Seth stared helplessly at the rattling metal pot, a wave of steam drifting out as the contents bubbled from heat, carrying with it an absurdly enticing aroma.
Taking a deep breath, he met Jack’s gaze by his side. Both parties nodded grimly as Seth fetched a fork.
"Here we go!" he chanted instantly, stabbing the silverware into the meat soup, half expecting to feel a rebound force of sorts.
After all, they were dealing with an awakened creature’s meat. Seth worried the normal temperature of a gas cooker would be no good.
But to his surprise, with a soft splash, Seth felt the smooth insertion of the tines slip through the pieces of meat.
Pulling the piece out, he smiled and showed it to Jack, who smiled back, nodding. Understanding what came next, Jack quickly went to work preparing the other pieces of meat.
Staring at the small mound of chopped-up meat, Seth’s eyes sparkled, his stomach twisting and growling.
He had needed to know if the tough texture could be cooked down with a normal stove, and now that that was out of the way...
They could proceed to plan B. Today Seth was set on preparing a variety of delicacies. From grilled to boiled, he would be preparing them all.
Putting the lid of the pot back on, he proceeded to his corner of the counter. Flipping a kitchen knife, he got to chopping the vegetables.
Minutes phased into hours, and without a doubt, both parties could claim this was the longest they’d ever spent in a kitchen.
And though the place was quite a mess, the results were anything but. The two set up the dining table, moving the delicacies out.
The steam drifted from the dishes, carrying with it a thick, mouth-watering aroma so strong the two didn’t need to alert the others that food was ready.
One by one, following the aroma, Uriel, Brandon, and Elaine came down the stairs, gulping hard as they stared at the spread.
From the steaming meatloaf to the golden-brown crispy grilled brisket, a massive steaming bowl of meat broth, a mound of mac and cheese, to salads...
They couldn’t take it anymore. With rumbling stomachs and eyes that bled with hunger, the three pounced on their seats.
While the others were occupied with admiring the food, Seth seemed to sense something, glancing at Brandon...
Squinting, he sensed more clearly. "A class?"
Since he acquired a class himself, Seth had been able to identify the slight shift in a person’s presence that signified the presence of a class—something that those without simply didn’t have.
Blinking, he found it surprising. From what he knew, Brandon wasn’t supposed to be able to head to the Origin Realm right now.
After all, he didn’t still have the strength currently to escape the area he was in—a place Seth suspected to be a dungeon.
Plus, even if by some miracle he did, there was no way he could find a settlement in such a short time frame and clear a class quest.
But remembering the mysterious assurance his friend had and the relaxed expression he wore when he told them he would find a way...
’It must be related to the secret that got him a gene armament...’ Seth concluded inwardly.
It seemed his friend had an inheritance of sorts, because the Oracle made it clear that the only other way to get a class aside from visiting the trade hall would be through inheritance.
Shaking his head, he concluded the train of thought. Clapping his hands, he smiled. "Shall we begin?"
Like hounds hungrily waiting for the striking command, the moment Seth’s voice echoed, the four all pounced on their plates, serving themselves generous scoops.
Then came the life-changing moment. Digging his fork into the side of a brisket and cutting it with his tablespoon...
The others went silent for a moment, watching as Uriel took the first bite, waiting for a reaction.
Pulling out his fork from his lips, Uriel chewed, each munch causing his demeanour to crack and his eyes to mist.
The meat just melted upon his tongue as the sweet juices spread with a warm, tangy, savoury taste that bore an alluring thick flavour of wild meat that didn’t diminish the flavour in the slightest.
Frankly speaking, Uriel had never tasted anything like it. It was too heavenly...
The others stared in shock as they watched tears streak down from Uriel’s eyes. Not minding their stares, he proceeded for another bite, his eyes rolling in pleasure.
That good?!!!
Everyone in shock had to try a bite for themselves. Even Seth, the one who prepared the whole thing, had made sure to refrain from having a taste—he wanted to savour his very first bite.
And it seemed he made the right choice. Taking out a bite himself, his eyes bulged wide...
The moment his teeth munched on the delicate piece, the tender quality caused the strands of protein to literally melt on his tongue.
This flavour... his eyes reddened.
Now he understood. When one said a dish had a taste that gave more pleasure than sex, this was the very embodiment of that.
He literally felt the thrilling rush of dopamine spreading from his brain as he munched, as a flavour unseen—a flavour of the heavens—blended against his taste buds.
Why wouldn’t he cry?
Seth really wished he could take credit for cooking such a heavenly dish, but no, he had no hand in this.
For this was the first time Seth felt the flavour of a meat overpower the taste of spice and seasonings...
The flavour of the Origin beast meat pushed all other flavours to the background while it stirred the dish all on its own.
Seth could tell—even just boiling a piece of meat on its own without adding any ingredient, it would still be great!
A warm current coursed through his body as he swallowed, as he could feel his metabolism breaking down the remnant essence contained in the meat and absorbing it.
While other nutrients flowed with a soothing, relaxing wave, nourishing every cell in his body...
Seth finally understood that this... this was the true nourishment an awakened deserved!
The five ate in silence, the dining room echoing with soft clinks of cutlery clashing against plates and squelches of meat servings being devoured.
The five basked in pleasure, satisfaction, and nourishment. Indeed, this would be a night they would never forget!
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{A/N:} Thanks so much guys it filled me with so much happiness seeing the silent positive response of my dear readers. I’ll continue will strive to continue to make this story more enjoyable and engaging, so please vote more gift more it means a lot.🥰