[SP-PT-F01] A Recipe for Adventure | «Earning a Living: Cook»

[Scar 0]

Post Action: Talking to Maggie

—

Jack pushed open the tavern door, and a wave of warmth hit him like a friendly shove. The smell inside was impossible to ignore: roasting meat, sizzling onions, fresh herbs, and a faint sweetness that teased his curiosity, and his stomach, simultaneously. He froze in the doorway, taking in the cozy chaos. Wooden tables gleamed under the soft afternoon sunlight filtering through the windows. Patrons murmured quietly over mugs of ale, the occasional laugh punctuating their conversation. From the kitchen came the rhythmic clatter of knives, the hiss of a hot pan, and the faint whiff of something baking, something sugary.

"Hi hun!" A cheerful voice called out, slicing through the din of the room. Jack's head snapped toward it. A woman, middle-aged but lively, poked her blonde head out from the kitchen. Her amber eyes sparkled like polished honey, and her warm smile seemed tor each across the tavern like sunlight. "We've got a bunch of different meals in the works, so what is that you're hungry for?"

Jack shifted his weight from one foot to the other, suddenly feeling very conspicuous. He had faced monsters, dodged arrows, and navigated countless dungeons, but standing here, in a tavern, talking about cooking, made him feel.. strangely exposed. Taking a deep breath, he said, "I want someone to teach me how to cook."

The woman's face lit up instantly. "Oh, my goodness, I would just love to teach you my favorite recipes. Unfortunately, today's lunch wiped out most of our ingredients. If it isn't too much of a bother, would you mind picking up a few things?"

Jack nodded, reaching for the small list she handed him. It was neatly folded, the handwriting careful and precise. He tucked it into his pocket and felt a mixture of curiosity and anticipation stir in his chest. Simple enough..

Stepping back outside, the sunlight seemed almost sharper, the world more vibrant than before. Leaves rustled gently in the breeze, birds called to one another in bursts of song, and the distant chatter of townsfolk preparing for the afternoon market carried faintly on the wind. The thrill of adventure was still there, but quieter, subtler. No monsters, no swords, no armor, just materials to collect. Somehow, that made his pulse quicken in a new way.

Jack adjusted the strap of his pack and looked at the path leading toward the grove she had mentioned. Each step felt oddly significant, a small test of focus and patience. He realized that this quest, gathering materials, learning to cook, creating something with his own hands, might challenge him in ways he hadn’t expected. There were no battles here, but there was still a kind of discipline, a careful attention to detail, and a small thrill in discovery.

With a deep breath, Jack set off toward the first area where the materials could be found, letting the sounds of the village, the soft rustle of leaves, and the faint, homely aroma of the tavern linger in his mind. This was a different kind of adventure, one that promised rewards of a quieter, but no less satisfying, sort.

* * *

PT:
Unspent SP: 35 SP
Removed | Katana R5 --> +30 SP
Removed | Cloth Armor R5 --> +30 SP

Added | Keen Sight R5 --> -25 SP; +10 LD
Added | Discerning R7 --> -70 SP; +7 CD; +7 LD

Spoiler

Level 32:
HP: 640/640 | EN: 102/102 | DMG: 1 | BH: 7 | LD: 24 | CD: 9 | True Tier: 4

skills

Spoiler

| skills

mod count: 0/5

• KEEN SIGHT | RANK 5
  • [BASE: Proficiency] +10 LD
• DISCERNING | RANK 9
  • [BASE: Proficiency] +9 CD; +9 LD
• ENERGIST | RANK 1/1
  • [BASE: Proficiency] + 20 EN
• BATTLE HEALING | RANK 1/5
  • [BASE: Proficiency] Restore 1% of MAX HP per turn.
• SEARCHING | RANK 5/5
  • [BASE: Proficiency] +5 LD; +5 SD
• SURVIVAL | RANK 1/1
  • +10% received healing. Immune to all environmental attacks/effects.

| expenditure

Spoiler

Total SP: 160 | Spent: 157 | Unspent: 3

1. SKILL: Keen Sight (25)
2. SKILL: Discerning (90)
3. SKILL: Energist (8)
4. SKILL: Battle Healing (4)
5. SKILL: Searching (30)

 

equipment

Spoiler

basic clothes [#000000] | TIERLESS | VANITY
[desc.]: What every new adventurer wears.

basic leggings [#000000] | TIERLESS | VANITY
[desc.]: What every new adventurer wears.
 

