A Stay-at-home Dad’s Restaurant In An Alternate World

“Yeah. I made these just for you,” Mag answered, looking at Amy with loving eyes. He put them down on the table.

He might be a rookie cook right now, but the skills he had already mastered were enough for him to make these new dishes tasty, if not perfect, for Amy.

“You’re not allowed to develop new dishes since the restaurant is only lv1,” said the system. “This is your first warning. After your third warning, the restaurant will be degraded.”

“Degrade it all you like. It’s already at the lowest level,” Mag said, seating himself.

“That’s where you’re wrong. I’m sure you still remember that rickety house.”

“You…” I won’t let Amy live in that ramshackle building again.

“Remember, you’re to be the God of Cookery. Be strict with yourself and patient. Do it one step at a time,” the system said solemnly.

“Fine,” Mag said after a moment. The system is right. I need to be patient. The things I’ve made are nowhere near authentic. If I’m content with them, I’ll never get better.

“Meow, meow!” Ugly Duckling was staring at the shrimp with longing eyes. It reached out its paws tentatively, but never dared to touch the plate.

“Amy, put Ugly Duckling on the floor and wash your hands first,” Mag said when Amy was about to pick up a shrimp with her hand.

“Yes, Father,” she said, tearing her eyes away from the shrimp. She put the cat down on the floor and ran towards the kitchen on her short legs.

Mag peeled a shrimp skillfully. “Come here, Ugly Duckling.” Holding the tail, he fed the shrimp to it.

The kitten raised its head, chewing merrily.

By then Amy had run back. She crouched down beside the kitten and looked up at Mag with her mouth open. “Feed me too, Father!”

The kitten gave her a sullen look. “Meow.”

“This is MY father!”

The kitten was beaten. “Meow, meow.” It rubbed its head against her leg.

Mag smiled and peeled a shrimp for Amy. “Here you go.”

Amy ate half with one bite. Her eyes brightened. “It’s so good! And we have so much meat like you promised!”

Mag was very happy that she liked it. “Eat as much as you like.”

It’s important to keep promises to kids; they can easily pick up bad habits.

Mag didn’t eat any shrimp since the two little things liked them so much. They should be good, judging by the looks on their faces.

“System, is it dangerous for me to go hunting by myself?” Mag asked, clearing the table.

“Your chance of survival is 50%.”

Mag almost dropped the dishes in his hands. He frowned. “Wait, what?! It’s just a fire chicken! It can kill me?”

“A fire chicken may not be able to kill you, but there are other magical beasts which are much powerful than fire chickens.”

“I’m such a weakling…”

“You can say that again.”

“Then why throw this mission at me? Do you want me dead?!”

“No. Your chance of survival can increase up to 99% if you have powerful items,” the system said happily.

This damned system is trying to sell me something again! Mag thought.

“I don’t have enough money to buy a proper sword.” He walked towards the kitchen.

“Don’t worry. You can always rent one. The daily rental is only 10 gold coins, and you will get a 10% discount if you rent it for seven days and over. You can also rent a suit of armor, a one-time magic shield, a one-time magic-attack, and stuff.”

Mag’s contempt grew stronger as it spoke. “What if I bring Amy with me?” he asked suddenly.

The system fell silent. “You chance of survival will be 100%,” it said at last.

Mag was taken by surprise. “For real?”

“Yes. Amy is much more powerful than you.”

This fact didn’t upset Mag. “You’d better be right.”

“You can count on my calculations,” the system said with certainty. “But I don’t recommend you bring her with you. Amy has school today. Be a man and do it yourself!

Mag sneered. You can’t provoke me into buying stuff from you. He put the dishes in the dishwasher and turned to smile at Amy. “Do you want to skip school today, Amy?”