Arcane Chef - Slice of Life x Adventure LitRPG

Heading into the kitchen, I prepared some more bacon for Liane. It wasn’t as potent since I didn’t have Crisplet to assist with it, both losing their fire immunity, but the Drakon had Major Fire Resistance instead.

I then spent the rest of the evening practising carving the rune into one of the empty salt barrels I had received, not willing to risk the rum just yet, and it was probably for the best. I messed up immediately, cutting straight through the wood.

I didn’t bother trying to activate any of these runes, knowing they were all far too rough to try.

Five hours into it, Crisplet came into the dining room where I was sitting, letting off a burst of sparks, letting me know the bacon was ready to go.

“Thanks, Crisplet!”

Entering the kitchen, I saw both Liane and Lily sitting… waiting.

Inside the smoker room itself, it smelled incredible. The smoke itself tingled in my nose, but it wasn’t overpowering. The smell of the meat itself, however, easily overtook it, in particular the earthy smell from the Drakon.

Knowing all of these would need to rest, I stored them all temporarily, heading into the kitchen and pulling them all out again, laying them on the counter as Lily and Liane approached.

“You can’t eat these yet,” I said.

I saw Lily nudge Liane forward a step.

I had to hold back the laughter, but after giving Lily a look, “At all?”

“They need to rest first, then I’ll cook some up. Don’t touch it for now, and no stealing any,” I said, looking directly at Lily, who just tilted her head at me.

I brought the barrel into the kitchen to work on the runes, just so I could keep an eye on the bacon. After an hour of practice, I decided it had rested long enough. I got some slices of each type, enough so I would have plenty of spares, even after Liane and Lily had several pieces.

Crisplet helped me with the cooking. I also decided, at least for this one, I would increase the potency and reduce the duration, while still remembering to purify it, just in case.

Finally, knowing I had used the Ironwood for this, I checked the buffs before eating it, just to be sure it was safe for anyone besides Lily.

[Rare] Iron Smoked Titan Boar Bacon

+11 Endurance

+2 Strength

Scaled Skin

Fire Immunity

[Rare] Iron Smoked Drakon

+7 Strength

+9 Endurance

+3 Charisma

Stone Skin

Fire Immunity

My eyes went wide as I read over the buffs. The stone skin that came from the wood had clearly combined with thick skin from the titan boar. I didn’t even think to test thick skin earlier, but now I had a new one to test as well, provided I could actually eat it.

I also noticed that the titan boar had shifted to rare.

“What is it? You look shocked,” Liane asked.

I took three pieces of each and handed them to Liane and Lily, quickly storing the rest of the cooked slices so they didn’t vanish.

“Have a look at the buffs,” I said.

Watching, she still didn’t hesitate, just eating the Drakon first. “Oh, a lot more stats on this one. Hari will really like it,” she said.

She then took a bite of the titan boar, her own eyes going wide. Then her skin started to turn black, as small scales covered her arms and neck that I could see.

“Whoa, that looks intimidating!” I said, getting close to her to inspect it.

“Feels weird, too. It feels stiff, but far better than stone skin. I’d be interested to see Hari’s thoughts.”

“Where is he?” I asked.

“He got back from the shop a couple of hours ago. I imagine he’d be training,” Liane looked thoughtful.

I was just about to run outside when I stopped myself, turning around. Storing all the bacon I had been resting on the counter, hearing a huff let out by Lily behind me.

“I knew you were thinking about stealing some!” laughing as I turned around.

The only response I got was Lily vanishing into a nearby shadow.

Going through the butchery room to reach the backyard, I was walking behind Liane as we went to the training yard. I barely noticed the day slipping away, as it was already night outside. It made her look extra intimidating with the scales as the moonlight glinted off the edges.

“Those scales look dangerous at night,” I commented.

“Not great for hiding though when it’s shining in the light.” Liane commented.

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As we approached the training yard, I saw Hari, Luis, Darren, and George, along with several guards, all practising, with Hari at the front guiding them all through the motions.

“I didn’t even know Luis was here.”

“He’s here most afternoons to train. He just doesn’t enjoy being a bother for dinner,” Liane replied, striding forward, catching Hari’s attention immediately.

“Liane? What the fuck happened to your skin?” he said, pushing through the line.

All the others turned around to look as well, their jaws dropping. Well, everyone except the guards training, as they kept swinging their swords.

I pulled out a piece of titan boar and offered it to Hari. Liane just stood there, hands on her hips, grinning, not even answering his question.

Hari, not waiting, took a bite of the bacon, then another, and then it was gone.

He just looked at Liane for a moment before nodding, seemingly taking a moment to process everything.

Deciding now was a good time, I also pulled out the Drakon as well, handing it over, and he ate this one in only two bites.

“Just strength and charisma?” he asked, looking at me.

“No, it’s got endurance as well, just not as much,” I answered.

The change in skin was far more noticeable with Hari, and I saw now that it covered the entire body, as his chest was slowly covered in scales as they spread to his arms and neck. The only difference compared to Liane’s was Hari’s were brown. They were not black.

“Luis! Hit me as hard as you can,” Hari said, turning around.

Luis didn’t move, still staring at him in shock.

