~Chapter 13~
The Pig‑Nosed Lizard Queen
As Seo‑jin was about to return to the safe zone, he wondered if he might find more ingredients in the Fire Rabbit habitat and decided to explore a bit further.
To his surprise, he discovered tomato fields, cabbage patches, and carrot fields. Fire rabbits were gathered there, snacking on the vegetables.
Seo‑jin used his “Master’s Touch” skill to purify the vegetables, then picked a tomato and tried it.
Crunch. Munch. Gulp.
“Delicious.”
Fresh and crisp, with sweet and sour juice bursting forth — he felt it could make any dish better.
[First tomato consumed!]
[The nutrients of the food seep into your body, making it slightly healthier.]
[Strength slightly increased.]
“Wow.”
He had forgotten that his Master’s Touch skill also granted bonuses when trying new ingredients.
Excited, Seo‑jin tried a carrot as well.
Crunch, crunch. Gulp.
It was remarkably sweet and tasty.
[First carrot consumed!]
[The nutrients of the food seep into your body, making it slightly healthier.]
[Strength slightly increased.]
‘What about this?’
Seo‑jin pulled out some roasted fire rabbit meat from his inventory and tried a piece.
Munch.
“……!”
He was dumbstruck.
Tender like chicken, rich like pork. The savory flood of juices reminded him of trying “geungogi” in Jeju for the first time.
The fire rabbit meat was every bit as delicious as the customers had acted earlier.
Then came the expected message:
[First fire rabbit meat consumed!]
[The nutrients of the food seep into your body, making it slightly healthier.]
[Strength slightly increased.]
“So this is it.”
Ingredients from the safe zone boosted agility, while those from the Fire Rabbit area boosted strength.
Seo‑jin recalled what he’d heard earlier — one of the men in the area had warned:
“Haha! Struggling with fire rabbits? Get it together! Those things have paper-thin defense but strong attacks. Watch out for their charge and kicks.”
It clicked for him. The benefits of food varied by area.
And if that was true… maybe food granted more than just raw stats. Maybe other bonuses could be gained as well.
As far as he knew, he was the only person aware of this. He had never heard of people gaining stats by eating monster meat in the real world.
Staring down at his hand, Seo‑jin smiled.
He had once thought the Master’s Touch was a worthless skill.
But here in the field? Its potential was endless.
It didn’t just make food taste better — it strengthened the body as well.
A lone fire rabbit nibbled on a carrot nearby.
‘Should I try? …Can I do this?’
Gulp.
Up until now, Seo‑jin had only been cooking. Even when he came across monster kills by others, he hadn’t felt the urge to hunt.
But with increased strength and agility, he wondered if he could take one down himself.
Gripping the cooking knife he used for meat, he quietly approached the unsuspecting fire rabbit from behind.
“What are you doing?”
A voice called out. It was Min‑woo.
“Are you still here?” Seo‑jin asked.
“Yeah. You were so busy selling food, I went and worked a bit as a porter in the low‑level dungeon nearby. When I came back, I could smell you.” Min‑woo shrugged.
“…Smell?”
“Ah, I didn’t mention? My Awakened skill is ‘Enhanced Smell.’ In the field, I’ve got a nose like a hound.”
“Interesting…”
“More interesting than making monster meat delicious? So, were you trying to hunt that fire rabbit?”
“Yeah…”
“Better not. You’re not a combat‑type, right? You could end up in the afterlife if you’re not careful.”
“Is it that tough?”
“If things go bad, just retreat to the real world. You’ll be barred from the field for three days if you do, though. It’s like a penalty.
“Also, the fire rabbits aren’t ‘first attack’ monsters. So it’s best to approach from behind and strike for a one‑hit kill. But…”
Min‑woo sighed.
“Without a combat skill, that’ll be hard. Just be cautious.”
He spoke like he didn’t care, but Min‑woo’s voice carried a hint of concern.
“Got it. Thanks.”
“Mokyu~!”
Seo‑jin placed Mokyu down from his shoulder and crept up behind the fire rabbit.
He drew a long breath.
Then Min‑woo suddenly shouted:
“Wait! Stay within 30 centimeters for three seconds, and it’ll register you as an enemy!”
Startled, Seo‑jin tightened his grip on the knife, but the fire rabbit whipped around.
A blast of flame surged from its mouth.
“Damn!” Min‑woo cursed.
But then…
[Dash!]
With an unbelievable shift of agility, Seo‑jin dodged the flames and slipped behind the fire rabbit.
A faint line of light appeared across its body.
It was the ‘Butchery’ skill he had gained earlier.
With one swift motion, he sank the knife into its neck.
Stab!
The rabbit screeched.
With the strength boosted by tomato and carrot, Seo‑jin pulled the knife down the line.
