THE RISE OF DIVINE CHEF

The streets of Blueveil City bustled with activity as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the cobblestone roads. Zhang Ye, carrying a satchel of fresh ingredients from the market, walked briskly back to his small home. The faint hum of chatter from the townsfolk was familiar, comforting even, but tonight it carried an undercurrent of unease he couldn't quite place.

Unbeknownst to him, he was being watched. From a shadowed alley, the mercenaries hired by Garun Vallis tracked his every movement, their eyes glinting with cold intent.

"He's not much to look at," one of them muttered, his voice low.

"Doesn't need to be," replied their leader, the scarred man. "The man's worth more than gold if we bring him to Vallis. Stick to the plan. We grab him when he's isolated—quietly."

Zhang Ye turned a corner, taking a shortcut through a quieter lane lined with tall, narrow buildings. The air grew still, the sounds of the city fading as the path grew more deserted. His Predator's Awareness skill pinged faintly, but he brushed it off, thinking it was just another stray animal or passerby.

Suddenly, a sharp whistle cut through the silence. Zhang Ye froze, his instincts kicking in. The whistle was followed by the heavy thud of boots as figures emerged from the shadows, blocking his path.

"Well, well," the scarred leader said with a mocking grin. "Zhang Ye, the famous Spiritual Cook. Quite a reputation you've built for yourself."

Zhang Ye's eyes narrowed as he slowly backed away. "Who are you, and what do you want?"

"We're here to escort you," the man replied, his tone laced with menace. "Our employer would very much like to… discuss your talents."

Zhang Ye's heart pounded. He glanced around, noting the narrow alley offered little room to escape. Four mercenaries flanked the leader, each armed with weapons that gleamed ominously in the moonlight.

Thinking quickly, Zhang Ye reached into his satchel. His fingers brushed against the vials he always carried—small but potent mixtures he had created for emergencies.

"I'm not going anywhere with you," Zhang Ye said firmly, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at his mind.

The leader chuckled darkly. "That's a shame. We were hoping you'd cooperate. Guess we'll have to do this the hard way."

He signaled to his men, who began advancing.

Zhang Ye reacted instantly, pulling out a vial filled with a pungent green liquid and hurling it at the ground. The vial shattered, releasing a thick, acrid smoke that filled the alley.

The mercenaries coughed and cursed as the smoke stung their eyes and throats. Taking advantage of the confusion, Zhang Ye bolted, his instincts guiding him through the maze of alleys.

The scarred leader snarled. "After him! Don't let him escape!"

---

Zhang Ye's feet pounded against the cobblestones as he ran, his mind racing. He couldn't lead them back to his home—it was too risky. Instead, he made his way toward the Adventurer's Guild, hoping the bustling environment would deter his pursuers.

The guild's massive stone building came into view, its warm glow a beacon in the night. Zhang Ye pushed through the doors, his sudden entrance drawing curious looks from the adventurers inside.

"Help!" he called out, his voice breathless. "I'm being chased!"

Several adventurers immediately stood up, their hands reaching for weapons. Among them was a burly warrior Zhang Ye recognized as the one who had tried his Crimson Vitality Elixir.

"What's going on?" the warrior demanded, stepping forward.

"No time to explain," Zhang Ye said, glancing over his shoulder. "They're coming!"

As if on cue, the mercenaries burst into the guild, their weapons drawn. The scarred leader glared at Zhang Ye, his patience clearly worn thin.

"Hand him over," he growled. "This doesn't concern you."

The warrior stepped between Zhang Ye and the mercenaries, his expression hard. "If you think you can cause trouble here, you're sorely mistaken."

The guild erupted into chaos as adventurers moved to defend one of their own. Weapons were drawn, and the air crackled with tension.

The scarred leader hesitated, realizing they were outnumbered. His men shifted nervously, glancing at the adventurers who now surrounded them.

"This isn't over," the leader spat, motioning for his men to retreat. "You've made a powerful enemy, cook. Watch your back."

The mercenaries disappeared into the night, leaving Zhang Ye shaken but unharmed.

---

Later, in the safety of the guild's private room, Zhang Ye recounted the encounter to the guildmaster, a stern woman named Linna. She listened intently, her expression growing grim.

"This is troubling," Linna said after a moment. "Garun Vallis is a dangerous man. If he's targeting you, it means he sees you as a valuable asset—or a threat."

Zhang Ye clenched his fists. "I won't let him control me. I've worked too hard to get here."

Linna nodded approvingly. "Good. But you'll need protection. Stay within the guild's grounds for now. We'll assign a few adventurers to keep an eye on you."

Grateful but determined, Zhang Ye agreed. As he lay in the guild's guest quarters that night, his mind churned with thoughts. This was only the beginning. If he wanted to survive and achieve his dream of becoming the Divine Chef, he would need to grow stronger—and smarter.

The taste of freedom was sweet, but Zhang Ye knew the road ahead would be anything but easy.