Not All Heroes From Earth Are Bad

The first task was to assess the skills of the kitchen soldiers.

How they originally cooked.

What types of food the officers usually ate.

Various information needed to be gathered.

“Krong, explain.”

Choi Hyun-seok pointed to Kron, who had the best language skills in the cooking unit.

“We grill meat.”

“Good. And?”

“That’s it.”

“Yes.”

Choi Hyun-seok made a dumbfounded expression.

“This is food for high-ranking officers, and that’s all?”

“Actually, what the cooking unit makes is more like snacks than meals.”

“Snacks?”

“The Demon King’s Army is self-sufficient in food. And each battalion has its own cooks.”

Thinking about it, it made sense.

This small kitchen couldn’t feed numerous soldiers anyway.

“Then why does this kitchen exist?”

If each unit had its own cooks, what was the purpose of this place?

He wondered why soldiers died every day hunting magical beasts.

“It’s to provide the officers with fresh magical beast meat containing magical power.”

“Fresh meat…”

“So usually we just grill the meat, or sometimes send it raw.”

“Ah, is that why the magical beast meat needs to be eaten within 3 days?”

“That’s right.”

Magical beast meat maintains its freshness for 3 days.

This is because after 3 days, the magical power contained in the meat rapidly dissipates.

Choi Hyun-seok could finally understand the overall situation.

“So the core is providing fresh meat daily as special food for the officers.”

“Yes.”

“Good. Thank you.”

Choi Hyun-seok stroked his chin in thought.

‘So I don’t need exceptional cooking skills right away. Just need to grill meat well.’

What’s needed is fresh meat.

And just enough skill to properly grill meat.

Compared to what he had done before, this was an extremely easy task.

‘If I do this well, I could turn this into a good opportunity.’

His mind started working quickly.

‘MSG-infused salt. Using that might help gain the officers’ favor.’

Having tested it on Kulkan before, the effect was certain.

It might be possible to gain the high-ranking officers’ favor with this opportunity.

‘But not right away. There’s something more important right now.’

While having the high-ranking officers’ favor would be better than not, it wasn’t immediately necessary.

After all, Choi Hyun-seok’s fate was controlled by Corps Commander Hemis.

‘I’ll start with that first!’

Having made a decision, Choi Hyun-seok began grilling meat on the pan.

***

Knock knock.

The sound of someone knocking on the door was heard.

Abelson Mariette turned her head with an empty expression.

“May I come in.”

A voice from outside the door.

It was a familiar male voice.

“Yes.”

As permission was given, the door opened.

‘Ah… What a nice smell.’

A fragrant meat smell wafted in strongly.

“I thought you might not have had dinner yet, so I brought some. Hehe.”

Choi Hyun-seok grinned broadly while holding out a plate.

“This is…?”

“Ah, after winning that duel, somehow I ended up becoming the kitchen chief.”

“Ah…”

“Well anyway, please eat before it gets cold!”

“Aren’t you going to eat, Mr. Choi Hyun-seok?”

“Just watching you eat is enough to make me full, Miss Abelson.”

“I see…”

Abelson nodded with a somewhat dubious expression.

‘I should eat.’

Whatever his purpose, he had cooked for her.

It would be courteous to eat it.

Abelson picked up the provided utensils.

‘It’s so tender and soft…’

This was thanks to Usaru tenderizing it with a club.

Clank.

Abelson picked up meat with her fork.

As she was bringing the meat to her mouth, she suddenly shifted her gaze.

“…”

There was Choi Hyun-seok, staring at her with wide eyes.

Abelson put her fork back down on the plate.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes? Is there a problem?”

“It’s too burdensome.”

“Ah! I’m sorry! I’ve rarely seen such a beautiful person eating in my life! Haha!”

Choi Hyun-seok scratched the back of his head and laughed awkwardly.

She thought he was someone who could say such embarrassing things so naturally.

Abelson picked up the meat again.

The moment she put it in her mouth and chewed.

Abelson’s eyes grew round.

It was a rare change in expression.

‘De-delicious…!’

As the next Holy Maiden of the Holy Empire, she had already tasted all sorts of delicacies.

Even for someone like Abelson, this food was delicious enough to be quite shocking.

‘What is this? Has my palate changed from eating Demon King’s Army food…?’

Abelson turned to look at Choi Hyun-seok.

Choi Hyun-seok was looking at her with an expectant expression.

