The Twilight Forest was alive with energy. Every leaf shimmered, every gust of wind carried faint sparks, and my pan practically hummed in anticipation. I'd never felt this nervous while cooking — even Finrir hadn't scared me this much.
Lumina perched on my shoulder, tail glowing softly. "Master… the Eclipse Drake is observing. It's not just hungry… it's testing you."
> [Quest Updated: Study Legendary Beast Diets and Craft God-Tier Recipes]
I exhaled. "Great. Tested by a god-tier wolf… now a mythical drake. Fantastic." My hands shook slightly as I opened the glowing cookbook.
> Recipe Highlighted: Eclipse Drake Stew — Extreme Difficulty
[Required Ingredients: Phoenix Egg x2, Mystic Herb x3, Dragon Bone x1, Silverleaf Spice x1]
Of course. Why settle for easy when I could risk being vaporized by a legendary creature?
I tapped the Infinite Ingredient Generator. Ingredients sparkled into existence in my hands. Phoenix Eggs, Mystic Herbs, Dragon Bone, and Silverleaf Spice — all freshly summoned, radiating divine energy. My pan practically levitated with anticipation.
> [System Message: Ingredients Summoned — Phoenix Egg x2, Mystic Herb x3, Dragon Bone x1, Silverleaf Spice x1]
I started cooking. Flames danced, colors swirled, and the aroma of pure divinity filled the forest. The Eclipse Drake sniffed the air, nostrils flaring, eyes glowing brighter.
> [System Message: Cooking Progress — God-Tier Recipe Creation in Process]
Lumina yipped excitedly. "Master… it's intrigued! Keep going!"
I stirred carefully, feeling the magic in the ingredients respond to my skill. Sparks of golden fire jumped from the pan into the air, forming faint runes. The Eclipse Drake stepped closer, massive claws pressing into the ground, eyes locked on the sizzling dish.
Finally, I plated the stew on a glowing platter. The Eclipse Drake lowered its massive head slowly, nostrils quivering. Time seemed to freeze.
> [System Alert: Legendary Creature Feeding Commencing — Extreme Risk]
It sniffed once… twice… then took a bite. Its eyes widened, and a low, rumbling growl turned into an audible gasp of delight. Steam and sparks burst from its jaws as it devoured the dish with shocking speed.
> [System Message: Eclipse Drake Fed — EXP +5000]
[Level Up! Class Advancement Complete]
[New Skill Unlocked: Legendary Beast Bond — Summon & Communicate]
I staggered back, almost dropping the pan. Legendary Beast Bond? That sounded… extremely broken, in a good way.
Lumina purred on my shoulder. "Master… you've bonded with the Eclipse Drake. Its aura will now guide you to rare ingredients and hidden secrets."
I gulped. "Yeah… guide me to danger and death. Perfect."
The Drake's massive head lowered again. Its glowing eyes softened. "You… mortal… cook with absurd skill. I shall follow your scent… for now."
> [System Notification: Companion Acquired — Eclipse Drake 'Umbra']
I blinked. "Companion… number two. Legendary… this is insane."
Lumina leapt from my shoulder to sniff Umbra's fur. "See? They recognize your power. Cook well, and more will come."
> [System Message: Multi-Companion Bonus Activated — EXP +200 per feeding]
I rubbed my temples. My system was getting crazier by the minute. Each dish wasn't just food; it was a magnet for legendary beings.
As Umbra settled beside me, the forest seemed to calm. Faint trails of sparkling energy revealed hidden plants, mushrooms, and fruits. Lumina's tail wagged, highlighting them.
> [Quest Update: Explore Hidden Ingredients — EXP +800]
I knelt, plucking luminous berries and exotic herbs. My cookbook highlighted new recipes with each discovery: Dragon Essence Soup, Phoenix Flame Tart, Celestial Herb Salad. Each recipe carried a faint glow, hinting at divine-level rewards.
> [System Message: Rare Ingredients Collected — EXP +400]
I felt a rush of adrenaline. With Umbra and Lumina by my side, I wasn't just a cook — I was a force in this world, drawing legendary creatures, discovering mystical ingredients, and leveling faster than I could have imagined.
Then, a shadow flickered overhead. Two suns reflected off massive wings. A small drake — violet-scaled and fiery-eyed — landed gracefully in front of me.
> [Creature Detected: Rare Companion Candidate — Level 50]
Lumina yipped. "Master… a potential ally! Cook for it, and it may join!"
I looked at Umbra, then the new drake. "Yeah… sure. Let's see how many companions I can have before I explode."
> [New Quest Unlocked: Attract and Feed Multiple Legendary Beasts]
The Twilight Forest had suddenly transformed from mysterious and terrifying to a playground of divine culinary power. My skills weren't just for survival — they were a magnet for legends, a key to unlocking the secrets of the world itself.
I gripped my pan, feeling my confidence surge. "Alright… Riku. You don't know this world fully. You don't know your limits. But now, with Lumina, Umbra, and maybe more, you're not just a cook… you're a legend in the making."
> "Let's make the gods drool… on a whole new level."