Attention all fans of Sword Art Online and Campfire Cooking In Another World! Get ready for an epic crossover fanfiction like no other! This thrilling tale combines the best of both worlds, with the possibility of including other beloved franchises as well. Brace yourselves for an adventure that will transport you to new realms and ignite your imagination. Don't miss out on this unique and captivating story that will leave you craving for more!
Author's Note: I made the decision to revamp chapter one after experimenting with a fresh approach to enhance the story's allure.
Tsuyoshi and Kirito set off towards the location where the monsters had imprisoned the calves. As they approached, they were astounded to witness the monstrous forms of bulls. These creatures seemed to be a unique breed, possibly connected to the floor boss. Unlike ordinary bulls, they stood upright on two legs, wielding enormous double-edged axes. The sight of the terrified calves confined within a gated pen filled the two friends with a sense of dread. It was evident that these monsters, numbering at least a dozen, derived sick pleasure from their cruel actions.
Kirito seethed with anger upon discovering this information. He had an overwhelming urge to dive right in and mercilessly slaughter those ignorant fools as quickly as possible. However, Tsuyoshi intervened, advising him to calm down by offering one of his skewers. Tsuyoshi knew all too well that Kirito's hunger could easily fuel his rage. Reluctantly, Kirito took a bite of the skewer and inquired about the meat. Tsuyoshi nonchalantly replied that it was chicken, prompting Kirito to question its origin. To Kirito's astonishment, Tsuyoshi simply gestured towards the circling vultures and revealed that he had shot them down with his bow. Although they were not traditional poultry, they certainly tasted like it.
"Kirito, it is crucial that we maintain control and prevent any harm to those innocent calves. Let's divert our attention to those foolish individuals and teach them a lesson they won't forget." Despite Kirito's inclination to object, he knew deep down that their primary objective was to retrieve the milk and ensure the safety of the calves, reuniting them with their mothers. As they approached the monsters, a realization struck them - these creatures were likely just teenagers, displaying such immaturity in their actions.
Kirito was determined not to let this slide without expressing his viewpoint. "You fools must have done this with the absurd notion that slaughtering these innocent calves would somehow make their mothers available for your despicable advances. How foolish of you to believe that these grieving mothers would want anything to do with heartless monsters like you, who took away their precious offspring." Tsuyoshi further fueled the fire by suggesting that even if they were available, they would be undesirable partners. He speculated that their failed attempts to seduce these mothers, who were already preoccupied, had left them frustrated and angry.
The monsters were so infuriated that they completely disregarded any rationality or strategic thinking and charged straight at them. Kirito's father used to say that a fighter who succumbs to anger becomes blinded by it, making it easier for their opponents to defeat them. Kirito and Tsuyoshi proved this to be true as Tsuyoshi managed to take down two of the six monsters even before they reached them. Kirito, on the other hand, defeated two more before the two friends employed their tactics and conquered the remaining monsters. Interestingly enough, killing those monsters resulted in both of them acquiring a substantial amount of high-quality beef, which happened to be exactly what Kirito needed to pass his upcoming culinary exam.
Tsuyoshi had an urgent need to complete this specific quest as it was crucial for him to obtain high-quality milk in order to pass his final culinary exam and finally earn the prestigious title of Chef. He dedicated several days to cooking delicious food at his humble stall, and his culinary skills quickly won the hearts of the locals. As they say, practice makes perfect, especially in the art of cooking. Due to the lack of large settlements on the second floor, where Tsuyoshi's stall was located, it became one of the rare places where weary travelers and merchants could find a satisfying meal during their journey from higher to lower floors. Consequently, Tsuyoshi not only gained recognition but also made a decent amount of money from his thriving food business.
