The road curved away from the town and wound through rolling hills of pale green. The farther we walked, the more the ground glittered—dust from broken crystals catching the light like morning frost.
> [Region Expanded: Outer Highlands]
[Environment Buff: Mana Stability +10 %]
Lumina hovered ahead, tracing lazy circles in the air. "Master, the wind smells sweet here. Flowers mixed with iron."
Fenris Warden sniffed the breeze. "And beasts. Large ones."
"Let's hope they're polite," I muttered, tightening my coat.
We crossed a narrow river where clear water ran over blue stones. Small fish darted beneath the surface, their fins glowing faintly. The world felt alive—peaceful, yet alert.
Half a league later, we came upon a field of strange stalks swaying in rhythm with the wind. Each one ended in a cluster of crystal petals that pulsed faintly.
> [Ingredient Discovered: Auralis Bloom — rare seasoning, amplifies flavor resonance]
I crouched beside one. "This could make anything taste brighter. Let's test it."
I found a flat rock, set up the portable stove, and opened the Online Grocery & Item Box. A small fillet of Highland trout shimmered into my hand, caught from an earlier stream. I sprinkled crushed Auralis petals and a bit of mountain salt, then grilled it slowly over low flame.
The scent rolled across the hills—light, floral, electric. Even the grass seemed to lean closer.
> [Cooking Progress: 80 % — Mana Infusion Detected]
When the skin crisped, I drizzled a little honey from the forest stash and served it on a flat crystal plate.
Fenris tasted first. His eyes widened, ears flicking back. "It sings."
Lumina took a delicate bite and giggled. "It tastes like sunlight caught in a bottle."
I tried mine—sweet, tangy, with a faint hum that lingered behind the teeth. The petals had turned the flavor into sound.
> [New Dish: Auralis-Glazed Trout]
[Buff Applied: Focus +5 %, Movement Speed +2 %]
While we ate, the ground trembled softly. A low hum answered the dish's resonance. Across the valley, half hidden by fog, a massive stone arch rose from the earth, etched with glowing runes.
Fenris growled. "Ruins."
Lumina's eyes brightened. "And they're reacting to your cooking."
> [Hidden Quest Triggered: Echo of the Forgotten Feast]
I sighed, packing the stove. "Of course they are. Can't even eat lunch without waking something ancient."
Fenris smirked. "At least you won't get bored."
"Yeah," I said, slinging the pack over my shoulder. "Let's go see what's hungry this time."
We followed the trail toward the ruins, the echo of the dish still faintly singing through the air.