Vash stood inside the small kitchen of Grandpa's Noodles, staring at the ingredients spread across the counter.
Behind him, the restaurant had become completely silent.
The gang boss was sitting at the largest table.
His men stood around him.
Vash's grandparents watched from near the kitchen entrance.
Rohan stood beside them, looking more nervous than Vash.
The challenge was simple.
Make a meal.
If the boss liked it, Grandpa's Noodles would not have to pay the protection fee.
If he didn't, the original deal would remain.
Vash took a slow breath.
"System."
[Yes.]
"Do I have any useful skills for this?"
The transparent interface appeared.
[SKILL]
Cooking — Basic
[Current Proficiency: 18%]
[Basic Analysis available.]
Vash stared at the skill.
Cooking.
Until now, it had been nothing more than something he had learned from spending years around his grandmother.
He had never imagined that it would become important.
He looked at the ingredients.
There were noodles, vegetables, chicken, eggs, spices, herbs, sauces, and several other ingredients his grandmother normally used.
The boss had asked him to cook something.
Not necessarily noodles.
But Vash knew exactly what he wanted to make.
He looked toward the noodles.
"Golden Noodles."
His grandmother looked surprised.
"Golden noodles?"
Vash nodded.
"It's something I've been thinking about."
He hadn't actually made it before.
But he had eaten his grandmother's noodles countless times.
He knew the basics.
The broth.
The texture.
The vegetables.
The seasoning.
The balance.
He just needed to make something better.
Vash closed his eyes for a moment.
Then he focused on the ingredients.
"Basic Analysis."
The system responded immediately.
[Basic Analysis activated.]
A transparent interface appeared above the counter.
[INGREDIENT ANALYSIS]
Ingredient: Wheat Noodles
Quality: 82/100
Freshness: 91/100
Recommended Use: Main ingredient
Ingredient: Chicken
Quality: 88/100
Freshness: 94/100
Recommended Use: Protein / Broth
Ingredient: Carrot
Quality: 76/100
Freshness: 89/100
Recommended Use: Vegetable
Ingredient: Spring Onion
Quality: 84/100
Freshness: 93/100
Recommended Use: Garnish
Ingredient: Mushroom
Quality: 90/100
Freshness: 92/100
Recommended Use: Flavor
Vash's eyes widened.
The system wasn't simply telling him whether something was good or bad.
It was breaking the ingredients down.
Quality.
Freshness.
Recommended use.
He picked up the mushrooms.
"These."
Then he checked the vegetables.
The system analyzed each one.
Vash slowly selected the best ingredients.
Carrots with better freshness.
Fresh spring onions.
The highest-quality mushrooms.
The best chicken available.
Then he noticed something.
There was a small container near the back of the kitchen.
His grandmother rarely used it.
Vash opened it.
Inside were dried herbs and spices.
He focused on them.
[INGREDIENT ANALYSIS]
Dried Herb Blend
Quality: 94/100
Freshness: 87/100
Flavor Compatibility: 96/100
Vash smiled.
"Perfect."
The system suddenly displayed another notification.
[RECIPE CONCEPT DETECTED]
[Golden Noodles]
[Potential Flavor Rating: 86/100]
Vash frowned.
"Only eighty-six?"
[Current calculation is based on selected ingredients and known cooking skill.]
Vash looked at the ingredients again.
He thought about his grandmother's cooking.
Then he thought about the boss.
A man who loved food enough to forget about collecting protection money.
This wouldn't be enough.
He needed to do better.
"Can I improve it?"
[Possible.]
"How?"
[Ingredient selection, preparation, cooking technique, seasoning balance, and timing may improve the result.]
Vash nodded.
That was exactly what he needed.
He wasn't going to rely entirely on the system.
The system could analyze.
But he had to cook.
He picked up the knife.
His hands moved slowly at first.
The vegetables were cut carefully.
Not too thick.
Not too thin.
The chicken was prepared separately.
The mushrooms were sliced into even pieces.
Vash focused on every movement.
The system occasionally appeared.
[Cutting consistency: 81%]
[Improvement detected.]
[Cutting consistency: 87%]
Vash smiled.
"So that's how it works."
