64: Drake Steak

Obviously, I couldn’t use Stock Reduction yet. These steaks were rare quality, and I could only reduce common.

 

But soon!

 

Once I’d cut off a thick steak, I laid it out on the stone table. It looked rather funny—like a ridiculously oversized Buvul steak.

 

I stared at it for a long while, wondering what I could possibly do with it. I could simply cook it and give it to the Cat, but the thought felt wrong. Just that small handful of scales had sold for more money than I could ever dream of… and we still had literally thousands more sitting on that corpse. The things we could do with that—including drake-scale armour—were staggering.

 

I didn’t know what the future held, but I was determined to try my best with this steak.

 

I wanted to stuff some ingredients in it. Strange for a steak, sure, but with how large it was—and with Crisplet’s help—I’d still be able to cook it evenly. So, I sliced a deep pocket right into the centre.

 

If I was going to make it special… why not go with everything?

 

I started with several Blood Tears and Virfolium leaves. Then I pulled out one of the Mana Truffles I’d collected and, under Jen’s watchful guidance, carefully shaved a few fine slivers from it—storing the rest. I wasn’t about to waste it all!

 

Next came the Dawnroot, practically glowing with golden light.

 

“Are you sure you want to use that?” Jen asked, still staring at it in awe.

 

“I think it’s best I use what I can for this,” I said, resolved. I wanted to taste it myself later, so I only used half, slicing it into thin medallions and placing them inside with the rest.

 

Since I was going to purify the whole dish anyway, I added three Death Cap mushrooms, and lastly, a single Marbled Tuber, sliced and tucked in neatly.

 

It sounded like a lot, but with the size of the steak, it barely filled the pocket. I seasoned the outside with salt and pepper, then pulled out my pan—only to realise almost immediately I had a problem.

 

The steak was far too large to fit.

 

Fortunately, Milo had been quietly observing everything—and taking notes, of all things. Without a word, he shaped stone above the fire, forming a cage-like structure with bars running across but open at the sides.

 

I’d seen these before at the markets. Grilled meat sticks—they called it a grill!

 

“Thank you!” I said, grinning as I lifted the steak and placed it onto the stone bars. Crisplet wasted no time—an orange glow burst from the little elemental, enveloping the underside of the steak with steady heat.

 

I watched it for several minutes before running into problem number two.

 

When Crisplet signalled it was done, I realised I didn’t have any way to flip it. Everything else I’d ever cooked directly over the flame had been on a stick or spike—easy to turn. This? Not so much.

 

“I can help, if you like,” Milo offered.

 

“No—sorry, thank you, but if you help I can’t infuse it, remember.” It would have been so much easier if I could’ve just used air magic.

 

And then—like a lantern sparking to life—I got an idea.

 

“Hey, Crisplet, could you cool the flames for a moment?” I asked.

 

He did so instantly, the blaze dimming down to glowing coals.

 

I tentatively touched the steak. The underside was still hot, and though the ring gave me fire resistance, it wasn’t enough to stop the sting completely. With a lot of effort, I managed to grab the cooler side and heave it over.

 

In the process, though, several ingredients slipped free and fell into the coals, burning away almost instantly. I winced. I really hoped that wasn’t the Dawnroot.

 

While the steak continued cooking, my mind drifted to the Pyrrhosite Crystal I’d been carrying. Pulling it from my inventory, I turned it over in my hands, still baffled.

 

“Did you work out what it is yet?” Jen asked curiously.

 

“No… not yet,” I admitted, frowning at the strange stone.

 

“You know, it might actually be salt,” Hari suggested. “It was a crystal in a rock, right? You can find salt crystals like that. Have you tried licking it?”

 

“Lick it?” I repeated, appalled. “Why would I lick a random crystal?”

 

Hari just smirked. “Look, your skill marked it as edible. You’re the only one who can test it safely without risking poison. So go on—try it.”

 

I was certain this was some kind of joke. But, against my better judgement, I did it anyway.

 

The first thing I noticed was saltiness—sharp and mineral—but almost immediately it was overwhelmed by a tingling that spread from my tongue, racing through my whole body. Within seconds, it felt like my veins were on fire.

 

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

Then darkness.

 

I opened my eyes to see everyone leaning over me. Liane was lightly tapping my cheeks.

“Trev, Trev, are you okay? Can you hear us?” she said.

 

I couldn’t speak. My whole body tingled, like it had gone numb and now a thousand spikes were stabbing at my skin all at once.

 

Gritting my teeth, it went dark again.

 

When I awoke the second time, it was to Crisplet floating above my chest, shooting a spark at my head.

 

“Uh, wha—” I began, but was cut off immediately.

 

“Trev, are you okay?” Liane asked, her face tight with concern.

 

“Um, I don’t know. I can’t really move my arms and legs much, everything feels numb,” I said, trying to close my fist but barely managing to twitch my fingers.

 

“How’s your health? Did you take damage?” she pressed.

 

I pulled up my status and was met by a series of notifications:

 

Notifications:

 

…

You have earned 25 experience for making an enjoyable meal.

…

Warning: Mana Overload Imminent.

You have suffered Mana Overload!

You are paralysed.

You have suffered 2 damage.

…

You have earned 500 experience for making an exceptionally Rare meal.

…

 

There was a lot to take in, but most importantly—