Perry picked up his coffee and took a small sip. The taste was rich, with a slight bitterness that quickly transformed into a faint sweetness. He couldn't help but exclaim, "This coffee is amazing. It seems like your recommendation was spot on."
Fido raised an eyebrow smugly. "Of course. This café was actually recommended by Chef Oliver. When I first started working under him and went through my own set of tests, he brought me here and suggested I try their coffee. I was blown away, just like you are now." He leaned in slightly and lowered his voice, pointing to a man working diligently behind the counter.
The man, likely in his early thirties, wore a spotless barista apron and sported a carefully groomed, stylish beard. He exuded an air of calm elegance, moving with a practiced ease.
"His name is Tyron," Fido continued, his tone a mix of mystery and respect. "I heard he once dreamed of becoming a chef. He even attempted the chef certification exams five times but failed every single one. In the end, he had no choice but to give up."
Perry felt a pang of sympathy for Tyron's unrealized dream. But as he observed the man closely, he noticed that Tyron didn't seem burdened by his past failures. Instead, he radiated enthusiasm and passion for his current work.
Behind the counter, Tyron was skillfully grinding coffee beans with a manual grinder. His movements were rhythmic, almost musical, as if he were performing a silent symphony. The soft, low hum of the grinder blended seamlessly with the gentle background music in the café. Perry noticed the faint smile on Tyron's face and the unwavering focus in his eyes.
Once the beans were ground, Tyron poured the coffee powder into a delicate filter. He carefully heated the water and controlled the flow with precision, slowly pouring it over the grounds in smooth, circular motions. Each step was performed with an effortless grace, as though it were second nature to him.
As the water seeped through the coffee, releasing its rich aroma, Perry couldn't resist taking a deep breath. The warm, intoxicating scent filled the air, enveloping the room like a comforting embrace.
Tyron gently tapped the coffee pot to ensure every last drop had been collected before pouring the brew into a pristine white cup. He finished with a flourish, creating an intricate leaf pattern in the frothy milk atop the coffee. The artistry was stunning, a testament to his meticulous attention to detail and deep dedication to his craft.
"He seems to really enjoy what he's doing," Perry said quietly, his gaze still fixed on Tyron. "You can tell just from his actions and expressions, he truly loves his work."
Fido nodded, a thoughtful smile playing on his lips. "Exactly. Tyron didn't become a chef, but he found his stage in coffee. His coffee isn't just about taste; it has this calming magic that makes you feel at ease."
Perry nodded in agreement, a newfound respect welling up in him. He realized that whether one was a chef or a barista, achieving excellence in any field and leaving a lasting impression was the true mark of success. Tyron, without a doubt, embodied that ideal.
Putting his cup down, Perry turned to Fido. "By the way, I have something to tell you, but first, let's hear what you wanted to say. You mentioned something more important earlier. What is it?"
Fido clasped his hands together on the table, the playful expression on his face giving way to a more serious demeanor. "It's about the next step. You know, Chef Oliver's tests aren't just about selling a few ingredients. He's not only evaluating your basic skills, he's also observing your adaptability and even…"
He paused, his gaze sharpening as it locked onto Perry. "Your courage."
"Courage?" Perry furrowed his brow, unsure of what Fido was getting at. "Are you saying I'll have to do something dangerous?"
Fido chuckled softly, though his tone carried a hint of gravity. "Not dangerous, necessarily, but definitely something beyond your current comfort zone. You'll need to go somewhere and complete a special task. The outcome of this task will directly influence Chef Oliver's impression of you and could very well determine whether you pass his initial test."
Perry frowned, his curiosity piqued. "What test? Stop being so cryptic and just tell me."
Fido leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Have you heard of the 'Misty Market'?"
"Misty Market?" Perry repeated, the name entirely unfamiliar to him. "What kind of place is that?"
Fido leaned back in his chair and said slowly, "The Misty Market is a wandering bazaar, its location never fixed. Only specific people can find it. It gathers all sorts of rare and peculiar ingredients, tools, and even magical materials you've probably never heard of."
Perry's eyes widened. "Sounds mysterious. But what does it have to do with me?"
Fido gave a cryptic smile. "Because your next task is to go there and find two items: a chunk of Stellar Salt and a bottle of Moonlight Brew. These two things are extremely rare and are part of Chef Oliver's requirements. Without them, he can't complete a very special dish."
Perry hesitated. "That sounds… difficult. Especially since I don't even know where the Misty Market is."
Fido nodded. "It will be challenging, and that's exactly why Chef Oliver uses it to test you. But don't worry, I'll give you some guidance. I've figured out how to find the market; all you need to do is execute."
Perry stared at Fido, deliberating for a moment before nodding. "Alright, if it's part of the test, I'll give it a try. But you have to tell me, how am I supposed to find the Misty Market?"
Fido's lips curled into a sly smile. "That's what I like about you——your decisiveness. As for how to find it…" He drew out the last words on purpose. "Finish your coffee first, and I'll tell you."
