Chapter 9: "Breaking the Chains of Hunger"
After taking a bite of the potato, John felt a burst of flavor and satisfaction. He savored the taste and realized how delicious and fulfilling the potatoes were.
The experience made him even more excited about the meal and the positive impact it might have on those around him. The simple pleasure of the well-cooked potato was a small but significant victory in his challenging life.
John took a bite of the potato and his eyes widened in delight. "This is absolutely incredible," he said, his voice filled with wonder.
"I never imagined that something so simple could taste this good. The potato is perfectly cooked—soft and tender on the inside, with just the right amount of seasoning.
" The flavor is so rich and satisfying; it's almost like a taste of comfort I didn't know I was missing. "
"This is more than just food; it's a small victory for me. After all the hard work and the long wait, this moment feels like a reward. It's amazing how something so basic can bring such joy and contentment."
" I'm really excited to share this with everyone. It's going to be a real treat for them, and I'm proud to have made something that turned out so well."
[Congratulations, Host! In the future, people will remember you as "The First Potato Eater" or "The Potato Legend," and you have gained 5 strength points.]
"What? People will remember me in the future by two names, 'The First Potato Eater' and 'The Potato Legend'?" John asked, shocked but also feeling a sense of pride.
[Yes, Host.]
John felt an overwhelming happiness, as if he had achieved something great. He started checking the screen.
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[Information About Host]
| Name: John
| Age: 20 years and 6 months
| BP: 120/80
| Strength: 10.9
| IQ: 95, Level - Average
| Knowledge: 1- Agriculture Level 1
|Achievement:
1. First Potato Eater
2. The Potato Legend
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"Hmm... An achievement list has been added to the screen, and my strength has increased from 5 to 10. I can really feel myself getting stronger," John said while looking at the screen.
"INFO, I have a doubt," he asked.
[Ask, Host.]
"Is there any way I can gain magical powers?" John asked, feeling a bit shy since INFO had previously mentioned that it only provides information, making him hesitant to ask.
[Host, you just need to increase your IQ level. With your low-level IQ brain, you won't understand anything about skills.]
INFO's words hit John hard, like a sharp knife stabbing his heart. He was deeply hurt by being called low-level IQ brain.
At that moment, John heard footsteps approaching his house.
"John... John... We're here," Uncle Tom called out, announcing their arrival.
"Oh, great! I was just waiting for you, Uncle Tom, Uncle Victor, and Aunty Clara," John said, stepping outside to greet them.
"Haha, since this is the first time you've invited us, I just had to come," Aunty Clara said with a smile.
"From now on, I'll invite you every day, Aunt Clara," John replied, grinning.
"Oh my, what a blessing!" Aunty Clara responded, laughing.
"John, is that smell what I think it is?" Victor asked, inhaling deeply.
"You guessed right, Uncle Victor," John said, looking at him with a knowing smile.
"Oh, I can't wait any longer, John. Hurry up!" Uncle Tom said, his mouth watering.
"I can't control myself either, John. What is it that's making us feel so good?" Aunty Clara asked curiously.
"You'll understand soon, Clara," Victor assured his wife.
"Alright, everyone, take a seat here. I'll go get it," John said as he headed inside.
"Victor, what is it? I feel like I might cry today," Uncle Tom said, looking at Victor.
"Yes, Brother Tom, I'm feeling the same way," Victor replied.
"What are you two talking about? Someone explain it to me!" Aunty Clara asked, confused.
"You'll understand in a little while, Clara. Just be patient," Victor said.
"Ouch, it's hot!" John exclaimed as he quickly placed the steaming pot full of potatoes in front of them.
"Now, I want to tell you all that the days of going to bed hungry are over, starting today, right now! And it's all thanks to Uncle Victor that I was able to discover this so quickly."
" I made a promise to you this morning that none of you would ever go to bed hungry again, and that you wouldn't have to work 16 hours a day just for one meal," John said, pausing to let the words sink in.
"Congratulations, Uncle Victor and Uncle Tom! From now on, hunger will be a thing of the past for you both," John said, looking at them with pride.
