CH 32

Learning cooking skills could guarantee an increase in the quality of the dish. The most important improvement would be on the taste and flavor of the dish. Acquiring cooking skills would also allow the player to gain Dexterity (DEX). Dexterity (DEX) was a very helpful stat in almost all areas of expertise. 

However, it was a very difficult stat to increase. Once a chef player invested points in their DEX, the flavor and taste of their dish would have a significant increase in quality. At the same time, this change would only be noticeable if the DEX had reached twenty. For example, if a player chose to increase their STR, they would get an increase of +3 in their physical attack power. For DEX, increasing it to +20 would result in a +1 in flavor.

In any case, what was the reason why Minhyuk played this game? Was it not because he wanted to enjoy food? The reasons stated above were more than enough to make Minhyuk desire to increase and hone his DEX. However, there was just one problem…

'The DEX stat, like reputation, can't be increased with bonus points.’ 

In addition, DEX could only be increased through performing repetitive motions or special circumstances, such as creating something outstanding or spectacular.

'From what I heard, repeatedly practicing a skill until mastery will let me gain a DEX point.'

In other words, Minhyuk would be able to gain DEX, as long as he repeatedly practiced his cooking skills. The same was true for other skills that required DEX. As long as the player practiced their skills repetitively, they would be able to increase their DEX.

“Yes! I’m very grateful that you’re willing to teach me. I will do my best!” 

[Quest: Acquisition of Cooking Skills]

Rank: C

Requirement: Attained Len's favor 

Rewards: Cooking skills

Penalty for Failure: You won't be able to learn cooking skills for 3 months. 

Description: The skilled chef Len told you that he will teach you how to cook. The basic skills needed to cook are cutting, chopping and slicing. Fill your Knife Skill bar to 100%!

“Alright. I’ll teach you how to hold a knife,” Len said, holding out a blue kitchen knife to Minhyuk. Then, he proceeded to teach Minhyuk how to hold a knife properly. He carefully pointed out where Minhyuk should place his palms and fingers, until he was able to hold it properly.

"You have to use your thumb and index finger to hold a knife properly. Your other three fingers will support the knife. Go on, grab the top of the blade of the knife with your thumb and index finger. Hold it tightly, and make sure that the knife is stable. Most people would usually grab the handle of the knife with all of their fingers.” 

"Aha, I see. So that's how you do it," Minhyuk said. In fact, that was how he was holding the knife already. 

"You may have noticed that the color of the knife and the chopping board are the same. Do you have an idea why that is the case?"

“Why is the color of the knife and the chopping board the same? Let’s see… Hmm… Is it because the blue knife and chopping board are only used to chop vegetables?” 

"Oh. Boy, how did you know?" Len asked, looking at Minhyuk in surprise.

In fact, Minhyuk had always been watching the chefs closely while he did his chores in the cooking carriage. He saw them use the six-degree edged red knife and red chopping board when they were cutting meat, while the blue knife and chopping board were used when chopping vegetables. That was how he knew.

“Unlike what others think, there are set rules and regulations inside a kitchen. This is one of the most basic rules. What would you do if you saw a restaurant using the same chopping board and knife to process all of their ingredients?”

"I'll report them!" 

"That's right," Len said, grinning at Minhyuk. In fact, Len had already thought about teaching Minhyuk how to cook earlier. After all, he made this promise and offered it as a quest reward. However, the more he talked to him, the more satisfied he became. 

'His eyes are sparkling.' 

To Len, Minhyuk looked like a student who thoroughly enjoyed learning. Minhyuk also treated the soldiers well. He was generally kind to everyone.

At that moment, Minhyuk began to chop an onion.

"Wait,” Len said as he stopped him.

"Eh?" 

"You're pushing the knife. What you're doing is not chopping, but crushing." 

"Ah…" 

"You have to pull and slice. There are plenty of reasons for pulling and slicing, but the most important reason is freshness.”

"Freshness?" 

"That’s right. The freshness of the onion will last longer if you pull and slice. Push the onion together with your left hand’s knuckles as you slice it so that it would not slide everywhere.”

