Chaos Bread and the Swords of Apocalypse

The Chaos Lantern 'Soul Eater' was now about 90% full.

Thanks to the recent conquest of the SSS-rank Gate.

"If we wipe out the remaining monsters on Jeju Island, we should be able to fill it up completely."

At my words, the Blue Dragon stepped forward readily.

"That shouldn't be difficult. I'll go and clear out the rest of the monsters."

"You sure you're okay without resting?"

Apostles felt fatigue too, of course. They'd just fought top-tier ma-in, so they needed a break.

The Blue Dragon shook his head.

"I recover quickly. I don't have the same output as my seniors, though. And dealing with Jeju Island's monsters feels like a casual stroll around the neighborhood, so no need to worry."

If he said so, fine.

"Then I'll head out."

The Blue Dragon slipped out through the veranda. The sight of the azure dragon ascending into the sky was majestic no matter how many times I saw it.

"Kid, you ready to make the bread? It's super important, so stay sharp."

"I've practiced plenty. Just leave it to me."

"Fail, and the ingredients go poof, so nail it on the first try."

"A-Are the ingredients that expensive?"

"Eh, ballpark? Around 100 billion won per batch."

In the back, Lucifer was chatting with Cheon Iryeong.

100 billion for one batch of bread wasn't cheap, even for a Rank 3 hunter like her.

"You have to succeed. Absolutely."

Lucifer repeated it like a mantra. Cheon Iryeong nodded, her face a bit tense.

······Why give her extra pressure?

We could always gather more ingredients.

We headed to the kitchen down the hall. It was equipped like a high-end hotel kitchen, state-of-the-art everything.

Cheon Iryeong stood before the stainless steel baking station.

"I'm ready. Mentally prepared too."

A spark lit in her eyes. She exuded an extraordinary aura. Even baking bread, top hunters gave it their all.

I handed her the subspace pouch with the ingredients.

Gabriel stepped forward.

"What you're making now is heavenly white bread."

As Gabriel explained the recipe, I opened the system window to buy the key ingredient.

Hunting that freakish bird netted 30 million coins, and killing the top ma-in lord gave me 25 Platinum Coins on top.

Each Platinum was worth 10 million, so recent gains alone totaled about 280 million coins.

Plenty to spare.

'Took a peek at other items while I was at it...'

Mostly materials with unknown uses. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠No standard items on sale.

Market probably not fully active yet.

I bought the Celestial Laurel Leaf.

Shaaah—.

A pristine white light accompanied the appearance of the iridescent green leaf. I handed it to Gabriel.

"This is the core ingredient for white bread."

"W-Wow, it feels totally different."

Cheon Iryeong gulped as she held the leaf.

"Alright, let's start."

The base flour mixed with ingredients gathered by the Blue Dragon: dawn dew, dried white branches, moonlit flowers, and more.

Everything blended harmoniously.

Cheon Iryeong kneaded the dough with expert skill. She looked like a master baker with 30 years under her belt.

'And she learned baking just a day ago.'

Lucifer caught my expression and whispered quietly.

"Useful, right? Her unique ability is All Master. System-granted talent. Endless growth potential—keep expecting great things."

Making a girl with that talent bake bread...

"Feels kinda bad."

"Nah, mutual benefit. Even genius talent can't exceed this world's limits without substance. Empty vessel's worthless. And she's actually getting stronger. Just not through combat."

"If so, glad to hear it."

Cheon Iryeong channeled holy power into the bread with intense focus. Hwaaak—! White energy shimmered like heat haze.

"Mm, excellent."

Gabriel nodded in admiration.

This should recreate white bread perfectly.

Summoning a fourth apostle would spike energy costs massively. Bread could swing battles.

Then—

Hwaruk!

Suddenly, black energy erupted from Cheon Iryeong's right hand. Devouring flames swelled around her.

"Wait. This isn't right. This isn't white bread..."

Gabriel's face hardened. But Cheon Iryeong was deep in concentration.

Thud.

Lucifer grabbed Gabriel's wrist.

"Watch. Something amazing's coming."

Gabriel shook her head and looked at me. Stop it?

But Cheon Iryeong had her own judgment. Might as well observe.

Kwaaa—!

Holy power and black mana poured from her hands, merging in perfect harmony.

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

"Uaaah..."

"Ooooh..."

Gabriel stared blankly; Lucifer grinned in satisfaction.

Pure white light and pitch-black darkness filled the kitchen.

The resulting bread was...

Black energy swirled iridescently over the snow-white bread.

Maybe because Cheon Iryeong created it anew—its grade was unmeasurable: Unknown.

'...The effects are insane.'

Obviously far superior to the original.

'One bite fills satiety. Same so far. But then...'

Satiety doesn't drop for 30 minutes.

That was key.

'Means you can spam skills without worry.'

Even all four apostles ulting simultaneously.

'Plus recovery.'

Exact recovery unknown till tested, but potion-level at least. Debuff immunity and stat boosts were bonuses.

"Master, this isn't it."

"Why? Effects are great."

"...It's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠like pouring water into kimchi."

Subtle analogy, hard to grasp.

But I got the vibe.

"Try it while it's hot."

Cheon Iryeong wiped sweat from her brow. Exhausted. I gave her a piece too.

"Thank you."

She made it, and she's thanking me?

