Treasure Hunting System： The Ocean Conquerer

Chapter 256: Chapter 168: Objects in Lava_3

The man seemed to realize his words were inappropriate and hurriedly apologized, ”Sorry, sorry, it’s a habit from my job.”

”A habit from your job? What do you do? A Taster?” Jason couldn’t help but ask upon hearing this.

The man took a few more bites of meat, seemed to regain some strength, and then shook his head, saying, ”Of course not. I am a traveling chef.”

COUGH, COUGH, COUGH... COUGH.

Opposite him, Alka had just taken a sip of water upon hearing this and ended up choking, coughing madly. Seeing everyone’s gaze turn toward him, he waved his hand. ”Sorry, I choked. Please, continue.”

What’s going on? I just made a wish, and it’s already coming true?

Alka was somewhat baffled. A traveling chef—it somewhat matched the wish he had just made. This made it hard for him not to think in this direction.

Speak of the devil... Heavens... I mean, the Holy Mother is so straightforward?

He decided to listen further to this man’s background.

Jason and the others were already asking questions. Although they had determined he wasn’t too dangerous, it was still necessary to ask the essential questions. The man wasn’t offended by their questions and responded openly.

”I am Juanlu Camporek; you can just call me Juanlu. I am a chef, traveling on the seas to learn different culinary skills and seek out rare ingredients.”

”A week ago, our ship was sunk by a Sea Beast in these waters. I drifted here holding onto a large piece of wood, but as you can see, this island is barren, and it’s scorching hot.”

”If it weren’t for me being a Touched, I probably would’ve died of thirst here.”

He looked at the group and then said, ”You know about the Touched, right? I sensed Magic Power within you.”

The group nodded. They weren’t hiding it; there was no need to.

”Thank heavens. Luckily, just as I was about to faint, I smelled roasted meat in the air and struggled to come here.”

He crossed his arms in front of his chest and added, ”Holy Mother bless.”

In the Homeland Sea, an area under the command of the Holy Mother, almost 95% of intelligent beings have some degree of faith in the Holy Mother. The depth of their faith simply varies. This doesn’t prevent them from praising the Holy Mother when needed. It’s just like how Alka used to say, ”Heavens bless.” But if you were to ask if he truly had any faith in the heavens, that wasn’t necessarily true. The same concept applies here.

After understanding a bit more, the group nodded, feeling a bit relieved about this pitiful chef in front of them. After all, he indeed looked very weak, and his power seemed only at the level of One Spiral. He was hardly able to pose any threat to them.

”If possible, could you take me to a safe island? I will pay you adequately for it.”

Alka waved his hand. ”No need for that. Once we finish our business, we’ll naturally take you to a safe place. Don’t worry.”

”Thank you, thank you. I’m so grateful to you all.”

Surviving against the odds made him sincerely thankful to Alka and the others. Finally relaxing, he also felt exhaustion set in.

Seeing everyone had almost finished eating, Alka nodded toward Jason. Jason nodded back, helped Juanlu up, and said, ”You’re very weak right now. Rest on our ship for a while. We have some medicine onboard to treat your wounds.”

Juanlu nodded and didn’t refuse the kindness. A place to rest was indeed needed now, and his wounds needed quick attention, or his body wouldn’t hold out much longer.

After Jason took Juanlu to the ship, the group began to converse.

”When we checked around this island at noon, we did see some relatively fresh shipwreck pieces,” Chadite said, confirming Juanlu’s story.

A Touched chef who enjoys traveling... Alka rubbed his chin, muttering to himself.

Hearing Alka’s muttering, everyone couldn’t help but turn to look at him.

Chadite, seeing Alka deep in thought, considered for a moment and asked somewhat uncertainly, ”You wouldn’t be thinking of inviting him to join us, would you?”

Alka nodded slightly and explained, ”You know, just as that meteor flashed across the sky, I wished to find a suitable chef to go with us to the Endless Sea.”

”What a coincidence!” Pororo couldn’t help but exclaim.

If what Alka said were true, it would indeed be quite the coincidence.

”Perhaps it’s destiny; fate always finds a way to bring us together,” Julia said, thinking of her encounter with Alka and the others. She had originally been sealed within a giant Crystal Stone. Because the surrounding undead were deemed unsafe, she had not been liberated. However, judging Alka and his group as having no malice, she was finally able to see the light of day again. Thankfully, at that time, Lucilia was among Alka’s team. Otherwise, who knows what might have happened. This is also a kind of fate, a destined meeting.

Hearing everyone’s remarks, Alka smiled wryly and waved his hand. ”It’s just a coincidence. Besides, even though that’s my thought, it’s just a thought. I don’t even know if he’s suitable, let alone if he’d be willing.”

Thinking about it now is a bit premature and presumptuous. They’d just met, and it was merely a coincidence that prompted me to think this way. Whether or not he’s truly suitable, we’ll have to see as things progress.

After chatting for a while, Alka clapped his hands and said, ”Alright everyone, let’s head back. We have important work tomorrow.”