The corrupted guardian roared, shaking the entire Twilight Forest. Shadows spread like wildfire, and the air grew heavy with death and mana.
> [Warning: You are within the Domain of the Corrupted Beast "Vorath, the Devourer of Twilight"]
[Threat Level: S-Rank]
[Estimated Level: 55+]
I clenched my jaw. "An S-rank? This isn't just a wild beast anymore."
Lumina's wings glimmered faintly. "Master, if we fall here, the Twilight Forest dies with us."
Fenris Warden growled beside me, his silver fur gleaming. "Then we fight until dawn."
> [Party Formation Complete]
• Riku (Lv. 32 — Chef of Infinity)
• Lumina (Lv. 28 — Spirit of Light)
• Fenris Warden (Lv. 35 — Guardian of Twilight)
"Alright," I muttered, summoning my flaming pan. "Let's cook some chaos."
The beast lunged, claws tearing through the ground. I rolled aside as debris exploded. My system flared—
> [Skill Activated: Flame Infusion — Kitchen Armament Mode]
Golden fire coated my weapon. The pan wasn't just for food anymore — it was for purification.
"Fenris, bite and hold!"
The Warden roared, slamming the beast into a crater. Lumina followed, blasting holy light that pierced the shadows.
That's when I saw it — the corruption wasn't natural. A dark parasite pulsed inside its chest, veins of shadow crawling outward.
> [Hidden Core Detected — "Heart of Gluttony" Lv. 60]
My heart pounded. "So that's what's controlling it…"
"Riku!" Lumina shouted. "If we don't purify that now, it'll spread again!"
"I got it!"
I opened the Item Box and pulled out Moonlit Herb, Phoenix Yolk, and Starfire Pepper. Flames gathered around me.
> [Skill Activated: Celestial Cook — Purification Flambé]
The ingredients ignited midair, creating a radiant explosion of golden light. I slammed the pan down, channeling every bit of mana I had into the dish.
"Eat this!" I shouted, striking the beast's core.
BOOM—
The parasite screamed as white fire devoured it. The darkness melted away, replaced by shimmering starlight. The corrupted beast fell silent, its fur turning pure silver again.
> [Quest Complete: Purify the Corrupted Beast "Vorath"]
[EXP +12,000 | Cooking Rank Advanced → Expert]
[Reward: Legendary Item — "Fang of Twilight" Obtained]
The forest grew quiet, filled only with the soft hum of nature returning to balance.
Fenris Warden stood tall beside me. "The darkness is gone… you did it, Master."
Lumina smiled faintly. "No. We did it."
The great Warden bowed, placing a glowing fang before me. "Take this — the Fang of Twilight. May it guide your hunger for creation, not destruction."
I held it in my hands. Power surged through me — gentle yet immense.
> [New Skill Unlocked: Divine Feast — Party Enhancement Buff]
[All Companions Gain: +15% Strength, +10% Agility, +5% Recovery]
I exhaled, smiling. "Not bad for a day's work."
The forest parted ahead, revealing glowing mountains in the distance — veins of crystal light pulsing beneath the sky.
> [System Message: New Region Unlocked — The Crystal Highlands]
[Quest Unlocked: Journey Beyond the Twilight Forest Begins]
I looked at Lumina and Fenris Warden. "Alright, partners. The next recipe's out there — waiting."
Fenris Warden howled to the heavens, and Lumina's wings flared like dawnfire.
Together, we stepped forward — ready for the next course of our endless adventure.