NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 2: A Taste of Blood and Butter
Marron didn't move.
The hooded figure before her radiated pressure, like a gas burner left on too long. Their voice slid through the air, smooth and dangerous:
"I thought I smelled duck fat. Do you cook meat?"
Behind her, Mokko tensed. "Careful," he growled. "This one's not normal."
Marron's hand found the closest knife.
But it wasn't to defend herself.
That's what chefs did under pressure, didn't they?
They cooked.
"Yes, I cook with meat."
The stranger stepped forward. Their robes shimmered strangely, as if light itself bent around them. They smelled faintly of clove and other spices, and had a sword tied near their hip.
"I've just completed a successful dungeon run," they said. "And I brought an offering."
They pulled something from their satchel.
Marron's breath caught.
It was a bloody cut of meat unlike anything she'd ever seen—dark crimson marbled with streaks of gold, still faintly warm.
It pulsed.
[Rare Ingredient Detected: Duskbeast Loin – Grade A][Status: Unstable. Handle with caution.][Potential Flavor Effects: ???][Quest Triggered: Dangerous Order][Reward Tier: High]
"You want me to cook this?" she asked.
The figure tilted their head. "Is that not this stall's purpose? To craft miracles from the forgotten? To turn danger into… delight?"
Mokko huffed, wiping his glasses.
"That's Duskbeast," he said grimly. "High-grade dungeon predator. Full of carnivorous shadow-aether. If you mess it up, it'll cook you from the inside out."
Great, Marron thought. Meat with a health warning. At least the system can act like a cookbook.
But despite the danger… her hands itched.
This was no longer about safety. It was about passion.
About proving she still had that fire inside of her.
That she was still a chef, even if she was burnt out.
This second life thing is something else.
"…Cool," she muttered. "Let's do this."
She took the meat with a pair of tongs and laid it on the sanitized board. A system window flickered.
[WARNING: Unknown Flavor Resonance. Proceed?][YES] [NO]
She tapped [YES].
[Subquest Accepted: "A Taste of Blood and Butter"][Objective: Cook Duskbeast Loin][Time Limit: 30:00][Failure Consequence: Ingredient corruption +1 Affliction Stack][Reward: +100 Reputation | Stall Upgrade Token]
"Affliction stack?" Marron asked aloud.
Mokko just muttered, "Don't mess up."
[Timer: 29:59]
Marron rolled up her sleeves, tied her hair in a ponytail, 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 shimmering sword-shaped herb in a clay pot on the spice shelf. Mokko nudged open a drawer for her. She retrieved a golden pair of scissors—surprisingly untarnished—and snipped three leaves.
She crushed one with vinegar for a cleansing wash. The rest, she minced finely into the marinade.
"Where's the butter?"
"Dreambutter," Mokko said, sliding over a sealed jar. "From wish cattle. Rare stuff. Don't waste it."
Noted.
She melted the butter slowly, infusing it with merrymint. As it sizzled, she scanned the pantry again.
Ground spice-bark — warm and sweet, like cinnamon.Memory syrup — labeled "sweet."
"So...just a few drops, to balance the bitterness. Okay. Let's go, Marron!"
Mokko snuffled. "Do you HAVE to talk to yourself?"
Marron stuck her tongue out at him. "You gotta be your own cheerleader sometimes, you know!"
+
The hotplate flared to life. Marron laid down a copper skillet and once she felt the heat from it, placed the meat inside.
SSSHHHHH!
The smell hit hard—wild meat, roasted chestnuts, charcoal, and something darker. Something hungry.
Her pulse thundered in her ears. Marron hadn't been this excited since the Gastronomy Masters competition.
This wasn't just steak. This was food alchemy. And she couldn't wait to see her customer's reaction to her cooking.
Earth or Savoria, it doesn't matter. I'll deliver on flavor and technique!
She basted with the infused butter, searing until the gold marbling gleamed.
TIMER: 15:00
[Progress: 63%][Flavor Resonance II: Adaptive Searing – Unlocked]
"I have flavor levels?" Marron blinked.
"Focus!" Mokko barked. "Finish your plating!"
Instead of a plate, she used a wide jungle leaf. According to the system, she still had 3 minutes. Enough time for one last plate check.
Sliced Duskbeast. Carrot ribbons grilled with dreambutter. A spoon-push of spiced reduction. Finished with a dusting of citrus-glow ash.
[TIMER: 0:00]
"Service," she breathed.
She handed over the dish, leaf trembling slightly in her hands.
The stranger lowered their hood.
Obsidian scales shimmered beneath. A forked tongue flicked from serpentine lips. Their eyes—molten gold and honeyed sugar—fixed on her.
They took a single bite.
And purred.
The robe rippled. Their whole body… shifted, like they were dancing.
"I've never tasted duskmeat mixed with merrymint before. Exquisite. You are dangerous," they murmured. "I will return."
Then they vanished. A pop of static. A swirl of void petals.
Gone.
[Subquest Complete: "A Taste of Blood and Butter"][+100 Reputation | +1 Stall Upgrade Token][Skill Upgrade: Flavor Resonance II – Adaptive Searing]
The cart groaned, then glowed.
The snapped wheel straightened. The rusted fryer gleamed like new. The torn canopy stitched itself with enchanted gold thread.
Comfort & Crunch wasn't restored…
But it was healing.
Thanks to her.
Since the wheel's straightened out now, we can probably leave this meadow soon.
Marron slumped against the counter, breath ragged. Her apron reeked of smoke and mana. She was sweaty, exhausted—
And smiling.
This was why I cook.
Before she could ask Mokko if he wanted to celebrate with some fries—
Footsteps.
A new figure approached: tall, slender, wrapped in velvet. A wide-brimmed hat shaded her face. Her gold jewelry clinked with each step, and a levitating laptop floated beside her, its keys clicking rapidly.
She stopped. Sniffed the air. Smiled faintly.
"Unorthodox presentation. Base ingredients. Your seasoning profile is compensating. Interesting."
The laptop clicked again.
"You can expect a review soon," the woman said smoothly. "I'm one of the Critic-Class."
Marron blinked. "You're… a food critic?"
"Not just any."
Her smile sharpened.
"I'm a Culinary Evaluation Monster. Rank B."
The screen beside her flashed with crimson runes.
"Good luck surviving my first review, little chef."