"You know. You are quite good for someone who is doing it for the first time," Anna said as she and Tinkerbella reached back to the shop.
To her surprise, there was a huge line of players outside trying to get in. But because of certain restrictions, only 10 players could go into the shop at a time. It was frustrating, and the players weren't happy with this.
"Why are they taking so long inside? Just buy and leave so that we can have our turns," one of the male players, JoMama, spoke in frustration as he looked at the barrier preventing the players from entering.
"Miss Anna…" Tinkerbella had a bit of doubt wondering if she could enter with her, or should she just wait like the other players outside?
"What? Hurry! It's getting late, and it's almost lunchtime too," Anna spoke as she walked towards the shop under the gaze of the crowding players.
Tinkerbella, who was walking behind her, looked at the surprised gaze of the players. For a few seconds, they were confused about what was going on, before one of them explained what had happened an hour ago.
And once knowing how Tinkerbella got closer to this NPC, the others couldn't help but get jealous of her.
Some of them cursed their luck, but since there was nothing they could do, they drank their anger and kept quiet, waiting for their turn.
Meanwhile, Tinkerbella entered behind Anna, into the shop, surprised to see 10 more players checking the content of arrays sold there.
"Oh! This is Tinkerbella. She helped me carry those mushrooms. Come in, you don't need to stand in line… by the way. Do you know how to cook?" Anna introduced Tinkerbella to Leena, who observed her from top to bottom.
"Uh.. yeah… I do."
Tinkerbella once joined a cooking club for three months during her initial highschool days. All she wanted to do was bake some chocolates for her crush on Valentine's day, but later she stayed for a longer period since she found cooking quite relaxing.
"All right then. Come with me," Anna spoke as she went to the storeroom.
[New Quest: Let's cook a meal!]
[Grade: E
Difficulty: Easy
Description: Assist Anna in cooking a meal for 4.
Rewards:
+25 Exp!
+New Skill: Cooking!
+5 Affection Points with Leena and Anna!
+Puffed Mushroom Soup!
Remarks: Does this mark the beginning of a Master Chef?]
Looking at the quest, Tinkerbella was all smiles. She nodded before following behind Anna, while the others just kept looking at her with a baffled expression.
"Hey. Who is she?" One of them asked,
"I don't know. Tinkerbella… I don't think she is a professional player," another one added.
As the murmur was growing, Leena coughed twice before speaking,
"So. Are you going to buy anything or not?"
The players immediately shut up, stealing occasional glances at the storeroom. Though Leena didn't really mind as nobody dared to cross the reception desk and go into the storeroom.
Tinkerbella, who moved inside the storeroom, was truly baffled. The space inside the storeroom was three times more than what was at the front of the shop. And in the corner, a man was sleeping with a hat on his head.
"Come here." Anna took her to the other corner and began preparing the meal immediately. Tinkerbella was asked to give her some items and help Anna with menial tasks, which she did splendidly.
And before she knew it, she became engrossed in the cooking as well.
30 minutes later.
[+25 Exp!]
[Your status with the NPC Anna has risen from (Stranger) to (Acquaintance)!]
[New Skill: Cooking(Common)!]
[Effects: Allows the user to cook food more efficiently! May produce additional effects!]
"It's just a cooking skill. What was I even expecting?" Tinkerbella was happy to get the skill, but for some reason she hoped to get more out of it.
"Cooking is a great skill, you know?" A manly voice appeared from behind, making Tinkerbella shriek and turn around. For a moment she relaxed as she saw it was the same man who was sleeping on the other side…
But then when she saw the name and level of that NPC…
[??? Lvl ???]
"AAAAH-!!!" She shouted before covering her mouth while Anna looked at her with a confused look.
"They say that the more you use a skill, the more it grows," that guy smiled as he looked at Tinkerbella before patting her head. While Anna spoke,
"Master. Lunch will be served in a few minutes."
Wesker nodded before speaking," I will go call Leena."
"Tinkerbella. Help me here," Anna spoke, making Tinkerbella snap back to reality before she nodded and began helping with the dishes.
Honestly, this was not how she dreamed of playing this game, but for some reason, she didn't mind. This way of playing suited her more than all that fighting and stuff.
Wesker came back with Leena, but he wasn't alone. There were two more players with him this time.
[Black Scythe Lvl 3!]
[Raven Lvl 3!]
Both the players had completed the quest that Wesker gave them, and because they happened to sell all the arrays, Adam gave them an [Array of Life!] each, which would restore 50% of their health in an instant.
They were surprised to be called in for lunch by Wesker, but it was a welcome surprise.
Both Raven and Black Scythe looked at Tinkerbella for a moment, before moving to the lunch table and sitting in a circle.
"You didn't say that there will be more people. We only prepared for 4 people," Anna spoke while Wesker clicked his fingers and.
-Whoosh!
A bunch of complementary food items appeared with the lunch. Not only did those compliment the food better, but was enough to equally distribute the entire food among 6 people.
"Better?" Wesker smiled, making Anna glare a little before shaking her head as she took the first bite, followed by Leena and Wesker
Though hesitant, Tinkerbella took the first bit as well.
[You have gained a temporary strength boost of 10% for 2 hours!]
Her eyes widened as she then looked at the other dishes for a while before picking them up and biting them.
[You have gained a temporary intelligence boost of 10% for 2 hours!]
Looking at her shocked expression, both Raven and Black Scythe understood that there was more to the food than it seems. And both of them also took their first bite…
"!!??" And shocked as they looked at each other before taking another bite.
Looking at their enthusiasm, Adam smiled while Anna seemed happy with how they were eating.
"This is so good!" Tinkerbella spoke out, and Raven and Black Scythe agreed immediately. Making Anna blush a little. While her cooking was good, it was rare to get compliments cause mostly Adam and Leena ate them.
The lunch lasted for about 20 minutes, before Wesker looked at the players before speaking.
"I am glad that you guys liked the food. But if it is alright with you, would you listen to a small request of mine?"
[New Quest: Delivering the message to the Dryad!]
[Grade: F
Difficulty: Easy
Description: The matter of grave importance, bestowed upon the great heroes from the other world. You are presented with a letter by Wesker, the owner of the Everyday Arrays, to pass it on to the Dryad of the Nahida Forest.
Time Limit: 6 Hours!
Limitations: Bound to Tinkerbella, Raven and Black Scythe!
Rewards:
+50 Exp!
+Free entry to Everyday Arrays
+[Title: Messenger]
Remark: The markings of an extraordinary adventure begin from your nearby local shop.]