The Military Chef of a Ruined World-Chapter 150-160

“…Phew.”

“What in the world just happened?”

After the soldiers left, the remaining survivors, unlike the Awakened who returned to their quarters, remained seated in shock and disbelief.

“Ah, we still don’t know the full story,” said a middle-aged man sitting among them.

Hong Jeong-soo continued, “I mentioned earlier that the monks might have brought the deserters here to change the situation.”

“Still with that story?” a voice echoed skeptically.

“I didn’t get a chance to ask properly before, but there’s no concrete evidence that those people are real soldiers, is there? How do we know they’re not lying to us?”

Though his points held some truth, a middle-aged woman shook her head in response.

“Even if they are lying, what if the monks really are plotting against us? There’s nothing we can do to stop it, is there?”

“Y-yeah, that’s true…”

A sense of powerlessness began to spread among the gathered people.

“The woman is right, but I doubt those soldiers are lying either.”

“Hmm?”

“You know, I was hiding near the south until recently, and only just came here a little while ago.”

“Ah… that’s right.”

“Honestly, before I was rescued by the monks, I had been planning to head further south. There were rumors of a large military base down there.”

“…!”

“According to a chance encounter with some people, that city is said to have over a thousand Awakened individuals. They claimed that the military provides enough food to ensure the residents won’t starve.”

Though it could be a stretch for the soldiers or the monks, the man who had spent weeks mingling with the survivors had no reason to lie.

This meant the rumors likely had some basis in reality.

And that reality had just presented itself before them moments ago.

“Then if we accept that the soldiers are indeed genuine, why did the monks let them in? Unless they intended to sow hostility among us, they should have stopped them at the outset—”

“The monks probably didn’t want this either.”

“What?”

“The tent where I’m staying is near the storeroom where the monks keep their armor.”

It was a different man who spoke up this time.

“Look at this. These are the things that were discarded there today.”

What he produced was a grotesquely distorted iron helmet.

“Do you see this mark?”

“This…”

“These are fingerprints. They’re a bit large, though.”

“….”

A helmet is something worn on the head.

If there are such marks on that helmet…

“Could it be…?”

“Are you suggesting that he intended to crush the head and kill?”

“That’s likely the case.”

The sound of a gulp echoed in the air.

Setting aside the brutal nature of it all, the fact that someone intended to crush a head with just one hand indicates a significant disparity in strength between the wearer of the helmet and the one who left the marks.

“This helmet belongs to Monk Hye-yeon, who is said to be the second strongest among the Awakened. He was on guard duty at the temple today but is currently lying in a hospital bed, suffering from multiple bruises all over his body.”

“That means…”

“The monks attempted to fend off the soldiers. This is the result.”

As he processed those words, Hong Jeong-soo felt a bead of sweat trickle down his back.

“The soldier I argued with earlier… that was the sergeant.”

He remembered when he had confronted the soldier, how Monk Seung-joo had intervened.

“If I had kept pushing the issue back then…”

He recalled the sergeant casually pointing a gun at him, that emotionless expression resurfacing in his mind.

A chill ran down his spine.

“Wait a minute. That means…”

At the time, he had thought the monks brought in an outsider for some scheme.

When he had seen Monk Seung-joo’s expression darkening at his approach, he had simply thought, ‘This works to my advantage.’

But upon reflection, he realized:

“Monk Seung-joo wasn’t trying to protect that soldier.”

The reason for Seung-joo’s troubled expression was straightforward.

It was inevitable to frown when witnessing a child recklessly approaching a dangerous beast, completely unaware of the threat.

The man who had charged in without understanding that he was facing a monster…

“……He was trying to protect me.”

There was no hint of compassion in that heart.

Hong Jeong-soo, who had only been thinking of exploiting the naïve monks, reflected on his actions.

“I would have only been a hindrance to him.”

In his heart, he felt the weight of a significant debt taking root.

For the past few months, they had not experienced a proper meal.

Lately, all they had eaten was flavorless, tough rye bread.

“Damn it!”

“Hey! Are we really going to eat that?”

“Anything strange will just lead to death anyway!”

In the end, unable to hold back, some finally sat down to eat.

“Anyway, the soldiers are recruiting Awakened ones, right? I’m just going to die slowly, so I might as well eat!”

As soon as they took the first bite of the served meal, a man swallowed the food and widened his eyes in surprise.

“It… it’s delicious…!”

“I’m glad it suits your taste.”

After that, the man kept exclaiming, “Delicious! Delicious!” as he shoveled food into his mouth.

“Is it really that good?”

“…Mmm.”

If others had only seen the food without witnessing someone so joyfully using their chopsticks, they might have been able to resist.

“Damn it.”

“I don’t know what’s going on, but… surely, the monks wouldn’t do anything bad.”

Eventually, the onlookers also succumbed and took their seats.

“What is this? It really is delicious…!”

“Maybe it’s because we’ve only been eating rye bread recently. Mmm, it melts in my mouth.”

“Is it just me, or does it taste even better than what I’ve had at a fancy restaurant…?”

“Oh, come on, even if it’s good, it must be just our imagination.”

After the soldiers had left, the tension and helplessness among the people had drained away.

But with their stomachs filled with delectable food, they began to relax and engage in light conversation.

The scene unfolded before the monks, who merely watched and smiled.

“…Ugh.”

So, after the meal was over.

“…Honestly, it tasted ridiculously good, and I ate without thinking.”

“So, what was that dish, in the end?”

“It was too absurdly delicious for just temple food. Was there something strange mixed in?”

As those who had finished their meal exchanged furtive glances and whispered among themselves, the head monk stepped forward and addressed them.

“Did you enjoy your meal?”

“Yes, we did.”

“It was truly delicious, but… what was it exactly?”

“You agreed to explain after we finished eating, remember?”

Nodding in response, the head monk continued, “As I mentioned before, it’s not strange food.”

“Then where did you get ingredients good enough for this kind of dish?”

“The soldiers provided them.”

“……!”

As those soldiers were mentioned again, despite our efforts to forget them, a tense atmosphere filled the room.

“Why would the soldiers do something like this…?”

“They realized we have around 100 Awakened Ones among us and offered us food to last until they return in three days,” another person replied.

100 Awakened Ones, three meals a day. Over three days, that amounts to approximately 900 portions. Enough to sustain over a thousand survivors.

“And they went on to say that if we came under their command, we would receive ample food. They claimed there are many Awakened who are stronger than us, so we could easily gain strength,” the speaker added.

“…Why offer us food like that?”

“Haha. From my position, I shouldn’t be the one to complain about receiving charity,” the head monk chuckled lightly.

“But isn’t it rather disrespectful?”

“!?”

People were taken aback by the sudden harshness in the monk’s tone. Nonetheless, he continued speaking as if it were nothing.

“If they are going to provide food, it should be for everyone, not just for the Awakened. In our discussions, it became clear that they regard only the Awakened as human. To them, the rest of us are treated as mere insects.”

“Hmm.”

“So, after deliberation, we decided to resist.”

“R-resist?”

“They force those who refuse to fight on the battlefield, and anyone who resists is not even treated as human. This is against all principles! No group that behaves this way can be joined.”

“M-masters…!”

The people looked at the monks, their emotions swelling. To protect these survivors, the monks had already sacrificed so much.

Moreover, the opportunity they had now was to secure favorable treatment and gain strength, if only they chose to abandon the rest.

Yet, the monks rejected that opportunity.

Even in these dire times, they refused.

“To keep our humanity.”

Most of the monks had been survivors from the original temple. A few, moved by their noble resolve, shed tears.

“The meal you just had was our last supper.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“We are weak. Though we chose resistance, it will likely hold little meaning.”

“That can’t be possible. Master, you are incredibly powerful! You could handle any ordinary group of raiders effortlessly…”

“Until we encountered those soldiers, we mistakenly thought the same,” the head monk explained.

Instantly, the memories of the helmet from this morning flooded their minds—its shape contorted as though it sought to crush a head.

“We tried to stop them from crossing the temple gate, but during that struggle, Master Hye-yeon was gravely injured.”

“……!”

“Even if we resist, we will ultimately succumb to their power. In such a situation, we won’t have the luxury to protect you. So, I urge you to flee.”

“Flee?”

“Didn’t you enjoy the meal? You wouldn’t get too far while starving, but I believe you all have regained some strength by now.”

Realization dawned on the survivors.

“That’s why you shared your rations with us.”

“This temple has remained safe because we stood guard. The moment we are taken, it will be left defenseless against the monsters outside. So… you must find a safe place to hide.”

At that moment, one of the monks standing behind the head monk muttered with a hint of frustration,

“… if only there were a few more Awakened Ones.”

Although it was a quiet voice, someone in the crowd caught those words.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Uh? Oh, it’s nothing.”

“It can’t be nothing. What difference would it make if there were a few more Awakened Ones?”

At that remark, Monk Seung-joo sighed and responded with resignation.

“Truth be told, each of us is not significantly inferior to them. We have mastered special martial arts, whereas they have invested points to gain overwhelming stats. In terms of overall strength, we might be on similar levels.”

“Isn’t that contradictory to what you said earlier? You said we couldn’t win.”

“The real issue lies in the numbers.”

Sighing deeply, Monk Seung-joo continued, “They know we’re quite strong, but we are vastly outnumbered. If we had just a few more people, they wouldn’t be so reckless.”

“…!”

“No, even before that—if we had simply enhanced our stats through points, they could have overcome such ruffians.”

Everyone understood the reason why the monks had not enhanced their stats: it was to ensure the survival of those left behind.

In that case, one voice hesitantly broke through the silence. “Then… then couldn’t we start enhancing our stats from now on?”

“Pardon?”

“I’m saying that if we awaken, we can help the monks.”

“That’s not a bad idea, but…”

“Is that even possible? I’ve heard that the Awakened Ones aren’t particularly strong right after awakening.”

As other survivors expressed their skepticism, Monk Seung-joo stroked his chin and replied, “Perhaps… it might actually be feasible.”

“Really?”

“It’s true that those who awaken initially have low stats. However, the martial arts we’ve learned are somewhat special. Even those with low stats can exhibit several times their combat effectiveness by mastering it.”

“Even so… wouldn’t that still be challenging against those soldiers?”

“Think about it. Those soldiers are stretched thin, unable to divert their forces from holding back the vast monster hordes in the Northwest.”

