Chapter 3: Flavorless and Determined
[Quest Complete: Peel 5 Potatoes]
+5 EXP
Skill "Ingredient Prep" EXP increased 10%!
LEVEL UP!
Ken is now Level 2
Ken flinched slightly as the soft ding echoed in his ears again, followed by the glow of golden text hovering in the corner of his vision. A warm sensation pulsed in his chest—like his blood was humming with subtle energy.
The system's interface blinked to reflect the change.
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STATUS UPDATE
Level: 2
EXP: 5/20
Skill Unlocked: Basic Fire Control (Lv. 1)
Stat Bonus: +1 Dexterity, +1 Perception
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He grinned, his fingers still dusted with potato skins. That's what I'm talking about.
He looked at his hands—slightly smaller than he remembered in his previous life, but nimble. Sharper. More precise.
And somehow… more capable.
"You're a lot more focused than usual," his mother said as she handed him another peeled vegetable. "Not that I'm complaining."
Ken just smiled. "Just trying to do things right."
A knock at the front door made them both pause. Not a stranger's knock—two firm taps, one soft. Familiar.
His mother's face immediately lit up. "He's home."
Ken turned toward the door, feeling a strange tug in his chest—like his body was moving on instinct. As the door creaked open, a tall man stepped inside, the scent of pine and sweat trailing in with him.
He was broad-shouldered and tanned from long days outdoors. His tunic was patched in several places, and a leather satchel hung across his chest. A short hunting bow rested across his back. Strands of graying black hair fell into his eyes as he removed his hood and sighed.
"Not much luck today," the man muttered. "No deer. No boar. Just one scrawny rabbit."
He looked up and saw Ken standing there, wide-eyed.
The man paused. His hard expression softened.
"There's my boy," he said, kneeling to ruffle Ken's hair with a rough but gentle hand. "You finally up from your nap?"
Ken swallowed the lump in his throat. This was his father.
He knew this man. Not just from the memories of the boy whose body he now occupied—but also from the presence in front of him. Quiet, firm, dependable.
"Yeah," Ken said. "Glad you're home."
His father arched a brow at the oddly mature tone, then gave a small smile and stood. "Glad to be home. Smells like stew."
"Only thanks to your son," his mother said. "He peeled every potato and only cut himself once."
"Ha! Well, that's better than me my first time," the man chuckled as he washed his hands in the basin.
They sat down to dinner soon after—simple fare: a vegetable stew with thin slices of rabbit meat, two small loaves of brown bread, and a jar of pickled turnips.
As they ate, Ken took small, thoughtful bites.
As Ken lifted the first spoonful to his lips, he braced himself. Then—flavor. Subtle, yes, but there. The soft earthiness of mushrooms, the hint of thyme, the comforting starch of potatoes. His eyes widened. I can taste it. All of it. After years of dull meals and a broken palate, the textures and notes were distinct. A grin tugged at his mouth, but it faltered a moment later. Wait… is it really this bland? Or is this just how food tastes in this world? He took another bite, still thrilled—but now puzzled. The stew was warm and filling… but bland. The rabbit meat was tough and stringy. The potatoes were soft but underseasoned. The flavor was clean, honest… but lacking. No salt, no fat, no depth. There was no garlic, no onion, no salt—only a faint hint of thyme, barely enough to break up the monotony. He leaned back, hopeful but thoughtful. Okay, so my taste is back—but that just means I've got a lot of work to do.
His mother and father seemed content with it, eating without complaint.
But Ken couldn't un-notice the dullness.
This isn't just peasant food, he thought. This is survival food. And they deserve better than this.
He chewed quietly as an idea formed in his mind. I can fix this. Even without fancy spices. I can make something better than this.
As they finished their meal, Ken spoke up.
"Can I try making dinner tomorrow?"
His parents blinked at him.
His father chuckled. "Already an apprentice chef, are you?"
His mother smiled, amused. "You sure? Cooking's more than just peeling things."
Ken nodded. "I want to learn. I think I could… be really good at it."
They exchanged a look—an unspoken moment of shared curiosity—but ultimately nodded.
"Well then," his father said, leaning back and rubbing his full belly. "Tomorrow, we'll see what our little cook can do."
As the family cleaned up, the system chimed again:
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NEW QUEST: First Homemade Meal
Objective: Prepare a full dinner from scratch
Minimum Taste Rating: 2 stars
Rewards: +15 EXP, + 10% EXP Fire Control, Unlock "Seasoning Sense (Lv. 1)"
Optional Bonus: Impress at least one family member (Bonus EXP: +5)
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Ken grinned as he picked up the ladle.
Tomorrow, dinner's going to change.
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