A Feast for Contribution
Mu-hyuk's brow furrowed.
"Ah, damn it..."
It was because of the material's identity.
◈ Incredibly tough.
He'd expected a skull, but out came hide.
Plain old hide at that.
Hide whose only description was incredibly tough.
It was profoundly anticlimactic.
"Tch..."
"Hide, huh?"
"Yeah."
"Well, we took down two of 'em, and one skull means the odds are pretty good."
Sung Min-woo was right.
Getting skulls in a row would be the weird part. Only after hearing him did Mu-hyuk realize that, and hope sparked anew.
There was still so much unexplored territory left, and countless monsters to fell.
Among them, there had to be named monsters—and surely one would drop another skull.
"Yeah, you're right."
Just then, roars echoed from the users.
They were being pushed back by the monsters.
"Whoa, talk later!"
"Got it."
Mu-hyuk returned to his position.
Clack-clack.
With his MP drained, he stuck to Powerful Arrow Shot from atop his warhorse for now.
Contribution (0.5) has increased.
The rest of the time, he took in the battlefield with both eyes.
His contribution was plenty anyway.
Additional Contribution (0.002) has increased.
Additional Contribution (0.0025) has increased.
Additional Contribution (0.003) has increased.
Additional contribution kept ticking up nonstop.
"Hold just a bit longer!"
"Hraaah!"
It happened in that instant.
Things shifted in the center. The apprentice knights had overwhelmed the werewolves and now charged in to aid the struggling users on the left and right flanks.
The movements and damage from those level-100-plus apprentice knights were stunning.
Even three or four goblins lunging at once were no match for a single one. With breathing room granted, the users pushed harder too.
"Skeleton Warrior Summon."
"Skeleton Archer Summon."
"Skeleton Mage Summon."
With his MP restored, Mu-hyuk rejoined the fray.
Storm. Powerful Arrow Shot.
Black goblins fell in droves.
*
The battle ended, granting two hours of rest.
"Take out the combat rations and eat up. Get plenty of rest!"
As Captain Muuk finished speaking, Mu-hyuk approached Vice Captain Kerk.
"Vice Captain."
"Oh, it's the centurion. I heard you took down an especially tough one. Seeing you perform so well is reassuring."
"Thank you."
"So, what is it?"
"About eating those combat rations..."
"Right."
"I know a bit of cooking. Got plenty of ingredients too."
"Ho, is that so?"
"Yeah, it's quick too—can whip it up fast. Gotta eat a solid meal to fight strong on the field, right?"
"True enough. You're spot on. Alright, I'll talk to the captain."
"Yes, sir. I'll start cooking right away."
"Good man!"
Sung Min-woo, nearby, overheard and came over.
"You're cooking?"
"Yeah."
He pulled out his cooking tools as he answered.
Ingredients too.
"Why bother with the hassle?"
"For the future."
"Hmm, but damn, those tools are top-tier."
"Specially bought."
"Haha, good on ya. So, whatcha making?"
Mu-hyuk was already prepping ingredients.
"Hmm, lots of people, short on time—so soup that's easy to make in bulk, plus simple grilled meat and seafood?"
"Krr, sounds killer."
"Ingredients cost a fortune, though."
But Mu-hyuk knew.
Cooking boosted contribution too.
It wasn't just for points, though. He remembered that feeding them would earn a fitting reward from the captain or vice captain.
Even if he couldn't recall what exactly.
Still, his hands trembled despite that firm trust. The money spent on tools and ingredients...
My memory's not wrong, is it?
He shook his head, placing a chunk of meat on the massive griddle.
Sizzle...
Sung Min-woo licked his chops at the cooking sounds.
"This is Illusion meat right here!"
Shrimp and clams joined next.
"Kaaah. This is the stuff."
Vice Captain Kerk returned then.
"Oh, already started?"
"Ah, yes."
"Perfect. Told the knights to gather."
"It'll be done soon."
He tasted a piece of cooked beef first.
Mm, tasty.
Beef passed muster.
Then he got serious on the soup.
Dumped ingredients into a huge pot and boiled.
Stirred nonstop with a ladle.
"Tiring. Stir for me."
"Just stir?"
"Yeah."
Handed soup off to Sung Min-woo, then grilled meat and seafood. Suddenly sensing killing intent, Mu-hyuk flinched and turned.
The gathered knights stared hungrily at the food, eyes gleaming with desire.
Knights meeting his gaze coughed awkwardly and looked away. Seeing them reminded him of the apprentice knight aspirants from the Red Tower, sharing life and death.