“…Ah!”

With the current state of Myoyang Temple, perhaps the soldiers could easily suppress them.

“But as our numbers grow, the pressure on them will increase. Unless they mobilize all their forces, which are mostly dedicated to dealing with monsters, they can’t afford to be careless.”

“I-I see.”

“It might truly be possible.”

“No, it’s probably highly likely that it could happen. But…”

Monk Seung-joo looked at the gathered people with concern. “For that to happen, the survivors need to go through awakening. After that, they must learn from me and train by fighting monsters… are you not afraid?”

After all, it was that very fear that had led many to refuse the call to awaken until now.

However, one voice emerged from among them. “… I heard from those soldiers that the world is changing.”

“Father Jinsu?”

The one who spoke up was none other than the man who had consistently opposed the monks’ activities—Father Jinsu,.

“We’ve been relying on the monks, unable to adapt to these changes. While it may already be too late, we must begin to adapt now, don’t you think?”

He was always raising his voice against the monks, often saying casually that they needed to be used.

Yet now, as he muttered to himself, his demeanor had transformed entirely.

“It seems that even Father Jinsu thinks this way. I understand.”

At this, Seung-joo, the monk, nodded thoughtfully with a small smile.

“Then, let’s begin the awakening process for the survivors.”

“Yes!”

“They said they would arrive in three days. To prepare, we need as many as possible to awaken and refine their martial skills before then. It will be quite a rigorous schedule. Are you okay with that?”

“Ha ha, what a weak thing to say.”

“We’re ready for it. Since we’re starting late, let’s push ourselves even harder.”

With that, everyone in the temple began to move about busily, united as one, regardless of who had awakened or not.

Meanwhile, on a distant mountaintop, another figure watched.

“It seems to be going well.”

“Ugh. Is it because I’m not used to acting? Why does this feel so weird?”

A chef was smiling as he watched the temple from afar remarked.

Three days later.

As the day for our promised return arrived, the soldiers of the legion once again visited the temple.

“Welcome back,” came the greeting from the abbot and the surviving monks waiting inside.

Sergeant Shin Young-joon surveyed the scene with a haughty demeanor as he spoke.

“I trust you’ve made a wise decision.”

“Hmm.”

“We’d prefer to avoid any inconvenience, so all awakened individuals wishing to join the legion should step forward.”

His tone suggested he believed that all the awakened would naturally want to join, yet none of them moved.

Seeing their inaction, Sergeant Shin’s expression soured.

“…It seems the number of awakened has increased. I assumed those wishing to join the legion must have undergone their awakenings.”

“Quite the opposite, Sergeant. We refuse conscription.”

“What’s the reason for this? I thought we promised the best conditions for awakened individuals. Our provision of food should suggest that we are more than capable of supporting them.”

“I don’t think it’s a matter of deceit, but just as soldiers have their own ways, so too do monks. I understand that soldiers fight bravely to fend off monsters, but we seek to help people in a different manner.”

“…How foolish.”

Shin Young-joon briefly glanced at the crowd, then muttered under his breath.

“With numbers like this… there’s a limit to what brute force can achieve.”

His voice was low, barely audible to ordinary folks, yet loud enough for the awakened to catch.

“…!”

Though they tried not to show it, the newly awakened couldn’t help but clench their fists in determination, filled with the thought, “We can do this!”

Observing this, Sergeant Shin considered,

‘We’ve come this far.’

Now, it was time to take the next step.

‘With our reputation so tarnished, we can’t even hope to form an alliance.’

After a brief moment of contemplation, Shin Young-joon finally spoke up.

“Joining us would have been the best choice. You’ve chosen to reject that, so I hope you won’t come to regret your decision later.”

“…Whether it was the wrong choice or not is uncertain, but we will bear the consequences of our decision.”

“Hmph. That’s only natural. If you’re refusing to join, let’s hear your next proposal.”

“A proposal…?”

With a condescending air, he crossed his arms and continued.

“You’ve rejected the best option. Therefore, allow me to present an alternative.”

“An alternative? What do you mean?”

“Let’s form an alliance with our legion.”

“……!”

“Of course, there is a difference in our standings, so it won’t be a completely equal relationship.”

Now, onto the next topic.

A self-proclaimed giant of a man, Corporal Jeon Gwang-il, was chosen to take on this responsibility. He had even played a good role three days prior to this event.

“Ahem. I’m not sure how you’ll view us, but our legion’s goal is to eliminate the monsters and ensure the safety of our region.”

“You say that after treating the temple survivors like insects? It’s quite bold of you.”

“I acknowledge that we may have acted a bit harshly in the process. However, we did not lie.”

Despite his enormous size, Corporal Jeon Gwang-il was generally known for his simple and unassuming nature. When he spoke in a relatively mild tone, the crowd seemed to listen with interest.

“The large congregation of monsters in the northwest has already taken over the districts of Cheorwon and Hwacheon. These monsters are highly intelligent; we’ve even observed them using weapons captured from military units during their raids.”

“You mean to say that monsters are using military weapons?”

“We’ve confirmed that they’ve managed to use everything up to tanks. Fortunately, they don’t seem to have figured out how to operate missiles or similar armaments yet.”

“……!”

The crowd gasped in shock.

These creatures could easily tear humans apart, and now that they could handle military-grade weapons, the situation seemed even more dire.

“From what we’ve gathered, it appears that most humans in the affected areas have already been killed. For now, we’ve managed to contain the situation, but if the front lines are breached, those monsters will rampage through the area, slaughtering anyone they find.”

“……Are your sponsors trying to convey that they are a benevolent organization?”

At that moment, Sergeant Shin Young-joon interjected, shaking his head.

“Good or evil—those distinctions don’t concern us. We don’t care to explore them.”

“Sergeant Shin is right. Our obligation is simply to fulfill the commands of our legion commander. Stopping the monsters is just part of that responsibility.”

Regardless of the situation, they insisted they were not the ruthless plunderers that others might see them as.

“What exactly does an alliance entail?” someone from the crowd asked.

“It’s simple. We ask for your cooperation with our military operations.”

“You mean to draft us into your ranks!”

“In return, we will provide ample supplies of food and equipment.”

“……!”

Before the tension could escalate, the head monk calmly clarified the proposal, standing in for the other monks who were still visibly agitated.

“Not a draft, but rather a paid engagement… A mercenary-like relationship, if you will.”

“We are in need of strength at this time. Conversely, you will require supplies and equipment. This means we can complement each other’s needs. Though it may not be an equal alliance, it resembles a subcontracting relationship.”

One monk voiced their concern, his voice laced with apprehension.

“What if those military operations target innocent people?”

“Surely not.”

At those words, Sergeant Shin Young-joon smiled slightly as he responded.

“The moment you engage in such actions, we will take it upon ourselves to suppress you, so please don’t worry about that.”

“….”

His ominous smile suggested a grim expectation for such a scenario, and it caused the expressions in the crowd to harden.

‘……I was just trying to make a joke.’

Ahem.

Sergeant Shin Young-joon shrugged off the tension with an air of nonchalance.

“The military operations are straightforward. We need to prevent the monsters occupying the northwest cities from spreading further into other regions. We can’t protect all the way to this distant location, so we need you to take that responsibility. And if there is a need for an extermination operation in the future, we would appreciate your support then as well.”

“And if we refuse, what happens then?”

“There’s nothing else. The monsters we couldn’t stop are spreading across the Korean Peninsula, slaughtering people left and right. If that’s what you want, feel free to refuse.”

The abbot pondered this for a moment.

But that moment didn’t last long.

“Given the situation… it might not be such a bad deal for us.”

“Excellent.”

Sergeant Shin Young-joon uncrossed his arms and nodded in agreement.

“We will provide food and equipment regularly. However, given the large number of people, it will be difficult to offer enough for everyone for free. Instead, I can introduce you to a merchant who trades with our unit.”

“A merchant?”

“You can purchase any necessary supplies, like food, from him.”

“…Thank you.”

The issue of food had caused much suffering for many.

Knowing that they could finally address this problem, the abbot instinctively sought to bow in gratitude.

However, Sergeant Shin stopped him.

“There’s no need to bow. This is simply a fair exchange for your cooperation in military operations.”

At those words, people glanced at him with a mix of surprise and realization.

‘…I thought he was just some crazy, psychopathic soldier.’

‘But from what he says, he seems to be a reasonable soldier after all.’

They had assumed the military was nothing but violent and corrupt.

Yet reflecting on it now, it seemed there was only a slight bit of coercion involved.

‘When I think about it, it’s really us who expected protection without putting in the effort.’

‘On the other hand, they had awakened early on and were using their strength to protect us from monsters…’

‘It’s understandable that they looked down on us.’

Even in this dire situation, they possessed the power to rule like kings, yet they chose to fulfill their duty of thwarting monsters and defending the land.

‘Maybe we’ve been mistaken about them all along.’

‘Perhaps those soldiers are decent people after all…’

This realization marked a significant shift in perception for everyone involved.

“Haha! This is amazing!”

Merchant Sang-heok exclaimed cheerfully.

We had agreed to provide a certain amount of food aid, but feeding over a thousand people was still quite a challenge.

‘Unless there’s a cost involved.’

As such, I arranged for their trade with the merchant… and now, the first transaction was underway.

“This is amazing? Is it really that significant?”

“Yes! It seems the gentlemen had never tasted our combat rations before, so convincing them of its value took a bit of effort.”

Sang-heok chuckled, clearly pleased.

“This experience has been immensely rewarding. Thanks to you all, I’ve gained quite a lot!”

“I’m glad to hear that. Please do well moving forward.”

“Absolutely! I, Sang-heok, promise to always offer the best conditions when dealing with your unit!”

“….”

I couldn’t help but wonder if I could genuinely believe that promise.

Chapter 153: Trainer NPC

Anyway…

The deal with Sang-heok was finally wrapping up.

“You’ve arrived, Monk Seung-joo,” I heard a voice say.

“As promised, I’ve resolved the issue,” I replied.

I approached Monk Seung-joo. He was a middle-aged monk, gazing at me with an expression of awe.

“…I never expected it to be resolved so well. I know it might sound strange to say this after proposing the deal, but I honestly had little hope,” he confessed.

“I told you it would work out,” I smiled.

“Haha… Thank you. Well then…”

However, there was something off about the monk’s demeanor.