“Focus!” Hari said sternly.

Luis shook his head, coming over with a visibly blunt steel sword, and slashed Hari across the chest.

Hari shook his head. “Luis, you hit me harder than that in our spars. Do it properly. A full-power hit.”

Luis looked troubled, mumbling out, “Sorry.”

Then hit Hari with a blow hard enough that I felt it in the air from several feet away.

Hari just burst out laughing. “Brilliant! You have lost over half the power!”

“That much?” Luis looked shocked.

“Come, let’s train! I only have forty-five minutes!” Hari yelled.

“Wait! What is it? How did you get it?” Luis said, looking torn between asking me and Hari.

Darren and George just stared at Hari, not saying a single word.

“Let’s get out of here, or we’ll be dragged into training,” Liane whispered.

Knowing I’d hear all about it later, I followed Liane back inside.

Liane spent the next half an hour showing everyone she could the scales, while I went back to practising the carving and was soon joined by everyone sitting around, discussing the possibilities of the bacon.

“Do you think it would be something that could be sold in the store?” I heard Micca ask.

“It would be very expensive,” Milo replied.

But I felt, especially with these, I needed to speak up. “No, not these.”

I saw the disappointment on Micca’s face, so I went on. “Not the drake, at least. If you can secure the bellies, I can make it into bacon, but that drake is unique. It’s incredibly useful for the party, and it might be Lily’s favourite snack.”

I could see Micca wanted to protest, but Milo agreed with me.

“That’s a good point. It is a limited resource and should be treated as such,” he said.

“Wouldn’t that just make it more valuable, then, and worth so much more?” Micca countered.

“It would, but what use is money compared to Lily being happy, or the party being super strong? We have lots of things that will make money,” I said.

Micca sighed, leaning back in her chair. “You’d make a terrible merchant, Trev.”

“He would, but he is right. It might be worth keeping an eye out at the Adventurers Guild so you’ll know if someone comes in with a rare beast like a titan boar. Then you can purchase the carcass or the belly from them,” Milo said.

The conversation was soon interrupted by Hari coming into the room, a giant smile on his face.

“That buff was incredible! Tell me you have a lot more,” he said, far too loud.

“I do.”

“Excellent! I was worried Lily had eaten it all already!” He laughed, but it was cut off quickly.

“Everything okay?” I asked, confused.

“Yes, yes, just… your scarf. She can see through it, can’t she?” he asked, slightly paler than before.

“I believe so, yes.”

He rubbed his forehead. “Those eyes are terrifying.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Lily, if we run out, just get more and I’ll make it into bacon. I should be able to do the runes now, hopefully.”

For the rest of the night, the topic of conversation was what creature could possibly provide dexterity-buffed bacon, with the two most likely targets being the phase leviathan and wind wyrm. Though both would be incredibly hard to find, one being in the deep sea and the other only appearing on very high, frost-covered mountains.

***

The next day passed without anything significant happening. I tried to practise my runes in the dining room in the morning, but Hari and Milo were both attempting to drive in last-minute etiquette training, so I made my escape to the library. I couldn’t help but dread the dinner that was going to occur that night.

Sitting across from Sylverith as I read the journal.

There was a soft knock. “Trev, you in here?” Jen asked.

“Yeah, just reading.” I got up so as not to interrupt Sylverith too much.

“Time for you to get ready. These events start fairly early,” she said as I got closer.

I let out a deep sigh. I had been dreading this event since I knew it was happening. The only good thing about it was that once this was done, I was free politically speaking, hopefully until we finally left the city after the snow subsided.

As I made my way into my room, a voice called out from the stairs. “Trev!”

I turned around to see Liane already in her dark outfit with a well-fitted jacket that had the embroidered shape of Lily and Crisplet on it.

“Trev, I’ve decided. Can I have a quick word? Uh, privately?” she said.

I looked around, not seeing anyone, but shrugging, I pointed to my room, and she followed me there.

Once inside, I saw my own suit already laid out on the bed, ready to go, but first things first. I turned around and caught Liane taking a deep breath.

“I don’t know how to ask this, because in a way it’s pretty hypocritical of me, and it’s perfectly fine if you don’t agree and tell me no…” she began to say.

I decided a tiny push might help. “Just ask. Why would I say no to you?”

“Well, I wanted to know if I could join your house. Officially, I mean. I fully understand if you say n—”

“Sure, why not?” I said happily.

“Wait, really? You didn’t even think about it,” she said, sounding shocked.

“Why would I need to think about it? You’re like a big sister I never had, and you already know where you stand as far as Crisplet is concerned. Of course I’d say yes.”

Liane just stood staring at me.

“Now let me get changed,” I chuckled and turned around.

I only made it a step before I was wrapped up in a hug, whispering, “This means a lot. Thank you, Trev.”

Jen’s voice came from the other side of the door. “Trev, the carriage has arrived to pick you up.”

Pulling away from me, I turned around to see Liane practically running out the door, nearly crashing into Jen, and leaving me a bit bewildered.

But I didn’t have time to think about it. I needed to get changed.

I’d also need to have the chest piece and scarf on, or I’ll never hear the end of it.