Chapter 153

Chapter 153: I Alone Am an EX-Class Summoner

Going to sleep proved quite simple.

The Great Wizard cast Wind’s Hand, a 2nd-circle spell, to sweep aside all debris and blockages in the area.

Following up, he utilized the 1st-circle spell Soften Earth to level the terrain and make it comfortably plush.

“Give it a try. Step right here. Feels bouncy, doesn’t it?”

Rachel paced across the freshly altered ground, testing it with light hops. It truly defied expectations.

The sensation resembled having concealed springs right beneath the dirt beneath her boots.

“Who even requires a real mattress?”

Baek Jinwoo smiled warmly as he made himself comfortable in a corner.

Crackled!

Stormy instinctively ignited a roaring blaze right in the middle of their camp.

The comforting fire flared up, throwing a soft, flickering radiance across their campsite.

With their summoned companions stationed along the perimeter, maintaining security required no effort whatsoever.

It was an ideal evening for everyone to get some well-deserved tranquility.

“Wow, it is incredibly refreshing to just sleep without constant vigilance.”

“We timed it well. If we had arrived any later, our situation might have turned catastrophic.”

The two companions remained awake late, chatting into the dark hours.

Their topics spanned from updates regarding ongoing events in the outer lands, to the deeper enigma regarding what the Tower of Trials truly intended to achieve with them.

The exchange of ideas stretched on without pause, though both individuals recognized the truth.

These inquiries lacked straightforward solutions.

Their sole option was to secure a restorative sleep.

And to steadily ascend until they reached the exit.

At present, maintaining that specific outlook was their optimal path forward.

“Time to turn in.”

“Agreed. Tomorrow we return to strict survival tactics. I am relying heavily on your aid…… Also.”

Rachel spoke softly as her eyelids grew heavy.

“I appreciate you rescuing me.”

“If gratitude is what you feel, ensure you compensate me handsomely once we escape this place.”

He had successfully obtained a rune courtesy of Olivia, true, but had he anticipated an environment of this nature…… his demands would have been significantly steeper.

Then again.

When the time came to specify his requests down the line, she would likely fulfill them without prompting, wouldn’t she?

The subsequent morning.

Our group pressed onward.

Baek Jinwoo stayed atop the wyvern, while Rachel was mounted on Baekho.

BOOM, BOOM!

The particular summons lacking the ability to travel swiftly on foot gathered directly upon the broad shoulders of LG.

The Dhampir, Ramba, Stormy, that entire contingent……

The group’s overall momentum was undeniably sluggish.

There was simply no alternative.

Dismissing any of their forces was impossible in this zone, meaning they were forced to adapt to the movement capabilities of LG, who lagged furthest behind.

The sheer scale of this territory is mind-boggling.

Navigating the upper atmosphere, Baek Jinwoo raised a hand to press against his temple.

A dull irritation was beginning to form in his head.

The trekking process proved vastly more grueling than anticipated.

The structural gaps marked on their reference charts shared zero correlation with actual geography.

After half a score of continuous hours traveling, they had failed to cross even a single mountain ridge.

Furthermore.

As they pressed deeper, a specific reality became increasingly undeniable.

This environment was clearly not restricted to the boundaries of a mere architectural structure.

As an initial observation, the sun rose into view and the moon made its appearance.

Granted, these celestial bodies bore no resemblance to those illuminating Earth, yet an equivalent orbital arrangement evidently functioned here.

Immensely thick woodlands spilled downwards through the rugged terrain.

Pristine currents snaked along the valley floors.

Untamed fauna could be spotted scattered throughout the meadows……

This domain is unquestionably an entirely separate reality.

Were this environment merely an illusion, then the reality of Earth itself would warrant suspicion as well.

That was precisely how vibrant this ecosystem appeared, and above all, how remarkably genuine it proved to be.

Which meant……

The supreme entity governing this domain, Asmodeus, existed as a real entity as well?

Rumbleeee.

Wonderful.

To compound their difficulties, a severe lack of nourishment hit him.

The provisions they had stored for emergencies were nearly depleted.

“We cannot sustain this pace.”

Ultimately, Baek Jinwoo came to a conclusion and guided his mount downward.

ROAAARGH!

Baekho bellowed out loud as the beast closed the distance.

THUD!

Rachel executed a graceful dismount, landing right beside Baek Jinwoo.

“What is our situation?”

“Rather than pushing forward without direction, establishing a solid strategy is imperative.”

“A strategy?”

“Correct. Organizing our nutrition, dedicating time to physical improvement, and taking structured intervals of rest.”

Should they persist in recklessly driving forward in this manner, their destination would elude them even after four weeks of non-stop travel.

“……I completely concur with that sentiment.”

In truth, Rachel was experiencing a profound sensation of hunger herself.

The summoned entities retained the capacity to appreciate flavors, certainly, but they were entirely immune to actual starvation.

Prior investigations demonstrated that their inner bodily operations were effectively suspended in time.

In a manner of speaking, chronology did not affect them.

