Chef in the Apocalypse

Dion’s stern figure led the way, his commanding presence clearing a path through the group of swordsmen and archers. With a gesture from him, the armed escort moved aside, allowing the party to proceed toward the town nestled in the valley. The transition from the wilderness to this bustling settlement was like stepping from one world into another.

The town’s entrance was strategically positioned to the south, the only accessible route being through a pathway that wound around the mountainside. This design served as a natural defense, making it more challenging for potential attackers to breach the town’s perimeter. This pathway was likely the reason for the town’s security, forcing any newcomers to walk a longer route before entering.

As they progressed, the familiarity of the sight hit Jayce like a bittersweet memory. In his past life, he had visited the fortified city of Bastion, where massive walls and towering garrisons dominated the landscape. The sight of the nascent city wall before him was a stark contrast to the formidable stronghold he had known. The walls-to-be stood at a modest height, but their potential was clear. It was as if he was witnessing history repeating itself, the foundations of a new Bastion being laid before his eyes.

The town sprawled over the valley floor, its boundaries stretching over approximately 10 square kilometers. Its layout was well-planned, with roads and pathways crisscrossing the area. Surrounded by a natural barrier of majestic mountains, the town felt like a hidden gem, protected by nature itself.

As the group moved closer, they could see the intricate details of the town’s architecture. Buildings made of repurposed materials were under construction, their wooden frames beginning to take shape. The sound of masons hammering and craftsmen working filled the air, a testament to the town’s dedication to building itself anew. The repurposing of materials showed the resourcefulness of the town’s inhabitants, utilizing what was available to create a foundation for their future.

However, as they continued to walk, they could see pieces of destroyed buildings strewn around the streets, alongside corpses of monsters. Tents were pitched around the place, most likely temporary housing for the workers who were focused on repairing the damage that the town sustained.

The silence that enveloped the group allowed everyone to take in the sight at their own pace. Inhabitants of the town went about their business, casting respectful glances in Dion’s direction as he passed. These glimpses offered insight into the deep respect and recognition Dion commanded among the people. He was a figure of authority, perhaps even a symbol of hope for their community.

Jayce walked beside Dion and asked with curiosity, "How many people do you have in this town?"

Dion kept walking, seemingly ignoring him. However, just when Jayce was about to ask once again, he replied in a solemn tone. "This was my home town, but most of it was destroyed when Cataclysm descended..."

Jayce nodded, he had seen the signs of destruction in his own town and was well aware of how some areas were affected more. "There used to be around 8,000 people here, with about the same amount of housing. Now more than half has been destroyed, with even more lives lost." Despite the topic, Dion’s face was stoic, embodying the traits of a knight.

"Myself and a few others gathered the remaining people together and fought off the monsters before more people were killed. We fought from the center of the city outward, reclaiming our town day by day." He paused for a moment, his face faltering for a fraction of a second.

The pieces of the puzzle began to come together. This could very well be why a lot of the supporters had not been able to complete the World Quest just as he had, or at least that was the case with Stone Hammer.

"It was all going well until we met a High Troll. It devastated our group, reaping precious lives in its rampage..." Dion’s voice was solemn. He finally stopped in place, turning to Jayce with an unreadable expression. "Is it true that you killed a High Troll?"

Jayce nodded, "Yeah, it was a tough bitch to kill." he responded in a heavy tone. "What happened to the one that was in this town? Did you kill it?"

Dion shook his head, "No, it escaped into the forest with 3 younger ones. We couldn’t even kill the 3 younger ones, the High Troll wouldn’t let us get close to them."

"When did you say this High Troll escaped?" The mention of the 3 smaller trolls seemed too similar to be a coincidence, so Jayce asked with curiosity.

"Around 2 and a half weeks ago. Why?"

"Ah." Jayce pondered for a moment, his hand reaching up to his chin in thought. "Then it was likely that the High Troll we killed was the same one that escaped from this town."

Dion’s eyes shined with a golden glow for a moment, staring at Jayce intently. After a few uncomfortable seconds, his countenance changed. The stoic face turned up with a grin, lighting up his dark features and making him appear much younger.

"Haha, you’re one tough bastard Jayce." He held out his hand once more, and this time when Jayce took it he brought him close, pulling him into a small embrace.

"That bastard killed my parents, thank you for dishing out revenge in my stead." The words were quiet, yet they held a great emotion, stunning Jayce.

After a moment, he responded. "It’s no trouble, as humans we’ve gotta stick together."

With that, they continued into the center of the town. Dion’s mood seemed to have lifted after finding out that the High Troll Jayce killed was the same that ravaged his town. He began to speak of his vision to rebuild the town into a place where people could live in peace, away from the threat of death.

The more Dion spoke, the more Jayce could understand what kind of person he was. With a righteous heart and ingrained values, there was no doubt as to why the system had granted him the rare Paladin class.