Not All Heroes From Earth Are Bad [EN]: Chapter 37

There was something I needed to do first: assess the skills of the cooks.

How they originally cooked.

What kind of food the officers mainly ate.

I needed to gather all sorts of information.

“Krohn, explain.”

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

“We grill meat.”

“Okay. And then?”

“That’s it.”

“That’s it? Just grilling meat?”

“Yes.”

Choi Hyun-seok looked dumbfounded.

“This is for the high-ranking officers. That’s all you do?”

“Actually, what the cooking squad makes is more like a snack than a meal.”

“A snack?”

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

Come to think of it, that made sense.

There was no way this small kitchen could feed so many soldiers.

“Then why does this kitchen exist?”

If each unit had its own cooks, why was this place here?

I wondered why soldiers were dying every day hunting magical beasts.

“We provide the officers with fresh magical beast meat that contains mana.”

“Fresh meat…”

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

“Ah, is that why you said the magical beast meat has to be eaten within three days?”

“That’s right.”

Magical beast meat stays fresh for three days.

The reason is that the mana contained in the meat rapidly dissipates after three days.

Choi Hyun-seok was finally able to grasp the overall situation.

“Every day, you give the officers freshly caught meat as a special meal. That’s the key.”

“Yes.”

“Okay. Thanks for the help.”

Choi Hyun-seok stroked his chin and pondered.

‘To sum it up, I don’t need outstanding cooking skills right now. I just need to grill the meat deliciously.’

All I needed was fresh meat.

And the skill to grill the meat properly.

Compared to what I’ve been doing, it was a very easy task.

‘If I do this right, I can turn this into a good opportunity.’

My mind started racing.

‘MSG-infused salt. If I use that, I might be able to gain the officers’ favor.’

I had already tested it on Kulkan, so I knew it would work.

I might be able to gain the favor of high-ranking officers with this opportunity.

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

The favor of high-ranking officers was better than nothing, but it wasn’t what I needed right now.

In the end, Choi Hyun-seok’s fate would be determined by the legion commander, Hemis.

‘I’ll start with that first!’

Having made a decision, Choi Hyun-seok started grilling meat in the pan.

***

Knock knock.

A knock on the door.

Abelson Marriott turned her head with a vacant expression.

“May I come in?”

The voice from outside the door.

It was a familiar man’s voice.

“Yes.”

As soon as permission was granted, the door opened.

‘Ah… what a nice smell.’

The fragrant smell of meat wafted in.

“I didn’t think you’d had dinner yet, so I brought some. Hehe.”

Choi Hyun-seok grinned and held out a plate.

“This is…?”

“Ah, I won the duel back then and somehow became the head cook.”

“Ah…”

“Don’t just stand there, eat it before it gets cold!”

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

“I’m full just watching you eat, Abelson.”

“Yes…”

Abelson nodded with a somewhat awkward expression.

‘I should eat it.’

Whatever the purpose, he had cooked for her.

It was polite to eat it.

Abelson picked up the utensils and took a piece of meat.

‘Soft and tender…’

Thanks to Usaru pounding it with a club.

Clink.

Abelson picked up the meat with her fork.

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

“…”

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

Abelson put the fork back on the plate.

“Excuse me.”

“Yes? Is there a problem?”

“It’s too much pressure.”

“Ah! I’m sorry! It’s just that I’ve hardly ever seen such a beautiful person eating in my life! Hahaha!”

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

‘He’s the kind of person who can say such cheesy things without batting an eye,’ she thought.

Abelson picked up the meat again.

The moment she put the fork in her mouth and chewed.

Abelson’s eyes widened.

It was a rare change of expression.

‘D, delicious…!’

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

Even for Abelson, this food was shockingly delicious.

‘What is it? Has my taste changed from eating the food from the Demon King’s army…?’

Abelson turned to Choi Hyun-seok.

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

“Is it good?”

“Yes. It’s good.”

“That’s all that matters.”

Choi Hyun-seok smiled brightly.

His smile was so innocent that Abelson couldn’t help but chuckle.

“Thank you.”

“I should be the one thanking you. I never thought I’d be able to have a conversation with a beautiful woman in this hell.”

“Yes…”

Abelson had grown accustomed to all sorts of compliments in her life.

But she was still not immune to such pure advances.

Clink, clink.

Abelson finished the meat.

Even though it was quite a large portion, she was able to devour it in an instant.

Choi Hyun-seok just sat and watched until she finished eating.

“Are you finished?”

“Yes. Thank you. It was delicious.”

“I’ll be going then.”

Choi Hyun-seok picked up the empty plate and stood up.

Abelson stopped Choi Hyun-seok, who was about to leave.

“Choi Hyun-seok. Just a moment.”

“Yes?”

“There’s something I want to ask you.”

“Go ahead. I’ll tell you anything!”

Choi Hyun-seok looked at Abelson with sparkling eyes.

Abelson hesitated for a moment before opening her mouth.

“What are you planning to do when you leave this place, Choi Hyun-seok?”

“Hmm… I don’t know…”

Caught off guard by the question, Choi Hyun-seok sat back down and pondered.

“There are three things I definitely want to do.”

“What are they?”

“Marry a blonde noble lady after a sweet and loving relationship. Have about five children who are like rabbits. And in my old age, watch my grandchildren running around in a mansion before peacefully passing away.”

Abelson frowned.

‘Is he joking…?’

She carefully examined Choi Hyun-seok.

His expression was utterly serious.

Abelson slowly nodded.

‘Well, that’s just the kind of person he is…’

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

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

“Yes?”

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be a blonde noble lady. A silver-haired one is fine too, or a priestess… ahem…!”

Choi Hyun-seok coughed for no reason.

“Ah, yes…”

Abelson began to rummage around for her scriptures.

