Chapter 29: Chapter 29 - Nostalgia
In a nostalgic reverie, Luke ventured alone through the city's unfamiliar streets. Memories of the past washed over him, and he found himself lost in contemplation, pondering the things he had left behind on Earth. The system promised a chance to connect with his family after the upgrade, and the anticipation tugged at his heartstrings, filling him with both excitement and longing.
His thoughts drifted to the heartwarming encounter with Lunaria and the old man.
The gift Luke had bestowed upon the elder, worth 100 credits, held a value that transcended its price. Grateful for Lunaria's assistance in completing the system quest, he felt a need to give a gift to the elder as he was the one who raised Lunaria.
As he walked through the almost empty streets, the lunchtime atmosphere reminded him of days gone by, bustling with people and the aroma of enticing meals.
But now, a sense of solitude hung in the air, making him yearn for the comfort of a bustling crowd and the taste of home-cooked delights.
Avoiding the lackluster restaurant that failed to ignite his senses, he continued his quest to find a place that evoked the flavors of nostalgia and home, hoping to savor dishes that would transport him back in time and rekindle cherished memories.
As he wandered further, Luke's heart leaped with joy when he stumbled upon a row of stalls lining the street. The sight of those familiar stalls filled with street foods akin to those back on Earth ignited a sense of cherished nostalgia within him.
Among them, he couldn't resist the allure of one particular stall. His eyes danced over the mouthwatering selection of fish balls, boiled quail eggs, and barbecue. The aroma and sight of these delicacies stirred a wave of longing and fond memories of indulging in such treats back on Earth.
His mouth watered uncontrollably, unable to resist the temptation of these delightful dishes. Luke's desire to relish the flavors of his past intensified, and he knew he simply had to indulge in this cherished piece of home that he had found.
With a mix of concern and empathy, Luke approached the stall where the elder tirelessly cooked the street foods. He couldn't help but notice the old man's weary expression, which tugged at his heartstrings.
Engaging in a heartfelt conversation, he asked the elder, "How's business, elder?"
The old man let out a deep sigh, weariness evident in his voice, "Ever since the lockdown, we've been barely making ends meet. Though visitors long to taste our food, they can't come due to the restrictions. Only important individuals are permitted entry, and they won't bother with a humble place like ours. It's been a struggle, and it feels like we won't earn enough to put food on the table at this rate."
Luke listened attentively, touched by the elder's honesty and hardship. The weight of nostalgia and compassion filled him as he realized the significance of supporting these street vendors in preserving the flavors of his home planet.
"Is that so? How much is it."
"Only three copper coins? No, I'll make it 2 copper coins each." Luke's eyes widened in surprise when the vendor mentioned the price. The discounted offer further emphasized the affordability of the street food.
Feeling helpless, Luke shook his head, "What?! I don't have copper coins."
The vendor's disappointment was evident, as he had hoped to finally have a customer and was even willing to offer a lower price.
Luke's mind raced, realizing his predicament. He only had credits that could be exchanged for gold coins in the system. The expensive, tasteless breakfast he had earlier cost a whole gold coin, which led him to believe it was the standard price. The revelation dawned upon him that the street food here was far cheaper than he had anticipated.
Indeed, Luke's sense of the value of money had been inadvertently altered by the expensive offerings within the system. Unknowingly, the system's exorbitant prices had become his standard for pricing, causing him to overlook the true worth of things in the real world.
The mesmerizing array of street foods before him awakened a flood of memories from Earth, igniting his cravings with an irresistible allure. Overwhelmed by nostalgia, Luke couldn't resist the temptation to indulge in these delicacies that held so much sentimental value.
Determined to relish this taste of home, he proposed, "How about I buy it all? How much is all of this?"
The vendor chuckled, thinking it was a playful jest, and replied, "Lad, stop joking. You don't even have a copper coin, how can you buy it all? But since you've been kind and handsome, I'll give you one as a gesture of goodwill."
Luke appreciated the vendor's kindness but was set on experiencing the full feast of flavors before him. He thought of a solution and exchanged some credits for gold coins, determined to show his gratitude and support for the vendor's delectable creations.
Handing over three gold coins, he insisted, "Please pack it all."
The vendor was taken aback by the generosity, "What?! This is too much! Lad, I can't take this much. 5 silvers is enough!"
However, Luke remained resolute, recognizing the value of the vendor's efforts and wanting to help him through these difficult times.
Grateful for the opportunity to taste the cherished dishes of his past, he savored each bite, savoring not just the flavors but also the memories that came flooding back.
With every bite, the flavors of the street food swept Luke back to his cherished memories on Earth. A mysterious feeling engulfed him, and he couldn't help but smile nostalgically, his emotions welling up, and tears of reminiscence gently trickled down his cheeks.
"This is it! It tastes like Earth," he thought, appreciating the authenticity of the dishes. Though they might not match the exquisite taste of the system's food, they held a different and profound significance—the taste of home.
In a state of pure delight, he savored each morsel, losing himself in the familiar and comforting flavors. But as he reached for more, a puzzling realization dawned on him. "Eh? There's none anymore?"
His heart sank as he noticed the street foods had miraculously disappeared. It seemed as though the momentary taste of home had been a fleeting gift from the universe, leaving him yearning for more. Nevertheless, the experience had rekindled the spirit of his past.
Chuckling warmly, the kind vendor watched Luke's voracious appetite with amusement. "Haha, lad, how could you finish it all in one go? You really like my food, huh?" His eyes shimmered with emotion, nearly teary-eyed at the sight of Luke relishing the dishes so joyfully.
Still eager for more, Luke inquired, "Eh, elder, are there no more?"
The elder pondered for a moment, then replied honestly, "Hmm, the others are selling something similar. You can also buy from other stalls." He wanted everyone to share in the happiness that Luke's presence had brought, knowing that they all struggled with the same hardships during these trying times.
Feeling a sense of responsibility to preserve the taste of home, Luke made a decision. He chose to hoard the street foods, uncertain of when he could return to this cherished spot. The system storage now brimmed with an assortment of street foods, each carrying its own unique flavor and memory.
Indeed, the fortunate aspect of the system storage was that everything within it remained perfectly preserved, as if time froze around those items. No matter how long he stored it inside the system storage, the street foods would retain their original state, just as he had first put them in.
The system storage became a precious repository of memories and flavors, a treasure trove that brought comfort and nostalgia amidst the ever-changing world.
This day, an extraordinary event unfolded in the street food corner. All the stalls closed their shutters unusually early. The reason behind this peculiar occurrence was a generous man—none other than Luke—who purchased all their delectable foods and even offered extra money to support the vendors during their challenging times.
Word of this act spread within the close-knit community, giving birth to a captivating rumor. It was said that a handsome young man, with a heart as warm as his smile, would appear to bless those in need. Merely meeting this young man was believed to bring unparalleled luck and fortune into one's life.
Little did Luke know that his genuine cravings for the flavors of his past had inadvertently saved numerous families from the clutches of hunger. Each purchase he made had a ripple effect, as the vendors, in turn, used his kindness to support their loved ones, spreading hope and sustenance across the community.
As the rumor grew, Luke's reputation as a celestial benefactor soared, and he unknowingly became a symbol of compassion and goodwill in the city. Through the simple act of satisfying his own nostalgia, he had inadvertently become a beacon of hope for countless others, bringing light and warmth to their lives during their darkest hours.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone