THE RISE OF DIVINE CHEF

Zhang Ye woke up to the golden rays of dawn streaming through the window of his guild-provided room. The events of the previous night replayed vividly in his mind—the chase, the confrontation, and the warning from the mercenary leader. While the danger had passed for now, he couldn't shake the feeling that Garun Vallis's shadow loomed closer than ever.

As he dressed and prepared for the day, his resolve hardened. He wouldn't cower in fear. If anything, the incident had made him realize how far he still had to go—not just in his craft, but in his ability to protect himself and his future.

Downstairs in the guild hall, the usual morning buzz of adventurers filled the air. Groups planned expeditions, shared stories from the field, and eagerly awaited assignments. Zhang Ye noticed a few adventurers eyeing him with curiosity or offering friendly nods. It seemed his reputation had grown within the guild as well.

Linna, the guildmaster, approached him as he sat at a corner table, quietly nibbling on a piece of bread. Her expression was as stern as ever, but her tone was warm.

"Good morning, Zhang Ye. How are you feeling after last night?"

"I'm fine," he replied, though the tension in his voice betrayed him. "I just didn't expect my cooking to draw this much attention. It's… overwhelming."

Linna crossed her arms, her gaze steady. "Fame is a double-edged sword, especially for someone with a talent as rare as yours. There are always those who seek to exploit or destroy what they can't control. You need to be prepared."

Zhang Ye nodded slowly. "I've been thinking about that. I can't keep relying on others to protect me. I need to find a way to grow stronger on my own."

Linna studied him for a moment before a faint smile tugged at her lips. "That's the right attitude. There's a saying among adventurers: 'Strength isn't just in the sword you wield, but in the allies you trust.' Keep that in mind."

Zhang Ye spent the rest of the morning experimenting in the guild's kitchen, using some of the ingredients he had gathered from previous excursions. His mind raced with ideas for new recipes—dishes that could provide not just nourishment, but strength, agility, or even temporary resistance to poisons.

As he worked, the system chimed softly in his mind.

[New Quest Unlocked: Forge a Path to Strength]

Objective: Create a dish capable of enhancing physical attributes and offer it to a strong ally for testing.

Reward: Access to Combat-Oriented Recipes and +50 System Points.

The quest intrigued Zhang Ye. A dish that could enhance physical strength would be invaluable, especially if he wanted to gain the trust and support of powerful allies. But he needed the right ingredients—and he knew exactly where to find them.

By mid-afternoon, Zhang Ye was outside the city gates, accompanied by two adventurers Linna had assigned to escort him. Both were seasoned warriors—a swordsman named Kai and a ranger named Elira.

Their destination was the Thunderstrike Plateau, a rocky, windswept region several kilometers away. The plateau was known for its harsh conditions and the unique flora and fauna that thrived there, including the elusive Ironbark Truffles Zhang Ye needed for his recipe.

The journey to the plateau was uneventful at first, with Kai and Elira exchanging stories of their adventures while Zhang Ye listened quietly. But as they ascended the rugged terrain, the atmosphere grew tense.

Elira, scouting ahead, suddenly stopped and raised a hand. "We're not alone."

Kai's hand went to his sword as he scanned the area. "What is it?"

"Footprints," Elira said, pointing to the ground. "Fresh. And not human."

Zhang Ye's heart sank. "What kind of footprints?"

Elira crouched down, her sharp eyes narrowing. "Razorfang Wolves. A pack. Probably Tier 3 or Tier 4."

The howling wind seemed to carry an ominous growl, and Zhang Ye's Predator's Awareness skill began to buzz faintly.

"They're close," Kai muttered, drawing his blade. "Stay behind us, Zhang Ye. This could get messy."

The Razorfang Wolves attacked without warning, their lean, muscular forms darting through the rocky landscape with deadly precision. Their silver-gray fur shimmered in the sunlight, and their glowing yellow eyes were filled with predatory hunger.

Kai and Elira sprang into action, their movements honed by years of combat experience. Kai's sword clashed against the razor-sharp claws of one wolf, while Elira's arrows flew with unerring accuracy, striking another in its side.

Zhang Ye, unarmed and untrained in combat, felt utterly out of place. But he refused to be a liability. He reached into his satchel and pulled out a small vial of Blinding Powder he had prepared earlier.

"Cover your eyes!" he shouted to Kai and Elira before hurling the vial at the ground.

The powder exploded in a burst of bright light, disorienting the wolves and buying the group precious seconds.

Kai grinned as he dispatched one of the stunned wolves. "Not bad, cook!"

The battle raged on, with Kai and Elira holding their own against the pack. But as more wolves emerged from the shadows, it became clear they were outnumbered.

Zhang Ye's mind raced. He needed to do something—anything—to tip the scales in their favor. Digging through his satchel, he found a small jar of Beast Lure Essence, a potent concoction designed to attract monsters.

An idea struck him.

"Keep them busy for a few more seconds!" he called out to Kai and Elira.

Zhang Ye ran a short distance away and smashed the jar against a large boulder. The pungent aroma spread quickly, drawing the wolves' attention away from the group.

"Fall back!" he shouted, motioning for Kai and Elira to retreat.

The plan worked. The wolves, entranced by the lure, swarmed the boulder, giving the trio a chance to escape.

Breathless but alive, the group finally reached a safe distance. Elira glanced at Zhang Ye, a mix of surprise and respect in her eyes.

"You've got guts, I'll give you that," she said. "Most cooks wouldn't even think of stepping outside the city, let alone face down a pack of Razorfang Wolves."

Kai nodded in agreement. "You've earned my respect, Zhang Ye. But next time, try not to make us your bait, yeah?"

Zhang Ye managed a small smile, relief washing over him. They continued their journey, and by evening, they reached the heart of the Thunderstrike Plateau.

There, nestled among the rocks, Zhang Ye found the Ironbark Truffles he had been searching for. The system confirmed their rarity and potency, and he carefully harvested them, feeling a sense of accomplishment.

As they made their way back to Blueveil City, Zhang Ye couldn't help but feel a newfound confidence. He had faced danger and survived, proving to himself—and to others—that he wasn't just a cook. He was a Spiritual Chef with the courage to forge his own path, no matter the obstacles.