Kai woke before the sun. Braisenhold's streets were still cloaked in morning mist, but the Wandering Spoon was already alive with motion. The owner had opened the place early, surprised by the sudden rise in customers.
Word had spread.
Not of a legendary chef.
Not yet.
But of him—the young cook whose food warmed more than the stomach.
He set up his makeshift prep station, brushing past hung meats and dangling onions. His fingers moved on instinct now. Knife strokes precise. Pan temperatures automatic. But today, he had a goal.
Finish the final three dishes. Level up again.
A knock at the back door.
A boy, maybe ten, stood shivering in a ragged coat. He stared at Kai, not with expectation—but quiet hope.
"I got… coin. Not much."
Kai smiled. "Sit."
He opened the pantry and pulled his last ingredients: egg, bread crust, bone broth. The simplest dish yet.
But it didn't matter. He activated every sense he had.
[Heat Control I] — activated.
[Flavor Sense I] — humming.
[System Sync 70%] — Efficiency Increased.
He toasted the crust with marrow oil. Boiled the broth just past simmer, stirring clockwise in a meditative rhythm. Dropped the egg in the center, poaching it gently until the yolk glowed golden.
It wasn't fancy.
But it shone.
The boy slurped the bowl down in silence, tears welling as he finished.
[Dish Quality: 8.3/10 – Soulful Simplicity]
+9 XP
Progress: 8 / 10
XP: 61 / 150
The next came quickly. A traveling herbalist, exhausted and half-starved.
Kai used wild spinach and old goat cheese, forming a rustic frittata in an iron skillet. Added crushed mint. Flame kissed.
[Dish Quality: 8.6/10 – Healing and Earthy]
+10 XP
Progress: 9 / 10
XP: 71 / 150
And then, just before nightfall… an unexpected visitor.
Ryen.
A former colleague from the Spoon, now part of the Culinary Guild Apprenticeship Program. Clean clothes. Polished boots. Slight smirk.
"You're the one everyone's whispering about?" Ryen raised a brow.
Kai didn't answer. He just started cooking.
A broken carrot. Wilted greens. Leftover lamb fat.
But he poured himself into it—used every stat, every point of focus.
The sizzling sound was sharp, intentional.
Flames danced in tight arcs under his control.
Ryen took one bite… and his smirk faded.
"You're serious now."
Kai nodded. "Always was."
[Dish Quality: 9.1/10 – Competitive Edge]
+12 XP
Progress: 10 / 10
XP: 83 / 150
[Quest Complete: Savor the Start]
+50 XP
New Skill Unlocked: [Ingredient Recognition I]
New Title Acquired: Pan Warden (+2% to cooking speed, +1 Reputation per 5 successful dishes)
XP: 133 / 150
One more dish, and he'd reach Level 3.
📜 Status Window: Kai Elgren
Level: 2 → Soon to be 3
XP: 133 / 150
Reputation: 11 (Local buzz intensifies)
Attributes (after last level-up):
Culinary Sense: 6
Knife Technique: 6
Heat Control: 5
Stamina: 7
Focus: 8
Mana: 3
Skills:
[Basic Knife Mastery]
[Flavor Sense I]
[Heat Control I]
[Ingredient Recognition I] (Can identify flavor properties of raw ingredients; improves synergy)
Kai exhaled and leaned against the counter. The System flickered softly in his mind, offering him a silent nod of progress.
He had one more step before the next breakthrough.
But something stirred outside. A low clang. A rough voice.
"Oi! You the one servin' soup to brats and rats?"
A shadow stepped into the alley. Rough coat. Tattoo glowing faint blue—a symbol of the Cold Flame Syndicate.
"Word is… you're cooking something special."