Versatile: Alternate World

Chapter 173 - A Date With Pandora (II)

I logged back to the game, but I crafted a few dupe weapons in the forge to increase my Blacksmith Ex Job's level. So far, I managed to raise it to level 2 after a few hammering. It takes time to level an Ex Job but it didn't matter much since the level is tied to your proficiency in creating high rarity items. The higher your level is, the more you can easily craft unique or even Legendary weapons. Your repair rate in weapons also increases and at higher levels, you also have a chance to use lesser materials to craft things.

I made sure to create a lot of rare weapons to feed my Versatile Weapon for later on. As for the lower rarity weapons, I throw them back into the forge and reforge them again to at least gain a new weapon with higher rarity. It took me quite a deal of time so I didn't get any quests or dungeon clear done during that time, I only forge weapons until I logged out to rest. As for the devouring process, I will perform it the next time I log back in. I have to rest early so that I can wake up early tomorrow.

??

...

...

The alarm clock is blaring so hard on my nightstand I had to smack it off so that it can shut up and I can finally go back to sleep. However, it only caused the alarm clock to blare louder than before, forcing me to wake up despite my body's protest and the urge to go back to bed. So much for waking up early if I can't even fight the urge to lie down again and catch some Zs again. I need to change this and discipline myself or I can't just get out of the cycle like this and I might end up breaking this alarm clock that keeps on waking me up in the morning that served me since I was an elementary grade student.

I pick up my alarm clock and turned its blaring sound off. I also checked if there are any damages from smacking it off the nightstand. Thankfully, the alarm clock is still fine and even though I smacked it hard, it didn't break or even have a crack or dent on it. Maybe I should nickname it as my 'invincible clock'.

...

After taking a bath, I went out of my room and went to the kitchen to start cooking food. As someone who is very fond of food, I need to practice a lot to get a very good cooking skill that restaurant food is inferior to mine. I got interested in cooking after knowing that cooking food in Alternate World has the same system and preparation with only the assisting info appearing on your process to cook which only made it easier but if you compare it in the real world, it is the same. If you are a good cook in the real world, you can earn a living in the game and cook food for NPCs and players alike even if you don't fight as most players do.

I am also planning to take on the test to get the chance to gain the Chef Ex Job. But that would take a while so I will have to practice my cooking skills in real life.

One of the doors opened a few minutes later and spits out Suhei wearing his usual business suit.

"Oh? You woke up early, Manato. Didn't expect to see you here this early."

"I usually wake up early to cook food for the kids. Today is not an exception especially since there are now two additional occupants."

"Well, gee. I thought we have to cook for our food, I didn't think you would also include us. In that case, I will give you money as an additional fee for letting us stay here for free. That way, you won't have problem buying ingredients that will be used to serve our food. I am thankful for cooking food for us."

"No worries. We are all board mates here, no need to be so shy," I said to at least break the little barrier with us.

"Also, I didn't expect you to be a good cook, Manato. The smell is very enticing. My cooking skills last night were put to shame immediately, hahaha."

"No worries. Your food last night was also quite good so no worries about the taste of the food, I also approved of it."

A few moments later, the other doors opened and spits out the others. Suhei helped Pandora and pushed her wheelchair to go to the dining table.

["Good Morning Everyone!"] Pandora raises her sketchbook, greeting everyone.

"Good morning, Brother Manato, Brother Suhei, and Sis Pandora," Sora greets us with a sleepy look on her face.

"Is the food ready yet?" Akira's eyes sparkle when he saw me cooking in the kitchen. This glutton.

"Morning Pandora, Sora, and Akira. Food is almost done so please wait for a bit," I greeted back and answered Akira's question while focusing my eyes on the pan to complete the last omelette rice I just made and put it on the plates.

"Your cooking skills are getting better and better, brother!" Akira said while rubbing his hands like a fly.

"Seriously, I won't give you extra serving just because you praise my cooking. I am already aware of that, so go and eat your food and stop bootlicking me."

"Damn, that trick didn't work too," Akira clicked his tongue but he still stares at the food with great anticipation on it.

The breakfast became quite noisy but fun for the first time with the addition of Suhei and Pandora on the table. And to be honest, I felt a nostalgia for my family in which my mother and father were beside me whenever we eat breakfast and dinner at the dining table.

I swear, once everything is resolved, I will reunite my family and make sure they are going to live a better life in this lifetime.

...

After we had our breakfast, Suhei handed me his credit card to use for the expenses in our travels for later.

"I will be entrusting you with my sister alright? I won't forgive you if something terrible happened to her."

"Don't worry about it, Suhei. Your sister is safe in my hands and I will hand her back to you the same as you entrusted her to me right now."

"I will take your word man. Please take care of her, also, if it isn't inconvenient for you, at least be friends with her."

"Alright, I will do that."

"Then, see you guys later. Enjoy the trip around Tokyo guys."

We wave goodbye to Suhei's car that speeds away after saying goodbye. After that, Pandora went back to her room to prepare her clothes and to prepare the things she will be bringing with us for later.

"Are you sure you guys won't come with us?" I asked Akira.

"We are good, Brother. Besides, Sora told me last night she wanted to grind later in the game so I think we won't have much time to do to come along."

"Is that so? Then be sure to clean the house and finish washing the dishes before going to play alright? Lock the doors once you guys are about to play. Don't worry about me, I have a key in my possession so be sure to lock the doors alright?"

"Noted!"

I also went back to my room and wear my casual clothes. I am not handsome so I made sure that my clothes would at least make up for my looks. I also wanted to be at least presentable beside Pandora who was a clear contrast to me.

When I went out of my room and went down the stairs, I didn't expect to see Pandora in her casual outfit.

She was wearing a blue casual women's blazer with a red shirt inside the blazer. Her long, white skirt is also quite eye-catching. Even though she is just wearing simple clothes, I never expected her to make it good in the eyes. She can easily pass the model test in some fashion magazines by standing and posing like a model.

As someone who has seen plenty of women in the past timeline, I thought I would be already immune to the charms of a woman. Ever since I was betrayed by Akari, my stance towards other girls became more neutral compared to the past. However, it seems that isn't true at all. Just seeing Pandora just like this made my steel heart melt for a bit and I admit, I got attracted to her. I won't be denying it even though I almost vowed that I won't get attracted to other women ever again.

["Are you done? Let's go!"] Pandora raises her sketchbook.

I nodded and held the wheelchair as we went out to go out to visit some places in Tokyo. You can say this is a date.