24 Mel is in a dilemma

Supreme System Menu Interface gives Gerard a tremendous advantage compared to players using an inferior Menu Interface.

In weapons he can sell, the Supreme System will sell it tenfold the original price in the market.

He wants to inquire the Supreme System if this effect is forever or not but holds himself down for the time being. Because he needs to eat first, he is so hungry.

The sun is already set. The stars replaced the cloudy skies and the tinge of warm orange turned to a cool moonlight.

After entering the Midnight Inn, Aliyah, Angel, and Lex's gaze falls on them. Gerard didn't notice it but Sally's sharp sense noticed their gazes in shock and confusion.

Sally gives them a grin and asks Payne "Mr. Payne, how about we eat dinner for now? I am famished and want to eat."

"Ah, me too! I want to eat. I hope the store owner is done cooking the food I ordered." Payne blurted out while touching his flat stomach.

Sally only giggles and proceed to seat on the server where the daughter of the store owner attends the front in his stead.

All the NPCs and Players eating in the pub were mesmerized by Sally's beauty. They shot dreadful and envied and gazed at Gerard.

Gerard's face can be considered handsome but standing close to Sally, he was deemed by everyone not worthy to stand with a beauty like her.

Dina who is one of many beautiful NPCs was mesmerized as well by Sally's beauty and greeted both of them.

"Hello, Mr. Payne, it seems you get lucky today. Being accompanied by a beautiful woman is a dream of everyone. Look at their faces."

Sally then giggles upon hearing Dina's comment. It is true and she is also used to these kinds of stares. She usually acts cold towards this kind of treatment but since she is with Payne, she needs to be cute and all.

This is to befriend him. For her own good. For her group's own good!

Angel and Aliyah are opposite. They shot a dreadful glare at Sally. They quickly knew that Sally is using her otherworldly beauty to coax Payne Blanc.

Gerard just smiles "Ms. Dina, may I know if the food on my tab is already cooked?"

"Oh, you mean my father is trying to cook? It is about to be served, just wait a couple of minutes. And please, drop the honorary, you can call me Dina."

"Dina, then. Likewise, you can call me Payne."

"Okay!"

Just after Dina nodded her head, Mel arrive at the server, carrying a bow of food with a wonderful aroma.

The aroma reaches everyone's nostrils and instantly, they start drooling over the aroma.

"Hey, hey, what's that smell?!"

"Oh! That brings back memories, this is how my grandmother cooked food for me!"

"It's a shame that we can only smell the good part, but the taste is, gak!"

Gerard overheard their conversation which sent his brows to arch.

He took a glance at Dina who is in a full smile. She didn't react at all when the players said all of that.

Meanwhile, Sally quickly soothes Dina "Ms. Dina, please do not mind those people. They do not know what they are saying."

Dina only laughs it off before responding "I am not bothered by it. Actually, I pity them, we, the original dweller of this world pity them."

Hearing her say that, Gerard's interest skyrocketed and Sally share the same sentiments.

He was perplexed why players cannot taste the food while he, a somewhat player like them can taste the food like he was on Earth.

He already has a hunch why the Chef subclass is present but he didn't know that the situation regarding tasting the food is severe.

He wants to ask about Dina but he holds himself off, he must act like a natural NPC that knows the reason why. He does not want to let these players learn he is a previous person on the earth like them! Although no one can interfere in the Supreme System in the outside world, if it spread, a senior developer's consciousness trap in this virtual game, it will ensure chaos. Not only it can create chaos, this time, but he might also forfeit his life completely.

Though people cannot interfere with the Supreme System if they shut down the server that runs the Supreme System, he can only shiver at the afterthought!

Suddenly, Sally asked Dina "Ms. Dina, may I know why is the reason why we cannot taste the food as a normal person does?"

Gerard can trace the curiosity in Sally's tone. If they can learn the source of the problem, this is a breakthrough for them. After all, core groups have a special member that chooses a subclass and focuses on that subclass instead of their original class or job.

They know it can bring profit in the future. A massive profit at that.

But to her disappointment, the source of the problem is too deep.

"We the original dwellers of this world didn't also know the reason why. But it is said in the ancient text, although it is known to be a lore and a myth only. When the heroes first arrived eons ago, they can taste the food naturally, but when the previous demon lord was killed, the world itself want to bring them back from whence they came, but the heroes insist to stay. Then the known powerful one that safeguards the world and that summons the heroes, gives them the option. If they want to stay in this world, they must pay the price."

Sally, Aliyah, Angel, and Lex that was close to them were amazed. They didn't know this kind of lore. This is the first time they heard that story.

But Gerard knows this when the first Kingdom was shut down because it needed to be developed due to law's intervention, they created that inside story. But the price that Dina said is unknown to them. They only put the word price but didn't think much of it.

It seems that when the Supreme System launched again, it seemed that the price is to void the heroes or players to taste the food.

Logically speaking, this kind of price is not small to pay, after all these players can easily log out and eat real food on Earth.