"Oh…!" Minhyuk let out a gasp. The information that he was learning was very useful. Just following Len’s instructions was enough to make him feel that his skills have leveled up. Len taught him for a while before going out of the carriage. He was dragging a sack filled with radishes when he came back.

"These are all bad radishes. We didn't throw it away because Brock uses it for knife practice. Use these to practice."

"Yes!" 

"Boy. You're not going to chop it with that mysterious skill of yours, right?" 

"No, sir. Heh..." Minhyuk chuckled awkwardly. In fact, Minhyuk could really use that method to finish his task. However, he truly believed that learning how to use the knife was an important part of this learning experience. It was an essential part of learning how to cook.

"Ah, you can eat the hard bread, soft bread, and milk left in the storage. You can also eat the leftover spaghetti from the meal earlier." 

"Oh, oh, oooooooh...! Thank you! Captain Len, you're the best!" 

‘Look at this guy.’

WIthout knowing it, Len’s gaze towards Minhyuk had already become kinder, warmer. After all, Minhyuk was a hard-working boy. He thought to himself, 'It will take him one whole day to finish the entire sack.' 

Minhyuk immediately practiced on the radishes the moment Len went out.

Chop… Chop… Chop…

Just the sound of the knife hitting the chopping board could tell anyone listening in that the person chopping the vegetable was not experienced. However, Minhyuk still felt happy as he continued to do his task.

'I can make more delicious food!' 

It had been established that whatever Minhyuk set his mind on, he would give his utmost. Besides, a person would not be able to fully express their happiness at discovering and completing a new and fresh achievement. 

Minhyuk was left immersed in his chopping task. An hour flew by in a flash. However, his proficiency did not improve at all. The only difference was that he was starting to gain confidence in himself. He decided to take a short break before continuing his chopping exercise.

"Yo, new recruit. Are you doing well?" 

"Yes!" 

"Let's see,” Brock said as he stood beside him to check his work. However, Brock was shocked at what he saw.

'What the hell, why is he so good at it?!' 

Minhyuk was much better than what he thought. Although the chopped radishes were still a bit messy and sloppy, his speed was already increasing. Skilled chefs were known for their quick knife skills. They could use their knife quickly with little to no error. Speed was crucial, especially when dealing with plenty of ingredients. However, for a beginner, gaps and intervals were commonplace.

Four hours later… 

Chop, chop, chop… chop, chop, chop!

Minhyuk was still chopping the radishes. Just then, he suddenly frowned and cried, "Ouch..."

Anyone was bound to develop blisters in their hands, after grabbing the blade of the knife with their thumb and index finger for a long period of time. That was the case for Minhyuk. There was a bright red spot on his hand. It was tingling in pain, but Minhyuk gritted his teeth and continued to push through.

After four more hours… 

Chop, chop… chop, chop… chop, chop, chop! 

The sound of the gaps from his knife work was slowly decreasing. Brock was shocked to see him still doing the exercise when he came back to check on him. He shouted, "You…you've been using the knife all this time?! Ever since earlier?!" 

"Yes, that's right!" Minhyuk answered him lightly.

Brock could only shake his head in defeat as he asked, "Are your hands not hurting?" 

"It's fine. I feel like I'm getting a bit better!" 

It was true. Minhyuk’s knife skill proficiency had increased to 68% after almost half a day of repetition.

'What kind of will does this person possess?' 

When Brock first started learning from Len, he could only endure practicing an hour every day. The reason was because his hands hurt so much. However, Minhyuk had endured that pain. He was able to finish an entire sack of radish, and right now, he was even reaching out for another sack.

Chop, chop… chop, chop… chop!

The sound of the knife hitting the chopping board had long become constant and rhythmic. Just listening to it could make one assume that Minhyuk was an experienced kitchen hand. Brock himself was also completely shocked to witness it.

'The gap... There's almost none...!' 

Minhyuk was probably unaware, but the more his skill increased, the more proficient he was in handling the knife. He was bound to improve his knife skills. After all, he did not even rest and just continued to practice!