“It seems it’s time for me to pay the price.”

Despite his smile, I noticed beads of cold sweat forming on his brow.

As I looked closer, I realized he was writing on a small piece of paper.

“What are you writing?” I asked, intrigued.

“Oh, it’s nothing important. I just need to prepare something before settling the payment,” he replied.

He folded the paper and placed it inside something that looked like an envelope. Curiosity got the better of me, and I leaned in to catch a glimpse of the envelope.

[Letter of Testament]

“….”

Something was not right.

Those words leapt out at me unexpectedly.

I questioned whether I had seen it correctly and tried to confirm it again, but before I could, I asked, “What is this?”

“Oh, just a will,” Monk Seung-joo answered casually.

What the heck!

I wasn’t imagining things.

“A will? Why are you suddenly talking about…?”

“Well, you were the one who asked me to reveal where I acquired my martial arts skills, weren’t you?”

“No! What do those two things have to do with each other?” I exclaimed.

“They are related,” he insisted.

I looked at him, bewildered by this turn of events. Monk Seung-joo chuckled lightly.

“The moment I guide you there, the likelihood of me losing my life increases significantly.”

What the hell?

The chances of dying? What was he talking about?

I stood there, mouth agape, staring at him in disbelief.

With a faint smile, Monk Seung-joo opened his mouth to speak again.

“The duel earlier was truly impressive.”

After things settled down a bit with the temple members…

We had a brief sparring session between the squad members and Monk Seung-joo.

“You were remarkable. I never imagined there could be individuals as strong as you, beyond the awakened ones associated with our temple.”

“That was a remarkable display of strength. If the legendary figure of Geumgang were to exist in reality, he might look something like that. However…”

If we’re talking about whether that strength is sufficient, the answer is no.

It seemed that Seung-joo Monk understood this point as well.

“It appeared that he… was unable to fully harness that immense power.”

And it was easy to see why.

The sparring session between Seung-joo, the monk, and our team was telling.

The outcome was…

“A complete defeat for our team.”

It was fortunate that Gwang-il, who had not unleashed his Berserk, was able to hold his own to some extent.

From my perspective, having worked tirelessly day and night to strengthen our unit, this result was honestly disheartening.

“This guy is truly formidable.”

In comparison to the monk Hye-yeon, whom I met in front of the temple…

He was on a completely different level.

Despite having significantly lower stats than my team members, he still showcased fighting capabilities that were impressive.

I wondered if, equipped with the gear we had crafted, he might even be able to match Gwang-il with his Berserk unleashed.

His strength was comparable to our elite fighters who had fought tirelessly.

The source of this power was…

“Martial arts… which at least has been registered in the status window.”

It was the very technique practiced by the monks of this temple.

“It seems you wish to understand in this power, dear benefactor.”

He casually extended his hand behind him,

Pulling out a metal staff from the shop that was tucked away at his back.

“As you saw during our earlier spar, the martial arts we practice primarily revolve around staff techniques.”

“Yes, you mentioned that before.”

“Before we awaken others, we teach them the ‘Seung-byeong Martial Arts’ to some extent. While it may seem insignificant pre-awakening, utilizing this method increases the likelihood of retaining staff proficiency traits post-awakening.”

Indeed.

It appeared they had their own knowledge for effective awakening.

However, the problem lay in the fact that…

“You all might not have such options available.”

“Well, that’s true.”

Even I had a job as a “Chef.”

My weapon proficiency was with “Dagger Mastery.”

Unlike skills that could be learned afresh through skill books,

Proficiencies are incredibly challenging to acquire anew.

“I am confident that if you could learn it, your abilities would improve significantly. However, I fear I cannot share what I possess.”

Even though the ‘martial arts’ this monk practiced were undoubtedly special and exceptional,

It was impossible to simply wield a staff without having the related proficiency.

“Therefore, I will guide you to where I learned these techniques.”

“….”

“I’m not sure how successful it will be, but at least there, the soldiers might gain the martial arts they require.”

Well, that’s acceptable.

I initially asked him to reveal where he had acquired this knowledge.

“But what do you mean by saying there’s a high likelihood of dying if we go there?”

The issue was…

Why on earth did this person suddenly start talking about writing a will?

“Traps and monsters, you say? If that’s the case, please don’t hesitate to speak. Our team has dealt with such matters more than a few times,” he confidently assured.

“Ha ha… Thank you for your offer, but I’m afraid it might be a bit challenging,” I replied.

The monk adjusted his posture before continuing. “Well, our preparations are complete, so would you kindly follow me?”

Although I still had my doubts, I decided to follow Monk Seung-joo to where he was leading me.

“Benefactor,” he called out.

“Yes…?”

“Did you notice how the other monks at the temple treated me?”

I paused to reflect. I hadn’t been at the temple long, so my observations were quite limited.

“Hmm. The monk I fought with at the gate showed a high level of respect, bowing his head deeply, and it seemed like the abbot trusted you a lot. Apparently, many lives were saved thanks to you, or perhaps your merits are quite significant.”

“Ha ha…”

“You mentioned you were the first person to awaken, right? Plus, it seems you are the one who learned martial arts and spread that knowledge to others. Doesn’t that mean you’ve saved countless lives? The real problem was the opposition to awakening.”

The monk smiled wryly, almost embarrassed.

“To be honest, I find that assessment a bit embarrassing.”

“Oh, I can relate to that feeling,” I admitted. While I had indeed worked hard, excessive praise could feel quite awkward.

“No, that’s not what I meant.”

“?”

“In my case, it’s truly something to be embarrassed about.”

It seemed that in Monk Seung-joo’s situation, it was a different matter altogether.

Finally, Monk Seung-joo came to a stop.

We arrived at a temple perched high on the mountainside—specifically, in the most secluded area of the temple.

“What is this place…?” I asked.

“As you can see, it’s a cliff,” he stated.

Before us stretched a steep precipice.

“Goodness. If I misstep here, I’d fall to my death. I’m glad there’s something preventing me from falling.”

“Surprisingly, it’s not as dangerous as it seems.”

“Really?”

“The incline isn’t as steep as it looks,” he explained.

Wait, what?

“You can scale down it carefully, like rock climbing, and even an average person would manage to make it down alive.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. I’m probably the only one at the temple who knows this.”

“Um…”

“Are you speaking as if you’ve been down there?” I inquired.

“Yes. I’ve actually gone down there—two times, to be precise.”

“Then, why on earth…?”

“At first, it was an accident.”

With a strange intensity in his gaze, Monk Seung-joo looked over the edge of the cliff.

“Do you know what I did on the day those monsters appeared?”

“Well, according to Abbot, you went missing on the first day, and they thought you were dead.”

“I ran away here because I was afraid of the monsters.”

“….!”

I stared at him, my mouth agape.

Ran away?

“It seems that it’s difficult for the monsters to climb the cliffs, as most of them come toward the mountain gate. The other monks and guests trapped in the temple became easy prey for them.”

The common problem we faced, both my unit and this temple, was clear: we needed to awaken the people.

I recalled why I was so determined to awaken every member of my unit.

“If I don’t, the unit will grow weak.”

If the unit weakens…

Soldiers would become anxious and flee, accelerating the decline.

That was my reasoning, but…

This guy.

“Could it be you were the deserter…?”

He was the temple’s first escapee.

“Ugh… ugh…”

A middle-aged man wept like a child, clutching a protruding rock as he cautiously placed his foot down the cliff.

“We need at least one person to survive…”

Although quite some time had passed since he became a monk, Seung-joo was never particularly devoted.

Among the renowned monks, many were surprisingly materialistic.

He didn’t discriminate when it came to food, and life in the temple didn’t seem particularly harsh.

It was a decent job.

He didn’t mind his circumstances, going to university, earning certifications, and eventually becoming a monk as a result.

Still, he was somewhat content with his life in the temple.

After his daily tasks, he enjoyed playing volleyball with the other monks, an ordinary pastime for a regular guy.

But that ordinary life shattered one day when he witnessed his fellow volleyball monks brutally murdered.

“Ugh…”

Myoyang Temple was a famous sanctuary, bustling with both monks and visitors.

Was it no surprise that such a temple was considered a treasure trove of food?

Then, the monsters appeared without warning.

They scaled the walls of the temple, dragging people into the forest.

Even those who were dragged into the forest were somewhat fortunate.

When he saw a fellow monk, eviscerated and gasping for breath, trying to rise…

It was truly horrifying.

What the hell is going on?

For now, let’s gather anything that can be used as a weapon.

We can’t die here.

Those with a strong spirit held meetings to strategize for survival.

They armed themselves with makeshift weapons, like ceremonial staffs meant for display.

There were various responses, but…

“Those monsters aren’t just stray dogs. Do you honestly think we can take them down with a stick…?”

From Seung-joo’s perspective, it felt utterly futile.

It was a completely hopeless situation.

“Escaping… seems like it’ll be impossible after all.”

“Yeah. Those monsters… they have completely surrounded me.”

“Seriously, they should just attack right away instead.”

“Are they planning to confine us and then eat one of us whenever they get hungry?”

When the conversation turned to escape, Seung-joo had a different idea than the other monks.

‘The cliff.’

Though three sides were surrounded, the back of the temple was still untouched by the monsters.

Seung-joo remembered a time when he had nearly fallen off that very cliff while sneaking sips of alcohol away from the other monks.

At that moment, he realized that the steep-looking cliff wasn’t as dangerous as it appeared. If he was careful, climbing down or even scaling it wouldn’t be that difficult.

The monsters were clustered around the temple like ravenous customers at a buffet.

If he could somehow escape to the cliff, where there were fewer monsters, and then make it out of the mountains, he might just be able to seek help from the city’s police or military.

“Oh, look over there…”

He thought about sharing his plan for the cliff, but when he opened his mouth, the words got stuck.

“What’s wrong, Seung-joo?”

“Oh… it’s nothing.”

The reason the monsters gathered near the mountain gate was simple: they knew that the people trapped here wouldn’t be able to escape.

‘There’s no way the monsters would let everyone rush to the cliff…’

So, there was only one way to escape through the cliff.

Wait until the monsters’ attention was fixed on the temple’s inhabitants, then sneak away.

He felt a pang of guilt.

It would mean leaving everyone behind to save himself.

But then again, staying in the temple wouldn’t change anything.

