The scent of roasting and sizzling filled the air, warm and rich. The restaurant—if it could be called that—was a modest space attached to the lodging quarters, but right now, it might as well have been a five-star kitchen. The intoxicating aroma of potatoes in every form wafted through the air.
At a wooden table near the center, Han, Shay, Tess, and Jenna sat together, eyes wide with disbelief and hunger.
Baked potatoes with golden crusts. Smashed potatoes mixed with herbs and butter. Fried slices stacked like chips. Even a creamy potato soup that steamed invitingly in bowls.
It was, quite literally, a feast made from only one ingredient—but it felt like heaven after days of bland rations and boiled roots.
Chloe stood nervously in front of the table, her hands clutched together and her cheeks bright pink from the praise and attention.
"Chloe, why didn't you say you could cook from the start?" Tess asked, already halfway through her bowl of soup.
"Yeah, you're amazing at this!" Jenna added between mouthfuls, her cheeks stuffed with buttery mash like a happy squirrel.
"You could've avoided getting sent to the front lines if you'd told us," Shay said, her tone light, but her eyes fixed on the spread like a predator waiting to strike. Her fork hovered with elegance—barely—but the hunger was real.
For a moment, all three girls were entirely focused on the food, their spirits lifted for the first time in days. Real food. Real warmth. It was a simple joy, and that made it all the more precious.
Watching them, Han couldn't help but smile faintly.
'Maybe I should ask Chloe for a cooking lesson or two…' he thought, amused.
He'd seen her status window the day she was summoned. Basic Cooking (Lv. 3). Nothing special. Just a small skill tucked between useless talents. He hadn't bothered to mention it because, frankly, he wasn't in the mood to coddle people who wouldn't step up.
"E-Ehm… I'm not that good at cooking…" Chloe stammered, brushing her hair behind her ear. "So I didn't really think it was important—"
"Not good at cooking?!" Jenna cut in with exaggerated shock. "These are the best potatoes I've ever eaten!"
She shoved another forkful into her mouth for emphasis, groaning in exaggerated delight.
Chloe's eyes widened, her lips parting in surprise. Then slowly, a small, genuine smile spread across her face.
As the warm atmosphere around the table lingered, two small hands suddenly wrapped around Han's neck from behind.
"Sir…" a soft voice whispered.
Han turned, alert—but then relaxed the moment he saw Raphtalia standing there. Her large eyes shimmered, her cheeks flushed with emotion.
Before he could say anything, she leaned in and kissed him on the cheek.
"Thank you very much, sir," she murmured, squeezing him tighter in a warm, heartfelt hug.
Across the table, Shay's fork stopped mid-air. Tess blinked, her soup spoon hanging, and Jenna nearly choked on her mouthful of mashed potatoes. What was Raphtalia doing?! Their eyes flared with barely restrained jealousy.
Han gave a small, amused smile, reaching up to ruffle Raphtalia's hair.
"Nothing, Raphtalia," he said softly.
As she pulled back, the girls noticed a beautiful silver pendant around her neck. It was carved into the shape of a crescent fang, gleaming with a cold, elegant light.
Saena stepped out from behind Raphtalia, wiping soot from her hands, a smirk on her face. She pointed at the pendant.
"Like it?" she asked.
Han nodded, his eyes serious for a moment. "Yes. It suits her very much."
He had asked Saena for that in secret—a pendant made from the fang of Raphtalia's uncle, a memento of her tragic past. To a human, it might seem macabre, even disturbing. But for a demi-human, such a gift was sacred. A mark of remembrance. Of pride. Of strength.
Han's gaze lingered on the pendant, and he spoke mentally.
"Check."
[Moon Pendant]
[Rank: A+]
[A necklace forged from the fang of a Moon Progenie. Increases the power of all Moon-aligned techniques by 30%.]
'Huh? This is perfect for her... it'll boost her Moonveil Arts significantly,' Han thought. His gaze flicked to Saena, who looked nonchalant.
'Did she plan this? She's more skilled than I gave her credit for…'
Before he could say more, Raphtalia drew a new sword from the sheath on her back.
The blade was a luminous silver with flowing patterns that shimmered like moonlight.
[Moon Fang]
[Rank: A+]
[A sword forged from the fang of a Moon Progenie. Incredibly sharp, capable of cleaving solid rock in a single stroke. Its core structure is elastic, allowing it to bend and crack like a whip when imbued with mana.]
Han's eyebrows lifted in surprise.
'The sword's even better…'
He turned to Saena, his expression one of quiet admiration—and maybe a touch of charm in his smile.
'Magic Blacksmiths really are the real deal… Her Basic Blacksmithing is only Level 8. She should barely be able to forge C-rank gear… but paired with her Magic Forging, the results are tremendous.'
Magic Forging—the rare ability to embed magical properties directly into materials before forging—was what elevated her work.
'I wonder when she'll unlock Magic Blacksmithing…'
"Thanks, Saena. It's perfect," Han said aloud.
Saena crossed her arms, chin slightly raised as she grinned with pride.
"Of course it is."
Saena dragged a chair over, the legs screeching softly against the floor, and dropped herself next to the others at the table. She glanced at the dishes, her expression curious.
"Sorry…" she said, eyes narrowing slightly at Chloe. "Did you cook all of this?"
Chloe, still slightly flushed from earlier praise, straightened with pride.
"Yes… Want some?" she asked, offering a plate with a smile.
"Yes, please!" Saena said, almost too quickly, grabbing a fork.
Chloe then turned to the two who hadn't joined yet. "And you two?" she asked, looking at Gilly and Raphtalia.
"If it's not a problem for you…" Gilly murmured, quietly sliding into a chair next to Saena, her eyes already scanning the dishes with interest.
Raphtalia, on the other hand, boldly plopped herself onto Han's lap with a light bounce and a bright smile. She wrapped an arm around his neck and beamed.
"Thanks, Chloe!" she said cheerfully.
Han chuckled, watching her dig into the plate Chloe passed over. There was something warm about seeing Raphtalia like this. So cheerful. So... free.
'She's finally happy,' Han thought with a soft smile.
And then… he felt it.
A sudden chill slithered down his spine like a ghost's whisper.
He glanced up—and immediately regretted it.
Across the table, Shay, Tess, and Jenna were staring at him.
Hard.
Eyes narrowed.
Smiles tight.
Utensils clenched just a little too firmly.
Even Jenna, who'd been gleefully scarfing down food minutes ago, had paused mid-bite. Her eyes said: Really, Han?
Shay's elegant demeanor didn't falter—but the way her knife carved slowly into a baked potato spoke volumes.
And Tess… Tess's spear wasn't even nearby, but her fingers were twitching like they were itching for one.
"Han…" Shay said, her tone sweet.
Too sweet.
Han didn't even know which one had spoken. They'd all said his name at once.
He gave a nervous chuckle, hands instinctively moving to hold Raphtalia steady on his lap as if she were a small, delicate animal—rather than the source of the hellish glares he was currently receiving.
"…I can explain."
To be continued...
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How was this chapter? Liked it?
It felt more like a bonus chapter, right? I just wanted to give that cheerfull chapter today because I feel happy. I just got a girlfriend, I just found my soulmate.
For those saying I am exaggerating, just hear this: she read all my novels. All the chapters. Even the... spiciest ones. She labeled me as a 'Pervert', and then she said, "We can be perverts together."
If it's a dream, don't wake me up guys!