Cooking Swordmaster [EN]: Chapter 297

19. Monster Lord

Thinking about it, several things seemed strange. The Oakland area had an unusually high frequency of monster attacks.

In particular, the appearance of high-ranking monsters with significant threat levels was comparable to that of several branches combined.

Kainchel had hunted down nearly three digits’ worth of them just while working as a cowboy [monster hunter in this context].

‘At first, I thought that was normal in the New World.’

However, after hearing about the situation in other regions, I realized that wasn’t the case.

Kraken were rare, let alone Black Trolls or Thunderbirds.

In a way, it’s only natural. Monsters are also part of the ecosystem.

You could say they are a type of carnivore. They have their own territories and reign as kings within them.

‘Clearly, Redwood was a place where Thunderbirds used to live. But the fact that the Black Tri-Stars are there is strange.’

Thunderbirds, in particular, are known for being especially aggressive among the Wyvern race.

Originally, there should have been extreme territorial disputes to the point where human approach was not allowed.

In addition, a large number of monsters appeared in the empty wilderness.

No matter how bizarre the creature, it doesn’t suddenly pop out of the ground.

It is conceived by its mother, born, and starves to death if it doesn’t eat something.

Looking back now, there were countless strange things.

‘Yes, it’s as if someone artificially drove them there.’

When I heard the news that the Sea Serpent had died at the hands of Orc Grey.

Marcus looked surprised but also strangely relieved. Perhaps it was because he found out the cause of his subordinate’s disappearance?

Gawain, who was following Kainchel from a short distance away, said.

“But to think that the mastermind was hiding in a place that could be called the origin. Haha, so if I had accidentally blown your head off during the sparring, it would have been over?”

“Then he would have revealed his hidden power. You shouldn’t think of the contractor agent of the Archduke of Evil as just a human.”

“Hmm, you said you fought him in Osman, right?”

“Yes.”

Muhammad transformed his body into a bug and gained near-immortal life. In addition, he even gained the ability to freely control other humans.

Kainchel narrowed his eyes as he looked at the Cowboy Oakland branch building approaching.

“Surely, the only ability he can use isn’t just the power to control monsters. It’s important to subdue him before he notices.”

That’s why he visited this place in the form of Grey and Green, who were familiar to Marcus.

Creak-

When I opened the door and went inside, the receptionist widened her eyes and stood up from her seat.

“Oh, aren’t you Lord Grey and Lord Green?”

“Orc need money. Orc fight.”

“Uhaha! We’ve been so backed up with subjugation requests because you two weren’t here.”

Kainchel rolled his eyes and looked at the bulletin board in one corner.

There were so many requests pinned there that the wooden board was not visible.

It was only that Kainchel and Gawain had been away for a while. But suddenly, the number of monsters had increased.

‘This makes it completely certain. Marcus is using the power he obtained from the devil to control the number of monsters near Oakland. The purpose is definitely…….’

The receptionist, being quick-witted, even brought a bottle of high-end wine from somewhere.

“Please choose a request while drinking this. I’ll call the branch manager right away.”

“Orc busy. Meet directly.”

“Ah, is that so? Then, go right in.”

Kainchel and Gawain had achieved the best results among the many cowboys belonging to the Oakland branch.

Since some time ago, all requests were received through the branch manager, not the receptionist.

Perhaps that’s why the receptionist guided Kainchel and Gawain to the branch manager’s office without even a slight suspicion.

It was the same for Marcus. Would he have ever imagined that the seemingly foolish orc in front of him was the hero of Britannia, one of the Seven Virtues?

“Oh, you’ve come, Grey.”

“Brother! Now!”

Kainchel signaled Gawain. Securing the safety of the receptionist behind him was the top priority.

At the same time, Gawain activated Gale Lightning. Then his body turned into a gust of wind.

In an instant, a clear green flash flickered, and the wall cracked.

Krrrr-!

Then, with a cloud of smoke, the ceiling collapsed. The receptionist couldn’t even scream at how quickly it happened.

With this, the branch manager’s office became completely sealed.

Marcus was flustered by the two orcs’ sudden actions and made a fuss with a very embarrassed face.

“……Why are you doing this, Grey? Is there anything I’ve done to upset you? I’ll give you a 20% raise in pay from the next request if you want.”

It seems he thought they were angry because of the low pay.

From Kainchel’s point of view, it was a very good thing. Subdue the Monster Lord before he calls his subordinates. If that succeeds, he will be able to capture the contractor of the Archduke of Evil without any damage.

‘What’s in front of me is a devil wearing human skin. Keep that in mind and as much as possible…….’

At that moment, noodles spewed out from Kainchel’s left hand.

Wide, half-moon-shaped pasta ravioli specialized in blocking the opponent’s movements.

Then Marcus shouted in a flustered voice.

“If, if you have any complaints, tell me! I’ll try to accommodate you as much as possible!”

It was such a perfect act that even Kainchel would have been fooled if he didn’t know the truth.

“I know you want to get out of this situation somehow. I’m sorry, but I know everything and came here. Andras’ contractor, Monster Lord.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. More than that, why did you pretend to be foolish until now when you could speak human language properly?”

“That means this. The false vessel returns to a water droplet!”

Then the Orc Grey skin that Kainchel was wearing disappeared.

