Chef in the Apocalypse

Colin dragged his weary body through the plains which still had remnants of the Beast Tide battle all those months ago. While the bodies had long been cleaned up, the landscape would be forever marred by the event.

Behind him was about 20 people, all from the Hell’s Kitchen faction. They all similarly looked beaten up and exhausted from their recent expedition.

"Looks like you just made it in time honey." Jackie said, trying to cheer up her husband.

"Mmm." Colin let out a grunt of confirmation, his mind clearly focused on only two things: Food and rest.

Ben tried to hide the smirk that was forming on his face, yet his partner in crime Amber did not hold back. "Hey, you can’t blame anyone but yourself for slacking off while Leader wasn’t here."

Colin merely ignored the chirping behind him, using his entire focus to put one foot in front of the other. In truth, he knew what Amber said was true. He had become complacent without Jayce around, using the time to elope and relax around town.

Apart from going out to kill some monsters for food, Colin had not left Bastion at all, falling behind the other party members who had organized their own expeditions in Jayce’s absence.

Therefore when he had received the guild announcement with his Vice Leader position on the line, Colin had no choice but to burn the midnight oil and attempt to reach level 60 in time.

Gathering the highest level members of the faction, he headed east towards the overrun Qinling city and beyond, managing to find many high level monsters within those forests.

Since most of his party members were around level 59, it did not take them long to reach the desired level 60. After that, they were designated to help the others increase their levels and combat effectiveness, while Colin took on monsters solo.

He had no other choice if he wanted to reach his goal. What ensued was two weeks of hell and a half a ton of health potions. Part of him was glad that the potions did not contain sugar, otherwise he may have contracted diabetes from the way he was drinking them.

Just thinking about the slightly bitter red liquid made him queasy. This situation really made him appreciate Lianna and her healing skills even more.

Soon enough, the group arrived at the city gates just as the sun was beginning to set. The guards saw how weary Colin looked and couldn’t help but smirk a little. He remembered the panic and fervor that the large man left with almost two weeks ago, so it seemed a little comical to see him in such a state.

"Has the teleportation array activated yet?" Colin asked listlessly. Inwardly he was hoping that Jayce wouldn’t arrive until tomorrow, giving him enough time to eat and rest up.

The guard shook his head, "Nothing yet I’m afraid." In the next moment he let out a whistle, and the doors began to open, allowing everyone passage. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

"Get some rest." He said, smiling to himself.

"Mmm" Colin grunted, dragging his feet towards the now open gates. There was still a little distance from their homes, so he couldn’t relax just yet.

A few minutes later, the group arrived in the central square, close to their residences.

"Leader should arrive tomorrow. We’ll meet then."

Just as those words left Colin’s mouth, the teleportation array in the central square began to light up a fierce blue color, gathering everyone’s attention.

Colin’s jaw dropped and he almost fell to his knees. ’Damn it!’ he cursed inwardly, feeling a wave of fatigue attack his body.

"Leaders coming back!" Ben shouted, glee showing on his face.

"Heh, about time." Amber chuckled, feeling relieved.

Even Zane felt a smile forming on his face.

They rushed to the teleportation array with excitement, waiting the return of their fearless leader once more. Although a month wasn’t that long, they had spent every day together for almost a full year.

Not only had they all gotten closer, Jayce was also an mental pillar for the group, bringing them together as a single cognitive unit.

Dion and Kane also saw the light from the second floor of the main building, startling them greatly. Dion was especially desperate to see Jayce, who had still not answered his messages through the supporter function.

Like a child who had not seen their mother for a whole day while at school, he ran towards the central square towards the bright glow of the teleportation array.

After a few moments, the light on the array became blinding, forcing everyone to shield their eyes. A figure began to materialize and walk out from the array.

Wearing black pants and a button up t-shirt and a bow-tie, the figure stepped forward a few paces and looked around excitedly. He had a cleft chin and was clean shaven, his eyes wide with anticipation.

As the light dimmed, everyone could finally get a look at the man, yet they were suddenly disappointed.

"Who the hell is that guy?"

Dion blinked a few times, looking at the man who had suddenly appeared from their teleportation array. "I-I-Invader???" He almost screamed in fright, backpedaling quickly and almost knocking over Kane in the process.

"T-That’s impossible, it’s meant to be t-two years from now." He began babbling, rubbing his bald head in worry.

Colin and the others also looked on with confusion. Just as he was about to step forward and ask the person’s identity, the array flashed once more.

This time two figures walked out of the array, their arms around each other. The blinding light from the array made it so that everyone could only see the silhouettes of the two.

Everyone in the surroundings suddenly felt a majestic presence, as if a god or deity had descended upon Earth, filling them with a sense of awe, but also a feeling of dread.

Instinctively, everyone knew that they did not stand a chance against these new arrivals, particularly the taller figure who seemed as if they could crush their surroundings with a wave of their hand.

Dion who was already agitated, felt the presence of these two and almost fainted out of fright. ’We’re doomed.’