As they neared town, ChibiScker couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer. "So...what’s the deal with the giant knife and fork?"

  “You’re still fixated on that?” Fenix asked, rolling his eyes.

  “Well, yeah. It’s not every day you see someone fighting with giant cutlery. I didn’t even know they could be used as weapons in the game.” ChibiScker responded.

  "As you saw, they work just fine for combat,” Fenix said, twirling his oversized utensils. "I got them while acquiring the Cooking skill."

  ChibiScker raised an eyebrow. "You do realize that's a pointless skill, right? A total waste of stat points," he said, sounding like he was lecturing a newbie.

  Fenix shrugged with a smile. “Everyone has their own way of pying. There’s nothing wrong if I want to dabble in cooking."

  "I suppose you're right. Plus, you've got me! I'll help you fight, and you can cook all sorts of delicious food for me. I've heard that when someone reaches Master or Grandmaster chef level in this game, their cooking is so mind-blowing that you'll never think of real-life food the same way again," ChibiScker continued excitedly.

  Laughing softly, Fenix said, "It's a deal. I'll cook you the most delectable meals that will make you question reality."

  Fenix genuinely thought ChibiScker was an adorable kid and wondered if this was what it felt like to have a younger brother.

  If only his parents were alive, he might have experienced what it was like to have a younger sibling. That would have been wonderful.

  Unfortunately, he would never know. This thought saddened him briefly, and a frown began to form on his face. However, the feeling quickly dissipated when he saw ChibiScker holding out his pinky to make a promise.

  A smile spread across his face as he linked pinkies with the boy. He started to feel something he only felt with Maya these days: trust. He just hoped that ChibiScker wouldn’t let him down.

  Once they made it back to town, Fenix and ChibiScker walked through the bustling market square toward the general store. The door swung open with a jingle as they entered, catching the attention of the owner, who greeted them with a warm smile.

  “I see that you two whippersnappers are back. Did you manage to find all 20 pieces of Lapis for me?” the old man asked eagerly.

  Fenix nodded and handed him the glowing stones. “Here you go, all 20 gems.”

  The owner's face lit up with delight. “Thank you so much! Here is your reward,” he said, handing Fenix and ChibiScker a package. After that, he scurried away, ciming to have work to do and instructing them to ask his assistant if they needed anything else.

  Excitedly, Fenix opened the package and was met with notifications flooding his vision.

  [System: Quest completed!]

  [System: You have gained 20 bronze coins and 1000 exp!]

  [System: You have received a Lapis Cut Bracelet!]

  Lapis Cut Bracelet: This magical spatial inventory offers a total of 100 slots for storing items. Special effect: It will keep food and ingredients fresh. It cannot be traded.

  [System: You have received Lapis Cut Earring!]

  Lapis Cut Earring: This magical spatial inventory offers a total of 100 slots for storing items. Special effect: gives +3 Strength, +3 Dexterity, +3 Intelligence, +4 Luck (only if you have the stat), +6 Max Damage, +5 Critical, and +3 Defense buff as long as you're wearing it.

  With a grin on his face, Fenix equipped both items and checked his character tab to see his new stats. He was pleasantly surprised by what he saw.

  Name: Chaotic Nexus Title: Unavaible

  Level: 5 EXP: 505/1500 ←- (+500 each Lvl)

  HP: 120/120 MP: 110/110 Stamina: 100/100 ←- (+10 each Lvl)

  Stat points: 3 ←- (+3 each Lvl)

  Strength: 8 +3 Dexterity: 8 +3

  Intelligence: 5 +3 Luck: 7 +4

  Coins: 10 Gold, 0 Silver, 600 Bronze

  Realizing that he had unused stat points, he quickly assigned them, already aware of what he wanted his css to be. He distributed one point to increase his HP, another to boost his stamina, and the st to enhance his intelligence.

  Name: Chaotic Nexus Title: Unavaible

  Level: 5 EXP: 505/1500 ←- (+500 each Lvl)

  HP: 130/130 MP: 110/110 Stamina: 110/110 ←- (+10 each Lvl)

  Stat points: 0 ←- (+3 each Lvl)

  Strength: 8 +3 Dexterity: 8 +3

  Intelligence: 6 +3 Luck: 7 +4

  Coins: 10 Gold, 0 Silver, 600 Bronze

  Once Fenix finished distributing his stat points, he gnced over at ChibiScker, who was eagerly tearing open a brown, crinkled package. Suddenly, colorful confetti burst into the air around him, signaling that he had reached level 10.

  With an exuberant shout, ChibiScker quickly donned the sparkling earring and a matching bracelet. His eyes then seemed to flicker as he navigated through invisible menus. However, Fenix knew he was choosing the region where they had agreed to be at the start of their journey in Haven Online.

  After a few moments, ChibiScker turned toward Fenix with a grin. "I have ten minutes before I’m transported away," he said. "I'm going to buy some items before I leave, so I'll say bye now in case we miss each other." Without waiting for a response, the boy darted through the aisles of the store, his eyes scanning the shelves for anything that caught his interest.

  Fenix shook his head, a wry smile pying on his lips, as he made his way to the store assistant. "I'm looking for a few things," he began, listing the items. The assistant nodded attentively and disappeared into the aisles.

  While he waited, Fenix pondered what skill he should get next. After thinking about it for a few seconds he knew exactly which one he wanted.

  Moments ter, the assistant returned, arms den with Fenix's requests: a sleek cooking knife that caught the light, a sturdy wooden cooking table, a dle with an intricately carved handle, a compact mini stove, a rolling pin smooth as gss, and finally, the Automat he had been eyeing.

  "That'll be 5 silver and 156 bronze," the assistant said, extending a green stone. These stones function simirly to credit card readers, but instead of a card pyers scan their hands to deduct money.

  After scanning his hand, he still had 9 gold, 995 silver, and 444 bronze remaining, Which was a good amount—more than most newbies have. So even though the shop didn't have some of the more advanced cooking tools he needed, he'd have the funds by the time they became avaible.

  Securing his purchases in his inventory, he left the shop without another gnce at ChibiScker, who was still darting between dispys.

  Fenix never liked goodbyes; they always seemed too final. He knew he’d see ChibiScker again soon enough once he left this pce.