The World Of Skill

Damon

After the incident with wind hawk, Ryu didn’t encounter any problem. Looking at the moon above, it only gives limited visibility so he decided to take a rest for the day. He is now currently resting and trying to make a fire using a flint. 

“Thankfully Tony told me some things about adventuring alone. Knife, flint, and water bottle is one of the essentials items for survival in the wilderness.”

 Ryu didn’t take a lot of food with him during this journey to Lind. He is saving some money for his own personal use later in Lind. Because of that his consumable run out in the middle of the way and he needs to find alternatives to refill his satiety.

Using the meat, he gained from hunting monsters, he decided to cook it over the bonfire. He looked at how Tony did it so easily and asked for some advice back then. Today is the day he gets some hand-on practice.

He gathered some wood and use the flint to start a fire. It took him some time because it is his first time but he managed to do it. Next, he took out a slice of monster meat and skewered it with a stick. He put it over the fire and not long after a sizzling sound can be heard.

Honestly, Ryu didn’t know how long should he cook the meat or how he should season it. Not to mention he didn’t have any salt or pepper with him. He decided to just use his sight to judge whether the meat is cooked or not.

The color of the meat started to turn brownish and letting out some juice. The smell of barbeque wafted in the air and Ryu decided to take it off the fire.

「You have acquired undercooked meat x 1. Undercooked meat: Satiety + 20. There is a chance to get a stomach ache de-buff. Stomach ache de-buff: -20% in concentration and constant pain from the stomach area. 」

“Darn! It is a failure.”

Looking at the result of his first-time cooking inside the game, Ryu realized that he didn’t have any talent in cooking. He thought that it is already good enough to produce something edible. When he notices there’s an extra option with a negative impact, he started to hesitate whether he should just eat this one or prepare another one.

“Well, since I still have some meat let’s try cooking again.”

「You have acquired burnt meat x1. Burnt meat: Satiety +15. There is a chance to get a stomach ache de-buff. 」

This time he put the meat on the fire longer than the first time. He thought that he could definitely get it right but the result of his second cooking is black looking charcoal meat.

“Once again.”

「You have acquired undercooked meat. You have acquired burnt meat. You have acquired undercooked meat. You have acquired meat skewer x 1. You have acquired undercooked meat. You have acquired meat skewer x 1. 」

Finally, from his tries, he managed to cook it decently and acquire meat skewers.

「Meat skewer: Satiety + 30. 」

Thinking that the result was decent enough, he decided to cook some more meat for his ration.

「You have acquired undercooked meat. You have acquired meat skewer x 1. You have acquired burnt meat. You have acquired meat skewer x 1. You have acquired meat skewer x 1. You have acquired meat skewer x 1. 」

As he cooked more meat, the result is getting better.

「You have learned 《Cooking》. 」

「Cooking (F Rank) Level 1: 0.5% proficiency

You can make your own food. Dexterity + 1. Intelligence + 1.

MP use: 0

Cooldown time: None. 」

“Cooking skill!”

This was a pleasant notification for Ryu. Aside from acquiring a skill, his stat increased by 2 because of it. His happiness however didn’t last for long. Because of his 《enhanced sense》, he can feel that there is some monster in the vicinity.

“Why did they have to come when I haven’t even managed to taste my own cooking? Ah, Tony already give me a reminder that setting a fire or cooking in the field may attract a monster. Sh*t how can I forget?”

From the bushes around him, he can hear a rustling sound. He took out his bow and looked at his uninvited guest. Seven 「Gray Wolf」 with their jaws open are looking at Ryu as if he is even more delicious than the meat skewer on his hand. This time the situation looked grimmer than when he is being chased by the wind hawk. He is surrounded by all sides and there is no place to run.

Just when Ryu accepted his fate that he will die here, he decided to take some of the gray wolves with him to the grave. Will his first death inside the game occurred here?