The system wasn't cooking for him.
It was helping him understand what he was doing.
That made him more confident.
He started preparing the broth.
The chicken went into the pot first.
Then the vegetables.
Then the herbs.
He adjusted the heat.
Too high would ruin the flavor.
Too low would take too long.
He watched carefully.
The aroma slowly filled the kitchen.
Rohan's stomach growled.
He immediately looked embarrassed.
Vash glanced back.
"You hungry?"
"No."
Another growl came from his stomach.
Vash laughed.
"Sure."
Even the gang members began looking toward the kitchen.
The boss remained seated, but his nose seemed to have taken control of his body.
He leaned forward.
"What is that smell?"
One of his men answered.
"Probably the food, Boss."
"I know it's the food."
The boss looked toward the kitchen.
"I mean, what is he making?"
Nobody knew.
The boss waited impatiently.
Vash continued cooking.
The noodles were prepared separately.
He watched the texture carefully.
When they were ready, he transferred them into a large bowl.
Then came the broth.
He poured it slowly.
The golden-colored broth covered the noodles.
The chicken was placed carefully on top.
Then came the mushrooms, carrots, spring onions, and herbs.
Finally, Vash added a small amount of seasoning.
He stopped.
He tasted the broth.
His eyes widened slightly.
It was good.
Very good.
But something was missing.
He thought for a moment.
Then he remembered something his grandmother had told him years ago.
"Don't add too much seasoning when the ingredients are already good."
Vash smiled.
He understood.
He didn't need to make the flavor stronger.
He needed to make it balanced.
He adjusted the seasoning slightly.
Then the system appeared.
[RECIPE ANALYSIS]
Dish: Golden Noodles
Ingredient Quality: 93/100
Flavor Balance: 91/100
Aroma: 94/100
Texture: 92/100
Presentation: 89/100
Estimated Overall Rating: 92/100
Vash stared at the result.
"Ninety-two."
[Correct.]
He smiled.
Then another notification appeared.
[Cooking Skill Improvement]
[Cooking — Basic]
[Proficiency: 18% → 28%]
Vash's eyes widened.
The system was learning from his actions.
Or rather, it was recording his improvement.
He carefully picked up the bowl.
"Done."
He walked out of the kitchen.
Everyone turned toward him.
The boss stared at the bowl.
Golden broth.
Fresh vegetables.
Chicken.
Mushrooms.
The steam rising from the surface.
Even the smell was enough to make several gang members swallow.
Vash placed the bowl in front of the boss.
"Golden Noodles."
The boss looked at him.
"You made this?"
"Yes."
The boss picked up his chopsticks.
He paused.
For some reason, the entire restaurant seemed to hold its breath.
He picked up the first bite.
Then he tasted it.
His eyes widened.
He didn't speak.
He took another bite.
Then another.
His expression slowly changed.
The intimidating gang boss who had entered the restaurant demanding protection money was now staring at a bowl of noodles like it was the most important thing in the world.
He finished the noodles surprisingly quickly.
Then he drank the remaining broth.
The restaurant remained silent.
The boss placed the bowl down.
Vash waited.
The boss looked at him.
"Who taught you to cook?"
"My grandmother."
The boss turned toward Grandma.
She smiled.
"You taught him well."
Grandma nodded.
The boss looked back at the empty bowl.
Then he laughed.
"That was incredible."
Vash relaxed slightly.
The boss leaned back.
"I've eaten in expensive restaurants all over this city."
He pointed at the empty bowl.
"But this..."
He shook his head.
"This is better."
Vash's eyes widened.
"Really?"
The boss nodded.
"Better than some five-star restaurants I've been to."
The gang members immediately looked at one another.
Their boss had never praised food like this.
Then one of them asked,
"Boss, are you going to finish the whole thing yourself?"
The boss looked at the empty bowl.
He hesitated.
Then he looked at his men.
There were several of them.
They had been watching him eat the entire time.
The boss suddenly realized something.
"How many of you are hungry?"
Every hand went up.
The boss stared at them.
"You all want some?"
Everyone nodded.
He laughed.
"Fine."
Then he looked toward Vash.
"Can you make more?"