Anyway, my turn.

Popped a bite in—nutty, sweet flavor spread. Slightly bitter yet clean, addictive.

"...Tastes good."

Energy surged instantly. Fatigue vanished.

Plus stat boost.

"I-It really tastes amazing."

Cheon Iryeong's face brightened after a bite. Solid fatigue recovery.

"Excellent."

"Turned out great. Phew..."

"Good work."

"No, Master. It was nothing. Just rolled it, and it handled itself."

"...No, I meant Cheon Iryeong."

"Th-Thank you."

As we chattered excitedly, Gabriel edged closer from where she'd hung back.

"Mm..."

She frowned, popped a piece in. All eyes on her.

Gabriel's verdict:

"Regrettably... delicious."

The sky was gradually turning red. An anomaly anyone worldwide could see. Blood-red skies would unsettle anyone.

"The apocalypse! The end is coming!"

"Irreversible doom approaches."

"Repent your sins and believe in God! It's not too late!"

Cults sprouted on streets.

Tutorial ended; phases began. Myths and legends descended to Earth.

The once-stable world crumbled.

SNS brimmed with anxiety too.

Overseas forums overflowed with worry. The freak bird nearly wrecking downtowns was public knowledge.

Without Korea's Mumyeong, disaster.

Governments knew it well.

Korea was different.

Mumyeong's overwhelming power had massive impact.

Hunter Association Korea.

Director Yoo Jincheol gazed out the window.

Red sky eerie, but better than abroad. No complacency, though.

"Our job is creating an environment where hunters focus on growth without distractions... but..."

Back-to-back incidents made it tough.

Hunters were rattled.

Some grew via constellation contracts; others lagged, widening gaps.

No giving up.

"For humanity to survive... individual power won't cut it forever."

"Agreed."

His secretary on the sofa nodded. Ma-in half-blood, but pro-humanity.

"Mumyeong's overwhelmingly strong, but relying solely on one person feels irresponsible."

Yoo Jincheol meant it.

Association had to do its best. One slip, and everything crashes.

"Not irresponsible. Mumyeong's got the chops. Look—Jeju monsters over 70% cleared already. Unbelievable for one person."

Thought it uninhabitable. But Mumyeong reclaimed it.

"Level maxed out long ago... and doing it for free."

Normally cost billions. Mumyeong gratis.

"True. Can't lose Mumyeong."

Director chuckled wryly.

"We'll provide every convenience Association-wide. Even beyond."

Tough now, but later, definite support.

As world peril grows, Association's role expands.

Ma-in occupation was threat then; now different.

Lead right, boost hunters.

Then—

"Wait..."

Secretary eyed the sky. Yoo turned; face stiffened.

Something massive formed above blood-red sky. Sword silhouette, immense scale.

"Ah..."

Awe-inspiring grandeur.

Scale beyond human construction.

Simultaneously—

Dingaling—! Dingaling—!

Phones rang off the hook.

"It begins."

As Yoo reached for the receiver—

Door burst open. Pale-faced man.

"D-Director! Second trial started!"

Kwaaa—!

Blue Dragon's flood swept monsters away. They sank with building rubble into the sea.

New bread's effects were outstanding.

Stamina held no matter how much power used.

Blue Dragon eradicated all Jeju monsters. None survived his disasters.

"Whew, done."

He soared skyward. Jeju fully purified. Satisfying sight.

He soloed half, too.

As Blue Dragon returned—

Seoul, Mumyeong's building.

"Here it is."

Joo Kanghyeok pulled items from the rift. (P.S. Sent Cheon Iryeong home.)

'Perfect. Got what I wanted.'

Floor littered with Fierce Flame's sponsorships. Confident it'd appear.

Especially weapon fragments.

"Can't send full exclusive weapon yet. Sponsorship limits. Can't send everything. That's why Gabriel sent a replica before."

Lucifer explained.

Still, 3 fragments. Could gather 2 more quick. Great.

Hesitated tearing the ticket.

Might not get apostle summon. Or wrong one.

'Whatever.'

Tore the Skill Acquisition Ticket.

The skill revealed...

Apostle summon.

"Scarlet, huh."

"High chance Zhuque?"

Lucifer and Gabriel chimed in.

No need dragging.

Activated immediately.

"Apostle Summon."

Kwaang—! Lightning crashed from sky as words ended. Hit the rooftop.

Building shook lightly.

"Let's go."

"Hope it's useful."

"Another junior. Nice."

As apostles and I headed out—

Ting—!

Message popped. Only one thing at this timing. It'd come.

Gooo—!

Gigantic sword silhouette formed in the sky.

Fail mission, sword drops, shatters continent. Brutal.

"...Tricky foe, no doubt."

"Cowardly, hiding to fight."

We paused, staring at the sky sword.

"Apocalypse Knights classed as mid-tier beings. One step above Seven Deadly Sins."

Lucifer explained calmly.

"Likely gauged Master's abilities somewhat..."

Then, youthful voice from above.

"H-Hey. You didn't summon me and forget, right?"

Hwaruk—.

Light flames rose before me; someone landed.

Red-haired girl, ponytail. Silken robes. Looked Cheon Iryeong's age.

"Master, fret not. This one brings the counter to the Apocalypse Knight."

Four Divine Beasts' Zhuque.

She declared confidently, chest puffed.