Before me stood Alraune, a powerful being radiating an azure aura.
Surely my best dish was within its expanse to withstand.
‘My only concern was that having formed this bond, it might try to ensnare me or bind me here…’
Fortunately, it seemed far from being malicious.
My previous fears did not manifest.
“Then, from now on, we’re friends, alright?”
Smiling broadly.
A creature that simply smiled amiably at me.
Yet, this was still a bit inadequate.
The effects of the [Chef’s Special Sauce] were transient.
At the moment, it appeared jovial, but once the effect waned, it could easily revert to its primal state and attack me once more.
However,
Not everything ends temporarily.
The remnants of reckless bravery left behind in private Jeon Gwang-il, accompanied by overwhelming relief and camaraderie, often led to alienation from everyone else excluding our comrades.
The effects of the special sauce might be temporary, but the intensity and length of that effect would linger far longer.
So,
Thud.
Thud.
Thud.
I pulled out the fertilizer bags from the shadows and stacked them on the ground.
One or two wouldn’t be sufficient, so I made sure to bring plenty.
I’m sorry to say but
“Let’s try to become a bit too close.”
Transcending the transient effects,
Days would pass until it felt an inherent familiarity upon merely seeing me.
***
“…Phew.”
Lee Sang-ah stood before the encroaching jungle, exhaling deeply.
“Are you that worried?”
“Of course, I am. How could I not be?”
Her expression became darker.
“I sent out a rescue request because there was no answer… But I certainly did not expect him to go in alone to solve the issue.”
It didn’t matter how hopeless she felt about the situation.
For a guild master to willingly step into danger was risky enough; should anything has gone awry, it would become her responsibility to resolve.
“Come on, Sergeant Shin’s not in trouble, right?”
“Judging from what he’s accomplished thus far, that’s likely true.”
Watching her reaction, the other soldiers began to relax, sharing lighthearted laughter.
Their confidence in their commander had nothing to do with indifference.
Whenever a tough situation arose, Sergeant Shin Young-joon would always find a solution.
Among the troops, it was no longer surprising to see him do something extraordinary.
However,
‘…That’s a reckless thought.’
Lee Sang-ah completely disagreed with this notion.
She sighed quietly, casting glances at her comrades who were still at ease.
‘While I acknowledge his remarkable abilities… he is still human.’
Some even regarded him as god-like given his track record of success.
She understood why, given how he had managed to accomplish virtually everything so far…
‘But what if, just what if things take a turn for the worse?’
That wouldn’t be Sergeant Shin Young-joon’s fault.
It would fall on those who had grown complacent, believing he would be fine.
Having led a group of merely twenty individuals, she deeply understood the challenges of stewardship.
Every little mistake could lead to significant dangers.
‘My group nearly fell apart because of criminals.’
The rescue efforts had come from this unit and Sergeant Shin, who she considered a benefactor.
If he were to fall into bad circumstances, she wouldn’t simply brush it off with a cavalier attitude.
“Even if I tryto stop him, he wouldn’t listen.”
Sigh.
Just as she let out that sigh,
At that very moment,
Swoosh.
“…!?”
The jungle surrounding her and the squad that was attempting to cut back the encroachment began to stir violently.
It moved in a manner far more chaotic than the preceding gradual movements.
“…Assume combat positions!”
At her command, her fellow soldiers hurriedly drew their weapons.
It would have been strange if combat hadn’t erupted in this atmosphere.
Although her command was indeed appropriate,
Swoosh…
No battle ensued.
The parts of the ground that encroached upon the battalion gradually receded, parting like a sea.
It was as if the earth itself was moving to create a path.
There was a strange sense of reverence in that sight.
Then,
As the trees parted, a single figure emerged from the divide.
Lee Sang-ah caught sight of this man, a smile escaping her lips.
Raising her salute to the commander, she addressed him.
“…Sir, reporting sir. You returned faster than expected.”
“Yep.”
The man who received her salute was none other than Sergeant Shin Young-joon.
Sporting a grin, he said,
“It seems things turned out better than I anticipated.”