Chapter 3: Are You Trying to Wear Me Out?

“Player Chen Yun has acquired LV1 Apprentice-level Chef Basic Skill: Basic Cooking.”

Another wave of swelling washed over his mind, and in just a few seconds, Chen Yun mastered all the essentials of basic cooking.

‘Basic Cooking: Includes Basic Knife Skills, Basic Wok Handling, Basic Hot Dish Preparation, Basic Cold Dish Preparation. Each use consumes 10 Mana Points. Proficiency: 0/300. (Inactive)’

Inactive? What does that mean? And Mana Points? What’s that about? He’d only seen mana used for spellcasting in novels—never heard of it being required for cooking. Does the system really consider cooking as spellcasting? That can’t be right, can it?

And where does one check Mana Points? How much do I have?

Chen Yun recalled that protagonists in online game novels would always murmur “Check Attributes” to view their stats. Maybe he needed to do that too?

“Check attributes,” Chen Yun said softly.

“Player command recognized. Attribute panel function enabled.”

At that moment, all of Chen Yun’s attributes appeared in his mind.

Sure enough, he had to speak the correct command to activate the system’s corresponding function, and the command for attributes was exactly “Check Attributes”!

It seemed the intelligence of his system was rather low, like a remote control that only responds when you press the right button—otherwise, it ignores you completely.

Player: Chen Yun
Level: 1
Experience: 0/100
Attack: 0-1
Defense: 0-1
Health: 50/50 (recovers 1 per minute)
Mana: 50/50 (recovers 1 per minute)
Strength: 1
Constitution: 1
Agility: 1
Intelligence: 3+5
Spirit: 3+5
Free Attribute Points: 0

...

Main Profession: None (Player can select a main profession at level 10)
Sub-professions: 1: Apprentice Chef. 2: (Second sub-profession unlocks at level 10; one additional sub-profession every 10 levels.)
Pets: None (Pet function unlocks at level 20)

The long list of stats made Chen Yun’s head spin. Skimming to the end, he couldn’t help but click his tongue—this was exactly like an online game. Not only were his abilities quantified, but there were also profession functions. The sub-profession he could understand, but what was this main profession about? Was being a chef not a main profession? For a moment, Chen Yun felt utterly confused.

“Forget it, I’ll figure it out when the time comes. There’s always a way forward. My master is still waiting for me in the kitchen—I’d better eat up and get back.”

He picked up a box of “Eat Me Now” instant noodles and wolfed it down in a few bites.

“Player Chen Yun uses ‘Eat Me Now’ instant noodles. Operation invalid.”

Startled by the system prompt, Chen Yun froze. What was this about? Even eating could be invalid? Could the system really deny that he’d eaten after he’d already swallowed the food?

Just as this thought crossed his mind, his expression changed.

“Player Chen Yun’s health replenished excessively. The system will take measures to restore normal status.”

Chen Yun felt his stomach churn violently, and the instant noodles he’d just eaten came back up!

No more, no less—the system forced him to vomit exactly the amount he’d consumed!

Good grief!

Chen Yun was on the verge of collapse. Was this even allowed? How was he supposed to live as a foodie? Did he have to find ways to lower his health before every meal?

He had no interest in self-abuse!

After finally cleaning the floor, Chen Yun stared in dismay at the remaining nine boxes of instant noodles on the table. What was he supposed to do with these? This wasn’t even his own room—there was nowhere to hide them!

“Sigh, games always have backpacks. I wonder if this system has an inventory function?” Chen Yun muttered to himself.

“Does player Chen Yun wish to activate the game backpack feature? Confirm/Cancel?”

Chen Yun was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. There really was an inventory function—system, I love you!

“Confirm!”

As soon as he spoke, a dilapidated-looking backpack appeared in his mind, with ten slots, five of which had a lock icon on them. Curious, Chen Yun mentally tapped one of the locked slots.

“Does player Chen Yun wish to unlock the sixth storage slot?”

“Yes!”

“Player Chen Yun lacks 1 silver coin. Unlock failed.”

Just as I thought! Chen Yun grumbled inwardly. With a system so stingy it could take your clothes as collateral, of course it would find other ways to squeeze money out of him. System, is your company’s motto “Buy happiness with money; no money, no play?”

He placed the nine boxes of instant noodles into the first slot and saw the number nine appear in the lower right corner—the system automatically stacked identical items.

Chen Yun grinned. As he’d suspected, identical items could be stacked, just like in games.

“Xiao Chen, finished eating? If so, hurry up and help out in the dining hall!” Hu Daniu’s voice suddenly called from outside.

Chen Yun blinked, remembering that he wasn’t at home anymore and didn’t have time to keep fiddling with his system. He quickly changed clothes and headed to the restaurant’s main hall.

“Delicious Dishes” was a very ordinary small eatery in the county, located near the farmers’ market. The main customers were vendors from the market, who rarely ordered expensive dishes. For them, two buns and a five-copper stir-fry were enough. So while the restaurant was busy, profits were thin. After rent and wages, the owner barely made any money at all.

The hall was already filling up. Of the ten battered tables and chairs, most were occupied. The owner bustled around serving customers. Spotting Chen Yun, he called, “Xiao Chen, pour tea for the guests!”

“Yes!” Chen Yun quickly took the thermos from the boss and made the rounds, pouring tea at each table.

“Never seen you before—are you new?” a regular customer asked as Chen Yun poured his tea.

“That’s right, I just started today. If I don’t do a good job, I hope you’ll bear with me,” Chen Yun replied with a smile. Then he noticed a line of text floating above the man’s head.

“NPC Wang Dana. Profession: Vegetable Vendor. Level: ? Strength: ? Constitution: ? Attack: ? ...”

What the—! Chen Yun frowned. All question marks? In games, that usually meant the other party was much higher level!

“Don’t worry about it, we’re all working folk here. No need for formalities. I’ll tell you, the owner here’s a good guy. Work hard and he’ll treat you well.” The man clapped Chen Yun heartily on the shoulder.

The blow sent Chen Yun sprawling as if he’d been struck by a hammer, blood spurting from his mouth!

“System notification: NPC Vegetable Vendor Wang Dana attacks you. You lose 20 health points.”

Wang Dana was stunned. What the—? This kid is fragile! It was just a friendly pat, and he’s coughing up blood?

“You okay, son? I didn’t use any force—how did you end up spitting blood?” Wang Dana hurriedly pulled Chen Yun up, but this time the force was even greater than before, and Chen Yun spat out another mouthful of blood!

“System notification: NPC Vegetable Vendor Wang Dana attacks you. You lose 25 health points.”

“Player Chen Yun’s health below 10%. Entering severe injury and unconscious state. Please replenish health promptly.”

Before losing consciousness, Chen Yun caught a glimpse of Wang Dana’s terrified, blood-spattered face, the shocked looks of the other guests, and the restaurant owner rushing over in a panic. But all of that was secondary. At this moment, only one thought remained in Chen Yun’s mind:

“System, are you trying to kill me?!”