Dazzling Blue Sky
A dazzlingly blue sky. Billowing clouds of dust rising beneath it. Ahead, an enormous brute was kicking up that dust as he charged straight toward me.
But thanks to Nature's Carrot, the whole scene unfolded in slow motion before my eyes.
"Hmm..."
I crossed my arms and racked my brain.
I could use the Twin Crystal to escape. But I wasn't sure if it teleported instantly or took some time to activate. If it was like Ptah's coin and needed a delay to trigger, I'd be screwed.
Just running away didn't sit right with me either.
So then.
I grinned and pulled the necklace from inside my clothes.
"Die!"
The Blood Axe Thrower, now right in my face, swung his massive double-headed axe with terrifying speed.
But to me, it was just slo-mo.
Right as that giant axe was about to cleave me in two, I muttered softly.
"Petrify."
Petrify
Flash! A green light burst like a camera flash.
Crack! In an instant, the Blood Axe Thrower turned into a dynamic statue mid-swing with his massive axe.
I tapped the statue lightly and muttered to myself.
"Hmm... Up close, it's actually a pretty decent piece."
Rylak would've loved it.
Then, a voice from the side.
"As expected. No need for my help after all."
"...!"
I whipped my head around in surprise.
There stood a blonde woman in ornate full plate armor, eyeing me with curiosity. No one had been there moments ago. How? And how did she move without a sound in that heavy armor?
Red alert blared in my head.
High ranker!
Probably way stronger than the Blood Axe Thrower. Maybe one of the high rankers Baek Bal Baek Jung mentioned.
...I'd dodged the fox and run straight into the tiger.
She wasn't under my Cooking Charm, and I'd already used Petrify. No Baek Bal Baek Jung around to help either.
In other words, absolute crisis.
Gulp. Gotta talk my way out of this.
"Nice armor you've got there."
I kept my cool and said it casually.
"...Thank you."
The blonde looked genuinely surprised.
"You're more gentlemanly than I expected. Thought you'd be scarier."
"......"
Well, yeah, if you're slapping cheeks left and right nonstop, anyone'd look scary.
Then, commotion from the village square. The crowd was swarming this way.
"...Guess I should get going."
"Yeah."
She nodded, her bright blonde hair swaying lightly.
"Oh, right. There was a group that deliberately let the Blood Axe Thrower loose."
What? No wonder I'd slipped their encirclement so easily.
"...I see."
I replied calmly.
She looked shocked.
"You already knew?"
...Huh? No way. Of course not. How would I know? If I did, I wouldn't be standing here.
-Where'd the Blood Axe Thrower go!
-Ah! Is that him?
-Huh? Isn't that the chef?
-Hura-nim! Mind an interview?
The crowd closed in.
"......"
I fiddled with the Twin Crystal Baek Bal Baek Jung gave me.
She glanced at it.
"From Baek Bal Baek Jung, huh?"
"...!"
"Must be precious, but he trusts you a lot."
They know each other?
"I'd love to chat more, but circumstances aren't ideal."
She muttered, eyeing the mob.
"Use it quick. You'll get bombarded with questions if they catch you."
"...Right."
I nodded in thanks, and she bowed her head in return.
I tossed the Twin Crystal at my feet.
Clink! It shattered, blue energy flowing out to envelop me.
-See you later.
Her soft voice faded as light flashed.
* * *
After Hura's video went mega-viral, Nimal Village was crawling with Panwol YouTubers chasing the buzz.
First, to catch the rare spectacle of "ranker hunting."
Second, hoping to snag an interview with Hura himself. Landing that would've guaranteed views.
Panwol Emo Jjomo was no exception.
"Camera ready to roll anytime."
"Yes! Set and good to go!"
"Heh heh heh, can't miss this golden shot."
Panwol Emo Jjomo's reporter, Niimorul Chataseo, stretched her neck with mic in hand.
"Brrrrrrrrup!"
"......"
Time passed, and the Blood Axe Thrower's respawn timer ticked down.
"Time?"
"10 seconds left!"
"Roll camera."
"Yes! Counting down. 3! 2! 1! Action!"
Everyone held their breath, staring at the village square's center.
But the respawn zone stayed quiet.
"Huh? Time's up. Why isn't he here?"
"They know we're waiting. No ranker's respawning right into that. Not an idiot."
"Oh."
"Gotta wait longer. Keep the camera rolling! He could pop in anytime."
"Yes!"
Then.
Pop!
"Huraaaaa!! I'll kill you!!!"
"...Spoke too soon. Camera up!"
The Blood Axe Thrower shot off like a rocket the second he spawned.
"Where you going!"
But the waiting encirclement was ironclad—guilds, mercenaries, ambitious players all swarmed like bees.
They didn't flinch at the cannonball-charging ranker.
"Hahaha! That rank spot's ours, Tephere Guild's!"
"In your dreams! Guilty Mercenary Squad claims it!"
Whoever landed the killing blow, the Blood Axe Thrower was donating his rank here.
"...Huh?"
Something was off.
"Huh? Wh-what?"
"What's happening!"
"Move outta the way!"
"Gah!"
Players tripped over each other, colliding in chaos. The solid net crumbled like dominoes.
"Outta my way!"
The Blood Axe Thrower breezed through the gap.
Boom!
"Aaaagh!"
"Argh!"
Screams echoed.
"Whoa! Epic!"
Niimorul Chataseo cheered at the twist.
"Camera! Chase him!"
"Yes!"
She and her cameraman bolted—faster than the ranker even.
