After the battle cleanup wrapped up to a reasonable extent,
"Regarding the temporary equipment provided..."
It was time to reward the awakened who had assisted in the defense.
"You may keep it," I said.
"Oh...!?"
**[Legion-Issue Combat Uniform]**
**[Legion-Issue Longsword]**
The equipment had been hastily produced for this battle, coordinated with the ammunition battalion. Although it was thrown together quickly, the production team's skills had steadily improved, making the equipment quite reliable. They were on par with the first pieces Lee Sangah had crafted.
"Are you really giving this to us?"
It was decent enough equipment, but I didn’t feel particularly reluctant to part with it. Compared to what our soldiers used, it wasn’t of the highest quality.
“The equipment is just a gesture of thanks. We’ll also provide the rewards we initially promised.”
“So, we’re getting these and the promised rewards?”
They had the option to request battle rations or anything else from the Legion within reason. Since battle rations were abundant for us, it wasn’t much of a problem. Truthfully, for a single battle, this reward was overly generous, but there was a reason behind it.
‘In the future, there’ll be things our guild can’t handle alone.’
We might need help from others. These allies could have fled the city but chose to stay and fight alongside us. Forming a friendly relationship now would be beneficial.
‘Our soldiers may act tough with outsiders, but once they’ve fought together, they become fairly amicable.’
In the short term, it felt a bit like we were giving a lot away, but long-term, helping them grow would benefit the Legion as well.
---
Leaving the specifics of the rewards to other soldiers, I returned to my assigned quarters and settled into a chair, checking a message I hadn’t reviewed yet.
**[A bonus is awarded for your first victory in a conquest battle.]**
**[Group Skill – War Song]**
It was the reward for our first war with a faction that held territory. The skill’s name was familiar.
‘Is this that thing?’
The monsters’ song—when they pounded their drums and sang, the melody became a powerful aura that buffed their troops. It was a similar skill.
“...Looks like I’ll have to teach the conscripts a war song too.”
A handy buff, indeed. Given its likely range, it was an excellent skill.
That aside, another reward caught my attention.
**[You have gained experience points.]**
This wasn’t unusual; it appeared whenever we killed monsters. The difference this time was...
**[Level Up]**
**[Intermediate Chef Lv. 30]**
The reward brought me up to level 30.
**[Promotion Initiated]**
In game terms, every ten levels served as a kind of advancement point.
‘I’ve been at level 20 for a while, so I figured it was about time for the next stage.’
I just didn’t expect it to be today.
“After intermediate, it’s probably advanced?”
Currently, I’m an **‘Intermediate Chef’**. Being the highest level in the guild, I was always the first to discover what the next stage would be.
Apprentice, Novice, Intermediate. Following the pattern, it would likely be Advanced or Senior Chef.
**[You have reached a higher level in the art of cooking!]**
**[Chefs who reach a certain level develop a distinctive signature style.]**
**[Having advanced beyond the phase of a seasoned chef, you are now recognized as a chef who has established a unique culinary path!]**
**[Analyzing player log...]**
**[...Analyzing...]**
**[Promotion complete!]**
**[Lv. 30]**
**[Warfare Chef]**
My new title—**Warfare Chef**.
**[Your culinary skills shine brightest on the battlefield.]**
**[All combat-related cooking effects are amplified.]**
**[Efficiency in large-scale cooking increases significantly.]**
**[All traits evolve to advanced status.]**
**[Skill acquired: Assistant Chef]**
With the level-up, my class advanced a stage. All my abilities were enhanced, plus I gained a new skill.
“Warfare Chef...”
The title felt peculiar. Adding “Warfare” made it sound impressive, but...
“This is pretty much just being a mess sergeant, isn’t it?”
In a way, it felt like I’d come full circle.
I started out as a lowly cook sergeant, got battered in ways unimaginable, and fought monsters, finally reaching what the system now recognizes as a high-level range. But to think it would end with “Mess Sergeant”... I chuckled despite myself. However, after reading the effects, it didn’t seem too bad.
‘With boosted combat cooking effects and large-scale meal efficiency, it’s better than I expected.’
Cooking as a profession was more important than I’d initially realized. Regular chefs, of course, don’t aim to increase patrons' combat prowess with their dishes. But nearly every meal I prepared had a combat purpose. Naturally, I became a combat-specialized chef.
“Not bad.”
I’ll be cooking for combat often, so specializing in that isn’t bad at all.
Next, I checked the skill.
At each ten-level increment, a free skill was granted.
**[Assistant Chef]**
This time, the skill was:
**[Skilled chefs are known as “Chefs.” The word, related to “Chief,” refers to a head chef leading others in the kitchen.]**
**[As the Head Chef, managing and guiding numerous chefs is an essential skill!]**
**[Invisible Assistant Chefs will aid your tasks.]**
“?”
The description suggested I’d gain assistant chefs to help with my cooking tasks. Curious, I activated the skill.
“...This actually works?”
Even I was a little taken aback.
---
After finishing my post-battle rewards review, I headed to a room in the barracks and knocked on the door.
“What’s up?”
“Oh, Sergeant Shin...”
The massive figure of Corporal Jeon Gwang-il emerged.
“If you’ve got nothing else to do, let’s have a chat.”
“Huh?”
Corporal Jeon frowned. It was natural to be cautious if the squad leader came wanting a “talk.”
“If it’s about last time, don’t worry... You know, that madness effect.”
“I’m aware.” I couldn’t tell him I thought his words back then weren’t solely because of the madness effect.
“Anyway, I thought it might be good to check in with everyone.”
“Isn’t that Lieutenant Kim’s job? You’re not the previous commander, so why...?”
