[SP-F1] Bush 2: Electric Boogaloo (Earning A Living: Cook Edition) <COMPLETE>

[Kioshi 0]

Second try. This time no companion to bring along. Only himself, his sword, his Kelly armor, some potions and salves and a new item: a gold pendant with small silver chains to hang onto the back of his neck. A red ruby sits at the center of the pendant itself, its size large enough to be mistaken for an eye.

The Wanderer's Eye. Seeker of loot. Provides great help to players wanting to find what they need without wasting too much time. He is ready.

After speaking with the woman NPC again to retake the quest, he exits the house and heads out to the open fields, dressed in full armor. Same ingredients as before: two eggs and a vanilla plant for the woman's cupcakes. The rest is up to his own choice. Meat. Herbs. Fish. A flesh or two of monsters maybe...

Last time was a lion, which much to his disappointment, did not provide any meat. It would be a closure to his quest, but no.

Edited August 20, 2018 by Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 104844

LD: 19 + 2 (Wanderer's Eye) = 21 (Found 1/5 Material!)

The pendant stays true to its lucky charm nature, as almost immediately after Kioshi takes a few steps in the same woods he explored in the previous attempt, he happens to find a vanilla plant, sitting just near the stump of a tree. Smiling in his full helmet, the tin man picks up the ingredient and keeps it into his inventory. He decides to pick up the pace so at least he has other things to do if he manages to get all five quest ingredients before night.

Something about the tree stump feels off to his eyes. As far as he lives in Aincrad, he hasn't seen anyone cutting a tree for whatever purpose. The cut isn't tidy either, it is as if something pull off or messily cut with a crappy blade. Some splinters are still present at the edge of the stump.

Kioshi puts his hand on the sword's handle, having a gut feeling that he has to fight at least one thing today.

Edited August 19, 2018 by Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 104845

LD: 17 + 2 = 19 (Found 2/5 Material!)

Luck probably pities the 'old' man this time. Maybe it thinks he probably suffered enough from going here and there around the early floors only to find nothing of value. As if it is giving a sign of hope, Kioshi hears the sound of a bird call of some sort, though he couldn't tell. The sound is in a low frequency, and for some reason it sounds almost as similar to a harsh croak, or moan, or whatever the hell that is.

His eyes dart back and forth as he notices a small open space surrounded by some trees. On the ground, a green, oval shaped object lies there, static. Slowly, he walks towards it and becomes surprised to see that the object is non other than an egg. A bird egg to be exact. He gently picks up and examines its smooth surface like that of a rock. The shell looks very okay, providing adequate protection to the yolk. He keeps it, but as he does it, a second thought occurs.

Edited August 19, 2018 by Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 104846

LD: 12 + 2 = 14 (No material found...)

The bird call echoes through the forest again, only at a more aggressive tone. Now Kioshi suspects that the egg, which is as big as his own palm, belongs to that very creature. Drawing out his Zweihander, Kioshi moves on, his eyes looking sideways back and forth for any present danger. Sometimes, he would look behind him to see if anything is stalking him. So far nothing is at his back...for now. Or worse, in a few minutes.

The sound of rushing water becomes audible to his ears in the helmet. A river. Kioshi follows the sound, hoping to get a drink and some rest before he can continue. The river isn't very far away as it only takes fifteen minutes for him to arrive there. The clearing is small but shady thanks to the trees' leaves. At Kioshi's gaze, the water travels eastwards at a straight line for a few meters before gently turning to a left.

Kioshi removes his full helmet and kneels down, scooping the cool and pristine water into his cupping hands and enjoying the refreshing drink. 

Edited August 19, 2018 by Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 104847

LD: 9 + 2 = 11 (No material found...)

Kioshi sits at the edge of the river, leaning backwards with his right knee up and his arm on just below the knee, the Zweihander lies at his side with the blade facing his north. His helmet sits just beside his sword.

