The Military Chef of a Ruined World - Chapter 396



Only Noblemtl

Episode 396 Pros and Cons.

{What do you see?}

Mirinae’s voice is heard from behind.

At his words, which obscured my view with his hand, I hesitated for a moment before opening my mouth.

“I see emptiness… ….”

Although it was not fully visible because it was obscured by the finger of this being.

What can I see between those fingers?

An endless void in contrast to the pure white space just before.

“No, that’s not true.”

and.

Light embedded in every corner of that void.

“Space. I can see space.”

Black darkness and sparkling light.

The universe was visible.

but.

“It seems like a slightly different universe from the concept of the universe I knew.”

{Oh… … You mean you saw it that far?}

The stars there were not the celestial bodies we learned about in science class.

A slightly bigger concept than that.

Dasmurna Ariant, Dwemorjan.

And this world I live in… … .

“One… … great world.”

{That’s correct.}

At the same time realizing that fact.

I was overcome with a strange sense of discomfort.

“… … How could I understand this?”

When viewed with the naked eye, it is no different from the stars in space.

However, I instinctively sensed that this was a different concept from the universe I knew.

{Because you’ve achieved your goal.}

“yes?”

and.

The answer to that question came quickly.

{From the position of being trapped in a small world and not being able to see anything… … I was able to see a slightly wider world.}

case.

That’s probably what the concept means.

[By reaching level 40, you have entered the ranks of heroes!]

The status window that appears before your eyes the moment you reach level 40.

That must be what it means.

{This is the true form of the universe. Countless worlds are floating in that void. What do you think of seeing it for yourself?}

“What do you think?”

In that regard.

I looked into the darkness again and answered.

“… … It’s beautiful.”

{Haha. Really?}

The night sky seen from the base was beautiful enough.

The colors are so vivid and vibrant that there is no comparison.

Those countless worlds and the intense vitality they radiate.

It was so beautiful that I couldn’t help but be captivated by it.

{It is certainly a beautiful sight. But… … beauty is not everything.}

While I was admiring the sight.

She took my head in her hands and moved it somewhere as she spoke.

{Do you see that thing over there?}

Let’s focus on that word.

I saw something in the middle of that vast universe.

‘… … ?’

A galaxy made up of countless worlds.

Standing in the middle of those galaxies… … .

A black, limb-like figure of comparable size to other galaxies.

“… …Is that a person?”

{Hmm, I guess it could be seen that way.}

Although she couldn’t see the full shape because of her fingers.

It also seemed strangely similar to a human body.

{This way next. What do you see?}

“It’s not very visible because it’s covered, but… … it looks like a runny jelly?”

{I don’t know what jelly is, but I can see the runny part well.}

And after that.

She turned my head this way and that, showing me unidentifiable shapes scattered throughout the universe.

It was smaller than what I first saw.

Yet, there are various shapes comparable to the size of a single star.

Looking at them.

I was gripped by an unknown fear.

‘… … Each of those stars was a world.’

then.

Those things are comparable in size to the stars.

‘Just how big is it?’

Mirinae’s fingers were blocking my view.

Let’s look at them through that gap.

The sense of perspective was lost, making it difficult to gauge the true size.

‘If I put this away, I think I’ll be able to see it properly.’

I raised my hand and clenched my fingers that covered my face.

Cold hands, like those of a cold-blooded animal.

A moment to remove that finger and look at them in a little more detail.

{Be careful.}

“… … !”

She folded all her fingers.

It completely blocked my vision.

{Never try to see them in their entirety.}

In the darkened field of vision.

I asked her because I didn’t know English.

“Why can’t I look at it?”

{The moment you see them.}

She said, releasing the hand that was holding my head.

Okay then.

{Because they will be able to see you too.}

Paaaaak!

The universe in the sky has disappeared in an instant.

I was once again sitting in the pavilion standing alone in the white space.

{What did you think when you saw those?}

“… … I thought it was too big. It was ridiculous.”

{I saw it well.}

Not even a single star.

It is comparable in size to a galaxy made up of stars.

{What if such big things interest you?}

If only they could come to me.

If you become interested in this world.

Just as a human becomes interested in an ant he accidentally discovers.

… … As if he were trampling over them and passing by without any particular malice.

{This weak world without a proper protector will collapse so easily.}

“… … .”

Let’s think about it that way.

A strange fear took over my body.

{I think you understand. So, you should never look at them properly. Even if you do.}

Opening and closing his fingers.

The smiling lady of the palace.

{You have to cover your eyes with your hands and look through your fingers.}

To her words like that.

I asked with a trembling voice.

“… … What are they?”

{External entities.}

“What on earth are these outside entities?”

{There are so many different names to call them.}

Interest.

He said he wanted to protect me from those things.

{God, transcendent being, great being… … In my case, I just call it this.}

He took a somewhat humble stance

A woman opens her mouth with a serious expression.

{Fresh… … as they say.}

“… … .”

***

The rest is so great.

Those who are not confined to one world and can look outward.

You can see it in other worlds too.

Those who can see other worlds… … .

God, transcendent being, great being, immortal.

“You said you would protect me from them.”