Chop, chop, chop, chop!

Minhyuk finished chopping the radish.

'T…the radish did not move...!' 

The radish that Minhyuk chopped did not move… It was only his knife that moved. To others, it would seem as if lines had been drawn on the radish. However, the chopped radish laid down, spread out beautifully on the chopping board, the moment Minhyuk pressed on it with the blade of his knife.

Brock let out a gasp in surprise.

***

Len had entrusted the dinner menu to Brock before going to the nearest grass field from the subjugation troops’ camp.

'Rovel Grass.' 

Rovel grass was a delicacy that could only be found in Athenae. It tasted similar to wormwood in reality. Fresh and wild rovel grass tasted significantly better compared to farmed rovel grasses. That was why Len worked hard to harvest them outside. After harvesting rovel grass for quite a while, Len finally decided to go back to the cooking carriage. On his way back, Len met with the subjugation troops’ captain, Vald.

"Oh, Len. You received a new recruit this time, huh? The soldiers are very fond of him, or so I've heard?" 

"Yeah, I took one in." 

"What made you accept him? You're not very fond of foreigners, right?" 

"He works very hard. And..." Len shook his head, the rest of his words turning into a mumble. However, he continued to say, "It's just because he’s working much harder than what I thought."

"Is that so? Hmm, that's quite a relief." 

For some strange reason, the conversation between the two of them did not sound like a conversation between a squad leader and a chef. It did not sound like a conversation between a senior knight and a lower-ranked knight either. However, the flow was natural. That was because… 

Len was once an imperial chef. He was also the Imperial Palace’s main chef. However, he was framed and convicted with false charges. He was then demoted here in the subjugation troops.

"Ah, what's on the menu for dinner today?" 

"Tonkatsu." 

"Oh, my mouth is already watering just thinking about your tonkatsu." 

"Fufu, look forward to it." 

After their conversation ended, Len turned around and continued to walk back to the cooking carriage. He recalled the words that he muttered under his breath earlier.

'Because he resembled me quite a bit.' 

Len felt that the foreigner named Minhyuk resembled him a little. He was still unsure before, but he felt it even more when he was teaching him how to cook. Minhyuk reminded Len of himself from the past.

'Did he finish at least half of it?' Len thought as he entered the cooking carriage.

"How's the tonkatsu coming along?" 

"Yes, it's almost done. By the way, Captain, look at that guy over there." 

"Huh?" 

Chop— chop, chop, chop, chop, chop!

The rhythmic sound of the knife on the chopping board rang loudly inside the carriage. Len thought that Brock was chopping vegetables when he heard the sound. However, Brock was busy manning the frying pan and making tonkatsu. The one chopping the vegetables was none other than the player named Minhyuk. Len was astonished at the sight.

‘The… the sound of the knife is neat…!’

The intervals and gaps of the knife chopping the onion was regular and fast. This was a completely shocking sight. Len couldn’t help but ask, "H, how...?" 

Then, Minhyuk turned around.

***

Minhyuk turned slightly and greeted Len with a bow. Then…

[You have achieved 100% proficiency in your Knife Skill.] 

[You have gained 10 DEX.] 

[The effect of Food God’s Greatness has been triggered.] 

[You have learned the highest level of cooking skill.] 

[You have learned Food God's Cooking Skill.] 

[You have learned Food God's Cooking Acquisition.] 

[You have learned Ingredient Tracking.] 

[You have learned Trance.] 

"...Huh?" Minhyuk muttered dumbly. A sudden list of skills suddenly popped out in front of him. He did not know if it was because he learned and practiced diligently, but it seemed like he had learned Food God’s Cooking Skill, and even mastered the highest level of cooking.

'...Food God’s Greatness?' 

The Food God’s Greatness under his Food God skill window showed another line. It was the skill with a lot of ‘???’ on it.

'Ho…' 

The unexpected turn of events had brought Minhyuk delight. He wanted to check all of his newly acquired skills!

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