"I... never imagined... not even in my dreams... that a day like this would come... I've always thought about nothing but working hard, pushing my body to the limit just to fill our bellies, but no matter how much I worked, it was never enough.
" For 20 years, I've lived like this, scraping by, watching my family suffer from hunger, and my body could no longer bear it. But today, you've made my dream come true, John," Victor said, tears welling up in his eyes, which everyone could see.
Hearing Victor's words, Aunt Clara immediately understood that these were tears of struggle—tears Victor had held back for so long,
Never showing his vulnerable side. But now, those tears were flowing freely.
"Husband… please, stop… it hurts me so much to see you like this," Clara said, her own tears starting to fall as she gently embraced Victor, knowing how much effort he had put in for their family.
Watching this, Uncle Tom, who was usually always in a cheerful and joking mood, also began to tear up. He understood Victor's pain all too well.
But John didn't shed any tears. He had already cried away those tears of pain long ago, especially after learning what the future held for him and the Dregs. Now, a faint smile played on his lips as he thought about the bright future that awaited them.
John waited for them to calm down a bit. After a few moments, once everything was quiet, he spoke.
"Uncle Victor, Uncle Tom, and Aunt Clara, in this world, you three will be the first people to eat potatoes," John said, looking at the potatoes.
"So, that means you were the first?" Uncle Tom asked, wiping his tears.
"Yes, you're right. And they taste the best when they're hot, so don't wait for them to cool down—start eating now," John urged them.
"Alright then," Uncle Tom said as he reached out, took a potato from the pot, and brought it to his mouth.
As he bit into the potato, Uncle Tom's eyes widened in shock from the taste. He quickly ate the entire potato in just 10 seconds.
"Victor, Clara, eat now… I can't even begin to explain what I'm feeling. You'll understand the moment you take a bite," Uncle Tom said, urging them while reaching for another potato from the pot.
Hearing Uncle Tom, Victor reached into the pot, took out two potatoes, and handed one to Clara, keeping the other for himself.
"Eat, Clara," he said to his wife as he took a bite of the potato.
As Victor took the first bite of the potato, he felt an unexpected wave of warmth and satisfaction spread through him. The rich, earthy flavor filled his senses, and for a moment, he was at a loss for words.
The taste was simple, yet it carried with it a profound sense of comfort that he had never experienced before.
Clara, watching Victor's reaction, hesitated for only a second before taking a bite herself. The moment the potato touched her tongue, her eyes widened in surprise. The taste was unlike anything she had imagined—soft, buttery, and full of flavor.
It wasn't just the taste, though; it was the realization of what this simple food represented. It was hope, a promise of a better life, and a future where they wouldn't have to struggle as they had before.
Tears welled up in Clara's eyes again, but this time, they were tears of happiness and relief. She looked at Victor, who was still savoring the taste, and saw the same emotions reflected in his eyes.
"Victor, this… it's like a miracle," Clara whispered, her voice trembling with emotion.
Victor nodded, still too overcome to speak. The potato in his hand felt like a precious gift, a symbol of all the hardships they had endured and the better days that were finally within reach. He gently squeezed Clara's hand, sharing in the silent moment of joy and gratitude.
Together, they both continued eating, each bite more fulfilling than the last, as they slowly began to believe that their struggles might truly be over.
"What do you all think about this new food source?" John asked, observing their satisfied expressions.
"You were right this morning John —After eating this potato, I feel like I no longer have to worry about hunger," Uncle Tom said.
"Yes, John, from now on we won't have to worry about hunger. I'm even going to quit that job now," Victor said with a new light in his eyes, indicating his hope for a better future.
"John, thank you so much for lifting such a heavy burden off my husband's shoulders. I will never forget this for the rest of my life," Aunt Clara said, starting to cry.
"You all are making me feel like an outsider with your words. I know what hunger is too, and I'm part of your community. Please don't make me feel ashamed," John replied.
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See.... Yaa.... Next Chapter
[ " The Summons of Dante Ward " ]