"So essentially you’re telling me that you knocked out Mandy by mistake and since he didn’t wake up, you tried to cook but burned the whole pot." Ren said while running his hand through his black hair.

He was in the kitchen now and Eternia was kneeling in front of him with her head to the ground.

"Yes Master, I apologize... This slave has committed a very big atrocity and deserves to be punished." Eternia said then swallowed. "Should I get the whip, Master?"

Ren sighed.

After Lyra and her sister had left yesterday to handle their own errands, he had laid down some ground rules for the Snakekin.

He told her that whenever she defied him or caused unnecessary trouble, he would punish her, and with her slave background, she immediately suggested her punishment should be a whipping.

’But the issue is I really don’t have the heart to do it,’ Ren thought, staring down at the trembling girl. ’How did those slave traders even do it?’

He was a villain, sure. He was perfectly fine with systematically destroying the protagonist’s life, stealing his stats, and plotting his financial ruin.

But he was also, fundamentally, a pretty chill guy... Beating a terrified girl who was just trying to make him dinner sounded like an exhausting miserable chore that he had zero interest in partaking in.

Ren waved the suggestion off, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Forget the whip. I’m not doing that. Your punishment is that you’re not allowed to sleep in my room tonight."

The moment the words left his mouth, Eternia’s entire body went rigid as her golden slit-pupils contracted into tiny, terrified pinpricks.

Running cold sweat broke out across her pale neck.

Whenever she consumed a soul, she inherited fractured, agonizing memories from her victims.

The nightmares were vivid, suffocating, and brutally violent. Lately, the only thing that kept the creeping insanity at bay was curling up next to him in his room.

The steady sound of her Master’s breathing and his mana signature acted as an impenetrable shield against the dark visions.

To be banished from that safety... this was too much. It was vastly more devastating than any physical strike.

Tears immediately gathered in the corners of her eyes, spilling over her pale cheeks and dripping onto the wooden floorboards.

She let out a small, pathetic whimper with her fingers digging desperately into her pink frilly apron.

Ren pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a sudden unexpected pang of guilt.

"Hey, calm down. Stop crying..." Ren said, his voice softening just a fraction. He stepped forward and placed a hand firmly on the top of her messy hair, ruffling it slightly. "I’m just messing with you. You can sleep in the room. Just don’t ever try to cook unsupervised again, alright?"

Eternia’s breath hitched, her tear-filled eyes looking up at him as though he were a merciful deity who had just pardoned her execution.

She nodded frantically, scrubbing the tears from her face with the back of her hand.

Ren walked past her and over to the iron stove.

The metal pot was completely charred black on the outside, and a thick offensive layer of smoke was still rising from the lid.

He grabbed a damp cloth, wrapped it around the scalding handle, and pulled the lid off. The inside was a bubbling, solidified mass of dark carbon that smelled of burnt copper and sorrow.

"What were you even trying to make?" Ren asked, coughing slightly and waving the acrid smoke away from his face.

"A traditional spiced meat stew, Master," Eternia replied, her voice still trembling slightly as she stood up. "I saw Mandy preparing the root vegetables earlier, and I thought applying high-level fire magic to the base of the pot would expedite the boiling process."

Ren shook his head, staring at the ruined fused block of charcoal that used to be dinner. "Yeah, this won’t do at all. You flash-forged it into a brick."

He pulled the heavy pot off the burner. "Take this outside and throw the whole mess into the Incinerator."

"Yes, Master!" Eternia rose from the ground, eager to prove her usefulness. She carefully took the ruined pot from his hands, rushing out of the kitchen and toward the back door of the inn.

Next to the side of the building, sitting flush against the cobblestone alleyway, there was a huge heavy iron bin resembling a modern dumpster.

It was a standard magical utility provided for every reputable inn in the adventurer town... She grabbed the heavy iron latch, hauling the heavy lid open.

Eternia immediately dumped everything inside the pot into the dark cavity, shaking the metal to ensure the blackened, sticky remnants peeled off the bottom.

She took a step back, holding the empty pot, and watched the mechanism work.

The instant the heavy iron lid slammed shut, the intricate overlapping runes carved into the sides of the dumpster lit up with a harsh, searing orange glow.

It was a highly controlled fire-attribute magic circle.