‘If I escape, I can warn others that monsters have appeared in the temple!’

After navigating through that self-justification, that night, Seung-joo made the decision to climb the cliff.

“Ugh…”

In the darkness, leaning only on the faint light of his nearly-depleted smartphone, he found climbing down the cliff to be no easy task.

But at last, he succeeded in reaching the ground.

Just as he was about to breathe a sigh of relief, a sound echoed behind him.

“Grrraaah…”

It was a sound he knew all too well.

“Oh, no…”

Those monsters that had suddenly appeared in the morning, devouring his coworkers…

One of the monsters was waiting for him at the bottom of the cliff.

He had abandoned his conscience and fled alone, yet the consequence of his escape was the prospect of dying alone in a place where no one could see him.

“Huh, heh heh… what a karmic fate.”

Seung-joo had no confidence in defeating even a medium-sized dog. The thought of fighting a monster didn’t even cross his mind.

At that moment, there was something Seung-joo hadn’t noticed.

The cliff he had descended from.

In one section of it, there had been something resembling a black curtain.

And, coincidentally, his retreating steps had been directed toward that very curtain.

Just as the monster was about to sink its teeth into his neck…

Crack!

“… Crack?”

Something burst forth from behind Seung-joo, grabbing hold of the monster’s neck.

“Wh-what the…?”

Turning around, he saw the black curtain.

From within it, an elongated arm had emerged.

Snap!

As the hand that had appeared from the wall twisted the monster’s neck, the creature let out a faint whimper before losing consciousness.

Though he couldn’t comprehend the situation, he understood one thing: that hand had saved his life.

“Th-thank you. Truly, thank you….”

Hmph. You’re such a pitifully weak creature.

“Wha…?”

But I have no choices either, so I suppose it can’t be helped.

Whether Seung-joo expressed his gratitude or not seemed irrelevant to the murmuring voice in the air.

Then,

Do you wish to live?

The hand pointed at Seung-joo and asked.

Though he was lost in confusion, the thought of survival compelled him to nod vigorously, tears streaming down his face.

“I… I want to live! I don’t want to die like this!”

Then, let’s make a deal.

“D-deal? You mean…?”

Bring me the corpses of the monsters.

“Y-yes…?!”

The hand that emerged from the curtain was startling enough, but what followed was even more outrageous.

“T-this is crazy! You want me to kill the monsters? Forget the ethical dilemmas for a moment, but those beasts are capable of shattering gates with their bare hands!”

Don’t worry about that part.

“Don’t worry,” he said.

If you simply accept the deal…

A hand from behind the curtain brushed against Seung-joo’s head, drawing his gaze to the monster lying unconscious on the floor.

I will give you the strength to survive.

After that…

The ‘hand’ began to teach him martial arts.

It was a level of technique far beyond that of an ordinary human.

It was a ‘martial art’ that utilized the physical abilities of an awakened being.

“It took about three days to master the martial art.”

This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

“….”

“Seeing me preparing to return to the temple afterward, the hand put forward some conditions.”

I will allow you to refine the technique and teach it to others.

However, teaching the original technique without alteration is not permitted. Letting others know of my existence is the same.

If you break this rule…

I will personally chew your heart.

“That’s all.”

“…Hmm.”

“To be honest, I don’t fully understand. A being that demands one life in exchange for another… I can’t believe such a creature could be considered normal.”

Seung-joo’s past story.

He seemed to recount it with a sense of guilt, baring his shame.

“Since I chose to strike a deal with such a being… even if that entity hadn’t instructed me to keep quiet, what I learned wouldn’t be something I could freely share with others.”

I felt a twinge of regret.

But to be honest, from a certain point onward,

“I didn’t really catch much of the other details.”

Hearing all this one thing came to my mind.

According to Seung-joo, the hand beyond the curtain is probably…

“A Trainer NPC…?”

This is incredible!

“…that’s what I heard.”

In the dining hall of Myoyang Temple, I relayed the story shared by Monk Seung-joo to the soldiers gathered there.

“Ha. I was wondering how that monk could be so strong…”

“So that’s the reason…”

The soldiers had varying reactions.

Some were intrigued by the ‘martial arts’ learned by the monks.

“What’s this monster they mentioned?”

“From what I hear, it sounds far from ordinary.”

“…It’s not a demon or something, is it?”

There were those wary of the ‘hand’ hidden behind the curtain.

And then there was…

Corporal Jeon Gwang-il, deep in thought with a serious expression.

In truth, if I were judging this alone, I would have already raced down the cliff.

Even if it meant gambling, I would never pass up the opportunity to grow stronger.

However.

“Continuing down this path might not be wise.”

The size of our legion was increasing.

At the moment, both I and Min-jae, along with a few seasoned soldiers, were capable of grasping the full scope of the situation and making decisions.

The simple system we’ve relied on is becoming increasingly inadequate for addressing our challenges.

“These guys have been with us since the days of the 423rd Battalion.”

In a way, they feel like our unit’s candidate officers.

Someday, they may be entrusted with significant decisions.

This situation puts their lives on the line as well.

I wanted to consider their judgments and opinions.

“Honestly,” one soldier spoke up, “do we really need to take the risk of gambling?”

“When I was up on that mountain, my perspective on the ground situation was different. But now that I’m down here, it’s clear. Our guild is probably several months ahead of others.”

The rest of the soldiers nodded in agreement.

“Unless we’re in a state where our base is still unstable like before, considering how solid both the fortress and the dragon-kin are, we’re not on the brink of collapse. We can focus on steadily increasing our numbers and levels without unnecessarily risking everything.”

That’s certainly a valid point.

While the Green Mane orcs are posing a threat, ever since we established the fortress, they’ve struggled to breach our defenses.

“Isn’t it better to save such risks for when we really need to take them?”

I glanced around at the other soldiers.

They seemed to agree, nodding their heads in understanding.

“Then what about the monk?” someone piped up.

“Huh?”

Just as I was about to nod in agreement, Corporal Jeon Gwang-il spoke up with a worried expression.

“I’m talking about the monk Seung-joo.”

The monk, huh.

I scratched my head and replied, “Well, if what he said is true, then someday that monster will come looking for him, and he could be killed. Probably.”

“Are you suggesting that’s in exchange for the information he passed to us?”

“…Gwang-il, I understand what you’re getting at.”

Gwang-il is known for his straightforward nature.

He couldn’t just overlook someone destined for death; that makes sense.

“Monk Seung-joo has carried guilt from his past. He’s trying to pay a price with his life. What he’s done is a sacrifice, and we shouldn’t interfere—”

“No, Sergeant Shin. That’s not what I mean.”

What?

I stared at him, perplexed, as he spoke earnestly.

“Seung-joo showed us a friendly attitude, but that same kindness has led him into jeopardy.”

“That’s true.”

“The real issue, though, is that this situation isn’t over yet.”

Huh?

“I believe you’re attempting to forge alliances with trustworthy awakened ones.”

“Well… as other Awakened individuals grow more powerful, it’s wise to establish potential allies for the times when we might need assistance.”

“The problem is that someone who has shown us goodwill now faces the threat of death because of it. If word spreads that we neglected to act on a situation we knew about, we would lose trust.”

“…!”

At that moment, I stared intently at Gwang-il.

“We’ve recently formed an alliance with the people of this temple, but they still question whether they can trust us. If we manage to save the monk…”

“If we succeed?”

“The legion would then set a precedent that they don’t abandon those who have shown them favor. This could pave the way for gaining their trust.”

This kid.

I thought he was just naive.

“The encounter with that being happened before Seung-joo even awakened. It may sound like he’s dealing with a transcendent entity, but if you think about it, we also seem like impossible superhumans to those from the past.”

Corporal Jeon Gwang-il, known for his combat prowess, rarely voiced his opinions in meetings.

“That monster is undoubtedly strong, but our legion is no push-over. Our job now is to find that creature, somehow gain martial prowess, and simultaneously protect Seung-joo from any threats.”

“…Impressive.”

I never expected you would think this far.

It made me wonder why he had remained quiet during the meeting.

“Haha. Well, I guess I have always left the decision-making to you, Sergeant Shin.”

“?”

“I’ve been feeling like I’ve been causing too many problems since our last discussion. That’s why I’ve been trying to do some thinking on my own.”

He scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed.

“To be honest, there’s a bit of personal greed involved in this too.”

“Greed?”

“Honestly, the reason I just mentioned is secondary.”

He stared blankly ahead, then looked down at his hands as he spoke.

“I’m too weak. I might be one of the strongest in raw power, but when it comes to actually using that power, I’m probably the biggest fool in the unit.”

“Hey, that’s just the Berserk speaking.”

“Berserk. Yes, that’s a problem too.”

I wanted to tell him that it wasn’t his fault, but it seemed he didn’t believe that.

“Do you remember the monk who was guarding the mountain pass?”

“….”

“If it weren’t for Monk Seung-joo and you, I would have killed him.”

That is the price of [Berserk].

In exchange for granting immense power, it takes away one’s reason.

“Thanks to this power, I’ve come this far, but I’m afraid of it.”

“That’s…”

“Relying on such power and being constricted by it… that only happens because I’m weak.”

Well, he’s not wrong.

If he was truly strong, he wouldn’t have had to unleash [Berserk] in the first place.

“That doesn’t mean it’s your fault—”

He suddenly began to berate himself.

I was concerned he might be falling into a depression like last time.

“Isn’t martial arts about learning to control the power of awakeners?”

“Hmm?”

“Monk Seung-joo actually had that kind of strength as well.”

The look in his eyes shifted.

It was filled with longing.

“If I could master that, I wouldn’t have to rely on Berserk for power.”

“….”

“I could attain enough strength not to be a burden to you, Sergeant Shin.”

He murmured this, then clenched his fists tightly.

“But that’s just a very personal desire, isn’t it? I’ve been racking my brain to find a way to persuade you, which is what led to the earlier discussion.”

“Haha… you little rascal.”

I couldn’t help but feel proud.

Though we had gone through a counseling session last time, I still felt uneasy about not being able to resolve all the issues he faced.

But now I thought, ‘Maybe I didn’t need to worry at all.’

He was, in his own way, striving to address his problems.

Looking at the other soldiers,

There was no one expressing dissent to Gwang-il’s words.

“It may be a gamble, but…”

“Just as Corporal Jeon Gwang-il said, we aren’t weak either.”

