chapter 2 find

In a bustling city...

I head into an area filled with various buildings. Many people look at me with respect, some smile with joy at seeing me, while others approach for photos and other interactions.

"It's the King without a Crown!" says the crowd. "What is he doing here? Ah, he's entering a restaurant."

"It looks like this restaurant will become very popular soon, although it already is quite a bit. They say the chef might enter the top 100 chefs."

Sakasuki: "It seems the restaurant has a good reputation, and so does the chef. I wonder if he's already narcissistic or not yet," I thought.

I enter the restaurant, bells ring, signifying my entrance. I am greeted by servers and chefs who were also waiting for me. It seems the commotion of the crowd served as a warning for the arrival of a great customer. Haha.

"Welcome, dear customer, please follow me. I have a special table for you," he said.

I look at the chef I wanted as my combo. He's not completely arrogant yet, good.

Sakasuki: "I'll follow you, lead the way."

He turns and escorts me to a table with a quite magnificent view. The table is made of marble, surely from a high-level beast. The place was modest yet neat and illuminated in its own way.

Sakasuki: "I like it, very nice decor," I said.

Chef: "Thank you, Mr. Sakasuki. Here is the menu. What dish would you like?"

Sakasuki: "Bring me everything and do your best."

Chef: "I always do my best, no matter the customer," he said before turning to go to the kitchen.

He has character, that's what I'm looking for. I don't want a Komatsu, but whether his cooking suits me, that's the problem.

In 30 minutes, dishes are already starting to arrive by the dozen. The servers do their best to keep up with the pace at which I eat and their chef cooks. After an hour, no more dishes.

Sakasuki: "I see. The food is good, my taste buds want more. He has nothing to envy from certain great chefs. The best part is he will improve over time. It's decided, he will become my combo."

I look at the server.

Sakasuki: "Bring the chef here," I said.

The server runs back to the kitchen to fetch the chef, who comes to meet me.

Chef: "Were the dishes I served you not satisfactory?" he said.

I stare at him and say: "Your dishes were delicious. What's your name?"

Chef: "I'm Ootake, the chef of the restaurant."

Sakasuki: "Good, Ootake. Let's talk a bit about your future."

Ootake: "My future?"

Sakasuki: "Yes, what do you plan to do with your life?"

Ootake: "I want to cook, of course, and reach the top 100 of the best chefs."

Sakasuki: "That's good, but is that all?"

Ootake: "What do you mean, is that all? It's a dream to become one of the top 100 chefs in the world. I won't let you belittle my dream and those of various chefs. Who do you think you are?"

Sakasuki: "You're getting worked up, my little one," I said, releasing my aura on him. Though he trembled, he didn't break eye contact.

Sakasuki: "Good haha. I don't want to belittle you, but you aim too low. Why only the top 100? Aim for the top 10 or better, the first place," I said with a smile.

He looked at me as if I were crazy.

Ootake: "The top 10 is possible, but the first place is almost impossible."

Sakasuki: "Precisely, you need to aim for the impossible to become stronger. Tell me, do you want to become stronger?" I said with a serious look.

He stared at me and said: "Stop your act and tell me what you want from me."

Sakasuki: "What I want right now is a capable chef. I came to find a combo who would want to travel with me in my search for various ingredients and the construction of an ultimate menu. And my choice for a combo is you."

Ootake: "Why me?" he said with a surprised look, he hadn't refused.

Sakasuki: "Seriously, you're young, talented, and you have chances of survival too."

Ootake: "Chances of survival, so that's the problem?"

Sakasuki: "Basically, yes," I said, taking the tube out of my pocket.

Sakasuki: "Here is what I have saved up for 5 years. It allows dormant gourmet cells to awaken. You would go from a normal human to a human with active gourmet cells if you survive. But you could hunt beasts yourself. I won't lie, I prefer a confident and resourceful chef."

Ootake: "Gourmet cells? You're going to give that to just anyone? You're crazy."

Sakasuki: "You're not just anyone, but a chef I have great hopes for. So, do you want to take the adventure or not?"

Ootake: "You're definitely crazy, but yes, I want to be your combo. You are, after all, the Fifth King without a Crown. I think you're not incompetent and that my chances of survival by your side are not low," he said before directly injecting the syringe into his blood.

Sakasuki: "You know you will feel immense pain until your body's cells adapt to the gourmet cells. In two days normally, it's over. Close your restaurant, I'll come back in two days. Don't die," I said, leaving the restaurant.

Ootake's Perspective

He left and abandoned his combo like that, I can't believe it. He must be hiding somewhere. I hope if this bastard lets me die, I'll haunt him for the rest of his life. Sakasuki discovered various ingredients but never created an ultimate menu. Something shady must be going on. I was told that a chef is often in the company of one of the 4... no, 5 kings. Very surprised when I was told that chef was Komatsu. Looks like my value has been recognized too, Ootake thought.

Then suddenly, a pain hits his heart. He can't help but scream and writhe in pain. "Damn!" The chefs and servers approach him to see if he is okay.

Ootake: "I have a bit of pain. We're closing the restaurant. You can leave after all the customers have finished. Close the store, no need to clean up. Don't disturb me."

I go to my resting room, grab a cloth, and bite it. The pain is unbearable, it's as if my body is rejecting the gourmet cells trying to develop in me. After 3 hours, I finally pass out. The next morning, my body was different. I was 1.70 meters tall, now I'm 1.80, 10 cm in one night. My body, no, my entire being, craves food. The downside of gourmet cells: you have to feed them. Having an empty stomach can lead to death even faster. I rush into the kitchen, devour what I can and start cooking to fill my belly when suddenly...

Sakasuki: "Don't forget your combo when you cook."

I knew it, I thought.

Ootake: "Yes, don't worry, I'll make your share too," I said with a smile.

Sakasuki: "I forgot, we're leaving for the adventure in two weeks. Get used to your body quickly."

Ootake's Stats Age: 22

Level: 5