Chapter 44: Legendary Dish and the Elysian Command

Sometimes you have to put out the most urgent fire first, but what if you just can’t figure out how to extinguish it?

Jaeho’s choice was simple avoidance.

“Go find a quiet corner and hide out. Don’t go wandering around and attracting attention.”

He didn’t want any more trouble.

“It’d be even better if you disappeared altogether.”

After driving away the Demonic Spirit, Jaeho decided to finish what he’d originally been doing.

Which was—serving the dish to the Nobles!

[<Revived Chimera Fried>]

[Grade: Legendary]

[This ‘dish’ was created through Forbidden Sorcery and the Demon’s Curse.]

[It looks as if it’s alive, but rest assured, it is food.]

[Effect: Causes hallucinations and a chance of inducing terror.]

Jaeho was at a loss for words at the abomination he’d just completed.

[You have successfully created your first Legendary Dish!]

[Reputation has increased.]

[You have gained additional experience related to this achievement.]

[You have succeeded in making a dish from the Demon World.]

[Notoriety has increased.]

The description of the dish was the least of his worries.

The real issue was that no matter how you looked at it, it just didn’t resemble food.

Squelch—squelch—

Wriggling bundles of tentacles emitted unsettling sounds.

According to the description, it was fried, but why did it look so… disturbingly alive?

“Ugh… How am I supposed to get anyone to eat this?”

And yet, Jaeho never stopped thinking of ways to mess with the Nobles.

“Eek!”

“Wh-What is that…”

The other chefs, whose attention had been focused on the Fire Oven Spirit, were now staring at Jaeho’s dish.

“I-I’ve never seen such a horrifying dish…”

“What in the world did you cook…”

The murmuring among the chefs grew louder.

“You fools!”

The booming voice of the Grand Chef silenced everyone.

“You call yourselves my disciples, yet you can’t even recognize true cuisine when you see it? Is this what I raised you for?!”

“???”

Jaeho was the most bewildered by the Grand Chef’s lament.

Still, he couldn’t let this golden opportunity go to waste!

“You truly have an eye for quality.”

[Because of your title <Deceiver of the Devil>, your opponent believes your lie.]

“Hm… I was arrogant, too.”

He muttered to himself, then raised his voice to the chefs.

“Behold! This is a Legendary Dish you may never see again!”

Jaeho understood what was happening.

After all, the system had announced that even this abomination was a legitimate ‘Legendary Dish.’

And the Grand Chef, as if he’d seen through everything, declared the dish’s grade with certainty.

Unfortunately, that was the extent of his insight…

“The title… It’s turning out to be more useful than I expected.”

When he first obtained it, he’d felt uneasy, but with time, he’d grown to like it.

“Look at this! The meat of this living fried dish was cooked using a miraculous technique!”

Meanwhile, the Grand Chef began explaining the dish to his disciples.

“Despite its fresh, raw texture, it’s been thoroughly cooked and poses no health risk. This is what you call perfect crisp-outside, juicy-inside!”

“Oooh…”

The chefs, awed by his words, stared at the dish.

“But was there any meat to begin with?”

“I didn’t see any…”

“Hmph, you all have a long way to go!”

The Grand Chef shouted.

“A top chef can recreate meat using mushrooms or mashed beans. But this goes a step further—this is just like real, living meat! Am I right?”

Jaeho couldn’t bring himself to say anything.

He just nodded slightly, wearing a heavy expression.

“Hmph, I thought you were just some average cook, but you’re the real deal. I acknowledge you!”

[You have gained the recognition of Gordon Rampage , the greatest chef on the Sitra Continent.]

[Reputation greatly increased.]

“Call me Gordon.”

He extended his hand to Jaeho.

“Ooh! The Grand Chef has bestowed his name upon you!”

“Is that… really that impressive…?”

Jaeho was confused, but for now, he shook Gordon’s hand.

[ <Gordon Rampage> has taken a liking to you.]

[The chefs now respect you.]

[You have acquired the skill <Wooden Doll’s Tongue>.]

[ <Cursed Wooden Doll’s Tongue> lv.1]

[You deceive others with trickery as sly as a demon.]

[Passive effect: For 400 uses, your chance of lying successfully is slightly increased.]

[Active effect: For 400 uses, you have a low chance to completely deceive your target. (If the lie fails, you are strongly taunted and your nose temporarily grows.)]

Jaeho subconsciously touched his nose.

“Let’s hope I never have to see that happen.”

***

Jaeho’s dish was moved to the Banquet Hall.

Since Gordon had decided it would be tonight’s Main Course, it was placed prominently at the center.

“Eek! Wh-what is that?!”

“So gross! Disgusting!”

The dish’s overwhelming appearance filled everyone with dread.

“This is a dish created by the king of chefs, Alicia!”

Gordon’s proud introduction echoed as Jaeho entered the Banquet Hall.

—A-Alicia?

Crewa Sang muttered in alarm.

She, too, knew of Gordon.

He was famous as an NPC chef for his pride and bad temper.

But his skills were so outstanding that he was often invited by many Nobles.

And now, he was showing this much respect?

Just what had happened in the kitchen?

—Don’t eat it.

—Huh?

—That dish. Whatever you do, don’t eat it.

Her face turned pale.

Of course, from the way it looked, there was no way she wanted to eat it.

Judging from the visual alone, she had no idea why Gordon was going to such lengths to praise it.

“What is that… huh?”

When she appraised the item, she was horrified.

“A L-Legendary Dish?! But the description…”

Now she understood perfectly why Jaeho had warned her not to eat it.

—You… you won’t die from eating that, right?

No matter what, she couldn’t allow the Nobles to be poisoned.

Everyone here was her client, after all.

—Pr-probably not?

—At least, there’s no mention of dying in the description…

—That’s so irresponsible!