Kioshi stares ahead blankly, his state of mind hypnotized by the calming sounds of water flowing along the ground. He closes his eyes for a while, taking care to not accidentally fall asleep as he wants to move on soon. The air is fresh, breathing here is like breathing an air-conditioned room. It is a healthy atmosphere for Kioshi.

This resting period lasts for thirty minutes, and nothing is still happening around Kioshi, save for that bird call that comes from a few kilometers from Kioshi's resting place. He opens his eyes. Quickly, he looks around, taking his sword.

The bird better not come to him, he thinks to himself he isn't in the mood to fight any powerful enemies now.

Edited August 19, 2018 by Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 104848

LD: 3 + 2 = 5 (No materials found...)

The woods suddenly feel unwelcoming as he ventures backwards to where he came from, only to take west and follow some poisonous looking red mushrooms, adorning white spots. They look like Amanita mushrooms in the real world, although the white spots look larger and the shades of red deeper. High and low, he looks for another egg, just any would do in his mind. Bird, snake, hell if he even found a dragon egg, although that is complete bull in lower levels, he would take that too, albeit in a cautious way in case a baby dragon hatches. The thought is pure fantasy however. Dragon eggs shouldn't be treated as food in his perspective.

The sun is still high in the sky, and that is Kioshi's natural compass. He doesn't really use Aincrad's HUD map very often as it would distract him from any incoming dangers. Plus he thinks he might accidentally step into an unseen trap, which is probably worse if that happens in a dungeon.

Edited August 19, 2018 by Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 104853

LD: 10 + 2 = 12 (No material found...)

Images of himself sitting alone at school and work fills his mind as he keeps walking while still trying to find eggs high and low. Those were lonely periods of his life. Only because of his diseased, aging face, people have doubts about him. Despite all that, he never really hated anyone for such feelings. It is understandable after all, or maybe he knows that it is a waste of time to try to debate about his mysterious disease. Either way, he doesn't care. He was born this way. So be it. At least he can still enjoy life, albeit with limited social skills. 

That damn bird call is acting up again...except for some morbid reason it is very loud. In fact, it gets louder at each 'croak' at an alarming rate behind him. Kioshi draws out his sword and quickly turns around only to find...nothing. Now this s**t is getting on his nerves. It is as if the sound is purposefully messing with him. He lets out a 'tch' as he keeps walking, now armed.

Edited August 19, 2018 by Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 104854

LD: 12 + 2 = 14 (No material found...)

Something dawns in Kioshi's mind as he thinks of the sound. It sounds awfully close to a cassowary...or a bird that looks like it. The dinosaur-looking bird is the closest animal he can attribute the calls to. He then thinks of its talons. Those sharp, dagger-like talons that can pierce straight into a man's heart and rip open flesh like a real human weapon. If that creature is really a cassowary, Kioshi thinks that it should be in higher floors. It must be very dangerous and fast like the bird, even the large appearance is intimidating enough to unsuspected victims. 

And he doesn't forget a cassowary's crest. Same density as a beak. Able to cut through bushes while it runs fast like a discount Sonic. 30 miles per hour. Maybe faster than a human. Imagine being alone in the woods and near the bushes, only to be rammed by the crest and then clawed at the face like a character being attacked by raptors in Jurassic Park. Not the best way to die without agony.

Edited August 19, 2018 by Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 104855

LD: 13 + 2 = 15 (Found 3/5 Materials!)

The constant thinking of the figure behind the mysterious bird call momentarily became Kioshi's worry to the point when he snaps back to 'reality', he almost steps onto another egg of the same caliber. Looking down and picking it up, he lets out a sigh of relief while inspecting the egg, his sword leaning against him with the tip of the blade standing on the ground. Now that the vanilla cake ingredients are settled, he finally feels free as he can gather whatever food he wants.

