When Dan saw Hesta, he ordered Legacy to start the "Natural Act" mode.
Dan: You came early. Your food is almost ready. Where is your partner?
Hesta: I am cancelling the previous order. I want the Dirima stew only and two bottles of alcohol.
Dan: Don't be upset. You will find a better partner. Your food will be ready soon. (Dan acted as if he knew nothing.)
After that, Dan started attending to the meat that was in the pan.
Hesta is trying to gauge whether Dan is acting or not, so he looked at him carefully. This is really confusing. No matter how he looks at this situation, Dan is just nonchalantly doing his job. Maybe he really is innocent.
In the settlement, eating food with spices was considered luxurious. So Dan only used spices in those expensive dishes. Dan took out his spice box and was about to sprinkle some on the meat, but Legacy stopped him.
Legacy: You are a complete amateur. Who sprinkles spice like that? You need to add different spices at different times to the meat and in an appropriate portion.
In the settlement most people put their lives on the line to stay alive for the next day. Finding food is already hard enough, they don't have time to make it enjoyable. Food is good as long as it is edible.
Dan might be a odd ball in this God forsaken place, who thinks food should be enjoyed. Dan have seen Food culture of Legacy's planet. Being able to make things like those, he is not going to miss this chance. As Legacy advised, Dan mixed an appropriate portion of it and sprinkled it on the dirima meat. A sizzling sound and mouth-watering aroma spread throughout the whole room. People eating on their seats looked at the kitchen.
They looked at their tasteless, salted, rubbery meat and sighed dejectedly. They have no mood to eat this food now that they have smelled that dish. But without money, nothing could be done.
Hesta came to keep an eye on Dan, but when he inhaled that aroma, he gulped his saliva down. Maybe when Dan said he was the greatest chef in the Marus forest, that was actually true?
Dan has no idea what others are thinking. He himself is smitten by this aroma. All this food is enough for six portions. He is going to keep two for Basar and Lord Morita. He is going to eat one and sell the last three portions.
" Enjoy." He filled a bowl and gave it to Hesta with two bottles of alcohol. Hesta put a spoonful of meat and broth in his mouth and enjoyed as the tender meat melted in his mouth and the broth spread the taste to every taste bud.
Hesta ate the best dish of his life. He forgot about the alcohol and just kept eating until he finished the whole bowl. to think he was suspecting a person like him. He's just an innocent kid with a passion for food.
Hesta felt a little guilty. He asked Dan how much the food would cost. Dan gave him the bill. His head hurt looking at the amount. Still, Hesta gave him a small pouch of coins and said, "That dish is expensive but totally worth it. I added a little extra."
Looking at Hesta's leaving figure Dan smirked. Mission Accomplished.
Evening came. After a few hours, the darkest hour will start and veil the whole chain of settlements in darkness for six hours. Everyone started returning to their homes, soon the inn became empty. What's left is to send food to Lord Morita, and they'd be done for today. Basar started packing food in wooden boxes.
Basar: Your food smells so delicious today. I am sure Morita will like it too. ( Praised Basar.)
In the whole settlement, only Basar would dare speak casually to Lord Morita. Basar left with the food, and Dan is finally alone. There are still three portions left. He took a portion for himself and sat down on a seat. He can finally check out this interface that Legacy has talked about.
Legacy: Try saying "interface."
Dan said "interface" in his mind, and a dark blue panel appeared in front of his eyes. Dan hastily tried to hide this panel.
Legacy: There is no need to panic. Nobody can see it other than you. Focus on the interface.
Dan is really amazed. He focused on the panel. On the Panel, There are five options.
[] INTERFACE []
[ STATS ] [ SKILLS ] [ ABILITIES ] [ INVENTORY ] [ MESSAGE ]
Legacy : I created this Interface while keeping this world's power system in mind. The Values are adjusted to your level. Concentrate on one of the options. (Legacy explained.)
Dan concentrated on the stats option and another panel appeared above the previous panel.
[] STATS []
HEALTH : 39/43 I STAMINA : 19/21
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
STRENGTH : 04
ENDURANCE : 06
INTELLIGENCE : 04
PERCEPTION : 03
AGILITY : 03
"Stat are converting your body's different aspects into numerical value." Explained Legacy. And I have to say you are pathetically weak now.
Strength is your pure power. Your muscles and bones together determine this value. The tougher they get, the stronger you become.
Endurance is your physical defence. It is determined by your vitality and constitution.
Intelligence is a stat that represents your mind. Your wisdom and willpower determine it. Meditate and read books to sharpen it.
Perception is a stat that shows how much you are aware of your surroundings. It also helps you sense danger. Your six senses determine this stat.
Agility is how fast you are. Your reflexes, dexterity, and speed determine this stat.
Dan is a little disappointed in his stats. Dan never practised any martial arts or fought against strong opponents. His father taught him some hunting skills. After his father's death, he became a thief. Then he started working as a chef. Most people in the settlement choose hunting-related jobs, but Dan chose to become a chef.
Legacy: Don't worry; with my aid, you will become strong in no time. Now open the next panel.
Dan concentrated, and the stat panel disappeared. He then concentrated on the skills option, and another panel appeared.
On this panel, only three skills are present.
[] SKILLS []
HUNTING [ ADEPT ] (59%)
PICKPOCKET [ NOVICE ] (88%)
CHEF [ EXPERT ] (27%)
Legacy: All the skills you learn will be listed here. Your skills will be on different levels as per their proficiency. Your proficiency is in "%." When it reaches 100%, your skill will level up as well. Skill levels are BEGINNER >> NOVICE >> ADEPT >> EXPERT >> MASTER and so on.
Dan left that panel and checked the abilities next. This panel was divided into two sections. One listed passive abilities; the other listed active abilities.
" What the heck?? " Dan was totally speechless looking at the Abilities.