Chapter 45
Sowhere within the Black Giant Star headquarters, in Hemis’ office.
Hemis was unusually sitting at her desk, working.
“What has Choi Hyun-seok been up to lately?”
A deep voice responded.
It was Reidrun, the squad leader.
“He’s been carrying out his duties as the cook leader, as usual.”
“Oh really?”
“Yes. In his spare ti, he’s been training with like before.”
“That’s unexpected.”
It was strange. Normally, he would have been frantically trying to get stronger. But he was just carrying out his cook duties as usual?
It had already been 3 weeks since Hemis ordered him to take down the battalion commander.
At this rate, Choi Hyun-seok wouldn’t be able to defeat the battalion commander even if he died and ca back to life.
“Surely he doesn’t think he can get as strong as the battalion commander just by hunting a few monsters?”
Hemis had known for a while that Choi Hyun-seok was using the cooks for his own growth. She had simply left him alone since there was no need to intervene.
But if he was truly satisfied with that level, it would be a grave miscalculation.
“Reidrun, have you been teaching him incredible things again?”
“No, that’s not the case. Choi Hyun-seok has been steadily growing stronger, but not at the sa explosive rate as before.”
“Then Reidrun, in your opinion, what are Choi Hyun-seok’s chances of defeating the battalion commander?”
“None,” Reidrun said with certainty.
As soone who knew Choi Hyun-seok’s abilities better than anyone, his assessnt was likely accurate.
“I wonder what he’s thinking…”
A slight smile crept onto Hemis’ lips.
Another person might have thought he was becoming arrogant or giving up.
But not Choi Hyun-seok.
‘That cockroach of a man won’t die so easily.’
If he could be defeated by such trials, he would have died multiple tis over by now.
“Reidrun, do you understand what Choi Hyun-seok is thinking?”
“…I’m not sure myself.”
Reidrun’s face was filled with worry.
Suddenly, as if rembering sothing, he spoke up.
“Ah, there is one thing I haven’t ntioned about Choi Hyun-seok.”
“Hmm?”
“Lately, he’s been on good terms with Battalion Commander Doras.”
“Doras? Who’s that?”
“He’s the commander of the 1st Battalion of the Roiger Regint, which is under the direct command of the Corps.”
“Hmm, I see. I don’t really know him.”
“He’s considered to be one of the more approachable battalion commanders.”
At the ntion of approachable, Hemis clapped her hands.
“Ah! That pig?”
“…Yes, that’s correct.”
“Reidrun, you should have just said ‘the pig’ from the start instead of beating around the bush. Ohoho!”
“My apologies…”
“Anyway, so Choi Hyun-seok has been getting close with that pig of a battalion commander?”
“Yes.”
Hemis’ lips stretched into a wide grin.
“I told him to take down the battalion commander, and now he’s getting friendly with him?”
“…”
“Isn’t it just so exciting to imagine what kind of sche he’s plotting? Ohoho!”
She wanted to call Choi Hyun-seok in and interrogate him right away, but she had to restrain herself.
Watching the ending of a play before it happens ruins half the fun.
‘Hurry up and entertain more!’
Hemis could only hope ti would pass quickly.
***
At the sa ti, Choi Hyun-seok visited Doras’ office, as usual, carrying at.
“Grrrwww! Mmm! As expected, the at you’ve brought is the best!”
“Haha! Thank you.”
Doras no longer bothered with propriety, imdiately devouring the at as soon as Choi Hyun-seok brought it.
He finished the large platter of at in less than 5 minutes.
“Urrgghhh! That hit the spot.”
After patting his jiggling belly, he imdiately reached for the fruit on the table.
“Now, ti for dessert.”
Choi Hyun-seok watched this, then suddenly let out an exaggerated sigh.
“Phew…”
“Hmm?”
Doras, grabbing a fruit, looked at Choi Hyun-seok with a puzzled expression.
“A sudden sigh? Is sothing troubling you?”
“Ah, my apologies. I was just thinking about a worrying matter…”
Speaking with a gloomy expression, Choi Hyun-seok suddenly jolted and waved his hands.
“Ah! It’s nothing that would concern you, Battalion Commander Doras. It’s related to my duties as a cook. I’m sorry for worrying you. Haha!”
“No, if there’s a problem with the cook’s duties, please tell .”
“No, I wouldn’t want to burden you, Commander Doras…”
At Choi Hyun-seok’s words, Doras made a show of looking upset.
“What? Is that all we’re to each other? I thought of you as a friend, you know.”
“Commander Doras…!”
Choi Hyun-seok looked touched.
Doras smiled warmly as he continued.
“A friend’s problem is my problem too. If there’s anything I can do to help, just say the word.”
Of course, Doras didn’t truly see Choi Hyun-seok as a friend.
‘I don’t care what happens to the human, but if Choi Hyun-seok has a problem, he might not be able to bring at!’
His concern was for the at, not Choi Hyun-seok.
But on the surface, it seed like he was genuinely looking out for Choi Hyun-seok.
“Well, the thing is…”
Choi Hyun-seok began cautiously.
After hearing the full explanation, Doras nodded.
“So the Corps Commander wants to try the delicious ‘Marbling’ monster, but your soldiers can’t capture it?”
“Yes. Marbling is the monster, and they say its at is incredibly delicious. But it’s so strong that we can’t do anything about it…”
“Hmm, Marbling, huh? I’ve never heard of that monster before.”
“The forr cook leader, Kulkan, told about it, so I’m certain.”
