Chef in the Apocalypse

Before Jayce could properly register the quest requirements in front of him, the monotonous voice rang out in his head.

[Recalculating, please wait...]

[Quest log has been updated]

[Executive Chef class upgrade Quest (Main)]

Kill Boss Monsters: [3/3] ✓

Prepare and cook Boss Monster: [1/1] ✓

Recruit Staff: [29/100]

Prepare dishes: [1650/2000]

Suppressing his elation, Jayce read through the updated quest information before him. A wave of triumph surged within him as he realized that he had not only unlocked a higher tier Class Upgrade quest but had also already fulfilled some of the requirements. It was an exhilarating realization.

The concept of prerequisites for the Class Upgrade quest was a fixed one, yet the Class Upgrade quest requirements could vary greatly. Even companions who had embarked on the same journey, reaching the same pinnacle, could be assigned distinct conditions for their respective Class Upgrades. There was a certain randomness to it, likely tied to ones Luck.

In Jayce’s case, luck was his dominant attribute, by a considerable margin. And as fate would have it, his highest stat proved its significance. At a glance, the prerequisites for the Executive Chef class upgrade seemed beyond reason. It was a challenge that seemed tailored for Jayce alone, considering his non-combat status. In truth, no one else could be expected to fulfill the initial two conditions as a non-combatant. The bar was set impossibly high—except for Jayce.

The VIP15 skill that he possessed had the power to tip the scales in his favor. Without it, conquering a challenge of this magnitude, even at level 100, would be insurmountable. The very notion of reaching level 100 was a dream for Jayce, considering the past limitations he had faced. In his previous life, high-level monster areas were monopolized by the mighty factions, effectively barricading Jayce and his group from gaining experience.

Despite this situation, he managed to reach level 70, a commendable achievement in itself. However, after regressing, he had managed to reach level 30 within the span of a month, filling him with great confidence about his path forward.

Glancing over the requirements laid out for his Class Upgrade quest, Jayce calculated the trajectory of his progress. He speculated that, with the right strategy and the recruitment of valuable allies, he could potentially complete the quest within a few more weeks.

The biggest obstacle, apart from getting permission from Dion to recruit some people, would be leveling up his faction to allow for 100 people. Something he was unsure of how to do.

Faction: Hell’s Kitchen

Leader: Let Me Cook

Vice Leader: Divine Shield

Faction Level: 1

Members: 28/50

Average level: 19

Players:

Divine Shield

Frost Mage13

Nurse Joy

Crippled Swordsman5

Rough Swordsman42

Tough Shield8

He stared at the faction screen for a while, unsure of what the next steps were. Perhaps if they managed to hit an average level of 20? Or if he could recruit the maximum 50 players?

Those were things he would figure out in the future. For now, it was time to celebrate with his party and new neighbors. With a smile, he walked over to the table and joined in on the feast, helping himself to some warm wine.

The feast rolled on, a celebration in the truest sense. Laughter mingled with the aroma of the delectable meal, a heady concoction that enveloped the gathering. As the sun dipped beneath the horizon, casting its warm golden glow upon the city of Bastion, the joyous atmosphere found its peak.

Colin, in his typical boisterous manner, hosted drinking games with the locals, a spirited challenge that saw him emerge as the triumphant last man standing. Laughs echoed through the square, carefree and uninhibited.

Ben and Paul, free from their usual burdens, reveled in the mirth of the moment. Zane, ever the enigmatic figure, distanced himself in his customary manner. Yet even he found a degree of companionship in the gaze of a few admirers. The changed world had lent a certain urgency to matters of the heart, and body. Rejection was a lesser fear than the looming specter of tomorrow’s uncertainties.

Zane’s reserved demeanor seemed to have a paradoxical effect, with women drawn to his quiet strength. A few of them whisked him away, their interest palpable. Jayce observed the scene with an eyebrow raised; he knew that appearances often belied the true essence of a person.

For Jayce, the scenario was surreal. Back before his regression, his romantic experiences had been limited and detached, purely physical encounters. He couldn’t deny a pang of jealousy at the sight of Zane’s easy charm. Yet amidst this rush of feelings, the memory of Lianna’s innocent kiss on his cheek resurfaced, painting his cheeks with a sudden flush. He looked around, hoping to spot her, but she was nowhere to be found.

With a quiet sigh, he excused himself from Colin’s lively drinking and decided to retire for the night. The events of the day had taken their toll, and Jayce needed to rest.

By the time he got to his residence, his body ached and groaned. Perhaps he was a little overzealous with his decision to prepare and cook food for over a thousand people on such short notice. Yet he did not regret it, especially as he looked at his Class Upgrade quest in front of him.

If he were to take the names of the classes at face value, then he had skipped 2 classes to reach Executive Chef. If this was the case, then he had no idea what class would appear at level 60, not to mention the one at level 90.

’What comes after an Executive Chef? Surely that’s the highest position one can have in the kitchen?’ he thought to himself. He would just have to wait and find out, after all he had too much to do right now between building Bastion and completing his new quest.

Thinking of the wonderful and elusive possibilities that his class would bring, he began to drift off to sleep. It was not long before soft snores could be heard in the room, exhaustion finally getting the better of him.