Hemis’s office was located somewhere within the Black Colossus.
Hemis, for once, was sitting at her desk, attending to her duties.
“What has Choi Hyun-seok been up to lately?”
A deep voice responded to her question.
It was Laderun, the Cowhead.
“He’s been performing his duties as a cook, as usual.”
“Hmph, is that so?”
“Yes. In his spare time, he’s been training with me, just like before.”
“That’s somewhat unexpected.”
It was strange.
In the past, he would have struggled desperately to become stronger.
But now he’s just carrying out his duties as a cook?
It had already been three weeks since she ordered him to catch the battalion commander.
At this rate, Choi Hyun-seok wouldn’t be able to beat the battalion commander even if he died and came back to life.
“Did he really think he could become as strong as the battalion commander by catching a few insignificant monsters?”
She had known all along that Choi Hyun-seok was using the cooks to aid his growth.
She had simply left him alone because there was no need to interfere.
However, if he was truly satisfied with just that, he was sorely mistaken.
“Could it be that you’re teaching him something amazing again, Laderun?”
“No. Choi Hyun-seok is steadily improving, but he hasn’t been growing as dramatically as before.”
“Then, Laderun, what do you think are Choi Hyun-seok’s chances of beating the battalion commander?”
“None.”
Laderun said with certainty.
He knew Choi Hyun-seok’s skills better than anyone else, so he was probably right.
“What on earth is he thinking…”
The corners of Hemis’s lips curled up slightly.
If it were any other human, she might have thought they were being arrogant or had given up.
But not Choi Hyun-seok.
‘That cockroach-like human wouldn’t die like this.’
If he were the type to give up in the face of such trials, Choi Hyun-seok would have died several times over already.
“Laderun, do you know what Choi Hyun-seok is thinking?”
“…I’m not sure either.”
Laderun’s face was filled with worry.
Then, as if something suddenly occurred to him, he said,
“Ah, there’s one thing I haven’t told you about Choi Hyun-seok.”
“Hm?”
“He seems to be getting along well with Battalion Commander Doras these days.”
“Doras? Who’s that?”
“The commander of the 1st Battalion of the Loiger Regiment, directly under the Legion.”
“Hmm, is that so? I don’t recognize the name.”
“He’s on the heavier side, making him quite noticeable among the battalion commanders.”
Hemis clapped her hands at the mention of his weight.
“Ah! That pig!?”
“…Yes, that’s correct.”
“Laderun, really. Why didn’t you just say ‘pig’ from the start instead of confusing me with roundabout words? Ohoho!”
“I apologize…”
“Anyway, Choi Hyun-seok is getting along with that pig, you say?”
“Yes.”
Hemis’s lips stretched wide.
“I told him to catch the battalion commander, but instead, he’s getting friendly with him?”
“…”
“Doesn’t it make you wonder what kind of scheme he’s plotting!? Ohoho!”
She wanted to call Choi Hyun-seok in right away and ask him what he was up to, but she had to resist.
A play is only half as fun if you know the ending in advance.
‘Hurry up and entertain me more!’
Hemis could only wish for time to pass quickly.
***
At the same time.
Choi Hyun-seok was visiting Doras’s office with meat, as usual.
“Kwah-ah! Slurp, slurp! The meat you bring is the best, indeed!”
Doras no longer bothered with formalities and devoured the meat on the spot as soon as he brought it.
It didn’t even take him five minutes to finish the large plate of meat.
“Burp! That was a good meal.”
He patted his wobbling belly once and immediately moved his hands.
To eat the fruit placed on the table.
“Now, shall I have some dessert?”
Choi Hyun-seok watched him and suddenly sighed exaggeratedly.
“Hoo…”
“Hm?”
Doras, who was picking up a piece of fruit, looked at Choi Hyun-seok with a puzzled expression.
“Why the sudden sigh? Is something wrong?”
“Ah, I apologize. I was just reminded of something worrying…”
Choi Hyun-seok, who had been speaking with a gloomy face, suddenly waved his hands in surprise.
“Ah! It’s nothing Battalion Commander Doras needs to worry about. It’s related to my duties as a cook. I apologize if I caused you any concern. Haha…!”
“Nonsense. If there’s a problem with the cook’s work, tell me.”
“No, I couldn’t possibly trouble you, Doras-nim [a respectful honorific]…”
At Choi Hyun-seok’s words, Doras put on a stern expression.
“Hey! Is that all we are to each other? I thought we were friends.”
“Doras-nim…!”
Choi Hyun-seok wore an impressed expression.
Doras smiled warmly and continued,
“A friend’s problem is as good as my own. If there’s anything I can do to help, I’ll do it.”
Of course, Doras didn’t really think of Choi Hyun-seok as a friend.
‘I don’t care what happens to humans, but if something happens to Choi Hyun-seok, I might not be able to eat meat!’
He was worried about the meat, not Choi Hyun-seok.
Still, on the surface, he seemed genuinely concerned for Choi Hyun-seok.
“Well, actually…”
Choi Hyun-seok carefully opened his mouth.
A little while later.
Doras nodded his head after hearing the whole explanation.
“So, the Legion Commander wants to taste strong monster meat, but the cook’s soldiers can’t catch it?”
“Yes. It’s a monster called Marbling, and its meat is said to be incredibly delicious. But it’s so strong that we can’t do anything about it…”
“Hmm, Marbling… I’ve never heard of that monster before?”
“Former Head Cook Kulkan told me about it, so it’s definitely real.”
Of course, it was a complete lie.
Marbling?
