Becoming a True Man with the Help of a System

Episode 4

After walking for a while, Aldo finally came upon an eatery with very affordable prices for each item on the menu, despite its location in a narrow alley.

Without a second thought, Aldo stepped into the sparsely crowded eatery and eagerly ordered one of the listed items.

"One serving of fried rice, please, Uncle!"

"Okay, just wait a moment!"

The delicious scent of fried rice wafting through the place made Aldo increasingly impatient to taste it.

Aldo was a bit puzzled as there were only a few patrons despite the menu offerings being much cheaper than other places.

For instance, the fried rice here cost 5,000 rupiahs while other eateries charged between 10 and 20,000 rupiahs. Not to mention, the portions were more generous here.

*Is it perhaps due to its hidden location?* Aldo wondered but dismissed the thought as his order had arrived.

"Enjoy your meal!" said the waitress who brought his food.

On closer inspection, the girl could be around 18, possibly a high school student.

Aldo didn't pay much attention to her as his stomach had been growling since that morning without food.

Aldo devoured the neatly served fried rice in front of him, indifferent to any onlookers who might think him famished—because indeed he was.

Not long after—

"Another serving, please, Uncle!" Aldo called out, lifting his now empty plate.

"Eh? You're serious?"

"Definitely. Your cooking is delicious!"

A new spark ignited in the Uncle's chest, hearing his cooking praised for the first time.

Eyes ablaze with enthusiasm, the Uncle grasped two cooking spoons in his hands.

"Myra, fetch the fried rice recipe from my safe."

"R-right away, Dad!" replied the waitress, who turned out to be the owner's daughter.

The family's secret treasure – their fried rice recipe – was brought forth as the Uncle began chopping spices and other ingredients while Myra, his daughter, prepared fresh plates.

The gas stove was lit at precisely 1200 degrees Celsius, no more, no less, as they placed the large frying pan atop the now perfectly lit stove.

The exceedingly rare cooking oil was poured and heated in just 60 seconds; the special fried rice seasoning added until it was half-cooked, before two liters of white rice joined the mix.

Wielding his cooking spoons like a knight brandishing his swords, the Uncle prepared for battle to craft his special fried rice.

The entire eatery watched the owner with the fascination of a child witnessing a magic show, while Aldo drooled over the aroma, even stronger than before.

Approximately 15 minutes later, the Uncle's special fried rice was ready. He poured it onto the plate Myra had set up, adding an egg and some salad to garnish.

"The family treasure is prepared. Serve it with elegance," the Uncle instructed with finesse.

"No need to overdo it, Dad," said Myra, struggling with her father's antics.

She then served it to Aldo in a regular manner, who looked ready to drool at any moment.

Just one bite was enough to produce an exquisite taste in Aldo's mouth, which spurned him on to finish the specially made fried rice.

Not stopping at one, Aldo consumed four servings of fried rice in succession, leaving him very full.

*When will I have the chance to eat this well again?*... Aldo pondered as he patted his swollen belly.

Shortly after, Aldo remembered something and shifted his gaze to the proud-looking Uncle-owner.

"Uncle, the cost—"

"Don't worry about it, this meal is on the house!" the Uncle interrupted with a thumbs-up.

Aldo smiled with relief at the kindness of the Uncle in a world where it seemed to be vanishing.

"Uncle, I'll have the special fried rice too!"

"Me as well!"

"I was here first!"

Seeing how delicious the Uncle's special fried rice was, everyone clambered to order the same.

Contests ensued amongst them, willing to pay extra to get what they wanted as quickly as possible.

In an instant, the eatery's business surged with customers, bringing great joy to the father and daughter due to the unexpected windfall.

But amid the clamor of orders, someone kicked in the door, startling everyone inside including Aldo, who turned to see a group of garishly dressed men enter with arrogance.

"The delicious smell brought me to this dive, and what's this? You ignorant people are fighting over his dishes? Does that mean you've got some extra cash for us, old man Suman?"

One of the showy men said with a smirk, filled with tattoos.

*He must be the boss of this odd bunch* - Aldo guessed\, looking curiously at the man.

Aldo wondered if he had entered a district of fools decked out as clowns. Just look at them, with rainbow-colored hair like a pride display, torn leather clothes rivaling scavengers', walking in with all the swagger of Western film cowboys.

Do they think they're cool? No, they're just bizarre!

But for some reason, everyone in the eatery including the Uncle looked fearful at the arrival of these men.

"Hey Boss, that guy's lookin' at us funny!"

One of the odd fellow's equally odd followers pointed out Aldo, and everyone's attention turned toward him confidently meeting the gang leader's gaze.

"H-hey, w-watch the way you look..." Myra whispered a warning to Aldo.

But Aldo ignored her and continued staring down the approaching boss.

"Why are you looking at me like that? You looking for trouble?"

The odd man leaned down to bring his eyes level with seated Aldo, locking gazes.

One could see sparks of conflict in their eyes as a system voice announced a new mission.

----------𝔐𝔦𝔰𝔰𝔦𝔬𝔫----------

[Battle Mission]

-Defeat the Death Metal gang.

-Free the Suman family from the Death Metal gang and earn the trust of the local people.

[Reward]

100 System Points

100 Ability Points