Chef in the Apocalypse

Chapter 48: Omurice

The sun began to paint the horizon with streaks of gold and pink, heralding the arrival of a new day. As the morning light filtered into the abandoned house, Zane was in his place by the makeshift window, his gaze fixed on the shifting panorama of the city below. Jayce had long been replaced with Zane a few hours into his watch, allowing himself a precious few hours of sleep.

The party roused from their slumber, assembling around a modest table that Jayce had set up. The aroma of breakfast wafted through the air, drawing them in like moths to a flame. Before them lay a delectable spread: a Japanese-style omelet fried rice, a fusion of flavors that blended together in harmony.

Plates were filled and forks clinked against dishes as the party dug into the meal with gusto. Mouths full, they exchanged muffled sounds of delight, pausing between bites to offer words of appreciation. The taste of the omelet fried rice painted a delightful contrast on their tongues, a taste that evoked both familiarity and novelty.

Lianna’s eyes shone with a mix of excitement and contentment as she savored each mouthful. “I’ve only seen meals like this in anime,” she admitted with a chuckle, her gaze lingering on Jayce who was engrossed in his own meal. She couldn’t help but think about the moment they had shared last night, her cheeks gaining a subtle hue.

Jayce’s eyes flickered toward her, his heart skipping a beat as their eyes met. A warmth spread through his chest, the memory of their late-night conversation and her gentle gesture lingering like a sweet melody. A rosy blush creeped onto his cheeks, remembering the feeling of her soft lips on his cheek.

With breakfast winding down, the air was filled with a sense of purpose. Jayce, setting down his utensils and clearing his throat, garnered the attention of the party. “Alright, everyone,” he began, his voice steady and determined. “We’ll be moving out in ten minutes. Before we do, I suggest you all take a moment to check your status and equipment. Make sure you’re ready for whatever we might encounter out there.”

The party members nodded in agreement, understanding the importance of being well-prepared. One by one, they turned their attention to their status windows, fingers dancing over their interfaces as they assessed their current condition and gear.

Jayce took his own advice, bringing up his status window.

Name: Jayce

Title: N/A

Class: Chef

Subclass: N/A

Level: 23

EXP: 300/1600

Health 880/880

Mana: 320/320

Strength: 28 (+17)

Dexterity: 28 (+15)

Intelligence: 28 (+12)

Vitality: 29 (+31)

Luck: 101

Stat Points: 56

Skills:

Basic Cooking (lvl. 6) – Allows the creation of simple dishes with minor beneficial effects.

Ingredient Analysis (lvl. 6) – Ability to discern the properties and quality of ingredients.

Taste Enhancement (lvl. 6) – Enhances the flavor and nutritional value of prepared dishes.

Nimble Fingers (passive) – Nimble Fingers is a natural-born dexterity that empowers its user with unparalleled manual finesse and agility.

VIP15 (max) – Your luck is increased. Small chance of converting temporary stat boosts to permanent

Executive Chef (passive): As a faction leader, you are in charge of your kitchen and your staff. Your staff will share your temporary and permanent buffs, so long as they are within 100 meters of you.

The first thing that struck Jayce was the remarkable jump in levels – a staggering 8 gained after felling the formidable High Troll. Such a leap was beyond his wildest expectations. He recollected his past experiences, realizing that even in his prior life, a level increase of 3 was considered remarkable, and that included all the grueling battles he had fought.

Yet, this achievement came with its own set of worries. As his level neared the critical threshold of 30, unease gnawed at him. In the new world, reaching level 30 was more than just a milestone; it marked a pivotal juncture where players faced a decisive choice. They were compelled to embark on their class upgrade quest, a quest Jayce was all too familiar with.

The challenge lay in his new class. He found himself in uncharted territory, lacking the understanding needed to fulfill the prerequisites of his class upgrade. The uncertainty of his situation weighed heavily on him. He couldn’t fathom the idea of remaining stagnant while his party members continued to surge ahead in levels. He vowed to himself that he wouldn’t be a liability in this life, no matter the circumstances.

A glimmer of hope resided in his association with Rubick, the enigmatic masked figure. As the number one supporter, Jayce held out a sliver of expectation that Rubick might be able to shed some light on his issue. However, doubt crept in like a shadow. Rubick’s demeanor, veering between mystique and eccentricity, made Jayce increasingly skeptical about his potential help.

Jayce’s brow furrowed as the worry etched across his features. His thoughts swirled in a whirlwind of uncertainty. Yet, he shook his head, determined to reframe his perspective. He reminded himself that this new class couldn’t be judged through the same lens as previous ones, not after his extraordinary return to the past. Who’s to say that this class wouldn’t similarly transform his understanding once more?

With a sigh, Jayce reminded himself that he still had time before reaching the level cap. As he considered the horizon of possibilities that lay before him, he realized that, just as in his cooking, each ingredient could lead to an unexpected masterpiece.

Colin rose from his spot, a triumphant gleam in his eye as he hoisted his newly-acquired platinum kite shield, the Immovable Wall, as if displaying it to the entire world. “Well, it’s high time we set forth,” he declared, his voice steady and determined.

Ignoring her husband, Jackie’s voice chimed in. “Jayce, how long are we looking at for this journey eastward?”

The sound of his own name jolted Jayce from his thoughts, and he turned his attention to Jackie. “I’d reckon about 3 days if luck’s on our side. If not, it might stretch to a week.”

His companions needed no further explanation regarding the word “luck” in this context. They were well aware of the lurking threats that could cross their path. But the recent battles, particularly against the imposing High Troll, had bolstered their group’s strength significantly.

Zane, the ever-vigilant scout, emerged after his reconnaissance, locking eyes with Jayce in affirmation. “We’re prepared to move when you are, Leader.”

All eyes turned to Jayce, the focal point of their unwavering trust and esteem. His gaze swept across the room, absorbing the faces of his companions, each displaying a blend of loyalty and anticipation. With a composed nod, he acknowledged their readiness. “Let’s do it.”

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