Let Me Cook! (Isekai restaurant)

- Zyon -

"How strong are the awakened beings?" I asked since what she sensed was nothing but an ember that leaked from my body. I do think she has an amazing observation.

"They can easily take on dozens of Claymore and it all depends on the rank. I haven't encountered one but it would need at least someone from the top 10 rank." Claire said and they seem pretty weak at least Low to Mid class devils. That's hyperbolizing their power.

"So what rank are you?" Saitama asked.

"The lowest rank, I'm 47. It is a common rank among us and only few reach the single digit as most die or turn into an Awakened Being." She said and rubbed my chin thinking about this opportunity since she seems skilled enough.

"Say. Do you want to get stronger?" I asked and she looked at me confused.

"Elaborate?" She said and I took an evil pieces from my pocket dimension, startling Claire.

"Normally, I would suggest training under Hayato but since you are mercenary and will certainly help keep you from turning into an awakened being by changing your race." I presented the Knight pieces.

"This right here is called an Evil piece and it will turn you into a type of devil called Reincarnated devil. You will become my subordinates and part of my peerage but I won't keep your freedom since I don't play Rating games."

"What's a rating game?" Claire asked and I began to explain it more in detail and she understood it.

"Then I'll be a slave to you?" She said since she can't leave once she turns into a devil.

"Yes, but I'm sure it's better than becoming a flesh eating monster." I said since this is simply an opportunity that she needs to consider.

"...Can I think about it?" She said and I nodded.

"Sure, while you're at it, what do you like to eat? Feel free to choose what you like." I said and she looked at the menu and appeared to be amazed at how detailed the painting was painted on it. She doesn't have a concept of photography.

"This…I like to have a steak." Claire seems to select the one that she's more familiar with. I nodded and let her wait as I began to prepare her meal, opting to make a classic dish: a perfectly cooked steak accompanied by simple yet flavorful sides.

First, I selected a prime cut of beef from my special storage, where all ingredients were kept fresh and of the highest quality. For Claire's meal, I chose a ribeye steak, its marbling promising a rich and juicy flavor. I patted the meat dry with a paper towel to ensure a perfect sear, then generously seasoned both sides with coarse sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper.

As the steak rested to absorb the seasoning, I prepared the sides: creamy mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables. I peeled and boiled a batch of potatoes until they were fork-tender, then mashed them with butter, heavy cream, salt, and a touch of roasted garlic. The result was a silky, flavorful puree.

For the vegetables, I selected carrots, asparagus, and bell peppers, slicing them into even pieces before tossing them in olive oil and seasoning them lightly with salt and pepper.

With the sides ready, I turned my attention back to the steak. I preheated a cast-iron skillet until it was smoking hot, then added a tablespoon of clarified butter.

As the butter melted and coated the pan, I carefully placed the steak in, listening to the satisfying sizzle as it made contact with the hot surface. I let it sear for about two minutes on each side to achieve a deep, golden crust.

To enhance the flavor, I added a few cloves of smashed garlic, a sprig of rosemary, and a knob of butter to the pan.

Tilting the skillet slightly, I spooned the melted butter over the steak, basting it repeatedly to infuse it with aromatic richness. After about six minutes total for medium-rare, I removed the steak from the pan and let it rest on a cutting board, allowing the juices to redistribute for a perfect bite.

While the steak rested, I quickly sautéed the vegetables in the same skillet, using the residual flavors from the steak to enhance their taste. The vegetables gained a slight char and retained their crispness, complementing the richness of the steak.

Finally, I plated the meal. The steak took center stage, glistening with its rested juices. To the side, I arranged a generous scoop of creamy mashed potatoes and a vibrant medley of sautéed vegetables. A small ramekin of peppercorn sauce was added as an optional accompaniment.

I brought the dish to Claire's table and placed it before her with a smile.

"Here you go, Claire-san. A ribeye steak with mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables. Let me know how it tastes."

She picked up her fork and knife, cutting into the steak to reveal its perfectly pink center. Her eyes widened as she took the first bite, savoring the tenderness and robust flavor.

