Chapter 8: The Eighth Is A Lot Of Trouble
Ooh, today is like Christmas! I can't wait to see my stuff! I wonder if I can immediately use these to make omelets or maybe even...
Pancakes! Hoh! I can't wait!
Though I don't have baking soda or powder, egg whites can be used for baking needs! I just need to beat the egg whites well.
Hehehe, yay!
Aw...wait...I need sugar...crap. Perhaps if I find a maple tree, I can use syrup, but...no, hold on...honey! The Forest Dungeon Bear Man went to! There must be honey there!
YESSSSS!!!
Ahh, I feel so good. That will be what we eat tonight, pancakes, ham, and eggs. We're having a delicious breakfast for supper! Mmm...
Oh, Bear Man is up.
"'Sup? Hey, here is your stuff."
[You have acquired Battle Chef's Hide Glove]
[You have acquired Battle Chef's Spatula]
[You have acquired Battle Chef's Whisk]
[You have acquired Battle Chef's Spoon]
[You have acquired Battle Chef's Cleaver]
[You have acquired Battle Chef's Filet Knife]
[You have acquired Battle Chef's Tongs]
[You have acquired Battle Chef's Masher]
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.
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[You have acquired Battle Chef's Pot]
[You have acquired Battle Chef's Pot Lid]
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[You have acquired Battle Chef's Shaker]
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[You have completed the Quest!]
[Battle Chef Chain Quest 3/5]
[Something a Chef should know are recipes! Come up with 10 food recipes!] [2/10]
[Spicy Breakfast Scramble]
[Peppered Roasted Chicken]
Wha...what is all this? I didn't have enough material for all of this, did I?
"I got bored. Plus, it beats having to come back here every time you need something, right? I just tried to recall any kitchen item I could but if you remember anything else, feel free to ask."
"...money?"
"Hm? No, you don't need to pay me. I just wanted to do this. I have nothing else to do. Besides, I got back into the mood to make stuff. Thanks. I guess in return, you can just drop off any materials you get."
Oh, good point. Yeah, I'll do that.
"Yoohoo~ Bear Ma- oops...hello."
Hm? Gary seemed different for a moment. Oh well. He is probably really good friends with everyone, not just Drew. He seems cool enough. As for me, I should take these back to the Inn then go to the other Dungeons. Most likely the Forest.
Hehehe! I can't wait!
>>>><<<<
Ardin practically skipped out of the smithy and went to the Inn. Meanwhile, Gary and Bear Man watched him hold the items he couldn't fit in his Inventory close to his body. It almost seemed as if he was holding a baby, not a stack of cooking utensils.
"So...you did quite a bit. What if he realizes you aren't actually a low Rank player?"
"Gary...you know just the words to get people annoyed. If you are worried about him finding out, then don't talk out loud."
Gary smiled mischeviously as he grabbed ahold of Bear Man's wheelchair and carted him out back.
"Anyways, those looked nothing like what he had in mind."
"He oversimplified the design in his head. I decided to also make them battle worthy. I might have also used better materials than the cheap iron and monster parts."
"Hoh..."
A little jealous, Gary finished wheeling Bear Man to the garden in the back. Only, the plants weren't normal. Instead of fruit and vegetables, gems and rocks grew. Sitting down at the bench next to the wheelchair, Gary brought out the torn rag.
"Lars, I am sorry! I accidentally tore your sign of affection for me!"
"...that was a snot rag you stole from me."
"..."
"Fine. Whatever. Replenish your stock or whatever. Not like I can do anything about it anyway."
Sighing and motioning towards his legs, Lars Mesa just decided to soak up the sun light. Rather than head inside and steal another, Gary just leaned forward, his face in the palm of his hands, attempting to look cute.
"What do you think of him, Lars?"
"He is rather unique."
"We all are."
Glancing at Gary, Lars sent a look that said, 'smart aleck'. But he instead continued his thought.
"I want to know how he came to have a personality like that considering the current situation."
Intrigued, Gary sat up straight and tilted his head.
"How so?"
"...He left the Party up."
The silence afterwards was kind of awkward for the two veterans, but soon they began to laugh.
"Haha...it is much different from how things used to be."
"...yeah..."
The two just stared at the garden, remembering sad times.
"Lars...do you think things will be different this time?"
"...I hope so. I hope so..."
Once again, the two descended into silence.
"What about the Quest?"
"Ah, he is having to make new recipes. My guess is he will have to go to other Dungeons in order to find more ingredients."
"Ah. I see...wait, Drew! Crap, you silly goose! Answer me! Argh...I have to go, Lars. See you later. Oh, and I will be taking this, toodle-loo~"
Waving a sweaty towel that was left on the side of the wheelchair, Gary quickly sped off towards the Inn to wake up Drew, leaving Lars to shake his head ruefully. However, he ended up smiling before wheeling himself back inside.
There was more stuff to make.