What appeared there was a handsome young man that even men would fall in love with.

“……!?”

Marcus’s eyes widened. It was the same expression Kainchel had shown when he caught the Sea Serpent.

Kainchel drew the Fragarach [a mythical sword] he was wearing on his waist.

“This is called the Holy Sword Fragarach, made in the East. Even if it’s a high-ranking demon, it’ll be fatally wounded if hit directly.”

“You don’t mean the Cooking Swordsman who defeated Muhammad in the Ottoman Empire is you, you bastard……!”

“Correct.”

Then Marcus started laughing like crazy.

“Keu, keuheuk, kehaha! I’ve been had. To think there was such a perfect disguise that even the devil’s eyes were deceived.”

Marcus’s expression was relaxed, but the victory was already half over to Kainchel.

His body was already completely bound by the pasta noodles. It is so tough that even a Sword Master cannot easily cut it.

“More than that, how did you know my identity? The disguise should have been perfect.”

“Ask the monster factor implanted in James’ body.”

Kainchel held Durandal [another mythical sword] with both hands and activated Igyeo Geom [a sword technique].

Then, the Fragarach, which had increased to seven swords, floated from behind.

“―――This is checkmate.”

A streak of light pierced Marcus’s body.

* * *

Shiver.

Kainchel flew backward at the same time as an enormous hostility was emitted.

Before he knew it, Marcus’s body was dyed in an unpleasant black color. Gawain groaned.

“That’s a Void Walker.”

It was a shadow-type monster known to inhabit only the Demon Realm.

It has no substance, and great army magic is required to completely eliminate it.

An unpleasant laughter flowed from the black shadows.

“Kick, kiki, kikikick! What are you doing? That’s my shadow.”

“……?!”

Factorizing the characteristics of several monsters and sprouting them in the human body.

That was the true ability of the Monster Lord.

At the same time, a huge shadow popped out from behind Marcus.

Kukukukukukung-!

A black figure that fell from the sky with a tremendous roar devastated the Oakland branch like a meteorite.

As if that wasn’t enough, the shockwave that burst from the point of impact destroyed several buildings nearby.

‘What the hell is that ridiculous power?! Su, surely…….’

Even the 5th circle great army magic Explosion was not that powerful.

Kainchel instinctively realized that it was created by combining the characteristics of numerous monsters.

The shadow that popped out from behind Marcus was wriggling like a Kraken’s leg.

His shadow changed its appearance into parts of numerous monsters from moment to moment.

Wings sprouted like a Wyvern, and two additional arms popped out like a Four-Handed Ogre.

“Kehaha! I urgently activated the factors implanted in my body, but it’s more useful than I thought. This is the true power of the ‘Monster Lord’!”

People who were buried in the rubble of the building screamed at the sudden appearance of the monster.

“Uaaaaa! Wh, what is that!”

“Shadow? N, no, it’s a monster!”

“Sa, save me! Someone do something about that!”

The face of the person who saw Marcus’s face buried in the shadow turned white.

“Br, Branch Manager?!”

“I’m sorry, but now that you’ve seen it, die.”

The tentacle wriggled, and an enormous fountain of blood soared. In an instant, the entire Oakland branch turned into hell.

Kainchel’s eyes narrowed. Marcus was using only shadows to exert the characteristics of various monsters. If he could still stab Fragarach into the remaining human body, he could easily subdue it.

“Kick, I know what you’re thinking. You’re going to attack my main body, right? But there is no blind spot for this body that has accepted the factors of numerous monsters! Heueueueup……!”

Hot steam began to rise from Marcus’s entire body.

At the same time, the temperature rose rapidly.

Changing the surrounding environment just by breathing was an ability only dragons had.

Scarlet scales sprouted on Marcus’s skin, and horns popped out from between his half-shaved hair.

Looking at the appearance alone, he was undoubtedly a half-dragon.

‘Su, surely he even has the dragon factor?!’

Of course, it only borrows some of the characteristics, and it does not completely become that monster.

However, there is only one reason why a dragon inhales.

The strongest strike, Dragon Breath, which dyes the mana full of the whole body with its own attribute.

Even if it doesn’t reach the original, its power will be incomparable to the previous strike.

Kainchel gripped Durandal with both hands.

Before he knew it, flames were flowing from Marcus’s mouth instead of breath.

If I give him even a little more time here, something irreversible will happen.

I have to stop that no matter what.

Keuwaaaaaaaa-!!!

However, Marcus was one step faster.

Kainchel reflexively activated Aglio Olio [a defensive skill] when he saw an enormous flame spewing out of the opponent’s mouth.

Not to block the opponent’s attack. Rather, he sets up a V-shaped aura wall to concentrate the breath in front of his body.

― Fire Resistance (97.1%)

The resistance, which had risen to almost 100%, was protecting his body.

However, the opponent was a man using the power of a dragon. That’s why it was necessary to lower the power of the breath even a little.

Kainchel reached out and grabbed Durandal. The sword of the great hero Roland, which changes the user’s aura to extreme cold.

With this, even if it’s a real Red Dragon’s breath, it can be blocked.

“Sherbet-!”

The moment the activation word popped out of Kainchel’s mouth, a blazing flame covered Kainchel’s body.