Farewell to the Fairy Guide

"Customer-nim got a hidden class! I still can't believe it! My customer-nim has a hidden class!"

Dahyun was still flitting about excitedly, full of admiration.

"Haha, yeah. I had no idea a hidden class would be this amazing."

"Though the name's a bit weird."

"True that. But it's better than Cook-This-Cook-That Chef, right?"

"Yeah, it is."

Dahyun nodded in agreement.

"Then customer-nim might become a ranker someday! You won't pretend not to know me then, will you? Ahaha."

"Hahaha."

"...You won't really pretend not to know me, right?"

Dahyun's expression hardened in an instant, her voice tinged with hurt.

"Come on, me? A ranker? I started way after the game launched. Our levels must be worlds apart by now."

"Our ranking system isn't based on levels. Think of levels as just experience points. That's why there's no level cap."

"Oh, really? So no max level?"

Dahyun nodded and continued her explanation.

"Yes. In Fantasy World, leveling up doesn't boost your stats. Stats rise based on what you do. For example, lifting heavy things builds strength, running a lot improves agility and stamina, and taking hits increases HP and toughness."

"Ah, so it's like real life."

"Exactly. Rankings are based on achievements and raw power in Fantasy World. Achievements mostly serve as verification to prevent manipulation. Hidden classes are rare and overpowered, so quite a few rankers have them."

"Oho."

"So, if you become a ranker, will you pretend not to know me?"

Dahyun, who had been kindly explaining, suddenly turned serious.

"N-No, of course not! Why would I pretend not to know you?"

I stammered, flustered as she floated right up to my face.

"Ahaha. You didn't answer earlier."

Her expression finally softened.

"So, what's so great about being a ranker?"

"Rankers rake in money. They're famous too. These days, Fantasy World rankers outshine most celebrities."

"Really? That much?"

"Totally! Fantasy World is pretty impressive, after all."

She placed her hands on her hips, puffing out her chest proudly. Her pride in her job was something else. I wondered if I could feel that same pride as a real chef—not in the game, but in real life.

"Now that customer-nim has changed jobs, I should head out."

She'd promised to help until the job change, so it was time to say goodbye to the cheerful fairy.

"Aww... This feels kinda sad."

Dahyun's lips pouted as she mentioned parting.

"I'll miss you too. Does this mean we'll never see each other again?"

I wouldn't have made it this far without her. Forget stage 10—I might've quit at stage 1. Every time I felt overwhelmed and wanted to give up, she'd encouraged me, cheered me on, given me strength. And the time we'd spent together tackling Gordon's ten trials wasn't short. Before I knew it, I'd grown quite attached. The regret I felt now proved it.

"Not never—we can meet if you submit an inquiry."

"Th-Then, can I inquire once a day?"

She beamed brightly.

"Ahaha! No reason not to. I'll set it so inquiries go straight to me."

"Perfect."

Dahyun smiled and pulled something out to hand me.

"Here, a gift."

I carefully accepted it. A small box.

"What's this?"

"A little gift for those who complete the full tutorial."

She leaned in close to my ear and whispered.

"Can't tell you what it is, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠but the later you open it, the better. Get it? Just nod—no answer."

*nod nod*

"Don't say anyone told you."

*nod nod*

She floated back in front of me.

"Then, this has been your Fantasy World tutorial fairy, Sebastian. Satisfied with the service?"

*nod nod*

"Ah, you can answer now."

"Of course. 10 out of 10. If I dared to score it."

Dahyun giggled at my playful remark.

"I hope customer-nim's Fantasy World is filled with heart-pounding adventures and excitement. Farewell for now."

Like our first meeting, she curtsied gracefully, skirt in hand. I waved back, stepping one foot aside and bowing in kind.

"Pfft. If you have questions or issues, inquire anytime."

She covered her mouth and whispered one last thing.

"I'm not that busy."

With her final goodbye, Dahyun said,

"Have fun in Fantasy World! Enjoy the game!"

*poof* ...Enjoy the game? What was that? I'd have to inquire about it later. She said she wasn't busy, so even silly questions should be fine.

A grin tugged at my lips as I stepped out into the sunlit street.

Without the fairy chattering by my side, everything felt empty and hollow. But what can you do? Every meeting has a parting, and every parting leads to another meeting. The tangle of meetings and partings—that's what they call fate. If it's fate, another meeting awaits. I could even see her right away with an inquiry.

Now it was time to walk my path alone. Until the next encounter.

I wandered the village, buying basic cooking tools with the money from Uncle Beda. I also picked up a decent sword for self-defense. As the saying goes, preparation banishes worry. Following that, I gathered info on Minare's Villa by asking around. With no way to tell users from NPCs, I just asked friendly-looking folks at random.

"Um, excuse me."

"Hm? What is it?"

