Chapter 101. Cookie, Run! (1)
[...The unidentified infectious disease that recently caused widespread concern across the country is rapidly subsiding. Most patients have now recovered, and health authorities believe the illness may disappear entirely within the next few days...]
“Looks like nothing else happened after that.”
Yukgap muttered while watching the news.
The mysterious disease that had thrown Korea into chaos had begun to die down far faster than expected.
It was all thanks to Victoria and the Herrington Order working tirelessly to spread the live vaccine.
“The public probably has no idea why the outbreak disappeared so quickly.”
Yukgap smiled faintly to himself.
The citizens who had returned to their ordinary lives would never imagine that, behind the scenes, Abraxas and the Herrington Order had been locked in a desperate tug-of-war.
Even if someone told them, they probably would not believe it.
“It was all thanks to you, Yukgap.”
Victoria, who was watching the news beside him, praised him.
“You were the one who told us about No. 11’s weakness.”
Yukgap shrugged.
“No. 11 destroyed himself faster than I expected.”
“He’ll probably stay quiet until his body recovers.”
No. 11 was an Archon fused with bacteria.
His entire body was essentially one enormous bacterial colony, and he attacked by changing the composition of his body to produce new bacteria.
The problem was that the bacteria he created were literally part of his own body.
Changing their composition was essentially the same as replacing his entire body.
Normally, it took him about three days to do so safely.
This time, however, he had forced himself to change every single day.
There was no way that had not taken a serious toll on him.
The fact that the outbreak was now rapidly fading meant No. 11 had finally lost the tug-of-war somehow.
“Did Alpha predict this too when she gave me that message?”
Yukgap murmured, remembering what No. 8 had told him.
Why would Alpha, who was on Abraxas’s side, help a deserter like him?
More importantly, if No. 8 was telling the truth and Alpha had predicted his desertion, why had she not stopped him?
There was too much to think about.
“Either way, I’m satisfied.”
Victoria looked pleased.
“We managed to punch that obnoxious bald fat bastard right in the face.”
Yukgap looked at her.
“What about the villagers?”
“The Herrington Order took them in for treatment.”
Victoria answered.
“No matter how good the respirators I made are, they can’t wear them for the rest of their lives.”
“Nova will probably find some kind of solution.”
After spreading the live vaccine, Nova and the Herrington Order had quickly scattered into several safe locations with the surviving villagers.
It was to avoid any possible pursuit by Abraxas.
Yukgap regretted that they had not even been able to say a proper goodbye, but it was unavoidable if they wanted everyone to remain safe.
“Since No. 8 has gone quiet, Abraxas probably won’t pursue them for a while.”
Yukgap cautiously guessed.
Victoria asked,
“You mean your bat friend?”
“He hasn’t come looking for you again?”
“No.”
Yukgap shook his head.
“I can’t smell him either.”
“Abraxas probably gave him another order.”
Something had happened to No. 11.
The other Archons had probably received separate instructions as well.
That was likely why none of them had shown their faces since.
Yukgap switched off the television.
“Anyway, let’s get ready for business.”
“We’ve been at the Herrington Order for days, so the restaurant’s been closed the whole time.”
“Right. Time to fulfill our duties as a restaurant.”
Victoria nodded.
Restaurant Shelley had temporarily shut down during the days they spent fighting No. 11.
Naturally, that meant lost income.
Whatever else happened, their actual jobs were restaurant owner and chef.
Now it was time to return to normal life.
“Honestly, a lot more restaurants have been opening in the back alley lately.”
Victoria looked outside.
“Our business is starting to get pretty shaky.”
“Isn’t there something we can do?”
During the days they had neglected the restaurant, several new eateries had opened nearby.
Yukgap thought for a moment.
“So we need something that makes us more competitive.”
What exactly could distinguish Restaurant Shelley from the others?
While the two pondered it, Victoria suddenly asked,
“Come to think of it, don’t we lack any real dessert menu?”
Yukgap looked alarmed.
“You want me to prepare that too when I’m already busy?”
“But it feels incomplete.”
Victoria sounded surprisingly serious.
“Think about it. Lots of other restaurants serve desserts.”
“If we don’t want to lose to the competition, we need something too.”
Yukgap was skeptical.
“Let’s just buy some.”
“There are plenty of professional dessert suppliers.”
“But that would hurt my pride as the owner of Restaurant Shelley.”
Apparently, Victoria had already made up her mind.
Yukgap knew better than anyone that once Victoria became obsessed with something, she never gave up.
He reluctantly answered,
“Fine. I’ll look online and learn how to bake some cookies or something.”
Victoria suddenly shook her head.
“No.”
“You’re already busy enough. I shouldn’t pile even more work onto you.”
“What are you planning?”
Victoria’s eyes lit up.
“I’ll handle it.”
Yukgap immediately stopped her.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Do you seriously have to ask?!”
“Every ingredient you’ve ever touched has turned into some kind of disaster!”
He had personally witnessed ordinary ingredients become catastrophes beyond imagination after passing through Victoria’s hands.
He did not even want to imagine what might happen if she started making desserts.
“Oh, come on!”
Victoria protested.
“You don’t know that!”
“And that’s just because your perspective is too narrow.”
“Everything I made looked perfectly fine to me.”
She seemed to feel absolutely no guilt whatsoever about all the disasters she had caused so far.
“I’m still against it.”
Yukgap answered firmly.
“Don’t destroy the restaurant trying to make cookies.”
