A week had passed since that conflict in the cafeteria. After that day, the two seniors never showed their faces before Jin’s group, and he could peacefully spend his school life.
The warm sun rose from the east, bathing the entire land with golden grace. A spring breeze billowed as it caressed his cheek, coupled with a distant echo of the clanking hamr that sounded like a tune soothing his ragged mind.
After a long week of studying in the classroom, which he had already mastered, it slowly put a strain on his mind, so he decided to take a rest on holiday.
Jin walked around the bustling street. His gaze swept over the buzzing crowds, alone.
At first, Jin asked the other girls if they wanted to spend their holiday together, but they rejected him because they had agendas.
He was curious and tried to probe them, but after getting three sets of glaring eyes, Jin backed off, choosing not to plunge himself into the lioness’s den.
Wandering aimlessly within the unfamiliar town, Jin enjoyed the advanced civilization. They reminded him a bit of his old world, with buildings like blocks, utilizing a small space to build many.
Jin stopped midway. His body was forward, but his face was turned to the side, and he noticed sothing familiar.
’No way, is that!?’. His eyes widened in shock as curiosity filled him in. Jin approached the shop.
"Welco".
A man in his thirties greeted him with a smile. He had short green hair and was wearing a T-shirt with rolled sleeves. A towel was coiled around his forehead.
The boy didn’t register the man’s greeting. His erald eyes were glued on the distinctive black cast iron pan with many holes.
The man leaned forward. "Heya, kid, are you interested in trying so?".
Jin hesitated, then lifted his gaze to et the clerk. "...Is this Takoyaki?".
"Hoho, this custor sure knows what’s sprouting in the market," the man said, pausing to give Jin a round of applause. "Yes, it was a new food that our company developed."
He shifted his attention toward the paper plastered on the side-opened window. Jin listed the nu, which was divided into three categories.
"I’m sorry, but is there any difference from this nu?".
"Alright, let explain...".
The three sets of nus were each designed for commoners, middle-class, and upper-class people, depending on their financial situation.
But of course, the higher the price to pay, the greater the benefit of buying the food.
Jin widened his eyes upon hearing the upper nu offer an enhancent in refreshnt and power each ti he swallowed the food.
He pondered for a mont before raising his three fingers. "I will buy all of them, and in big portions."
The clerk blinked. He stared at the boy for several seconds before snapping and flipping the switch in his mind. "Alright, please wait for a bit."
As the man pumped up by the big order incoming, Jin stared at his back and witnessed sothing new. The clerk’s body faintly glowed in gold; it was the effect of his talent that blossod in front of the stove.
Jin waited patiently on the outside, his back felt warm as the heat from the inside seeped through his casual outfit.
He humd along as the sizzling oil fried the batter. The tangy sll of the sea made his nose twitch in response. ’This must be the filling’.
The boy peeked through the glass and witnessed a cubic dice of tentacle feet subrged into the batter, making his lips salivate and stomach protest in a growl.
Jin once again looked toward the nu, and in the corner of the parchnt, it said. ’Tojima rchant. I’ll rember that na’.
After waiting several minutes, the man packed everything up in a box. His hands blurred and parched every al with its toppings.
"Heya, it’s finished. Three sets of nus with big portions. The total sum would be six gold and six silver."
Jin slipped a hand in his pocket, summoned seven gold coins, and placed them on the shop table.
"Thank you, and keep the change".
"No, no, kid, our store didn’t receive tips." The man hurriedly snatched the coins and took four silver coins. "House rules".
"Alright". Jin received the four coins and bid farewell to the stall, bringing a triple bento box shimred with heat.
"Where should I enjoy it?".
Jin looked around while storing the food in his Item Box to ensure it was fresh. After a couple of minutes of searching, he arrived at the central town in a circular shape.
A stone fountain stood in the middle of the town. It was huge and well-maintained. Crystal clear water flowed gently from the sculptured altar, cascading down with glittering light under the glaring sun.
Surrounding the fountains, several steel benches were erected, and Jin occupied one of them.
He looked around the place, which had fewer souls than the previous place. But that was a good thing, as he could enjoy his food in silence.
With a flick of his finger, a lunch box appeared beside him, and Jin slid open the cloth to reveal a layered wooden box.
The boy opened the first box. Inside was a simple Tatoyaki, with its round shapes, draped with a simple sauce and no bonito flakes.
Jin took the wooden fork that the man had prepared beforehand. His stomach roared, unable to hold back the delicious aroma tickling his nose.
"Let’s dig in". Jin said his prayer.
As he dug the fork into the ball, it pierced smoothly and burst with steam. He raised it before his mouth and gave it several blows.
The mont he took a bite, a crisp texture and creamy center lted Jin’s expression. The dough was savory and rich with a hint of dashi that enhanced the flavour.
A tender and slightly chewy octopus inside loosened the glans in his eyes as he recalled his previous hotown.
Jin’s hand never stopped as he put piece after piece of the ball, enjoying his als silently. He blows the ball once, twice before putting it in his mouth. "Uum, this is bliss".
The boy leaned toward his back, exhaling gently. He wished this peace could accompany him for a bit longer.
#####
[Character Quest opened!]
[Character Quest: The Magic Saint, Last Stand!]
Detail: Swayed between options, choose a dark path and at the end sacrifice oneself for the good of others while carrying a deep regret and grief for those who are close to it
Reward: Skill Limit Break
Failure: Death
#####
"Damn, what a flag I just triggered". Jin leaned forward. He inhaled deeply to soothe his pounding heart.
His brows furrowed as he watched the blue panel blocking his view, and he clicked his tongue. "I hate riddle words like this".
Jin exhaled, leaning his back to rest from the sudden exhaustion that enveloped him like a curse.
He raised the wooden box, which was now empty. He glanced at his side, wanting to take the other box to fill his stomach, but he lost the will to do so.
All that hunger and blissful ti snapped into oblivion. The boy stored the other box and lifted his gaze up, watching the blue sky stretch endlessly.
"Who is Magic Saint?". Jin’s brows knitted, skimming through his vast mories.
But, no matter how hard he searched, no heroine or character had that na.
"Is it Talent? But who has it? It was impossible between Heroine, for I faintly recalled their Talents".
The boy sat alone, trapped in his own swirling thoughts. He didn’t even notice that the sun had slightly shifted above.
"I just received two Quests recently and now another one". Jin lowered his gaze, gazing at the shadows beneath him that mirrored his action. "Give a break, man".
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