Heading into the large quest hall, the party made their way to a specific billboard. There were several of these boards hanging around the quest hall. The outline of the billboard was a dead giveaway where they should be going as it was outlined in their specific metal type.


    Abigail led the group to the bronze board even though she knew that they would crush the quests. It was about building team cohesion. That''s what she cared the most about: could the party, her team, function as a great team, or were they just a group of individuals? She didn''t want it to be the latter; she was convinced they weren''t, but could never be too safe.


    Looking at the board, she saw the perfect quest for them:


    Mini-Exploration:


    There is trouble on the southern coast of Noridori in the Plunas Sea. A deep sea cavern has appeared, and monsters lurk about. It threatens a small aquine village. Party must consist of at least 4 members.


    "This," Abigail said, pushing her manna onto the board so she could collect the board notice. As she did, a small bird came and dropped off a piece of parchment paper. Abigail read the contents out loud to her party. "This is perfect because we have to journey south, very south, and explore a cavern. The journey south will likely be a month''s journey or so. Who knows how long it will take to explore the cavern."


    "A month," Ob said, sad at the prospect of leaving Helvuna for so long, "how long until we depart?"


    "We''ll need at least a week, maybe two." Vincent said, "we''ll need to map out our route, find villages or towns along the way we can lodge in. Prep food, weapons, armor. This is an expedition we should expect a lot to happen.


    "It''ll also be good to grab some potions." Maeva added, "Ob, you should spend all that time with Helvuna. Don''t get too excited there, love. She can teach you about cooking. I''ll be damned if I am relying only on those nasty potions for a few months. Congrats, you''re our cook." She said with a small courtesy. While the group was chatting, Abigail had placed the party stone with their aura signature down and accepted the quest. VON''s voice appeared in everyone''s head


    Objective: Quest


    You have accepted the quest mini-expedition.


    Complete the quest for reward.


    "That was new, eh?" Maeva said with wide eyes. "Who was that?"


    Abigail gestured the group to walk away from the busy hall and head back to the Inn, "that was VON, an ability Ob has."


    "Well, you''re just full of surprise, aren''t ya, love?" She said, winking at Ob, "What kind of rewards do you get?"


    "Technically, only Ob gets the reward, but he has always shared with us!" Vincent said. "But items, for the most part, rarer items."


    "That reminds me, anyone need/use a wand?" Ob asked the group. "I got one last night, but I don''t really use em."


    The group shook their head. Not wand users. Got it. "I''ll take that wand off your hands." An ominous voice said from behind the party. The being that appeared caused the whole group to pause in fear. She was 7 feet tall. Had snakes for hair and shark-like teeth. "Allow me to introduce myself, I am Navo."


    "Yeah, we know who you are," Ob interrupted her, "you''re the gorgon who likes to test new Mavericks. To my understanding, you only appear at the ceremony; I am not at the ceremony."


    She gave an evil smile to Ob, "You''re a mouthy one. Because of that, I will take that wand." She started to press her aura down on Ob. This was the strongest aura he had ever faced. Navo was level 94 well into her adamantium. She stood shocked to see only a grimace on the face of Ob. "hmm, it appears you are worthy of the badge of the Maverick. I made a special exception for you because there were rumors of a man getting the badge without formally passing the assessment. I just had to see for myself. Now, before I hurt you and your friends," she pushed her aura attack on the others at the party. The others were not as strong as Ob and felt the pressure immensely. They could not bear the pain.


    Ob capitulated and pulled out the wand. He handed it over to the gorgon. She stopped her attack, "Very good." she said, "You do listen after all. Congrats on passing the assessment, Oscar-Blane Jones. I do hope to see you again very soon." With that, a stone gray portal opened behind her, and she stepped through.


    "Y''all good," Ob asked his group of friends, who were still doubled over in pain.


    "How are you still standing?" Abigail asked, "That felt like she entered into my soul and started stabbing me with a dull knife." Ob looked at her and shrugged. He hadn''t felt it that much. "What did it feel like to you?"


    "Like someone was rudely invading my personal space. Kind of like when someone stands a little too close to you all the time. With an added emphasis cause of magic and all," Ob replied. The group just stared, dumbfounded, back at Ob. Ob looked at them looking at him, smiled, and then walked towards the housing district. The group would whisper things to themselves as they walked, talking about how amazing their friend was. He just stood there in the face of a being 80 levels higher than him, and he related it to someone standing next to him too closely.


