Too Stubborn to Die

True Blessing of Yendal the Empty-Handed.

Provides: Heightens natural ability with the following Stats allowing them to function at maximum efficiency: Dexterity, Agility, Perception.

Herald of a God: You become the herald of a god, making settlements ruled by you come under the divine guidance of said god. Chosen citizens may gain minor blessings from your god. Special structures unlocked within System Settlement Store.

+25% to all Stats

Title acquired: Holder of a True Blessing.

Gain a true god’s one and only true blessing, elevating you as their favourite and chosen.

Reward: +15% All stats, Immunity to Divine Suppression

This… this was something else. The bonuses were insane, and what was this stuff about being a Herald of a God?

“Are you going to make me wait?”

Of course, Aaron accepted the offer without much consideration. How was he going to turn down such a massive improvement?

“Good. Remember, the sooner you achieve your species evolution, the more you’ll gain from it throughout the remaining trials. Now run along.”

“Um,” Aaron cleared his throat. “What about this trial?”

“Oh, right. I can’t just let you win. Impress me with your Profession and species evolution and return. Then, I’ll beat you up again.”

And with that, Yendal closed the distance between them in an instant and, with a single strike, ended Aaron’s trial attempt.

“Ahh, I’m starting to feel like people take advantage of my ability not to die, or rather, not to be affected by dying,” Aaron sighed on the hallway tiles.

But at least he had a clear objective. Go cook. It was only four levels, and his stash of ingredients should be piled up by now.

“A-ran!” Mo’han cheered as he approached, Sooty at his side.

“Wait a minute,” Aaron groaned as he got up. “Gonna have to rain check on that hang session. I’ve got a little work to do. But don’t worry, I’ve penciled you in, big fella.”

“Understood, A-ran! Go, make your ancestors proud, mighty warrior!”

“Thanks for the words of encouragement. But I’m only cooking this time.”

“Cooking?” Mo’han blanched and gagged. “Yes, it is wise you do that alone. I would hate to interrupt. Well, I must be off. Best of luck to you, A-ran!” The powerful asura actually had fear in his eyes.

Well, I guess I know how to get some time to myself now.

Making his way to the crafting station, Aaron went through all of the ingredients he had on hand. There were a huge number of items.

Normally, he would start picking things out purely for the potential gains they offered and start recklessly throwing things together, but his experience with Yendal played on his thoughts. Maybe there was a way to elevate his cooking further?

It wasn’t as if Aaron had any intention to discard what he had learned from Oozagh, after all, he was an Ogre Taste Tester, and Oozagh was the patron god of his Profession. So, to not use what he learned from the lessons he provided was beyond silly. But what if he could elevate himself even further? To add an extra secret ingredient on top of what he already knew?

He thought back on the experience and what he had learned. The cake had taken a lot of time and wasn’t his best dish, not for boons anyway. But considering the ingredients used and the fact that it came with no side effects, it was impressive. Even if not necessarily overly important for Aaron himself.

How the hell do I combine these two concepts? There was a problem. The two concepts felt at odds with one another.

Trying to devise a plan, he decided to collect all the most potent ingredients. Of course, extra mustard powder was essential, as Oozagh had taught. What if he measured everything else?

He didn’t know what measurements to use, since Oozagh had never given any instructions like that, simply chaotically throwing everything together. But he felt like this might be the answer. A means of incorporating an extra degree of complexity and pushing his path to a higher level.

How about an equal amount of everything, except mustard, which I’ll use exactly three times as much.

Nodding to himself, Aaron got to work, measuring the ingredients with utmost care, making sure everything was precise.

His cooking was still experimental, and he made dozens of dishes, including working plating and presentation into his dishes for the first time, which gave him an idea.

Presentation. It was perfect. He could tidy up and make his dishes look fancy without actually changing the ingredients going into them. He wasn’t sure if this would affect the outcome, but Yendal had certainly been particular about it.

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The food he was making might have smelled like it was fished out of a swamp, but it looked like it could be served in a Michelin-star restaurant, one of those more creative ones, like those restaurants that serve bubbles and smoke alongside an entrée.

He even did that thing fancy chefs do by trapping scents in smoke and releasing them with the food, though they were probably better described as fumes.

Anything and everything to add a little extra flair. To push himself just a little closer to greatness.

With this came a strange organization and attention to detail that infected Aaron’s chaotic kitchen, creating an odd fusion between the juxtaposed styles.

And he loved every minute of it. He felt like he was uncovering a hidden path, one that would lead to great things, and he couldn’t wait to show Oozagh how far he had come.

Experience rewarded for discovering a recipe!

Ding!

[ Ogre Taste Tester ] has LEVELED UP!

21 → 22

Experience rewarded for discovering a recipe!

Ding!

[ Ogre Taste Tester ] has LEVELED UP!

22 → 23

Experience rewarded for discovering a recipe!