The ones gathered here were the elite among the awakened members of the unit.

They had the strength to easily hunt down even considerably powerful monsters.

“I wondered if we really needed to take such a gamble… but perhaps it’s a gamble worth taking.”

The soldier who first voiced their doubts nodded in agreement.

“If that’s the consensus, then there’s no need to hesitate.”

It would be different if our only goal was to gain martial skills. Now, we had the added objective of saving Seung-joo Master. The likelihood of encountering that ‘being’ was exceedingly high.

In that case,

We needed to prepare thoroughly before proceeding.

In fact, that’s why I had chosen the kitchen as our meeting place.

Upon entering the kitchen, I turned on the burner and said,

“Let’s eat first.”

“It seems you’ve made a decision.”

When we announced our intention to descend the cliff, Monk Seung-joo nodded in acknowledgment.

“Yes. While gaining martial skills is important… we’ve formed an alliance with the temple. It would be impossible to overlook a situation where our ally, Monk Seung-joo, is under threat.”

“You’re even worrying about me…!”

The master trembled slightly, overwhelmed with emotion.

Yet, his own worries were still evident.

“The being I encountered… radiated an incredibly mysterious aura. It’s likely far beyond what an ordinary monster could muster. Are you all adequately prepared?”

“Yes, sort of.”

I shrugged lightly in response.

“I hesitate to say it, but we aren’t exactly easy opponents ourselves.”

“….”

“Well, we each have our own reasons for what we do, so try not to worry too much.”

“Hmm. Understood.”

With that, I and the soldiers followed Monk Seung-joo down the cliff.

The mysterious being he had claimed to teach martial arts to—how powerful could that being actually be?

I descended with a slight tension simmering within me.

But then…

“—Have you come to kill me?”

“…What?”

From behind a black curtain situated at the cliff’s base, a voice filled with grief echoed.

“I treated you like a disciple and even passed on my martial arts… heh, to be betrayed like this…”

“W-What do you mean?”

“Oh, how foolish. Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”

A slithering sound filled the air.

A hand suddenly emerged from behind the curtain, pointing at the soldiers.

“Those guys… Their aura is anything but ordinary. Still… it’s manageable for now. The real concern is…”

The hand moved stealthily, indicating the soldier standing at the front.

“That one.”

It pointed directly at me.

“The stench of blood is overwhelming.”

“And on top of that, there’s the smell of oiled metal… If they intend to kill me, I can’t say it’s a poor choice.”

Amid the heavy silence, my fingers trembled slightly.

“Indeed. The presence they emanate is almost unbearable…”

At that statement, I stammered, “C-could it be… the reason you told me not to worry?”

Monk Seung-joo, along with all the soldiers, stared at me, mouths agape.

“So, you believed I could kill this being…!”

Upon hearing those words, I closed my eyes and looked to the sky, muttering inwardly, ‘What… utter nonsense.’

[Interdimensional Gate – Entering the Celestial Mountains]

[Celestial Mountains]

In a world long since destroyed, there stands a martial arts school nestled in the steepest and highest mountain range. The peaks rise so high that they almost touch the clouds, making the Celestial Mountains a revered place for rituals meant to commune with the heavens.

However, with the very sky now in ruins, those notions sadly exist only in the past.

[You have entered a Ruined World]

This place is filled with remnants of an ancient legacy.

[The following effects have been applied:]

Bonus to training speed during martial arts practice.

Slight increase in stamina recovery rate.

All entrants gain the characteristic – Universal Language.

[Universal Language]

This is a tongue devised by the celestial beings to gaze upon the various peoples of the earth. It enables communication between those who speak different languages.

A pitiful world, ravaged and reduced to ruins.

This is the place.

“Is this your homeland?”

“Yes,” the man nods in affirmation.

“The dungeon you mentioned… could it refer to the ‘Eroded Zone’?”

“‘Eroded Zone?”

“That’s the land where interdimensional transformation is taking place.”

According to the system, dungeons are created in areas that are unsuitable for Earth’s environment, specifically to allow beings from different realms to survive by ‘terraforming’ the surrounding space.

Perhaps that’s why, with every dungeon discovered… “The system was always fuming.”

It spoke of intolerable acts of invasion, warning against forgiving the enemy at any cost.

Whenever a dungeon was unearthed, hostile phrases always followed in the system messages.

But here,

“This space is of a different kind. In our world, we refer to it as the Interdimensional Gate.”

“Interdimensional Gate…”

In this realm, the system showed no signs of hostility whatsoever.

“It differs from the Eroded Zones that forcibly alter the world’s environment. This place is my true homeland.”

If a dungeon is an area where Earth’s environment has been reshaped by beings from other realms, then a gate is a direct link to the realm itself.

“…Now, only this small mountain remains in its desolate state.”

“My goodness.”

If what he says is true, then the land I currently stand upon is…

“Is not Earth, at all?”

Monsters have invaded our world, and in an instant, civilization crumbled.

While it’s not as if the number of remaining humans is trivial, many openly recognized the sentiment that “the world has perished.”

But…

“Is it true that, compared to real destruction, what we’ve experienced is nothing significant?”

Our world hasn’t yet been completely obliterated like that.

In the vastness of the universe, a single mountain floats aimlessly.

It can’t have always looked this way.

It’s more accurate to say that all realms, except for this mountain, have been annihilated without a trace.

“Is it merely a case of you undergoing a slightly harsher form of destruction? Or perhaps…”

Someday,

Will our world also undergo such a transformation?

“No. I shouldn’t dwell on negative thoughts.”

The appearance of increasingly powerful monsters and the gradual desolation of the world has, to some extent, been anticipated.

Our task is clear.

We must somehow thwart the stronger monsters that are yet to come and work to revive the lost civilizations.

While there’s a possibility that our world could face such dreadful destruction,

If that future is indeed approaching, we can just strive to prevent it.

“That’s part of the reason we came here—to gain the strength necessary for that.”

Observing the landscape of the gate evoked a complex mix of emotions, but once I sorted my thoughts, I felt my heart settle somewhat.

“That’s enough explanation for now. Follow me.”

The soldiers and I, along with Monk Seung-joo, began our ascent of the mountain, guided by a man in a mask.

“…Oh my.”

“If we fall from up there, we’ll die, right?”

The soldiers fidgeted uneasily as they looked around while we moved.

The outer part of the mountain, where the structures stood, had no real ground to speak of.

Despite having witnessed so many surreal sights,

This landscape was bewildering even to us.

After all, it was an entirely different world.

“That’s one thing.”

I turned my gaze to the man guiding us.

He had a well-defined musculature, tattered clothing, and a mask obscuring his face.

And yet…

“…Are those ears and a tail?”

In stark contrast to his demeanor,

a tail swayed playfully from the man’s waist.

“Is he… a rat?”

Seeing that, one undeniable truth struck me:

This creature was not human.

[Ingredient Identification (Enhanced)]

[Primate – Beastman]

[Species – Rodent]

[Freshness – Moderate]

[Advanced Cooking Secret – Insights into the Preparation of Rodent Beastmen]

[Beastmen are a race that are born with half the qualities of beasts and half those of humans]

[While they have a strong inherent wildness making them unsuitable for conventional cultivation, they boast a firm texture due to their considerable physical activity…]

“Beastmen… so he’s a beast-human.”

For the term “beast-human” to exist, the concept of being human must first be acknowledged.

It seems unlikely that there is another person in this world quite like that man.

“You should know that this system is a bit lackadaisical when it comes to translation,” he remarked.

Perhaps it was similar to when he referred to Ariella as a “vampire,” despite her title of “noble of the night.” The status window merely expressed the concept in a vague manner.

Maybe, the actual race wasn’t that of a beastkin.

As I climbed the mountain, watching the way the tail swayed gracefully, someone spoke up.

“Hey.”

“What is it?”

“…Ahem. Can I ask you a question?” The monk, Monk Seung-joo, hesitated before opening his mouth.

“About what you said earlier—something about considering me your disciple. Was that sincere?”

“Hmph.”

Though the face was concealed by a mask, I could sense the being guiding us casting a sidelong glance at Monk Seung-joo.

“It’s part of the culture from my hometown,” the being replied.

“Hmm?”

“A master who teaches martial arts is like a parent, and the student who learns from them is like a child. No matter how weak you may be, the fact remains that you’ve received my teachings. I merely thought there could be something akin to a master-student relationship.”

Upon hearing this, Monk Seung-joo retorted incredulously, “But didn’t you say you would kill me if I recklessly evoked your techniques or shared them with others?”

“That’s also part of my culture. The transmission of martial arts must be carried out with strict adherence. I taught you due to unavoidable circumstances. I merely believed you wouldn’t carelessly spread what you learned. As for why I asked you not to reveal my existence to others…”

The being paused for a moment, as if contemplating deeply. Then he continued, “It’s simply because I didn’t want this place discovered by anyone else.”

“So, you thought of me as a disciple, yet you would have killed me for breaking that rule?”

“Of course, I had no real intention to kill you. I figured I needed to express myself a bit strongly for the warning to be taken seriously… After all, I wouldn’t take the life of someone who received my teachings so easily. Perhaps I would impose some form of restriction on you.”

“I see.”

“However, are you in a position to question me?”

The masked being cut off the conversation abruptly, releasing a sudden sigh. “I’m the one who wants to question you. I never imagined I would be betrayed like this. It was beyond my imagination.”

“…So, you were sincere.”

In the end, it appeared that the masked man held no ill will towards Monk Seung-joo.

From their perspective, it felt as though the masked being had been betrayed by the very person it had taught martial arts.

Availing his head in contemplation, Monk Seung-joo wore a sorrowful expression. “I-I’m sorry. I didn’t realize…”

“There’s no need to apologize. As I mentioned, that’s merely the culture of my world. It was my fault to impose my culture on a being from another realm and to entertain thoughts of having disciples.”

As the masked being ascended the mountain, it looked around.

His gaze fell upon the scattered remains of what once was, fragments of a shattered land floating aimlessly in the universe.

“Cultures of a world that has perished hold no significance,” he muttered, and his voice seemed directed not at Monk Seung-joo but rather at himself.

“It’s my fault for still clinging to what I cannot let go.”

Upon following the masked man’s guidance, we reached a midway point on the mountain, where several wooden structures came into view.