I approached a kind-looking old man on a plaza bench, feeding birds.

"Mind if I ask something?"

"Ask away."

They say you can judge character by how they treat animals. Not always true, but generally.

"I'm heading to Minare's Villa."

"Why there?"

I froze for a second. The shady chef said I'd find useful tools there—valuable info not buyable with ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠money. Hidden treasure. Couldn't just blurt that out.

"Uh, well... Heard it's a famous dungeon, wanted to check it out."

...What the hell?

"Hmm, I see. Got a map?"

"Y-Yes. Here."

I snapped out of it and pulled the map from my inventory. Good thing I'd bought it ahead.

The old man marked a spot on the map.

"Going alone?"

"Yes. As you can see. Is it too dangerous solo?"

"Nah, nah. It's a beginner dungeon—super easy. No death risk. Just some rat pups."

He waved it off.

"Got it. Who's Minare?"

"Huh? Don't know Minare?"

"No. Do you, sir?"

To draw goodwill, use proper titles and polite speech. Hard-earned wisdom from countless part-time jobs.

...That Simus AI adjusts skills and details, huh. Bored AI, slapping skills on random crap like this.

"Ahem. Of course I know. Minare was—"

Anyway, the polite approach worked; the old man started explaining freely.

...It's proper titles and politeness, not flattery, you overachieving AI jerk.

According to the old man, Minare was a legendary emperor who ruled an ancient kingdom long ago. His villa somehow turned into a dungeon. Near Genesis Village for beginners, it was easy and one of the first cleared after launch. Everyone looted all the good rewards, so foot traffic was low now.

"Thank you, sir."

"Hoho, no trouble."

I thanked the friendly old man and headed off, map in hand. Not too far—lucky.

What useful cooking gear could be in a place like that?

"Ngh!"

The dungeon was midway up a low hill near the village.

"Huff... huff... Looked close on the map... Who plans a hike like this?"

Horizontal distance was short, but vertical? Forgot to factor that. Not steep, but my chef-class weak stamina made it tough. At least it probably boosted my stamina stat. Too bad no exact numbers.

Actually, maybe for the best...

"Should be around here..."

I peered at the map, muttering.

"Ah, there!"

A faint entrance behind a small waterfall.

"Alright. Prep before entering."

I sat on a shady rock. Beginner dungeon, sure, but caution never hurts.

Checked inventory first. Basic tools, assorted ingredients—bought plenty since chef perk preserves them. Self-defense sword—cheap, a bit crude.

"Still, good value."

Inventory solid. What else? Skills.

"Right! Skills!"

I clapped at the realization. Job change means skills now, right?

Opened skill window.

"...Huh?"

What kind of skill names? No descriptions either. Expected stuff like tasty cooking, fire control, seasoning balance. Like the job name, skills were half-baked.

"Hmm... Guess I'll figure it out inside."

At least I checked what I have. Use 'em in there to learn.

*Rumble rumble*!

Carefully navigating the cliff path beside the roaring waterfall, I entered.

A cave behind the waterfall. Expected a tidy wooden villa, but just a cave. Traces of something former, rotted boards from humidity. Kicked one aside, ventured in.

Torchlight dotted the walls—not pitch black. Walking along, a sound from the dark ahead.

*Screech. Squeak.*

"Monster?"

Time to test skills.

"Cooking Summon!"

No time for that, AI jerk.

"Cooking Throw!"

"Cooking Charm!"

"Damn it."

Fastest dish!

Hurriedly lit the burner, set frying pan, oiled it.

*Sizzle. Squeak.*

*Scratch. Scrape.*

...Not just a rat. Squeaks mixed with sharp clawing on stone.

"Faster. Faster."

Maxed burner flame.

*Scrape.* Closer.

Cracked egg into hot pan.

*Sizzle*! Fragrant smell rose as it fried.

*Squeak?*

The smell? The noise? Beyond flickering torchlight, in the dark corner, a man-sized giant rat appeared.

...Old man said rat pups. That's no pup.

"Squeak!"

Teeth matched its size—those made the scraping.

"Uh, hi?"

"Squeak!"

"Shit!"

*Whoosh*—it charged at my greeting.

"Cooking Summon!"

Damn. How done does it need to be?

Rat closing fast.

"Cooking Summon! Cooking Summon!"

"Squeak!"

*Rustle*—right in front of me.

This should be done! Max heat even browned spots!

Still picky, AI?

"Cooking Summon!"

*Flash*—

Light burst before me, enveloping something that blocked the giant rat.

*Thud*—a polite yet sassy voice rang out.

"Master. Shall I deal with this one?"

Light faded, revealing ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠the owner: yolk-yellow hair. Crisp white suit, tanned skin. The fried egg had become a man, gazing at me with sunny yellow eyes like his hair.