-- Hiro, are you awake? --

Alice's voice brought me back to consciousness. I looked at her, seeing blood on her face. Nearby, some monsters were guarding us from incoming attacks, and the munchies were fending off hostile creatures.

-- We need to leave here, Hiro. --

Feeling confused, I managed to ask, - What's going on? -

-- A UFO attacked City A. It's been completely destroyed. Spaceships and creatures are causing chaos in the city. --

- City A? Wait, are we in City A? -

-- No, we're in City B. I found you in City Z, and your apartment there was destroyed. I brought you here. Then, those spaceships and monsters started attacking the nearby cities around City A. --

- So City A is gone... and those aliens are attacking other cities too? What about the MonsterTamer HQ in City A? -

-- I tried to contact them, but there's been no response. --

I quickly stood up, though still a bit dizzy. Alice got up as well and helped me down the stairs. I couldn't help but worry about her, especially with the blood on her.

- Are you okay? You're covered in blood. -

-- Don't worry, it's not mine. It's from the monster earlier. --

As we left the building, a group of monsters appeared in front of us. Alice used her power to subdue them down. The munchies noticed me and came closer. We walked down the street toward the evacuation area, witnessing heroes struggling against the hostile monsters. Unfortunately, the heroes seemed to be losing.

-- Those heroes you see, they're Class C's lowest-ranking members. The top Class C to Class S heroes are all in City A. If we can't stop these alien monsters from rampaging in other cities, humans might go extinct. --

Suddenly, Alice's MonsterTamer Guild communicator buzzed.

--- Alice, this is the MonsterTamer Guild branch in City J. What's the situation there? ---

-- Monsters are all over the place, and they even have flying vehicles that can shoot large projectiles. --

--- Yes, those are aliens. City A has been completely destroyed, and we're trying to contact HQ, but we can't get through. I'll send some tamers to your location to assist you. Tame those aliens at all costs. ---

Suddenly, a square flying object appeared in the sky, descended slowly, and landed nearby. To my surprise, it was my cart from City Z. The AI in the cart started speaking.

--- Hiro, you have a new mission from the guild. You must defend all the cities surrounding City A as possible and tame each alien monster you come across. ---

Alice's unique power made it easy for her to control the monsters in the area. She used them to protect and patrol the surroundings. While she did that, I started cooking. As I glanced at Alice's glowing red eyes, I remembered the ribbon I had intended to give her. If we manage to survive this catastrophe, I'll definitely give it to her.

With a sense of urgency, I gathered the ingredients I needed and placed them on the makeshift table. The flames danced to life as I ignited the fire, the crackling sound filling the air. My hands moved with purpose and precision, each motion a reflection of my determination to create something extraordinary.

The aroma of the ingredients filled the air, mingling with the tension of the situation. As the food sizzled and seared, a sense of focus enveloped me. Time seemed to slow down as I navigated through each step, my mind solely focused on the task at hand.

The colors of the ingredients shifted and transformed, vibrant hues merging into a symphony of flavors. The scent of the dish intensified, drawing me deeper into the process. Beads of sweat formed on my brow, a testament to the intensity with which I worked.

Finally, the dish was ready, plated meticulously and presented with a sense of pride. I marveled at what I had created under such circumstances – a creation born from both skill and determination. The sight of the dish brought a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos surrounding us.

Finally, I finished cooking. Now, all that was left to do was to feed the food to the aliens. Just then, a woman approached us.

--- Are you Alice? ---

Alice nodded in response.

--- I'm Vionish, Class Q rank 3. The Guild contacted me and asked me to assist you. ---

Vionish's gaze shifted towards me, a smile playing on her lips.

She looked nice and pretty cute too, but oh wait! My heart onl;y belongs to Alice.

--- Nice to meet you too, --- I replied with a smile.

Alice then suddenly looked at me and give me a disapproving look, her expression communicating impatience.

-- Stop chitchatting. We have work to do. What's your ability, Vionish? --

--- I possess the unique ability to tame monsters by playing the violin. But it only works if the monster enjoys the music. Otherwise, it might attract nearby monsters. ---

As we continued walking along the street, the munchies transformed into horse-like beasts, diligently pulling the food cart.

The once lively city had turned into a ghost town, with many people having evacuated to other cities following the destruction of City A. Suddenly, on a wide open street in City B, a horde of aliens were attacking Class C heroes and civilians.

As one of the aliens noticed us, it began walking in our direction. Vionish quickly started playing the violin, and the soothing melody attracted local monsters, which started attacking the aliens. However, the aliens were equipped with advanced technology and swiftly fired gun-like weapons that disintegrated the attacking monsters.