Perry sighed, exasperated. "Always with the suspense. Fine, I guess I'll take my time."
Over the next few minutes, Perry sipped his coffee while mulling things over. He knew this task was likely far more complicated than it seemed, and a faint unease crept into his thoughts. What kind of place was the Misty Market?
After finishing the last sip of his coffee, Perry set the cup down and fixed his gaze on Fido. "Alright, coffee's done. Now spill, what's the clue to finding the Misty Market?"
Fido gave a knowing look, reaching into his pocket to produce a neatly folded piece of paper. He handed it to Perry. "This is part of a map. It'll get you close, but the rest of the way you'll have to figure out on your own."
Perry unfolded the paper, revealing an old, hand-drawn map. It depicted a wooded area with a winding path, but there were no written labels. The corners of the map were yellowed with age, as if it had been used for many years.
"This is it? No more detailed instructions?" Perry raised an eyebrow.
Fido shrugged. "The Misty Market never stays in one place. Its location shifts constantly. The only way to find it is to follow its scent, a faint blend of fresh grass and starlight. That's its signature."
"Scent? What does starlight even smell like?" Perry asked, perplexed.
"It's… unique. Hard to describe, but once you smell it, you'll know. It's warm, comforting," Fido replied with a small smile. "But don't underestimate this clue. The Misty Market's entrance is well-hidden, and finding it takes more than just luck."
Perry studied the map again, memorizing its details. "How will I know if I've gone the wrong way?"
"Don't worry," Fido said, pointing to a corner of the map. "There's a tall silver tree near the entrance. It's one of the market's landmarks. Once you find it, you'll be close. But remember, once you enter the mist, time won't behave the way you're used to. The longer you stay inside, the faster time will pass outside."
Perry frowned, his brows knitting together. "Time distortion too? This place just gets weirder and weirder."
"Exactly. The more valuable a place, the higher the cost to access it. That's why Chef Oliver chose the Misty Market for your test," Fido said with an uncharacteristically serious expression. "But I believe you can handle it. After all, you're full of potential, even more than you realize."
Perry forced a smile. "Thanks for the vote of confidence. But besides this map and the scent, do you have anything more practical to help?"
Fido thought for a moment before pulling out a small, crystal-clear orb and handing it to Perry. "This is a Lightshadow Orb. It'll help you see more clearly in the mist. But be careful, it can only be used three times, and each use lasts five minutes. Once it's used up, you're on your own."
Perry took the orb and placed it carefully into his enchanted bag. He then took a deep breath. "Alright, looks like this is going to be quite the challenge."
Fido gave a meaningful smile, his eyes carrying a mix of encouragement and an elusive hint of mystery. "It's a challenge, yes, but you'll find that it's also a rare opportunity. The Misty Market doesn't just have the ingredients Chef Oliver needs; it also holds unexpected encounters and treasures. Perhaps you'll discover things that will change how you see yourself and your abilities." He paused, letting Perry absorb the weight of his words, then shifted his tone to something lighter and more playful. "Oh, by the way, you only have today and tomorrow to find the Misty Market. After that, it will vanish and move to another location."
"What?!" Perry froze, his eyes wide with shock. "You're seriously throwing me into the deep end here! I don't even have enough money, let alone the means to buy those expensive ingredients!" His voice brimmed with frustration and anxiety, clearly overwhelmed by the suddenness of the task.
Fido chuckled at Perry's reaction, breaking into hearty laughter, his tone laced with the satisfaction of a prank well-played. He pulled a shimmering card from his pocket and slid it across the table toward Perry. "Relax, I've already sorted out the money problem for you. Here's 12,000 gold coins—more than enough to buy what you need at the bazaar."
Perry stared at the card, stunned, barely able to process what he'd just heard. "12,000?! You managed to earn that much just by cooking?!" His voice was filled with disbelief, as though Fido had just told him an impossible fairy tale.
Fido lifted his chin with a smug grin, his eyes brimming with pride. "Of course! Never underestimate the power of cooking. Although my dishes don't have any special attributes, they're ranked as Grade D meals, and the taste is so good that people can't resist. And the best part—" he leaned in conspiratorially, his voice dropping to a whisper laced with a hint of boastfulness, "—some people will pay handsomely just to buy my recipes."
Perry blinked, flabbergasted. "So you made all this money by selling your recipes?"
Fido nodded triumphantly, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips. "Exactly! Recipes are the real treasure. Think about it: ingredients eventually run out, but a high-quality recipe is an infinite resource. As long as someone can replicate my dishes, they'll gladly fork over a fortune for the exclusive 'secret.'"
Perry looked down at the card, a whirlwind of emotions swirling inside him. He'd never imagined recipes could be so valuable.
Fido laughed again, clapping Perry on the shoulder. "Kid, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The Misty Market is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, not just to buy ingredients but to expand your horizons. Seize it, and you won't regret it. Oh, and didn't you mention you had something to tell me? What is it?"