    No one really said a word to Ob on the walk back; he was too busy looking at the city buildings and landscape. He was fascinated by it. He would intentionally stop and peer at them, taking time to observe the beauty. "He''s really cute, yeah?" Maeva whispered to Abigail, "Like yes, he''s attractive, but the things he does are like little brother cute. Look at him; he''s just stopping and staring at plants, flowers, buildings, rivers, bridges, anything that he thinks is cool, he is there to stare at it. I miss that."


    "He is indeed. As do I." Abigail conceded, "I have spent so much time trying to be a great leader, to be free from the burdens of my kingdom. I have forgotten what it is like to have a genuine desire to love this world."


    "I get you love; I wanted the same thing but got lost. Somewhere along the way, I lost who I was or who I wanted to be. But that man has given me the path back, ya know?" Maeva was now staring at Ob. She figured out what made her want to join the team. It was a child-like wonder of the world around her. Ob was nearly 30 years old but acting like a kid who just got their first powerset. She was sure that was a part because he was just that, but she also was sure that was just who Ob was.


    The group returned to the Inn and were greeted by Nom''ed once again. Ob was the first to bump into the skinny demon, "my bad," Ob had said distractedly.


    "Watch where you are going, human." the demon said, spitting out the word human.


    "Yeah, yeah I said my bad, keep it pushing." Ob responded, not liking the tone of the demon.


    Nom''ed stopped in his tracks and pulled a knife towards Ob''s throat. Everyone begins to reach for their weapon. Vincent already had his bow in hand, ready to fire the first arrow. "Easy now, there are a lot of us and only you." Vincent said, "Be smart and put down the weapon and let our friend go." Vincent looked at Ob, and to his shock, Ob was perfectly calm. There was not a trace of fear on his face.


    "Are you not concerned for your life, human?" Nom''ed spat in the ear of Ob, putting the knife closer to his throat.


    "You keep saying that," Ob responded, hands at his side as if he wasn''t being attacked.


    "Sssssssaying what?" Nom''ed said.


    "Human," Ob replied, "I''m not human."


    "You look human,"


    "And you look ugly what''s your point?"


    "You have a big mouth for someone with a knife to his throat, I''d be careful with your next words. Apologize for bumping into me."


    "My mouth size doesn''t change because of a weapon, that''s just silly. I already apologized. Maybe we should put on our listening ears." the demon was tired of the insults from Ob and tried to push the knife into Ob''s throat. As he attempted to move his muscles, he felt something preventing him from pushing the knife into Ob''s neck. He saw three blades sticking out around his shoulder.


    Ob had conjured Hades to protect the knife stabbing; the small knife fit through two blades, not at the point. It had gotten stuck as the blades converged towards the tip. Nem''od attempts to pull the blade free, fear overtaking his aura. He was afraid he would die here. Nem''od was a hot-headed demon; he was always on the edge of a sword. One wrong move would cause him to lose his temper and start a fight. He''s a demon; they are nearly impossible to kill fully. All they do is simply return to their home hell world. It could take some time, but he would return. This time would be a long time before he could return; he just recently died last year. The more deaths, the longer the return wait is.


    He stared into Ob''s eyes, and he flinched. He saw the two solar eclipses staring back at him with complete calmness. Ob was not deterred by what was happening. Who was this psychopath? Why was he so calm during a fight? Why was he this calm, close to death? Nem''od let go of the knife and put both hands in the air, "I give up, I give up. Ssssssspare my life.”


    "Leave Helvuna and her business alone. Stop bothering her. I don''t want to see you again." Ob said, voice cold as ice.


    "Done," Nem''od said frantically. Afraid Ob would change his mind, he opened up a portal that was made of flames and stepped into it. He looked back, terrified of the man he had just threatened and escaped from.


    Ob looked at his friends and smiled, "Well, that''s one less thing to worry about for Helvuna." Then he walked through the door of the Inn. Everyone but Zephyrus continued on like nothing had happened, "that''s life with Ob," Vincent said, patting the griffin on the back, "come on."Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Each of the groups went and did their own thing until dinner was served. Abigail and Vincent went on a picnic date in the park district. Maeva went and took a nap in her room. She needed some alone time. Ob went to the kitchen to learn about magical cooking.