"This… is incredible. I've never tasted meat like this before." Her reaction brought a smile to my face.

"I'm glad you like it. Take your time and enjoy." I said with a smile and left her alone for a moment. I walked over to Kie and was also taking a step back looking at the customers.

"So, how are you so far? Great?" I asked, trying to check if things needed to go smoothly.

"A-Ah, Y-Yes, thanks to you we haven't gotten a day with a proper meal. My children are growing up quite well and I am grateful that you gave them the opportunity to study as scholars."

Kie started smiling more often and open to me. She is still reserved but not that much. I've noticed that she's quite a headstrong woman. Literally. Few metal pans had a dent when they hit her head. It seems to be genetic that she has a strong skull. I digress.

"You're welcome. I treat everyone fairly. If they are kind, then I'll show them kindness." I'm a calm and reasonable person, just don't give me a reason to be unreasonable.

"Still I often wonder if I'm dreaming." Kie softly said, looking at me in dreamy manners. It's only been a two week woman yet she's falling for me this hard? No, I'm just being narcissistic.

"Does this feel like a dream?" I pinched her cheek and she was stunned by my action jolting a bit

"Gaaah!"

"Hahaha that was cute." I commented and saw her blush. If you make that face, I might do it again to see it once more. We chatted a bit more and Claire finished his meal.

"So have you decided on my offer?" I asked and Claire looked at me.

"I accept…if I can grow by doing this then I don't see it any better than becoming an awakened being." She said determined to avoid such fate and I nodded, liking her conviction.

"Alright, stand up as I start the ritual." She did as told while everyone in the restaurant, Mikami, Shizuka, Saitama, Suzuki, Touma, Jin woo, Hayato and Netero watched as I began to perform the ceremony.

"I, Zyon Belial from the Belial Household, come forth and served. Come and raise my knight!" I finished the ritual and the knight mutated then flew into Claire changing her soul into a devil.

"Amazing, I can sense that she became a dozen times stronger than before." Netero commented.

"I wonder why he didn't turn me into a devil?" Touma asked.

"I don't think it will work with your power." Jin woo said.

"It's like watching an anime live." Shizuka commented on taking a sip of her sake.

"This guy…" Mikami's eyes twitch for some reason. Suzuki and Saitama share the same reaction.

Claire suddenly started to change her hair became longer, wavy, pale blonde hair parted down the middle. She appeared more mature than before and remained standing.

"Claire? Are you alright?" I asked since this is a bizarre thing to occured. Her eyes opened and looked at me then gave a faint smile.

"I didn't expect my Claire to find herself in a strange place." Her voice is different , confusing everything including me.

"Is this normal?" Kie asked and I shook my head.

"No…Who are you? What did you do Claire? If you did something to harm her…." I released my demonic energy that surge throughout the entire restaurant that shook everyone seeing the calm demeanor I should have suddenly vanished.

I was called Strongest in my generation and potentially the third Super Class next to Sirzechs Lucifer and Ajuka Beelzebub. I've studied Ajuka's Kankara Formula and added my Worthless ability making it even stronger.

"Zyon-kun, calm down. There must be a perfectly good reason as to why this happened.." Hayato shouted even though the pressure was not directed to any of them who were clearly affected. I quickly pulled my aura allowing those who are still human breath.

"I…sorry about that. I lost my cool." I felt embarrassed that I almost made Shizuka pass out but fortunately Mikami helped her. She seems a lot stronger than she appears.

"Ara~ you would go that far for someone who you just met? Especially someone who tried to kill you?" She tries to hide it but she clearly feels my overwhelming pressure.

"That's because she was confused and afraid. Not to mention, the moment she accepted my offer had made her part of my family." I said producing a blade ready to bisect her at any moment if she refuses to answer.

"Is that so then I am part of your family then? I am Teresa, former No.1 and foster mother of Claire." She said and I wanted to doubt her but my instinct told me she wasn't lying.

She further explained everything. It is rather disturbing to learn Claire's past and Teresa basically becoming a Pseudo Sacred Gear if I go by my world terminology.

