"If your food is good, we'll leave peacefully." The hooded figure radiated pressure like a gas burner left on too long, but their voice was calm and conversational.
The shapes in the treeline relaxed, but stared at Marron with their shiny eyes.
The figure in front of them was an important figure for sure.
"I thought I smelled duck fat. Do you cook with meat?"
Behind her, Mokko tensed. "Careful. This one's not normal."
Marron's hand found her knife—not to defend herself, but because that's what chefs did under pressure.
They cooked.
"Yes, I cook with meat."
The stranger moved closer. Their robes shimmered oddly, bending light itself. They smelled of clove and dangerous spices, with a sword at their hip.
"I've completed a successful dungeon run. And I brought an offering."
THUD.
They dropped a slab of meat on her counter.
Marron's breath caught.
Dark crimson that seemed to absorb light. Veins of molten gold pulsing like a heartbeat. The meat radiated warmth that had nothing to do with temperature—it thrummed with residual life force, dangerous and intoxicating.
Even uncooked, it smelled of wild hunts and midnight forests.
DING!
[Rare Ingredient Detected: Duskbeast Loin – Grade A]
[Status: Unstable - Handle with caution]
[Potential Effects: UNKNOWN]
[Quest Triggered: Dangerous Order]
"You want me to cook this?" she asked.
The figure tilted their head. "Is that not your purpose? To craft miracles from the forgotten? To turn danger into... delight?"
Mokko wiped his glasses grimly. "Duskbeast meat. High-grade dungeon predator. Full of carnivorous shadow-aether. Mess it up, and it'll cook you from the inside out."
Meat with its own health warning. Great.
But for the first time since the explosion, her hands weren't shaking—they were itching to cook something that mattered.
"Let's do this."
DING!
[WARNING: Unknown Flavor Resonance Detected]
[Subquest: "A Taste of Blood and Butter"]
[Time Limit: 30:00]
[Failure: +1 Affliction Stack]
[Reward: +100 Reputation | Stall Upgrade Token]
[Timer: 29:59... 29:58... 29:57...]
"Affliction stack?" Marron asked aloud.
Mokko just muttered, "Don't mess up."
Marron rolled up her sleeves and got to work.
The meat was dense with shadow-aether—oily, volatile, and rich. She needed a cleansing agent.
[Tip: Merrymint neutralizes lingering magic]
She found the sword-shaped herb twinkling on the spice shelf. With golden scissors, she snipped three leaves, crushing one with vinegar for a cleansing wash.
"Where's the butter?"
"Dreambutter," Mokko said, sliding over a sealed jar. "From wish cattle. Rare stuff. Don't waste it."
Noted.
She melted it slowly, infusing it with minced merrymint. The kitchen filled with scents of wild magic being tamed.
"You can do it, Marron. Slow and careful."
[Timer: 20:00]
"Do you HAVE to talk to yourself?" Mokko grumbled.
"You gotta be your own cheerleader!" Marron stuck her tongue out.
The hotplate flared with supernatural intensity, as if responding to the meat's magical properties. Her copper skillet sang against the heat, metal harmonizing with magic.
The moment the Duskbeast loin hit the surface, reality shifted.
SSSSSHHHHH!
The sear wasn't just sound—it was primal music. Steam rose in spirals of shadow and gold, carrying scents that bypassed the nose and spoke to memory: wild hunts, survival instincts, the fierce joy of being alive.
This wasn't just steak—this was transmutation. Taking something deadly and making it nourishing through nothing but skill and intention.
For the first time since waking up here, I feel like myself again.
She basted with infused butter, watching the gold marbling gleam.
[Timer: 10:00]
[Progress: 78%]
[Skill Upgrade: Adaptive Searing - Unlocked]
Instead of a plate, she used a wide jungle leaf. Sliced Duskbeast. Grilled carrot ribbons. Spiced reduction. Finished with citrus-glow ash.
[Timer: 0:00]
"Service."
She handed over the dish with trembling hands.
The stranger lowered their hood.
Obsidian scales shimmered beneath. Forked tongue. Eyes like molten gold and honeyed sugar.
Yup. Definitely not human. I hope it's good enough for them.
They lifted the slice with reverent precision, inhaling once before taking that first bite.
The effect was immediate.
They didn't just purr—they resonated, a sound that vibrated through the clearing like struck crystal. Their robes rippled as muscles flowed like liquid beneath scaled skin.
"I've never tasted duskmeat with merrymint before. Exquisite." Their voice carried harmonics that made the air shiver. "You are dangerous. I will return."
He looked up and the shapes in the treeline shrank back and disappeared entirely.
"An excellent offering. We will protect you during your next visit."
POP.
They vanished in swirling void petals.
DING!
[Subquest Complete!]
[+100 Reputation | +1 Stall Upgrade Token]
[Skill Upgrade: Flavor Resonance II]
The cart didn't just groan—it exhaled, releasing years of tension. Light bloomed from within the wood, running along grain lines like golden blood. The snapped wheel rebuilt itself from inside out, metal flowing like mercury.
The fryer's phoenix carvings flickered to life, tiny flames dancing in their eyes. It wasn't much, but it was a start.
And definitely better than the state of her cart moments ago.
We're healing. Thanks to my cooking. I wonder how far I can go in this world...?
She poured herself some leftover memory soda. The sparkling water cooled her down and soothed her nerves.
It's a lot more exciting than Earth, that's for sure. And I don't have to worry about the bank calling me anymore.
Footsteps.
A new figure approached: tall, elegant, wrapped in velvet. Wide-brimmed hat shadowing her face. Gold jewelry clinked with each step, and a levitating laptop floated beside her, keys clicking rapidly.
She stopped. Sniffed. Smiled faintly.
"Unpredictable presentation. Basic ingredients, but... you compensate with seasoning profile. Very interesting."
Click-click-click went the laptop.
"You can expect a review soon. I'm Critic-Class."
Marron blinked. "You're... a food critic?"
"Not just any." Her smile sharpened, revealing fangs. "I'm a Culinary Evaluation Monster. Rank B."
The laptop flashed crimson runes.
"Good luck surviving my first review, little chef."
She turned to leave, then paused.
"Oh, and little chef? In this world, a bad review from a Critic-Class monster isn't just career ending."
Her fangs glinted in the strange light.
"It's life ending."