"Arthur! What's that smell?"Sara's voice rang out from the kitchen doorway. She stepped inside and froze, caught off guard by the rich aroma wafting from the copper pan. It wasn't like anything she had ever smelled before—spicy, herbal, with a hint of seafood-like scent that made her swallow hard.
Arthur gave a faint smile. "Clawwin Three-Spice Fry, Mother. Wait until Uncle Thomson arrives, then you can taste it together."
"Clawwin? Three-Spice?" Sara repeated, puzzled, but she couldn't help smiling at her son's sparkling eyes.
That night, the "Moonlight Inn" bar was livelier than usual. Caravans of merchants from the capital, tired from their day of travel and selling, filled the two-story wooden tavern. Lanterns cast a warm glow, and the honey-colored wooden walls reflected the flicker of the corner fireplace, creating a cozy, homey atmosphere.
Laughter blended with the sounds of local music—elf-made stringed instruments from the north, hand-played leather drums, and the rhythmic thud of boots on wooden floors. The pouring of freshly brewed beer went "fsshh," followed by clinking glasses and shouts of "Drink! Drink!"
The scent of fresh beer mingled with the aroma of roasted meat from the kitchen, while the pinewood from the fireplace added a comforting undertone. Some merchants played magical dice games on the tables, while others displayed exotic treasures from distant lands—glowing crystal vials, mana-infused coral, and sapphire-blue giant feathers that shimmered in the lamplight.
A cool breeze drifted through the windows, carrying the fragrance of flowers from the garden outside, blending with beer and music. That evening, Moonlight Village was alive with warmth and vitality.
"Hey! Peter!" one merchant shouted. "We haven't been here in ages! Let's finish that barrel of beer tonight! Hahaha!"
The clinking of glasses and laughter filled the room. The atmosphere was festive, as expected in this borderland village. Moonlight Village served as the last stop before leaving the kingdom, a place where caravans could rest and celebrate.
But suddenly… the cheer gradually subsided.
All eyes turned toward the kitchen as Sara emerged slowly, carrying a golden plate that still emitted soft steam. The aroma intensified, immediately silencing the room.
"A special gift… for a special night," she said softly, placing the plate on the long wooden table.
The lantern light reflected off the crispy golden Clawwin, its faint blue whiskers raised slightly as if still alive. The aroma of the three-spice blend floated through the air.
Many of the merchants exchanged puzzled glances.
"What… exactly is this?" a young man asked, curiosity lacing his voice.
Arthur followed behind his mother, wearing a white apron. "Clawwin Three-Spice Fry. A special dish for tonight…"
Gasps and murmurs spread around the table. Nobody knew where to start—the aroma alone seemed almost magical.
Arthur carried the plate to the large merchant sitting in the corner. "Here's Clawwin Three-Spice Fry, Uncle Thomson," he said with a smile.
Thomson leaned over the plate, frowning. "Wait… the Clawwin with those long, elbow-like claws and armor as hard as steel? How did it turn into this soft, white, springy meat?" He poked the fry lightly with a fork. The oil shimmered under the lamplight, and the fragrant spices blended with a subtle floral scent that reached his nose.
Arthur raised a hand gently. "Don't question it yet, Uncle. Just taste it—first bite plain, second bite with a touch of salt."
Thomson raised an eyebrow but complied, taking a small bite—
Crunch…The faint sound of chewing echoed in the tense silence.
Then… Thomson's eyes widened, his expression changing instantly. The fragrance and delicate flavor of the Clawwin, mixed with the subtle savory oil and spices, exploded on his palate. It blossomed into a warm, harmonious taste, as if a faint mana had spread through his body.
"This… this is insane! This is really Clawwin!?" he exclaimed, eyes wide. "All this time, this amazing flavor has been right here in our village!? Why… why didn't anyone tell me?! How could…!!"
Laughter erupted throughout the bar. Glasses clinked, some stood up, eager for their own plates. "Another plate, please! A gift from the moon itself!"
Arthur smiled quietly to himself.
[ Dinggg… You have completed the initial quest for the Cook profession. Check your rewards. ]
The Moonlight Inn was alive with energy and happiness. Guests' conversations and laughter filled the room, glasses clinking in rhythm, interspersed with the gentle creaking of the fireplace. The scent of Clawwin Three-Spice Fry lingered, leaving a warm impression even after the last plate had gone.
The golden lamplight reflected off the steam rising from the kitchen, making it feel like stars twinkling in the cooking pots. Guests raised their glasses again, laughter echoing softly, blending with the crackle of the ovens.
Arthur stood by the wooden counter, smiling faintly. His eyes reflected the warm light, alive with the night's joy. The "system" that had appeared that morning remained quietly in a corner of his mind, like a guide he wasn't ready to look at yet. He wasn't in a rush—not because he didn't want to know, but because he wanted to feel everything first: the taste of happiness, the bustling life of the people, and the aroma that proved this was real life.
"Later," he whispered, watching Uncle Cyrus and Rachel clean up in the kitchen.
In his heart, something faintly pulsed, like the system calling out—but he let it wait, letting the laughter and warmth of the fire drown it out.
Tonight, he wanted to be just "Arthur," a boy in a small inn in Moonlight Village, soaking in the scent of spices and the chatter of people. He wanted to remember this feeling clearly, for tomorrow… everything might change when he finally opens the window of the system.
It was almost three in the morning. All the guests had gone. The inn had stayed open late for the visiting merchants. After tidying up, Arthur returned to his room to check the system notifications.
[ Secondary Profession: Cook LV.1 ]Ability: Can grant minor status boosts through food.
[ Skill: Ingredient Encyclopedia LV.1 ]Ability: Can view information on ingredients in this world.
~ System, do you have any special features, like a shop, a roulette, or a dimensional box? ~
[ System processing… ]
[ … z Z Z … ]