Heat poured out of the whole thing, creating intense waves of distortion in the cool evening air as the sound of aggressive roaring flames echoed from within the thick iron walls, superheating the refuse until there was nothing left but fine odorless ash.

Once the runes finally dimmed and the heat died down, Eternia’s lips trembled slightly. She still felt deeply guilty for ruining the evening meal.

She clutched the empty pot tightly against her chest and walked back inside, heading straight for the kitchen.

When she entered, she found her Master leaning casually against the wooden counter, looking intently at a thick, heavily stained leather-bound book.

"Mandy’s handwriting is atrocious..." Ren muttered, squinting at the hastily scribbled ink.

"That is the Cook Book that Mandy keeps all of his recipes in, Master," Eternia offered quietly, setting the empty pot down in the iron sink to be scrubbed later.

Ren sighed, closing the leather book and tossing it aside. "I can’t read half of this, and the half I can read requires three hours of simmering. I’m hungry now."

He reached into his spatial ring and brought out a pristine, high-quality steel pot, setting it cleanly onto the stove then he then pulled up his system interface.

A glowing, translucent blue screen snapped into existence right in front of his eyes. He mentally navigated away from his status page and opened the System Store.

Instantly, a massive catalog of items, skills, and bloodlines populated the screen, categorized by utility and rank.

There were several items in front of the tab, rotating dynamically based on his current environment and past purchases.

『Item: Elixir of the Troll’s Vigor』

『SP Cost: 20,500』

『Description: A foul-tasting alchemical concoction that grants the user high-speed cellular regeneration for exactly ten minutes. It is capable of regrowing minor severed digits and closing deep lacerations instantly.』

『Item Rank: Unique』

Ren scrolled past the combat items. He had plenty of potions and offensive capabilities right now but he needed domestic utility.

He swiped through the empty air telepathically, switching the interface over to the ’Highlighted Skills’ tab.

There were a lot of things available, from basic tracking to advanced magical theory, but he immediately scrolled down and found exactly what he was looking for.

『Skill: Gourmet Culinary Arts』

『SP Cost: 4,200』

『Description: Imprints the user with the refined techniques, flavor profiling, and knife skills of a master chef. It grants an intuitive understanding of ingredient synergy and heat management. Any meal prepared by the user will naturally yield its highest potential taste, restoring minor stamina and mana upon consumption.』

『Skill Rank: D-Rank』

It was a bit pricey just for dinner but it was okay and honestly, a man had to eat well.

Ren pressed the purchase button.

Instantly, a warm, tingling sensation washed over his brain. A flood of knowledge entered his head.

It wasn’t the searing violent pain of learning a high-tier combat spell like Starfire; this was smooth instead.

Complex flavor profiles, precise cutting angles, the exact temperature required to sear a wyvern steak without drying out the center... it all mapped itself flawlessly into his muscle memory.

Back in his past life on Earth, Jordan wasn’t much of a cooking guy. His diet had consisted primarily of cheap instant ramen, microwave dinners, and whatever takeout he could afford when his allowance came through.

But right now, standing in this magical kitchen, he felt like a Michelin-star chef.

Ren rolled up the sleeves of his pristine dark shirt, revealing his toned forearms. "Alright. Eternia, wash your hands. You’re my sous-chef tonight."

Eternia blinked, confused by the term, but rushed to the sink to scrub her hands vigorously with the lye soap.

Ren moved around the kitchen with frightening efficiency.

He pulled an array of fresh vegetables, a large slab of prime horned-boar meat, and a collection of exotic spices from the cupboards.

"Peel those tubers and dice them," Ren instructed, pointing to a pile of root vegetables. "Make sure they are exactly half an inch thick... Consistency ensures even cooking."

While Eternia clumsily but eagerly worked on the vegetables, Ren went to work on the meat.

He drew a standard kitchen knife from the block. With his naturally high Agility stats combined with the newly acquired Gourmet Culinary Arts skill, his hands were a blur.

He trimmed the fat from the boar meat, slicing it into perfectly uniform medallions in a matter of seconds then he tossed a generous slab of high-quality butter into the hot pan, adding crushed garlic and wild thyme.

The moment the meat hit the sizzling fat, an incredibly rich mouth-watering aroma exploded into the air, completely banishing the lingering smell of Eternia’s smoke.