Wonder how they're doing.
They'd be full apprentices soon.
We'll meet again someday.
A wistful smile, then back to work.
Soup was about done.
Dipped a finger, tasted.
Mm, perfect.
Mu-hyuk called to the knights.
"Alright, knights—line up!"
Captain Muuk first.
Ladled soup, topped with meat and seafood—a message popped.
Contribution (1) has increased.
A full point of contribution.
"Much obliged. Truly."
"No problem."
Vice Captain Kerk next.
"Good work."
"Thank you."
Kerk gave another point too.
Full knights followed.
Contribution (0.5) has increased.
0.5 each for them.
After 50, the apprentices.
0.1 apiece for them.
Total: 127 points.
A hefty score.
"Hoo."
Serving food was work too.
What time was it already?
By the last apprentice, 1 hour 30 minutes had flown.
Realizing time was short, Muuk extended rest by 30 minutes—letting them finish in good spirits.
*
While they ate, new monsters invaded the spots held by orcs, werewolves, and goblins.
Ogres of massive bulk and strength, trolls with insane regeneration. Their black bodies oozed menace.
"Everyone, charge!"
1,000 apprentice knights advanced.
Thud. Thud.
They held the center solidly, advancing with precision—instilling trust. Users on the flanks matched pace.
"Attack!"
Apprentice knights up front.
Oncoming ogres and trolls.
Normal ones, anyone here could handle. But these weren't normal. Like the prior orcs, goblins, werewolves—they'd shatter expectations.
Knowing that, users avoided reckless moves, forming teams and syncing up.
"Alright, let's go!"
Tanks forward.
Ranged behind.
Priests last.
Mu-hyuk fit nowhere. At the rear on his warhorse, scanning the field for possible named monsters.
Additional Contribution (0.0015) has increased.
Additional Contribution (0.002) has increased.
Messages went ignored.
Need to find one.
Only named monster echoed in his mind. But no hulking standout appeared. Too many monsters, and distant ones blended in size.
None here?
Then, mid-field: one ogre. Not clear, but faintly—really faintly—a head protrusion.
Closer, and he'd know. Too far now.
What to do?
Simple: clear obstacles, close distance.
"Skeleton Warrior Summon."
"Skeleton Archer Summon."
"Skeleton Mage Summon."
Skeletons at last.
Aimed slightly right.
Enhanced Bones, Bone Swords—charge.
Archers—barrage.
Mages—magic attack.
Massive magical blasts.
Kaboom!
Arrows pierced the blast's backlash.
Ogres failing to dodge roared, arrows embedded.
Users blocked the enraged chargers.
Nice.
Mu-hyuk grinned, nocking again.
Storm. Powerful Arrow Shot.
A wind-infused arrow flew.
*
Some fighting felled many ogres. But users were exhausted. Some fell back to recover MP and HP, burdening the rest.
"Hii, tiring!"
"Ah, seriously!"
"Block it!"
About 100 central apprentices charged left.
"Ooh!"
"Apprentice knights!"
"Crush 'em!"
Users breathed easier. Mu-hyuk smiled at dwindling ogres ahead.
As front thinned, distant ones neared—confirming his suspect was far bulkier.
High chance named.
If truly named?
Third one here—proving this unexplored zone a named monster farm.
Good. Lure it.
Arrow away.
Storm. Powerful Arrow Shot.
Pang!
Arrow struck the presumed named ogre's chest. It roared, head turning toward the shot.
Another arrow as it looked—then it charged, unable to hold back.
Kroooar!
Shoving aside nearby ogres.
"Hoo..."
An awed sigh escaped.
Surrounding ogres flung aside like nothing.
That strong.
As expected, two front Bone Swords shattered instantly. Bone Sword 7 behind stared blankly—then a punch pulverized its upper body.
Kirrik?
Bone Sword 7 tilted its head.
Whoosh.
A flying kick recalled it.
Mage magic attack.
Five blasts briefly staggered it—that was all. Black hide hid scorch marks.
Bone arrows stuck as it accelerated—scratches at best.
Enhanced Bone 1 and 2—shield charge.
The two collided with it.
Damn...
Both Enhanced Bones lost over 500 HP. Even together, they couldn't halt its charge—pushed back.
Kroooar!
Fists swung.
Bam! Boom!
Deafening impacts, pushed further.
Blessing of the Dead.
HP refill needed already.
Enhanced Bone 1 and 2—retreat.
No more; pulled back, sent Bone Swords—but ogre ignored them, closing on Enhanced Bones, smashing both fists down from above.