---
Lin Hao's heart was doing its best impression of a jackhammer as he stood frozen in the dorm hallway, staring into the glowing red eyes of the *Shadow Wraith*. The Level 8 monster, a swirling mass of darkness with claws like serrated chef's knives, hissed and lunged, its shadowy form flickering like a glitch in New Shanghai's gameified reality. His glowing wok, still warm from his duel with Chen Feng, felt like a flimsy defense against this nightmare. The crowd of dorm students, phones out and recording, only made things worse—#SpatulaHero was trending globally, but fame wouldn't save him from being sliced into sashimi.
[Sassy, I'm dead meat!] Lin Hao thought, diving behind a wrecked vending machine as the wraith's claws slashed through the air, leaving trails of black mist that smelled like burnt nightmares. His Level 4 stats were a joke against a Level 8 monster, and his dorm room—his only safe haven—was a taunting 20 meters down the hall.
[Calm down, Spatula Boy,] Sassy, his snarky [System], replied. [You've got Cook the World in a Pot (Level 1), Seasoning Slash (Level 1), and Thread of Fate (Level 1). Plus that Dragonfire Pepper from the principal's quest. Get creative, or you're ghost toast.]
"Creative?!" Lin Hao hissed, dodging a claw that shredded the vending machine, spraying soda cans like shrapnel. "I'm a cook, not an exorcist!" But his reincarnated instincts—forged from late-night exam cramming and stress-cooking instant noodles—kicked in. He gripped his wok, its faint glow pulsing like a heartbeat, and activated *Thread of Fate*.
A spool of golden thread materialized in his hand, shimmering with magical energy. "Bind or enhance… let's try binding," he muttered, flinging the thread like a lasso toward the wraith's claws. The thread coiled around its arm, tightening like a glowing spiderweb. The wraith shrieked, its movements slowing as the thread pulsed with light.
[Debuff applied: Shadow Wraith movement speed reduced by 25% for 15 seconds!]
The crowd gasped, phones flashing. "He's sewing a ghost!" a student shouted, posting to X with #SpatulaHeroStitches. Lin Hao ignored the noise, focusing as the wraith struggled, its claws slashing inches from his face. He activated *Cook the World in a Pot*, and his wok expanded, casting a 10-meter circle of light. The air filled with the scent of sizzling spices, and a spectral pot appeared, bubbling with potential.
"If I can cook a wolf, I can cook a ghost!" Lin Hao yelled, grabbing the *Dragonfire Pepper* and a *Void Garlic* from his inventory. He tossed them into the wok, channeling *Seasoning Slash* for extra flair. The wok erupted in a purple-red mist, forming *Shadow Wraith Sizzling Soup*—a glowing broth with ghostly flames dancing on its surface, smelling like spicy ramen mixed with haunted dreams.
The soup surged, engulfing the wraith. It screamed as the broth burned through its shadowy form, dealing 350 HP damage and applying a *Spectral Burn* debuff that drained 50 HP per second. The dorm hallway smelled like a five-star ghost kitchen, and nearby students started drooling despite the danger.
[Damage dealt: 350 HP! Debuff applied: Spectral Burn – Wraith takes 50 HP per second for 10 seconds.]
The wraith's HP plummeted, and it dissolved into a pile of loot: a *Wraith Essence Shard* and a *Glimmering Spice Jar*. The crowd erupted in cheers, and Lin Hao's [System] pinged.
[Enemy defeated! 250 EXP gained! Level Up! Lin Hao is now Level 5! Skill Upgraded: Thread of Fate (Level 2) – Range increased to 18 meters, binding strength increased by 10%.]
Lin Hao slumped against the wall, panting. "Sassy, I just cooked a ghost. A *ghost*. What is my life?"
[You're a World Weaver, kid, not a boring swordsman. Also, quest reminder: Join Squad Firestorm by dawn. Reward: 300 EXP, Basic Gear, Squad Membership. Penalty: Su Yan's Wrath. Get to bed—you'll need energy for her fireballs.]
Lin Hao stumbled to his dorm room, wok in hand, dodging students begging for a taste of his soup. His phone buzzed with X posts—fan edits of him wielding a flaming wok were already viral. "Why is everything I do a meme?" he groaned.
[Because you're a walking disaster, and this world loves chaos. P.S. New skill unlock at Level 15, so start grinding. Nighty-night!]
---
The next morning, Lin Hao stood at the edge of New Shanghai High's training grounds, a sprawling arena of cracked earth and holographic obstacles. The air crackled with energy as students competed for Combat Training Squad spots, their skills lighting up the field—fireballs, lightning bolts, and glowing shields. Lin Hao, clutching his wok like a lifeline, felt like a tofu cube in a meat grinder.
Su Yan, the Level 7 *Blaze Sorceress* who'd recruited him, stood with her arms crossed, her fiery aura making the air shimmer. Her Squad Firestorm—three other students—eyed Lin Hao like he was a questionable dumpling. *Wang Lei*, a Level 6 *Ironclad Knight*, hefted a massive shield and scowled. *Zhou Mei*, a Level 5 *Wind Archer*, twirled her bow like a fidget spinner. *Liu Tao*, a Level 6 *Shadow Assassin*, sharpened his daggers with a look that said, "I'd rather stab you than talk to you."
"Listen up, Spatula Boy," Su Yan said, her voice sharp enough to cut steel. "The tryouts are simple: survive a Level 10 dungeon simulation with us. We need a Life Class for support—cooking, crafting, whatever keeps us alive. Don't screw this up, or I'll turn you into a kebab."
Lin Hao's stomach churned. "I'm not a support. I'm a World Weaver. I make soup and… sew stuff."
Wang Lei snorted. "Perfect. We'll die with full stomachs and nice pants."
[Quest: Survive Squad Firestorm's Tryouts. Tip: Use Thread of Fate (Level 2) to enhance their gear. They'll owe you big time.]
The arena shifted, forming a glowing red dungeon entrance. A robotic voice boomed: [Trial: Crimson Fang Lair. Objective: Defeat the Level 10 Crimson Fang Alpha. Time Limit: 20 minutes.]
The squad charged in, and Lin Hao scrambled to keep up, nearly tripping over a rock. The dungeon was a maze of jagged boulders and glowing red vines, with *Crimson Fang Wolves*—Level 8 monsters—snarling around every corner. Su Yan's fireballs lit the way, Wang Lei's shield blocked claw swipes, Zhou Mei's arrows flew like missiles, and Liu Tao vanished into the shadows, reappearing to shank wolves. Lin Hao, meanwhile, dodged a wolf's jaws and prayed he wouldn't die.
[Sassy, I'm useless here!] he thought, hiding behind a boulder as a wolf lunged.
[Use Thread of Fate to boost their gear! Make them shine, and they'll carry you.]
Lin Hao activated *Thread of Fate (Level 2)*, golden threads spinning from his fingers. He focused, weaving the threads into Su Yan's robe, Wang Lei's shield, Zhou Mei's bow, and Liu Tao's daggers. The threads glowed, stitching patterns of fire, iron, wind, and shadow into their equipment.
[Gear Enhanced! Su Yan: +12% fire damage. Wang Lei: +18% shield durability. Zhou Mei: +12% arrow speed. Liu Tao: +15% stealth.]
Su Yan's next fireball exploded like a mini-sun, vaporizing a wolf. Wang Lei's shield glowed, deflecting a claw strike with a *boom*. Zhou Mei's arrows zipped faster, piercing two wolves at once. Liu Tao's daggers left shadowy trails, dropping a wolf in one hit. The squad froze, staring at Lin Hao.
"You… made us stronger?" Zhou Mei asked, her bow still humming.
Lin Hao grinned nervously. "Yeah, magical sewing. You're welcome."
Su Yan's eyes narrowed, but she nodded. "Not bad, Spatula Boy. Keep it up."
The squad pushed deeper, reaching a massive cavern where the *Crimson Fang Alpha*—a Level 10 wolf the size of a minivan—roared. Its fur glowed red, and its venom-dripping claws shook the ground. Su Yan barked orders, but the alpha was relentless, dodging fireballs and smashing Wang Lei's shield with a single swipe, dropping his HP by 20%.
[HP Warning: Squad Firestorm at 60% average HP. Alpha at 80% HP. Do something, or you're all puppy chow.]
Lin Hao's brain kicked into overdrive. "Time to cook!" He activated *Cook the World in a Pot (Level 1)*, his wok expanding to 10 meters. He tossed in the *Wraith Essence Shard* and *Glimmering Spice Jar* from the wraith fight, plus a *Crimson Vine* he'd grabbed from the dungeon floor. The wok glowed, producing *Venomous Wraith Wolf Stew*—a bubbling, purple-red broth that smelled like danger and deliciousness.
