Be Careful When Agreeing to Terms and Conditions

3. Return to Mondstadt (9)

Durauf returned in the late evening. It seemed like an opportunity to treat some hunter colleagues to a great meal. However, despite a slightly bitter expression on Durauf’s face, it was apparent that his beloved daughter couldn’t join due to a late shift.

The fact that Durauf’s daughter couldn’t join for dinner was regrettable even for me.

The bartender of ‘Cat’s Tail,’ ‘Diona.’ A girl born with an inexplicable talent for making cocktails with unbelievable combinations. Rumor has it that Diona dislikes alcohol, but it was a mystery why she was thriving in Mondstadt’s liquor industry.

My regular pub was the ‘Angel’s Share.’ There was a sense of loyalty due to my connection with Diluc, and it was the first pub I visited in Mondstadt. So, out of loyalty, I never visited the ‘Cat’s Tail,’ but I heard about Diona’s reputation.

Today, I wondered if I could witness her skills. I clicked my tongue, feeling disappointed. If she had a late shift, there was nothing to be done. After all, Diona was a professional who worked for money.

In the end, tonight’s demonstration was only for me and Hyangryung. We each took a corner of the kitchen and began contemplating.

Since we were in the ‘Springvale,’ it was only natural to cook meat dishes. The environment to extravagantly use high-quality boar meat like this was unparalleled.

Decision made. Today’s dish was ‘Stacking Heights.’

‘「Stacking High」’ was a dish layered with meat, potatoes, and cheese. Originally a Mondstadt home-cooked meal, it had now become the symbol of Mondstadt’s grandest festival, ‘Harfest.’ Thanks to its opulence and unique concept.

For the duration of the month-long Harfest festival, participants would compete in stacking ‘「Stacking High」’ with a variety of ingredients. And once they consumed all the stacked ingredients, they would receive a prize corresponding to their record.

It was a form of entertainment in the Harfest festival, rivaling the contests of alcohol, poetry, and flying. As a representative dish of the Harfest festival, where banquets were held throughout the month, it could also be considered an excellent dish for accompanying drinks.

First, I grilled the meat. Steak was a dish that, despite its simplicity, heavily depended on the quality of ingredients and the cooking method or heat. Sprinkling salt, pepper, and spices generously, I seasoned the thick meat and drizzled fragrant vegetable oil on a hot pan. Once the oil was sufficiently heated, I grilled the meat, searing each side as if branding it.

It was a process called searing, where each side of the meat was cooked to perfection, trapping the juices inside. During this process, the Maillard reaction occurred, turning the outer surface of the meat brown. This reaction played a crucial role in determining the flavor and richness of the steak.

Next, butter, garlic, and spices were added to the pan. The key to ‘「Stacking High」’ was adding ‘firelight’ at this point to impart flavor and aroma. Firelight, a specialty of Mondstadt emitting a soft light every night, not only eliminated the gaminess of the meat but also turned into a garnish with a crisp texture and fresh aroma when heated.

Melted butter was spread on the surface of the meat with a spoon, infusing the steak with the flavor of butter. Once I thought it was cooked to perfection, I wrapped it in foil and let it rest at room temperature for about 10 minutes—a stage known as resting. During this brief time, heat transferred to the interior of the meat, and the trapped juices spread throughout, creating a tender and moist texture.

Then, in the same pan with remaining butter and spices, along with the inevitable slight juice from the cooking process, I cooked potatoes until they were well-done. I stacked the steak, followed by potatoes and cheese in sequence. Decorating the surroundings and top with firelight, I transformed it into a mouthwatering yet elegant dish.

This was the dish representing Mondstadt’s Harfest festival, ‘「Stacking High」’. Since the cooking process was relatively simple, the skill of a seasoned chef sensitive to temperature and time was crucial. The quality of ingredients was equally important.

But when it came to cooking skills, they were corrected by the ‘cooking’ function, not to mention that the ingredients were fresh wild boar meat from the Springvale village. So, the probability of this dish failing was practically non-existent.

[Perfect]

[Delicious ‘「Stacking High」’] x3

With a sigh, I looked at the completed dishes. The savory aroma of butter and the unique scent of oily meat wafted up.