“Let us enter.”

These were wooden buildings reminiscent of those seen in historical dramas. Although they were old, they were surprisingly clean, suggesting they had been well-maintained over the years.

Feeling a strange sensation, I stepped inside.

“Well then…”

A moment later, the other members of the unit entered their respective rooms to take a brief rest.

I took a seat facing the masked man and began our conversation.

“What you desire is the transmission of my martial arts, correct? So, who would you like to start with?”

“Before that, let’s introduce ourselves.”

It felt awkward to keep referring to him as the masked man.

“Introductions. I’m not sure it’s necessary since we’re not looking to become friends, but you can call me Seo-hwan.”

“My name is Shin Young-joon. Now I have a question.”

“…A question? Wasn’t our agreement just about teaching martial arts?”

Seo-hwan frowned at me.

“I reluctantly complied with your request, but having outsiders on this land is not a pleasant situation for me. I would appreciate it if we could finish the transmission of martial arts swiftly, and then you would leave.”

“No, I think you’ve misunderstood the terms.”

“What do you mean?”

The transmission of martial arts was only one of the conditions.

The requirement I set in exchange for sparing his life was clear.

“I asked you to give me everything you have.”

“….”

“Your knowledge and memories. I find those to be quite essential.”

“Hmm.”

He didn’t seem particularly pleased with this arrangement.

In the shadows behind me, a dark figure lingered, still waiting.

“You mentioned a question. I’m not sure I can answer, but I’ll give it a try.”

It seemed he wasn’t keen on risking anything either.

With a sigh, he nodded.

As I observed him, I noted the activation of [Combat Power Evulation].

The aura radiating from his body was…

‘Blue.’

As expected.

The opponent wasn’t weak after all.

This man was indeed quite a formidable monster.

“My question is simple.”

Given the strength he possessed, I wondered why…

“How did this world fall into ruin?”

It seemed essential to understand how he had been surviving in this fragmented world.

The sudden appearance of monsters in our world.

Now, I had at least some understanding of their nature.

‘Beings from another realm.’

The system window referred to them as such.

However, the reason they invaded our world remained utterly unclear.

Ariella had mentioned awakening after being sealed by vampire hunters.

The [Pope of the Deep Blue] seemed to know something, but perhaps my unfortunate butchering of his kin played a role in his silence.

In the end, he couldn’t provide me with any crucial information.

“How did my hometown fall?”

And now,

This guy might know something.

“I’ll explain it simply. Monsters appeared.”

Monsters.

He was probably referring to what we call ‘monsters.’

The Pope had mentioned that their world was invaded by these creatures too.

“I don’t know the exact cause. Why they targeted our world. What their intentions are…”

“Tch. That’s useless.”

“…The only thing I know for certain is this.”

The masked man clenched his fists tightly, gritting his teeth.

“Something with a distinct malice intervened in this process.”

“…!”

At those words, I felt a chill running down my spine.

No wonder.

‘He thinks the same way I do…’

Creatures invading the world.

It’s strange enough that these monsters appeared out of nowhere, but what’s even more shocking is that particularly powerful beasts showed up and wreaked havoc.

“They first overpowered our military might.”

The force that might have been able to resist those monsters.

It was the army.

Chapter 158: Sealed 1

“The first to fall was the royal family. After that came the Heavenly Heart League, the Black Mage Association, and even the Great Holy Church…”

“The Heavenly Heart… what?”

“They were the strongest and most influential forces in our world. Even if the monsters had overturned the entire realm, if their strength had remained intact, they might have been able to put up a fight. But…”

“So, you’re saying they were the first to collapse.”

“…Later, I heard from survivors that they were given no time to respond to the sudden appearance of the monsters.”

Just as I thought.

It was the same outcome as our military bases collapsing first.

The phenomena happening in Seo-hwan ’s world and in our world mirrored each other.

‘That malice… it exists.’

Though it started as a vague suspicion, I was finally gaining certainty.

“The monsters grew stronger as time went on. The ones that appeared early on could be dealt with somehow, but powerful creatures like the one that brought down the royal family soon roamed freely throughout the world.”

This part too was something I had heard from the Pope.

As time passed, the monsters became increasingly powerful.

‘I can’t believe this.’

Even now, it’s not easy to exterminate these creatures.

The thought that even stronger ones would emerge is terrifying.

“From that point on, communication with others was cut off. We could no longer roam outside… Everyone likely perished miserably while trying to resist the beasts.”

“Why do they invade other worlds? What’s the reason, and how can we stop them?”

I couldn’t hold back my curiosity and asked.

“Didn’t I mention? I don’t know. I don’t even understand how this place is the only one left standing in a world devastated by their invasion.”

“You can’t possibly not know. Didn’t you survive that assault?”

“I survived, but that doesn’t mean I did anything extraordinary.”

What is this guy?

He’s utterly useless.

“If there’s anyone who knows anything… well, I’m not so sure.”

Seo-hwan turned his gaze toward the window.

“Probably my Master.”

“Your Master?”

Atop the mountain stood a grand edifice.

“In our world, I wasn’t particularly strong. The only reason I survived was thanks to my Master.”

“So, your Master was quite powerful?”

“He was universally recognized as the strongest in the world. He didn’t join any particular sect because of his disdain for chaos… but he occasionally interacted with celestial immortals, so he might have had some insights. Although he never shared any specific hints with me.”

…What did I just hear?

Celestial immortals?

“The fact that this place still exists in some form must be something only the immortals could manage. Besides my Master, I doubt anyone else would know.”

I couldn’t help but scoff.

It was a tale from another world.

It wouldn’t be strange if such beings existed.

“Then I want to meet this Master of yours.”

“Hm… that might be a bit difficult.”

“Why is that? Ah, could it be that he’s already dead…?”

“No, that’s not it. He is alive. The issue is…”

Seo-hwan let out a sigh.

“Merely that he is alive.”

“…?”

“He was powerful, but the enemies he faced in his final battle were even more formidable. During the fight, he fell into a state of deep meditation… and since then, I haven’t been able to see him. The reason is simple.”

Following Seo-hwan’s gaze, I looked at the grand edifice atop the mountain.

Focusing intently on that place, I sensed a presence.

[Battle Power Evaluation]

A characteristic activated.

And then…

I recoiled.

The scenery of the mountaintop, as observed through this ability, left me paralyzed.

The [Battle Power Evaluation] conveys the strength of an adversary through color.

Strength is categorized in a spectrum of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

The most powerful monsters I had encountered so far exuded a blue aura.

But now…

‘…Violet?’

Atop the mountain stood the grand edifice, enveloped in a massive and magnificent violet aura.

“To meet my Master, one must be prepared for death.”

In the end, the plan to meet Seo-hwan ’s Master was bound to fall through.

What could I do about it?

‘Suddenly encountering violet is a bit much.’

The strongest beings I had faced up until now radiated a blue aura.

I hadn’t even seen an indigo aura yet.

Suddenly, purple?

Even upon reflection, a chill runs down my spine.

The deep purple energy that enveloped the entire mountain.

Am I really heading blindly toward the place where such a force resides?

It could only be described as a somewhat unconventional act of suicide.

And then—

“Well then, as promised, let’s begin your martial arts training.”

The original purpose of my visit here.

The passing down of martial arts was about to commence.

I had gotten a vague idea from Seung-joo about what to expect, but I was curious about how exactly the training would unfold.

“Alright… let’s start with a sparring session.”

“Sparring?”

“I’m being forced into this under threats. If it were up to me, I’d just use the martial arts I shared with that bald man to make it quick….”

In the spacious hall, there was a wide area that seemed designed for training purposes right in the middle.

“Ultimately, I am also someone who walks the path of martial arts. No matter how much I’m compelled to do this, I can’t allow myself to take it lightly—it goes against my pride.”

“And what does that have to do with sparring?”

“The path of martial arts is complex. You can’t reach a high level just by haphazardly picking up any martial art. Each person has a martial art that suits them best.”

“Is that so?”

“There are indeed martial arts that can suit anyone. However, those arts tend to be of low quality, crafted for even those without talent, which is unavoidable.”

What came to mind were the “Demon Subding Martial Arts” taught by Seung-joo monk to others.

Everyone at Myoyangsa was learning that art.

Yet, its rank was quite low, a mere C.

“Usually, individuals find the martial art that suits them through their own process of accumulating skill…”

Seo-hwan, holding a staff, spoke up.

“But we don’t have much time, so I’ll hand over some weapons to you, and then I’ll teach you the martial art that I believe fits you best.”

And thus, the sparring began.

Seo-hwan’s clothing was worn and tattered, and the staff he wielded was an utterly ordinary piece of equipment.

Even if he possessed a blue energy, could he really defeat our fully equipped unit?

Honestly, I had my doubts.

Thwack!

“Cough!”

“Hm. Your physical abilities are impressive, but your technique is abysmal.”

Lee Byung-min, struck by Seo-hwan’s staff, fell to the ground with a brief gasp.

It seemed I had been worrying for nothing.

“Don’t fret. A martial art that suits you is already coming to mind.”

The sparring continued.

“Guhk!”

“How bizarre.”

“Ugh.”

“Indeed, I can see why you sought martial arts.”

The members of our squad were rolling around on the training ground floor.

Seo-hwan ’s voice, looking down at them, carried a hint of curiosity.

“I never expected the harmony between physical ability and skill to be so misaligned. How could something like this happen?”

As he said, our squad members weren’t drastically lacking in physical prowess.

The problem lies in the skills.

“Is there something wrong?”

“Not quite. I was just trying to observe innate temperaments. A lack of skill doesn’t necessarily disqualify someone from martial arts selection. It’s simply puzzling.”

Seo-hwan frowned, appearing to struggle with understanding.

“There’s a concept called ‘mind, skill, and body.’”

“?”

“Mind, skill, and body. By nurturing all three, a martial artist can progress to the next level. Generally, they tend to grow evenly. Occasionally, one might lag behind, typically the mind… But you guys are different. Your physical abilities are disproportionately advanced. I’ve never seen such imbalance before.”

He muttered in disbelief.

I had my suspicions about the cause.

“In the end, we’ve grown stronger thanks to the system.”

We had hunted monsters to gain levels, used points to consume ability potions, and acquired stat bonuses through guild skills and equipment.

As a result, our physical abilities had soared, while other aspects had remained less impressive.