Of course, that was a blatant lie.
“Marbling?
There can’t be a monster with such a na.
I didn’t say Nidlark so he won’t get scared and refuse it.
‘It took a bit to incorporate the Corps Commander’s na… But oh well.’
Surely Doras wouldn’t go to Hemis to talk about at unless he’s gone mad.
“Marbling, huh… Great! I’ll help you out.”
“Really now?”
“How can I ignore a friend’s difficulties? I’ll send support troops from the battalion tomorrow.”
At the ntion of sending troops, Choi Hyun-seok bit his lip.
“Uh, Commander Doras. I don’t think just sending troops will be enough.”
“What do you an?”
“Even if all the troops in this battalion gather, they won’t be able to beat you, Commander.”
“That’s true.”
“The sa goes for the monster Marbling. The troops will just end up getting more hurt if they go.”
In the end, it was a request for Doras to go himself.
“Hmm, it’s a hassle to move out myself…”
As Doras seed to ponder it, Choi Hyun-seok frowned.
‘Whenever it’s about helping a friend, he dares to hesitate because it’s a hassle?’
He knew Doras was blunt, but seeing him speak so boldly was exasperating.
Choi Hyun-seok decided to drive the point ho.
“If this operation is a success, I’ll give you so Marbling at as well. And…”
He whispered cautiously into Doras’ ear.
“I’ll report directly to the Corps Commander… Saying that you made a great contribution to this hunt.”
Doras’ eyes widened at Choi Hyun-seok’s whisper.
“Is that really true?”
“Yes. Since it’s no secret that I’m on intimate terms with the Corps Commander, I have no reason to hide it from you.”
Of course, it was a lie. Choi Hyun-seok’s position was ultimately Hemis’ most beloved toy. But since Doras was unaware of this fact externally, he readily took the bait.
“Alright, I’ll go myself tomorrow then.”
Doras acted as if he was reluctantly agreeing, but couldn’t hide the slight upward curl of his lips.
Not only would he get to eat the highest quality at, but he also had a chance to gain the Corps Commander’s favor – how could he not be pleased?
“Thank you! I’m sure the Corps Commander will be delighted as well!”
Choi Hyun-seok bowed 90 degrees as he spoke. A deep smile was plastered on his lowered face.
‘It’s a success.’
He had been offering at to Doras, all for this mont. Tomorrow, he will reap the fruits of his labor.
‘Don’t bla too much. After all, the world is just like this, right? It’s not like I lied completely.’
Not everything Choi Hyun-seok said to Doras was a lie.
After capturing Battalion Commander Doras, he would report to Hemis as promised. And she would likely be thrilled by Choi Hyun-seok’s outrageous actions.
‘In the end, I’ll be making an impression on Hemis, so it’s not a complete lie.’
Even if it was after his death.
***
The next day.
Choi Hyun-seok, who had risen early, was gazing at the rising sun.
“Phew…”
He clenched his fist, his expression sohow solemn.
“Haaah…”
Beside him, Rachel was also exhaling with a resolute look, unlike her usual self.
“Is this the day of the final battle?”
“Yes…!”
Today was the start of the operation codenad ‘Pig Hunt’.
There was still so ti left until the deadline Hemis had set, but they decided to start a little earlier.
‘It could go wrong.’
This operation was almost like a gamble.
They needed to leave so ti as a buffer in case things went awry.
“The target is to make Nidlark and Doras cross paths.”
Choi Hyun-seok had been wandering the forest, searching for various dangerous monsters.
He had considered multiple candidates, pondering which monster to pit against Doras.
It couldn’t be too strong either.
It wouldn’t do for the monster to defeat Doras before Choi Hyun-seok could kill him.
So it had to be just the right level of strength – capable of draining Doras’ power to the brink.
After much deliberation, the monster they ultimately chose was Nidlark, the one Choi Hyun-seok had encountered first.
The huge beast with steel-like scales was perfect for sapping Doras’ strength.
“Bobo. Rember! When I give the signal, you attack that pig. Got it?”
“KWANG!”
Bobo responded enthusiastically.
“Good. I’m counting on you!”
Bobo was also participating in this operation.
Choi Hyun-seok had already practiced with Bobo countless tis beforehand,
just in case Bobo didn’t follow his orders.
Fortunately, our clever Bobo understood and followed Choi Hyun-seok’s instructions well.
“Usaru! You too, help Bobo attack Battalion Commander Doras when I signal. Understand?”
Usaru, the hybrid soldier of ogre and orc, was the bane of the platoon.
Choi Hyun-seok had decided to deploy Usaru in this operation as well.
He had originally wanted to exclude the guy, who was under Battalion Commander Doras, but Rachel had dissuaded him.
“Hero! If things go wrong, we can just bury Doras together, right?”
“That thod…?”
He had already been a hassle to control.
The devil’s whisper to eliminate this nuisance along with Doras was irresistible.
“Usaruuu! Don’t worry.”
“You really understand, right?”
“Usaru! The at promise! I’ll definitely keep it!”
“Okay.”
The only downside was that Usaru was so stupid. But Choi Hyun-seok decided to trust, not Usaru, but his own cooking skills.
‘How much at did I have to grill and offer to that guy to explain the plan and persuade him? My arms are still sore.’
Thanks to that, Usaru had beco a wonderful at slave.
“Phew… The preparations are complete now.”
Choi Hyun-seok took a step forward.
“Starting the Pig Hunt operation now!”
The most terrifying pig hunt in the world was about to begin.
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