She wants me to punish the 'Ranger Club' that has been harassing her club?
"I don't quite understand... Could you please explain in detail what happened, and how you want them to be punished?"
"Oh...! I forgot to give a detailed explanation! I'm sorry, I'm sorry!"
Izumi quickly realized her mistake, bowed her head, and apologized. She took a deep breath and began to explain the relationship between her club and the opposing club.
Clubs in the academy often have close relationships. For example, if you want to import goods from abroad, you need the help of the 'International Trade Club.' Each club forms mutual interests and commissions based on their needs.
"Our Recipe Development Club is not a combat club. Instead, we use alchemy, manufacturing, and herbalism to create beneficial food recipes. That's our main purpose."
However, the 'Ranger Club' was different.
They operate under the name 'Rangers.' In dungeons, Rangers are essential for exploration, and the title 'Ranger' itself is a source of pride for them.
"The Ranger Club is made up of students who excel in hunting and exploration or use ranged weapons. Therefore, we often commissioned them to gather ingredients when they went out for training or exploration."
And it seems the incident started from there.
"But, from a certain point, the 'Ranger Club' started to make more and more demands on us. At first, they asked for food with buffs along with the commission fee because the cost of ingredients had gone up. Later, they started to make unreasonable demands for all sorts of ridiculous reasons."
At first, the Recipe Development Club tried to meet their demands.
But gradually, they started to demand more buffs and more dishes. Eventually, when the club refused to make more food, the Rangers stopped supplying ingredients.
Moreover, they even threatened to block the club from commissioning other clubs.
They had already infiltrated.
Feeling the temporary boost in their physical abilities every time they ate the food, the Rangers realized that the food from the Recipe Development Club was not ordinary.
"And, eventually, they crossed the line. They stole the recipe for 'Golden Walnut Pie.'"
'Golden Walnut Pie.'
It was said to be the strongest pie created by the members of the Recipe Development Club after months of effort and experimentation.
"That dish was the recipe we were supposed to submit for the second-year achievement test. I can confidently say it was the best recipe I created, pouring all my skills and abilities into it. But... they just left it lying around in the club room."
As usual, the members of the 'Ranger Club' came to the club room to deliver supplies. They read the effects of the recipe among the exhausted students and copied the content.
"Permanent physical ability enhancement. That was the effect of 'Golden Walnut Pie' discovered by my [Skill: Creative Cooking]."
The eyes of the other students widened as they listened to Izumi's story.
Permanent physical ability enhancement. That was an effect usually seen in elixirs.
"S-So, the 'Recipe Development Club President' created a recipe for a dish that is almost like an elixir?"
Seo, who was so flustered that she stammered, asked. Izumi nodded.
"Yes, but I'm not that stupid! I always leave out a couple of ingredients in the recipe. And only I know what those ingredients are."
That's why the 'Ranger Club' started to pressure them.
Even after using the expensive golden walnuts and following the recipe, they failed and came to her to find out why.
To understand the missing ingredient and get the recipe for the 'Golden Walnut Pie,' which was almost like an elixir.
"Those guys are complete scoundrels."
Jin-woo grumbled, clearly agitated after hearing Izumi's story. Izumi nodded vigorously in agreement.
"T-That's right! They keep saying that they need to get stronger to bring better ingredients... But how can they threaten us with a full-scale war and force us to cook for them?"
As she spoke, Izumi's anger boiled over, and she continued with a furious expression.
"The Golden Walnut Pie is the masterpiece of my life. And they're threatening us like this."
According to her, the most important ingredient in the 'Golden Walnut Pie' was the 'Golden Walnut,' a very rare material in dungeons that she managed to obtain only after much pleading with Iharu. The amount she had was just enough to make one pie.
"Right now, they're doing all sorts of despicable things to us...! They steal cooking ingredients from our club room or secretly damage our equipment."
As she spoke, her voice began to waver.