 

WC: 518

Edited 22 hours ago by Scar

[Scar 0]

Post Action: Gathering materials for Maggie (2/5)

—

Jack stepped onto the sun-drenched plains, the tavern now a faint warmth behind him, replaced by the vast openness of rolling grasslands stretching toward the horizon. A gentle breeze tugged at his coat, carrying the faint scent of wildflowers, fresh grass, and distant soil turned rich and dark by the morning sun. The plains were alive with quiet movement: birds calling to one another, insects buzzing in the tall grass, and the occasional rustle hinting at small creatures hidden among the greenery.

He adjusted the strap of his pack and studied the landscape. No monsters, no traps, no danger, at least not of the usual variety. Just materials to collect, and a quiet, open space that demanded his attention. Simple enough, Jack thought, letting the tension in his shoulders ease. Patience, observation, and a steady hand. That’s all this requires.

Jack knelt near a cluster of plants swaying gently in the breeze. The first materials were easy enough to spot: leaves, stalks, and blooms that seemed to glimmer with vitality in the sunlight. He examined each one carefully before gathering it, making sure not to disturb the roots or damage anything. The scent of fresh green filled the air as he worked, sharp and earthy, and he inhaled deeply, letting it ground him. The rhythm of the work was oddly meditative, the motion of bending, picking, and storing each piece settling a calmness over him that he rarely felt outside a battle.

After a few minutes, he had gathered his first material. A small rush of satisfaction coursed through him. One down, four to go, he reminded himself. As he adjusted his pack, his eyes caught sight of another patch of unusual plants nearby, their leaves shimmering faintly in the sunlight. Curiosity tugged at him, and he approached carefully. Gently, he picked a small portion, realizing that this could serve as an additional material. A quiet thrill ran through him; even though it wasn’t required, finding more than he expected felt like a small personal victory.

Now with two materials in his pack, Jack looked across the wide expanse of the plains. The remaining three pieces of the puzzle lay somewhere out there, hidden among the rolling grass, wildflowers, and scattered rocks. He scanned the horizon, plotting where to search next. The openness was deceptively simple, it required focus, patience, and careful observation to spot what might otherwise blend into the scenery.

Jack took a deep breath and began walking toward a distant rise, letting his senses absorb the gentle sounds and subtle scents of the plains. The swaying grass brushed against his legs, and the sun beat pleasantly down on his shoulders. Each step was deliberate, each glance a search for the next clue, the next hidden material. He felt a quiet satisfaction in the challenge, not one of swords or spells, but of observation, awareness, and persistence.

Somewhere beyond the next hill, Jack knew the remaining materials awaited. This task was simple, yet it carried its own small thrill, a sense of discovery that he hadn’t expected. With a small smile, he adjusted his pack and continued forward, ready to see what the plains would reveal next.

* * *

Spoiler

foraging.

ID: 256799 | LD: 11+24= 35 | CD: 9+7= 16 | Success; bonus material!

+16 EXP; +2 materials

WC: 529

Edited 21 hours ago by Scar

[Scar 0]

Post Action: Gathering materials for Maggie (4/5)

—

Jack scanned the horizon, letting his eyes roam over the gentle waves of grass, the occasional clusters of wildflowers, and the scattered stones that dotted the plains. The sun hung high, warm but not oppressive, and a light breeze carried the scent of earth and wild growth. Each step was deliberate, each glance a careful search for something out of the ordinary. After all, the plains were wide and open, but the materials he needed weren’t going to announce themselves, they required attention, patience, and a little luck.

He moved toward a small rise in the distance, where the grass grew slightly taller and more tangled. The subtle shift in color caught his eye: a faint shimmer amid the green, almost like sunlight dancing on a hidden surface. Jack crouched, brushing his fingers through the blades of grass. There it was, a plant unlike any he’d seen before. Its leaves were sturdy yet delicate, the stems nodding slightly under the breeze. Carefully, he plucked a portion, examining it briefly before tucking it safely into his pack. One more of the materials accounted for.

Jack leaned back for a moment, letting the gentle wind soothe his rising excitement. He had expected this task to be simple, almost mundane, but each find brought its own thrill. The rhythm of scanning, bending, picking, and storing was oddly satisfying, almost meditative. And just as he prepared to move on, his attention was drawn to a small cluster of silvery-green leaves nearby, partially hidden behind a larger bush.

