THE RISE OF DIVINE CHEF

In the dimly lit corner of a dilapidated room, the air felt heavy with despair. The boy who had once lived there was gone, his life extinguished like a candle in the wind. In his place stood someone new, someone from a distant world, looking at his reflection in the cracked mirror. His expression was calm, but beneath it lay a storm of emotions.

This was Auroria, a world vastly different from the one he had known. A world where power was defined by the jobs granted to individuals at the age of eighteen. Where monstrous beasts roamed the wilds, and the strongest fought to protect the fragile threads of civilization.

For two days, he had been piecing together the memories of the body he now inhabited. The boy who had lived this life before him had been Zhang Ye, an outcast mocked and ridiculed by his family, a mere shadow in the prestigious Zhang household. His mother, the only source of warmth in his life, had passed away years ago, and since then, the relentless torment of his relatives had crushed his spirit.

The final blow came when Zhang Ye, unable to endure their cruelty, fell ill and died just days before his awakening—a moment every youth in Auroria awaited with both dread and hope.

And now, this body belonged to him.

The man in Zhang Ye's body clenched his fists, a faint smirk forming on his lips. "A second chance, huh?" he murmured to himself. Back in his previous life, he had been hailed as the Cooking God, a master chef revered for his unparalleled skills. His dishes had healed the sick, strengthened the weak, and even brought warring nations to the negotiating table. But his life had been cut short by betrayal, and he had died with countless unfulfilled dreams.

Now, he was in a world where the art of cooking held unimaginable value, where Spiritual Cooks were legends capable of changing the course of history. This was no coincidence—it was destiny.

He turned his gaze to the window, where the faint glow of dawn illuminated the streets below. Today was the day of the Awakening Ritual, and he was determined to seize this opportunity. The people of this world may have written off Zhang Ye, but they would soon realize the error of their ways.

The bustling streets of Blueveil City were alive with activity as youths from every corner made their way to the grand Awakening Hall. Merchants called out to potential customers, selling good luck charms and trinkets, while adventurers shared tales of their conquests in the nearby wilderness.

Zhang Ye walked among them, his shabby clothes and thin frame drawing disdainful glances. Whispers followed him wherever he went.

"Isn't that Zhang Ye? The one from the Zhang family?"

"He's a disgrace. I heard he was disowned."

"Why bother attending the awakening? He's probably going to get an F-Rank job."

Their words were like needles, but Zhang Ye paid them no mind. He had endured far worse in his past life.

The Awakening Hall loomed ahead, its towering spires reaching for the heavens. The massive doors, inscribed with glowing runes, opened to reveal a grand chamber filled with crystalline energy. At its center stood the Ethereal Orb, the sacred artifact that would reveal the destiny of every youth who touched it.

The crowd inside was restless, the air thick with anticipation. Each participant would place their hand on the orb, and their job would be announced to the entire hall. For most, this was a moment of truth—a chance to rise above their circumstances or fall into obscurity.

Zhang Ye stood quietly at the back of the line, observing the process. One by one, the youths stepped forward, their fates revealed in flashes of light.

"D-Rank Warrior!"

"C-Rank Archer!"

"B-Rank Alchemist!"

Cheers erupted for higher ranks, while others left with slumped shoulders, their dreams dashed.

When it was finally Zhang Ye's turn, the room fell silent. All eyes were on him, their gazes filled with mockery and disdain.

"What's the point of trying?" someone muttered.

"He's just wasting everyone's time," another scoffed.

Zhang Ye ignored them and approached the Ethereal Orb. Placing his hand on its cool, smooth surface, he felt a surge of energy rush through him. For a moment, everything went dark, and then—a blinding golden light erupted from the orb, illuminating the entire hall.

The crowd gasped, their expressions shifting from mockery to shock.

The Grand Awakener, an elderly man clad in ceremonial robes, stepped forward, his face pale with disbelief. His trembling voice echoed through the hall.

"SSS-Rank Spiritual Cook!"

The words hung in the air, a thunderous declaration that silenced the room. Zhang Ye's lips curved into a faint smile.