness, swarming straight toward us!

"Gah!"

I crouched low and squeezed my eyes shut.

"...Huh?"

But the rabbits ignored me and mobbed him. Every rabbit in the forest charged him with the same body slams that had nearly killed me, but he just casually glanced around.

"This enough?"

He muttered, then opened his mouth wide again.

"Go!!"

BOOM—!!

Air exploded from him like a bomb, shaking the entire forest.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Whoa!"

I clung to a tree with all my strength to avoid getting swept away. Soon, the storm died down, and the dust settled. The trees swayed gently in the now-soft breeze.

And the shocking sight before me: the rabbit horde lay scattered on the ground.

What the hell...

"This enough?"

He looked my way and asked.

"Y-Yeah..."

I mumbled dumbly in response.

This guy's scary strong...

* * *

"So the shout at first was a taunt skill?"

"Yes. It draws them to attack me."

"Thank you, Beda-nim. Without you, I wouldn't have cleared ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the quest."

"Haha, just call me Beda, Hura-nim."

Right now, Beda and I sat by a campfire, side by side, butchering rabbits.

"Just toss the innards?"

"Yeah. Throw 'em aside; they disappear on their own."

He picked it up fast and was soon butchering as skillfully as me.

"Where were you headed in the middle of the night, Beda-nim?"

"Just taking a night stroll, old memories on my mind."

His wistful eyes told me everything.

"You played a lot with your mom, huh."

"Yeah. She wasn't well, couldn't get around much. She loved the game so much, always amazed."

We chatted amiably as we worked, when a flashing notification caught my eye in the corner of my vision—late, but the quest completion alert.

"Beda-nim, that's enough. I missed the completion alert while we were talking."

"Really? It was fun, though."

Beda dusted his hands and stood.

"Wait, hold on. It's not much repayment for your help, but let me cook something. Eat before you go."

"Cook? Sounds good."

I gathered branches, lit a fire, skewered the butchered rabbit meat, and set it over the flames. Sprinkled salt for seasoning, rotated slowly to cook evenly without burning.

"Done. Try it."

"Thanks for the meal."

I picked up a skewer and cautiously tasted it too.

"......"

Long story short: the roasted rabbit was a failure. Tough and bland. Some spots too salty.

"Sorry. Tastes bad, right?"

"No, it's edible."

Beda chewed away steadily.

This guy's too nice...

"My skills are still lacking. Once I'm a proper chef, I'll treat you to something really delicious."

"Haha, deal. Friends?"

"How do you do that?"

And so, my first friend in the fantasy world.

* * *

Chef. Not an easy job.

After bringing rabbit meat to Gordon, I barely cleared the endless tasks ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠that followed. Each one as tough as the first three stages. I worked my ass off.

Had I ever tried this hard for anything in life?

Gordon's gruff assignments covered knife work, fire control, ingredient properties, prep methods, hygiene, cleanup habits, plating—everything essential for a chef.

I studied and practiced in-game, at home, even at the convenience store during downtime. My hands scarred up, but the knife felt natural now. I'd catch myself absentmindedly practicing cuts with a rusty box cutter when no customers were around.

Finally, the last stage of Chef's Qualification: 10.

Finally, the last step.

"Customer-nim. It's okay. Don't tense up. You can do it."

Dahyun, more nervous than me, fluttered around with her hands clasped.

"Hoo—."

I exhaled deeply and faced Gordon, who loomed with arms crossed.

"Ready."

"Begin."

The dish: braised pork ribs. The first thing I learned here, perfect to show my growth.

Blanch pre-bled pork in boiling water. Meanwhile, prep veggies into separate bowls, make sauce: 2 cups soy, 2 mirin, 2 water, 1/3 sesame oil, 1 sugar, 1/2 minced garlic, 1/2 ginger powder.

Rinse blanched pork in cold water, drain, mix with sauce, simmer on medium. Skim foam as it bubbles.

After 40 minutes, add prepped veggies in order by type. Simmer down.

The thick braised ribs bubbled smoothly. My nerves simmered too.

Gordon watched every step with eyes like he could devour me.

"It's okay. You're doing great."

Without Dahyun's calm encouragement, I might've bolted.

Finally, plating. Carefully transfer to a pretty bowl. My ladle hand shook. Garnish with veggies for appeal, sprinkle sesame seeds.

Shakily placed the finished dish before Gordon.

"...Done."

He stared piercingly, no bite yet. Then cautiously tasted: tore meat, with veggies, sipped broth.

Dahyun and I watched his chewing mouth anxiously.

At last, he spoke.

"Not bad."

Not bad! High praise!

I swallowed hard. "D-Does that mean I pass?"

His sharp gaze pierced me. "No!"

"...Pardon? No?"

"Fail!"

"B-But you said not bad!"

"Taste was fine."

"Then what's the problem?!"

"See this?"

He pointed around the bowl's rim.

"...Fingerprint?"

"Yes! A big fat print killing the appetite."

Damn. Too nervous, forgot to wipe at the end.

"B-But fail over that?!"

His eyes flashed menacingly. "Just 'that'? You said 'just'?"

"I-I mean..."

"Get out! You're no chef!"

Bang!

Before I could react, I was shoved out, door slamming. The sound of my life's meaning shattering.

No. Can't be. Can't take my chef dream.

I pounded the door. "Master! Master! One more chance! I'll do perfect! Gordon Master!"

No response, door unmoving.

"Damn it! Gordon! You bastard master! Fail over one print?! After 10 stages! Open! Open the door!!"

Thud! Thud!

"Customer-nim..."

Dahyun just watched silently. I begged, cursed, pleaded for hours.

"Gordon... please open..."

Legs gave out; I slid down against the door. Leaned back, stared blankly at the reddening sky.

All that effort, gone like a dream. That's why dreams are dreams.

Weeks of work, wasted. What was I smiling about? Thought I'd found life's meaning? Foolish. Life isn't soft. Reality's hard, cold rock.

...Cold.

I hugged my knees, buried my face.

* * *

"Um, customer-nim."

I looked up. The fairy fluttered before me. Night had fallen; dim streetlamps lit the way. Dahyun had gone to inquire, back now.

"Like last time, and now... the team lead's stubbornly against it. Says it disadvantages users who already passed..."

"What about me? Isn't this unfair to me?"

She looked troubled. "...I'll try again."

Poof, gone.

"Hoo—."

Sigh. Why put her through this? She's just helping.

...Hate myself like this.

I wandered aimlessly under sparse lamps. No thoughts, just drifting. People laughed brightly, partied in taverns and eateries.

...Noisy.

I sought silence, away from laughter. Into a dim, dead street. Eerily quiet and dark for this village. Flickering broken lamps sputtered light.

"You there."

"Gah!"

Empty alley—or so I thought. A shadowy figure beckoned.

"M-Me?"

"Yes. Wanna be a chef?"

"...Pardon? Chef?"