Curiosity tugged him forward. Jack knelt, brushing aside stray blades of grass, and discovered the plant fully: a variety he hadn’t noticed before, its leaves shimmering faintly as if dusted with morning frost. He hesitated for a split second, then carefully gathered a few stems. Though not explicitly required, it could serve as an additional material, another small reward for his observation and diligence. His pack now held four materials, and a quiet satisfaction filled him: two required, one bonus from earlier, and this new bonus.

The plains around him were alive with subtle movement. A flock of small birds lifted from the grass, startled by his presence, and a distant rabbit darted into cover. Jack’s eyes lingered on the horizon, scanning for the remaining material he still needed. The openness that had seemed so peaceful moments ago now felt like a gentle challenge: he needed patience, attentiveness, and a willingness to explore. Each small success reinforced the idea that adventure didn’t always have to be dangerous to be rewarding.

Jack paused again, leaning on his knees to catch his breath and adjust his pack. The weight of the four gathered materials was comforting, a tangible sign of progress. He let himself take a moment to enjoy the breeze, the warm sunlight, and the quiet music of the plains, the soft rustle of grass, the distant calls of birds, and the faint whisper of wind over the land.

A small smile tugged at his lips. This was different from any battle he had fought, any dungeon he had cleared. It was quieter, slower, and yet it demanded a different sort of skill: observation, patience, and care. With renewed focus, he rose and started moving toward a distant patch of low shrubs, the last stretch of his journey for today’s gathering. The plains stretched on, golden waves of grass rolling gently under the sun, and somewhere among them awaited the final material, and perhaps even another surprise, if he was lucky.

Jack straightened his shoulders, adjusting the strap of his pack. Four materials now, and a sense of quiet pride settled over him. He could feel the rhythm of the plains, the pulse of life in every blade of grass and rustling leaf. With one more push, he thought, he could complete his task, or maybe even stumble upon yet another bonus.

* * *

Spoiler

foraging.

ID: 256800 | LD: 12+24=36  | CD: 3+7= 10 | Success; bonus material!

+16 EXP; +2 materials

WC: 644

Edited 20 hours ago by Scar

[Scar 0]

Post Action: Gathering materials for Maggie (5/5)

—

The wind had grown cooler as the sun began its slow drift across the sky. The once-bright light mellowed into gold, brushing the plains in warmth and long, dancing shadows. Jack's footsteps left faint impressions in the grass behind him, a wandering trail that marked his quiet progress through the open land. Four materials now rested safely in his inventory, each one a small victory of patience and luck. All that remained was the last piece.

He moved further from the main path, toward a patch of uneven ground where the grass thinned into rougher soil. The change in terrain caught his attention, the dirt here was darker, richer, and the air carried a faint, earthy scent. Jack crouched and sifted through the sparse vegetation, fingers brushing over loose soil, stones, and dry stems. His focus sharpened. This was the sort of place where something unusual might grow.

A flicker of color caught his eye, a muted orange tucked between two small stones. Jack leaned closer, brushing the grass aside to reveal a plant with sturdy, spiked leaves and a cluster of bright, waxy bulbs at its base. It looked resilient, thriving in the harsher soil where softer plants had given up. He smiled faintly at that. Carefully, he worked the plant free, brushing off the excess dirt before slipping it into his pack alongside the others.

That was it. The last one.

Jack straightened slowly, rolling his shoulders and exhaling through his nose. The tension he hadn't realized he'd been carrying melted away. For the first time since he stepped into the plains, he wasn't searching, he was finished. The realization brought a small wave of relief, followed by a quiet pride.

He looked into his inventory and then out across the open expanse around him. The plains stretched endlessly, shifting hues under the evening sun, green fading into gold, gold into a deep, mellow amber. The horizon rippled gently, broken only by a few scattered trees and the distant shimmer of water reflecting the sky. It was beautiful in its simplicity, untouched and alive.

Jack took a slow breath, letting the air fill his lungs. There was something grounding about it, the scent of grass, soil, and the faint sweetness of wildflowers carried on the wind. For a moment, he just stood there, taking it all in. The plains weren't loud or dramatic like the dungeons or towns he'd seen before. They didn't need to be. Their beauty lay in the quiet rhythm of life that persisted here, the whisper of wind through the stalks, the call of birds overhead, the hum of insects hidden among the blades.