He prepared to attack but he saw that suddenly the gray wolves letting out a low whimper. Their body shivered as if they are afraid of something. One of the gray wolves howled and afterward, it runs away followed by the rest of the wolves.

Ryu is gob-smacked on the spot.

“What the f?”

From behind, Ryu heard someone approaching him and he immediately turned his body. Slowly coming out from the shadow towards the fire, he can vaguely see the outline of the figure.

Grey worn-out robe that seemed to have low durability left on them, a dirty foot that is covered by mud, and finally curly hair on top of a smudged face.  There is also an unpleasant smell that is getting stronger the closer the figure is.

［Am I saved by a beggar? Surely the wolves earlier didn’t run away because of the stench, right? ］

“Haha! I wonder who is stupid enough to cook meat so freely in the wilderness and attracted death to himself. Boy, you got guts! Now, won’t you say anything to your savior? Ah, a meat skewer. Just when I am hungry. *munch munch* there is no taste at all but at least it is well cooked.”

Stunned at the unruly beggar, Ryu can only watch silently.

“Why are you just standing there like a statue? Come sit down and enjoy the meat.”

The host and the guest position clearly have been swapped. Ryu recovered from his shock and decided to sit down and eat to refill his satiety. He didn’t get the chance because the wolves disturbed his mealtime.

“T-thank you sir I guess.”

“Haha. Nevermind. Besides I already got to eat the meat skewer as a token of gratitude. Your skill isn’t that bad in cooking the meat. If only you put some seasoning on it, it would be better.”

The beggar suddenly takes out a small jar from his inventory and opened it. Ryu unconsciously gulped down his saliva when he smells it. It is so fragrant and although the beggar’s smell still lingers in the air, the jar overpowered it immediately.

The beggar dipped the meat on the sauce inside the jar and put it inside his mouth. The elated expression on his face makes Ryu wanted to have a taste.

“What? You want to have a taste?”

Ryu nodded and the beggar extended out his hand towards Ryu. Ryu was about to dip his meat skewer but stopped just right before it got in.

“One gold for a dip.”

“WTF!” Ryu curses out loud and luckily, he stopped before he dipped the meat. All of the money in Ryu’s possession right now is only 83 copper. He couldn’t afford such a price and he didn’t think that a dip worth 100$.

“What’s wrong? Not going to dip your meat?”

“How can a dip be so expensive?”

“Heh, what does a newbie like you know about this jar? This special sauce is personally made by the best chef in the game. It has to go through several unique processes before it can produce such a result. One dip can send you to heaven. Trust me, you won’t regret spending a gold coin for a dip.”

The beggar now looked more like a scammer trying to sell his product. Actually, Ryu is a bit tempted but he resisted it in the end. A gold coin for a dip is too much.

“Thank you for the offer sir. I really want to taste it but I don’t have any money with me.”

Scrutinizing Ryu from head to toes which sends a shiver through his back, the beggar nodded.

“Only 83 copper. It seems that you are not lying boy. Here, since I am generous enough you can try a dip for free. Why you’re not moving? Here, takes a dip.”

Ryu was surprised not because of the beggar sudden change of decision but because the beggar can actually see how much money he got.

“How did you know how much money I have?”

“That is not important boy. Do you want to dip your meat or not?”

“Yes, I want to dip my meat.”

“F*ck, why suddenly it sounds so nasty? Just dip your meat and be done with it.”

“Alright, I’ll put it in now.”

“F*ck. How can a boy like you be so obscene?”

“Eh?”

Ryu just realized that his words are so misleading and didn’t give any further comment. He just dipped the meat and brought it to his mouth.

Once he tasted the meat, he is so shocked. It tasted so good. There is a sweet, salty, and tanginess flavor burst out inside his mouth. It definitely exceeded his expectation. The beggar doesn’t seem to be lying when he asks a gold for a dip. Suddenly Ryu thought that it worth the price.