“I nearly died recently.”
“What?”
Jeon’s eyes widened.
“It’s embarrassing to admit, but... Anyway.”
“When did this happen? Was I unconscious during the recent defense?”
“Not then. It was when they sent assassins after me.”
“Oh.”
He remembered. I, on the other hand...
“We’ve managed to survive pretty well so far, haven’t we?”
“Yes.”
“We’ve overcome many crises. I figured the risk of random monster attacks was low enough to relax... and then the assassins arrived. Without Kkamang, I’d be dead by now.”
Jeon looked at me with a serious expression.
“Perhaps you should consider a separate guard in addition to the vampires.”
“It’s worth considering. I didn’t come here to talk about myself. Others might have also let their guard down or have other distractions. I want to handle any issues before they escalate.”
“Hmm.”
Jeon’s eyes still looked unsatisfied, but that was understandable. With his current mindset, he probably couldn’t open up entirely.
“Jeon.”
“Yes.”
“This is a serious matter. Ignoring it could lead to significant problems later.”
“I understand that, but I don’t think I...”
“And I’m prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure this squad survives.”
“...?”
He looked at me quizzically as I placed two types of food in front of him.
One was a simple plate of fried rice and stir-fried meat. The other was a small candy in a paper cup.
**[Warfare Chef’s Candy of Honest Emotions]**
“This is...?”
“A candy that makes you just a bit more honest.”
“...Ha.”
In other words, the world’s sweetest truth serum.
Only Minjae hyung knew that I could influence emotions through special sauces. Jeon looked a bit shocked.
“As expected # Nоvеlight # from you, Sergeant Shin.”
“Impressive, isn’t it?”
He seemed willing to accept, “Well, if it’s you, it makes sense.”
“The taste is guaranteed. It’s candy, but it’s healthy.”
“...”
“So, do you want to talk or take the candy?”
“Ha. So there’s no option to say nothing?”
“I don’t have the luxury to play therapist for long.”
Admittedly, it was a bit extreme. Looking at the candy, Jeon sighed.
“I’ll just talk.”
“Good choice.”
I tucked the candy away.
As he looked at the food left on the table, he asked, “So, what’s this?”
“Oh, that?” I grinned.
“It’s just something to snack on while we talk.”
---
In the past, Jeon and I had a heartfelt conversation, and since then, we’d grown closer, not farther apart. Now that he’d opened up, he started sharing his concerns openly.
The only problem was...
‘What is he even saying?’
I was bewildered by his words.
“So you’re saying...”
“Yes.”
“...You think that because I’m so competent, you and the others feel useless... like you’re not needed?”
Jeon nodded.
“Pretty much.”
“You feel like no matter how strong you get, you’re still useless, and the
gap between us makes you feel despondent. Is that it?”
“Yep.”
I wasn’t mistaken.
Summing it up, my thought was simple:
‘Do they think I’m some kind of superhuman...?’
I knew the soldiers tended to overestimate me, but this was extreme. He seemed to think of me as some kind of invincible entity—so capable that they only got in my way.
The prime example was this:
“You think I stay out of fights to give you room to grow?”
“Isn’t that it?”
“...”
I’m a **[Chef]**—a support role. I do fight sometimes, but it’s more efficient to support from the back. But he interpreted this as me holding back to let them grow.
‘This is absurd.’
While I rubbed my forehead in frustration, Jeon continued.
“It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I’m alive thanks to you, Sergeant Shin. I want to repay that debt somehow.”
“Uh-huh, sure.”
“But instead of repaying you, I end up just causing trouble...”
I knew they overestimated me somewhat. Being the guild leader—or rather, the Legion leader—likely contributed to that.
‘Some misunderstandings aren’t necessarily bad.’
It was a bit uncomfortable to bear that kind of reputation, but in a world where death could come at any moment, having a strong leader provided a sense of security for the team.
So I’d let it slide, to an extent.
“No one’s at fault here. It’s my responsibility for letting it continue.”
“Huh?”
“Enough. If you’ve finished eating, get up.”
As I stood, Jeon looked puzzled.
“Get up? But this is my room... Are we going somewhere?”
“The training field.”
“Why...?”
Facing the 2.3-meter-tall giant who was eye level with me even seated, I said confidently,
“For a post-meal workout.”
---
**[Lv.2 Training Field]**
It’s a facility I invested points into. Training here enhances results and even grants experience points. But that wasn’t my focus today.
“Corporal Jeon, sir.”
“Oh, Sergeant Shin is here too?”
Inside, warriors were training hard. As Awakened, they seemed to have activated growth plates, all sporting massive physiques.
‘Not that I’m short, but...’
Amid them, I felt like a dwarf. Clearing my throat in embarrassment, I said,
“I need the space with Jeon. Could you step aside?”
“Of course.”
“We were nearly done anyway.”
The soldiers cleared the area. I went to a corner and picked up a wooden practice knife.
“Sparring, huh...”
Jeon muttered, putting on gloves.
“You asked the soldiers to leave out of consideration for me, right?”
“Huh?”
“As I’m the squad’s combat officer, I shouldn’t be seen getting beaten. Your thoughtfulness... It’s admirable, truly.”
“Oh, uh, yeah. Let’s go with that.”
Standing before this giant who spouted nonsense, I took a stance and said,
“Go all out.”
“I know. If I don’t, it’ll end too quickly.”
We tapped our weapons twice to signal the start of the spar.
And about a minute later...
*Thud.*
The one sprawled on the ground was...
“You actually went all out and beat the crap out of your superior.”
“...”
“Talk about ruthless, ugh.”
As expected.
It was me.