The stew surged, splashing the alpha. It howled as the broth seared its fur, dealing 400 HP damage and applying a *Poisoned Flavor* debuff that drained 50 HP per second. The squad's wounds healed, and their stamina surged from the stew's aroma.
[Su Yan: "This smells like victory!" Squad HP restored by 25%. Alpha HP at 45%.]
Su Yan unleashed a massive *Blaze Inferno*, roasting the alpha. Wang Lei tanked its weakened claws, Zhou Mei's arrows pincushioned its hide, and Liu Tao's daggers finished it off. The alpha collapsed, dropping a *Crimson Fang Core* and *Rare Leather Scraps*.
[Trial Complete! 400 EXP gained! Level Up! Lin Hao is now Level 6! Skill Upgraded: Seasoning Slash (Level 2) – Damage increased to 120-240, debuff duration increased by 5 seconds.]
The squad panted, staring at Lin Hao. "You're not useless," Wang Lei grunted, almost smiling. Zhou Mei gave him a thumbs-up, and Liu Tao just nodded, which felt like a miracle.
Su Yan clapped him on the shoulder, nearly knocking him over. "You're in, Spatula Boy. But don't get cocky. We've got蓐
System: Apologies, it looks like your message was cut off. Since you requested **Chapter 4** with the condition that Lin Hao gains new skills every 15 levels from now on (while still leveling up current skills), I'll complete the chapter, ensuring it aligns with the story's tone, humor, and mechanics established in previous chapters. I'll also incorporate the skill progression rule, noting that Lin Hao's next new skill will unlock at Level 15.
**Chapter 4: Stitching Shadows and a Spicy Showdown (Continued)**
*Word Count: ~3,800 (continuing to completion)*
---
ged Squad Firestorm's tryouts. Reward: 300 EXP, Basic Gear, Squad Membership. Penalty: Su Yan's Wrath.]
The *Crimson Fang Alpha* lay defeated, its massive body dissolving into glowing particles, leaving behind the *Crimson Fang Core* and *Rare Leather Scraps*. Lin Hao's wok still hummed with residual heat from the *Venomous Wraith Wolf Stew*, and the cavern smelled like a post-apocalyptic food truck rally. The squad—Su Yan, Wang Lei, Zhou Mei, and Liu Tao—stared at him, their expressions shifting from skepticism to grudging respect.
"You're not half bad, Spatula Boy," Su Yan said, wiping ash from her robe. Her fiery aura flickered, making Lin Hao feel like he was standing next to a human barbecue. "That stew was ridiculous, but it worked. You're officially Squad Firestorm's fifth member."
Wang Lei crossed his arms, his shield still glowing from Lin Hao's *Thread of Fate* enhancement. "Don't expect me to eat your cooking every day," he grumbled, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward.
Zhou Mei spun her bow, grinning. "I'm keeping you around for the buffs. That arrow speed boost was *chef's kiss*."
Liu Tao, true to his *Shadow Assassin* nature, just gave a curt nod and vanished into the shadows, probably to brood dramatically.
Lin Hao clutched his wok, his mind reeling. "So, I'm in? Like, actually in a squad with people who punch monsters for fun?"
[Quest Complete! Reward: 300 EXP, Basic Gear (Reinforced Apron – +10% defense), Squad Firestorm Membership. Level Up! Lin Hao is now Level 7! Skill Upgraded: Cook the World in a Pot (Level 2) – Range increased to 12 meters, healing/damage increased by 10%.]
[Sassy's note: Nice work, Spatula Boy. You're not dead yet, and you're trending harder than a K-pop idol. New skill unlock at Level 15, so keep grinding. Also, that Crimson Fang Core in your inventory? It's glowing weirdly. Might wanna check that out.]
Lin Hao glanced at the *Crimson Fang Core* in his inventory. The fist-sized orb pulsed with a faint, unnatural light, unlike any loot he'd seen before. "Sassy, is this thing supposed to look like it's plotting world domination?" he muttered under his breath.
[Could be. That Hidden Quest about the monster surge? The core's got traces of Abyssal Energy. Keep it close, but don't, like, sleep with it under your pillow. That's how horror movies start.]
As the squad exited the dungeon, the holographic arena dissolved, returning them to the training grounds. Students cheered, phones flashing as they recorded Squad Firestorm's victory. Lin Hao's X notifications exploded—#SpatulaHero now had fan art of him wielding a giant wok like a superhero. He groaned. "Sassy, why is my life a viral meme?"
