Chapter 41: Special-Class Chef Fujino

This time, the frail-looking Fujino once again shattered Miwako Sato's view of the world. Likewise, Miwako Sato's formidable combat skills once again refreshed Fujino's understanding of reality.

In Fujino's eyes, Miwako Sato's physique was a solid B!

After that, under the guidance of Conan and the other "flying" elementary school students, the police successfully recovered the stolen maple leaf gold coins on the rooftop of the building.

The case was thus solved.

After making a statement at the Metropolitan Police Department and collecting a cash reward of one million yen, Fujino was escorted home by Miwako Sato.

…

Standing on the balcony, Fujino gazed at the Mazda disappearing into the night.

Suddenly, a system notification sounded in his ear:

[Congratulations to the host for completing the Italian Robbery Case mission. You have gained 50 Detective Reputation Points and a bounty of 1,000,000 yen.]

[Current system balance: 3,300,000 yen]

[Current Detective Profession upgrade requirement: 250 Reputation Points]

"Two hundred fifty, huh?"

Fujino stared at the required points for the detective profession upgrade and couldn't help but murmur, "What an auspicious number."

Then, he shifted his gaze to the exchange interface of the System's Job Sphere.

900,000 yen—Ten Consecutive Draws!

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Temporary Ability Boost Cards (Strength, Perception; Duration: 1 minute) ×4, Genuine Designer Handbag ×1, Soccer Ball ×1, Self-Heating Rice with Fish-Fragrant Shredded Pork ×1, Pineapple Bread ×3]

"?"

Damn it!

Fujino stared at the items he had drawn, eyes suddenly widening.

If there were any words to describe his mood right now, it would be utter fury.

"This damn system is bugging again?!"

Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Fujino decided not to argue with this Tencent-made pay-to-win system anymore.

He pulled out his cigarette case, took three cigarettes, and laid them out on the balcony railing.

Facing the direction of a certain ancient Eastern nation, he gave a solemn bow, then went for another ten consecutive draws.

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Fisherman's Fishing Hat (Purple), Temporary Ability Boost Cards (Strength, Perception; Duration: 1 minute) ×2, Mobile POS Machine (Blue) ×1…]

As expected—superstition works!

Fujino automatically ignored the other items that didn't even reach the blue tier, focusing his gaze on the freshly drawn Fisherman's Fishing Hat.

[Fisherman's Fishing Hat: A fishing hat blessed by an old brother from the Fishing Forum. With this hat on, you can fish up anything except actual fish.

Ability: Increases the wearer's defense by 50%; 50% chance to force the culprit to reveal their identity. (Note: +50% Head Area Aggro)]

Holding the black fishing hat in his hands, Fujino's expression twitched.

Good grief—forcing culprits to confess? The old brother from the Fishing Forum really could fish up anything except fish.

Fujino put the fishing hat on, stood in front of the mirror, and looked at the reflection of himself—black-rimmed glasses, black fishing hat. He couldn't help but feel a bit dazed.

Could it be… I am the legendary Fishing Forum Brother.

With a faint sigh, Fujino put the hat away.

Although the hat came with a significant drawback—like doubling the chances of getting hit on the head—the corresponding effect wasn't bad either.

Boosting defense was exactly what he needed now.

Thinking back to those robbers who were hospitalized after being beaten by Miwako Sato, he felt a chill up his spine.

The combat power in this Detective Conan world was way more ridiculous than he had imagined.

Shaking off his thoughts, striking while the iron was hot, Fujino went back to the balcony. While the cigarettes were still burning, he faced the direction of the ancient Eastern nation—that is, the Mori household across the street—and bowed again.

Then, another ten consecutive draws—hoping for something better this time…

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Red Scarf ×1, Reaction Speed Enhancement Card (Purple), Purple Profession Card (Special-Class Chef), Soda (Blue)…]

"Chef?"

Fujino frowned at the new profession he had drawn, somewhat stunned.

Then, he opened the system interface:

[New Sub-Profession:

Chef: Beginner (100 proficiency points required for next upgrade)

New Profession Skill:

Special-Class Chef (Beginner: Any food made by the host has a 5% chance of receiving a random enhancement effect)

Current remaining funds: 600,000 yen]

"Special-Class Chef?"

Looking at the newly unlocked skill, Fujino's expression became a bit strange.

Honestly, for someone like him who couldn't cook, this skill didn't seem particularly useful. But then again…

Better more skills than fewer, right? The more professions, the better.

Who knows when it might come in handy?

Putting those thoughts aside, Fujino nodded in satisfaction.

Although the first ten draws were disappointing, the latter two batches—thanks to his superstition—made the 2.7 million yen investment worthwhile.

Twenty pulls yielded five items above the blue tier—not as good as that insane gold and purple streak from last time, but decent enough.

At least it was better than that other company's miserable drop rates.

A little while later—

Feeling hungry, Fujino decided to heat the Fish-Fragrant Shredded Pork self-heating rice to savor a taste of home. But suddenly—he froze.

When he opened the lid of the self-heating rice, it was glowing gold…

What's more, accompanying the golden light was an inexplicable, epic-sounding BGM playing from nowhere.

"What the hell?!"

Staring at the steaming golden glow and the fog swirling around the rice box, Fujino's hand trembled as he held his chopsticks.

At that moment, a system notification appeared right above the meal:

[Special-Class Chef Enhancement Effect: Slight improvement to host's physical condition (Effective Duration: 12 hours)]

This was the Special-Class Chef's skill in action—granting bonus effects to prepared food.

This profession—worth it for the special effects alone!

…

The next morning.

Ring, ring, ring!

The ringing phone interrupted Fujino's drowsy sleep.

Stretching lazily, he finally answered the call.

"Fujino-senpai, today's the weekend."

On the other end of the call came Suzuki Sonoko's voice. "You didn't oversleep, right?"

"Today's the weekend?"

"Yesterday was Saturday, so of course today is the weekend!" Sonoko said matter-of-factly.

Hearing that, Fujino, still stretching, was momentarily confused.

Yesterday was Saturday… and today is the weekend?

Something feels off.

That's not how Conan's logic works!

The disrupted timeline suddenly returning to normal made him feel strangely uncomfortable.

"Fujino-senpai!"

Fujino drove his Ford Taurus to the front of Ran's house, and as soon as he parked, he saw Ran coming down from upstairs.

Today, Ran was wearing a dark red sweater, a bright red blazer, and a light yellow short skirt, with gray stockings wrapping her legs.

Emm…

All he could say was—Ran's fashion sense in this era was truly one of a kind.