Chapter 10

As I entered the kitchen set up in one corner of the Guild House, I rolled up my sleeves with a determined expression. If it were just for me, I could’ve slapped something together haphazardly, but this was food for the heroes themselves. I had to put my heart into it and deliver the best results.

The reason?

[You have started cooking.]

[The quality of the dish will be determined by your skill and the quality of the ingredients.]

This game system kept popping up in the weirdest places. In the original game, it was just a rhythm game where you pressed buttons at the right timing, but here… I had to cook everything myself. And not just casually—I had to give it my all.

If I messed up the seasoning or burned the meat?

[Disappointing Wild Boar Skewers (★)]

[A poorly cooked skewer that makes one question the chef’s skills. The outside and inside are both charred to a crisp. Calling someone who can eat this with a smile a saint would be an understatement.]

[Restores 5% HP. Increases attack power by 3% for 24 hours.]

The harsh criticism stabbed me like a blade. The price of not cooking the meat evenly was this cruel.

On the other hand…

[Exquisite Wild Boar Skewers (★★★)]

[A masterpiece of skewers, showcasing the perfect balance of crispy outside and tender inside. The skillful use of spices eliminates any gaminess while enhancing the unique flavor.]

[Restores 20% HP. Increases attack power by 10% for 24 hours.]

“Hehe.”

I’m even scared of my own talent. Maybe I’m the god of cooking?

Anyway, cooking here isn’t just about filling your stomach. Depending on how you prepare it, you can gain all sorts of buffs.

“Woof! Smells good, woof!”

“Lumi, wait.”

I shooed away Lumi, who couldn’t resist sticking her nose into the kitchen, her ears perked up and sniffing around. I didn’t want fur getting into the food.

After a fierce battle in front of the hearth, I finally completed the skewers—delicious and beautifully cooked.

“Food’s ready~”

“Woof!”

“Wow! Arc, you’re good at cooking too?”

“Thanks for your hard work, Arc.”

I served the heroes who had worked hard today and would work hard again tomorrow. Lumi took a big bite and started wagging her tail excitedly, forgetting how to speak human.

“Woof woof! Woof! Woof woof woof!”

“Ugh… I’m craving beer…”

Ari showed the classic signs of an alcoholic.

“Thank you for today’s daily bread…”

And the Saint decided to pray at the dinner table. Seriously, I’m the one who provided the food. Why are you praying to God? Huh?

“Yohana, eat before it gets cold.”

I shoved a skewer into the Saint’s mouth. Everyone should eat together to make it more enjoyable.

—

After feeding everyone, it was time to get to work.

“Beeer…”

“Just finish this first. It’ll be quick.”

Last night, I stayed up and confirmed that the shop’s daily purchase limit resets at 5 a.m. There’s also a limit to how many times you can enter daily dungeons, so I had to clear them before the reset to avoid losses.

And to make things worse, you can only choose one daily dungeon—either the EXP dungeon or the Gold dungeon. No time to hesitate!

Late at night, I arrived near the Tower of Wishes again, but contrary to my expectation that no one would be around…

“Stop. This area has been experiencing anomalies. It could be dangerous.”

There was a crack near the tower’s entrance, and standing in front of the daily dungeon entrance was a very familiar face.

“Saha, you’ve been working hard.”

“The Saint has been working hard too.”

Saha, the undisputed top-tier tank of the Flame Deck and the core of my original account, stood there with her red eyes gleaming. She was in full plate armor—so cool.

By the way, Saha has her own knight order that acts as a self-defense force. Meeting her felt like meeting a celebrity in real life.

I was about to take off my hood and step forward to greet her, but…

“…Yohana?”

“I’ll explain.”

Yohana grabbed my sleeve, effectively stopping me, and then tossed me to Lumi before approaching Saha.

Whisper whisper.

Mumble mumble.

Chatter chatter.

“Hmm. I see. If the Saint says so, I’ll believe it. But be careful.”

“Yes, thank you for your concern, Saha.”

The two of them chatted and came to a conclusion on their own.

“What did you talk about?”

I asked as we passed Saha and stepped into the crack.

“I told her we received a divine revelation. It was faster than having you explain.”

Hmm.

Is it okay for the Saint to lie?

Anyway, as long as we got through safely, it’s fine.

It’s a bit disappointing not being the protagonist, though.

If I were the original protagonist, maybe Saha would’ve kneeled and said, “Your Holiness!” or something.

Sigh.

“Let’s go.”

Someday, when all the debugging is done, that day might come.

—

Rewinding time a bit…

Right after the wild boar skewer party, while the shop owner was clattering away doing the dishes, the three heroes were lounging around, enjoying the peace.

Yohana was the first to break the silence.

“Ari? I have something to ask.”

“Huh? What?”

“Did you do something with Arc last night?”

Yohana, unable to hold back her curiosity, finally asked.

“Last night…? Oh, that… I was half-forced again…”

She had pressed Ari’s trauma button.

Most of the time spent with Arc was fun, but there were moments when Ari felt like she was in hell, wondering if she was going to die.

Potion torture.

At first, drinking the potions made her feel stronger and healthier. It truly lived up to the name “Potion of Growth.” But even something good for you and tasty gets old if you have to keep drinking it.

Today, Lumi took the brunt of the suffering, but chugging over 20 bottles in a row without a break was pure torture.

“Ugh, my stomach suddenly…”

Just thinking about it made her stomach churn and her throat tighten. The delicious skewers she had just eaten felt like they were churning in her stomach.

“Let’s not talk about this anymore… I feel like we’re going to do it again tomorrow…”

Ari tried to change the subject.

—

Yohana looked serious.

He made a face.

Half-forced to endure…?

Stomachache…?

Even nausea…? No way…?

Of course, it wasn’t really forced.

With that overwhelmingly stunning face hidden under the hood.

Even if a bit coercive, it’s enough to be entranced.

“Ari, and Lumi. Let’s talk.”

We needed a plan.

Even if Arc is only half, no, about 3% of a real one.

It’s true that he can wield the power of the Seer.

But if Arc’s promiscuous lifestyle becomes known, problems could arise.

Heroes with loose morals might approach Arc for his body.

And Arc might target mentally immature children.

“As you all know, Arc’s appearance is deadly.”

“That’s true…?”

“Right, woof! Mr. Chu is handsome, woof!”

Yo-Hena looked into Ari’s and Lumi’s eyes.

“As you know, the hero party can have up to five members. Too much contact with other heroes could cause problems.”

“…I’m a 3-star, so…”

“Woof?”

“So, please make sure Arc never takes off his hood outside. To avoid unnecessary attention.”

“Good idea…!”

“Woof!”

A conspiracy was hatched.

* * *

The daily EXP dungeon had a very simple structure.

There wasn’t even much of a structure.

Just a square room with a slightly oversized scarecrow.

[Dimensional Rift: Potion of Growth (Stage 1)]

[★☆☆: Survive until the time limit runs out.]

[★★☆: Reduce the Rift Scarecrow’s HP to 30% or below.]

[★★★: Defeat it within the time limit.]

Actually, it’s not even ‘survive.’

The scarecrow doesn’t do anything but get hit.

In other words.

You hit it, you get EXP.

Of course, the three heroes on their first run were a bit confused.

“Alright, let’s hit that scarecrow with all we’ve got. Something good will happen.”

I kindly provided the strategy.

“Woof!”

Lumi, the loyal dog, immediately ran over and started unleashing a barrage of punches on the scarecrow.

“Yah!”

Ari quickly caught on and started shooting arrows, pew pew, pew pew.

And then.

“Yo-Hena, why don’t you go hit it with your book? It’ll be good stress relief.”

Stop trying to just buff and freeload.

Saint, it’s time to get physical.

Reluctantly, Yo-Hena ran over and started whacking the scarecrow while shaking her holy power pouch.

Her chest is nice too.

But it’s a bit overshadowed by the oversized dog next to her.

Anyway, it was a rare sight.

Worth giving the possession manager a 5-star rating.

After enjoying the view for a while.

“Oh!”

The scarecrow finally exploded, and a treasure chest appeared.

It’s Stage 1, so it’s quick.

“Arc! Open this!”

Ari, entranced by the treasure chest, tried to open it, but the heroes’ hands wouldn’t allow it, staying firmly shut.

Ari called for me.

“Coming.”

Normally, these treasure chests open with a touch.

Like tapping a transit card, I held my smartphone to the chest.

Beep─ Thank you─

…Of course, no such sound came.

Just a creak, thud!

The chest opened.

“Ahhhhh!!!!”

Ari, seeing the contents, had a fit and fell backward.

What a drama queen.

“Woof…”

Lumi also let out a disappointed bark and stepped back.

Did you expect a bone or something?

Yo-Hena also checked the contents and shook her head.

What’s with them?

It’s not like they can’t eat it.

I smiled brightly and stuffed the potion into my inventory.

Even a low-grade Potion of Growth!

Does it taste different?

I’ll get a taste review from Ari later.

* * *

After some time post-clear, we were automatically ejected outside.

“Oh, you’re back.”

Saha greeted us with a calm face.

You’ve worked hard late into the night.

A noble knight deserves a reward.

And a chance to fill in the missed fan affection.

I rummaged through my inventory.

There are different types of favor items.

Items everyone likes.

And items certain characters absolutely adore.

Fortunately, today’s daily sale included Saha’s favorite favor item.

“You’ve worked hard. Take this.”

I placed a ‘Phoenix Tail Feather’ on Saha’s glove.

And as a bonus, handed over an EXP potion.

“T-this is…?”

A flustered voice.

Ah. You can’t hear this in-game.

What a delicacy.

“It’s a gift. See you next time.”

Cool and not clingy.

The farewell was perfect.

Building connections early.

So when it’s time to receive revelations, huh?

It feels like the probability increases.

There’s a gacha superstition like that.

Drawing fan art of the character you want increases your chances.

…Though my drawing skills are so bad they symbolize avant-garde destruction.

Anyway.

Let’s really meet again next time.

* * *

Saha watched with a dazed expression as Arc, leading three women, disappeared into the city.

In Saha’s hometown, the city of flames, there was an old tradition related to the Phoenix Tail Feather.

One feather signifies joy.

Two feathers signify happiness.

Three feathers signify emotion.

And eventually, gifting seven feathers means─

Eternal love.

Give me your life.

And I will become your world.

It was a tale passed down from ancient times.

And Saha loved that romantic story.

“Sigh.”

Though Saha had lived a life without any romantic connections.

Today, for the first time.

Saha felt the emotion of ‘heart-pounding.’