Sheathing his sword, but still keeping it close to hand, Kioshi walks on, adjusting his helmet as he soon hears the familiar sound of running water, wondering if he is walking in circles. Sure enough, he soon finds himself back at the same safe zone, but at least he can drink again, which he does to his fill. A question rises in his head as he starts to think where in this place can he get anything like meat. Bug monster meat won't do for his taste. Boars are in the faraway fields. Maybe something snakes might exist in this forest, but he has never seen one so far in this quest.

Edited August 19, 2018 by Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 104856

LD: 20 + 2 = 22 (Found 4/5 Materials!)

As if it is an answer to his question, the stench of blood catches Kioshi's nostrils, causing him to sniff a few times until he notices it. Slowly, he follows the stench to its source, gripping the sword tightly while looking left, right and forward through his visor. The thought of getting meat from a corpse may normally sound repulsive, but to Kioshi, it is probably the only way to get such food in this situation.

As the stench becomes stronger, Kioshi removes his helmet and looks around to see a blackish, furry body lying among some trees, its spine facing him. Sword drawn, Kioshi approaches it carefully and slowly leans his neck forward to see the corpse closely.

A dead boar. Half eaten. Only its head and limbs remain intact, while its body were brutally butchered. Left ribs are exposed. Organs seem to be absent. The corpse doesn't look to be more than a day old. Its body still looks fresh. Probably eaten by whatever is making the bird calls. Or just another unseen but normal animal predator.

Kioshi only chops the legs and extract the meat from it, adding it to his inventory. He inspects the boar for a little longer, trying to see if there is anything else that can be salvaged.

Edited August 19, 2018 by Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 104857

LD: 9 + 2 = 11

Nope. One leg is enough for now. Kioshi quickly picks up his helmet and leaves the corpse and decides that it is time to leave this damn place. He has enough. Just one more ingredient to go. He first goes back to the river by tracking the sound of running water. Then after arriving there, he goes back to the spot where he drinks for the first time today, indicated by a fairly large rock sitting in the middle. Kioshi walks back into the woods and just walks straight, never stopping until he finally sees the light of day and rushes out to the field.

He feels very relieved, probably since he never wants to hear that horrible bird noise again. Even if he can fight that thing, it would probably take a s**tload of time to kill it, and he is close to finishing the quest too. He starts walking back to the main settlement while still looking for any edible plant or dead animal.

Edited August 19, 2018 by Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 104886

LD: 17 + 2 = 19 (Found 5/5 Materials!)

In an unexpected turn of events, Kioshi spots a battle between two boars, fighting for seemingly no reason other than probable territorial or strength dispute. One of them is already injured, evidenced by the cuts on its face and body thanks to the other's tusk. The other somehow lost an eye and the tip of one of its tusks. The fighting becomes aggressive as the tusked boar suddenly bites the other's snout, in which it squeals in pain in return. It proceeds to repetitively ram its underside, the tusk disemboweling the poor brute while intestines spill out of the exposed cavity to its death.

No sooner after the winner quickly sprints away from the scene, Kioshi approaches the loser's corpse and without hesitation, uses his sword to gut it and cut off some of the most tender and delicious part of the meat. It is quite awkward to carefully hold a few meters below the long blade's tip so it would be like holding a knife, and he does his best to try not cut his own hand. But alas, he manages to successfully extract the last amount of ingredients for this tedious quest. 

Edited August 20, 2018 by Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

The journey back to the Starting City ends when the sun leans west, sunset is around the corner. The sky adorning a mixture of bright red and orange like neon lights in a cyberpunk city. Oh Aincrad is partially cyberpunk alright, if anyone cares to consider it as one. High technology with the game's mechanics and virtual reality system as such examples, and a sh*tty point in life or social order thanks the eternal entrapment within this digital fantasy and general mistrust. Speaking of cyberpunk, Kioshi thinks throughout his teenage years that Japan is already in such a setting in reality. Technology has advanced with VMMORPGs, intelligent robots and whatnot. And it shows no sign of stopping itself from pushing the forward button on its universal remote. The only cyberpunk tropes that is missing in Japan are a dystopian social life and megacorporations controlling the entire nation of the Rising Sun. Glad these things do not happen at all, and would hopefully remain so in the future. 