"That's why I thank you for this opportunity because I am able to speak with Claire once more." Teresa said.

"If that is so, then I apologize for losing my cool earlier." I said a bit embarrassed I would actually do it this way. She shrugged it off and lightly laughed.

"It's fine and I appreciate that you would go that far for her. Then I'll leave the care of my Claire to you until I awaken again." She seemed about to leave and her hair began to become shorter returning back into Claire who had tears flowing down her eyes.

"I…Thank you….thank you…." Claire cried with everyone giving a comforting smile. They couldn't begin to understand what kind of joy she was feeling at this moment. Regardless, I was happy that she got the chance to speak with her foster mother.

- Zyon -

Another week had passed. The people beside me in the restaurant were Trish, Yasaka, Kunou, Kie and the new addition was Seekvaira who arrived yesterday having decided to live with him. She was planning on studying Kuoh and fortunately we have teleportation that makes travel a lot easier.

Trish, Yasaka and Seekvaira were chatting trying to get along. This woman was teasing me while Seekvaira tried to keep up with the older woman since she's the youngest.

"You haven't taken me on a date and yet you got yourself engaged?" Trish said while I simply shook my head.

"I mean, tell me when you're free." I said since I need to schedule when to close my shop and when she's free considering she often goes on a mission to hunt down demons.

"This Sunday I'm free. I cleared my schedule for it." She said while I nodded.

"That's good, I'm close at that time anyway. How about you Seek-chan? Do you want to go on a date? The same goes for you Yasaka-san?" I asked and this is stressful but I need to be responsible when it comes to women.

"I don't mind waiting. We went on a date recently didn't we?" Yasaka said.

"Yes but Kunou was with us though?" I thought she would be disappointed but she simply smiled.

"Fufufu~ I love how considerate you can be but as I said before I don't mind it. A perfect opportunity to groom Kunou to become your bride in the future." Yasaka said, baffling me.

"Woah, I didn't you were into kids too, Zyon?" Trish smirks even though she clearly knows that as someone with a long lifespan, age becomes irrelevant as long as the partner consents and is mature enough to make their choice. I noticed Kie's eye twitching and hopefully she won't do the same thing for Nezuko.

"Come on, I don't want to suddenly have the FBI knocking on my door." I sighed hearing them giggling. This is going to be the death of me.

"But in all seriousness, there's plenty of opportunities for it. And it's not like I don't see you everyday."

That's true, she often visits with Kunou when she's on break. Keeping up with her responsibilities as mother and leader must be tiring. That's why I ain't planning on becoming heir cause that's boring and politics sucks.

"Okay, how about Seek-chan?" I turned to my fiancée.

"I'm also in no rush. But I do want to visit a world where there's Mecha." She said and I nodded hoping their would be soon.

"Alright, but if you ever want anything from me don't be afraid to ask." I said and she nodded.

Soon, Touma, Jin woo, Suzuki, Mikami, Saitama, Shizuka, Hayato, Netero and Master Oogway arrived. There was also Bang brought two new people. They introduce themselves as Bomb, His older brother and Kamikaze otherwise known as Atomic Samurai.

"You're quite strong. Have you use a blade before?" He asked.

"I have." I've been trained by Okita Souji had completely mastered his style. I adjusted it to my liking since I'm not human.

"Perhaps we can have duel." He said and I shook my head.

"Forgive me but I would have to decline. In another time." I said and he didn't speak.

"So this are the two students you taken in?" Bomb looked at Jin Woo and Touma who greeted them.

"Yes, I would also like to ask you if you can teach them your style." Bang said as I decided to leave them having taken their order. I went over to Suzuki's group.

"Hey, who's that girl?" Suzuki asked, looking at Seekvaira.

"Long story short. She's my fiancée." I said surprising the two.

"Dude! How do you do it!?" Mikami complained in annoyance while I facepalm.

"Bruh. You have Shizuka right here." I wanted to let them discover their feelings and Mikami paused and looked at Shizuka who blushed and he also blushed. Finally the gears are turning. Good. Hope they reproduce and fix Japan's population. I took their order and began to make their food.

