The Meaning of Skills -1
I once watched a sitcom like that. It was about a company outing that somehow left everyone stranded on a deserted island. What stuck with me was one guy who had won the lottery, but the claim deadline was fast approaching. That's when I learned lottery winnings even had an expiration date.
The big question: Did he escape the island and claim his prize? Or not? No idea. The show ended abruptly at a weird cliffhanger, teasing a season 2 that never came. So, did that guy get his lottery money?
"Kinda curious now."
That's why I'm bringing it up. A lottery ticket only has value once you cash it in. My situation's just like that. I'm a gate owner with insane stuff inside, but I can't sell any of it yet. So here I am, heading to the office again today.
"Ah, this is so messed up. Right, Hoya?"
Nyaang.
As I rummaged through my morning routine and glanced back at Hoya, she lazily swiped a paw from atop her cat tower.
"Too lazy to even answer now?"
No response at all.
"Got it. Guard the house. Dad's off to work."
Nyaang.
Hoya hopped down from the tower with obvious annoyance, rubbed ever so lightly against my leg—just a tease of affection—then bolted right back up. Like she'd fulfilled her quota.
It was strangely comforting. Back when I thought I'd never see Hoya again, this everyday routine was what I missed most.
I forcibly scooped her up for a quick kiss, set her down, and headed out.
At the office, word was the sample feed had arrived. I headed to the test animal area to check how the kids were taking to it. Some had illnesses, but the ones on the feed looked worlds better than before.
The restorative effects of Brann chicken.
"Definitely more active after eating the feed," I noted.
The lab researchers nodded.
"You can see it plain as day—they're recovering their energy. Like they'd gotten a full IV drip."
Sick kids often perk up fast after fluids. Same for adults.
"Test results?"
"Preliminary bloodwork looks great overall. Especially for the kidney failure and cystitis cases."
Kidney failure and cystitis are common, deadly for cats. Humans can get transplants or dialysis; cats can't. For severe cases, you just manage symptoms to keep them comfortable. I'd seen plenty working here.
Cystitis sounds minor, but it's a top killer for cats—often leads to kidney failure, and acute cases can be fatal on their own. Dogs too.
Improved markers for those meant this feed was top-tier.
"'Restores energy' covers a lot of ground, huh."
"Pardon?"
"Ah, nothing."
Brann chicken restores energy. But what was that energy? Seemed multifaceted.
How many Brann chickens could I snag?
Raising them in my gate sounded tempting. Would it restore energy? Boost stats? Both?
Couldn't sell 'em yet, but more assets the better.
"Hey, researcher."
"Yes, Assistant Manager Choi?"
"Got tiger feed?"
"Ti... tiger feed?"
"Yeah, something tigers would like, nutritionally solid?"
"Hm. Large animal feed isn't profitable, so not much R&D. But tiger feed's not much different—protein ratios, nutrients."
"Right. So high-nutrient cat feed would work?"
"Sure. Though the volume would be insane."
Made sense. Size difference. A tiger might inhale a month's cat rations in one go.
Still, solvable.
After verifying the feed, I sent samples and the one-day bloodwork diffs to a few contacts.
Fun part: English skill made emailing a breeze.
"Don't sleep on level 1."
I'd been bummed at first, but it was huge. Effortless communication.
Ring.
US distributor. Saw the email, asked if sick animals really improved. Explained what I'd seen. They begged for samples ASAP.
Promised express shipping, hung up to praise-fest on my fluent English.
"Ha."
No joke. Level 1 English meant smooth idea-sharing.
If gate lifestyle skills boosted office life, my plan was golden.
"Sigh. Reality check."
Was this why I became a gate owner? Nah, objectively lucky. Luck's luck.
"Mom was right—gratitude turns the world happy."
Her fave Bible verse. (She'd quit church.) Spot on.
"Finding Hoya used up my lifetime luck anyway."
Plenty happy with that.
"Time to be a competent employee."
Post-work, bookstore run. French, German convo books; Chinese, Japanese too. Farming/livestock, swordsmanship/martial arts books.
Grabbed all that came to mind, headed home.
"Hoya, let's go!"
Nyaang!
Gate entry: 8 PM Earth time. Work prep at 8 AM. 12-hour buffer outside; 60 inside.
"No Baekya?"
Forest jiggled. Out popped Baekya—like spat from the woods.
Roar!
Leapt at me. Trying to kill? Nah, caught easy.
"Whoa!"
Not full power. Strength 40 for the win.
Grrr grrr grrr.
Baekya grumbled, miffed at my absence.
Made sense. Days without his tamer.
"Yeah yeah, bro made you sad? Sorry."
Soothing session. Key: two cans of wet food. Squeezing into a big bowl was work; he vacuumed it.
Good thing Agility up—quick squeeze.
Post-snack, sprawled out, grudge gone. Like offering me a couch?
"Work to do, but quick break?"
Nyaang.
Hoya burrowed into Baekya. What was their dynamic? Hoya alpha, but kitten vibes.
I settled nearby, picked books. Japanese convo caught eye.
Japan over China—less biz with China, Japan growing.
Bonus: high school Japanese basics.
Dove into focus mode. Blitzed one book, another, third—
Japanese (Passive) Level 1 acquired.
Skill Concentration level increased to 2.
"Yes!"
Not done yet. Concentration up too. Obvious boon.
Nearly 10 hours gone.
"Work time."
Checked coops: 50+ chickens, eggs piled neatly. Someone trained 'em.
Observation: No initial stat boost, but continuous intake +1 Stamina.
"Parents'll love these."
Stamina key.
"Hoya, you train 'em?"
Nyang!
Petting ensued. Then crops: Harvested old, checked new. Some initial boosts, some not. Probably first-time bonus.
"Best way to eat these efficiently?"
Bibimbap popped up. Veggie mix perfect.
"Been so busy feeding you guys, skimping on my own meals, huh?"
Hoya shrugged, flopped by Baekya—who watched curiously from his sprawl. Big cat, still cat.
Cooked up bibimbap. Observation showed stunning results.