{okay.}

I asked Mirinae, who had suddenly turned into a pot-bellied middle-aged man.

“You can protect me from those beings. Does that mean you are like them?”

{Halfway. I’m only just getting my feet wet.}

I tilted my head and asked.

“Didn’t you discover me before they did and bring me here? You must be of a very high position among them… .”

{That’s possible because I’m closer to you than they are. It would have been impossible originally.}

… … are you close?

I was a little curious though.

It seems like he has no intention of telling anyone his true identity.

I asked the following question:

“Isn’t God a being that belongs to only one world?”

The first thing that came to mind were those I had witnessed before.

“The gods I have seen so far… … lived within their own world and ruled over it.”

[Morzan] or [Dasmur].

They were staying in a world named after them.

{They are [the beings within].}

“The beings inside?”

{The essence of freshness is the same. However, the important difference is whether it is inside or outside.}

The pot-bellied middle-aged man looked into the inside of the teacup he was holding and said.

{Those inside are also fearful. But there is no need to worry too much. They rarely interfere with other worlds.}

“then.”

{The problem is those I just showed you. Those who are [outside].}

He overturned the teacup he was holding in his hand.

{The beings outside are like this.}

And it’s so funny.

The contents of the teacup spread out indiscriminately.

{Because it does not stay in one world, but spreads its power in all directions.}

“… … .”

{There are various reasons why they are outside. Some have grown so large that they have become larger than the world… … Some have left because they were disappointed in their own world. Or… … .}

Crunch.

A middle-aged man smashing an empty teacup.

{It could be that the world is destroyed and there is nowhere to go.}

“… … .”

The world where those [Belsnickels] stayed.

The original owner of the place was said to be a god named Ariant.

When the land was consumed by the [Belsnickels] in winter, he left the world in disappointment.

{But… … It’s such a cold and lonely place outside. That’s why the beings outside want to go [inside].}

They said there was no world for them.

But you want to go inside.

“Are you aiming for another world?”

{It’s usually not easy. Invading a world with a guardian is not easy even for the most powerful of immortals. However, there are rare exceptions.}

With a snicker.

A middle-aged man pointing at me.

{A land where no guardians exist… …like this world where you were born.}

“… … !”

{The wall was shattered, and the existence of this world was made known. And that there was no guardian to protect this world. Even so, there was an unknown power that protected this world… … This land lost even that protection.}

“That is.”

{Outside eyes will flock to this world… … and especially, to this land. And the first thing that catches their eye will probably be you. Because you are the only one who has achieved [class] in this land.}

In that regard.

I said with a frown.

“It must be a bad thing to be noticed by those kinds of beings.”

{Hmm? Well.}

however.

At my words, he scratched his chin and said.

{It depends on your perspective.}

“yes?”

{If I had to say, I would say there are pros and cons. In general, it will only be pros for me.}

… … ?

What does this mean?

{They would like to enter this world, but it is not easy.}

“that.”

{That is why they would be interested in you. In order for them to descend into this world… … they need a medium to interfere with this world. Only beings who have achieved [level] can fully accept the power of such beings. And beings who have achieved level are precious. If you cooperate with them… … they will surely pay the price.}

I gave him a questioning look.

He said with a mischievous smile.

{If you decide to cooperate with them, they will probably… …give you tremendous power.}

“… … !”

{In this small world, you may gain unrivaled power. If you wish, you will no longer have to fear the inevitable death.}

Inevitable death.

… … Even death, which I had been so afraid of, became something I no longer feared.

Such power.

{Taking the power of the immortal… … that’s what it means.}

***

Those beings out there.

I thought it was just an enemy because of the fear it gave me.

‘Is it possible that it isn’t?’

Not someone who attacks or harasses me.

It’s closer to a being that pays me and wants to hire me.

And the price is quite generous.

‘The power to not worry about death.’

that.

It was also what I wanted most.

For that reason, I have been rolling around like a dog in this world and growing stronger.

‘If I could get it all at once… … .’

then.

This isn’t a bad thing for me at all.

As the author said.

For me, there are only advantages… … .

“… … Then, there are no disadvantages?”

The author clearly stated that there are pros and cons.

But for me, it only has advantages.

then.

“What are the disadvantages?”

{The immortals will try to use you to interfere with this world. And, each immortal has his or her own name.}

“What is your name?”

Something came to mind when I heard that.

[Master of the Endless Sea – Dasmur]

[Great Master of Magic – Morjan]

The deities I have witnessed.

Their names had something like that in front of them.

{Shinmyeong is a name that represents the existence of the immortals themselves. Their interference in this land means that their name will descend upon this land.}

When he opened his hand.

A garden built within a white space.

{If you make a contract with a god named Death… … like this.}

That garden that looked so beautiful.

It was dyed in desolation.

{[Death] will spread throughout the world.}

“… … !”

{If, on the other hand, there is a god of plants.}

Let’s wave our hands again.

A land that was desolate and parched.

Through that dry ground.

Quagwaquagwaqua… … .

Trees so huge they pierce the sky.

It filled the surrounding area densely.

{The world will be covered with huge plants.}

“… … .”

