📖 Chapter 3 – First Recipe of Destiny
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Raj sat cross-legged on his narrow hostel bed, the golden panel glowing faintly before him. The voices of the students outside still echoed in his ears—cheering, laughing, calling his food the best they'd ever had. His chest swelled with pride, but the panel quickly reminded him that this was only the beginning.
> [Bonus Condition Achieved: 20 Repeat Customers]
Reward Unlocked: Recipe Creation Skill.
Raj leaned forward eagerly. The letters reshaped themselves, forming a new line:
> Recipe Creation: Allows host to design new recipes. Ingredients will be analyzed for compatibility. System may suggest improvements for maximum flavor, health, and marketability.
Raj's eyes widened. So I can create food the world has never seen before… and guarantee that it works?
He grabbed a notebook and started scribbling ideas. His pen scratched furiously across the page:
Cheese-stuffed vada pav.
Paneer tikka burger.
Masala fries with fusion dips.
Spiced chocolate pav.
The system hummed faintly, like it approved of his creativity.
Then, one idea struck him harder than the rest. What if I combine Indian street food with a fast-food twist?
He closed his eyes, picturing the golden arches of McDonald's, the boxes of fries, the burgers wrapped neatly in paper. In 2010, those chains were already powerful—but what if an Indian version, cheaper, tastier, and rooted in local flavors, had existed?
He grinned. "Let's start with cheese."
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Experiment in the Kitchen
The next morning, Raj sneaked into the hostel's small, grimy kitchen before anyone else was awake. He laid out his ingredients: potatoes, bread, chutneys… and a small block of Amul cheese.
He mashed the potato mixture, spiced it with chilies and coriander, and carefully pressed in a cube of cheese at the center before frying. The Golden Frying Pan hissed, and the aroma filled the room instantly.
Raj bit into the finished product. The crust cracked perfectly, releasing steam, while molten cheese oozed out, mixing with the spicy potato.
He closed his eyes. Perfect.
The panel glowed:
> [New Recipe Created: Cheese Burst Vada Pav]
Rating: ★★★★☆ (Excellent)
Special Effect: Creates a sense of comfort and indulgence. High appeal for youth demographic.
Raj almost laughed. "Youth demographic? Are you telling me my system even does marketing analysis?"
The panel blinked once, as if smug.
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The Launch
By noon, Raj had rolled out his cart again. Students were already waiting.
"Arrey, today something new?" one of them asked.
Raj winked. "Today, I have a special edition vada pav. Cheese Burst. Limited plates only."
The line erupted in cheers. Word spread like wildfire. The first bite left students gasping as cheese dripped down their fingers.
"Bro, this is insane!"
"Better than McDonald's!"
"I'll pay extra for this one!"
Raj's cart sold out within hours. He had to turn customers away, promising to bring more tomorrow.
> [Sales Progress: 412/500 Plates]
[Customer Loyalty +25]
Raj exhaled in satisfaction. His first original recipe was a hit.
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The Rival Boils Over
Across the street, Shankar's stall sat nearly empty. He had lowered prices, shouted until his throat went raw, but it was useless. His customers had defected.
He clenched his fists so tightly his nails cut into his palms. "You think you can steal my street with your fancy tricks, boy? I'll show you how stall wars are really fought."
That night, as Raj pushed his cart back into the hostel, Shankar's shadow lingered at the corner of the street, eyes burning with fury.
Raj didn't notice. He was too busy smiling at the system panel, already dreaming of the empire he would build—one recipe at a time.
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The sun dipped low, painting the sky in orange streaks, but Raj's stall was still crowded. Students laughed as they bit into the new Cheese Burst vada pav, the molten filling dripping onto their fingers.
One boy shouted, "Raj bhaiya, open a restaurant already! We'll come every day!"
Another chimed in, "This is better than Pizza Hut! And cheaper!"
Raj grinned, sweat trickling down his brow as he served plate after plate. His cart was nearly empty when the golden panel flashed:
> [Sales Progress: 498/500]
Mission Almost Complete!
The crowd cheered for the last two vada pavs, fought over them, and Raj finally handed the final plate to a little girl who had wandered in with her father. She took one bite, her eyes lighting up as though tasting magic for the first time.
> [Mission Complete: 500/500 Plates Sold.]
Reward Pending: Recipe Creation Skill Upgraded
Next Mission Loading…
Raj wiped his hands and looked up at the night sky. His heart thudded with excitement. From a tiny cart… to an empire. I can see the path now.
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Shankar's Breaking Point
Across the street, Shankar's stall was nearly deserted. A handful of loyal customers munched silently, but the once-thunderous line was gone.
He clenched his fists, his thick mustache twitching with rage. His undercut pricing had failed. His free chutneys hadn't mattered. Even his decades of experience were being overshadowed by the boy with a golden pan.
"This brat…" he hissed. "He thinks he can walk in and steal my crown? I'll ruin him."
One of his workers whispered nervously, "Boss, maybe we should just—"
"Silence!" Shankar roared. His voice cracked with desperation. "Tomorrow, the game changes. If taste can't win, we'll use other methods."
His eyes glimmered with malice as he stared at Raj's glowing cart. "Let's see how long you last when the inspectors come knocking."
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The Calm Before the Storm
Raj pushed his cart back to the hostel, humming under his breath. His pockets were heavier than they had been in years—students had happily paid extra for the Cheese Burst version, and many had tipped him generously.
As he wheeled the cart inside, the panel flickered again:
> [New Mission Generated]
Expand menu with three original recipes.
Reward: Skill – Flavor Fusion (allows blending of multiple cuisines).
Raj's grin widened. Three recipes? He was already sketching ideas in his head—masala fries, pav with exotic chutneys, maybe even desserts.
But he had no idea what Shankar was plotting in the shadows.
For now, the street felt peaceful. But tomorrow, the war for the lane would truly begin.