Chef in the Apocalypse

Chapter 14: Impassioned Speech

He paused, letting his words sink in, the weight of the situation pressing upon their hearts. Faces stared back at him, filled with fear, confusion, and uncertainty. Jayce's gaze swept across the room, searching for their reactions.

"W-What is this nonsense you're speaking about?" A middle-aged man called out, the fear evident in his voice.

Jayce shook his head, not admonishing the man for his cowardice or confusion, but because he recognized the same emotion that he had once had all those years back. "I am speaking the truth. I can't explain how or why this has happened, but this is now a fact."

"I don't expect you to accept this as a fact right at this moment, however you will soon see just what the world has become. What horrors are outside of these walls. What our Earth has now become." These words were said harshly.

This paired with Jayce's young face, should have been easy to dismiss as a joke or prank. However, the group could feel there was a grim and determined shadow beneath the youthful face.

A few people shuddered, their fear rising from the pits of their stomachs. The things that they had only seen in movies and manga were reportedly happening to their own worlds.

Before mass hysteria and panic could settle in, Jayce continued.

"But let me tell you this," his voice rang with determination. "We cannot afford to succumb to despair. We must rise above the chaos and band together, for it is only through unity and cooperation that we stand a chance of surviving in this new world."

A murmur spread through the crowd, the beginnings of understanding mingling with a glimmer of hope. Jayce pressed on, his words carrying the weight of his conviction.

"Technology, as we know it, is useless now. Our reliance on it has been shattered. But we still possess something far more powerful—our resilience, our ingenuity, and most importantly, our humanity. It is within us to adapt, to forge a new path in the face of adversity."

He paced back and forth, his gestures emphasizing the gravity of their situation. "We must learn to rely on our own skills and strengths, to harness the classes and abilities bestowed upon us by the system. Each one of us has a role to play, a purpose that can contribute to our survival."

Jayce's voice swelled with passion, his words carrying an undeniable fervor. "No longer can we afford to be divided. We must cast aside our differences, our past grudges, and work together as one. We are all survivors in this new world, and it is through unity that we will find strength."

He locked eyes with individuals in the crowd, his gaze filled with intensity. "We will face countless challenges, formidable enemies, and uncharted territories. But I believe in each and every one of you. We have the power to shape our own destiny, to carve a path through the chaos, and create a new future."

Jayce's words hung in the air, their impact resonating within the hearts of those who listened. A sense of determination and purpose began to fill the shelter, a spark of hope ignited in their eyes.

"So I ask you, my fellow survivors," Jayce concluded, his voice ringing with unwavering resolve, "Will you stand with me? Will you fight alongside me, not just for our own survival, but for the rebuilding of a world we can be proud of? Together, we can conquer any challenge that comes our way. Let us face this cataclysmic world head-on, hand in hand, and emerge victorious!"

A wave of applause erupted in the shelter, mingled with shouts of agreement and renewed determination. Jayce's impassioned speech had struck a chord within their hearts, igniting a fire that would drive them forward.

However Jayce did not hear them, his mind occupied with something else.

[Congratulations. You have completed a Hidden Quest and received a skill]

'Huh? A hidden quest?'

He opened the window, lost in thought and read the words.

[Hidden Quest: Become the leader of a faction - Complete]

Jayce frowned. He had never received a hidden quest before, only ever just normal quests that generally popped up when one came across a mob of monsters.

Also when had he become the leader of a faction? 'Don't tell me…' he looked at the people in the room one at a time, noting the faces that were filled with reverence and respect towards him.

He suddenly felt a headache coming on. He had never been the leader of anything, not even his own destiny. To be suddenly given such a responsibility felt like a heavy burden to shoulder.

However when he looked at it objectively, with his knowledge and experience living in the apocalyptic world that Earth had become, it actually made sense. If he were to be leader, then he could steer these people in the right direction.

Surprisingly, he had accepted the position rather quickly, all things considered. Remembering the mention of a new skill acquisition, he quickly opened his status window and checked.

Executive Chef (passive): As a faction leader, you are in charge of your kitchen and your staff. Your staff will share your temporary and permanent buffs, so long as they are within 100 meters of you.

"Holy crap!"