“Is it delicious?”

“Yes. It’s delicious.”

“Then that’s good.”

Choi Hyun-seok smiled brightly.

That smile was so pure that Abelson found herself smiling without realizing it.

“Thank you.”

“I should be thanking you. I never thought I’d be able to have a conversation with a beauty like this in this hell.”

“Yes…”

Though Abelson was well accustomed to all sorts of compliments throughout her life.

She still wasn’t immune to that pure directness.

Clank, clank.

Abelson finished eating the meat.

Despite the considerable portion, she was able to finish it in no time.

Choi Hyun-seok just sat quietly watching until she finished eating.

“Have you finished?”

“Yes. Thank you. It was delicious.”

“Then I’ll take my leave.”

Choi Hyun-seok stood up holding the empty plate.

Abelson stopped him as he was about to leave immediately.

“Mr. Choi Hyun-seok. Just a moment.”

“Yes?”

“I have something I want to ask.”

“Please ask. I’ll tell you anything!”

Choi Hyun-seok looked at Abelson with sparkling eyes.

After thinking for a moment, Abelson spoke.

“What do you plan to do when you leave this place, Mr. Choi Hyun-seok?”

“Hmm… Well…”

As if it was an unexpected question, Choi Hyun-seok sat back down and fell into thought.

“First, there are three things I really want to do.”

“What are they?”

“Marry a blonde noble lady after a sweet romance. Have about five rabbit-like children. And spend my later years watching grandchildren running around in a mansion before peacefully passing away.”

Abelson frowned.

‘Is he joking…?’

She observed Choi Hyun-seok carefully.

His expression was completely serious.

Abelson slowly nodded.

‘Well, that’s just like him…’

In a way, it was a wish that perfectly suited Choi Hyun-seok.

“Ah! I might have said something that could be misunderstood.”

“Yes?”

“It doesn’t have to be a blonde noble lady. Silver hair is good too, and a clergywoman would also… Ahem…!”

Choi Hyun-seok cleared his throat unnecessarily.

“Ah, yes…”

Abelson started searching around for where her scripture was.

She might need to hit this impudent hero’s head if necessary.

Then Choi Hyun-seok continued speaking.

“What I just mentioned are actually my long-term life goals. What I really want to do is something else.”

“What do you want to do?”

“Yes. I want to go on adventures.”

Choi Hyun-seok said with a serious face.

But his eyes were shining even brighter than when he talked about women.

“To travel the world and have real hero-like adventures. Defeating magical beasts, helping people in need. And maybe meeting the village chief’s beautiful daughter along the way.”

“I see… So that’s it…”

Though there was something strange added at the end, she let it slide.

“But why did you ask that?”

“I was just curious. It’s not common for a hero to be captured by the Demon King’s Army.”

“A Holy Maiden captured by the Demon King’s Army isn’t common either, right?”

“Technically, I’m the next Holy Maiden.”

“Same difference, really.”

Choi Hyun-seok continued with a smile.

“I have something I’d like to ask too, may I?”

“Yes. Go ahead.”

“I’ll ask you the same question back. What do you want to do when you leave here, Miss Abelson?”

At Choi Hyun-seok’s words, Abelson fell into deep thought.

Choi Hyun-seok waited patiently until she spoke.

“I…”

Finally, she opened her mouth.

And what followed was completely unexpected.

“I don’t want to do anything.”

***

The next day.

Choi Hyun-seok’s day begins very early in the morning.

“Inhale… Exhale…”

He threw a powerful punch while regulating his breathing.

“Haap!”

A strong gust of wind arose in front of him along with his extending fist.

Whoosh!

Feeling the wind blow, Choi Hyun-seok nodded.

“Excellent!”

Though he had won the duel and become the kitchen chief, Choi Hyun-seok didn’t neglect his training.

Rather, he was even more diligent than before.

‘You never know when you’ll have to fight someone again.’

He needed to level up more and hone his skills more.

To be unafraid of any enemy.

And when he becomes strong enough to feel confident.

That will be the time to leave this Black Giant Star.

‘By the way… Not wanting to do anything, what did she mean?’

Suddenly, he recalled last evening’s conversation with Abelson.

Why did Abelson say such a thing?

Choi Hyun-seok wanted to ask in detail, but Abelson shook her head.

‘I’m sorry. Let’s end our conversation here for today.’

