Chapter Twelve: Sweep Away Hunger and Become Yourself Again

In that instant, every hair on Chen Ye’s body stood on end, as if countless insects were crawling along his spine. The suona in his hand nearly slipped to the ground.

“Damn it!” Chen Ye cursed inwardly.

How did that old woman silently appear right behind him? She was scarier than a ghost!

The old chestnut vendor grandmother maintained a gentle smile, standing quietly like a calm, attentive listener. She no longer hawked her roasted chestnuts.

After a moment, she sighed softly, “Ah, it’s been so long since this old woman last heard music. Those days truly evoke such nostalgia…”

“Are you sure you mean music… and not some eerie sound?” Chen Ye restrained the urge to mock her. After all, the grandmother’s level was beyond his reach. Speaking out of turn would only bring trouble.

He quickly searched his mind for related information.

However, it was still unclear what exact sequence this grandmother belonged to.

If she were from the Chef sequence, she probably wouldn’t possess such powerful illusion abilities that could affect one’s senses so profoundly.

It seemed more akin to the traits of a Hypnotist or something similar.

But to reach such traits, one wouldn’t absorb a single characteristic item; it would be a profession formed by fusing multiple traits.

The Strange Epoch was home to countless characteristic items, spawning a blossoming array of careers. Each sequence could combine in various ways. Even the same profession could have vastly different traits.

Though Chen Ye’s knowledge reserve surpassed many players, compared to the entire world of the Strange Epoch, it was but the tip of the iceberg.

“Young man, it’s rare to see someone as eager to learn as you nowadays.”

“Heh, I won’t listen to this song for nothing. Here, take this bag of roasted chestnuts.”

“If you have time, you could learn the craft from this old woman. Maybe one day you’ll make them for yourself.”

The chestnut vendor grandmother smiled warmly and handed Chen Ye a bag of roasted chestnuts wrapped in greaseproof paper.

By instinct, Chen Ye wanted to refuse.

But that intrusive feeling that clouded his mind didn’t return.

The chestnuts before him seemed just like ordinary roasted chestnuts, releasing a gentle aroma—not overpowering, just simple and unpretentious.

Through the Eye of Fortune, Chen Ye observed the chestnuts surrounded by swirling hues of yellow and green.

This indicated the food was healthy and would not harm the body.

Not only would it satisfy hunger, it tasted quite good.

Lost in thought, Chen Ye suddenly looked up and noticed a faint blue halo surrounding the old woman's head.

That cerulean glow resembled a distant sky, unreachable and serene, carrying a faint melancholy as clouds drifted far away. Meanwhile, the surrounding violet aura flowed gently; the black malevolence and red bloodlight had vanished.

Only then did Chen Ye’s vigilant heart slightly ease. Compared to what he saw, he trusted more the halo’s colors reflected in the Eye of Fortune.

“Thank you.”

Chen Ye sincerely thanked her, taking the bag of roasted chestnuts.

The chestnuts were golden and crisp, their shells already peeled, ready to eat.

He opened the greaseproof paper, selected a plump golden chestnut, and bit into it slowly.

The fragrance instantly spread across his tongue, accompanied by a warm, satisfying feeling that sank into his belly.

To his surprise…

The hunger vanished quickly!

After such a long journey, Chen Ye had felt both parched and exhausted. Yet, with the situation precarious, he ignored all bodily discomforts, keeping his mind absolutely focused and calm. Only then could he respond to danger and find the right countermeasures.

After eating this single roasted chestnut, a warm current seemed to flow through all his pores with his blood. Fatigue melted away, and his mind cleared instantly.

Hunger swept away—he was himself again!

It was as if eating just one roasted chestnut could rapidly restore his body’s energy.

“Delicious.”

Chen Ye praised genuinely.

“It’s I who should thank you,” the chestnut vendor grandmother chuckled, “It’s been a long time since anyone played the suona for this old woman, and even longer since anyone praised the chestnuts’ taste.”

Carefully sealing the greaseproof paper bag, Chen Ye asked, “Grandma, when can I learn your roasted chestnut craft?”

He asked “when” rather than “if,” aiming to increase the chance of success. If the other party intended to accept, specifying a time would make the answer more direct.

In this broken game, even casually eating something could lead to deadly danger!

Chen Ye instantly deduced that the chestnut vendor grandmother definitely possessed a sequence related to Chef, and not a novice one.

This bag of roasted chestnuts could restore his body, carrying some special trait ability.

If he had the Gluttony sequence, maybe these chestnuts could even enhance his powers… but Chen Ye didn’t regret it. For most early-stage players, simply avoiding starvation was already a blessing.

Gaining any Chef-related ability would at least prevent dying from hunger.

Self-reliance meant sufficient food and clothing.

The chestnut vendor grandmother smiled and pushed her cart, gradually disappearing down the alley.

When she reached the corner, a vague, drifting voice slowly floated back:

“When you have the ability to cook, I will consider teaching you.”

The voice grew more elusive, fading away as the old woman vanished completely into the alley, leaving silence behind.

“People in the Strange Epoch really are strange…”

Chen Ye stood still, gazing at the roasted chestnuts in his hand, feeling a twinge of emotion.

Just moments ago, this bag of chestnuts almost cost him his life, and now it was delicious food in his mouth.

Perhaps…

This was why the game had once swept the world.

It held everything unknown.

It held all possibilities!

Chen Ye began to carefully recall the grandmother’s words.

“When I have the ability to cook… This likely meant obtaining traits related to the Chef sequence.”

“But how exactly to acquire that was another matter…”

At that moment, a sudden idea struck Chen Ye. He opened his blood-red phone and found the Strange Black Market.

Players could use the phone to photograph items they wished to trade, uploading them to the Strange Black Market.

The phone would automatically detect item information, publish it on the trading interface, and post requests, waiting for other players to trade.

Likewise, the other party must also photograph their items and upload them to the platform.

Only after both parties reviewed each other’s goods and confirmed the trade would it be approved.

At this stage, almost all players faced survival crises; the demand for normal food was immense.

This bag of roasted chestnuts contained dozens, enough to last several days.

“Maybe… with this bag of roasted chestnuts, I can trade for some valuable extraordinary items!”

Chen Ye’s eyes sparkled.

He immediately opened his blood-red phone, photographed the roasted chestnuts, and posted them on the Strange Black Market!