The atmosphere in the ramen shop suddenly felt tense. Lilith smiled, but her beautiful eyes radiated a cold threat. Aruna, still clutching the large ladle tightly, glanced at Zael. The demon, usually arrogant and lazy, now stood stiffly beside the counter, like a statue.
Aruna's practical mind immediately kicked in. "What should I do? Attack her with a pan? Or throw hot broth?" Aruna thought. He knew fighting a creature like this in a normal way was a foolish idea. He looked around, searching for a sensible solution in the midst of an absurd situation.
"You think you can just seize that recipe?" Zael said, his voice returning to its exaggeratedly formal tone. "This recipe is mine. It is my prerogative to decide who is worthy of possessing it."
Lilith let out a small laugh. "Zael, you're always so dramatic. What do you think? That I don't know you're wasting your power on trivial things like complaining about cleaning tables? You know that recipe is the 'Prime Ingredient of Hell's Peace'."
Hearing that, Aruna flinched slightly. "'Prime Ingredient of Hell's Peace'?" he muttered softly. "What an unappetizing name."
Zael scoffed. "Don't listen to her pseudo-poetic nonsense, Aruna. The point is she's just jealous that the recipe is in the hands of a lowly human like you," Zael whispered, his tone becoming arrogant again.
Lilith raised her hand, and slowly, the ceramic bowls on the shelf began to tremble. "I don't have time for your drama. Give me the recipe, or I will destroy this place and take it by force."
Seeing his beloved bowls threatened, Aruna finally moved. His cooking skills were not just a job, but also his signature way of acting. He took a large pot of freshly simmered broth and placed it firmly on the stove. The savory aroma of pork broth, newly infused with ginger and garlic, immediately spread, filling the entire room.
Takeru, the regular customer who had been silent all this time, swallowed hard. "Hmm, it smells so good," he said softly.
"Don't just stand there, sir!" Zael shouted dramatically. "These are critical moments! Give us room to fight!"
Aruna ignored them both. He focused on the large pot of broth. He grabbed a container of chili powder and added it to the broth until the soup's color turned a deep red. "Zael," Aruna called, his voice calm but firm. "Help me."
"Help with what?" Zael looked at him in confusion.
"Get the biggest bowl, then pour this broth into it until it's full," Aruna replied. "I'm going to make the spiciest ramen in the world."
Lilith frowned. "What is this? You think you can stop me with... food?"
"This isn't ordinary food," Aruna replied, then took a small container of spices that he didn't use for any other recipe. "Zael said this recipe is the 'Prime Ingredient of Hell's Peace,' right? If so, then demons must have a fear of things that bring them peace."
Zael, who was now beginning to understand, grinned. He took a giant bowl from the shelf, deftly poured the spicy broth into it, then returned to Aruna's side. This contradictory action highlighted his lazy but humorous nature. He complained about menial tasks, but acted quickly when the situation demanded it.
"Of course, Aruna!" Zael said dramatically. "This is a battle worthy of a great chef like you!"
Aruna sprinkled the mysterious spice powder into the bowl. A strange aroma, a blend of pungent spice and a faint floral scent, began to fill the room. Lilith, who had seemed relaxed before, suddenly clutched her head.
"What is this smell? This... is disgusting!" Lilith took a step back.
"This is the 'Spicy Demon's Consolation Soup'," Aruna said flatly. "Since your name is Lilith, I thought this would suit you."
Zael almost laughed. "A most fitting name!"
Lilith, her face already red, glared at Aruna angrily. She launched a dark energy attack at Aruna, but Zael quickly blocked it. Zael didn't use any magical power; he simply stood in front of Aruna, deflecting the attack with an invisible shield.
"Of course I will protect him," Zael said, his tone returning to his arrogant mode. "He is the chef responsible for my meals."
"Aruna! Hurry, throw the soup at her!" Zael shouted.
Aruna didn't hesitate. With all his might, he threw the bowl of spicy soup. The hot, spicy broth splattered all over Lilith. As soon as the broth touched her skin, Lilith screamed. No, it wasn't a scream of pain, but of... the smell?
"The smell of flowers! What is this? It's disgusting! Spicy, floral-smelling, and disgusting!" Lilith shrieked, then vanished, leaving a trail of foul-smelling purple smoke.
Takeru, who was still in the shop, stared at Aruna with wide eyes. "That's incredible, Aruna. Your ramen can defeat a demon."
Aruna sighed, then returned to the counter. "After all, every problem can be solved in the kitchen," Aruna muttered, wiping his large ladle. "Now, Zael, clean up all this mess. I'm going to make ramen for Takeru."
Zael let out a long sigh. "Of course," he complained, as he began to pick up the broom. "One demon problem solved. Another degrading chore begins."
Outside the shop, Lilith swore she would return. She realized that Aruna was no ordinary human. With his ability to concoct ingredients, Aruna was a threat she had never imagined. Their adventure had just begun.