The sun rose lazily over the northern plains, casting long shadows across the outpost that T Ken had been helping defend. After the battle with the rogue sorcerer, the villagers had begun rebuilding, their morale lifted by his presence. Yet for T Ken, growth was never complete. Each day brought new trials, new skills to master, and new ways to harness the Ω∞D System.
Today, the system prompted something unexpected: Cooking Simulation: Nourishment and Enhancement. A glowing icon hovered in front of him, showing a variety of ingredients, tools, and recipe cards.
> "Master T Ken, culinary abilities can enhance stamina, sharpen perception, and fortify combat skills. Use wisely."
T Ken blinked. Cooking? He had trained in combat, strategy, and system navigation, but cooking? Curiosity sparked, and he activated the icon.
A magical kitchen materialized — floating stoves, utensils that moved on their own, and ingredients appearing from the system's inventory. Bread dough, fresh vegetables, fruits, spices, and even exotic meats shimmered with ethereal energy. Each ingredient carried subtle enhancement properties, from stamina regeneration to mind clarity.
He started simply, kneading dough while the system guided him: "Combine energy grains with essence herbs. Infuse with vitality sparks. Timing is critical."
The aroma filled the simulation, and as he shaped the dough, T Ken realized cooking was more than nourishment. It was a form of precision, patience, and creativity — just like combat or strategy. Every ingredient, every step, could enhance his abilities in ways that raw training could not.
When the loaf was complete, he plated it alongside roasted vegetables, a stew, and a small serving of glowing fruit. Carefully, he took a bite. Warmth spread through his body, and he felt a surge of energy — reflexes sharpened, perception heightened, and stamina replenished. Even minor senses like hearing and vision seemed amplified.
"This… is incredible," T Ken whispered. "It's like training… but delicious."
The system's interface pulsed in approval: "Culinary skills unlocked. Nutritional synergy integrated with combat and magic abilities."
After eating, T Ken decided to explore the northern borders, where reports suggested lingering rogue mages and minor disturbances. As he walked, the system presented tactical overlays, combining reconnaissance data with predictive analysis. His mind, sharpened by both physical training and system-enhanced nourishment, processed the battlefield with clarity.
Not far from the outpost, he encountered a group of rival adventurers — mercenaries hired by the neighboring kingdom, seeking to claim credit for suppressing the rogue mages. They sneered upon seeing him, underestimating the boy from Greenhollow.
"Little boy thinks he can handle threats beyond this village?" one mocked.
T Ken activated a subtle aura, not aggressive but defensive, and focused. He recalled the lessons from his cooking exercise: precision, timing, and synergy. Instead of charging blindly, he created a sequence of illusions and barriers, combined with minor energy blasts, using minimal effort to neutralize their aggression. The mercenaries stumbled, amazed and frustrated, realizing brute force was useless.
> "Power isn't just about strength," T Ken murmured. "It's about thinking, planning, and balance."
The system rewarded him with new icons: Energy Infusion, Enhanced Coordination, and Synergistic Abilities — linking his cooking, combat, and magical enhancements seamlessly.
As night fell, T Ken returned to the camp, exhausted but invigorated. He set up the system-generated kitchen again, preparing a modest meal for himself and the villagers who had stayed behind. Laughter and chatter filled the evening air as they shared the feast. Though the food was magical in nature, it was the joy and care in preparation that made it special.
Princess Elara's image flickered briefly in his mind, reminding him of his promise. Though far away, her spirit inspired him to grow stronger, not for fame, but for protection.
Before sleep, T Ken activated the system interface once more. A new message appeared:
> Trial Ahead: The Climactic Ordeal Approaches. Preparations for multi-layered threats are advised. Mastery of all integrated abilities — combat, strategy, and sustenance — will be critical.
T Ken exhaled, feeling the weight of responsibility, but also excitement. The road to becoming the true heir of Hyung Fyi's Ω∞D System was leading him toward something far greater. The combination of physical training, system guidance, and even cooking would culminate in a trial that would define his place in the multiverse.
> "I will be ready," T Ken whispered. "I'll protect everyone… Greenhollow, Elara, and the world beyond. No matter what comes."
The system pulsed warmly, a silent acknowledgment. For T Ken, mastery of every skill — combat, strategy, and even cooking — had become essential. The climactic trials were approaching, and only through the integration of all his abilities could he hope to overcome them.
Tonight, beneath the stars, he felt a strange serenity. He was no longer merely a boy from a small village. He was a protector, a strategist, a master of the Ω∞D System, and a hero in training. The challenges to come would be daunting, but T Ken's resolve was unshakable.
The first taste of system-generated power — both in battle and in nourishment — had prepared him for the world's trials. And soon, he would face the true test of his inheritance.
End of Chapter 8.
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