The Achievement Junkie

"You'll understand better than anyone else from Kartonia, so I'll keep it simple," stated Jack. "Originally, I'm from a different world under Daruun and he tested me before sending my soul to Kartonia in a new body. My old body was the one that faced you long ago as Jack J., but my new body is very different. I can learn any magic type but not through regular training. Apart from spellbooks, I can only learn magic and skills through my party companions.

"By having a variety of party members, friends, and beast companions, I've managed to become what I am today. I used my understanding of the world to restart my journey and level up faster than anyone had expected," continued Jack, still keeping Duorda's full attention.

"I've been called Daruun's champion and even carry his crest, marking me as Daruun's ambassador. It has--"

"WHAT?!" Duorda shouted all of a sudden. "You carry Daruun's crest?! You were already his ambassador before you defeated me?! Show me this crest!"

Obliging, Jack retrieved the small gem-like sphere and held it up for Duorda to see clearly.

"That… Daruun had already approved of you…" Lost in his own thought, Duorda paused for a moment. "... Please… go on…"

Jack was surprised by Duorda's jarring reaction but continued, "After I started taking Daruun's advice more seriously, I finally started to make a bigger name for myself in Kartonia and reclaimed my old guild. Now, I'm helping the neutral gods face the holy gods led by Halmut.

"All I've been told so far is that I need to stop Halmut and the other gods from wrecking the entire world. I assumed that passing lv. 99 was involved in that but till now I didn't know anything else."

Nodding, Duorda carefully processed everything Jack said. A few seconds later, Duorda chuckled, "I guess we both have a lot to learn from Daruun, today… Make sure to eat up beforehand, or you'll regret missing out on a delicacy."

The hero had almost completely forgotten about the white dome at his side. Jack took Duorda's advice and lifted the dome to be perplexed by what he found.

"What's it today?" Duorda asked, curiously watching Jack reveal the contents of the dome. "Oh! You're in for a treat today!"

"Really?" Unconvinced, Jack stared at the plate before him.

There was only a single item on the plate, a brick of what Jack assumed was plain grey gelatin. Though there were intricate patterns across the gelatin's surface, that was only due to the mold and not the gelatin itself. Nothing about the meal left Jack excited.

"What do you know?!" spat Duorda. "If my body had the means to process such a delicacy, then I'd be reeling from anticipation. You know nothing of cuisine!"

"Then tell me, what is this? Why should I get excited over some grey slop from a fancy mold?"

Rushing to his feet, Duorda looked down on Jack. He stepped forward quickly and slapped Jack across the face. "How dare you call an astral terrine slop?!"

"A what?"

"An astral terrine! One of the finest, most sought after meals any cosmician would dream to find. The cost alone is astronomical, yet it's wasted on your inferior tastes and biases. How shameful…"

Rubbing his cheek with one hand, Jack looked back down at the gelatin-like substance. "You're telling me… that this thing is a delicacy for cosmicians?"

"It's the greatest meal ever presented to your insignificant eyes, evident by your failure to appreciate its true significance," stated Duorda. "Before uttering any more shameful words, taste it and discover just how wrong you are!"

"If you say so…"

Jack wasn't opposed to trying it, believing that it had to be something special being served in Daruun's office, despite the underwhelming appearance of the dish. He took the fork and knife delivered with the dome and casually cut off a piece.

The terrine jiggled, still mimicking gelatin, and appeared to be the same color throughout, unlike any terrine that Jack had ever had or heard of prior. But he didn't doubt Duorda's claim. Lifting it to his mouth, Jack promptly took a bite.

Silence. The entire world went quiet.

Jack's mind shut down momentarily as his taste buds were assaulted and caressed at the same time. Nothing came to Jack's mind. The flavors were entirely incomprehensible and the texture was completely unexpected. Though it looked like gelatin on Jack's fork, the texture of the terrine melted in Jack's mouth like a tender steak. But the flavors were all over the place yet balanced at the same time. Euphoria overwhelmed Jack as the flavors were changing and seemingly dancing across the surface of Jack's mouth.

Unbeknownst to Jack, his eyes were wide open and staring blanking at the floor as he savored and chewed on the terrine. Before Jack could comprehend any of one part of the experience, the first bite of food was already gone.

Jack eagerly took another bite, and another… After hurriedly devouring the entire terrine, Jack only came to his senses after hearing the clink between his fork and the empty plate. A moment of sadness passed over Jack briefly as his body instinctually longed for more despite how the simple serving expanded and filled his stomach to the brim.

"What do you say now?"

Reminded of reality, Jack blinked and looked to find Duorda lounging where he once was.

"Do you regret your past statement?" asked Duorda, knowing full well that Jack's mind was completely changed. "You should feel lucky to be able to experience such a thing. Never take it for granted again or I'll truly get mad."

"Sorry… I… I was wrong…" Jack shook his head, still vividly remembering the experience the terrine offer him. "Sorry for doubting you, Duorda."

"It seems you two are getting along quite well."

Both Jack and Duorda recognized that voice, turning to the side with eagerness.

Daruun motioned to the man standing beside him and added, "Sorry for the wait, but my guest and I had some urgent business to discuss."