Rowan had just barely finished catching his breath when Sora grinned mischievously at him.
"Ready to continue?" she asked sweetly.
"Do I have a choice?" he groaned.
"Noooooope~!" she sang.
Before he could protest, the world around him shifted.
When he next opened his eyes, Rowan was standing in a bustling cantina overlooking a vast forest. His jaw dropped.
"Wait a second... I know this place. This is the cantina in Astera! I'm in Monster Hunter World!"
He turned to ask Sora what the hell was going on—only to find that when he opened his mouth, the only sounds that came out were a series of deep grunts and... meows.
Panicking, he looked down at his hands—no, paws. Furry, muscular paws. His height was reduced, his frame bulkier. White and black fur covered him from head to toe.
"I'm the Meowster Chef..."
At the far end of the cantina bar, Sora was doubled over in laughter, pointing at him with tears in her eyes.
Then the system chimed in.
---
System Notification
[Quest Updated]
Title: Sora's Trolling... I Mean Training, Part 2
Objective: Feed 25 Hunters (0/25)
Reward: 1 Random Weapon, 1 Random Passive Skill
Penalty for Failure: Get fed to a Rathalos
---
"Oh, come on! Seriously?!" Rowan shouted. "Fine... it's just 25 people. How bad can it be?"
That's when the first hunter walked up.
"I'll have three grilled fish, two steaks, one fried rice, two sausage skewers, two shrimp skewers, and two mugs of ale."
Rowan blinked. "Oh, crap."
What followed was a non-stop cooking nightmare. Hunters came in droves, each placing ridiculous orders. After three hours of high-octane culinary chaos, Rowan paused for breath and checked the system.
---
Quest Progress: 15/25
---
He slumped over the counter. "Oh my god. No wonder so many chefs drink. I think I might actually die before this is over."
Just as he exhaled, another customer plopped down.
"Yes, I'll have six grilled fish, three fried rice, two mugs of ale, and seven skewers."
Rowan deadpanned. "Of course you will."
Out loud, he forced a smile and said, "Coming right up."
Two grueling hours later, he heard the sweetest sound imaginable.
---
System Notification
Quest Complete. Rewards being delivered...
---
In a flash, he was back home—and himself again. Sora stood beside him, still laughing.
"So? Wasn't that a fun quest?" she teased.
Rowan glared at her. "Did I do something to piss you off?"
"Not piss me off," Sora said thoughtfully. "More like... you annoyed me. In your past life."
Rowan blinked. "What could I have possibly done? I didn't even know you existed before this life!"
Sora smirked. "You do know that I have access to your past memories, right?"
Rowan suddenly started sweating. "So... that means you saw..."
"Yep. All of it. I know your entire porn history, pervert—and I couldn't help but notice I'm in it."
Rowan wisely chose to change the subject.
"So... my rewards?" he asked.
---
System Notification
Weapon Unlocked: Samurai Edge - S.T.A.R.S. Custom
Type: Semi-Automatic Handgun
Caliber: 9mm Parabellum
Magazine Capacity: 15 Rounds
Description: A customized Beretta 92F designed by Joseph Kendo for the S.T.A.R.S. unit. Later adopted by U.S. federal agencies and the B.S.A.A. due to its reliability and precision engineering.
---
"I want to be excited," Rowan said, staring at the pistol. "I really do. But something tells me this is the beginning of a new nightmare."
Sora smiled sweetly. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
---
System Notification
Passive Skill Unlocked: Saints Swagger
Type: Passive | Style Alteration | Charisma Boost
Tier: Rare
Source: Inspired by The Boss (Saints Row Series)
---
Description:
You don't just enter a room—you own it. This skill transforms your appearance, fashion sense, body language, and speech patterns into those of a criminal mastermind dripping with charisma and power.
Effects:
Outfit Override: Stylish custom outfit inspired by the Saints Row aesthetic.
Refined Swagger: Confident and commanding posture, movement, and presence.
Boss Talk: Speech shifts to reflect sharp wit, fearless charisma, and street-savvy bravado.
Charisma Surge: +25% Charisma
Respect Meter: A hidden mechanic—gain passive influence over crowds as your "Respect" builds.
---
The moment the skill activated, Rowan's entire wardrobe morphed. His hair styled itself, an expensive pair of sunglasses appeared on his face, and his worn jeans and t-shirt were replaced by a sharp three-piece suit.
He now wore a black blazer over a deep purple shirt with a sleek black tie. The Samurai Edge rested snugly in a shoulder holster. His pants matched the jacket, tailored and clean, ending in high-end black designer shoes. On his wrist was a platinum timepiece with the Saints' fleur-de-lis symbol gleaming under the glass.
"This is so f***ing incredible," he said.
But the words that left his mouth weren't crude—they were smooth, polished, and laced with confidence. He sounded like the charismatic leader of a criminal empire: intimidating yet respectable, chaotic but calm, bold yet eloquent.
He glanced at the skill description again.
The wardrobe transformation was the only active component. The rest—the swagger, the voice, the aura—it was now permanently part of him.
"Not sure if that's a blessing or a curse," Rowan muttered. "But I dig it."
He looked at Sora and, with the ease and presence of a seasoned kingpin, said:
"What have you got for me next?"
Sora smiled. "Now this... this is much better. As for what's next? Oh, if you didn't hate me before, you will now."