The kitchen was now filled with warmth. I wiped away the gradually appearing sweat and served the plated dishes.

Hylichurl was in the middle of placing the dishes on the table, as if it hadn’t been long since he finished cooking. Hylichurl was explaining the dish, receiving eager looks from the hunters of Springvale, including Durin.

“This dish is called ‘Fertile Veggie Wrap.’ It’s a dish where you eat ham wrapped in cabbage boiled in well-seasoned vegetable broth. I think it will go well with today’s main dish that Xiuhua is going to present.”

Saying that, Hylichurl naturally stepped aside. It seemed like he was giving me the opportunity to explain the dish. Perhaps due to his restaurant background, he was quick-witted.

However, I wasn’t a particularly remarkable person to explain the dish. ‘「Stacking High」’ was already a very familiar dish to the people of Mondstadt, so I simply put the plate down and said briefly.

“Please enjoy.”

There was a dish, and there were hungry people. No need for long words.

Seating myself with Hyangreung, the forks and knives moved as if they had been waiting. The first dish, undoubtedly the highlight of today, was the “Stacking Heights.”

Being a bit hungry, I assembled a layer of meat, potatoes, and cheese in the “Stacking Heights.” Originally, as a chef, I should have served each layer with tongs, but since it wasn’t a restaurant, we decided to let each person take a layer with their own fork.

I sliced the meat with a knife. There was a slight resistance on the crispy surface, but after breaking through, it was an instant. The knife conveyed the tender and moist texture. And the flowing juiciness.

The wild boar meat from Sammul Village was unique. It was closer to beef than pork in terms of tenderness, oiliness, and a distinctive aroma. Yet, it still retained the wild and primal scent of boar, making it truly a “otherworldly” ingredient.

I put a piece of meat in my mouth. The tenderness and moistness I felt while slicing the meat were vividly present, accompanied by the richness of the juice that flooded my tongue. Following that, the well-cooked meat’s distinctive savory taste, the intense flavor of butter, and the perfect saltiness infused into the flesh all played a role in enhancing the already excellent taste of the meat.

How about the texture of the cheese slightly melted by the heat of the steak? The slightly dense texture of the cheese harmonized with the savory aroma of the meat. Well-cooked potatoes, blended with the fragrance of butter, added richness and flavor, balancing the weighty taste of the “Stacking Heights” with the crackling texture of flame and the fresh aroma.

It was excellent. It reinforced the characteristic taste of a hearty meat dish with cheese and potatoes, enhanced by the flame. As a main dish, it was impeccable.

Glancing around, hunters from Sammul Village, including Duraf, were expressing their delight.

“Among the ‘Stacking Heights’ I’ve had, this is the best…”

“Is this the meat we used to eat?”

Since the ingredients were the wild boar meat they raised, they could keenly feel the difference in taste depending on the chef. They were tasting the food with faces that were not only surprised but also amazed.

This tendency became even more pronounced when it reached Hyangreung. Gifted with a talent bestowed by heaven in cooking, not an exaggeration to say, Hyangreung was a genius who deviated from the norm even in her sense of taste. She closed her eyes and hummed, emitting a happy moan.

“It’s delicious, excellent! It seems like you’ve adhered to the basics, adjusting the degree of cooking to bring out the unique texture and flavor of the ingredients. Intentionally putting the flame of the torch into the process of grilling the steak captures the scent perfectly, and Shiwo is truly an amazing chef!”

But it wasn’t me; it was the “cooking” function.

However, I didn’t bother to bring up that fact. If I were to swing a window later, they might vaguely realize it. Since “Stacking Heights” was an attack enhancement cooking, it greatly strengthened strength and reflexes.

Obtaining such effects from just eating one dish was extraordinary, unless it was a dish created by a person with peculiar abilities like me on the Tibat continent. It would be enough to say that Hyangreung’s culinary skill was included in that gap.

Thinking about it, I suddenly noticed that my gaze was drawn to the dish Hyangreung had made. It was called “Bountiful Veggie Wrap.”

Just hearing the name, it felt like a dish from Liyue cuisine. Come to think of it, I had never eaten the dishes of a famous chef who had fallen to the Tibat continent until now. So, the “Bountiful Veggie Wrap” I was eating now was probably the top-level dish of the Tibat continent that I was trying for the first time.