Vash looked at the ingredients.
"I can."
The boss immediately turned toward his men.
"Get more ingredients."
The men quickly moved.
Vash's grandmother smiled.
Soon, the small kitchen became busy.
Vash prepared another batch.
This time, his movements were faster.
The system continued analyzing his technique.
[Cooking Skill: 28%]
[Efficiency improved.]
[Preparation time reduced.]
Vash felt more confident with every movement.
He made bowl after bowl.
The gang members began eating.
At first, they were quiet.
Then one of them spoke.
"This is really good."
Another nodded.
"I've never had noodles like this."
A third man looked toward Vash.
"Can you make this every day?"
Vash laughed.
"Ask the boss."
Everyone looked at their boss.
He was already eating his second bowl.
The boss noticed the attention.
"What?"
One of his men smiled.
"Nothing, Boss."
The boss continued eating.
After everyone had finished, the restaurant felt completely different.
The tension that had filled the room earlier was gone.
The boss leaned back in his chair.
He looked satisfied.
Then he reached into his pocket.
He pulled out a wallet.
Vash watched as the boss took out a crisp one-hundred-dollar bill.
He held it toward Vash.
Vash stared.
"What's this?"
"Payment."
Vash looked confused.
"You don't have to—"
"I know."
The boss placed the money on the table.
"Take it."
Vash hesitated before accepting it.
The boss stood up.
Then his expression became serious.
"I came here today to collect protection money."
Grandpa remained silent.
"But I'm not taking it."
Vash looked surprised.
The boss continued.
"From tomorrow, I'll come here every day."
Vash blinked.
"Every day?"
The boss smiled.
"Yes."
He patted his stomach.
"I need to eat this again."
A few of his men laughed.
The boss pointed toward Vash.
"And you."
Vash looked at him.
"Keep improving."
Vash nodded.
"I will."
Then the boss turned toward his gang members.
His expression became completely serious.
"Listen carefully."
The men immediately straightened.
"This restaurant is not to be disturbed."
Everyone nodded.
The boss pointed toward Vash's grandparents.
"These two are to be treated with respect."
His voice became firm.
"No one causes trouble here."
Nobody spoke.
"No fighting."
The men nodded.
"No threats."
Another nod.
"And nobody asks them for protection money."
The boss looked around the restaurant.
"Understood?"
"Yes, Boss."
"Good."
He looked at Vash's grandfather.
"From today, this place is under my protection."
Grandpa looked surprised.
The boss smiled.
"Consider it a thank-you for the food."
Then he turned toward the door.
His men followed him.
Before leaving, he stopped.
He looked back at Vash.
"Tomorrow."
Vash raised an eyebrow.
"Tomorrow?"
"Be ready."
The boss pointed toward his stomach.
"I'll be hungry."
Vash laughed.
"I'll be ready."
The boss smiled and walked away.
The restaurant became quiet again.
Vash looked down at the hundred-dollar bill in his hand.
His grandfather stared at it.
His grandmother looked toward him.
Rohan was smiling.
Then the system appeared.
[COOKING CHALLENGE COMPLETE.]
[Challenge Result: SUCCESS]
[Reward: +10 System Points]
[System Points: 15 / 100]
Vash's eyes widened.
"Fifteen."
He looked at the interface.
The first five points had taken an entire day of recovery.
Now he had gained ten more from a single cooking challenge.
He smiled.
The system wasn't giving him overwhelming power.
It was giving him opportunities.
And sometimes, those opportunities were hiding in places he never expected.
Vash looked toward the empty bowls on the tables.
Then toward the kitchen.
His grandmother was already cleaning.
His grandfather was counting the day's earnings.
Rohan was still staring at the door through which the gang had disappeared.
Vash smiled.
The restaurant had survived another day.
But tomorrow would be different.
Tomorrow, the local gang boss would return.
Not to collect protection money.
But to eat.
Vash looked at the system one last time.
[System Points: 15 / 100]
He clenched his fist.
"Only eighty-five more."
And somewhere inside the damaged Ordinary System, another small piece of information was quietly recorded.
[Host has discovered an alternative method of earning System Points.]
Vash smiled.
His journey had only just begun.