<<<<>>>>
"Alright, Beth! Thanks for letting me use your Storage!"
"Of course. But aren't you going to take your tools with you?"
"Huh? Why would I use my stuff if I wasn't going to cook with it?"
Yeah, why use a cooking knife instead of a sword to kill a monster? I should only use my tools if I am cooking. You know, for that matter, I guess that includes my moves, huh? It's not like a searing heat will kill normal monsters.
[You have created your first Creed!]
[Battle Chef Chain Quest 4/5]
[A Creed is a code, a word of honor to fulfill. As a Chef, maintaining your dignity and honor is important for your image. It instills a sense of trust. Create at least 3 Creeds a Battle Chef must fulfill. Following these Creeds will increase Stats, breaking the Creed will result in lowered Stats and other penalties.] [1/3]
[1. A Chef must only use the right equipment for the right job! Don't be lazy!]
Umm...great. Wonderful. Nice. Now I can't even use my moves on monsters! What a terrible thing these Creeds are!
Wait, what am I saying? Perfect! I won't have to fight! Haha!
Now then, I will just leave all of this here. I will also need space in my Inventory to grab new materials. Hehe, I can't wait!
Hm?
"Wait! Ardin! Please! Let Drew go with you!"
Eh? Drew?
"Thanks, but I'm not worth the trouble. Let her rest."
"..."
Yeah, I am just gathering stuff. I don't want to bother her. Besides, what if she has other plans? I should just do my own thing.
I wave bye to Gary and head out. I wonder how the Forest Dungeon will look?
>>>><<<<
"You! Stupid! Goose! Wake! Up!"
"Ughh...mom...five more minutes..."
"You'll need five more minutes after I beat you up! Ardin left to go Dungeon Crawling!"
Like a flash, Drew flung the bed sheet off and sat straight up, slinging Garu aside like a rag doll. However, he didn't seem to take much damage. Not that Drew noticed this, she was still in a tshirt and undies. She had to get dressed and catch up to Ardin!
"Ack, you have your pants on backwards! You oaf!"
After fifteen minutes, a messy haired Drew stormed down the steps only to smell breakfast. She stopped dead in her tracks and faced the kitchen. Giving it a sniff, she lost all tension and went over to make herself a plate.
Gary walked down looking worn out and already exhausted. However, when he saw Drew pigging out on food, he nearly turned red all over and charged up to her.
"Stop eating and go find him!"
"Buh ih thathe tho gooh..."
Facepalming, Gary just sat down beside her and also ate, as he had left first thing in the morning, even ignoring the smell of fresh food so he could see Lars as much as possible. 'This silly girl,' he thought, 'she will be the death of me.'
<<<<>>>>
Wow...it certainly doesn't feel as long this time to travel since I can run so much in this world. Normally, I would get tired after only 15 seconds but here, I can run forever! Well, it is like a game, after all...
A nice jog never felt so good. Probably because my knees couldn't hold my body well. Who knows?
Now then...which way to the Forest Dungeon? I am guessing that the Map will be of help now that I unlocked it.
Hmm, it seems that the actual middle of the map is the plains where I began. Over a nearby small mound, there is a rabbet burrow. Attempting to climb through it seems to lead to the Plains Dungeon. To the West is the Mountain while to the East is the Tower.
Hmm...it seems to the South is a swampy coastal area and to the North belongs most of the forest. This works! I just go North!
After several minutes of running through this empty Overworld, no BGM or anything, I enter the trees. Now I can see more of the forest, but I can't seem to find anything like the Dungeon.
At least with the Plains Dungeon, it was out in the open. Here, not so much. I guess I will have to locate the suspicious areas that look different from their surroundings, like clearings or a significantly larger tree.
From this map, there are four such places. One is a large tree, another seems to be some sort of strange shape poking through the canopy, there is a small clearing with what looks like a pond over there, and then there is a clearing that is larger than the other, but nothing in it.
The water hole might have something good, I can at least look there, first.
Hmm...it seems that I can take this water with me. It certainly looks much better than the water we use back at the Inn. Perhaps this is purified water or spring water? Something fantastical like that? It would certainly do to have clean water.
But nothing else, unfortunately. Now for the empty clearing. Hmm...knowing that this is like a game, perhaps these places are like event areas? Oh well. It seems this empty clearing is really just empty.
The tree feels special, so let me try the strange object.
Oh...perhaps I should have gone to the tree first...
"Human! We said your kind aren't welcome here! Leave before we make you!"
Plants for clothes, pale skin, long ears, beautiful appearances...elves?
Goblin Hunter >> Ardin! I am glad I caught you! Need some help? I will be glad to assist you in a Dungeon! I don't mind, honest!
Ah...umm...
Newbie >> Nope. I'm fine. You shouldn't worry about me.
I'd bet if she came here to help me, she would be in danger, too. Now then...how to deal with this mess?
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Evil_Ginger
Evil_Ginger Whoops, slept in a little. Here ya go.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
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