    "The benefit of magical cooking is that you have a lower chance of burning things. It''s pretty similar to standard cooking except you add in a bit of manna while doing things." Helvuna had explained to Ob on the other side of the counter. "We use coal or wood fire for any cooking here. If you want different magical properties you''ll have to add specific ingredients."


    "Very cool, Ob said, staring at the large charcoal grill in front of him. It was about 5 feet long, 2 feet deep, and 4 feet tall. There were two large grill grates, one that was a few feet in the air above the flame and one that was a foot above the flame.


    "Are you familiar with cooking with coals and wood?" she asked.


    "I am. We have a substance called gas, it basically is an endless supply of fire once ignited. Some modern houses will use gas to create their fire."


    "But no you?”


    "No, my family was old school. I lived in the country and came from farmers."


    "That is useful, so you know a lot about plants?"


    "Mmm kind of. Learning about what herbs or ingredients are needed for certain magical benefits would be great, though. Would you want to come shopping with me to find a couple of those cooking books?"


    "Right now?" she said, somewhat blushing at the idea of going in public with the most handsome man she had ever seen.


    "No time like the present," he said, extending his hand for her to hold. Ob knew exactly where to go. The shop where he had seen what looked like different books was close to the Inn. They had passed it by on their way back from the federation. Helvuna was impressed; she was getting ready to show him which way, but he was leading her. She wondered how many times he had gone this way for him to know exactly where the bookkeeper''s shop was.


    "Ob," she asked.


    "Hmm," he responded.


    "How many times have you been this way?"


    "Once! On our way back from the federation," he responded, opening the door for his partner. A bell went off as they entered the store; there was a noise that sounded like books hitting the floor.


    "Oh well bloody hell! One second," an old grumpy man''s voice came from behind the counter.


    "All good bro," Ob responded while peering at books. He spotted a few books of interest to him


    Herbicraft: Magical Lectionary of Herb


    Magical Cooking 101: Vitality + Manna + Stamina Recovery Meal


    Magical Cooking 201: Strength + Speed Booster Meals


    "Ahh, I see you have already found a selection of books," the elderly man said, walking out. He was blind, with dark brown wrinkled skin; there were patches of white fuzzy hair. "What are you staring out boy?" he said, grumpily. "I can still see, they just look like that cause I''m old,"


    Ob hadn''t realized he was staring. He couldn''t help but to, especially when he was being talked to about everything he was holding with precision. It was impressive. "Oh, my bad. I''m Ob, and this is Helvuna. It''s a pleasure to meet you, Bean." Ob paused at the name, "Yeah, I am looking for one more, actually."


    "Oh? Nice to meet you, Ob, Helvuna. It''s always a pleasure seeing you." He said with a friendly smile towards the halfling. "What else are you looking for?"


    "Anything on integrity recovery meals or recipes?"


    "Integrity," the old man said, scratching his chin. "I haven''t had someone come in searching for that in many many moons. I think I have something back here," He went to the back of the shop to find an old and dusty book. "Ahh here we go, Guide to Aura/Soul Cooking, only have one or two of these copies left, it''ll cost ya extra."


    "That''s fine, do you have any magical items that would preserve it?"


    "I have a book back that might do the trick, would you like all your books in there?"


    "Please."


    "Very good, that''ll cost ya about 250 gold pieces." Bean frowned, then sighed, "That''s a lot of money; things didn''t used to be so expensive. Sorry to do it to you, young lad."


    "All good, Mr. Bean, here," Ob handed the old bookkeeper a bag of 1000 coins for his troubles. He could only imagine what the old man was going through. Before the man could respond, "Thank you, sir, I hope this helps. Take care." Ob walked out of the shop through the door with Helvuna right behind him. She didn''t say a word, just kissed her sweet date on the cheek and interlocked her fingers with his.


    Back at the Inn, Ob wanted to try cooking for the team tonight. He had always been a good cook back home, living on his own since he was 18, and being a world-class athlete, he spent his money wisely. Eating out was not an option. He was not a health freak, but he cared about what he consumed. It was all about balance; eating 10 meals great and 2 meals okay out the week wasn''t going to kill him. He had to learn how to cook for himself for those 10 meals.


    Item: Explixer


    10 xs


    20 s


    1 m


    6 l


    Would you like to use? Yes/no?


    Yes, 3L, 1m, towards Celestial Chef, 3L, 5s towards Celestial Vigor, and 15s towards Celestine Fusion.