Slash!
The fire rabbit slumped to the ground, crimson blood spurting forth.
Seo‑jin wiped the cold sweat from his brow.
He’d done it.
He had killed his first monster.
Min‑woo watched with wide eyes.
“Are you serious? Not a combat‑type, huh? That movement… that precision…
He was better than some actual fighters Min‑woo had met.
Mokyu!
Mokyu hopped to Seo‑jin’s side, brushing its head against him as if in congratulations.
“Ha. Thanks, buddy.”
Seo‑jin collected the fire rabbit’s body and took Mokyu back onto his shoulder.
Staring at Seo‑jin, Min‑woo asked, “What the hell are you?”
“Me?”
“…Forget it.”
With a strange sense of loss, Min‑woo waved and left the field.
Alone, Seo‑jin contemplated trying to hunt a few more fire rabbits, but it was too late.
‘Better call it a night. Need to rest soon.’
He started towards the safe zone to collect more eggs when a thought stopped him.
‘Wait. Seo‑rina hasn’t shown up tonight.’
He remembered she’d said she’d be joining an hour after him. Perhaps something came up.
As he entered the safe zone and started picking up the eggs, he noticed something strange.
The pig‑nosed lizards were behaving aggressively tonight.
“Keeng! Keeek! Keeeng!”
They growled and bared their teeth.
Seo‑jin waved them away like usual. Normally, that was enough to make them scurry.
But this time, after retreating, the lizards stopped, glanced at him, and growled louder.
Something felt different.
Then came the message:
[‘Pig‑Nosed Lizard Queen’ summoning condition met.]
[Warning!]
[Safe zone temporarily lifted.]
[Hidden boss ‘Pig‑Nosed Lizard Queen’ appears.]
“…What?”
Stunned, Seo‑jin watched as a huge figure emerged from the undergrowth.
Ten times the size of a normal lizard, its sheer presence was suffocating.
[Pig‑Nosed Lizard Queen]
Gulp.
Seo‑jin stumbled backward, swallowing hard.
This beast was not like the others. Its very presence felt monstrous.
The Queen spoke:
“So, you’re the egg thief. You’ve stopped my children from hatching. You’ve taken them from me…”
“I’ll feast upon you, then lay more eggs to replace the ones you’ve taken!”
Seo‑jin tried desperately to retreat from the field.
But…
[You cannot leave the field while inside a dungeon or engaged in a boss fight.]
“…!”
He had no idea such a restriction existed.
The Pig‑Nosed Lizard Queen charged.
“Ugh!”
Seo‑jin twisted to the side, narrowly evading its attack.
But then —
Swhiiish!
The beast’s tail came crashing towards him.
[Dash!]
Seo‑jin invoked Dash, narrowly avoiding the tail.
“Hmph. How long can you run?”
The Queen sneered, releasing a suffocating aura that froze Seo‑jin in place.
“Ghhh…!”
He felt like a mouse before a lion, unable to move.
With a deafening screech, the Queen lunged, jaws gaping.
It was about to swallow him whole.
But then —
Mokyuuuu!
Mokyu, perched on Seo‑jin’s shoulder, unleashed a blast of flame from its mouth.
[Flame Blast!]
A blazing stream of fire engulfed the Queen’s face.
“Kyaaak!”
The beast shrieked in agony.
Blinded and enraged, it thrashed wildly, its tail whipping the air.
“Where are you?! Come out, thief!”
Seo‑jin, freed from its grip, acted quickly.
He surged forward and sank the knife deep into the faint line on its throat.
Stab!
The Queen screeched and gurgled, unable to bite down.
Then:
“Mokyu!”
Mokyu! Mokyu!
With a roar, Mokyu unleashed another Flame Blast — this one directly down the monster’s gaping throat.
The beast shook violently as the flames coursed down its gullet.
Seo‑jin pressed down harder on the knife.
But the blade refused to sink deep enough.
“Then…!”
He pulled out a piece of raw cabbage from his inventory and took a bite.
Crunch. Gulp.
[First cabbage consumed!]
[The nutrients of the food seep into your body, making it slightly healthier.]
[Strength slightly increased.]
With new strength flooding his body, Seo‑jin drove the knife home, tearing through its thick hide.
He slashed down the faint line, severing its throat.
Blood gushed forth.
Stepping back, Seo‑jin kept his knife raised, wary until he was certain it was dead.
The beast twitched and sank to the ground, its death rattle gurgling forth.
Then silence.
“…Is it dead?”
Seo‑jin stood panting, staring at the fallen beast.
He hadn’t come here to kill bosses. He was just here to cook.
To scavenge.
To make a living.
Yet somehow, he had just defeated a hidden boss monster.
Then came the system messages:
[Impossible Achievement Unlocked!]