It seemed like a personal matter, so there was no need to pry further.

Just then, sunlight began to shine through the dawn twilight.

‘Ah, it’s already this late?’

Choi Hyun-seok turned around while covering his eyes with his hand.

“Should get ready soon.”

Training ends here.

It’s time to go hunting soon.

As Choi Hyun-seok was checking the supplies needed for hunting.

“Ugh… Did you sleep well, Hero?”

Rachel, crawling out of Bobo’s embrace, said while rubbing her eyes.

“Yeah. Get ready. We’re leaving soon.”

“Okay.”

Rachel snapped her fingers with a half-asleep expression.

Then a gust of wind blew around her body, instantly cleaning it.

“Ready!”

Rachel said with a refreshed face.

“Hey. Aren’t you wasting too much magic while using mine?”

“Tch. Don’t be so stingy. If you’re jealous, should I do it for you too, Hero?”

“Yeah.”

He was actually jealous.

With a crisp snap sound, fingers snapped.

Wind began to blow around Choi Hyun-seok, washing away sweat and dust.

“Ooh…”

“Feels good, right!?”

“It does! But do you have to do that finger snapping?”

“No. It’s just more exciting to use magic this way!”

“Ah, I see.”

While exchanging trivial conversation, Choi Hyun-seok and Rachel quickly arrived at the kitchen.

“Everyone gather! It’s time to go hunting!”

Starting today, they would be even busier since they had to serve meals to the officers.

Choi Hyun-seok hurriedly led the cooks toward the hunting grounds.

Of course, leaving Usaru behind.

‘It’s worrying but… Can’t be helped.’

Usaru was completely uncontrollable.

It felt like even Bobo was smarter and more obedient than Usaru.

“As expected, our Bobo is the best!”

“Kwang!”

Bobo barked energetically at Choi Hyun-seok’s praise.

‘Come to think of it, it seems like he’s getting bigger these days.’

Whether it was his imagination or not, it felt like Bobo’s size was increasing day by day.

‘It shouldn’t matter.’

He was no longer such a weakling that he had to worry about dying while playing with Bobo.

He didn’t think there would be any problems even if Bobo grew bigger.

“Alright. Everyone wait.”

Having entered the forest somewhat, Choi Hyun-seok stopped everyone.

“All platoon leaders step forward.”

At Choi Hyun-seok’s words, 10 platoon leaders stepped forward.

The platoon leaders nervously watched Choi Hyun-seok’s expression.

‘What is he planning to do today…’

Fortunately, since Usaru wasn’t around, it seemed he wouldn’t do crazy things like throwing soldiers into the forest.

Still, they couldn’t feel at ease.

“Now. Each of you eat one bite.”

Choi Hyun-seok said something completely unexpected.

“What are you doing? I said eat.”

What he held out was meat he had personally cooked the day before.

Despite quite some time having passed since it was cooked, a fragrant smell wafted from it.

“Hmm…”

But the platoon leaders still had uneasy faces.

The kitchen’s credibility had already hit rock bottom.

“Is he experimenting with new poison…”

“He might force us to work as much as we eat…”

“I can hear everything, you bastards. Keep those thoughts to yourself!”

Choi Hyun-seok said with a frown.

“Decide quickly. Will you eat this? Or get eaten by Bobo?”

“We’ll eat.”

The platoon leaders reluctantly ate the meat.

“Munch munch…”

“Chomp chomp!”

Being all big guys, it didn’t even take a minute for them to devour the fist-sized pieces of meat.

“Kitchen chief, what is this…?”

“Delicious, right?”

“It’s too delicious…”

The cooks began to shed tears.

“I’m glad I became a cook.”

“The kitchen chief is a good person.”

“I’ll work hard from now on. Please give me one more piece!”

The platoon leaders shouted excitedly.

Choi Hyun-seok wagged his index finger.

“You can’t get it for free.”

He raised his hand pointing to the forest.

“Now we’ll start a game.”

“A game?”

“Catch the magical beasts alive no matter what. Cut off their limbs or whatever, I don’t care. Just keep them breathing.”

“…”

“Whichever platoon catches the most, regardless of type, gets a feast for the whole platoon. You have one hour.”

The platoon leaders looked at each other with bewildered faces.

“What are you doing? Run.”

Choi Hyun-seok said with an evil smile.

“Uwaaaaah!”

It was the moment a life-or-death game for meat began.

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