"Bring me the diced tubers, and fetch that bottle of red cooking wine from the top shelf," Ren commanded smoothly, effortlessly flipping the heavy iron pan with a flick of his wrist to sear the opposite side of the medallions.

Eternia scrambled to assist him, her previous terror completely forgotten replaced by a deep reverent awe for her Master’s seemingly infinite talents.

He could obliterate dungeon bosses, wield a terrifying Flame of Eradication, and perfectly sear a boar steak.

...He was flawless.

Within twenty minutes, a massive steaming pot of rich, thick, deeply aromatic stew was simmering flawlessly on the stove, alongside a platter of perfectly seared, butter-basted meat medallions.

In the adjacent living room, the butler shifted on the couch.

Mandy’s nose twitched.

His eyelids fluttered open, his swirly, concussed eyes finally focusing on the wooden ceiling.

He sat up slowly, rubbing the massive lump on the back of his head where he had forcefully collided with a flying wooden chair during Eternia’s panic.

"Ugh... my head..." Mandy groaned then, he paused, sniffing the air deeply. "What is that smell? Good heavens, it smells divine..."

Mandy stumbled off the couch and peeked into the kitchen as his jaw dropped open.

Ren was casually leaning against the counter, plating the food. He put a massive portion of the rich, dark stew into a deep ceramic bowl for himself, and then generously filled a second plate with seared meat and vegetables for Eternia, who was standing beside him vibrating with excitement.

"You’re awake," Ren noted dryly, not looking up from his plating. "Wash your hands and come eat."

Mandy stared, utterly bewildered.

He had served the Crowhurst family for years. The young lord was notorious for his brutal training, his cruel temper, and his complete disdain for domestic chores.

"My Lord... you cooked this? But... you don’t know how to cook!"

"People change, Mandy," Ren said smoothly, taking a bite of the seared boar.

The flavor exploded across his tongue... it was really good... The system skill was genuinely incredible. "Now sit down before it gets cold."

Mandy was still surprised that his Lord actually knew how to cook, but his stomach let out a loud demanding growl as the aroma was entirely too intoxicating to argue with.

"Yes, my Lord! I want some too!" Mandy said, hastily rushing over to the table and grabbing a bowl.

...

Later that evening, in the affluent upper ring of the Adventure Town, the atmosphere was vastly different.

Astrid walked out of her lavish, sunken marble bath.

She lived in a pretty big sprawling manor, bought by herself. It boasted grand halls, expensive magical chandeliers and beautiful gardens.

Except that she was all alone.

The heavy perfumed steam curled and clung to her damp, flushed skin as she stepped onto the plush rug.

She grabbed a thick, woven towel, wrapping it loosely around her body, and stood in front of the massive, silver-rimmed full-length mirror.

She observed her reflection.

Astrid was a remarkably beautiful woman. Her time as an elite, frontline mage had kept her body incredibly toned, but she possessed a deeply feminine, curvaceous figure that drew the eyes of almost every man in the town.

Her wet blonde hair clung to her elegant neck, and her bright blue eyes sparkled with a nervousness she hadn’t felt in over ten years.

She couldn’t believe that she was actually going on a date.

It was such a monumental life-altering event for her that she had immediately tried calling her older sister using her mirror.

She wanted to gossip, to share the thrill of finally finding a man who met her standards, and to tell her about the ridiculously handsome incredibly powerful guy who had effortlessly one-shot a Floor 60 boss.

But for some reason, her sister wasn’t picking up.

Astrid frowned slightly, wiping a patch of condensation from the mirror.

It was strange since her sister was usually very prompt.

’I’ll have to look into that later,’ Astrid thought, shaking her head to clear the worry. ’Perhaps Jace got himself into trouble again. But for now... I want to focus on my date.’

She deserved this. She had put her own happiness on hold for far too long, dedicating her life to the guild and the realm.

Tonight was about her.

Astrid dropped the towel, letting it pool around her ankles, and walked into her expansive, dimly lit walk-in closet.

The scent of cedar and expensive magical fabrics filled the air. She had spent the last two hours agonizing over what to wear... It needed to be perfect. Sensual, but classy and approely mature, but showing off her best assets.

She reached into a silk-lined drawer and pulled out a delicate midnight-blue lace bra.

She slipped her arms through the straps, her fingers reaching around her back to secure the clasp.

The intricate lace hugged her skin tightly, offering perfect support and heavily accentuating the generous swell of her cleavage.