The approaching alien began to speak.

--- MY NAME IS GOURUS. SHOW ME THE STRONGEST HUMAN ON THIS PLANET. ---

The munchies transformed into lion-like beasts and charged at Gourus, who was slowly making his way toward us. Gourus ordered his alien troops to attack us.

The alien troops aimed their weapons and began firing, but before the bullets could reach us, the food cart activated its self-defense mechanism, creating a protective barrier.

Alice harnessed her power, her eyes glowing red, and the aliens immediately submitted to her control. Another alien under her command, who had been patrolling the area, joined the battle.

Then alice ordere the aliens in his command to attack Gourus, but his thick skin rendered him invulnerable to the attacks. The munchies retreated as the aliens turned on each other.

Gourus crushed his own troops and hurled their lifeless bodies at us. Vionish resumed playing the violin, mesmerizing the enemy troops with her music.

The troops allured by Vionish's music began to approach us slowly. Seeing this, I hurriedly prepared the food I had cooked earlier, placing each portion onto plates.

As the troops got closer, I served the gourmet dishes to each of them. They seemed unsure at first, but then they decided to try the food. To our surprise, they dropped their weapons and began celebrating. They chatted in a foreign language, shaking my hand and enjoying the party-like atmosphere. Some of them even contacted their families on other planets while happily devouring the food I had served.

Vionish nodded at me, her music transitioning to a happier melody. Alice directed the monsters and troops she controlled to join the celebration. The alien troops and monsters happily joined in, eating and celebrating together.

Gourus grew angry and started running toward us, threatening to ruin the moment. However, his own troops extended their arms, offering him a plate full of the delicacies. Despite his initial anger, Gourus's expression changed as he decided to taste the food. Much to our surprise, he joined his troops in happily enjoying the meal.

--- IT'S BEEN A WHILE SINCE I'VE EATEN SOMETHING THIS NICE. EVERYTHING WE EAT ON THE MOTHERSHIP IS DUSTY AND DRIED-OUT PROCESSED FOOD. ---

Out of curiosity, I asked Gourus,

Why are you attacking our planet? -

--- WE TRAVELED FAR AND WIDE, DESTROYING EVERY PLANET WE VISITED. LORD BOROS POSSESSES LIMITLESS STRENGTH AND IS THE STRONGEST IN THE ENTIRE COSMOS. HOWEVER, HE BECAME BORED AS NO ONE IN THE UNIVERSE COULD MATCH HIS POWER. UNTIL A SEER TOLD HIM THAT ON THIS PLANET, THERE EXISTS SOMEONE WHOSE STRENGTH SURPASSES EVEN LORD BOROS'S.

OF COURSE, WE DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT SUCH A BEING COULD EXIST. BUT NO ONE CAN DEFY LORD BOROS, SO WE LEFT OUR FAMILIES BEHIND AND TRAVELED THOUSANDS OF LIGHT YEARS, HOPING TO FIND SOMEONE WHO COULD MATCH UP TO LORD BOROS.

HOWEVER, I NOTICED THAT YOU EARTHLINGS ARE QUITE FRAGILE, UNLIKE OTHER CREATURES IN THE UNIVERSE.

ALTHOUGH I MUST ADMIT, I'VE NEVER TASTED ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. I HAVE TO SAY, THIS IS THE PINNACLE OF TRUE GOURMET!!! ---

Suddenly, a watch-like device on his arm began to ring, projecting a holographic image of a slug-like creature,

---- Gourus!!! Go back to the mothership!! Lord Boros is busy fighting a human. Melzargard is dead, Verous and Terous have been captured. We need y.. ----

Before the slug-like creature could finish speaking, Gourus pulled the device from his wrist and threw it away,

--- Forget this, we're leaving this planet. Following Boros seems like a bad choice after all. Start the ship, we're going home. ---

The alien troops quickly responded and returned to their ships.

--- Take care, young human. Boros is a formidable creature, unlike us. His motives and beliefs won't easily change because of a gourmet. ---

Gourus boarded the ship, which immediately lifted off.

Alice sat in front of the food cart, and Vionish joined her.

--- Hiro, two orders here! --- Vionish shouted.

Two orders coming up!

Meanwhile, Amidst the ongoing turmoil in the cities surrounding City A, Chen, riding his griffin, achieved the impossible: he subdued ten thousand aliens in the blink of an eye, leaving the tamers in the area astonished.

A single man wielded a power akin to that of a god....