29 Dig In.

'Something isn't right with Bob.'

Annera thought to herself. She found that a few things were suspicious, such as his intimacy with the religious figure, Fera.

'His health bar.'

Secrets can't be kept forever, especially since Bob never deliberately hid his identity. And with his negligence, someone was able to figure out that his situation was weird.

It was not just Annera, though. Someone else also found Bob weird. It was Blight, who heard Bob's soul-piercing scream of pain. However, unlike Annera, he didn't find it suspicious.

"Hey, Bob. Can I ask you something?" Annera did not hesitate to speak her mind.

"Sure. What is it?" Bob replied. He was casual about it as he never thought it would be an issue.

"How much HP do you have?"

"What do you mean 'How much'?"

"You don't know?"

Bob bobbed his head in confusion. Lavanuk also tilted her head. He couldn't understand what Annera meant with her question so he was about to ask for clarification.

"That's that. Let us proceed to the church." Fera said in a loud voice.

Fera's voice captured everyone's attention. Her army of knights successfully killed all of the invading werewolves that never tried to flee. There were a few that escaped but it's not their priority as of this moment.

"Bob. Follow me. The rest, you all can choose to follow or go home." Fera said sternly.

That command caused the termination of Bob and Annera's conversation from earlier. Bob enthusiastically followed Fera. He was a believer of the Church of Gourmet, after all.

"Hey, let's talk about this later." Bob excused himself.

"Alright. It's not an urgent matter anyways." Annera also thought that it was inappropriate to ask at this moment.

The Gourmet's Order of Knights finished their mission for the night and returned to the church to receive their well-deserved food and rest.

When the party arrived at the church, they were dazzled by the clean interior of it. The atmosphere felt more like a kitchen instead of a place of worship.

"This is not what I expected." E commented on the side.

"Hmmm? Did you expect something along the lines of a boring church interior?" A person wearing priest-like garbs asked.

"Yea. This place feels just like a restaurant."

"This church is indeed a place of worship. However, the deity we serve is a unique God. The God of Food, Meteder."

"Oh? I see! So that's why this place is built as such."

"Yes. The biggest restaurant within each city of the Kingdom of Doof is associated with or owned by the church."

This is the reason why the Church of Gourmet is an association that does not require donations. They have their own source of revenue, unlike all other churches that heavily rely on donations.

"Please, take a seat." The priest informed everyone in the party.

The party hesitated whether to accept the invitation or not. They were all regular people in real life, so getting in restaurants for a big celebration was never in their routine.

But Annera took a seat instantly.

"Sit down, we've already been offered to do so." She encouraged everyone to do the same.

"Oh. Okay." E replied. He still did not feel comfortable with the sudden fanciness, but they were allowed here anyway.

When E sat down, everyone followed suit. And only during that moment did they notice that they were lacking one member.

"Where's Minion?" Enma asked the obvious question.

"Minion had something to do." Blight answered promptly.

"Why is that?"

Blight shrugged his shoulders. He could somewhat guess why Minion went away but he decided to just keep his mouth shut. He was being a bro.

"Anyways. I wonder what we're going to eat." Bob excitedly waited for the food. He did not know how to use the numerous utensils on his table but he did know how to use a knife and a fork.

"I think the more important question would be, why are we even invited in here?" Annera cautiously said in a low voice while drinking cold water from a fancy glass.

Annera was suspicious of that fact. They were suddenly invited for dinner after the sudden boss fight. As a matter of fact, the didn't even get any experience because they just stood in silence as the fight happened.

"I'm sure that's just how it is. Don't be too skeptical about this." E assured Annera.

"I don't know. But should you people really talk about that in front of me?" The priest was still present.

"Yes. We aren't backstabbers you know." Annera replied. "And since you heard us, why don't you explain?"

"Alright. You are guests of the Senior Epicurean, Fera. As this is the Church of Gourmet, everyone here takes delight in eating food and drinking beverages."

"Your point is?" Annera interrupted the priest's words. Indicating him to get to the point.

"One thing that the followers of Meteder love other than eating food is companionship. Food tastes better when you aren't alone."

"But why invite us here? There are plenty of people here already." E interjected.

"It is always good to get to know more people and dine with them. And it seems that Senior Epicurean Fera has taken interest within your friend here, Bob."

"Hmm? Is the food ready?" Bob asked he heard his name.

"No. But it will be soon. My oh my, what a fervent believer. I can see why she invited you here." The priests answered Bob's question.

"Oh. Okay! Thank you!" Bob appreciated his words.

"Cluck!"

The conversation ended with Bob's hunger. Annera and E did not have the gall to further inquire. What they did was disrespectful in the first place, so continuing their questions would be treason.

With the eerie silence, the priest somewhat knew that he was the reason. He could tell because of the glares he received from E and Annera. To mitigate that problem, he decided to lighten the mood.

"Something to take note of. Tonight's head chef is a traveling cook. He used to be an adventurer that spread his name throughout the lands of Basinfall. And now, he travels for a different reason, and that is cooking."

The party listened. They did not have much to do anyway so a little entertainment wouldn't hurt. With their attention on him, the priest continued.

"He carries with him an animal companion, just like Bob here. Truly an enigma, and even I do not know what dishes he will present tonight, but I can say that it will be top-notched. Bob, are you ready for it?"

"Yes! I can't wait!"

"That's good, I digress. Now that everyone is settled here, I shall take my leave. Senior Epicurean Fera should be here any minute now to join you. Have a wonderful dinner, everyone."

The priest ended his words there. He stood up from his seat and left. Nobody stopped him because everyone knew that he was only here due to Fera's command.

A few minutes later, a lustrous aroma emanated from the kitchen. The alluring smell caused heads to turn and stomachs to rumble. It was clear that the preparation was going well.

"Ooooooooooooh!" Bob was extremely excited.

"Cluck cluck!"

The kitchen door opened and it was a sight to behold. The person pushing a food cart from the opened door was none other than the blonde beauty, Fera.

She pushed the cart towards the party's table and took a seat. Everyone within the table didn't know how to react.

"Why was I in the kitchen, you might ask." She said.

Everyone nodded, aside from Bob and Lavanuk. Their focus was entirely on the food cart that has yet to reveal its contents.

"I got too excited so I went to take a look." Fera continued.

"Open it now!" Bob could not care less.

"Hohoho. That's the spirit."

Bob took the napkin from the table and placed it on his neck. After doing so, he looked just like a baby with a bib, ready to eat.

Seeing Bob's actions, Fera was satisfied.

'This one is a devout follower of life's most precious gift.' She thought.

Fera revealed the contents of the platters on the tray.

"Holy Guacamole! We get to eat shrimp! And lobsters!" Enma lost his cool.

The crimson-filled plates made everyone lose their minds. The aroma from earlier bursts from the plates and invaded everyone's noses.

"I'm glad. The first impression is always important. Please, enjoy."

Fera said to everyone, but she was the first one to take a piece and put some food on her plate.

"I love this! I never expected Immersion Online had this level of detail!" Annera was no longer suspicious. Her stomach has been conquered.

"I believe this is because of the new update." Blight responded.

And as everyone finished taking their portions, it was time to dig in and enjoy the food.

"My, oh my. I will never tire of this."

"Indeed. It tastes wondrous!"

The food was so good that everyone suddenly became high-class people.

But someone was not smiling at all.

"Mom?"

Bob teared up upon tasting the food. It was the familiar taste of home.