［You have eaten Damon’s special sauce. All stats + 10 for 30 minutes. ］

“How can a sauce give me a buff this powerful? Not to mention the taste is really good?” Ryu looked at the beggar in disbelief.

“Haha. Now you know why it cost 1 gold for one dip. Just so you know, countless people out there wanted to offer more than just 1 gold but they didn’t have the opportunity. Consider yourself lucky.”

Ryu is now curious about the beggar's true identity. Was he a player or an NPC? What is his class, is it a chef?

“So, sir. Who are you?”

“Eh? You never heard of my great name before? Ah right! How can I forget? You are just a newbie. It’s no wonder you never heard of me before. Don’t worry I will forgive you for not knowing about my name. Ignorance isn’t a sin. My name is Damon and people used to refer me as the wise sage.”

“Wise sage? Not a chef? Maybe dirty old chef? Even wandering beggar suits you better sir.”

 “How can you think of me as a simple chef? Cooking is just a hobby of mine. Where’s a wandering beggar even coming from? Some people tried to call me that but honestly there’s not a single point of resemblance from me and a beggar. How can this dashing look be mistaken as a poor ugly bum?”

“If you ever look at a mirror, I think you will know why.”

“Eh, really? Do you have a mirror on you?”

Ryu shook his head and amazed at how great Damon is. He is great in a couple of ways. His personality is unique and he didn’t even get offended when Ryu said that being titled as a beggar suit him.

“Oh well, even by not looking at a mirror I know how amazing I am just by the looks of the people when they saw me. Amazed, stunned, worship. Yeah. Just like that look on your face right now. Be careful boy, you might get blinded if you keep looking at my handsome face. I know this is a gift from heaven.”

After talking with Damon, over the meal Ryu was amazed at how eccentric he is.

“Yeah, just listen to me. If you ever encounter a 「blood phoenix」 don’t try to shoot it at the first sight. You can try talking to it. Some monsters are more intelligent than they look and definitely able to understand human speech. Alright then, I think I should take my leave and log out now. My cute daughter is calling me for dinner.”

“Eh, you’re a player sir?”

“Of course, did you think that I am an NPC? I know that my wide knowledge amazed you and I might like to accompany some noblewomen NPC to alleviate their loneliness causing my fame to spread wide but I am a genuine player. You know, those noble women NPC is really full of taste, I wonder who could design such a game, the AI is so advanced.”

Ryu rolled his eye at his words. Just from his conversation with him, he can tell that the old man is someone who liked to boast while some might be really like the sauce dip. Basically, there’s no telling which one is true or which one is a lie.

“Alright, sir. I guess I will see you later. Thank you for saving me.”

“No problem, it wasn’t a big deal.”

“Oh, wait sir! Can we register with each other as friends?”

Before Damon log out of the game, Ryu remembers that they can register each other as a friend. Not for some other purpose but maybe one day Ryu can finally spend 1 gold to dip his meat again.

“A lot of people want to be my friend but not just anyone is qualified. Looking at you, you might have some prospects. Okay, let’s register each other as friends. Maybe I can introduce you to my daughter one day. Trust me, she looked just like me, gentle, beautiful, and a role model for a virtuous wife. Who knows if you two can hit it off inside the game and progress to reality? I can promise you that she will exceed your every expectation in a girl.”

Once again Ryu can only nod at Damon’s boastful word.

「Damon have accepted your friend request. 」

“See you later then, young boy. I have high hopes for you.”

Damon logs out of the game and Ryu thinks that it is time for him to rest for the day too. He decided to check out Damon’s class before he returns to reality. He really is curious about the beggar’s identity.

「5. Damon Level 312 Wise Sage - Offline」

“F*ck! His class is really called wise sage and his level is so high! Isn’t Ginji said most of the top players are in the 250-level range? Just who is this person really? Will his daughter really look like him or not? Honestly, he makes me confused yet believed in him at the same time. Oh well, let’s just not think too much. Log out!”