The trees were so densely packed that not even a single insect could pass between them.

It’s relatively okay compared to death.

Even this was not normal.

‘It’s an overly extreme look… … .’

I thought of the scenery of Dasmur that I had seen.

A world covered by an endless sea with no land.

The deities.

It was said that they were beings who were extremely biased towards that name.

‘ah.’

Only then did I understand what he meant.

There are pros and cons.

But, for me, it only has advantages.

“This is what it means for a god to interfere with other worlds.”

That means.

“That world is no longer… … the old world.”

All of them have their drawbacks.

It was said that this world was burdened with burdens.

***

“… … .”

Exactly as the author said.

If those out there give me that power.

I might get to a point in this world where I don’t have to worry about dying.

‘But at what price?’

It’s not me who has to pay for it.

This world.

It means that the world I live in is being paid for by becoming a different world.

If we really have to be specific.

The moment a contract is made with those outside beings, this world will undergo an absurdly extensive [dungeon conversion].

I’ve been preventing such dungeon calls so far.

‘It was because I couldn’t live in that environment.’

If you accept the power of that divinity.

Even in a changing world, I will be able to live normally.

‘But still… … is it possible?’

Sell ​​this world.

An act that is tantamount to guaranteeing my survival.

For my survival.

Can we change this world into another world?

{What should I do?}

Why are you so worried?

Before I knew it, a woman who looked slightly younger than me appeared and opened her mouth.

{I am hiding you here now… … but if you wish, I will be happy to remove this curtain.}

“… … ?”

{Then, the beings outside will immediately discover you and approach you. You just have to choose which one you want among them and take their power.}

She said with a smile.

{You don’t have to bear any responsibility for such great power. The immortals are usually generous to their apostles. Moreover, an apostle who will hand over this sweet world to you… … Any immortal would treat you well. You could enjoy the greatest glory under the command of an immortal.}

“… … Isn’t it true that there is no power without a price?”

{If you’re not paying the price, then why bother?}

……surely.

If I’m not going to pay the price, then I don’t have to worry.

{Just say whatever you want. As you said, I am friendly to you… …if you want to make a deal with them.}

“I’ve decided.”

{like?}

There were many concerns in many ways.

“That contract.”

Listen to what the author said.

I finally made up my mind.

“I won’t do it.”

“……hmm?”

That kind of contract.

I said I wouldn’t do it.

***

{… … why?}

To my answer.

The woman in front opened her eyes wide in surprise.

It was the biggest change in expression since we met in this space.

{If you take their power, you can survive comfortably without any cost. Why this easy path… … .}

“Hmm, if it was me who had to pay the price, I would have thought about it more carefully.”

Then it’s a fair deal.

There’s no need to feel particularly uncomfortable.

but.

“Isn’t it a bit weird to have someone else pay for it?”

That’s a bit.

That sounds like something a gangster would do.

{That’s funny.}

She said with a look of still disbelief.

{I remember the tension you felt when you met me.}

“… … .”

{That tension came from the fear of death. The fear that I was someone who could harm you… … That fear leaked out.”

Ahem.

It wasn’t exactly a wrong statement.

In common parlance, when I was first brought to this space, I was incredibly ‘scared’.

{You are not a being so detached that you can overcome the fear of death. Rather… … you are a being who is bound by that fear even more than others.}

“That’s a bit embarrassing. Well, that’s true.”

{But why would you throw away this opportunity to overcome that fear?}

“… … Well, it certainly doesn’t seem like a bad thing.”

To her question like that.

I said, scratching the ball.

“If we do it that way, I’ll be the only one surviving.”

{… … ?}

I’ve been through a few dungeons.

In an environment that had changed to something completely different, it seemed like ordinary people would not be able to survive.

‘It would probably be similar even if I signed that contract.’

If this world changes drastically.

Most of those who live on this land will not be able to adapt to it.

“I wish I could escape death.”

Even so, it only means that I am the only one who escapes.

And, I.

He’s clearly a cowardly little brat who’s terrified of death.

“If we’re going to live anyway, wouldn’t it be better to live together?”

{… … .}

It wasn’t just my death that I was afraid of.

{For just that reason?}

“That’s a bit much. This is a big deal to me.”

{There is an easier way… … Are you saying that you would avoid that way and take the difficult way?}

“It sounds good if you say it’s the easy way.”

I am standing upright.

He looked at her resolutely and said.

“The easy way isn’t necessarily the right way.”

{… … .}

An expression as if he doesn’t understand me at all.

The moment she was about to open her mouth to say something more.

“Why are you doing that in the first place?”

{… … What are you talking about?}

“I don’t know why, but you can stop.”

This guy is definitely friendly to me.

So, this is a path that will benefit me.

It may be that he was suggesting a contract with those beings outside.

“You too… … .”

but.

“You’re hoping I’ll reject you.”

{… … .}

To my words:

She looked blank for a moment.

{Huh… … Huhuhuh… … .}

He said with a smile.

{I really don’t feel like I have any talent at all… … .}

And then.

Kwajik!

{You’re good at perceiving things, kid.}

Stretch out your hand.

It pierced my body.