After enduring severe injuries, the calves miraculously made a swift recovery within a few hours. They were now healthy and brimming with joy, thanks to the diligent efforts of their two caring friends. Argo and Agil had valiantly stayed behind to protect the mothers from any potential harm. It became evident that not only monstrous creatures posed a threat to the cows, but also some twisted players with sinister intentions. Tsuyoshi's refusal to provide food to orange players or criminals had ignited the fury of these criminal groups. Consequently, they aimed to eliminate the cows, hoping to sabotage both Tsuyoshi and Kirito's mission. Agil informed Kirito that they had successfully thwarted three player killers who were hell-bent on harming the cows. Amidst their screams, these attackers expressed their belief that if they couldn't benefit from the food derived from these ingredients, no one else should either.
Kirito's decision to split the party and assign guards to protect the mothers turned out to be a stroke of genius. As they approached the cows, Kirito and Tsuyoshi were greeted with overwhelming joy. The sight of their beloved calves healthy and happy brought tears to their eyes. Suddenly, a notification window popped up, indicating that they had successfully completed the quest. To their surprise, they had obtained an abundance of high-quality milk, surpassing even Tsuyoshi's expectations. However, their excitement quickly turned to shock as the window transformed into another quest. This new quest revealed a grim reality: the floor boss sought revenge for the death of his children and would stop at nothing until justice was served. The once peaceful floor would now descend into a living nightmare unless the ones responsible for the boss's children's demise could defeat him and his brother.
The rescue of these calves marked the beginning of their journey towards confronting the floor boss. With determination, they made their way towards a crystal structure that would transport them back to the first floor. Without wasting a moment, Kirito entered a room in the cooking dungeon, interacting with the numerous messages that appeared. In an instant, he was transported to the place where he had received his lessons. Tsuyoshi couldn't help but laugh, knowing that Kirito was about to attempt the exam, just like him. Today was the day they would both take their final exams. As Tsuyoshi prepared himself for the cooking academy's final exam, he couldn't help but admire the dungeon's overseer, a beautiful lady whose angelic appearance added to her authority.
Finally, after much preparation, Tsuyoshi was ready to face the ultimate challenge - the final exam. Graduation was within his grasp, but the young woman couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness beneath her facade of happiness. She had offered him numerous times to join the cooking academy as an instructor, a position that would spare him from the dangers of gathering ingredients and provide a handsome income from teaching others. The allure was undeniable, but she understood that Tsuyoshi would never abandon his friend, just like Robin. Moreover, the prospect of discovering rare ingredients by defeating formidable foes on the higher floors was too enticing for him to resist. She knew Tsuyoshi's passion for experimenting with new flavors and incorporating them into his ever-expanding repertoire of recipes. And that's precisely why her happiness was tinged with sadness - she realized that once he passed the final exam, she might never see him again.
Despite her high expectations, he exceeded them as a dairy recipe expert. The sheer delight of savoring his latest dessert still lingered within her as she prepared to present him with something that had never been achieved before a graduation certificate. This document would serve as undeniable proof that he had accomplished what no one else had and successfully graduated. "Congratulations, Tsuyoshi! I imagine you'll be moving on to higher levels and unfortunately won't have the chance to visit your beloved alma mater. However, as a personal favor to me, please take care and don't recklessly put yourself in harm's way. It has been an absolute honor and privilege to be your instructor, and I will genuinely miss you." As she handed him the certificate, Tsuyoshi revealed that as a graduate, he would have access to all the cooking facilities at the academy. This meant he could return occasionally to create dishes that were previously beyond his reach. The thought made her blush, as she interpreted it as a hint that he might come back to see her again.
The fact that he finished the exams when he should have only been able to finish those exams after reaching at least the ninetieth floor, was a secret he kept hidden from Kirito, the fact is that he had an extra ability that made this possible something that was called online shopping, he could literally use this ability and a window much like that of a browser of an online store would appear, and this one had been everything related to food, so he was able to purchase every ingredient he needed to buy except for one, the milk, milk was so perishable that the store simply did not offer it. So in essence had he failed the quest to rescue those calves, he would have never been able to pass his final exam. The reason why he never told Kirito about this ability is simple, he had to use money he earned to order and pay for the things he wanted. That is why he started to offer his food at that stall. The fact that later he opened one of his own was simply because of the popularity of his food.