But still, for them, it is a disappointment they cannot taste the food at this stage of the game. But all players are hoping to taste every delicacy this game has to offer when the second installment of an update is released.

The question is, when?

"Then, is Ms. Dina know if this is reversible?"

"Reversible? No. But according to ancient texts, if the heroes do a deed that can have the world accept them completely, perhaps the curse will be lifted."

Dina and the three players nodded their heads. Now they know why the story behind the food. They thought the subclass chef is there to alleviate and have the player taste the food here but it seems that even the subclass start swarming this virtual game, as long as they don't do that unknown deed, the curse will stay the same.

It seems a subclass Chef is only a preparatory stage.

Sally thought that this problem will last long and this plagued her. It seems that they need to rethink the member in her group that specializes in their subclass instead of their main job.

On the bright side, at least she was able to learn the truth. A considerable amount of resources and effort will not be wasted.

She noted the story and plan to tell her Guild Leader about it later.

Meanwhile, Gerard has an epiphany.

His Menu Interface is not limited that shackling the player.

So if he can learn the way of blacksmith, he can learn the way of the chef? He is confident that if het a certain condition, he can provide food that can be tasted by players! And if that happens, then, coins will rain in his pocket!

His wonderful thoughts were halted when Mel drop the bowl on the server but not in front of him.

"Here you go."

Then Mel took off again and proceed to the kitchen.

Everyone keeps staring at the bowl of food except for Gerard.

He felt something is off with Mel. Although he does not show his emotion, there's something that bugs him.

Well, it's not that it is my concern. He was about to dig in when Dina leaned forward and put her delicate chin on her hands that were placed on the server table.

"It seems you found out that something is wrong with my dad."

"Uh, no. I think he is just awfully quiet right now compared to earlier."

"You see, my dad is looking for someone that can help him tomorrow morning."

"Help for tomorrow morning?"

"Yes. The Chief asked my father earlier to cook for guests that will arrive tomorrow."

"Oh?" Gerard arches his brow.

If that is a guest, then it is from another place.

Then Dina leans closer to him. Gerard can smell her womanly fragrance that almost made him gasp for air.

"One of the nobles from the Capital City that has authority over this land will come over to look for heroes."

Gerard becomes shocked. That's too early! It's still a month early for that event!

He knows the reason why that certain noble will come over to this town. That is to issue a quest that plagues his other land. But it should happen a month after the official launch.

Why was the schedule moved?

The quest is to find the missing family amulet that was passed down from generation to generation. This amulet is important to this noble family. Not because it contains magical power, but because it holds authority over a secret place that will be introduced later in the game. Not only that, the amulet served as the key to something that was buried in the heart of the said place.

A tomb. A tomb that has full of gold coins!

Remembering everything, Gerard's heart starts to beat faster and faster.

Those Gold Coins can make someone a millionaire overnight but that's just the tip of the iceberg.

There's a piece of document that was written eons ago, but the document is riddled with magic that it still looks new.

The previous King of the Edo Kingdom wrote that document. Whoever secured the document will be given land that is free from the grasp and laws of the Royal Family of the Edo Kingdom.

This document was supposed to be given to the previous hero who help them fight monsters that siege their capital city which lasted for a month.

When the siege was over, the hero suddenly vanished for unknown reasons. So the King give the document to his trusted servant and added a note along with the amulet.

[This is a royal decree. Whoever possesses this document will receive the land that was supposed to be given to the previous hero.]

Gerard knows everything about that piece of document. From the exact location of the land to how secure that land is.

And why it is a secure place? There's a hidden defense mechanism that was buried deeply and kept secret from everyone. Even the King didn't know how to activate the defense mechanism.

But Gerard knew. He knew everything about the defense mechanism. Once activated, it will produce a barrier that will safeguard the land from invasion.

This barrier is very sturdy and powerful. Not even a B-rank demon can destroy the barrier. Only the A-rank above can destroy the barrier.

This land is the most secure place up until half of the main storyline. Although this document will be publicly published after a month, the team didn't intend this quest to be easy.

Getting the amulet is easy but finding the hidden tomb and the promised land is not. Besides, the amulet is only one of the five keys needed to activate the defense mechanism.

But Gerard knew where the other four is located. Remembering everything about the quest, he cannot help but grin, and the desire to own that land starts increasing.

Ah! How sinful it is to desire the quest intended for the player only.

Although Gerard is not sure how he can participate in the quest, he will try everything he has to get the document for himself.

"Then! What about I help your dad cook for tomorrow morning?"

Dina clasp her hand and responded with eyes beaming "Yes! I know you would say that! I will tell father right away!"

Dina turn around and hurriedly went to the kitchen to tell his father.

Gerard leans and gets the bowl that is now slowly losing its heat.

Aliyah, Angel, Lex, and Sally's drooling mouths follow the bowl with their intense gaze.

"You guys want to taste it? Since this bowl is too big for me, you can scoop and taste it."

Gerard told them while smiling.

He's in a good mood.