Novel-Mao
Chapter 52 Drunken Monkey Blood Wine Evolution
Lucian sighed.
'I knew that would happen… but even so, it's quite depressing.'
Lucian's strength compared to a Grade Four ingredient was pitifully weak.
With no other choice, Lucian decided to leave the kitchen. The aroma was too strong. However, before he could even grab the door handle, a System Notification appeared in his mind.
—----------
Quest: Complete and Serve the Sous Vide Filet Mignon
Description: Any good chef with pride would not run away from difficulties. Host, as the future Transcendent Chef, you must stay strong and complete the dish. Obstacles only exist to make you stronger.
Time Limit: None
Rewards: Celestial Knife Technique
Punishment: Loss of reward, and the Host will lose the Sous Vide Filet Mignon recipe.
Special Note: The Host cannot exit the kitchen until the dish has been made.
—----------
[... Are you kidding me!?] Lucian could not believe his eyes. The System wanted him to stay and lose consciousness.
[Host, all Quests are fair and reasonable. Good luck.] The System simply replied.
Lucian was speechless, with his hand outstretched to the door handle. Just a few more centimeters and a twist, he could leave.
After a few seconds of pondering, Lucian clicked his tongue in annoyance.
[You are going to be the death of me someday.] Lucian indifferently said and turned back while using his Mana to cover his body.
Worst of all, Lucian had to be near the iron skillet, stirring it at regular intervals, or else it would burn.
*Pop*
Once again, like a balloon, the bubble popped.
However, even so, Lucian summoned another one to encase his body.
*Pop*
'Even if the bubble doesn't last a second, I'd be damned if I don't do anything.' Lucian thought with glazed, drunken eyes, as he covered his body with another bubble.
Alas, determination could only take you so far.
*Pop*
*Pop*
*Pop*
Three minutes later, the red smoke became darker in color, and a pungent, bloody aroma filled the kitchen. Immediately, he felt his consciousness wavering.
*Drip*
*Pop*
*Drip*
*Pop*
*Drip*
*Pop*
Suddenly, droplets of blood began raining down, and with it, Lucian's hopes were washed away. Now, even before the bubble could form, it would burst.
'...Damnit.' Lucian gritted his teeth, knowing at this rate, he would not be able to last until the wine was reduced.
'I have to do something!' While pondering, Lucian continued to stir the reduction, watching as it grew thicker.
As Lucian stirred the reduction, to his surprise he felt a weird sensation. His body, which was slumped, did not feel as heavy as before. In fact, he felt energetic. Yet, when he attempted to straighten his back, it refused to listen and continued to slump.Nôv(el)B\\jnn
'What is this indescribable feeling? Or am I so drunk that I'm hallucinating?' Lucian pondered.
Outside the kitchen, Lily, who had never taken her eyes off the red cloud, frowned when she heard droplets.
"Uncle… can it rain inside a restaurant?" Lily asked jokingly.
However, to her surprise, Fenwick nodded and said, "It's quite common for clouds to rain in buildings… but that would only happen in cities built on mountains. As for a red cloud raining, I have never heard of that before… especially, a red cloud raining here… that should be even more impossible. "
Then, with a glare, Fenwick continued, "You would know that if you studied."
Lily pouted and looked away with her arms on her hips, "Lily hates studying!"
She would rather do anything else than study! It was too boring!
Fenwick shook his head and turned his eyes back to the anomaly. He wondered what that red cloud was.
Meanwhile, in the kitchen, as the drops of rain increased in intensity, Lucian began coughing from the intensity of the wine.
*Cough*
*Cough*
[Th-this is not a Grade Four Ingredient anymore!] Lucian was astonished.
[The Host is correct in his assessment. The Drunken Monkey Blood Wine has become a Grade Five ingredient. Once Drunken Monkey Blood Wine is used as a reduction, its intensity can double, triple, or more. Thus, it evolved into a Grade FIve ingredient.] The System explained.
Lucian frowned and wanted nothing more than to beat the System. The memories he had received did not mention that Drunken Monkey Blood Wine could evolve.
[I hate you!]
[I-I love you too.] The System replied in a shy female voice.
[Tch.] Lucian was speechless. If the System's voice was not robotic, he would have been charmed.
Shaking his head, Lucian continued to stir the rapidly thickening reduction as he thought of what he could do. However, without strength, his eons of knowledge and strength were useless.
'... If only I had a detoxification…' Lucian's eyes widened when he remembered even though he did not have a detoxication potion that did not mean he could not buy one.
[QUICKLY GIVE ME A DETOXIFICATION POTION!!!] Lucian screamed to the System.
[One Grade Zero Detoxification Potion. Does the Host confirm the purchase?] The System said while trying its best not to laugh.
*Cough*
[Fuck, are you messing with me!?] Lucian complained with literal tears dripping down his face. However, the tears were from the toxic fumes. The Drunken Monkey Blood Wine was so potent that it was no different from poison now. Just the smell caused him to cough and cry, then would he not be dead if he tasted the reduction!?
[Yes.] The System nonchalantly replied. However, it was not evil.
Suddenly, a list of Detoxification Potions appeared in Lucian's mind.
<{Grade Zero Detoxification Potion: Price - 50 Bronze Coins}>
<{Grade One Detoxification Potion: Price - 1 Low-Grade Mana Stone}>
<{Grade Two Detoxification Potion: Price - 100 Low-Grade Mana Stones}>
<{Grade Three Detoxification Potion: Price - 200 Low-Grade Mana Stones}>
<{Grade Four Detoxification Potion: Price - 300 Low-Grade Mana Stonez}>
<{Grade Five Detoxification Potion: Price - 400 Low-Grade Mana Stones}>
Without even glancing at the list in his mind, Lucian said, [I would like to trade a Free Restaurant Upgrade Coupon for a Grade Five Detoxification Potion.]
Of course, with his eons of knowledge and experience, he was aware of the ludicrous prices at which potions were sold.