She had to be ready to strike down that audacious hero’s head if necessary.

Then Choi Hyun-seok continued.

“What I just said are actually long-term goals in life. There’s something else I really want to do.”

“Something you want to do?”

“Yes. I want to go on an adventure.”

Choi Hyun-seok said with a serious face.

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

“I want to travel the world and have a real hero’s adventure. Defeat magical beasts, help people in need. And maybe meet the beautiful daughter of a village chief along the way.”

“Yes… I see…”

There was something strange at the end, but she decided to ignore it.

“But why are you asking that?”

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

“It’s not common for a Saintess to be captured by the Demon King’s army either.”

“Technically, I’m the next Saintess.”

“It’s the same thing. Whatever.”

Choi Hyun-seok smiled and continued.

“Can I ask you something too?”

“Yes. Go ahead.”

“I’ll ask you the same question I asked you earlier. What do you want to do when you get out of here, Abelson?”

At Choi Hyun-seok’s words, Abelson pondered for a long time.

Choi Hyun-seok waited patiently for her to speak.

“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 starts very early in the morning.

“Inhale… exhale…”

He regulated his breathing and powerfully threw a punch.

“Hap!”

A strong gust of wind blew in front of him as he extended his fist.

Whoosh!

Choi Hyun-seok nodded as he felt the wind blowing.

“Excellent!”

He had won the duel and become the head cook, but Choi Hyun-seok did not neglect his training.

In fact, he was working even harder than before.

‘I don’t know when I’ll have to fight someone again.’

I need to level up more and hone my skills more.

So that I won’t be afraid of any enemy that comes.

And the moment I become strong enough to be confident in myself.

That’s when I’ll leave this Black Fortress.

‘By the way… she doesn’t want to do anything. What does that mean?’

Suddenly, the conversation he had with Abelson last night came to mind.

Why did Abelson say that?

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

“I’m sorry. Let’s end our conversation here today.”

It seemed like she had personal reasons, so there was no need to pry.

Then, sunlight began to shine through the early morning twilight.

“Ah, is it already this late?”

Choi Hyun-seok shielded his eyes with his hand and turned around.

“I should start getting ready.”

That was the end of his training.

Soon, he would have to go hunting.

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

“Ugh… Did you sleep well, Hero?”

Rachael, who crawled out of Bobo’s arms, rubbed her eyes and said.

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

“Okay.”

Rachael snapped her fingers with a dazed expression.

Then, a whirlwind blew around her body and instantly washed her clean.

“Ready!”

Rachael said with a refreshed face.

“Hey. You’re wasting my mana too much, aren’t you?”

“Tch. Don’t be so stingy. Do you want me to do it for you if you’re jealous, Hero?”

“Yeah.”

Actually, I was jealous.

With a crisp snap! sound, his fingers flicked.

The wind blew around Choi Hyun-seok and began to wash away sweat and dust.

“Ooh…”

“Feels good, right!?”

“It’s good! But do you have to snap your fingers like that?”

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

“I see.”

Choi Hyun-seok and Rachael continued their trivial conversation and soon arrived at the kitchen.

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

From today, I had to serve meals to the officers, so I would be even busier.

Choi Hyun-seok led the cooks and hurried to the hunting grounds.

Of course, leaving Usaru behind.

‘I’m worried, but… I can’t help it.’

Usaru was impossible to control.

I felt like Bobo was smarter and more obedient than Usaru.

“Bobo is the best!”

“Kwang!”

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

‘By the way, he seems to be getting bigger these days.’

Maybe it was just my imagination, but it felt like Bobo’s size was increasing day by day.

‘It’ll be fine.’

I was no longer a weakling who had to worry about dying while playing with Bobo.

I didn’t think there would be a problem even if he got a little bigger.

“Okay. Everyone, wait here.”

Choi Hyun-seok, who had entered the forest to some extent, stopped everyone.

“Squad leaders, come forward.”

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

The squad leaders looked at Choi Hyun-seok with uneasy expressions.

‘What is he planning to do today…’

Fortunately, Usaru was not visible, so it seemed like he wouldn’t do anything crazy like throwing soldiers into the forest.

But I couldn’t be relieved.

“Okay. Everyone, take a bite.”

Choi Hyun-seok said something completely unexpected.

“What are you doing? I said eat.”

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

Even though it had been a while since it was cooked, a fragrant smell wafted from it.

“Umm…”

But the squad leaders still had uneasy faces.

He was a head cook whose credibility had already plummeted.

‘Is he testing a new poison…’

‘He might force us to work as much as we eat…’

“I can hear you, you bastards. Think about that in your head!”

Choi Hyun-seok frowned and said.

“Decide quickly. Are you going to eat this? Or get eaten by Bobo?”

“We’ll eat it.”

The squad leaders reluctantly picked up the meat.

“Munch munch…”

“Chomp chomp!”

Since they were all big guys, it didn’t take them even a minute to eat the fist-sized meat.

“Head cook. What is this…?”

“Is it delicious?”

“It’s so delicious…”

The cooks began to shed tears.

“I’m glad I became a cook.”

“The head cook is a good person.”

“I’ll work hard in the future. Please give me one more piece!”

The squad leaders shouted excitedly.

Choi Hyun-seok held out his index finger and wagged it.

“Not without something in return.”

He raised his hand and pointed to the forest.

“We’re starting a game now.”

“A game?”

“Capture the magical beasts alive, no matter what. Cut off their limbs or whatever. As long as they’re still breathing.”

“…”

“The squad that captures the most, regardless of the type, gets a squad-wide dinner. The time limit is one hour.”

The squad leaders looked at each other with bewildered faces.

“What are you doing? Run.”

Choi Hyun-seok said with a wicked smile.

“Waaaaaah!”

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