----

Kent and Nima walked back toward the city, the faint glow of streetlights flickering in the distance. The forest behind them felt darker now, the echoes of their encounter with the Spirit Bear still lingering in the air.

Nima was practically skipping, a satisfied grin plastered across her face. "That was amazing, big brother! I feel so much stronger now! But…" She stopped mid-skip, clutching her stomach dramatically.

GRUMBLE!

She looked up at Kent, her eyes wide and pleading. "I'm starving! You promised noodles! With beef! Extra beef!"

Kent scratched his head, his confidence faltering. His pockets were nearly empty.

He hadn't sold a single egg, and the money he had left was from that scamming fire user. It's not enough for two people to buy extra beef noodles.

"Well…" he began, trying to say something.

Nima narrowed her eyes. "Don't you dare say we're having carrots for dinner again.

I swear, Kent, if you make me eat another carrot…" She pointed at the half-eaten carrot from earlier still in her pocket as if it were evidence in a court case.

Kent sighed, shaking his head. "No carrots. I promised, didn't I?"

As they walked into the outskirts of the city, Kent's stomach churned—not from hunger, but from anxiety. He thought he had more money. But it was less than what he calculated.

"He mentally counted his money: enough for a plain meal for him and a feast just for Nima."

"She deserves the best," he thought. "But I'll just have to settle for plain noodles myself. Being a big brother isn't easy."

Nima's eyes lit up as they reached her favourite noodle shop. The warm, savoury aroma of beef broth wafted through the air, making her stomach growl louder.

"Here it is!" she squealed, pointing excitedly. "Beef noodles! My favourite!"

Kent smiled faintly, stepping inside the small, cosy shop. The owner, an older woman with kind eyes, greeted them with a wave.

"Welcome! What can I get for you?" she asked, wiping her hands on her apron.

Kent glanced at the menu, his heart sinking at the prices. 'It went up.' He forced a smile. "One large beef noodle soup, with extra beef, for my sister, please."

"And for you?" the owner asked.

Kent hesitated. "Uh… just plain soup noodles for me."

Nima blinked, looking up at him. "Plain soup? You don't want beef?"

"Nah, I'm not that hungry," Kent lied, patting his stomach. "I'll save the good stuff for you."

Nima stared at him for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then she grinned. "You're such a weirdo, Kent."

The bowls arrived steaming hot, and Nima's eyes sparkled as the smell of rich beef broth hit her nose.

Her bowl was loaded with tender slices of beef, glistening noodles, and a fragrant broth that seemed to shimmer with perfection.

Kent's bowl, in contrast, looked depressingly plain—a few strands of noodles floating in a clear broth.

"Wow, this is the best meal ever!" Nima said, clasping her hands together before digging in.

"She inhaled the fragrant steam, her eyes closing as if she were about to enter a dream. The first bite sent her taste buds into overdrive, and she let out an audible 'Mmm!' of satisfaction."

SLURP! SLURP!

The sounds of Nima enjoying her meal filled the air as Kent quietly ate his plain noodles.

"Big brother, you don't know what you're missing!" Nima said between mouthfuls. "This beef is amazing! It's so soft and juicy!"

"Yeah, I bet," Kent muttered, poking at his noodles.

After a few minutes, Nima paused, her chopsticks hovering over her bowl. She tilted her head, studying Kent's face.

"You're not even enjoying your noodles," she said. "Do you want some of mine?"

Kent shook his head quickly. "Nope, I'm good! Eat your fill, Princess."

Nima grinned. "Princess, huh? Fine, I'll allow it. But you owe me dessert next time!"

After eating some more, Nima left half of the meat and soup for Kent. I am full, Kent eat the rest. I can't eat anymore.

Kent just stared at Nima for a few seconds. He doesn't know how to respond. Nima gets up from the chair, holds the bowl, and then pours it into the Kent bowl.

After eating, When they returned home, Nima flopped onto the old couch, rubbing her full belly.

"That was the best dinner ever! I could conquer the world now." I always wanted to eat a bowl of noodles with extra beef. "Thank you, big brother."

Kent chuckled, sitting down beside her. "Glad you enjoyed it."

Nima leaned against him, yawning. "You're not a terrible big brother after all, you know."

"Thanks," Kent said silently. "High praise coming from you."

As Nima drifted off to sleep, Kent stared at the faint cracks in the ceiling. I have to earn extra money to fix the cracks.

"I need to step up my game," he thought. "I can't keep scraping by like this. If I want to give her the life she deserves, I need to get stronger. Faster."

He clenched his fists. "The special class starts in one day. Tomorrow I will sell slinky momos all day. Earning as much cash as possible.

Next morning...

Ding!

+60, +70,+90,+9,....SP copied (Frustration).

+45,666,113,55,+…SP copied (Annoyance).

People's faces were full of frustration and annoyance on the streets. Kent just set up his Stinky Momo stall. Its smell is making people's emotions go wild.

Stinky! Stinky! 🤢

Kent is very happy. Without doing anything, he is earning SP. Suddenly, a few of the other stall owners came to Kent. They were asking what are you doing? Are you mad at us?

Kent doesn't understand what they are talking about. With a confused face, he asked what are you all talking about? 'Uncle and Aunty.'

You all are good people, and you have helped me a lot. I am very grateful to you all. Why would I be angry with you?

One uncle asked, then why did you bring poop here? Because of the poop smell, no customers will come here.

Kent replied with a concerned face. Uncle and aunt's, it's something I made. It's called Stinky Momo. It is very...very tasty. Eating one from the box.

"Try it, everyone. You will like it."

One uncle tried one and said where did you learn to make something like that. I never heard of stinky momos before.

Kent replied, "It's just something I found wandering around."

🤯 Boom!

+19.... SP From xxx, xxx,xxx(joy).

All the uncle and aunt's minds blow with the flavour. They felt like heaven. It's a flavour no one has ever tasted before. "It tastes so juicy and fresh. Its fragrance exploded into my mouth at the first bite. With the perfect spice. I feel like I am in heaven."

MHHHHH!