I'm Going Out to Roam

Du Pont quickly calmed down.

Judging solely from the system's description, this Gourmet Hunter class was not all that different from a normal ranger class. Its attack bonus was even a tier lower.

The biggest difference was that this class could use certain unusual magical creatures to make food, providing additional attributes.

But it was hard to say exactly how much those attributes could be increased.

However, the Smoked Meat Pancake in his hand was now different from before.

Excellent Smoked Meat Pancake

Crafting requirements: Flatbread, braised pork, cooking utensils

Base attributes: After consumption, hunger decreases by 20, hunger accumulation speed decreases by 10%, thirst increases by 5%.

Additional attributes: Your Constitution temporarily increases by 1 point, movement speed decreases by 5%, lasting one hour. This effect cannot stack.

Hint: You have not taken the Gourmet Hunter class. Additional attributes cannot take effect for now.

Sharing effect: When you share an Excellent-grade or higher Smoked Meat Pancake with others, your Charisma temporarily increases by 1 point. This attribute can stack with the eccentric chef effect and when tasting other dishes. It disappears after three days.

All attributes are ineffective against those who dislike meat. Forced feeding results in -2 Charisma for three days.

Magical creature ingredients can be used to improve its attributes.

Looking at this information, Du Pont felt a trace of confusion.

"System, did the food gain attributes because I made it after gaining insight into this class, or did the food itself have attributes?"

The food itself possesses base attributes. Only after the user gains insight into Gourmet Hunter can the additional attributes and sharing effect be triggered.

Additional attributes cannot currently be triggered. The sharing effect triggers normally.

Unlock more recipes to gain Gourmet Hunter-exclusive experience, which can be used to raise the Gourmet Hunter level.

Exclusive experience cannot raise other classes.

Du Pont remained silent, but the others had no idea he had received so much information. The Butcher teased, "What kind of rotten idea was that, Judy? How much money can opening a tavern make? Even if you become famous and go cook for the Royal Capital, how many gold coins could you earn? Even a legendary chef cooking for those noble 'fathers' would probably only earn a thousand gold coins a month. Not to mention how much effort it takes to reach that point—once you become a High-level Mage, your stipend alone exceeds that. And that's without mentioning the income from adventuring after uncovering a wealthy dungeon. They aren't comparable at all."

Judy wilted at those words.

There were far fewer legendary chefs than High-level Mages, yet their income was nowhere near as high.

Although chefs could gain a certain standing after getting acquainted with some powerful and influential people, the respect and treatment they received were entirely different from those of true high-level Classed individuals.

They had been completely crushed in every respect. But then again, chef was a thresholdless class that even ordinary people like militiamen, hunters, and farmers could take.

Du Pont came back to himself and smiled. "The future is too far away to talk about, but my love for food won't diminish. When I get tired from studying magic, I can make a few dishes and gather with friends for a meal and some chatter. As for everything else, that's getting too far ahead."

Judy nodded at that. With a halfling's easygoing nature, he quickly tossed aside his earlier displeasure. "True enough. Enjoying good food is supposed to be a happy thing, so why think so much about it? If an outstanding mage really became a chef, that would be a complete waste of talent. If danger truly came, even a mere formal mage could provide a sense of security no chef could match."

"It's just a difference in roles. Good food can also brighten people's moods and help them forget their troubles." Du Pont looked toward the large pot. "The pork liver cooks quickly. I'll fish it out."

Pork liver naturally lacked the fragrance of meat, but when cooked properly, it had a unique flavor and a dense, creamy texture. It made for a refreshing little side dish, and the two of them quickly gave it unanimous praise.

The pig heart and stomach were delicious as well. Faced with the amber-colored intestines, the two only hesitated briefly before bravely taking a bite. Soon, both gave a thumbs-up.

"Although these intestines look ugly and disgusting, they're truly exquisite once they're in your mouth—chewy on the outside, tender within, with a unique fragrance." Judy sighed in admiration, then glanced at the Butcher, who was silently stuffing his face, and shook his head. "It's a pity Lavoisier's nobleman's disease is so severe. Something delicious but unattractive like this probably wouldn't catch his eye. He'll miss out on a fine treat."

Du Pont blinked. "Lavoisier is?"

The two looked at Du Pont as if he were a monster. Judy wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth. "You don't know who Lavoisier is?"

Du Pont shook his head. "I usually just attend classes here and never even leave the grounds. How would I know who he is?"

The Butcher snorted. If Du Pont's heartbeat had not sounded normal, he would have thought the boy was pretending to be stupid. As it was, he really did seem a little slow. "You really are strange, kid. Even if you haven't heard of Haluar's most outstanding male mage of the past century, it's still strange that you don't know your own Dean."

Du Pont covered his face. He really had asked a stupid question. "Huh? You mean the Dean? I took a fall recently, and my memory's been a little bad. I just didn't think of it right away."

The other two did not take it seriously. They merely assumed his memory was poor and he was trying to save face, so they quickly let the matter drop. Judy asked, "By the way, what exactly are you building up your courage for? Tired of staying in the academy and planning to head out early to seek some excitement?"

"That's right." Du Pont admitted it readily. "This world is full of treasures. Maybe I'll dig up some ancient treasure in some unknown corner. Then I won't even be a mage anymore—I'll hire a few adventurers, strive to become a noble lord, marry a beautiful rich woman, and reach the pinnacle of life. Then every bard in every tavern across Faerûn will sing of my deeds, and my name will have its own page in the chronicles. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

The two burst out laughing. The Butcher wiped the ale from his beard. "With your strength, you want to excavate ancient treasure? Any treasure of that scale would at least have an iron golem guarding it. One punch would turn that little body of yours into a meat pancake. You'd be doing well enough if you could clean up the scraps of junk in a Goblin Lair."

Du Pont laughed as well. "Of course I understand that, but a person still needs dreams. Otherwise, after graduation, I'll honestly become some mage who plays with dirt and skeletons, running around every day just to live off a salary. Just thinking about that kind of life is boring."

"Then you may be disappointed. At the very least, there won't be any large dungeons within three hundred li of here. When this academy was established, Lavoisier led his Golem Legion and practically wiped out all the nearby monster gathering grounds. You could say they dug three feet into the ground back then."

The Barbarian spoke with a nostalgic look on his face. "There are still some small gathering grounds around here now, but they're basically minor nuisances—the sort high-level adventurers can't even be bothered to glance at. They should suit you well enough, though."