The rain in North City was cold, but the insults from the high-end restaurant owners were colder. Kyan wiped the grease off his forehead, standing beside his battered food cart. He was a nobody—an orphan who only knew how to stir a wok.
"A street cook like you belongs in the gutter, not in a kitchen," the words of the famous Chef Miller echoed in his mind.
Kyan sighed and looked at his last bowl of rice. Just then, a mysterious man wrapped in a tattered cloak stepped out of the shadows. He looked hungry, almost desperate. Without a word, Kyan started cooking. He didn't have expensive spices, but he had a secret technique his father had taught him before disappearing.
As the steam rose, a sudden, sharp sound exploded in Kyan's brain.
[DING!]
[Detection Successful: Host has reached the 'Point of Absolute Despair'.]
[The God-Tier Gourmet System is now Awakening...]
A glowing blue screen appeared in the air, invisible to everyone but Kyan.
[Host Name: Kyan]
[Level: 1 (Novice)]
[Unique Passive: 'Heart of the Flame' - Unlocked]
[Mission: Satisfy the 'Shadow Guest'.]
Kyan's heart raced. As he handed the bowl to the stranger, the man's eyes turned a strange shade of purple after the first bite.
"This taste..." the man whispered, his voice trembling. "It's not just food. It's... mana?"
Kyan stared at the system screen. A new notification flashed in red:
[Warning! You have attracted the attention of the 'Silver-Rank Hunter'. Prepare for a confrontation in 3... 2... 1...]