Forgetting to collect payment was definitely embarrassing. Still, remembering the Angel's flushed face as she'd rushed off, Lance couldn't stay annoyed.
"She looked so cool at first glance, but who knew she'd get so flustered?" he muttered, smiling as he opened his system menu.
The newly unlocked "Ingredient Shop" sat neatly under the Restaurant System tab. Inside were countless items — every ingredient he could imagine, some common, some rare, with drastically different prices.
Ordinary flour, apples, butter, rum all appeared with rarity ranks. Basic flour cost 1 point per unit, while rum, at rarity 3, cost 3 points. Each "unit" was tailored by type — a bottle of liquor, a dozen apples, a bag of flour, etc.
Curious, he purchased a bag of flour.
An arrow materialized in midair, guiding him to the fridge. When he opened it — there it was. Flour, perfectly packed.
"Convenient… but kind of lonely," he murmured, half expecting Angel's halo to pop through the door again.
Still, expecting her to hand-deliver flour was unrealistic.
He stored the new item, then started exploring the shop properly. No hidden treasures this time, but he wanted to get used to the system.
Once done, he opened the other menus. Quest System: empty. Personal System: unchanged since the apple pie mission. Equipment System: just the "starter kit" - those initial ingredients. Restaurant System: full of tempting but very expensive furnishings and tools.
Finally, the one he was most curious about — the "Blacksmith System."
"Forge Level: 1"
"Available Blueprints: 0"
"Materials: 0"
It was ridiculously barebones, but still promising. "Well, you can't forge air," he sighed. "Might as well restock tomorrow."
As he left the kitchen, his head hit something invisible.
Thud!
"Ow... what the hell?" he muttered, rubbing his forehead as a translucent menu flickered up:
"Select Destination:
① Exit Normally
② ??? (Charging: 99H 04M 32S)."
Rubbing his sore skull, curiosity overcame pain. "Guess I'll pick Normal for now."
Hours later, he returned with arms full of groceries — vegetables, fruit, and spices.
Back in the day, hauling two containers of cooking oil would've nearly killed him, but now he carried twice that with ease. His strengthened body wasn't the only source of wonder — the Appraisal skill was absurdly overpowered.
At the supermarket, almost nothing ranked above "Unqualified." Even "F-grade" items were rare.
Bruised, overripe, or aged produce were automatically flagged. Eventually he gave up and bought from the local market, where things were rougher but better quality overall.
It was almost funny , living alone all those years, he'd barely touched fresh ingredients. "First time buying from an actual market," he laughed to himself.
By evening, his fridge was full again. Upstairs, sitting in his small room, Lance looked around the quiet space.
Months ago, his life had been monotonous. Now? Dragons, orange cats, talking systems, angelic couriers — it all felt surreal.
He'd return the old apartment key tomorrow. The landlord was probably asleep by now anyway.
He checked his phone — no new messages, not even from his university classmates or old coworkers. After a few token greetings early on, they'd all gone silent when he stopped answering.
He chuckled dryly. "Guess no one would really notice if I disappeared."
Shaking his head, he stood up.
"Anyway… dinner first. Tomorrow's another day."
Cooking comforted him now and he had to admit, seeing Angel's euphoric reaction earlier had sparked something inside him. Maybe he really did enjoy being a chef.
"What to make for dinner… Western-style is fine, but maybe something simple tonight. Fried rice sounds good."
Humming softly, he walked toward the kitchen.
(Chapter End)