Chapter 297: Chapter 297 - The Hollow Inferno
[Name: Orren Marqul]
[Level: 119]
[Strength: 230 | Agility: 470 | Intelligence: 110 | Constitution: 290 | Stamina: 240]
[Job: Craftsman]
[Eightfold Culinary Flow (S) - Ink of Creation (S) - Feastbreaker Mode (S) - Blazing Teppan Arts (SS) - Master of Taste (S) - Emotional Seasoning (A)]
Level 119.
His Agility towered far above all other stats, an overwhelming gap that immediately gave away his fighting style.
From the looks of it, Orren wasn’t just a chef; he was a close-range agility fighter, the kind who relied on blinding speed, precision, and fire-infused attacks. Perhaps a hybrid between an assassin and a duelist, blending agility and elemental control in perfect balance.
His talent board was equally impressive. Mostly S-grade, one at A, and even one that gleamed with a rare SS-rank mark.
"Quite balanced..." Atlas murmured, "Now, let’s see the specifics of each talent."
[Eightfold Culinary Flow: Enables simultaneous manipulation of up to eight limbs with precise coordination. Greatly enhances multitasking efficiency in both combat and craftsmanship activities.]
[Ink of Creation: Generates arcane ink capable of infusing matter with mana signatures. Ink can enhance elemental resonance, refine crafting quality, or preserve enchantments through symbolic patterns.]
[Feastbreaker Mode: Activates an instinctual combat state under intense stress or battle frenzy. Temporarily boosts strength, agility, and thermal output, while gradually increasing physical strain and dehydration.]
[Blazing Teppan Arts: Integrates fire-elemental control with bladed weapon forms. Each movement channels controlled heat flow, enhancing precision, cutting efficiency, and residual burning effects in close combat.]
[Master of Taste: Refined sensory perception enables detection of emotional, elemental, and spiritual "flavors" within surrounding lifeforms.]
[Emotional Seasoning: Emotional state directly influences the quality and resonance of crafted or cooked items. Positive emotions amplify beneficial effects; negative emotions may introduce instability or unexpected results.]
From the talent list displayed before him, Atlas immediately noticed something odd, that only six talents were recorded. Normally, every elite subordinate had at least seven talents, yet Orren’s list seemed... incomplete.
"Hmm... is something missing?" he muttered quietly.
Still, the talents that were visible were remarkable. Orren could fully utilize his tentacles as extra limbs. Each one functioning as naturally as his own arms. He could cook, fight, and wield weapons or tools simultaneously. That alone made him a terrifyingly efficient fighter.
And yes, he was clearly a fire-element user.
Atlas couldn’t help but raise a brow at that revelation. A flame-wielding creature of the sea... truly absurd.
Then his eyes landed on one of the key talents: Master of Taste. With it, Orren could instantly analyze and adapt to anyone’s personal flavor preferences.
"Perfect for a chef," Atlas murmured with a grin. "An absolutely flawless pull for tonight."
There was one questionable trait: Emotional Seasoning. It affected the quality of his creations based on his current emotional state. When inspired, his food could be legendary. But when upset or angered... it might end up catastrophic.
"Let’s hope he doesn’t have a twisted personality like Mira or Dullorak,"
Still, everything else about Orren was impeccable.
The chef stepped forward once more, bowing deeply to Atlas before heading toward the crowd. People instantly surrounded him, welcoming him with open arms. And it didn’t take long for him to win everyone over.
It was clear that Orren Marqul would quickly become one of Gacha Haven’s brightest stars.
Not because the existing cooks lacked skill, they had carried the Haven since its founding. But the arrival of a professional chef, and a lord-ranked one at that, was nothing short of monumental.
A hero in battle might raise strength. But a chef like Orren? He could raise morale itself.
Atlas reached for the next purple ticket, exhaling slowly before touching it. He took an instinctive step back. After what happened with Orren, another explosion of fire wasn’t out of the question.
The ticket shimmered, then... Fwoosh!
It burned.
"Wait... another fire?"
Flames erupted once more, swirling in midair. But this time, they didn’t vanish. They stayed, pulsing and twisting like a living creature made of pure ember.
Then the familiar chime of the system echoed in front of Atlas.
[You have received Rank-A Item: Heart of Embers]
[A living flame that feeds on mana instead of air.]
"Heart of Embers?" Atlas repeated softly.
When Atlas reached out, he flinched slightly at the intense heat and quickly pulled back, deciding to let it float freely for now.
He turned to the others. "Would this be useful for you, Baldric?" he asked.
Baldric laughed loudly. "Hahaha! My lord, I can make my own fire! Give that flame to the octopus guy. He might make something even tastier with it!"
Atlas chuckled and nodded. "Good idea."
