Chef in the Apocalypse

Chapter 79: Butterfly Effect

Amidst the encroaching darkness, Jayce found himself deep in thought. FlameCaster’s words had put him onto the right track, but there was another nagging sensation in the back of his mind. It was a growing annoyance with the system, one that had been festering for some time.

Typically, in the realm of gaming, systems were designed to be user-friendly. They offered tooltips, guidelines, and ample information to ensure players didn’t lose their way. But Cataclysm, it seemed, took a different approach. It thrived on ambiguity, leaving key details shrouded in mystery.

Jayce couldn’t help but wonder about the purpose behind this enigmatic system. Was it a sentient entity, orchestrating events with a grand design in mind? Or was it merely a byproduct of the cataclysmic event that had reshaped Earth?

The system’s elusiveness left him with an array of unanswered questions. It was frustrating, to say the least. Rubick and his supposed colleagues, for all their knowledge, were as cryptic as the system itself. Getting a straight answer from them seemed an impossible task. Not to mention he was batshit crazy.

With a weary sigh, Jayce realized he’d have to carry these mysteries with him, stowing them away in the recesses of his mind. Perhaps, in the future, when he’d grown stronger and more adept at navigating this new world, the answers would reveal themselves.

As he reclined, ready to embrace the restful oblivion of sleep, a weighty choice lay before him. Should he prioritize his class upgrade quest, or continue his journey eastward in search of survivors? It was a complex decision, for the path he chose would have far-reaching consequences.

The prospect of boosting Bastion’s faction level tugged at him, but it required moving with his entire group—50 strong—eliminating any chance of stealth. And there was the issue of perception: how would other survivors react when confronted by a formidable force of armed individuals? Unwanted conflicts were a risk they couldn’t afford.

As these thoughts swirled in his mind, Jayce finally surrendered to the soothing embrace of slumber. Tomorrow held its own set of challenges, and he would face them with the same unwavering determination that had brought him this far.

***

The following day dawned with the group efficiently breaking camp. Tents were folded, supplies were packed, and their path was readied for the next leg of their journey. But just as they were about to move out, Zane’s hushed warning cut through the crisp morning air.

“Movement in our direction,” he muttered, his voice laced with concern, “and they’re being chased by a rather large boar.”

Jayce’s countenance shifted from one of calm readiness to somber determination. He knew that in this new world, moments of peace were often shattered by sudden peril. He issued swift commands to his companions.

“Prepare for a possible confrontation,” he ordered, his voice low but commanding. “Zane, get ready to take down that boar when it gets within range.”

As the approaching figures drew nearer, their faces etched with panic, it became evident that they viewed Jayce’s group as potential saviors. Their gazes were filled with hope, as if salvation was at hand. However, there was a palpable tension in the air, something unsettling.

Jayce kept his gaze locked on the approaching group, ready for any sign of aggression. He raised his hand, signaling Zane to take the shot when the moment was right.

And then, a sudden, unexpected twist unfolded. The closest person to the charging boar cried out in desperation, a frantic plea that came too late.

“DON’T SHOOT HIM!”

But the arrow had already been released, cutting through the air with deadly precision. It found its mark in the boar’s shoulder, causing the massive creature to skid along the ground with a tremendous force.

A man from the approaching group screamed out in anguish, “BOBO!” He rushed towards the fallen boar, his voice laced with despair.

Jayce’s brow furrowed in confusion. Weren’t these people fleeing from the boar chasing them? It became increasingly clear that the situation was not as straightforward as it seemed.

The sandy-haired swordsman, his breath still ragged from their desperate flight, approached Jayce, his face a mix of anger, fear, and frustration. He looked like an average swordsman with his sandy blonde hair and worn gear.

“M-monsters,” he stammered, his voice trembling. “So many monsters. They destroyed everything… And they’re coming this way.”

Jayce’s eyes widened in shock, his mind racing to process this dire information. Monsters? Coming their way? The urgency of the situation was palpable, and the group’s vigilance intensified.

Colin, with his imposing presence, stepped closer to the panting swordsman, his tone demanding answers. “What do you mean? How many monsters?” he pressed, his voice steady despite the anxiety etched into his features.

The swordsman shook his head, his expression haunted. “Tens of thousands, at least,” he replied, the words heavy with the weight of their impending doom.

The revelation sent a chill through the party. Tens of thousands of monsters, an overwhelming force that could engulf them all. Their faces turned solemn as they exchanged worried glances. In the end, their collective gaze settled on Jayce, who was still reeling from the shock.

“Beast tide…” he muttered, his voice barely audible. “It can’t be. It’s too soon.”

Jayce’s face turned grim as he turned his attention to the man in front of him. “How far are they?”

“About a day and a half eastward. Can you please help us?” Finally catching his breath, the swordsman looked up at Jayce with an expectant expression. His eyes were still painted with fear, making him look pitiful.

“Is this all who survived?” Jayce responded seriously.

“I-I don’t know. We were out to forage for food and upon our return we saw the monsters entering the city.” He explained with sincerity.

Jayce cursed inwardly. The beast tide wasn’t meant to happen until at least 3 months from now, which was why he was scouting eastward in an attempt to migrate any survivors into Bastion. Could his impact in this world already be affecting the future?

His face turned grim. However, now was not the time to mope about. “Lianna, please heal the boar. Everyone else, finish packing up… We need to prepare for war.”

Everyone’s face turned somber, exuding a fierce determination. The younger man who was fawning over the boar who had been shot by Zane allowed Lianna to heal it, his face turning a shade of red after seeing her beauty.

Lianna’s face lit up after she was done, an incredulous expression painting her beautiful features. “I-I unlocked my class upgrade quest.” She murmured.

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