I poured the steaming broth under the vegetable wrap onto the spoon and placed a vegetable wrap on top. It was neatly wrapped, in a size perfect for one bite. Such details truly revealed the skill of the chef who made the dish.

And then, I moved the spoon into my mouth. Soon, there was an exclamation bursting out.

In the vegetable broth that had been simmered, there was a deep and clean umami. As the hot broth passed over the tongue, chewing on the vegetable wrap revealed the crisp and fresh aroma of the vegetables, bursting forth once again.

The boiled cabbage provided a soft yet crunchy texture. It wasn’t just the cabbage; an unnamed vegetable offered a sweet and refreshing taste. Somewhere, I had tasted this before. Ah, yes. Was it the ‘Lotus Petal Base’ in Liyue?

From the umami of the vegetable broth to the soft and crunchy texture of the boiled cabbage, and the sweet yet refreshing taste of the lotus petal base – there was nothing that didn’t harmonize with the savory taste of the ham hidden within the wrap.

It was deep yet clean, flavorful yet light. It was a taste without burden, without any lingering aftertaste. Washing away the oily taste of the main dish, ‘Stacking Heights,’ it appealed to the unique umami of vegetables, distinct from that of the meat. Truly, it was a perfect side dish.

In the land of Teyvat, where culinary arts are highly valued, Liyue showcased skills worthy of the top spot even there. It was fundamentally different from someone like me who was nothing without the power of the ‘Cook’ function.

I looked at the dining table with newfound eyes. Huixiang was engrossed in the meal with a happy expression. As much as she loved cooking, it seemed she also enjoyed delicious food. She appeared nothing more than a cute girl in this light.

Teyvat was indeed a fearsome place. Judging people based on appearance alone was impossible.

While inwardly shaking my head at that thought, I brought out the centerpiece of today’s meal.

“Well, now that we’ve filled our stomachs to some extent, how about a drink?”

As I said that, I took out a bottle of dandelion wine from my ‘backpack.’ Most of the alcohol had been sold during my previous journey to Liyue, but I had kept some dandelion wine and apple cider. They were that delicious.

Hunters from Samwol Village, including Draph, squinted their eyes. It was indeed surprising for someone who just stopped by the village for the first time to unexpectedly take out a bottle of liquor from under the table. But such amazement didn’t last long. With excellent dishes and the most renowned liquor in Mondstadt, the next step was obvious.

“Great! Let’s have a drink right away!”

Draph reacted as soon as I brought out the alcohol. Although it was my first visit to Samwol Village, Draph’s love for alcohol was famous even in Mondstadt.

Considering that we would establish a trading relationship in the future, there was nothing wrong with gaining favor. Besides, ‘Stacking Heights’ was selected with the assumption of drinking dandelion wine, and the oily appetizers protected the stomach from alcohol. Moreover, with the deeply simmered vegetable broth of ‘Bountiful Veggie Wrap,’ it was a perfect combination for drinking.

The refreshing and cool aroma of dandelion wine dispelled the greasiness of the meat, while the rich flavor and savory scent of ‘Stacking Heights’ covered the unpleasant smell of alcohol. And if this process repeated, it was only a matter of time before everyone got drunk.

The drinking party lasted until late at night. I walked out with a feeling of near-death, just wanting to breathe some fresh air.

Inside, the lively sounds of the drinking party could still be heard, as everyone seemed to be enjoying the lingering effects of alcohol. They were all in a state of intoxication. Only I, who had restrained myself a bit from the middle, was trying to keep a semblance of sobriety.

And outside, there was a girl.

The black hair, tinged with a hint of blue, and the window hanging behind like an accessory.

Being underage, Hyangryung couldn’t join the drinking session. I thought she had gone to sleep, but it seemed she had come out for some fresh air.

I approached and sat next to Hyangryung, who was sitting near the steep path. There were stories to be told, and we needed to sober up.

Hyangryung, who was humming a tune while swinging her legs, turned to look at me, sensing my presence. Confirming my presence, she grinned broadly.

“Did you enjoy the drinking session?”

“Yeah, it was great. That ‘Refreshing Vegetable Wrap,’ right? The vegetable broth was no joke.”