“……? What does that mean?”

Oh, right.

This was the same guy who didn’t understand the term “dungeon.”

He probably understood “system” differently as well.

“Uh, you know, we hunt monsters to absorb their energy and awaken to gain our classes?”

“Hmm…?”

“There are letters floating in the air that only we can see, providing information and guidance. You must’ve had something similar, right?”

Despite my earnest attempt to explain, he replied,

“I’ve never heard of that. Letters that are invisible to others? Shouldn’t we visit a healer?”

Only after hearing that I realize something for the first time.

“Those guys don’t have a system at all…”

I had assumed that the monster invasions and the emergence of a system occurred simultaneously.

But now it was clear that they were entirely distinct phenomena.

Although Seo-hwan ’s world was being attacked by monsters, a system had never appeared.

“If that’s the case, then why… does the system only appear to us?”

I pondered this for a moment but found no satisfactory answers.

“Anyway, something like that exists. There’s a way to quickly enhance physical abilities, but otherwise, I think we’re pretty average.”

“Hmm, is that so? It’s certainly a scenario worth envying concerning my martial arts.”

Seo-hwan was mainly focused on the unusual imbalance before him, showing little interest otherwise.

Afterwards, the training continued.

“Ugh!”

“Ow!”

Most of the squad members were getting one-sidedly beaten during their sparring sessions.

“… You aren’t taking out your frustrations on us, right?”

“Of course not.”

I suspected that he was being coerced into imparting martial arts skills, serving as a sort of outlet for frustration.

In the end, the truth remained a mystery as most of the sparring came to an end.

“Well, this seems about right. Overall, the talents displayed are quite ordinary.”

Only two soldiers remained.

“Well then, I’ll be off.”

Among the last two soldiers, it was Corporal Jeon Gwang-il who stepped forward first.

“Wait a moment.”

“Yes?”

Though he was ready to jump straight into the sparring session, Sergeant Shin Young-joon called him to a halt.

“Yes?”

“I’ve been watching you spar with the others, and I think you can go all out without holding back, Gwang-il.”

“Go all out, you say?”

At those words, Corporal Jeon Gwang-il’s eyes widened in surprise. To fight at full strength meant—

“You mean, unleash my full potential…?”

“Exactly.”

“…I’ve never done that, except when fighting against enemies.”

Even though he was half-coerced into teaching martial arts, Seo- Hwan wasn’t technically considered an enemy.

However, the purpose of this sparring was to assess each participant’s capabilities and find an appropriate level of martial arts.

Considering that aim, he realized,

“Are you saying I need to demonstrate all my abilities?”

It was only then that Corporal Jeon Gwang-il understood.

“Yes, I understand.”

In the end, following Sergeant Shin Young-joon’s advice,

“Alright.”

“Grrrr…!”

Corporal Jeon Gwang-il unleashed his full potential, charging toward Seo Hwan like a beast.

“It seems there’s more than just a bunch of amateurs here.”

Feeling that tremendous energy, Seo Hwan couldn’t help but murmur to himself as he prepared to counter the attack.

Throughout the sparring with the soldiers, Seo Hwan maintained a calm demeanor.

That attitude remained unchanged for the first few exchanges, but then—

“…Oh my goodness!”

As the match surpassed ten exchanges, his voice finally shook with surprise.

“This is unbelievable. But this energy… Could it really be…?”

With each passing moment in the sparring, Seo Hwan’s astonishment grew.

He muttered, hardly able to believe it,

“Could it really be that he possesses the…?”

Unlike the previous matches that had ended before reaching ten exchanges, the atmosphere had shifted dramatically.

With all his might, Jeon Gwang-il found that it was no easy task to finish off Seo Hwan in a single blow.

Dozens.

Perhaps after exchanging nearly a hundred strikes, the spar finally came to an end.

“…Huff!”

“Cough.”

Jeon Gwang-il fell to his knees on the ground.

Despite the outcome, the remnants of his frantic energy lingered, even after the match was over.

“Grrr.”

“Hey. Are you okay?”

“…Ah, Sergeant Shin.”

Although he had growled like a wild beast, the Berserk in Jeon Gwang-il’s eyes diminished slightly at the sound of Sergeant Shin’s voice.

I frowned as I observed Jeon Gwang-il’s condition.

“Did you take out your frustration on him because you were forced to train? After all, this was just a spar, and you ended up losing like this.”

“If it hadn’t been for that, I wouldn’t have pushed myself so hard.”

Seo Hwan steadied his ragged breath as he looked down at Jeon Gwang-il.

“…You’re impressive.”

“Heh, impressive? Is that something someone who just got beaten can say?”

Muttering to himself, Seo Hwan glanced at Jeon Gwang-il, who still bore the remnants of his Berserk.

“It seems like you’re mistaken. What astonishes me isn’t your strength.”

“…?”

Seo Hwan replied nonchalantly, as if everything were perfectly normal.

“Even in my current state, I can’t say I couldn’t handle you. If we fought a hundred times, I’d win every single time.”

“Cough! Are you mocking me? Then what’s so impressive about that?”

“Your talent.”

“What?”

It seemed that Seo Hwan’s words had genuinely surprised him.

Jeon Gwang-il noticed cold sweat trickling down the side of Seo Hwan’s masked face.

“Surely not. I never expected to witness a Heavenly Calamity Physique during my lifetime.”

“What are you talking about? That phrase you kept repeating—what does it even mean?”

Talking to himself in a way that made Jeon Gwang-il uncomfortable, Seo Hwan continued.

“You must have had many moments when you struggled to maintain your sanity in battle. Am I wrong?”

“…Are you talking about Berserk?”

In Seo Hwan’s voice, there was an exhilaration he couldn’t quite suppress.

The excitement of meeting a truly exceptional talent.

“Martial arts are a means for the weak to overcome the strong… but they are also tools for training the mind.”

“Are you referring to that mind-body connection you mentioned earlier? That ‘mind’ part?”

“Exactly. My lineage is born with a powerful wildness. Thus, martial arts serve as a way to train my mind. And your natural talent for Berserk… was it? That resembles my wildness but is even more potent.”

“…Resemble? Surely not.”

Upon hearing Seo Hwan’s words, Jeon Gwang-il was taken aback, his eyes wide with astonishment.

“Are you implying that I can… suppress my Berserk!?”

[Berserk] was Jeon Gwang-il’s greatest weapon, yet it was also his greatest hindrance.

Not long ago, he had almost harmed a perfectly innocent monk due to that uncontrollable Berserk.

‘If only I could suppress it as I desire…!’

Jeon Gwang-il was exhilarated, but suddenly a shadow crossed over Seo Hwan’s face as he responded.

“That’s why it’s even more disappointing.”

“…?”

“It saddens me deeply that I can’t teach you. Here I am, faced with a talent bestowed by the heavens, and yet I have to let that talent go to waste…”

This guy.

What on earth is he talking about?

According to Seo-hwan , the Berserk that Gwang-il possesses is also present in Seo-hwan ’s world under a different name.

“Cursed Bloodline.”

Indeed, their kind is inherently wild.

True to its gruesome name, those born with the Cursed Bloodline often end up living their lives as deranged killers.

However,

“There are very rare cases where individuals manage to control it. Each ended up becoming a legendary warrior, remembered in history.”

In other words,

Gwang-il possesses an overwhelming talent for martial arts.

The problem is,

Seo-hwan lacks the ability to teach him.

“Have you forgotten our pact?”

In exchange for sparing my life, you have to devote everything.

That’s the contract that Seo-hwan and I made.

It encompasses all the knowledge he possesses.

Seeing him hesitate to share his teachings, I pondered whether to assert my strength.

“I already said, didn’t I? I feel disappointed too.”

“…?”

“My inability to teach that kid isn’t due to a lack of will; it’s because I lack the skill.”

With a sigh, he began to walk away.

“Follow me. I’ll explain it directly.”

Gwang-il and I exchanged puzzled glances and followed Seo-hwan into another room of the pavilion.

“What’s this place?”

“It’s where books on martial arts are stored.”

Is this what a library in the Joseon Dynasty felt like?

Countless books bound in the old style filled the wooden shelves.

“I focused primarily on staff techniques. I can barely understand the characteristics of other martial arts. To teach different styles, I need to refer to these secret texts.”

“There are a lot of books here.”

“It was my master’s hobby. He enjoyed acquiring the techniques of those he defeated.”

… I’m not entirely sure about this, but doesn’t that sound quite malicious?

“In that regard, he was rather infamous. He was so strong that no one dared confront him.”

“….”

As he spoke, he began rummaging through the shelves.

Soon, he pulled out a book.

Looking at it, I saw the title:

[Ingredient Identification (Advanced)]

After gaining the ability to perceive everything as an ingredient, I can now make use of anything.

My Ingredient Identification activated.

[Martial Arts Secret – Hancheon Sword A+]

“The first person I sparred with who wielded a sword. What was his name again?”

“I think it was Lee Byeong-min?”

“What a peculiar name. Regardless, I think it would be beneficial to teach that swordsman this technique. His movements may be slow, but his ability to track his opponent’s movements isn’t half bad. This martial art, which revolves around subduing an opponent with subtle movements, would suit him well.”

“Hmm…”

There was an air of significance in the moment.

After that, Seo-hwan took out several books, most of which contained martial arts techniques rated A or A+.

‘This is about the same level of skill that Seung-joo was practicing.’

In other words, the techniques were at least on par with his skills.

But still…

‘Why is he suddenly showing me this?’

Seo-hwan guided Gwang-il and me to a corner of the training hall.

In that spot, there stood a massive iron door covered in ominous chains and talismans.

“And… the martial arts meant for Heavenly Calamity Physique are kept behind this door.”

The foreboding sight was hard to ignore.

“Are you saying there are techniques for Gwang-il inside that door?”

“For now, yes.”

Gwang-il, his expression uneasy, looked at Seo-hwan .

“Is the reason you can’t teach them to me because…”

“The martial techniques for Heavenly Calamity Physique are sealed within.”

Sealed?

“Few techniques exist that can control and utilize the essence of Heavenly Calamity Physique.”

Seo-hwan continued his explanation.

“Since these techniques are meant for special individuals, anyone else who tries to learn them could become a mindless killing machine. While they possess incredible power, the risks involved are equally immense. That’s why they are sealed within the Secret chamber.”