I need more staff. I need someone who can learn and cook quickly.

Soon, the door flew open and someone entered. It was black haired young man, around his twenties, with windswept dark hair, medium height and built. Again his reaction was calm yet clearly surprised. I welcomed him and guided him to his seat while explaining what my restaurant was.

"Seriously? I thought my life wouldn't become stranger and here we are." He said.

"Guess you never know what comes in life." I said and he introduced himself as Tomokui Kanata, an Esper from a world where they developed special abilities. His ability is called absorption where those that he eats will be added to his ability.

Damn this guy is broken but then he explained it became strong because he made it into one. Though, as disturbing it sounds, he seems to have consumed humans to gain the countless Esper abilities.

Once that was done, he made his order and went to make their order. Everything is going smoothly as people are getting along.

Time passed by, everyone left only leaving me and Kie. We cleaned up and the door opened to see three people. They were three young girls with a distinct trait they had was a black haired girl, ambered hair young and a green haired. Two other girls were tall, around 3 meters.

"P-Please help us! Hide us." The black haired one said as I quickly went to see they were bruised and had tattered clothes. I frowned at this and didn't hesitate to help.

"We got you. Come inside and take a seat." I said and my door suddenly had armed forces with white uniform that had a blue accent.

"You! Hand over the slave if you don't want to get involved." They pointed their guns at me. It was a musket. An outdated weapon. I narrowed my eyes and stepped in front of the girls.

"This is my restaurant and I have the power to choose who I let in. And you certainly are not, therefore if you value your lives then leave." I said releasing pressure into them that made them flinch and step back.

"Kie, take them to the second floor while I handle this." I said and she nodded, taking the three girl.

I watched as Kie left and the people tried to surprise attack me, but I nonchalantly moved aside and knocked them out. I don't like killing as much as possible. These men are likely just doing their job and have families. However, I grabbed a blade and sliced their arms, taking one as a way to punish them.

I stepped out of my restaurant and noticed that the other side was a forest. More soldiers emerged from the treeline, armed with outdated muskets and swords, their faces a mix of fear and anger. I sighed, already tired of the conflict but knowing it was unavoidable.

Their first wave came rushing at me, but I sidestepped their attacks effortlessly, my movements fluid and precise. One by one, I disarmed them, striking their weapons from their hands or incapacitating them with well-placed blows. Some tried to shoot, but the bullets moved too slowly to hit me as I weaved through them with ease.

It didn't take long before the remaining soldiers hesitated, fear creeping into their eyes as they saw their comrades defeated in mere moments.

"This is your last chance. Leave now, and you'll keep your lives and your dignity intact. Continue this, and I can't promise you'll leave in one piece."

Some dropped their weapons and fled into the forest, their resolve broken. The rest, however, foolishly stood their ground, either out of blind loyalty or sheer desperation. I sighed again, raising my blade.

"Very well. Don't say I didn't warn you."

In a blur of movement, I closed the distance between us. This time, I aimed to disable them completely. With swift, precise strikes, I severed tendons and disarmed them—literally, in some cases. Cries of pain filled the air, but I didn't kill any of them. Instead, I left them unable to fight, ensuring they wouldn't pose a threat again.

When the last soldier fell, groaning on the ground, I wiped the blood from my blade and turned back toward the restaurant. The forest was quiet now, save for the whimpers of the defeated soldiers. I would need to clean up the mess later, but for now, my priority was ensuring the safety of my guests.

Walking back inside, I saw Kie peeking down from the stairs, concern etched on her face. The three girls huddled behind her, trembling but alive.

"It's safe now," I told them, sheathing my blade.

"You're under my protection. No one will harm you here."

I said and suddenly sensed something and the entire place suddenly casted barrier around the people I defeated to save them. It was magma and I used my worthless to removed it all. The entire Forest was burned and turned to ash.

"Hmph! You're still alive huh?" A rough voice was heard as an incredibly tall, light-skinned, unusually muscular man appeared. He wears a cap and sports a crimson, double-breasted suit, decorated with what appears to be a pink rose on his left buttonhole.