[Kioshi 0]

"Oh wow! You actually came back! I'm so happy!" Maggie the female NPC exclaims with a wide smile as she bounces happily. She looks like some mother of a protagonist in an anime or manga. Blonde hair with a long ponytail. Nice pair of C grade cups. A young face even though she looks like she is around 30 or even 28. Overall she is a jolly type and most likely willing to tolerate whatever mistake he might made in his first try in cooking. 

Kioshi only nods in response to her welcome and puts all gathered ingredients onto the counter, much to her delight. She swaps the vanilla and the eggs with three other cooking materials, all wrapped in leather wraps. Up to him to figure out what are inside those wraps. She gives these to him, which he receives from her hand. Now it is his duty to commence cooking.

"While I finish my crepe, you can go ahead and make your first ever snack! I will back you up, harbor no worries. Always take baby steps before you can grow legs!"

Sounds a bit cheesy...or whatever, but at least it makes sense in this context. Kioshi unwraps one of the materials as a sign to start cooking now. The wrap is pulled off to reveal a bag of self raising flour.

Edited August 20, 2018 by Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 104921

CD: 7 -- LD: 19 (Material salvaged.)

Kioshi pours some flour into a bowl, deciding to try to make bannock, a type of bread that is very simple to make even if the wild, providing that the person brings flour along with themselves. Just flour and water...at least that is what he knows so far. He is about to pour water into the flour when he has seconds thoughts about what he is doing. Is this correct? How much water does a flour need to be dough?

"Having trouble~?" coos Maggie as she notices his plight, giggling at that like a little girl that just pulled a trick to her brother. "Not too much, mmkay? Otherwise the dough will be sticky. Tell me, what do you want to make?"

"...bannock...," Kioshi mummurs audibly.

"Bannock it is. You need more than flour and water. Come to me and I'll show you the right way."

Edited August 20, 2018 by Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 104922

CD: 8 -- LD: 10 + 2 = 12 (Material not salvaged. Lose one material)

"Then add 1 teaspoon of baking powder. Now you can add water and start kneading," says Maggie. 

Kioshi follows her instructions and after having the mixture fairly moist with water, he starts kneading slowly, not wanting to squeeze too much in fear that the dough might break up. He is surprised that something as simple as kneading takes effort, as soon he finds himself squeezing the likes of clay. The dough becomes a bit stickier as he goes on, and for a moment he thinks he is in good progress.

Soon he notices that some of the flour as still in the bowl, wondering if those can be wet and kneaded together with the dough. He points this to Maggie, who has been looking at him the entire time.

"Oh? Still have flour left in the bowl? No worries, you can do the same as the dough and combine them altogether," she explains in a soft voice.

Edited August 20, 2018 by Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 104940

CD: 4 (It tastes like s*it! Lose 1 material)

"Trial and error, dear. Such is the natural part of progression," says Maggie as Kioshi adds a bit too much of water, and as a result, the dough became too sticky, the same goes to the remaining flour. He just looks at the bowl with a miserable look. Even though he acknowledges that it takes effort and time to try to perfect a craft, he develops doubts of his ability to make food. Maybe he really isn't fit to be one...

"Cheers love. Get a new bowl and pour more flower from its bag. I'll dispose of this one," Maggie assures in a bright tone as she takes the old bowl and dumps the s*itty dough into a dustbin before speedily tying the garbage bag and takes it out of the house for town cleaners to pick up. She comes back to see Kioshi already pouring flour into the new bowl, smiling as she gently pats his shoulder, trying her best to encourage him to keep moving forward.

