The supermarket was three blocks away from his apartment. Usually, he preferred to buy ingredients from a fresh market, but it was too far, and he didn't have enough time.
Pushing a trolley, Dravin walked down the meat aisle. He let out a heavy sigh, back and forth, because he was confused about what to cook.
Based on the skill he got, his cooking ability wouldn't be a problem. However, he aimed to get the maximum tip he could, and that included the satisfaction factor.
His perfectionism crept in. How could he be sure to satisfy someone he'd never met before? That was just impossible. But...
When he worked as a chef in the hotel restaurant, there was a reason why a customer would give the restaurant a five-star rating, even on their first try, which would instantly turn them into regulars. And Dravin knew the exact reason.
"Excuse me, don't you have fillet mignon?" Dravin asked the butcher behind the meat display, who had tired eyes. He wondered whether a demon possessed this butcher, given the sadness his face exuded.
"Do you mean tenderloin small cuts?"
"Ah yes, the part that can't become a steak cut."
"No. We don't have it." The butcher answered with a flat tone and went back to grinding meat, ignoring Dravin.
The disappointing answer made Dravin sigh and move on.
Even the meat displayed in the showcase had already told Dravin that the selection here would not be complete.
His memory told him that people in this world were used to instant, ready-to-eat food, so it was no surprise that a supermarket's fresh food selection had limited options.
His gaze fell on two pieces of tenderloin steak in the display.
He had wanted to use the fillet mignon part because it was cheaper.
The 350 Goldin price tag for a single two-ounce piece of tenderloin made him reconsider the money he had now, as he still needed to buy other ingredients.
But with the rewards he would get, even if he failed to satisfy his co-worker, he would still make a profit, so there was nothing to lose even if he spent the rest of the money he had.
With a wave of his hand, he gestured to the butcher to pack one piece of tenderloin and five ounces of ground meat.
Before leaving the meat aisle, Dravin turned to the butcher, who was about to cut another piece of meat.
With unfocused eyes, the butcher picked up the meat beside him and prepared to cut.
"Sir, you'll be cutting with the grain if you place it that way." Dravin suddenly interrupted the butcher.
The butcher's eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly changed the wrong position of the meat.
"Oh, young man, I almost lost money if you hadn't reminded me. Thank you." A soft, tired smile tugged faintly at his lips.
Dravin just bowed his head with a smile and quickly left the aisle. The butcher looked like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Ding!
Dravin blinked as the translucent screen appeared with a notification sound echoing in his head.
After a few seconds, it disappeared as Dravin pushed his trolley into the dry goods aisle.
Hm, what was that?
Dravin immediately summoned the full screen and looked at his stats. His eyes were drawn to the aura points.
Aura: 3000/1,000,000
So, that's where aura points come from? Good deeds?
He hadn't intended to help him. He just thought it would be a shame if the meat ended up tough because it wasn't cut against the grain.
Dravin continued his shopping, stopping at the spice aisle.
The dry, earthy, and sharp aroma of the herbs in front of him wafted through his nose.
A warm feeling spread through his chest, like coming home. He needed it all. No, he wanted it all.
But sadly, he couldn't afford it all right now. His hands started grabbing the spices he needed for the time being.
With a cheering enthusiasm, Dravin pushed his trolley again, moving quickly down each aisle.
He took only the most essential ingredients without lingering.
When he grabbed cream cheese, he let out a heavy sigh to stop himself from also taking the hard ball of Gouda-like cheese he used to eat for breakfast.
When he picked up the frozen puff pastry, he resisted turning to look at the pineapple pie crust desserts in the next freezer.
In the egg aisle, he only took the four-pack when he really wanted the tray of 30.
And what gave Dravin the most dilemma was when he had to choose butter.
To give the dish a rich taste, he needed to use good butter.
He knew very well that homemade artisan butter was his best choice.
But after seeing the contents of his trolley, Dravin finally grabbed the cheapest brand of butter because he wouldn't have enough money otherwise.
He clenched his jaw, holding back a surge of frustration as he headed to the cashier.
This reminded him of his life on Earth three years ago, right after he was laid off during the pandemic.
He had to be incredibly frugal when he first started his career as a content creator.
Wait…
He chuckled at the realization that his age in Vitaronia was three years younger than on Earth.
What's wrong with 25? Looks like I'm back in that time.
After paying for his groceries at the cash register with a tap from his phone, a slight notification popped up like before.
Ding!
Tch… almost a week of living costs just for pleasing a guy I've never met.
With slumped shoulders, Dravin walked out of the supermarket, carrying the shopping bags.
He still had 4.5 hours until his co-worker arrived, and based on his estimation, that should be enough time for cooking.
He wondered if there would be a skill to speed up the normal cooking time needed.
As he reached the sidewalk across from the supermarket, a soft tap on his shoulder made him turn.
"You live in apartment 442, right?" A small figure woman with shoulder-length light brown hair and deep blue eyes smiled faintly as she greeted him.