Life Skills (2)

"Do you have any idea how tricky potion-making is? Sure, it might be a breeze for witches who were born clutching vials of medicine, but for regular folks, it's trickier than any other skill!!"

I was currently kneeling before a purple-haired pharmacist named Yuri, my knees planted firmly on the ground.

The person teaching me potion-making was, surprisingly, an ordinary civilian. Usually, when you think of potion experts, witches come to mind first, so I was a bit taken aback that a regular person was handling the instruction.

"Ugh! Why'd I get assigned to this sweaty dump..."

After Bicheon Kingdom escaped the demon crisis, it decided to incorporate some outside influences. That's how potion shops and magic stores—things that never existed here before—started popping up through trade with the outside world.

Yuri had just been assigned here, so she hadn't undergone the affinity or trust adjustment yet.

"No matter how amazing you are, you can't just barge in and disrupt someone's work, got it? Knock next time, okay?!"

"Y-yes, ma'am..."

Only then did Yuri calm down a bit. She straightened her hair and sat back down.

"Sigh... So, you're here to ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠learn?"

"Yes..."

"Tuition's 10,000 gold."

I handed her the gold pouch.

"Hmm, good. Shall we begin the lesson?"

After that, she spent a good while teaching me potion recipes and skills enthusiastically. I quickly understood how a non-witch like her ended up as the potion-making NPC specialist. Her explanations were as straightforward as possible, and since her talent didn't outshine a witch's, her theoretical knowledge was razor-sharp.

Thanks to that, I maxed out my potion-making acquisition rate to 100% in no time.

"Hmph, not bad for a witch. To raise proficiency, you need repetition and practice. Come ask if you don't get something."

Yuri seemed to take a liking to me, crossing her arms and turning her head away in classic tsundere fashion.

"Ahaha, thank you. I'll be back often."

"Oh..."

Since it was only level 1, I could only make two types of items for now, but once I built up proficiency, I'd probably unlock stuff like attack power potions.

I wondered if making an HP recovery potion in real life would heal health like a heal skill, or just restore stamina. If synchronization kicked in later, I'd have to test it.

If it works just like a heal skill... the impact would be huge.

I headed off to learn cooking next.

...

"One bowl of noodles here!"

"Gimme some soup to go with dumplings, anything'll do."

The bustling inn was packed with noisy patrons and scurrying busboys, radiating a lively vibe. This was the hottest eatery in Bicheon Kingdom.

"Hoho! Welcome! Never thought Bicheon Kingdom's hero would grace us."

"Ahaha, hello. Um... could I learn cooking here?"

"Haha! It's been ages since this old Yeonpung took on an apprentice... Sure! I'll teach you! But I'm swamped right now—come back tomorrow?"

In-game days passed quickly if you waited a bit, so I nodded and promised ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to return.

"Haha! Thanks. Guess I'll close shop early tomorrow."

I left the inn, pondered what to do next, and decided to visit Asella for the first time in a while. Stroking her would make time fly.

I teleported straight to Asella's room.

...

Asella was frowning seriously over a book.

"Asella~"

"Oh? Noel! Long time no see!"

"Whatcha reading?"

"Ah, um... just something on multiverse theory."

"Huh? Why that all of a sudden?"

"Ahaha... just. Oh?! Speaking of, those shoes..."

"Yeah. Got 'em from my last trip."

"Wow..."

Asella's eyes sparkled as she inspected my shoes from every angle.

Ugh... damn, she's too cute.

If it weren't a soulbound item, I'd have handed the shoes over right then—her gaze was that lethal.

"Ahem. Anyway... nothing major happen? No big injuries?"

"Oh, uh... I learned potion-making."

"Oho... From who? I could've taught you myself."

"A Yuri... Know her?"

"Yeah, I do. She's probably the best on theory."

Ooh... If Asella vouched for her, she must be legit.

I spent a while hugging Asella close and reading together.

...

The next in-game day, I returned to the inn.

"Ah, you're here."

I gave Yeonpung a quick greeting and headed to the kitchen.

"Normally, we'd check your attire first, but adventurers like you skip that. Let's dive right in—I've got a lot to teach."

I'd hoped for a chef apron avatar or something, but oh well. Still, the thought of learning cooking got me excited.

"Oh, and if you can't keep up, mind if I give you a little scolding? It's all part of being a master."

"Pardon...?"

I soon learned what he meant.

...

The scorching heat blasting from the stove, the heavy weight in my hands.

"Snap your wrist more! Huh?! The ingredients aren't mixing!!"

...And Yeonpung's shouts piercing my ears.

"H-hek... hek..."

He'd seemed like a kindly old neighbor before, but now he looked like a demon's minion.

Learning cooking basics didn't take long, though.

"Ooh..."

"You've got talent for this, kid. Wanna stick around and build proficiency? You'd pick it up fast!"

Buoyed by my quick progress, I accepted without thinking about the consequences.