"Erina, you are truly one of a kind. I will always cherish you as someone incredibly special in my life. It is because of your unwavering support that I have been able to achieve my lifelong dream, and my culinary skills have blossomed under your expert guidance. I cannot thank you enough from the depths of my heart. If ever I find myself in need of your wisdom in the future, I can only hope for the chance to see you again." Erina blushed, feeling her heart skip a beat as Tsuyoshi spoke these tender words. It was a reminder of just how much he valued her presence in his life.
Erina gazed at him, a smile playing on her lips as memories flooded her mind. She couldn't help but reminisce about how he was when he first entered the academy as her student. The countless lessons she had imparted to him, molding him into the person he had become today.
"Tsuyoshi, for the longest time, you would only address me as your master. It warms my heart to finally hear you call me by my first name. Even after you graduate, know that you will always have a place in my heart and I will welcome you back with open arms. If you ever find yourself in need of guidance or advice, I will be more than happy to assist you with any challenges you may encounter in the future."
Her voice filled with pride, Erina continued, "Out of all my students, you are the only one who has truly exceeded my expectations and successfully completed the rigorous training program of this academy. I want you to know that I don't say this lightly – you make me immensely proud to have been your teacher."
After successfully obtaining her contact information, he quickly departed from the vicinity, eagerly anticipating Kirito's emergence. He knew his friend would be overjoyed by his accomplishment, so there was no need to boast about it. Instead, he intended to offer heartfelt congratulations for passing the exam. While waiting for Kirito, he decided to make use of one of the academy's well-equipped kitchens. With some spare time on his hands, he whipped up a simple yet satisfying snack for both himself and his friend. It wasn't anything extravagant, just a little treat to commemorate their shared victory in passing yet another exam.
To Kirito, the exams were more than just a test; they were a personal challenge, a chance to prove himself against the game developer. However, for Tsuyoshi, they were a gateway to a world of knowledge that he could never access in real life. The cost of attending a culinary college was simply out of his reach. As Kirito emerged from the exam room, a wide grin on his face, Tsuyoshi couldn't contain his excitement and congratulated his friend. Kirito, feeling slightly embarrassed, had confided in Tsuyoshi that he had barely passed, comparing the examiner's demands to a grueling battle against the first-floor boss.
However, when Tsuyoshi graduated as a chef, something extraordinary happened. His culinary skills not only enhanced the lives of those who tasted his food by boosting their abilities and making their lives easier, but now his dishes had the power to never spoil. The improvements were twofold, and the success rate reached an unparalleled level of mastery. Tsuyoshi's food had transformed from being merely good for people to becoming a true blessing. Its quality surpassed anything the local restaurants could even fathom, leaving the travelers in awe. Whenever they indulged in the new and improved delicacies from his stall, they either sought to form a partnership with him or made a point to visit his stall whenever he was on their floor.
It turned out to be a tremendous success for him as the demand for his food skyrocketed. However, there were so many people that the stall couldn't possibly accommodate them all. A person from a nearby building offered to take over his place, claiming to have owned a restaurant before it went out of business. Kirito chuckled at the thought that maybe the reason the restaurant failed was because a certain stall started selling superior food. Tsuyoshi then asked if he could rent the place instead, as he still had plans to venture to higher floors, searching for more ingredients and becoming even stronger.
The owner agreed that it would be fine, as long as he could make some changes to the menu and learn how to cook those dishes himself. This way, he could assist in the kitchen and continue selling his food even when he was away hunting on higher floors. There was no issue with this arrangement, as the STATS benefits and other perks would still belong to the owner and Kirito since the skill that granted them was exclusive to players. Tsuyoshi took on the task of teaching the owner how to properly prepare the ingredients and cook the food. For the owner, it proved to be much more challenging than his previous methods, but after taking a bite of the food, he realized that his old way was definitely incorrect.