Consequent to this state, they required no dietary intake to generate vitality, nor did they ever experience the aging process.

However, the two humans were entirely distinct from those magical entities, weren’t they?

RUMBLEEE!

Rachel’s midsection produced its own vocal complaint.

Heh.

Baek Jinwoo let out a soft chuckle.

“I caught sight of numerous avian creatures and native wildlife during our descent, you know?”

“……Are you suggesting we track them down for a meal?”

“Naturally. Is there an alternative course of action available?”

“Negative…… It is merely.”

Who is going to prepare it?

Right as Rachel prepared to voice that internal query—

“Leave the culinary preparations to me, Master.”

Drill Sarge stepped out to address them.

“Oh?”

Baek Jinwoo’s gaze widened in surprise.

Drill Sarge possessed culinary skills?

Ah, hold on—it made perfect sense!

The singular entity holding the comprehension required to develop every individual summon was none other than the EX-rank Drill Sarge.

Mirroring the situation encountered previously with Groteling.

There undoubtedly existed summons tied specifically to the culinary arts within the wider mythos, implying that such specialized expertise was archived deep within Drill Sarge’s consciousness.

“Rachel.”

“Yes?”

“Re-establish our campsite immediately. We are halting our advance for the remainder of the day.”

“Understood.”

“Direct Baekho to hunt for prey. We will venture out as well alongside Drill Sarge and Aso. Leave Rolly to monitor our surroundings.”

Click, click—each task was seamlessly allocated.

The process of preparing their dinner commenced.

Baekho let out a resonant growl.

“Master.”

Drill Sarge re-emerged from the tree line.

“Wow.”

Baek Jinwoo and Rachel stood frozen in sheer astonishment.

The trio had successfully collected an immense bounty of aquatic life.

“WHOA! What is the meaning of this abundance?!”

Ramba grew so exhilarated that she began tracing rapid loops through the camp’s airspace.

“It’s salmon!”

Rachel exclaimed.

“Fortune favored our efforts. A school of migrating salmon was fighting the current, and Baekho slammed the river surface near their position, rendering the entire group unconscious.”

Excellent.

An exceptional outcome.

The mere reality that salmon inhabited the waterways of this realm constituted phenomenal news on its own.

“What is the flavor profile like?”

“I sampled a portion raw as sashimi during our return trek. It is magnificent.”

Oh, magnificent indeed.

Fresh salmon sashimi!

Gulp.

Saliva was already pooling in his mouth.

Exactly—scaling this monument was ultimately centered on sustaining oneself comfortably and surviving well……

They might as well indulge in high-quality dining throughout the ascent.

“Shall we simply remain seated and anticipate the result?”

“Precisely, Master. I shall exert my absolute maximum capability to deliver a comprehensive multi-course salmon feast.”

Clang!

Drill Sarge unsheathed his blade.

Thump-thump!

Aso deposited the massive assortment of gathered elements he had hauled back.

The collection featured every conceivable item.

A smooth, elongated stone slab, burning embers, aromatic flora, mysterious leaves, immense foliage, fungal growths, and various additions……

“This is incredible……”

Rachel cleared a trace of moisture from her lip, utterly spellbound.

She had consistently felt a sense of envy regarding the entity known as Drill Sarge, and witnessing this display firsthand only intensified that covetous feeling.

That entity represented the absolute embodiment of versatility!

“The initial offering will be raw slices.”

Starting that very second, Drill Sarge’s masterful presentation unfolded.

Whirrr.

The visual recording devices belonging to Baek Jinwoo documented every single frame of the performance!

Splash!

To begin.

He cleansed the salmon thoroughly using the purified water provided by the Great Wizard.

Thud!

He transferred a still-moving salmon onto the polished stone surface Aso had retrieved for use as a preparation board.

Instantly—

Shik, shik, swish!

He stripped away the outer scales flawlessly utilizing his massive blade.

“AMAZING! Drill Sarge, you are incredibly talented!”

“That is an extraordinary demonstration, Drill Sarge!”

The technical execution proved so mesmerizing that Ramba and Stormy simply stared with dropped jaws in sheer wonder.

Whack, thud!

Promptly after, he severed the head and the posterior fin using rapid, unhesitating strikes.

Swoosh!

He guided the sharp edge directly into the underbelly, cleaving the fish from top to bottom with a singular, unblemished motion.

Scrape, scrape!

Upon extracting the internal components—

He provided an additional rinse utilizing the uncontaminated water.

“The structure of salmon is densely packed with minor skeletal fragments and pin bones. Every single piece demands extraction, however……”

Drill Sarge closed his eyes, sensing the exact location of each structural bone with his fingertips……

Ping, piiing!

He extracted them with masterful, swift motions.

The product left behind was an unblemished section of salmon, entirely skinless and pristine.

“At this stage, I shall perform the slicing.”

Drill Sarge positioned his edge at a sharp angle—

The steel glided effortlessly through the fish, each movement embodying total precision and rhythm. Shik-shik-shik-shik-shik-shik!

Flawless portions, measuring precisely one unit of thickness, severed without a millimeter of inconsistency.

