"System, are you out of your mind? You're even resorting to forced sales?" Mai Ge raised an eyebrow, his heart still racing as he looked at the golden physical attribute points that suddenly appeared in his mind.
"Sorry, this system does not accept complaints." the system replied seriously.
"It's alright, may be one day I won't accept making money either." Mai Ge said, his tone even more indifferent than the system's.
"Host, this system believes that making money is something that requires a lifetime of persistence and effort. What's the difference between a person who doesn't make money and a salted fish[1]? There are many difficulties and obstacles on the road to becoming a Chef God, but as long as you stick to the fundamental principle of making money, you can overcome any difficulties. After the storm comes the most brilliant rainbow." The system's voice suddenly became a little anxious, with a hint of encouragement and temptation.
"A salted fish? I think it's pretty good. I limit sales to a hundred or so per day, work only sporadically, and if I'm in a bad mood, I just take a day off and don't open. Don't you think that's a wonderful life?" Mai Ge said calmly, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Next physical fitness points price: 50,000 gold coins! Slay dragons in the sky, subdue demons in the sea, punch trolls and stomp on demons. As long as you're willing to spend money, anything is possible! If you're a brother, come and be greedy..." The system's voice paused for a moment, "Sorry, I misspoke."
"50,000 gold coins! System, are you robbing me?!" Mai Ge almost jumped off his chair. He had finally saved up 10,000 gold coins or 1 million copper coins to buy a set of physical fitness points, but he didn't expect the next set to go straight for 5 million.
The key point is that this is only the second set of physical fitness points. Based on this ratio, the third set would be worth at least tens of millions, and very likely more than ten million.
"However… I must admit, slaying dragons in the sky and vanquishing demons in the sea is indeed quite tempting." Mai Ge recalled the scene of severing the head of an evil dragon with a single sword strike, and a strange surge of adrenaline rose within him. This goal was slightly more appealing than becoming a Chef God.
Of course, in order to fulfill the promise he made to Amy about preparing a Manchu-Han Imperial Feast and to become a true Chef God, Mai Ge was determined.
However, the system has been acting a bit mischievous lately, and he needs to make it face its place. A little discipline isn't enough, it'll get out of control.
After a moment of silence, the system prompted: "Host, consciously touching the physical attribute pack with your mind will activate it, but..."
Before the system could finish speaking, Mai Ge shuddered, as if an electric current had pierced through his body from his head and then surged wildly through his body. Every cell in his body trembled in the lightning, as if he was undergoing a baptism of lightning. A tingling sensation spread throughout his body, and even his tongue felt a little tied in knots.
"Ah." Yabemia suddenly withdrew her hand from Mai Ge's shoulder, subconsciously taking two steps back. She looked at Mai Ge with some surprise, feeling a slight numbness in her fingers. Just a moment ago, it felt like something had come from Mai Ge's body and poked her fingers.
"Boss, are you alright?" Yabemia asked Mai Ge with concern.
"I...I'm fine." Mai Ge suddenly opened his eyes, his hair instantly becoming a frizzy mess, each strand standing upright, resembling an afro. He turned to look at Yabemia and nodded, his expression also somewhat bewildered.
"Are you really alright?" Yabemia looked at Mai Ge, a mixture of amusement and worry on her face, and asked hesitantly.
"Yes, I'm fine. You go tidy up the restaurant, I'm going out to clear my head." Mai Ge nodded, got up, and walked towards the door. His hand reached for the doorknob, but before he could touch it, a loud crackling sound rang out, and he slammed the door shut as he left.
"What's wrong with Boss Mai?" Yabemia still didn't know what had happened, but she obediently started cleaning up the restaurant.
"System, you f**king did this on purpose, didn't you?!" Mai Ge roared inwardly as soon as he stepped outside. Just a moment ago, he was so shocked by the electric shock that he questioned his existence.
"Do you think I'm a bit cheeky, so you need to give me a shock?"
"Do you think you're some kind of Thunder God?"
Mai Ge looked at his shadow in the sunlight, his head suddenly appearing much larger than usual. His facial muscles twitched, and he was so angry he almost burst out laughing.
"Host, this system was originally planning to remind you, but you acted too quickly. Before I could finish speaking, you had already successfully triggered it." The system's somewhat innocent voice rang out, but no matter how he listened, it had a hint of schadenfreude.
Mai Ge's expression froze. The system did seem to have something to say, but he had been too hasty and clicked on it directly. However, he was still a little annoyed and said, "But there was no other reaction when I added 0.5 last time. Why is it giving me an electric shock this time?"
"Your body once nearly reached the limits of human potential, but it was eroded by drugs, magic, and curses. Although this system has already performed a thorough cleansing, but those dormant and atrophied cells need some external stimulation to awaken and activate their regeneration in order to regain their vitality. Electric shock is the simplest and most effective method." The system explained carefully, "As for the first time, because the number of cells that need to be awakened is not large and they are on the surface, the current passing through is small, and the host will not feel anything."
"I see." Mai Ge nodded, barely accepting the explanation, but his eyes widened in surprise. "Holy crap! System, this is only the second set of physical attribute points, and I'm already being electrocuted. What will happen later on? Will I be struck by lightning? This is like undergoing a tribulation!"
"This system will try its best to ensure the host's safety." the system said silently.
"Okay, give me some peace and quiet." Mai Ge smiled, inwardly cursing.
Originally, he thought that he could improve his strength steadily by spending money, but things were not as simple as he imagined. Although the system would try its best to protect his safety because of the money, but Mai Ge still felt a little resentful about getting shocked every time, and with the power level increasing step by step.
"If the electric shock isn't strong enough, will the system use a hot air balloon to send a chain into the sky to attract lightning?" Mai Ge imagined. But then he thought, "Forget it, the image is too beautiful, I'd better not imagine it."
After calming himself down, Mai Ge looked down and carefully felt the changes in his body. He slowly clenched his fists. The feeling of weakness had completely disappeared, replaced by a strong and powerful feeling that was almost comparable to his previous life.
Moreover, perhaps due to the stimulation from the electric shock, his originally thin body has gained a little more muscle. Although he still looks somewhat thin, but he no longer has the weakness he had before.
"Could it be because of this other world that the physical fitness standard of normal people is similar to the physical condition I maintained in my previous life when I was exercising?" Mai Ge muttered to himself with some doubt. His gaze fell on the Mo Bai's weapon shop next to him, his eyes lit up, and after hesitating for a moment, he still walked towards the weapon shop.
[1] This metaphor describes someone who has no dreams, lives a mediocre life, is in a low point, and has no aspirations.