He gestured for Orren to step forward. The chef approached swiftly, his movements confident yet respectful, and stopped before Atlas. He bowed low, his tentacles shifting slightly as the living flame reflected in his eyes.
Then, reaching out both hands, Orren clasped the fire gently, letting it settle in his palm.
"My lord," he said in a smooth, solemn voice, "I shall use this flame to serve and nourish every soul upon this island."
He bowed again, the fire now pulsing faintly with his mana, as if accepting its new master.
The crowd broke into cheers once more. A chef and his flame. A perfect pair.
Satisfied, Atlas turned and raised his hand again. "Alright. Let’s keep the momentum going. Kurogasa, you’re up next."
In an instant, the Ninja Rat materialized atop the stage, emerging soundlessly from the shadow.
Atlas handed him ten standard tickets, a faint smile on his face.
"Let’s see what luck you bring us tonight."
Kurogasa flicked his wrist, so fast the motion was almost invisible. The standard tickets shot into the air, spinning in a neat arc before scattering above the stage.
The ninja rat stepped back and bowed deeply, letting the tickets begin their transformation on their own.
BROWN. BROWN. BROWN. BROWN. BROWN. BROWN.
Atlas sighed quietly. "Not even a purple yet... come on."
The crowd chuckled nervously, a few voices muttering encouragement.
BROWN. BROWN.
Still nothing.
Then.
PURPLE!
"FIRE!" the crowd shouted together.
Atlas smirked. "Finally, not bad."
The last ticket pulsed once more—
PURPLE!
"Another one? Hah. Now that’s better."
Atlas smiled, clearly more satisfied. Two Rank-A pulls in one batch. Not a bad result for Kurogasa’s round.
"Alright," he said, raising his hand. "Let’s open the eight Rank-Bs first."
The brown orbs burst open in quick succession, revealing minor materials and gear pieces, standard fare. He left only the two purple tickets floating.
"Let’s hope something incredible joins us tonight," he said, touching the first ticket.
It trembled violently in midair.
Atlas stepped back, recognizing the reaction instantly.
And then... Fwoooosh!
The ticket ignited, flames bursting outward in a brilliant wave that shot skyward.
Another one?
The fire blazed hotter and taller than before, licking the night air with waves of heat that forced a few onlookers to step back.
"Wait... another fire element?" Atlas murmured.
The flames continued to rise, swirling like a burning tornado.
No way.
"Don’t tell me... it’s a duplicate copy of Orren?".
The flames flickered wildly for a moment, then began to shrink. Smaller, smaller. Until they fizzled out completely, leaving only the faint scent of smoke in the air.
Nothing appeared.
The crowd stared, confused murmurs rippling through the plaza.
Atlas frowned, his brows drawing together. "Where’s the summon?"
For a heartbeat, there was only silence.
Then... "Whoa!!! I got summoned! Whoa!!! Hahaha!"
The voice was loud, cheerful... and completely disembodied.
Atlas blinked. "What?"
People glanced around, spinning in every direction.
"Where did that voice come from?"
"Above us?"
"No, nothing there!"
"Maybe... it’s really small?"
Atlas glanced down instinctively. Nothing there.
"Wait," he said, raising his voice slightly. "Can you show yourself?"
"Oh! Yes, yes. Hahah, my lord, sorry about that!"
And then, out of thin air, a pair of beach shorts popped into existence right in front of Atlas. Floating, bobbing slightly up and down.
A moment later, a loose tropical shirt appeared, fluttering as though being worn by an invisible body.
The shirt straightened, the shorts adjusted themselves... until the invisible figure stood squarely before Atlas, dressed like someone ready for a vacation.
"What the..." Atlas muttered, eyes narrowing.
The crowd burst into confused laughter.
"What is that?!" someone yelled.
"Is that... just clothes?!"
A few people craned their necks, trying to catch a glimpse of whatever was wearing the outfit.
[You have received Rank-A Character: Everburn Legionnaire - The Hollow Inferno]
"Everburn?" Atlas read aloud. "Now tell me. Can you actually show yourself?"
"My lord," came the same cheerful voice, "I’m right here, standing before you!"
Atlas frowned, staring directly at the floating shirt and shorts that seemed to hover in place.
"I can only see your shorts and your shirt!"
"Ah. Yes, yes! That’s... technically me, my lord," the voice replied. "Well, part of me."
The crowd broke into laughter.
"Is he... actually naked?" someone whispered.
"No, no, look! The clothes are moving. He’s invisible!"
"Or maybe he is the clothes!"
Atlas sighed, muttering under his breath, "So we’ve summoned a ghost in beachwear?"
The invisible figure laughed. "Not a ghost, my lord! Everburn! But wait. Hehe. I have an idea to show myself!"
Atlas pinched the bridge of his nose. "Why not do that from the start?!"