"We just wanted to cook happily... I don't understand why we have to be treated like this just because we made excellent dishes... Please... help our club."
Izumi's eyes slowly filled with tears. She grabbed my hand and, with a choked voice, began to plead.
"We can only ask the Bronze Club 'Familia' for help with our club's abilities...! We'll do our best to reward you, so please...!"
With a desperate look, she clung to my left hand, trembling. I naturally placed my right hand over hers.
"I accept."
"R-Really...?"
Izumi looked up at me with tears in her eyes, surprised by my clear answer.
It was hard to imagine that this tearful person would become the [Cooking Master] in the future.
[Cooking Master]
That name was known to everyone who played [City of Seoul].
One of the five people who received the title 'Master' through crafting, even though combat was not their main focus.
[Alchemist Master]
[Blacksmith Master]
[Farming Master]
[Enchanting Master]
And the last Master was the [Cooking Master].
The only one who could create food from all existing materials and grant permanent buff effects, a unique and unparalleled existence.
In the later stages of playing CS, one would always reach the position of [Cooking Master].
It was truly fortunate that such a talented person was asking me for help.
"Have the guys ever physically attacked any of the members?"
"......No, not yet."
She slowly nodded as she explained the situation.
"The most worrying part is if they declare a full-scale war. But generally, a full-scale war between a support club and a combat club is hard to get approved by the student council, right?"
"......They'll try to pressure us by sending the new members. If they say only new members will participate, the student council might approve it."
In other words, it meant we had to step in.
"I understand the situation. Then, let's aim to resolve it by the end of this week."
"Uh... Can it really be that easy?"
It can. If I step in, I'm confident I can make them kneel in five hours.
But we are currently engaged in club activities.
If I keep stepping in alone, the club's purpose and the growth of the members might be compromised.
That's why the minimum deadline I set was this week.
I'm confident that by this week, I can make the members strong enough to defeat the 'Ranger Club.'
"Of course. Trust me."
I smiled and extended my hand, which Izumi grabbed, looking relieved.
"See, the boss has a plan."
Jin-woo, who didn't realize that the plan was himself, watched with a smile.
Well, if it's good, it's good.
The situation was flowing very well.
* * *
After sending Izumi back, the expressions of the members gathered in the president's room for the strategy meeting were very determined.
"Boss, those guys need to be taught a lesson."
"I agree. People who act like they're the truth of the world need to be hit to come to their senses."
"I think so too. The growth potential of the Recipe Development Club is beyond imagination, with the ability to create elixirs."
...They were overly determined, but it was a good omen.
"I agree with you. So... let's assign tasks to solve this request. First, Yeong-je."
"Okay."
Yeong-je nodded when his name was called.
"Starting tomorrow, participate in the 'Ranger Club's' seminars and experiences to gather information. As a rare mage who can use four elements, they'll welcome you."
"What if they find out I'm from Familia?"
"We haven't started club activities yet, so they won't recognize you."
"Then it'll be a piece of cake."
After nodding, I turned to Jin-woo.
"Jin-woo."
"Yes, yes."
"Until the situation is resolved, visit the 'Recipe Development Club' frequently and take charge of their protection. If anything dangerous happens, just buy time."
"Boss, what do you take me for? I don't get hit just because the opponent is the boss. I can hold my own."
Anyway, he seemed confident.
"Right, if it's for the request, you can strike first if necessary. ...And Seo."
"Yes!"
"You will investigate the image and rumors of the 'Ranger Club' from the outside. And you and Jin-woo will train with me from 3 PM to 5 PM, when club activities end."
As soon as I finished speaking, Jin-woo shuddered.
"Wait, Boss. Training during club activities?"
"Since we'll have more situations like this, it's better to get stronger in advance."
And that's why I recruited you, who have growth potential.
Of course, I didn't just throw tasks at you.
"If this goes well, I'll give you a performance bonus of 2 million credits. Will that motivate you a bit?"
The expressions of the two, who had been making complicated faces, instantly changed.