System’s offer

Emerging from the shadows of the dark alley, Hunter stepped out onto the cobblestone street and leaned against the wooden building next to the Golden Griffin inn. He kept his eyes peeled for any sign of the young woman he was expecting, but made sure not to draw too much attention to himself by waiting inside the bustling tavern.

While Hunter waited, he summoned the system and spoke with a cool and collected tone,

"System, I require a unique poison to incapacitate the Duke's daughter. Only I should possess the means to cure her."

[That will cost you, host. You know items unique to this world will be expensive, and you seem to have no other option] In response, the system's rough, commanding voice added to its ferocity,

"I understand. That's why I am willing to take out a loan and purchase whatever you have." Unfazed by the system's warning, Hunter replied with a determined edge,

The system emitted a low, almost inaudible chuckle that sent shivers down Hunter's spine as it responded in its usual commanding voice,

[The host will not have much badass points to buy such poison even after taking a loan]

Sensing that there was more to the system's words than met the eye, Hunter raised an eyebrow and said, "I sense a but,"

Hunter's suspicions were confirmed as the system's voice grew more ominous.

[But, if the host is willing to agree to a future request from the system, then the perfect poison for your plan can be provided] It spoke in a deep and menacing growl, with a distinct rasp and a hint of guttural snarls that added to its ferocity. Its tone was commanding and authoritative, with an underlying tone of danger and unpredictability.

Hunter hesitated for a moment, his mind racing with the potential consequences of agreeing to the system's request. But he also knew that he needed the poison and that there was no other option. With a sense of resignation, he said, "It's a deal."

As soon as he agreed, Hunter felt a sharp pain in the center of his chest, as if a contract had been sealed within his very being. The pain lasted for only a few seconds before fading away, and in its place materialized a vial of colorless liquid.

[The Ghost venom is an ideal choice for your plan] the system said in its rough, commanding voice.

[This poison is undetectable by any magic spells or arrays, and the system can activate it at your command. Once you've succeeded in poisoning the Duke's daughter, the system will provide you with the antidote as a reward]

Hunter attempted to exit the system, but he found that he was unable to do so. "What's going on? Why won't it let me exit?" he asked, a growing sense of unease creeping over him.

In response, the system spoke in a cold, dominant tone that made Hunter feel as if it owned his very soul.

[Try not to get killed] it said, sending a chill down his spine. As Hunter continued to use the system, he began to suspect that it was more than it appeared to be, and he couldn't shake the feeling that it possessed a kind of intelligence that went beyond mere programming.

Hunter's hand trembled as he stared at the vial that had materialized in his palm. The Ghost venom, the perfect poison for his plan. He knew that he had made a deal with the devil, but there was no other choice. As he pocketed the vial, he remembered that guards rarely checked inside someone's shoes. He carefully hid the vial in his boots, hoping that no one would find it.

Leaning against the wooden building, Hunter tried to whistle a carefree tune, but his heart was pounding in his chest. He couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that the system's cold, dominant tone had left him with. Hunter wondered what the system wanted from him in return for this favor. Was it worth it?

As Hunter was lost in thought, he spotted the young woman he had seen in the back alley behind the Golden Goose. She had arrived at the tavern. Thanks to the robes he had taken from the helper's room after disposing of him, the young woman quickly recognized Hunter as the helper. Hunter wasted no time and asked her a question before she could even inquire as to why he was loitering outside.

When she approached him, he scowled and said, "You took your sweet time."

The young woman seemed taken aback by his cold tone, and replied hesitantly, "Sorry."

Hunter wanted to maintain an air of superiority and unapproachability, hoping to dissuade her from asking too many questions about his true identity and intentions.

"Quit dawdling and lead the way," Hunter barked, attempting to sound both aloof and irritable. "I don't have all day, you know. I've had to come to this backwater city, and now I have to cook an entire menu without any meat. Do you have any idea how difficult that is?"

Hunter's words flowed effortlessly from his lips, and his knowledge as a Royal Cook - the best of the best - shone through. It was this specialization that would enable him to create an exceptional Devil's Breath or another version of it that would be even more irresistible.

"Yes," the young woman quickly nodded before he could get more annoyed. She found his arrogance off-putting, but she couldn't afford to anger him. Her job was on the line, and she'd be out of work if she didn't complete it successfully.

Hunter's irritation was palpable as they walked back to the Golden Goose. He muttered to himself about how he didn't have all day and how difficult it was to cook without any meat. His tone was condescending as if he was speaking to an underling rather than a colleague.

The young woman tried to ignore his comments, focusing instead on leading the way back to the inn. She had been in this line of work long enough to know that some cooks could be insufferable and that it was better to endure their arrogance than to try and challenge them simply.

Finally, they arrived at the Golden Goose, and Hunter followed the young woman up a narrow set of stairs, his boots thudding against the creaky wooden steps. As she pushed open the door to the Golden Goose, he was hit by a wall of silence. The restaurant was deserted, the tables and chairs unoccupied, and the air devoid of the usual chatter and clatter of utensils.

It was clear that they had closed the restaurant for the arrival of the Duke's daughter for dinner. No other diners were allowed, and the staff had probably been dismissed early for the day. Hunter looked around the room, taking in the dim lighting and the ornate decorations on the walls. The place had an air of grandeur and refinement that was at odds with its current emptiness.

As Hunter took in his surroundings, he couldn't help but feel impressed by the grandeur of the Golden Goose. Despite the emptiness of the restaurant, the elegant decor and ornate furnishings spoke of opulence and luxury. The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries depicting scenes from ancient battles, and the high ceilings were supported by marble pillars that seemed to stretch up toward the heavens.

Glowing orbs suspended from the ceiling provided a soft, warm illumination that bathed the room in a magical glow. The light danced and flickered across the room, casting intricate shadows on the walls and tables.

Hunter couldn't help but admire the grand and elegant design of the restaurant. The tables were adorned with immaculate white tablecloths and fine crystal glasses, while the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling sparkled like diamonds in the light. The candles on each table lent an intimate feel to the space, and the fragrances wafting through the air were rich and intoxicating.

As he followed the young woman through the empty space, Hunter felt a sense of anticipation for the arrival of the Duke's daughter. He knew that the restaurant would soon be filled with life and energy, as guests gathered for the special occasion. The owners of the Golden Goose had spared no expense in creating a space that was both magical and inviting, and Hunter couldn't wait to see it come to life and wondered what it would be like to dine here with a bustling crowd of patrons, the clinking of silverware and glasses filling the air. But he quickly pushed aside those thoughts and focused on the task at hand.

Hunter's eyes scanned the room, searching for any signs of the kitchen's location. The young woman noticed his confusion and said, "It's this way," motioning for him to follow her.

Finally, after following the young woman behind, Hunter found himself at the bottom of a set of stairs that led down to the kitchen. Instead of the usual frantic activity, Hunter saw that the waiters and a couple of young men dressed in robes similar to his stood around, seemingly idle. The kitchen was impeccably clean and organized, with gleaming countertops and utensils hanging neatly on the walls. It was clear that everything had been prepared in advance for the dinner, leaving the kitchen in a state of anticipatory stillness.

The long counters and gleaming steel appliances were pristine, waiting for the culinary magic that would soon take place. Despite the lack of activity, Hunter could sense the excitement that hung in the air. He knew that the quiet calm of the kitchen would soon give way to the frenzied pace of a busy restaurant.

Once Hunter entered the kitchen, he could feel their eyes on him. It wasn't until the young woman who had led him there introduced him that the murmurs died down.

"This is the helper Head Cook Dwalin hired from the capitol. He will work with us and help us put a great meal for Lady Marina," the young woman said, turning to look at Hunter expectantly.

He met her gaze and held it for a moment before introducing himself with a touch of arrogance. "Jason Conroy, at your service." Hunter knew he had every right to be arrogant. After all, he might just be the best cook in the entire world.

"We'll wait for Head Cook Dwalin before we begin," the young woman said before casting a relieved look at Hunter and hurrying out of the kitchen.

After the young woman left the kitchen, Hunter turned his attention to the kitchen crew, studying each of them carefully. "I don't believe we've been properly introduced," he said, his voice confident and authoritative. "Let's start with you," he said, pointing the finger at the halfling.

The halfling stepped forward, his round face and curly hair giving him an almost childlike appearance. "Name's Bungo," he said with a toothy grin. "I'm the sous chef here and the best bread maker in all the land."

Hunter raised an eyebrow in appreciation, impressed by the halfling's confidence. "And what about you?" he said, turning his attention to the two young men.

One of the young men shuffled his feet nervously, his short hair and beardless face making him look even younger than he was. "I'm Tom," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm a line cook, sir."

The other young man, who had been quietly observing the exchange, stepped forward with a friendly smile. He was taller than Tom, with a thick beard and a mop of curly hair. "I'm Finn," he said with a nod. "Also a line cook. Nice to meet you, sir."

Hunter nodded back, taking stock of the small crew. "Alright then, let's get to work," he said, his tone brooking no argument. "What do we have to work with tonight? I assume we'll be preparing a vegetarian menu, given the Duke's daughter's dietary preferences."

Bungo, the halfling sous chef, stepped forward once more. "Aye, that's right," he said in a gruff voice. "No meat for the young lady. We've got some fresh vegetables and fruits, as well as some grains and legumes. And, of course, we'll need to prepare some bread and desserts,"

Hunter was not just here to carry out his sinister plan, but also to prove his worth as a chef and earn some valuable badass points. His eyes lit up as he approached the kitchen counter, and he eagerly reached for the gleaming silver cooking knives.

As he took the knives in his hands, he couldn't help but admire the way they felt in his grip. The blades were sharp and perfectly balanced, and he twirled them expertly as if they were mere toys. With the knives in his hand, Hunter's eyes scanned the kitchen, taking note of the ingredients at their disposal. He spotted crates of fresh vegetables, including carrots, onions, and turnips, all of which looked as though they had just been harvested. There were also several large sacks of grains and legumes, along with a variety of fruits, including apples, pears, and oranges.

But what really caught Hunter's attention were the unique magical vegetables that he had never seen before. There were plump, purple-hued mushrooms that glowed softly in the dim light and a basket of small, yellow fruits that seemed to pulse with faint energy.

Hunter couldn't wait to get started and experiment with these new ingredients, but he knew he had to wait for Head Cook Dwalin to arrive before they could begin. He leaned against the counter, his eyes still fixed on the magical vegetables, imagining the delicious dishes he could create with them.