There was no way a monster with that name existed.
He simply said that because he knew Doras would be scared and refuse if he mentioned Nidrak.
‘It’s a bit risky to use the Legion Commander’s name… but it should be fine.’
Surely Doras wouldn’t be crazy enough to go to Hemis and talk about meat.
“Marbling… Alright! I’ll help you.”
“Really?”
“Can I ignore a friend’s difficulties? I’ll send the battalion’s soldiers to support you tomorrow.”
At the mention of sending soldiers, Choi Hyun-seok bit his lip.
“Um… Doras-nim. It might be difficult with just soldiers.”
“What do you mean?”
“No matter how many soldiers from this battalion gather, they can’t beat Doras-nim, can they?”
“That’s right.”
“The same goes for the Marbling monster. If the soldiers go, the damage will only be greater.”
In the end, he was asking Doras to step up himself.
“Hmm, moving myself is a bit of a hassle…”
Choi Hyun-seok frowned as Doras seemed to be contemplating.
‘When did he start saying he’d help because we’re friends? Now he’s hesitating because it’s a hassle?’
He knew it was just lip service, but he was dumbfounded to hear him say it so brazenly.
Choi Hyun-seok decided to drive the wedge in.
“If this is successful, I’ll give Doras-nim some of Marbling’s meat. And…!”
He carefully whispered in Doras’s ear.
“I’ll report directly to the Legion Commander… that Doras-nim made a great contribution to this hunt…”
Doras’s eyes widened at Choi Hyun-seok’s whisper.
“Is that true?”
“Yes. Since it’s a well-known secret that I have a close relationship with the Legion Commander, there’s no reason to hide it from Doras-nim.”
Of course, it was a lie.
Choi Hyun-seok’s position was, at best, Hemis’s most beloved toy.
However, since the outside world didn’t know that fact, Doras readily took the bait.
“I have no choice then. I’ll go myself tomorrow.”
Doras pretended to reluctantly agree, but he couldn’t hide the slight upturn of his lips.
How could he not be happy when he suddenly had the chance to eat top-quality meat and make an impression on the Legion Commander?
“Thank you! I’m sure the Legion Commander will be pleased too!”
Choi Hyun-seok bowed 90 degrees.
A deep smile was on his lowered face.
‘Success.’
He had been offering meat to Doras solely for this moment.
Tomorrow, he would reap the rewards of his hard work.
‘Don’t resent me too much. Isn’t that how the world works anyway? It’s not like I completely lied.’
Not everything he said to Doras was a lie.
Choi Hyun-seok would capture Battalion Commander Doras and report to Hemis as promised.
And she was likely to be amused by Choi Hyun-seok’s extraordinary actions.
‘As a result, he’ll be making an impression on Hemis, so it’s not entirely a lie.’
Even if it was after his death.
***
The next day.
Choi Hyun-seok, who had woken up early in the morning, was looking at the rising sun.
“Hoo…”
He took a deep breath and clenched his fist tightly.
He looked somewhat determined.
“Hwah-ah…”
Rahel, who was exhaling next to him, also had a determined expression, unlike usual.
“Is today finally the day of the decisive battle?”
“Yes…!”
Today was the day Operation Pig Hunt began.
There was still some time left until the deadline Hemis had given him, but he decided to start a little earlier.
‘Just in case something goes wrong.’
This operation was half a gamble.
He needed to leave some time in case things went awry.
“The goal is to make Nidrak and Doras face each other.”
In the meantime, Choi Hyun-seok had been wandering through the forest, searching for various dangerous monsters.
He had considered several candidates and wondered which monster to have Doras fight.
It couldn’t be too strong.
It would be a problem if the monster killed Doras before Choi Hyun-seok could.
So, it had to be just the right level of strength.
It had to be a monster that could barely deplete Doras’s strength.
After much deliberation, the final choice was the monster he had first encountered, Nidrak.
The large creature with steel-like scales was perfect for depleting Doras’s strength.
“Bobo. Remember! When I tell you to attack, you hit that pig. Got it?”
“Kwang!”
Bobo answered energetically.
“Good. I’m counting on you!”
Bobo was also participating in this operation.
Choi Hyun-seok had already practiced countless times with Bobo.
Just in case Bobo didn’t follow his instructions.
Fortunately, our intelligent Bobo understood and followed Choi Hyun-seok’s words well.
“Usaru! When I give the signal, you help Bobo and hit Battalion Commander Doras. Do you understand me?”
Usaru, a hybrid soldier of ogre and orc and a troublemaker in the company.
Choi Hyun-seok had decided to put Usaru into the operation as well.
He had originally planned to exclude him because he was under Battalion Commander Doras, but Rahel dissuaded him.
“Sir! If things go wrong, we can just bury him with Doras!”
“There’s that method…?”
He was already having trouble controlling the guy anyway.
He couldn’t resist the devil’s whisper to get rid of such a nuisance along with Doras.
“Usa~ru! Don’t worry.”
“You really understood, right?”
“Usa~ru! Promise about the meat! I will definitely keep it!”
“Good.”
However, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy because he was such an idiot.
Still, Choi Hyun-seok decided to trust him.
Not Usaru, but his cooking skills.
‘How much meat did I feed that guy for a week to explain the operation and coax him…’
He grilled and offered meat until his arm hurt.
Thanks to that, Usaru became an excellent meat slave.
“Hoo… Now the preparations are complete.”
Choi Hyun-seok took a step forward.
“From now on, we begin Operation Pig Hunt!”
The scariest pig hunt in the world was beginning.