Chef in the Apocalypse

Chapter 5: New Class

Jayce's sword cleaved through the air, its sharp edge meeting the scaly hide of the giant lizard. The creature roared in fury, its massive body writhing in pain. With each strike, Jayce's determination grew, his movements becoming more fluid and precise.

Sweat dripped down his brow as he pressed on, his muscles screaming in protest. He knew that this battle was crucial, the final step before reaching max level. The lizard's ferocious attacks battered against his defenses, but Jayce stood firm, refusing to yield.

With one final, decisive blow, Jayce brought down the towering reptile, its lifeless body crashing to the ground. The air was thick with tension as he stood amidst the aftermath of the battle, his heart pounding in his chest.

And then, a surge of power coursed through his being. The familiar notification flashed before his eyes, illuminating the virtual world.

[Congratulations. You have reached level 100.]

The monotonous words echoed in his mind, a testament to his unwavering determination.

But before the announcement could fully register, an unexpected disturbance shook the very fabric of the game. Jayce felt a jolt, a disorienting sensation that tore him from the virtual reality. His eyes snapped open, and he found himself back in his pod, surrounded by the cold, sterile walls.

Confusion washed over him as he listened to the chaotic symphony of sounds outside. An explosion reverberated through the building, followed by the crackling of electrical surges. Fear gripped his heart as he realized that the merging of worlds had started.

Acting on instinct, Jayce swiftly unstrapped himself from the pod, his body protesting against the sudden movement after hours of inactivity. He stumbled out of the pod, his legs weak and unsteady.

The next moment, an electromagnetic pulse assaulted the building, breaking all of his windows and throwing his frail body against the wall. The pod which he was just in began to crackle as the electricity surged within its components.

It was completely fried, never to be used again. Jayce waited a few moments, ready for the monotonous voice of the system to ring in his head once more.

[Choose your Class]

Jayce looked at the words floating in front of him. Hoping and praying that reaching the max level as a Swordsman would unlock a new and powerful class.

'Come on. Give me Master Swordsman or something powerful' he thought inwardly. His past 3 months of toil would be for nothing if there was not a new class option.

[Class: Chef has been chosen]

[Initializing system… Please stand-by]

"W-Wait what? I didn't even get a choice!"

He stared at the loading bar in front of him with a stupefied expression on his face, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

"What the hell kind of Class is Chef?"

In Cataclysm, there were subclasses that players could choose based on their preferences. If he remembered correctly, there was a subclass called "Cook" which allowed players to prepare food which healed and gave temporary stat boosts to those who consumed them.

His confusion turned to despair and his heart sunk. "All that grinding, only to be relegated to a Chef. Is this some kind of sick joke?"

"How am I going to fight monsters as a Chef?" Suddenly he imagined himself garbed in a chef jacket and donning a tall white hat, stabbing ferocious monsters with a kitchen knife.

Moments later, the loading bar had finished, prompting the system's voice to speak once more, its monotonous voice echoing inside of his mind.

[Initialization Complete]

Tiny sparks appeared around Jayce, blinding him for a moment, however he did not panic. He had experienced this phenomenon before, it was the starting equipment for his job class being equipped by the system.

All human's received their starting gear after choosing their class.

Jayce's eyes widened in disbelief as he glanced down at his own body, now adorned with an unexpected attire. Instead of the battle-worn armor and weapons he had grown accustomed to, he found himself wearing something straight out of a busy restaurant's kitchen.

The outfit consisted of a pristine white double-breasted chef's coat, adorned with intricate golden embroidery along the cuffs and collar. The fabric exuded an air of elegance, despite the chaotic circumstances that surrounded him. The coat was complemented by a pair of tailored black chef pants, their clean lines and sharp creases speaking of precision and attention to detail.

On his feet, he wore polished black leather shoes, their laces neatly tied. Each step he took was accompanied by a soft squeak, as if the shoes themselves whispered of refinement and grace.

Completing the ensemble was a traditional chef's hat perched atop Jayce's head, its pristine white fabric towering proudly. The hat was adorned with a golden emblem, shaped like a crossed knife and fork, symbolizing his culinary prowess.

"What. The. F*ck"