As I spoke, I recalled why I had sat down next to Hyangryung in the first place.

It was due to a misunderstanding about the ‘cooking’ function. I wasn’t a genius, nor was I particularly diligent. I just happened to be lucky, and I wanted to share that story.

“Uh, Hyangryung. Anything different after eating my cooking?”

In response to my question, Hyangryung closed her eyes and seemed to be contemplating. I regretted not mentioning it a bit earlier. By now, the duration might have already elapsed.

My cooking had a fixed duration of effectiveness. The duration varied for each dish, but on average, the effects wore off within a few hours. Considering the considerable time since we started eating, the effects of a dish with a short duration might have already faded.

However, my worry was in vain. After a moment of contemplation, Hyangryung, with a voice that seemed uncertain, said, “It feels like I have a bit more strength, and the spear seems to swing more easily?”

I sighed in relief. It seemed unnecessary to explain in detail.

“I mentioned it last time, didn’t I? My cooking skill is not something I achieved. It’s not my skill; it’s just that when I think about making food, my body moves on its own. So, I’m not the one cooking. It’s this ‘power’ that moves my body.”

At my words, Hyangryung tilted her head in confusion. Then she made a thoughtful expression, closing her eyes again as if lost in contemplation.

“So, I’m not exactly a remarkable chef or anything. I just wanted to clarify that. It seemed like you might be misunderstanding.”

That’s right. I wasn’t someone worthy of admiration from Hyangryung, at least not in the field of ‘cooking’.

I wouldn’t mind if it was about making money. I swallowed that bitter truth.

Hyangryung spoke shortly after I finished talking.

“Um, so… when Siwoo cooks, does his body move on its own? And then the dish is completed?”

“Well, yeah.”

Should I have explained it like this from the beginning?

Seeing Hyangryung understanding my words immediately, I couldn’t help but let out a bitter smile. Now that the misunderstanding was cleared, I felt a bit more at ease.

However, Hyangryung still seemed unconvinced. Her questions continued.

“But Siwoo decides what dish to make, right?”

“Um? W-Well, yeah. That’s also true.”

I couldn’t quite grasp the intention behind Hyangryung’s question, so I hesitated a bit before answering. Then, it seemed like Hyangryung’s eyes, which had been pondering, opened again.

Her pupils were still clear, pure golden eyes without a single flaw.

“So Siwoo decided what dish to make after looking at the ingredients today, and he prepared the dandelion wine, right?”

I remained silent as I couldn’t anticipate what Hyangryung would say next. What on earth was she trying to convey? However, it seemed like Hyangryung interpreted my silence as some kind of affirmation, and she nodded.

“Well, I still don’t know much about cooking. The more you explore, the more new flavors you discover. So every day, I look for new ingredients and experiment with various cooking methods. All for the sake of making even more delicious food!”

As I heard her passionate voice, I recalled Hyangryung’s words about embarking on an adventure to find new recipes. She also discussed how to improve the taste of chrysanthemum tea. All of it reflected Hyangryung’s passion for cooking.

With determination, Hyangryung clenched her fist towards the sky and then looked back at me. Her face had a faint smile.

“But, but even with all that, I know one fact. What’s important in ‘cooking’ isn’t just how well you handle the ingredients, how well you season it, or how well you apply heat to the ingredients. Of course, those things are important, but that’s not everything.”

“…Then what is it?”

Unconsciously responding to my question, Hyangreung continued to speak with a clear voice.

“To create a dish that brings out the taste of these ingredients, and to understand what kind of dish the people I’m serving would enjoy. How people can be happy eating my food, how to make them say ‘it was a wonderful meal’ after finishing their meal.”

As Hyangreung spoke, her face seemed, at first glance, like that of a dreaming girl, as if it were the destination she wanted to reach.

“That’s all about ‘cooking.’ Actually, I don’t really understand why Xiu is so hard on himself. In the end, it’s all about Xiu’s skill, right? Even the ‘Eye of God’ I obtained, in the end, everyone says it’s my skill.”

While saying this, Hyangreung added in a whisper to my ear.

“…It’s a secret, but using the ‘Eye of God’ when adjusting firepower makes it much easier.”