He then transferred the pieces onto a pristine stone slab using the flat side of his weapon, creating a stunning visual arrangement.

“Master. I request that you partake first.”

Drill Sarge was a magical entity who held a deep respect for hierarchy.

Despite the fact that every onlooker was salivating profusely, the commanding authority always tasted the food before anyone else.

“My thanks.”

Baek Jinwoo placed a portion into his mouth without delay.

And then.

Oh!

The instant the fish made contact with his palate, an internal exclamation erupted within him.

The texture completely dissolved. Instantly.

The decadent, rich essence of the salmon expanded across his tongue, delivering its full concentration directly to his senses.

It felt as though a vibrant fish was actively pulsing against his taste buds.

“……”

Baek Jinwoo experienced a physical tremor, his expression radiating absolute rapture.

“What is the verdict?! Hand a piece over!”

Rachel lost the ability to restrain her impulses and snatched a portion for herself.

Following that—

“……Good grief, this is insane!”

She shuddered violently, as if an electrical current had coursed through her frame.

A masterwork!

This creation was pure artistry.

The delicate texture, the intense purity, the manner in which it melted away…… It felt as though a singular mouthful encapsulated the pristine wild harmony of untouched natural expanses.

“I shall persist in portioning the fish, so please enjoy at your own leisure.”

Stormy, Ramba.

The Dhampir, along with the Great Wizard.

Every single member partook of a slice and expressed deep admiration.

Naturally.

Drill Sarge had no intention of concluding his efforts with a single dish.

Deep comprehension regarding the preparation of salmon continuously flooded into his thoughts.

Grand Master Chef, S-rank.

An exceptionally rare summon archetype that had materialized neither within the digital simulation nor within actual history……

Yet the pedagogical data required to instruct such an individual remained completely preserved within his mind.

WHACK!

On this occasion, he pierced the prepared fish sections onto sharpened wooden skewers.

He added fresh fuel to the blazing campfire, positioning the salmon directly over the glowing embers.

“Aso.”

“Present!”

“You bear a critical responsibility. Maintain a consistent, gradual rotation at this precise elevation. Ensure the heat distributes perfectly.”

“Consider it done!”

“This nourishment is intended for our master. Conduct this task with the exact same rigor as your martial discipline.”

“Without question!”

The salmon began to cook over the intense heat.

Yet Drill Sarge’s culinary sequence extended further.

Once the meat had partially cooked through, he encased the portions within expansive foliage and secured them firmly.

Utilizing this method prevented any surface charring, ensuring the intrinsic moisture of the salmon was locked inside, yielding an even more tender result.

“Incredible.”

Rachel’s senses flared at the aroma.

As the salmon shifted to an appealing golden hue and the exterior attained a crisp texture, a decadent, mouthwatering scent permeated the campsite.

The wood-fired salmon represented merely the opening act.

Salmon prepared on heated stone slabs.

A rich salmon broth stewed with various fungi, aromatic greens, and forest roots.

The variations continued to emerge without end.

The most astonishing aspect was that the flavor profile reached absolute perfection without the inclusion of a single artificial condiment.

“Baek Jinwoo.”

“This is momentous. Persevering through this tower is fully justified solely by this culinary experience.”

Rachel expressed her absolute conviction.

Far surpassing the output of any elite culinary establishment, dining on food prepared in this manner amidst the wilderness when facing genuine starvation delivered a profoundly superior impact.

Furthermore, they retained the services of Drill Sarge, an entity capable of elevating any ingredient into an extraordinary delicacy!

“We must dedicate time to physical conditioning once our meal concludes.”

Chomp!

Baek Jinwoo consumed a mouthful of the fire-roasted salmon while delivering his thought.

“If the scaling of this environment has escalated drastically beyond the parameters of the original game, encountering Asmodeus will present a far stiffer challenge. Rather than rushing blindly to that destination, let us cultivate our capabilities throughout the journey. Drill Sarge will facilitate our growth.”

The absurdly powerful attribute of Drill Sarge centered on his capability to unlock the absolute highest tier of an entity’s internal capabilities.

This advantage extended to Rachel as well.

Should she undergo instruction under the guidance of Drill Sarge, she possessed the ability to elevate her own S-rank summons to unprecedented heights.

This was no occasion for hesitation or pride.

Commencing from Floor 51, the underlying design seemingly dictated that highly competent human combatants were required to consolidate their forces and execute systematic raid strategies.

However.

They lacked the luxury of remaining idle while waiting for alternative combatants to ascend to Floor 51.

Regardless of how circumstances developed, their objective remained to conquer the progression up to Floor 60 utilizing exclusively their duo.

“Understood. I will match whatever standard is required.”

Rachel signaled her assent with a firm nod.

“I am prepared to execute whatever directives you establish.”

The position of authority had already been solidified.

This dynamic had remained consistent throughout history.

The individual providing the sustenance naturally commands the unit.

Rachel felt entirely prepared to execute Baek Jinwoo’s strategy, irrespective of the demands he might impose.