After this was established, Tsuyoshi found a way to make money even while out hunting with Kirito, catching the attention of other players. These players despised the fact that Tsuyoshi and Kirito no longer faced any financial difficulties. Tsuyoshi was hailed as the star of the front line unit, venturing into higher floors, while Kirito had the NPCs working for him, earning money on his behalf. This led to accusations of cheating and using unfair tactics to level up or manipulate the NPCs. It was truly disheartening that these players couldn't fathom the possibility that Tsuyoshi and Kirito genuinely treated these NPCs as real beings, rather than mere imitations.
After accumulating a sufficient amount of money, they decided to upgrade their equipment. With renewed confidence, the group of four embarked on a daring mission to face the formidable floor boss once more. However, they surprised Agil by indulging in a hearty meal together, unknowingly reaping numerous benefits that would prove invaluable in their battle against the boss. The boss and his brother were identical, foul-mouthed minotaurs who harbored a single desire - to see our heroes perish. Kirito and Argo bravely confronted one of the minotaurs, while Agil and Tsuyoshi took on the other. Both groups struggled initially, until Tsuyoshi unleashed his magical prowess, conjuring a radiant arrow in his hand. Without giving the minotaurs a chance to react, Tsuyoshi released the arrow, piercing through the chest of one minotaur and striking the other in the head. With a single shot, both minotaurs, whose health points had significantly dwindled, met their demise. Thanks to Tsuyoshi's exceptional Luck STAT, similar to their previous encounter, the boss dropped an unexpectedly generous amount of rewards. Even Argo couldn't help but be astonished, as the boss's rewards defied her prior knowledge.
In this instance, Kirito was fortunate enough to acquire a highly coveted sword, while Argo obtained a set of armor. Agil, on the other hand, received a pair of gauntlets that would significantly enhance his strength. As for Tsuyoshi, he was thrilled to have a new bow that could handle his immense power, as he often held back in battle due to the fear of his bow breaking. Although this fear was unfounded, deep down he still worried about the possibility. Despite their newfound treasures, all four party members were too exhausted to proceed to the higher floor. Without much contemplation, they unanimously decided to return to their cozy camping site and catch a few hours of sleep before embarking on their journey. They knew that once they activated the path, the entire flying castle would be alerted, so it was crucial to be well-rested and prepared.
Argo seemed to be grappling with some inner turmoil, the cause of which remained a mystery. The visible marks etched across her face hinted at the arduous journey she had undertaken. Concerned for her well-being, her two loyal friends probed her about the source of her distress. It turned out that countless individuals had been badgering her to purchase the information regarding a specific quest. Despite her reluctance to share, the worried expressions on her friends' faces compelled her to divulge the quest's details. She revealed that she had to shatter a stone using only her bare hands, without the aid of any weapons. In a remarkable show of solidarity, both friends resolved to accompany her on this daunting mission, resulting in all three of them bearing identical whisker marks on their faces. Rumor had it that these marks would persist until the quest was completed, but abandoning it would leave them permanently etched on their visages.
Using only their combined resolution and strength they managed to break each of the stones the quest giver had assigned to them, and they each did so with their bare hands, it took days to achieve and if they were honest they ate a lot of food prepared by Tsuyoshi, but in the end the accomplished the mission, the tragedy was that Argo had begun this quest before anyone so that was the reason for her whisker tattoos on her face. In the end, she is the only one who makes a simple request of the quest giver, and that is that she be given an extra dagger but be left bearing the whisker marks on her face.
Argo couldn't contain her joy as her two loyal friends and fellow adventurers came to her aid on her quest. With their help, she felt even more valuable to the party, especially now that she possessed these powerful daggers. However, fate had a different plan in store for them. They had to open the path to the third floor, despite their desire to delay it. The reason was simple - the quicker they defeated the floor boss, the more likely it was that jealousy and vengeance would rear their ugly heads among other players. These irrational individuals believed that Argo and her companions were stealing their chance at fame, glory, and recognition from their peers.