    3 L and 1M  have been applied to Celestial Chef.


    Level up: Celestial Chef


    Celestial Chef is now level 18


    Celestial Chef is now bronze tier: you now decrease burn rate by 15%


    Damn, that was a lot more than I expected, Ob thought.


    Explixers have been applied to Celestial Vigor


    Level up: Skill - Celestial Vigor


    Celestial Vigor is now level 17


    Celestial Vigor is now bronze tier: your integrity and manna pool have significantly increased.


    Explixers have been applied to Celestine Fusion


    Level up: Skill - Celestine Fusion


    Celestine Fusion is now level 13


    Celestine Fusion is now bronze tier: your strength has increased, and you can now recharge stamina and manna quicker with mediation.


    Level up: Power - Celestial


    Celestial is now level 17


    Level up: Power - Maverick


    Maverick is now level 7


    Level up: Ob Jones


    Ob Jones is now level 14


    Attributes Ob Jones:


    Vitality: 400


    Speed: 175


    Strength: 250


    Manna: 875


    Integrity: 475


    You have 84 attribute coins. Would you like to spend? Yes/no?


    No. Ob finished consolidating his level-ups and progress and went to look at the stock in the kitchen. He first opened the 4 books he had just purchased.


    Would you like to use Books to impart knowledge? This will only upgrade your UI to inform you of what the item you are looking at is. It can be used to pull up recipes using that ingredient, and it can tell you the effect of the meal. This is not learning or memorization that will need to be done with practice and reading.


    Yes. As Ob said the command, he saw his UI grow very bright white, and then little blue symbols would appear over all the items in the stock room of the kitchen. He wondered if the UI would help him create similarities between the food here and back on Earth. His question was answered when he picked up a brown, firm fruit; the UI said it was similar to a Roma tomato. After picking up nearly every item in the stock room, which seemed like it took at least a couple hours, Ob got to work.


    Using his newly high-level skills, he had a deep intrinsic understanding of what was going on with the food as it was being cooked. His UI was great at showing him little timers and progress of each of the items he was cooking. Ob could see little timers and magical potency bars all throughout the kitchen; the sight was overwhelming at first; he kept bumping into things over and over. He imagined if he had just leveled up the normal way, he would have been used to all the noise on his interface.


    After what seemed like another hour of awkwardly walking around the kitchen and bumping into things that he couldn''t see, staring at something else, he finally had a meal done. It was the closest thing he could find to a hearty steak and potatoes meal with a homemade chimichurri sauce to go with the steak and some weird vegetable that had no earthly comparison but was dark and green and tasted sweet, so Ob liked it.


    Level Up: Skill - Celestial Chef


    Celestial Chef is now level 20


    Level Up: Power - Celestial


    Celestial is now level 18


    You have gained 4 attribute coins.


    He covered each of the lids and had one of the staff help him bring them up to his room. All his friends were back from their various adventures and were sitting at the tree table. Talking amongst each other. The party paused as they saw Ob walk in with many plates of food; it was time for them to eat huge on one of their last nights before they departed for their expedition.


    "Holy YES, Ob!" Vincent cried, tears forming, smelling the delicious food. "I''m so ready to see if you are a good cook."


    The group dove into the food Ob provided. It provided a temporary, consistent boost to healing the body and recovering manna. Ob could feel his manna coming back with every bite; he had spent a lot of time cooking for the group. That is some nice bit of training, Ob thought to himself. After everyone was finished, Ob and Helvuna were sitting on his balcony, looking at the two moons.


    Helvuna leaned in to kiss him on the cheek, "I''m going to miss you, dragon man," she said softly. Sadness and happiness filled her tone, "I know you need to go, and I need to stay. I feel like we were just getting things going." she put the finger on Ob''s lips, "Shhhhhhh, let me speak. I am going to miss you. You come back here anytime you want, if we are both available when you return, let''s pick up from tonight," his heart skipped a beat when she said that "You''re the best thing that has happened to me in a long time. It''s a great big world out there, Ob; you''ve got to go and explore the hell out of it! I know you don''t leave for a couple nights, but I definitely needed to tell you all of this right now." Ob took her in a big hug. He didn''t say anything, just looked her in the eyes and kissed her passionately. The two of them spent the rest of the night together in Ob''s bed, enjoying each other''s intimate presence.