Edited August 20, 2018 by Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 104942

CD: 5 (It tastes like s*it! Lose 1 material)

Though he can grasp the mixing ingredients part, it is the kneading and amount of water that gives him difficulty so far. The thing about this procedure is that he has to ensure that the dough isn't too sticky and avoid his hands from accidentally pulling off chunks of it throughout the kneading process. It is hard work indeed, and at one point he asks in a soft but gruff voice, "...wouldn't a whisk or spoon better?"

"Trust me, dear, it will take more force and time than your hands," Maggie says softly, smirking at him while she is leaning her back against the counter, standing just beside Kioshi. "Your hands are bigger and more flexible than those tools. Plus it is easier for you to ensure that the entire flour is formed into dough. Both in and out.

Don't waste more unnecessary energy into this simple task, dear. The last thing we want to see is you giving up on only the first step of a ladder."

Edited August 20, 2018 by Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

ID: 104944

CD: 10 (Uncommon food created!)

Spoiler

Name: Bannock

Profession: Cook

Rank: 1

ID and Roll: 104944 -- Roll: 10

Type: Snack

Tier: 1

Quality: Uncommon

Enhancements: +1 Prosperity

Description: A simple bread consists of flour, water, salt, butter and baking powder. A simpler version that consists of only flour and water can be done in the wild, making itself an easier and filling source of food. Your own first successful food, thanks to dear Maggie. Eat it in the right situation.

Eureka! At last, after what seems like forever of trying to form a simple dough, Kioshi has done it. Neither too sticky nor loose, Kioshi gently lifts it up from the bowl. It could fit his two palms, and it is slightly as thick as a hamburger. Maggie claps her hands as she exclaims, "See? Keep trying and you'll make it! Use mistakes as your teachers! Now, onwards to baking it..."

The next several minutes consist of the blonde NPC teaching him on applying some grease onto a frying pan on her stove, followed by frying the dough on it. At this step, Kioshi takes extra measures to really be aware of the change of color and smell of his cooking. Whenever Maggie yells, "Flip!" Kioshi does so carefully. No rush, according to Maggie. He has all the time in the world today. 

As soon as he lifts the cooked bannock off the frying pan, his inner self is delighted to see his first creation. Soft. Tasty. Warm. And filling too. 

"You can keep the bread if you wish," says Maggie as her lips curl into a sweet smile. Her cuteness is honestly appealing to Kioshi's eyes. It matches her fun and tolerant personality.

Edited August 20, 2018 by Kioshi

[Kioshi 0]

DING goes her oven as her crepes are ready to be taken out and eaten. Maggie dons her oven mittens and carefully opens it, retrieving her finished product before shutting the oven with her legs.

"Have some crepes with me!" She says gleefully to Kioshi, who had already kept his bannock into his inventory. Hearing her suggestion, he nods without objections, seeing no reason to refuse her further hospitality. Sitting down beside her at the counter, both of them munch on the delicious crepes. They are wrapped around strawberries, a delightful treat to Kioshi as he loves strawberries. Maggie giggles at the fighter that is enjoying his small meal.

"You really like my crepes, don't you mister?" She asks as she pats his shoulder, though he reacts nonchalantly to this by just gazing her while his mouth chews on his food. 

"I guarantee you that one day, you will be just as good as the expert Maggie! When you are ready, experiment yourself on your own dishes okay? Make them unique and tasty enough to send your customers into a bright mood," she adds, to which Kioshi just nods for the sake of making her happy.

It is time for him to leave as the quest is coming to a close. He bows to Maggie as thanks, in which she bows back in return.

"Safe travels, warrior!" She says while waving her hand at the door, watching her student waving back and moving on further into the city for rest and training for further adventures and fights.

The evening passes by with heavy rain, pouring down Aincrad while giving off a sense of serenity to Kioshi, who is sitting by the window on his chair, staring at the roofs of the Starting City since he is sleeping at the first floor of an inn.

 

-- QUEST COMPLETE --

OBTAINED 400 COL, 6 T1 Materials (5 Reward + 1 Gathered), Crafted Item, Cook Profession and 2 SP (1 Thread + 1 Quest)