[Because you're a World Weaver, not a boring warrior. You cook ghosts and sew buffs. Embrace the chaos, kid.]
Before Lin Hao could process his newfound squad membership, a shadow moved in the stands—a cloaked figure holding a glowing orb that matched the *Crimson Fang Core*'s eerie light. The figure's face was hidden, but their presence sent a chill down Lin Hao's spine. He blinked, and they were gone, vanishing like Liu Tao on a stealth mission.
"Sassy, did you see that?" Lin Hao whispered, his wok suddenly feeling heavier.
[Yup. Shady McCloakface is bad news. That orb's linked to your Hidden Quest: Uncover the Secret of New Shanghai's Monster Surge. Reward: 1,000 EXP, Legendary Ingredient. Hint: The principal's office holds a clue. Warning: Snooping there is a one-way ticket to detention—or worse.]
Lin Hao's stomach dropped. "The principal's office? With Fangfang the wyrm? I just got out of trouble!"
[And now you're diving back in. Welcome to the apocalypse. But first, you've got a squad meeting. Su Yan's glaring at you.]
Su Yan waved him over to where the squad was gathered near the arena's edge. "Spatula Boy, we're debriefing. Move it, unless you want to be my next target practice."
Lin Hao jogged over, his *Reinforced Apron* flapping awkwardly. The squad sat on a bench, munching on protein bars that looked depressingly bland compared to his stew. Su Yan tossed him a water bottle. "You survived the tryouts, so here's the deal. Squad Firestorm's got a rep to maintain. We're aiming for the top 10 in the Global College Combat Exams in three months. That means training, dungeons, and no slacking. Got it?"
Lin Hao nodded, trying not to look terrified. "Got it. Uh, do I cook for you guys, or…?"
Zhou Mei laughed. "Keep making that stew, and I'll personally guard your wok."
Wang Lei grunted. "Make my shield glow again, and I won't complain."
Liu Tao reappeared from nowhere, startling Lin Hao. "Don't screw up," he said, then vanished again.
Su Yan smirked. "You're on cooking and buffing duty. Also, we train at dawn tomorrow. Don't be late, or I'll fireball your apron to ashes."
Lin Hao forced a smile. "Dawn. Great. Love mornings." His internal monologue was screaming: *I'm a cook, not a morning person!*
As the squad dispersed, Lin Hao headed toward his dorm, the *Crimson Fang Core* still pulsing in his inventory. The training grounds were quiet now, but the air felt heavy, like the calm before a monster wave. He passed a group of students whispering about recent monster attacks—more frequent, more brutal. The glowing core seemed to hum in response, and Lin Hao's gut told him it wasn't just loot.
Back in his dorm, he collapsed on his bed, wok beside him like a loyal pet. He pulled out the *Crimson Fang Core*, its light casting eerie shadows on the walls. "Sassy, this thing's giving me bad vibes. What's Abyssal Energy?"
[Bad news in energy form. Think monster steroids. It's tied to the surge—more monsters, stronger monsters, weirder monsters. The principal's office has answers, but Madame Zhao and Fangfang aren't exactly welcoming. You'll need a plan.]
Lin Hao groaned, rubbing his temples. "A plan? I'm barely surviving squad tryouts! Now I'm supposed to sneak into the principal's office?"
[You wanted an exciting reincarnated life. This is it. Also, check your new gear—that Reinforced Apron's got a hidden pocket for loot. Handy for smuggling spicy evidence.]
Lin Hao examined the apron, finding a small, glowing pocket that perfectly fit the *Crimson Fang Core*. "Okay, fine. I'll figure out the principal thing. But if Fangfang eats me, I'm haunting you, Sassy."
[Deal. Now sleep. Dawn training's gonna be brutal, and Su Yan doesn't do late.]
As Lin Hao drifted off, the core's glow pulsed faintly, and he swore he heard a low growl outside his window. Probably just his imagination… right?
---
CLIFFHANGER
Lin Hao woke to his [System] blaring an alarm. [Emergency Alert: Level 8 Monster Breach in Dorm Sector! Shadow Wraith Swarm detected. Squad Firestorm summoned to respond.] He grabbed his wok, heart racing, as Su Yan's voice crackled through his phone: "Spatula Boy, get out here NOW!" Outside, red eyes glowed in the darkness, and the *Crimson Fang Core* in his apron pocket burned hot against his chest. "Sassy, is this connected to the surge?" he whispered. [Bet your wok it is. Time to cook or be cooked.]