She paired it with matching lace panties, taking a moment to admire the contrast of the dark blue fabric against her pale, smooth skin.

Next came the trousers. She bypassed the heavy enchanted combat robes and opted for a pair of incredibly stylish high-waisted black leather trousers tailored specifically for her.

Astrid sat on a velvet ottoman, sliding the tight leather up her calves.

Because of her athletic thick thighs, getting into them was always a slight battle. She stood up, gripping the waistband, and gave a frustrated grunt as she shimmied her hips from side to side, pulling the stubborn material upward.

"Hngh... come on..." she muttered, doing a small, undignified hop to finally snap the waistband securely over the curve of her hips.

The effort was entirely worth it.

The leather molded perfectly to her lower half, accentuating the flare of her hips and the long toned lines of her legs.

She topped the outfit off with a flowing white silk blouse, leaving the top three buttons casually undone to reveal the delicate edge of her dark blue lace bra and the silver pendant resting against her collarbone.

She applied a light touch of red rouge to her lips, ran a brush through her drying, golden-blonde hair until it fell in soft elegant waves down her back and slipped into a pair of sleek black heeled boots.

Astrid looked in the mirror one last time. She looked gorgeous, dangerous, and incredibly sexy.

Her heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

After all that preparation, the Vice Guild President walked confidently out of her bedroom and downstairs into the grand foyer.

Sitting atop a mahogany side table near the door was a small, incredibly fat, dark-furred cat with glowing green eyes.

"Meow," the cat said, swishing its tail lazily.

This was Chesnu, her magical Familiar.

He possessed the ability to do a lot, but mostly, he just ate premium salmon and slept on her expensive rugs.

Astrid walked over, scratching the familiar affectionately right behind his ears.

"I’m heading out, Chesnu. You should protect the house while I’m gone. If you do a good job, I’ll give you a treat when I get back, okay?"

Chesnu leaned into her hand, purring loudly. "Meow~"

Taking a deep breath, Astrid turned and walked toward the heavy oak double doors of her manor.

She placed her hand on the brass handle, anticipating the quiet carriage ride to the place. Astrid pushed the door open and stepped outside into the cool evening air then, she stopped dead in her tracks with her breath catching entirely in her throat.

Right in front of her manor, standing on the cobblestone walkway illuminated by the soft, warm glow of the streetlamps, was Ren.

He wasn’t wearing his standard dark adventuring gear.,, He was dressed in a tailored, impeccably fitted charcoal-grey coat over a crisp white shirt, the dark fabric highlighting his broad shoulders and lean athletic build.

His hands were tucked casually into his pockets, and the evening breeze gently ruffled his messy black hair.

When he heard the door open, he turned his head, his striking crimson eyes locking onto hers as a slow incredibly handsome smile spread across his face.

Astrid blinked, her mind completely blanking for a second as her heart did a violent flip in her chest.

"Ren?" Astrid breathed out, genuinely shocked. "How did you get here? I thought we were meeting at the restaurant?"

Ren took a step forward with his gaze sweeping over her outfit. He noted the silk blouse, the tight leather trousers, and the obvious meticulous effort she had put into her appearance.

"We were," Ren said. "But I figured taking a carriage by yourself is a bit boring. I wanted to walk with you here."

It was a simple, incredibly smooth gesture, but to Astrid... a woman who had spent years surrounded by men who only cared about her magical output or political standing... it was devastatingly romantic.

A deep vibrant flush of red instantly colored her cheeks. She smiled, a bright, genuine expression of pure joy, feeling like an excited teenager rather than a seasoned Vice Guild Leader.

Ren walked up to the base of the small stone stairs leading to her porch and smoothly brought out his hand, offering it to her.

Astrid didn’t hesitate.

She walked gracefully down the small stairs with the soft click of her boots echoing in the quiet street, and reached out, placing her smaller warm hand firmly into his.

His grip was strong but incredibly gentle.

"Thank you," Astrid said softly, her blue eyes shining as she looked up at him.

"You look beautiful, by the way," Ren casually noted, giving her hand a slight squeeze.

Astrid felt her knees go slightly weak at the compliment.

With her heart soaring and a radiant smile on her face, the two of them turned and walked off together into the bustling brightly lit streets of Astelvern Town.

『Target: Astrid’s affection has increased to 70』