I chuckled. The way Hyangreung said ‘secret’ and whispered to me made it feel like she was sharing a truly confidential story.

“But if you still don’t understand, I’ll specially tell you the first recipe I received from my dad!”

In her own way, Hyangreung seemed serious. Finishing the story like that, she lightly tapped her chest.

“‘Cooking is more about skill than passion!’ How about that? A great saying, right?”

While saying that, Hyangreung laughed, a voice that seemed to boast a bit. With the girl-like innocence and cuteness in her appearance, I couldn’t say anything more to Hyangreung.

“…Yeah, it’s a good recipe. Thanks, Hyangreung.”

Just saying that, I looked up at the night sky again. The sky of the Tivat continent was so clear that it felt transparent. There was nothing obscuring the moon and stars.

It was a world full of romance. Perhaps the life of the Tivat continent suited me better.

“You’re welcome! Originally, friends help each other, right?”

‘Friends,’ I felt my gaze involuntarily turning towards Hyangreung as she said that. Looking at her pure and cute face, I could feel that she was always speaking sincerely. So, I must be a ‘friend’ to Hyangreung. Even though we just met today.

Come to think of it, having a friend who is good at cooking wouldn’t be bad. Hyangreung was a giant in the Liyue catering industry.

Actually, it was all just an excuse. It was because I felt a liking for the person named ‘Hyangreung.’

“Alright, Hyangreung. Since you helped me once, next time I’ll help you. We’re ‘friends,’ after all.”

Saying that, I reached out my hand to Hyangreung. Hyangreung, looking puzzled for a moment, then realized and shook hands with me.

The serenade of the moonlit night marked the moment when another friend was added to my circle, someone I met on the Tibetan continent.

**

The next day, I was busy in the Springwater Village. It was necessary to discuss the quantity of supplies I could immediately obtain, their prices, and how the transaction should be carried out.

There was no one else but me who could bring in such a quantity. Also, considering the headache the village was going through due to the number of wild boars, if I were to spend money and buy meat, it would be a welcomed gesture for Springwater Village.

So, the negotiation proceeded swiftly. Perhaps they were extremely favorable to the contract because I could completely haggle the price, or maybe it was not like that, but Springwater Village was very accommodating.

The influence of having shared drinks with the hunters of Springwater Village the previous day played a role too. It seems that when you have a drink, faces open up, and a sense of camaraderie develops.

Was all of that planned, I wonder? Well, impressive, Baek Siwoo. He must be a remarkable businessman.

While praising myself like that, I suddenly realized something strange.

“By the way, Alan, have you seen where Hyangreung went?”

One of the Springwater Village hunters had attached himself to me as a guide. His name was ‘Alan,’ and he was the one who brought Hyangreung to Mr. Duraep last time. Since we had talked while having drinks the night before, I casually asked him.

To that, Alan made a puzzled face.

“Haven’t you heard the news?”

“What news?”

I felt a strange unease. When people around me acted as if I should naturally know a piece of news that I was unaware of, it usually didn’t end well.

Surprisingly, Alan said to me.

“You’re going to be the judge for the cooking showdown between Hyangreung and Brook.”

Brook? I hesitated when I heard that name. Then the face of a person flashed through my mind.

She was a generously sized female chef, known as the ‘Meat Master’ of Springwater Village. Her skills were so excellent that before the incident with the Wind Dragon, her reservations were fully booked for months.

But why would she have a cooking showdown with Hyangreung?

“I may not fully understand… but it seems our perspectives on cooking were different. So, Hynx is going to briefly leave to prepare extraordinary ingredients. He asked me to wait for a few days… didn’t you hear? He said he would fulfill the request if it were you.”

I fell silent for a moment. What crossed my mind was the memory of last night.

The handshake with Hynx on the moonlit cliff, and now that I think about it, we made a promise too. Next time, I would help Hynx.

Remaining in silence, I couldn’t hold back any longer and screamed, “Hynx!”

As if we weren’t busy enough, keeping someone tied up in the Samut Village for days? Lumine will have to take responsibility if things go south later.

It was a scream of frustration mixed with sighs of regret.

And so, the handshake of that night ultimately turned into a disastrous move.