Ding!

[ Ogre Taste Tester ] has LEVELED UP!

23 → 24

Ding!

[ Ogre Taste Tester ] has LEVELED UP!

24 → 25

Sludge à l’mustard [ Epic — E grade ]

Found in the fine dining halls of swamp creatures who have thrown away their heritage in hopes of donning a more sophisticated and cultured place in the multiverse.

Provides: +15 to all stats, straightens posture, improves one’s appreciation of the finer things in life, and minor soul strengthening

Side effects: Moderate.

Crème Gloopée [ Epic — F grade ]

Soft and velvety on the inside, this gloop is no ordinary gloop. A perfect shell masks its top, providing a satisfying crack when tapped by the edge of the spoon. Such grace and attention to detail have gone into combining ingredients that might otherwise prove lethal if consumed by most races in the multiverse that this dish can actually be consumed by most. Not without risk, though.

Provides: Pallet cleansing, + 50 Intelligence, +50 Willpower, improved MP regeneration.

Side effects: Severe.

Troll Tartare [ Epic — F grade ]

Though it is not recommended to consume troll meat, and even less recommended raw, the fine dining establishment of the sickly swamplands has greeted an industry doing just that. Some connoisseurs insist that the dish is among the greatest, though most denizens of the multiverse would disagree.

Provides: Improved Vitality Heart, removing all debuffs within its power, +50 Vitality, improved HP regeneration.

Side effects: Severe.

“Not bad,” Aaron nodded approvingly at the dishes he had unlocked. Especially getting more soul-strengthening servings, which he immediately ate.

“That was actually... good.”

He enjoyed pretty much all food these days, but the sludge à l’mustard had been particularly tasty, probably because of his ogre taste buds, but still. He wasn’t really cooking for flavor, but it was a nice little added bonus. After all, who doesn’t want to enjoy their food?

He still had another level to gain, but the cooking rampage had taken a few days, and while he was superpowered now, he still needed to rest.

So, he killed himself.

He put his free points into Perception again, both because it helped his cooking and it was still the lowest of his primary Stats. But then he took a moment to think about his gains, recipes, and everything he had achieved.

Cooking was different from fighting, obviously. With combat, Aaron could push himself by challenging the most difficult opponents available. But there was no opponent in the kitchen. Just himself, his ingredients, and the lessons he had learned. So, how was he supposed to push himself that extra mile?

Aaron wasn’t sure if there was a good answer to his question. But he thought it prudent to at least think on it. There was an evolution on the line, and if a little contemplation could help, it was worth taking the time.

He also considered seeing Oozagh again, but the ogre didn’t seem to have much else to say last time they met. Was there much point? Besides, he was looking forward to impressing the god with his evolution. Seeing him just beforehand would kinda kill the surprise, wouldn’t it?

He decided against it. The ogre had taught him how to cook like an ogre, and there really wasn’t a need to go through that lesson again. If Oozagh had more to say, he could have easily done so back then.

Still, the next dish he attempted to create needed to be something special. An accumulation of everything he had learned. Something that would push him over the line to evolve his Profession to the best of his ability.

Aaron consumed one of his golden geckos for the luck buff and took great care selecting all of his best ingredients. He had gone all out before, but he had made sure to keep a selection of his absolute best items for just this.

He had two more golden geckos in storage, which he would consume as needed if the effects wore off as he cooked.

Then, he got to it, measuring out everything perfectly and separating his ingredients as he planned his masterpiece.

Hours flowed into days, and he gobbled down another gecko without pausing his work. Even the slightest of mistakes called for a redo, and dozens of attempts failed to discover a new recipe, but Aaron was not deterred. It was vague, but he had an idea in his mind, and he stubbornly worked toward it, caring little for his increasing number of failures.

And then, he did it. He created a glorious thing—a dish to be marveled.

Ding!

[ Ogre Taste Tester ] has LEVELED UP!

25 → 26

Trolorblin [ Legendary — E grade ]

What do you get when you stuff a baked troll with an orc, and the orc with a goblin? Trolorblin, a true monstrosity of culinary prowess. This disturbing dish is best avoided, although some foul creatures of the multiverse seem to enjoy it. But most importantly, if one can stomach it, it proves buffs from all three races. The vitality of a troll, the power of an orc, and the mental fortitude of a goblin shaman.

Provides: Improved Vitality Heart, improved Stamina Veins, Improved Mana Anchors, +50 Vitality, +50 Fortitude, +50 Willpower, improved HP regeneration, improved SP regeneration, improved MP regeneration.

Side effects: Severe.

[ Point Distribution Pending Evolution! ]

Profession Evolution Available!

Evolve your Profession?

Y/N?

A smile crept across Aaron’s face. Finally, he had done it. A few days had been spent doing nothing but cooking, but he felt they had been used well.

Alright, let’s see what you have for me!