"Didn't I say pour water when the aroma peaks? This is so bland, fish could swim in it!"

"How the hell does dough tear like this?!"

"Again!! Again!!!!"

"H-hek... hek..."

"Hm. Now it's decent."

"Still, that's real talent! Wanna work here at the inn?"

Yeonpung grinned, but I shook my head in horror.

"Hm, fair enough. Come back anytime if you change your mind. Or for advice—you're welcome anytime!"

"Um... no Western cuisine here?"

"Ah, you mean those Westerners' food? Not my specialty. Head there yourself to learn."

Makes sense—this continent was Eastern-inspired, so recipes leaned Korean and Chinese. For Western food, I'd need a Travel Kingdom restaurant.

"Ahaha... thanks. I'll head out then."

"Wait. You worked hard today—let me treat you to a meal."

"Pardon? No need..."

"Nonsense. You think I'm just some exploitative master? Sit."

...You're not?

I sat at a table, dazed. Soon, savory meat aromas wafted from the kitchen.

"Whoa..."

"Here! Our signature: Twice-Cooked Pork!"

A rice bowl and a glistening plate of twice-cooked pork appeared before me.

"...Gulp."

"Dig in. Folks come daily just for this."

The pork was art: dark sauce soaked into layers, glossy sheen, hot steam carrying deep, rich scents that tickled my nose. Chopsticks lifted soft, yielding meat.

"...Thanks for the meal."

One bite, and juices burst, umami flooding my mouth. It melted tenderly, sweet-salty sauce perfectly balancing the fattiness. The profound flavor lingered, perfectly seasoned through and through. Each piece savored time itself, unmatched satisfaction spreading.

"...De delicious...!!!"

"Haha! Made it extra special knowing you'd eat. Glad you're enjoying it."

I demolished a bowl of rice in seconds.

"This... is cooking..."

I stared ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠into space, enlightened—or so it looked. Whatever, it reignited my passion for cooking.

"Thanks for the delicious treat. I'll come again."

"Sure. See you."

I left the inn, warped to the harbor, and boarded a ship to Travel Kingdom.

...

Royal chef Marlon was in a bind.

"...You want to learn... cooking?"

"Yes!"

Hero Noel—who saved the kingdom from demons—had shown up out of nowhere requesting lessons. Aria had mentioned it minutes ago, but this was unexpected.

"Rough treatment's fine! Swear at me if needed!"

"..."

That phrasing could be misinterpreted, but Marlon let it slide.

"Alright... Lunch rush is over anyway."

...

"Ugh..."

"Remake it. Just a touch more seasoning for perfection."

"No! It's plenty tasty—why?!"

I faced a new crisis. Marlon wasn't Spartan like Yeonpung, but his perfectionism meant no advancing till a dish was flawless.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Proficiency rose fast, but I felt a bit wronged.

"I just want 'tasty,' not royal feast level!"

"...Oh? I thought... since Aria said you'd be her personal chef..."

"...Huh? What?"

"Yes?"

"????"

Something got lost in translation somewhere.

...

"Good work. That's enough for today."

I'd cooked for 5 real-life hours and was wiped.

"Y-yeah..."

"Before you go, care for a meal?"

"...I ate plenty while cooking—not hungry."

"Just a taste of my specialty, then."

"Sure, can't say no to that."

Soon, delicious aromas filled the kitchen again.

"Aria's favorite: Ratatouille."

"...Wow."

The ratatouille was a vibrant painting: thinly sliced eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes layered meticulously, olive oil and herbs glistening subtly. Fresh from the oven, warm steam carried fresh herb scents.

"...Thanks for the meal."

One spoonful, and tender veggies melted on my tongue—eggplant's earthy depth, tomato's tartness, zucchini's sweetness harmonizing in olive oil and herbs. Distinct yet unified, they danced without clashing, leaving clean, profound aftertaste. This humble veggie dish proved a feast of flavors, each bite artistry.

"...H-heh, heh..."

"To your taste?"

"...Yes."

I polished off the bowl. Belly full, but worth it.

This time, I hoped life skills synced to reality.

Back in my room, I grinded potion proficiency too. Witch's base skill bonus made it rise faster than cooking.

"...Phew... time to log off."

Real-world time was 11 PM. To make tomorrow's appointment, I couldn't stay up—logged out of Lost World.

"Ngh, ughhh...!"

As expected, massive headache hit. I gritted my teeth through it—passing out meant missing tomorrow for sure.

Capsule lid opened. After three minutes that felt like three years, it subsided. I gasped for air.

"H-hek... h-he..."

"Waeoong...?"

"...Haha, I'm fine. Just a headache."

Bambi groomed me worriedly as I sighed, cast Clean spell, and flopped into bed. Unprocessed info surged in my brain, but I shut it off and closed my eyes.

...Testing sync can wait. Sleep now...

Night deepened.