The sun, filtered through the dense, magical canopy of the Aetherwood, dappled the fresh lumber of the bistro. Kael stood behind his counter, which was simply a large, polished slab of forest granite, wiping it down with a meticulousness only a former Calamity could possess. He didn't wait for business; he prepared for it.
He flipped the wooden sign to Open, a silent promise to the world that flavor was now available in the heart of the ancient forest.
Minutes later, a presence approached- a subtle, skilled movement unlike the clumsy mercenaries. It was a faint whisper of displaced air, the quiet crunch of moss that only a trained eye would notice.
A figure emerged from the shadows of a luminous blue-bell flower patch: Lyra, a Wood-Elf scout. Her gear was well-maintained leather, her bowstring taut, and her eyes - a startling emerald green- were locked on the bistro. She was immediately suspicious. A permanent structure this close to the High Path was unheard of. The scent, however, was what stopped her; it was a ghost of the strong, spicy tang the armed men had carried, now overlaid with something else - a clean, savory promise of roasted spices and rich fat.
Lyra approached cautiously, her gaze sweeping the perimeter. Kael stood behind the counter, perfectly still, his silver eyes meeting hers without challenge or curiosity. He simply waited.
"A building. Here," Lyra stated, her voice melodic and measured. Elves, being creatures of long life and deep thought, were rarely foolish. "Who built this, and what do you sell?"
Kael slid a simple, smoothed slate menu across the granite. It listed two items in neat Common script:
Fire-Stewed Pork and Cabbage (Kimchi Jjigae): A fermented, spicy, savory stew served piping hot with fresh, perfect grains. (8 Silver Pieces)
Grilled Meat Sandwich with Earth Roots (Cheeseburger & Fries): A seasoned patty of the finest ground beef, grilled over an open flame, served within a soft, toasted roll with fried root sticks. (10 Silver Pieces)
Lyra's elegant eyebrows knitted in confusion. "Fire-Stewed... Cabbage? Grilled Meat Sandwich? The names are nonsense. What are 'root sticks'?"
"The stew is savory, fermented, and stimulating," Kael explained, his tone low and utterly devoid of salesmanship. "The sandwich is rich, textured, and deeply satisfying. The 'root sticks' are a perfect complement - crisp exterior, soft interior."
Lyra, who had subsisted on dried rations for three days, felt a pang of hunger far stronger than her elven caution. That aroma... she couldn't place it, but it smelled of true sustenance.
"I will take the Grilled Meat Sandwich," she decided, reaching for her coin pouch.
"I will require fifteen minutes," Kael replied. He took the ten silver pieces- the cost reflecting the System-grade ingredients - and retreated to the kitchen.
The Second Dish: The System Cheeseburger and Fries
The Grilled Meat Sandwich the humble Cheeseburger was an anthem to Kael's past, a testament to efficiency and maximal flavor delivery. Lyra watched from her simple wooden table, fascinated, as Kael began his meticulous process.
The Patty: Kael pulled System Grade Wagyu Beef (Grade SS), a quality of meat that had never walked the soil of this realm, from his chilling unit. He quickly mixed in only two ingredients: Filtered Salt (System Grade) and the exotic, sharply aromatic Ground Black Pepper (Earth Origin). No elaborate herbs, just the pure, bold contrast of salt and spice to elevate the inherent flavor of the beef. He pressed the meat into perfectly uniform patties.
Observation: The core complexity comes from the Maillard reaction. Don't distract the palate with unnecessary garnish.
The Grill: He placed the patties on his commercial range, which generated an impossibly consistent, scorching heat. The patties instantly began to sizzle, the fat rendering and the outside achieving a dark, caramelized crust within moments. The aroma shifted from savory-spicy to rich, smoky, and unbelievably meaty.
The Cheese: Just before they were done, he placed a thin, bright orange square of System Cheddar Cheese a flavor Lyra would recognize only as a rare, concentrated magic - atop the melting beef. It softened instantly, flowing over the patty's contours.
The Fries (Root Sticks): Separately, Kael took dense, starchy System Potatoes. He used a heavy blade to cut them into perfectly uniform, long sticks. He then plunged them into a vat of shimmering, clean System Frying Oil. He fried them once quickly to cook the interior, removed them to drain, then fried them a second time at a higher temperature. This technique the double fry ensured they emerged golden, rigid, and incredibly crispy. He dusted them with a fine coating of the Filtered Salt the moment they left the oil.
Assembly: Kael retrieved two perfectly airy, soft, and slightly sweet System Bread Buns, sliced them, and lightly toasted the cut surfaces on the same grill, soaking up the residual beef fat. He placed the cheese-covered patty on the bottom bun, added a touch of System Ketchup (bright, sweet, tangy), and capped it with the top bun.
Kael set the plate before Lyra. The presentation was starkly simple: a towering sandwich, and a golden mound of the "root sticks."
Lyra's hand, accustomed to the rough texture of coarse bread and dried meats, hovered over the bun. The bread was impossibly soft to the touch. She took a bite.
Her emerald eyes widened instantly.
The sensation was alien. The savory crunch of the seared beef crust, the deep, smoky perfume of the pepper, the burst of salty, sweet, concentrated dairy from the cheese, and the soft, rich, slightly sweet bread it was a cascade of textures and pure, isolated flavors she had never known existed. Her typical meal was an earthy vegetable stew or sun-dried venison. This was an experience.
Then, she picked up a root stick. It snapped. The crispness gave way to a light, almost airy, interior. The salt was perfectly balanced. She had never eaten a potato prepared this way; her people usually mashed or boiled them.
Lyra, the disciplined elven scout who had endured starvation and pain without complaint, found herself utterly lost in the meal. She ate with a speed and intensity that would have shamed a starving Orc, pausing only to savor the complex aftertaste of the pepper.
Kael watched her, his expression neutral. He was not looking for praise; he was simply confirming the successful execution of his craft. The flicker of pure, unbridled enjoyment in her eyes was the only validation he needed.
When the plate was empty, Lyra wiped her fingers clean on a napkin Kael had provided - another strange, soft paper- and sighed, a sound of profound contentment.
"That... was a masterpiece," Lyra declared, her elven formality momentarily shattered by the sheer power of the food. "The flavors are unknown to me. They possess an intensity that is impossible with our natural spices. The texture of the bun, the incredible richness of the meat... I do not know what you are, quiet chef, but your craft is exceptional."
She stood, retrieving her bow. "My people often travel this path. They seek truth and experience. I believe I have found both. I will send them here."
Lyra vanished back into the Aetherwood as silently as she had arrived, leaving Kael alone once more.
[System Notification: First Customer Served. Quest Phase 2/3 Complete.]
[Reward: +15 Culinary EXP. Unlocked: 'Dessert Menu' Section in Shop.]
[New System Skill Acquired: Customer Insight (Passive) - Allows assessment of customer's dietary needs and flavor preferences upon interaction.]
Kael's silver eyes flashed, recognizing the utility of the new skill. Perfect. He walked over and flipped the sign to Closed. He had enough time for one more customer, but he needed to study the new Dessert Menu first. He suspected his next customer would require something sweet, perhaps the kind of comfort he had long forgotten.