Meanwhile, the Nobles, their faces uneasy, gathered around Jaeho’s dish.

“Mr. Rampage, is this really edible?”

“Of course! Until now, I have never seen a dish so creative and groundbreaking!”

With Gordon’s confident assurance, the Nobles could do nothing but accept it.

After all, this was Gordon.

Squelch—

As Gordon cut into the dish with a knife, a foul sound echoed, and red liquid splattered.

“Isn’t it unbelievably lively? Yet, astonishingly, not a single ounce of meat went into this!”

His pristine white chef’s uniform was now stained crimson… or rather, with sauce…

And with that large knife in hand, Gordon looked every bit the psycho killer.

“Now! Please, have a taste!”

The first to be served was Lord Rumia of the Otolc domain.

“Th-this is… Ugh…”

He made no attempt to hide his disgust, but he couldn’t throw the plate away in front of Gordon.

That would only ruin his reputation.

“Aaaah…”

His jaw trembling, he slowly brought the food to his mouth.

Chomp—

He stubbornly bit off a piece with his front teeth and swallowed without even chewing.

A heavy silence filled the Banquet Hall.

“…How is it?”

Gordon asked, looking nervous.

With his eyes closed, the Lord said nothing—then suddenly began devouring the rest of the food on his plate.

“L-Lord Rumia?!”

“It… It’s delicious…”

“Huh?”

“This is so delicious! It feels like I’m floating through the clouds!!”

“Excuse me?”

“What do you mean?”

“More… Give me more!”

Without hesitation, he offered his plate for a refill. The other Nobles exchanged looks.

Was it really that delicious?

“Ahem… Well, maybe I’ll try a little…”

“M-maybe I’ll taste it, too?”

One by one, they began to try it—and soon, everyone had taken a bite.

“Oooooh! This… this is the taste of heaven!”

“How could a dish make me feel this way… It really feels like I’m flying above the clouds…!”

Gordon beamed as the Nobles voiced their admiration.

Jaeho and Crewa Sang watched from a little distance, ready to bolt if necessary.

“…Is it really tasty?”

“At least in their minds, they genuinely believe it’s delicious.”

Jaeho’s reply made her nod.

To anyone watching, the Nobles looked half out of their minds.

Some were giggling, some staring off into space as they brought more food to their mouths—they were clearly hallucinating.

[You have addicted multiple Nobles.]

[Notoriety greatly increased.]

[You have acquired the title <Poisoner>.]

[Poison crafting efficiency increased.]

[Poison resistance increased.]

“…This is terrifying.”

How many people in the world would dare do this to Nobles?

“Well, I didn’t come here with this plan from the start.”

Jaeho had only come to promote the Flower House.

“In a way, this actually feels more satisfying.”

[The Spirit of Vitality says, ‘You’re no different from a demon.’]

“Alicia!”

At that moment, Gordon called out to Alicia.

“Why are you over there? You’re the creator of this dish.”

“Haha, I’m fine, really.”

“What are you saying? Come up here!”

Dragged forward by Gordon’s unwanted concern, Jaeho found himself standing before the Nobles.

“Now! The creator of this magnificent dish—Alicia!”

“Eeeeeek!!!”

“Kyaaaaaa!!!”

Suddenly, the Nobles let out ear-splitting screams.

[The Nobles feel extreme terror at your presence.]

“M-Monster!”

“Aaaah! Run!”

“Where are the guards?!”

Fainting, fleeing, crawling on the floor—Nobles responded in all sorts of dramatic ways upon seeing Jaeho.

“…Looks like the Eclipse Effect has triggered.”

Maybe Jaeho’s presence itself had become a bomb.

But not knowing this, Gordon was outraged by their reaction.

“How dare you! This is an outrage! You call yourselves Nobles of great houses?!”

Of course, his words had no effect on those lost in their own hallucinations.

“It’s all right, Gordon.”

Jaeho stopped him.

“I’ll try speaking to them. Would you mind stepping out for a moment?”

“Hmph, very well. But I intend to hold them responsible for this disgrace!”

Still fuming, Gordon left the Banquet Hall.

“…What are you planning now?”

Crewa Sang asked Jaeho.

“Just had an idea… Might as well promote the Flower House while I’m at it.”

Jaeho approached the Nobles, who were writhing on the floor.

“Eeeeeek!!!”

Just how terrifying did he look to them right now?

“Listen carefully. From now on, you must remember Elysia Garden.”

Jaeho spoke in a deep, ominous tone.

“Repeat after me: ‘I love Elysia.’”

Crewa Sang watched Jaeho’s antics with mixed feelings.

Just what was this man thinking of New World?

No way that clumsy hypnosis would work…

“I… love Elysia…”

“?!”

“Again, say it: ‘I. Love. E. Ly. Si. A.’”

“I. Love. E. Ly. Si. A.”

If you ever need to buy flowers, you must go to Elysia Garden. Got it?”

“Sniff… Yes, I understand…”

They responded, but it still seemed half-hearted.

He needed to drill it in more firmly.

“If you’re getting married?!”

A surprise question!

“I… Elysia…”

“If your family died?!”

“E. Ly. Si. A.”

“If you pass the real estate license exam?”

“Wait, what does that even…”

Crewa Sang was taken aback by Jaeho’s nonsensical questions.

“E. Ly. Si. A.”

“?!!!!”

“If you pass the housing management certification?”

“E. Ly. Si. A.”

“???!!”

“Hmm, good. That should do it.”

Jaeho finally dusted off his hands and stood up.

“It’s not what I originally planned, but I think I accomplished my goal.”

“D-do you really consider this a success?”

Something had gone terribly, terribly awry.

“Samantha… Are you okay?”

Crewa Sang genuinely worried about Samantha.