The next morning arrived with an uninvited guest.
Not the boy again — a snail.
It was sitting in Ash's water bucket, looking far too comfortable for a creature that wasn't paying rent. Its antennae twitched like it was mocking him.
Ash squinted at it.
"...You're the test subject now."
He retrieved a small notebook he'd started keeping since the system first responded. The title was scratched in charcoal:
Ash's Log of Possibly Genius Skill Experiments
He flipped it open, found a clean page, and scribbled:
Entry #7: Effects of Snail-Based Broth on Human Physique.
Hypothesis: Slimy = strong?
Backup theory: Could be disgusting.
Objective: Skill test for body resilience or stomach bravery.
He dropped the snail into the soup pot with a solemn plop.
Cooking with Confidence
As the snail stewed beside chopped yam and bitter gourd leaves, Ash sat beside the fire, half-dozing, waiting for a notification.
Nothing.
"Maybe it needs a name first..."
He whispered with ceremonial seriousness, "Snail Body Toughening Broth... of Resilience."
The fire crackled.
Nothing happened.
He poked the soup. "System, don't leave me hanging—"
[Concept Recognized: "Resilient Consumption – Prototype"]– Ingestion of targeted natural entities to influence body durability.– Current Material Evaluation: Marginal– Effect: Possible minor increase to intestinal fortitude.– Note: May also cause regret.
Ash frowned.
He sipped the broth.
Then paused.
"...It tastes like boot water."
[Flavor Enhancement – Progress: 17%]Failed to salvage dish. Inner strength required. Literal.
Still, he finished the bowl.
Because science.
Visitors, Rumors, and Questions
Later that afternoon, the boy returned, dragging a wooden cart with two small baskets of yams and — to Ash's horror — three more snails.
"My uncle caught them after I told him you cured my dad's cough with bitter weed juice."
"I didn't cure anything," Ash muttered, lifting a snail with a stick.
"But you made soup. And he slept better."
"That doesn't mean I'm a doctor—"
A new voice interrupted.
"Are you Ash?"
A girl stood behind the cart. Older than the boy, maybe sixteen or seventeen. Her robes were practical — faded green outer-sect uniform, sleeves rolled up like she meant business.
She had a serious face. The kind that didn't believe in accidents.
"I'm from the record keepers of Green Reed Sector," she said. "I heard you're developing... herbal enhancements?"
Ash opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
Then opened it again. "Technically, I'm just cooking."
"Is that what you call it when you name your soups and mutter to the fire for an hour?"
The boy laughed. Ash glared.
[Public Awareness Increasing – Rumor Tag Created: "Odd Soup Cultivator"]– Effects: +2 attention from outer-sect trainees– Reputation: Unclear
System Response: Curiosity Mode
Ash returned inside after sending them away with a bowl of Snail Yam Soup (and a warning label).
He sat cross-legged, focusing inward. The system had been listening, that much he knew.
So now... he asked clearly:
"Can I create a skill to analyze food properties fully, not just taste and vague effects?""I want details. Attributes. Tiers."
[Recognized: Skill Concept – "Gastronomic Appraisal"]– Type: Passive Analysis– Effect: Reveals nutritional and cultivation value of consumables– Unlock Path:• Ingest 10+ unique materials• Survive 3 regrettable meals• Record perceived effects• Display intent to learn, not just survive
Ash whistled softly.
"That's... a lot. But possible."
The system chimed again:
[System Suggestion: Skill Synergy Opportunity Detected]Combine: "Flavor Enhancement" + "Resilient Consumption" + "Gastronomic Appraisal"→ Potential Skill Evolution: "Culinary Cultivation – Base Tier"
Ash grinned.
He didn't need flashy swords or fire spells. Not yet.
But if food could make him stronger?
That was a cheat no one expected.
And the Sect Notices... Just a Little
At dusk, a scroll was delivered.
Not by a person. By a small falcon. It dive-bombed his shack, dropped the scroll onto his soup pot lid, then flew away like it had somewhere better to be.
Ash read the scroll.
"To Ash of the Rural Outpost,Word has reached our ears of your food-based developments.As per outer-sect policy, all potential cultivators with unique growth paths are invited for formal registration and testing.Your presence is requested in Reed Sector Hall on the next full moon."
Ash stared at the scroll for a long moment.
Then glanced at his soup.
Then back at the scroll.
He sighed. "...I really should've named the soup something less dramatic."
End of Chapter 4