He found himself thinking of Maggie and her tavern, the warmth of the kitchen, and the aroma that had pulled him in. Soon, he'd return with everything she needed to teach him how to cook. It was strange, he hadn't expected this small errand to feel like an adventure, but it did. Not the kind marked by danger or combat, but one defined by patience, care, and discovery.

Jack adjusted the strap of his pack, the weight of the gathered materials steady against his back. The wind tugged at his coat as he turned toward the distant outline of the town. He didn't move yet. Instead, he lingered, eyes tracing the horizon one last time.

The plains glowed under the soft, late-day light, endless, calm, and quietly alive. For the first time since arriving in this world, Jack allowed himself to simply stand still and appreciate it. No quests. No fights. Just the world, vast and open before him.

He smiled faintly, a small, content expression that came naturally for once. Then, with a slow breath and a final glance over his shoulder, he began the walk back toward Maggie's tavern. The gathering was done. The real lesson, whatever that might mean, was about to begin.

* * *

Spoiler

foraging.

ID: - | LD: 4+24= 28  | CD: 1 | Success!

+8 EXP; +1 material

WC: 646

Edited 5 hours ago by Scar

[Scar 0]

Jack trudged through the golden grass of the plains, his pack a comforting weight against his shoulders. The sun had begun its slow descent, painting the sky in streaks of soft orange, pale pink, and muted lavender. Each blade of grass caught the light differently, casting a gentle shimmer across the rolling hills. He slowed his pace, letting the world open up around him, taking in the quiet spectacle.

The breeze tugged at his coat and lifted loose strands of hair across his face, carrying the earthy scents of the plains, warm soil, wildflowers, and the faint tang of distant water. Jack tilted his head back, letting the wind brush over him, and felt a rare, unhurried sense of peace. The plains had a rhythm of their own, soft and steady, and for a while he let himself fall into it, matching the pace of his steps to the sway of the tall grass.

Here and there, small bursts of life caught his eye. A family of birds darted through the air, weaving between the hills and disappearing behind a cluster of shrubs. A rabbit paused mid-hop, ears twitching as it studied him, then bounded off into the undergrowth. Even the insects seemed to move with purpose, skipping across flowers and grass blades in delicate, erratic patterns. Jack found himself smiling at the tiny choreography of the world, the way each living thing followed its own simple rules, unaware of the broader concerns that so often consumed him.

He paused on the crest of a small hill, looking back over the path he had taken. The plains stretched endlessly, a rolling tapestry of gold and green, softened by the late-day light. Shadows lengthened and shifted with the sun's angle, highlighting dips and rises in the terrain that had seemed uniform from a distance. Jack squinted, appreciating the subtle variations, the way the light played across the grass, the occasional shimmer of dew clinging to the stems, the gentle ripple of wind like waves frozen in time.

His thoughts drifted briefly to Maggie, the tavern, and the kitchen where the scents of cooking had first drawn him in. Soon he would return with the materials, and that strange, domestic adventure would begin. But for now, he allowed himself to linger in this quiet space, to breathe in the expanse and feel the simplicity of the world around him. There was a satisfaction in it, a reminder that not all progress required conflict or danger. Some victories came quietly, in patience and observation.

Jack stepped carefully down the slope, letting his gaze sweep over the plains again. Each step seemed to carry him farther not just across the land, but into a kind of stillness he rarely experienced. The horizon stretched endlessly, the sky gradually darkening at the edges, turning the clouds into shades of soft violet and amber. The distant hills seemed to hum with life, their contours softened by the evening light. Jack imagined that if he stayed long enough, he might see the stars begin to appear, one by one, like tiny pinpricks in a vast canvas.

For a long moment, he simply walked, letting his eyes drift over the scene, letting the wind, the colors, and the quiet fill his senses. This was a rare kind of adventure, one without immediate stakes or enemies, but no less rewarding. He felt it settle into him, a memory that would linger even after he returned to the familiar warmth of Maggie's tavern.

Finally, the outline of the village came into view, the familiar shapes of rooftops and chimneys rising above the distant trees. Jack's pace quickened slightly, but he didn't rush. One last glance at the plains behind him, one last inhale of the wind and the scents, and he carried the tranquility of the open land with him as he began the walk toward Maggie's door.

* * *

WC: 647

[Scar 0]

Post Action: Crafting an item with Maggie's guidance

—

PH

* * *

Spoiler

cooking.

ID: - | CD: - | Rolling

WC: