Chapter 5: 3-Day Sign-in Bonus

[Host can now access the status window. To activate it, simply say "status window," and to cancel, say "cancel."]

Max was taken aback by the system's response, and a sense of wonder filled him. He decided to seek further clarification.

"System, could you please explain this in more detail?" Max asked, his surprise evident.

[Host, to access your status, you can use the command 'status window,' and to close it, simply say 'cancel.' You can use either mental or verbal commands for both actions.]

Max nodded, now having a clearer understanding of how to interact with the status window.

"Status window," Max silently uttered. Suddenly, a translucent blue panel materialized before Max's eyes, shimmering with information.

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[Status Window]

Name: Max Aldwell

Age: 25

Level: 1 (EXP: 0/100)

Chef Points: 0

Chef Shop: Locked

Skills: None

Main Quest: Fulfill David's Dying Wish (Click for more details)

3 Days Sign-in Bonus (Unclaimed)

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Max found himself at a loss for words. On one hand, shock coursed through him, while on the other, he felt like he was floating on cloud nine, overwhelmed by the possibilities that lay before him.

In Max's past life, during his days at the orphanage, he was an avid reader of novels. He often daydreamed about the possibility of being granted a chance to become an overpowered main character with a cool system by his side.

These novels filled his head with fantasies of extraordinary abilities and epic adventures, providing a temporary escape from the hardships of his real-life circumstances.

However, as Max grew older and faced the harsh realities of life, he came to a sobering realization. 

The world, as he experienced it, was not a place where dreams easily came true. He discovered that there were rarely any free gifts or shortcuts to success. Instead, he learned that in the real world, dreams often remained unfulfilled, overshadowed by those in positions of power and wealth.

Max's experiences taught him that while novels offered an enticing escape, they were just that—fantasies. In the world he knew, that achieving one's goals required hard work, perseverance, and sometimes even sacrifices.

His newfound perspective made him appreciate the system bestowed upon him in his current life all the more, understanding that it was a rare and precious gift that held the potential to reshape his destiny in this fantastical realm.

"System, could you provide some clarification about the level and all the information in the status window?" Max inquired; his curiosity piqued.

[Host, your level represents your current status of power and authority in this world. As your level increases, you become more powerful and gain access to various privileges. The primary way to increase your level is by accumulating experience points, which you can earn by creating delicious foods and cuisine. The better the quality of your culinary creations, the more experience you'll gain.

Alternatively, you can also acquire experience points by defeating monsters. However, it's worth noting that the experience gained from cooking far surpasses what you can obtain by slaying monsters. Therefore, the system strongly advises the host to prioritize cooking and culinary excellence to level up effectively.]

"Hoh, I see. Just like RPG games. Nice! No problem, I'm not really into the whole slaying monsters thing," Max replied to the system with a hint of relief in his voice.

[The chef points are earned based on customer satisfaction. The more satisfied the customer, the more points you'll receive. These points are essential for purchasing items from the system's shop, which will become available once the host reaches level 10,] the system explained, emphasizing the importance of keeping customers happy to earn these valuable points.

"Hmm," Max nodded in comprehension, having grasped the system's explanation.

[The Host has the option to purchase various skills, including those related to culinary, magic, swordsmanship, and other abilities. These skills can enhance the Host's capabilities and provide additional tools for different situations.]

"Wow, that's quite intriguing. System, could you provide more information about this shop?" Max was genuinely fascinated.

[Host, for a more detailed understanding, you'll have to explore it yourself.] 

The system's response left Max torn between laughter and frustration, as he couldn't decide whether to be amused or exasperated by the lack of specifics.

"The Host is entitled to a 3-day sign-in bonus, with the option to claim it on any of the three days. For Day 1, the Host can choose to claim it at any time." Max felt puzzled by this revelation.

"So, it's like a game or something?" Max found himself increasingly perplexed by the system's unique features.