That's why Tsuyoshi found it so advantageous to have access to the item inventory. With this incredible resource, he could store an enormous amount of items, including food. The best part was that none of his food would ever spoil, allowing him to continuously prepare more and more dishes. Tsuyoshi had a special concept called "full course meals," where he combined five dishes that would perfectly complement each other and provide the ultimate benefits. The only challenge was that the quantity of food was enough to fill a small table! Nevertheless, Tsuyoshi was always prepared, ensuring he had enough meals to enjoy at least three times a day. To simplify matters, he organized the meals according to breakfast, lunch, and dinner, making it convenient for him to enjoy them at the appropriate times.
Thanks to his culinary training, he gained valuable knowledge in nutrition, portion control, and food storage techniques. This is just one aspect that sets chefs apart from cooks. A chef must have a comprehensive understanding of all aspects of a restaurant, both in the kitchen and on the business side of things. The chef bears the ultimate responsibility for everything that occurs in the kitchen, and must even be capable of managing the entire establishment in the event of staff illness. Erina was a demanding mentor to Tsuyoshi, pushing him hard during their lessons. However, her strictness was not without reason. A single mistake could spell disaster for a restaurant, whether it be an oversight or a spoiled ingredient. Such errors could result in not only financial losses but also damage to the restaurant's reputation and standing in the industry.
They finally were able to enter the third floor and much to their shock it was a vast forest, it was so vast that it felt that these trees were as large as skyscrapers, they looked up and they could not even see the top of these trees and some of the tree were large enough to be as wide as a house. The trees were even so big that Kirito once joked that maybe the village they visit next was built on the branches of two of these trees making the entire village above ground level. Tsuyoshi met several people who were having a hard time clearing a particular spider extermination quest, it seems that the quest was assigned that the reward depended on the number of spiders that were skilled in a limited time.
Coper frequented the restaurant where Tsuyoshi worked, and it seemed that he and Kirito had become close friends. So, Coper approached Kirito and asked for his assistance in a spider quest. The ultimate prize for completing this quest was a highly coveted sword that everyone desired. However, before embarking on the quest, they were informed that the group needed to do something important. They had to indulge in a hearty and nutritious meal to prepare themselves for the upcoming challenge. Once they had finished their meal, they would venture into the cave and eliminate any spiders that lurked within its walls. Curious about the significance of the meal, Coper questioned Tsuyoshi. Without hesitation, Tsuyoshi explained that a well-fed army is a strong army. A satisfying meal would provide them with the necessary energy and boost their morale to conquer the task at hand.
"My friend here might not say it, but if you take a look at your status window, you'll notice something interesting. This meal not only benefits everyone in our party who eats it, but it also enhances our STATS and provides advantageous status effects. These effects allow us to deal more damage and last longer in battles. So, when we devour this meal and venture into the dungeon, we'll have cleared out every spider before the effects wear off." Kirito happily dug into his food, a smile spreading across his face. He couldn't help but mention that the deliciousness of the meal was an added bonus, making it much more enjoyable than the mediocre food served elsewhere.
Coper was astounded by Tsuyoshi's remarkable abilities and couldn't help but inquire about the origin of such valuable skills. Kirito playfully quipped that Tsuyoshi acquired them in a cooking dungeon located on the first floor. However, this dungeon was no ordinary one; it was, in fact, a culinary academy where they had to face incredibly challenging exams to enhance their skills. Despite its seemingly easy location on the first floor, Kirito emphasized that it was far from a walk in the park. Each test posed significant difficulties, and the quality of ingredients they could obtain depended on their proficiency. To conquer the higher-level exams, they needed to procure high-quality ingredients. Kirito glanced at Tsuyoshi and simply stated that, in his opinion, the place was nothing short of a cooking school from hell.
Tsuyoshi delivered a firm smack to his head, emphasizing that anyone had the opportunity to enter the realm and strive for these abilities. All it required was unwavering commitment and relentless hard work, akin to the dedication one would expect from an aspiring chef. Mastery in any domain was never achieved through simplicity, speed, or ease. Every valuable skill demanded immense effort and endurance to acquire, which is precisely why the rewards of possessing and utilizing those skills were immeasurable.