The Blood Axe Thrower charged a lone figure by a street vendor.
"Even if I die, you're coming with me!!"
Niimorul Chataseo spotted Hura and her eyes sparkled.
Jackpot!
He barreled in with murderous momentum, but Hura looked chill as ever.
-Aigoo, scary!
He grinned and muttered.
Flash! Green light erupted, freezing the Blood Axe Thrower into a statue.
"...!"
Niimorul Chataseo couldn't believe her eyes.
What the hell was that ability?!
Hura eyed the statue leisurely.
-Hmm... Up close, it's actually a pretty decent piece.
Then someone appeared beside him—a blonde in ornate plate armor, warrior woman.
-As expected. No need for my help after all.
That's...!
Niimorul Chataseo recognized her instantly.
Rank 11 high ranker, Napaladin!
They chatted casually. Niimorul Chataseo slyly thrust her mic and recorded it all.
Clink!
Hura vanished with the tossed crystal. Napaladin followed.
The reporter and cameraman stared blankly.
"...Got it?"
"...Yeah. You record?"
"Yup."
Niimorul Chataseo pointed at the statue.
"Film that more before the crowd shows!"
"Yes!"
The cameraman rushed shots before it shattered.
"Insane... Total mega-hit!"
Niimorul Chataseo couldn't stop grinning.
* * *
Flash!
Moment's notice, I was back in the cave.
"I'm back."
"Ah, welcome."
Baek Bal Baek Jung rose from the corner to greet me. Turban and shades gone, back to long hair and bare eyes.
"Baek Bal Baek Jung-nim. Here."
I pulled a paper bag from inventory and handed it over.
"What's this?"
He took it, puzzled.
"Saw it and thought of you, so I bought it."
"For real?"
"Check it out. Hope you like it."
Assorted turbans and sunglasses inside.
"...!"
His eyes widened, then teared up.
"Hura-nim..."
"Like it?"
"Love it! Mind if I try one now?"
"What kinda question is that? Pick one for me too."
"Haha, I'll choose."
Baek Bal Baek Jung happily picked out a set for me.
Soon, two Middle Eastern tycoons filled the cave.
"Whoa, suits you. You look loaded. How 'bout me?"
"Suits you too, Baek Bal Baek Jung-nim. Like you shower in oil."
"Hahaha! Thanks, Hura-nim."
"No biggie."
Ridiculous, but if he likes it...
I smiled warmly at happy Baek Bal Baek Jung, then turned to Gapsu.
"You wanna?"
"...Pass."
"Baek Bal Baek Jung-nim! Gapsu wants one too!"
"Hahaha! Shoulda said so!"
"No, I'm fine—"
"It's fine! Plenty!"
Bound tight, Gapsu couldn't refuse.
I watched fondly as he got stylish.
"Haha! Gapsu! Suits you!"
"...Learned the processing method?"
"Yup."
"Fast."
"Obviously."
Got the ingredients. Just cook now... What to make?
"Hm?"
A long, cloth-wrapped something leaned against the cave wall.
"Baek Bal Baek Jung-nim. What's that?"
"Oh, this? Giant Sand Crab leg."
Enormous claw inside.
"Caught it hunting Desert Rose. Thought maybe useful, so I brought it. Need it?"
"Perfect."
I pulled out egg fried rice and tteokbokki from inventory.
"Cooking Summon."
Cooking Summon
Pop!
"Peace be upon you, Master."
"Hey."
I glanced at Baek Bal Baek Jung.
"Baek Bal Baek Jung-nim."
"Yes."
"Can you steam that claw and pick out the meat with these two?"
"Sure, I can handle that. What're you making?"
"Crab fried rice."
"Oho...! Mouth's watering already. Leave it to me."
Claw handed off. Time for the main ingredient.
I fetched a basin from inventory and filled it with water from Changsu Dragon's Horn.
"Whew..."
I cracked my neck.
"Alright, let's start."
Dumped Desert Rose in the basin.
Shhh! Sand shell shed, revealing vibrant green mana flower. I caressed it, pondering fried rice's key ingredient.
Poof! Luscious rice poured in abundantly.
◈ Rice created from nature's mana—the purest in the world.
◈ Smells incredibly delicious.
"Nice."
Pulled out the rice cooker.
"Heh. For fried rice, gotta make it sticky."
Started cooking enthusiastically, but maybe I underestimated the world.
Failures piled up. Premium ingredients here were finicky as hell—these sensitive grains burst into flames at the slightest mistake.
-Uh, that on your head...
-What, this? Turban?
-Yeah. Got extras?
-Haha! Plenty! What, wanna copy your master?
-N-no, not that...
-Your master gifted these. Here, one each. Pick shades too.
-For real?
-Yup!
Over there, Geum Taeyang and Tteoksoon-i, done with crab meat, grunted as they donned turbans.
...Five Middle Eastern tycoons in the cave now.
Anyway.
"...What now."
Sixth attempt, still bad vibes. Sure enough, scorched black cooker.
"......"
Like staring into my soul.
Gapsu said prep at least 10 Desert Roses. Now I get why.
Tough...
"Hm... There’s gotta be a way."
I tapped the charred cooker, deep in thought.
How to cook without burning...?
Then, a spark.
Wait. No rule saying rice cooker only.
"Summon."
Moonlight bloomed in my palm, shaping into a frying pan.
Perfect heavy, cool grip.
Hey, my precious Moonlight Frying Pan.
"Heh heh... Long time, old friend."
I smiled warmly and stroked it gently.