“So, you’re saying they can’t be shown because they are of great importance?”

“…In the past, that would have been one of the reasons. However, now it doesn’t matter.”

Seo-hwan pointed to the other books he had previously taken out.

These were the books he said he would teach our squad members.

“Each of these martial arts techniques is precious knowledge that should not be taught carelessly. It is forbidden to even show such knowledge to outsiders.”

“Then why?”

“I told you already. My world has already perished.”

As Seo-hwan gently handled the old tomes, a sense of melancholy lingered.

“The culture of a ruined world holds no significance anymore. Therefore, there’s no need to hoard knowledge that can be shared.”

“…I see.”

“Although I might be coerced into doing so, I believe it’s not entirely a bad thing. If I can convey even the knowledge accumulated by my world to this one… it would be better than facing complete dissolution without leaving anything behind.”

I couldn’t quite grasp it all, but.

As the last survivor of a fallen world, he must have made a decision of some sort.

‘Is this just his story, or is it ours too?’

My own world was also barreling toward its demise.

Thinking that Seo-hwan ’s fate might become ours stirred a bittersweet feeling within me.

“The reason I can’t teach Heavenly Calamity Physique is simple.”

It’s not that the martial arts of Secret chamber are simply too precious.

“I can’t open that door in the first place.”

“….”

He looked at Gwang-il with an expression of regret.

“I can imagine a bit of the suffering you’re going through because of that cursed power. We too experience unwanted misfortunes when we can’t control our innate wildness.”

“….”

“If it were up to me, I would want to protect you from your misfortune. If only I could teach you the martial arts inside there, perhaps it could help subdue your Berserk. But… all I can say is that I’m sorry.”

At those words, Gwang-il’s previously hopeful demeanor visibly dimmed.

“Must it absolutely be the martial arts associated with that cursed power? I feel like Gwang-il has some talent in various forms of combat. If he could just learn something of note to pass on to the other soldiers…”

“If that were possible, the cursed ones wouldn’t have gained a reputation as insane murderers. Unless you can properly handle that energy, it’s better not to strive to learn at all. Trying to master an incompatible martial art will only increase the likelihood of succumbing to Berserk.”

“But still. There has to be some way, right?”

“I’m sorry, but the only way to learn the martial arts in that chamber is through me. I know of no other methods.”

“… Damn it. Then we can break down that door or something! There must be some way!”

As I vented my frustration, Gwang-il flailed his hands in front of him, visibly flustered.

“I-I’m fine! Please, calm down, Sergeant Shin.”

“Fine? Just stay quiet. I’ll make sure to find an answer for this.”

But Seo-hwan merely shook his head, unaffected.

“If it were a door that could be opened by force, we would have done so long ago.”

“….”

“It’s not just a simple iron door. It’s a door made of the world’s strongest known minerals and sealed by all kinds of protective spells. Until Master returns, there’s no being capable of opening it by force.”

I stole a fleeting glance at the shadow.

[The one who devours steel]

I thought that perhaps the Mac could breach that door somehow.

But

Kyaaang…

What echoed from within was a hesitant cry.

They say it’s sealed with all sorts of magic. Not even Mac, who can devour any mineral, can penetrate it.

With a light bite of my lip, Gwang-il stepped in front of me, sweat beading on his forehead.

“I’m really fine. You know how strong I am, even without that martial art!”

“….”

“Ha, haha. Sure, it’s a bit disappointing that I can’t control my Berserk anymore… But I can manage somehow with my willpower! Ah, Sergeant Shin, you’ve said it repeatedly—‘Make the impossible possible!’”

“Ugh… Gwang-il.”

“With my stubborn spirit, I’ll find a way to control it someday! So please, don’t worry too much. After all, this is my battle to fight. Just believe in me and let—

“It’s not just your battle.”

“Huh?”

This matter is not solely important to you.

“Ugh…”

I let out a sigh, rubbing my face before addressing Seo-hwan .

“Can the two of us talk for a moment?”

“…?”

“Gwang-il, you should rest with the other soldiers.”

“… Yes.”

Though he looked puzzled by my response, he obediently obeyed the order.

What a mild-mannered guy.

“What is it that you want to say?”

“It’s a continuation of what we were discussing earlier—the way to handle his berserk. Just give me something, anything.”

“I’ve told you before. I don’t have a solution. Why are you so angered by that giant’s actions?”

He tilted his head, as if the question perplexed him.

“The giant’s words aren’t entirely wrong. This situation is his responsibility, not yours. Aren’t you already strong enough? Those two who were in your shadow—they alone possess enough power that you technically wouldn’t need the martial skill of Heavenly Calamity Physique to handle it.”

“I mentioned it before; this isn’t just Gwang-il’s problem.”

“…What?”

I fiddled with the kitchen knife hidden in my pocket.

To be honest, it was a topic I found rather uncomfortable to disclose to others.

“The Berserk he possesses… it arose because of me.”

“…What?!”

It was a confession regarding my own guilt.

[Chef’s Special Sauce]

It sounds like a ridiculous skill name.

But despite its seemingly comical title, it boasts a remarkably powerful effect.

“The ability to manipulate people’s emotions.”

Among all my abilities, perhaps this one is the most dangerous.

While I’ve mastered it completely now, in the beginning…

I had no idea just how powerful it truly was.

“Gwang-il led a life far removed from Berserk. In fact, he was a notorious coward—so fearful that he couldn’t even bear to hear scary stories.”

“You mean to say you changed that?”

“Cowardice doesn’t serve one well in survival. Back then, I thought it was for everyone’s sake. And even now, I stand by that conviction. The problem, however, was that it went too far.”

Cooking infused with [Courage].

As a result of that excessive courage, Gwang-il became consumed by Berserk and underwent a transformation.

“The awakening of the Berserker.”

So, how should I put it?

The Berserk that now torments him for life—

I am the one who brought it into existence.

“This Berserk was created because I wanted to survive.”

This is the first time I’ve spoken about this directly to someone else.

Even to Min-jae, who was the first to detect my abilities, I had never shared details about this particular burden I carry.

“So, it seems the one responsible for this should also be me.”

“…Really?”

Perhaps it was because he was a complete stranger, but I found I could speak with a sort of detached calm, as if it were merely an observation.

After listening to me, Seo-hwan gave a small nod.

“…I assumed you must be a truly despicable person to have to rely on force to oppress others.”

“What did you say?”

“It seems our martial arts may have a lesser adversary than I expected. Maybe I shouldn’t be too concerned.”

“….”

I wondered what thoughts were lingering in Seo-hwan’s mind as he looked at me.

The expression on his face had shifted slightly—it seemed to carry a hint of goodwill.

“However, there’s one thing I need to correct.”

“What?”

“You might be mistaken in thinking that the ‘Heavenly Calamity Physique’ has manifested because of you.”

“What?”

I couldn’t help but widen my eyes at those words.

It was clear to anyone that the reason that guy had ascended to a berserk warrior state was due to my cooking.

And yet, he’s saying it’s a mistake?

“The rules of your world could differ somewhat from those of the one I came from… but if I follow my expectations, the differences shouldn’t be quite significant.”

“So, what does that mean?”

“The Heavenly Calamity Physique is something one is born with; it cannot be acquired later in life.”

“…?”

But hold on a second.

Gwang-il was originally just a nervous guy, far removed from being a maniacal murderer. He couldn’t even bring himself to engage in anything dangerous due to his timid nature.

“However, there could be differences regarding when the Heavenly Calamity Physique manifests.”

“Manifest…?”

“Those who exhibit the Heavenly Calamity Physique at a young age often can’t handle that power and end up dying. It’s excessively overwhelming. Therefore, those endowed with such a trait instinctively delay its manifestation.”

“Delay?”

“In most cases, they maintain an appearance opposite to what the Heavenly Calamity Physique would represent, thus postponing its onset. Most possessors of this ability behave like fearful, indecisive beings before their latent powers awaken.”

“….”

So, Gwang-il is the same way, then.

“What you did was merely awaken that dormant energy within him. Regardless of whether it was early or late, that energy would have eventually come to light.”

“But doesn’t that mean I was the catalyst for all of this?”

“That is not incorrect. However, if you’re asking if it resulted in a negative outcome, I don’t think so.”

With his arms crossed, he gazed down at the lodging where Gwang-il was waiting.

“Physically, he’s already on the verge of becoming a complete warrior. He was ready to harness the energy of the Heavenly Calamity Physique. In fact, by awakening it before it became overwhelmingly powerful, it seems his sanity wasn’t completely consumed by Berserk.”

“…!”

“If the energy had manifested when it was at its most potent, he would have truly become a mad, murderous fiend. So, in terms of timing, what you did was rather fortunate. If you consider that he has been able to win many battles thanks to that energy, it’s even more so.”

At Seo-hwan ‘s words, I could only widen my eyes and murmur.

“Are you serious? You’re not just saying this to comfort me, are you?”

“Comfort you? Why would I provide comfort to someone who threatens me with force to reveal martial arts?”

“……Haha.”

What is going on here?

Is that really all it was?

“If you hadn’t been the trigger, that giant might have faced even greater harm. So, you needn’t feel guilty.”

A wave of relief washed over me.

One of the burdens I thought I would carry for life—the guilt—was actually nothing to worry about.

“Are you starting to feel at ease now?”

“A little.”

Seo-hwan nodded faintly.

“As I mentioned, because you rapidly unleashed that energy, the man’s rationality managed to fend off complete Berserk. Although it’s unfortunate, the energy of the Heavenly Calamity Physique is so powerful that, even without mastering martial arts, he’ll likely be on par with those who have. His martial arts…”

“No. That’s a different matter altogether.”

“What do you mean?”

Thanks to him, I’ve come to understand that I need not bear guilt towards Gwang-il.

But still, that’s entirely separate from the issue of restoring Gwang-il’s martial abilities.

“While the guilt may have faded, it doesn’t mean I’ve shirked my responsibilities.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“That guy is a member of our squad, and I’m the leader of that squad.”

“….”

But regardless of my guilt, I still have a responsibility to look after my squad members.

More than anything, it’s just not right.

All the other members have at least one decent skill to rely on, yet Gwang-il doesn’t have anything at all.

That seems… unfair.

“It feels too much like he’s being left out.”

“….”

That’s not the kind of atmosphere our squad embodies.