The Butcher's Canticle
By @john1208
When the 'Grand Dissolution' transported humanity to Xylos, a continent teeming with ethereal horrors, everyone was gifted a System Class. Bence Kelemen, a quiet line cook, drew [Grand Culinarian] - a useless title in a world where food is scarce and combat is everything. While S-rank champions fail to even scratch the 'Axioms', monsters immune to physical and magical harm, Bence discovers his culinary skills have a terrifying hidden application. By 'appraising' a monster like a cut of meat, he can perceive its conceptual weaknesses - its core principles of existence. He learns to 'prepare' these concepts, creating metaphysical vulnerabilities that allow others to finally harm the unkillable. Now sought by every faction for his unique talent, Bence must navigate a world of brutal politics and monstrous threats, all while protecting the few people he trusts. But his greatest ally, a charismatic warrior who championed him from the start, seems to know more about the Axioms than anyone should. Can Bence carve out a future for humanity, or will the secrets revealed by his unique insight expose a betrayal that will doom them all?
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