Thick, cotton-like clouds blotted out the sun, and casted everything into dreary shades of grey. A crack sounded in the chill winter air, and was responded by a torturous scream. A second crack sounded, and a second scream followed. Crack. Scream. Crack. Scream. The pattern repeated itself for several cycles, until the scream transformed into a raspy, haunted shrill. Yet the crack continued on, relentless and repeatedly, without care of its partner’s lag.
Powdered snow drifted lazily from the clouds, in an unconcerned manner. Leisurely, the snow glanced over the dusty and industrious, and searched for a place to lie down. Finally, after several minutes, it found respite on the cold bare skin of an elf. The snow was happy, as its resting location was at the centre of the city, able to observe the world as each citizen hurried with their lives. Winter was already here, and the elf strapped to the wooden platform had begun to freeze.
Several disfigured people lay slumped against their restraints, frozen and naked. Their arms were bound above their heads, tied to iron-chains and wooden posts, while their backs and bellies are flayed open with frozen trails of gore and blood. Impossibly rough, countless cracks and cuts mar the originally smooth skin, until nothing recognizable can be seen. Most of the frozen figures were adults, some human, some elves. There were also several pregnant women, large breasted and belly swollen, their bodies completely destroyed into a messy pulp.
Even more curious, was the fact that there were several children as well. Although frozen in a slumped posture, they were spared the experience of the adults. Their features were highly attractive despite their young ages – stocky human bodies, thick eyebrows and chiseled chins, mixed with fine golden hair, long, straight noses and pointed elven ears. These children were half-elves, and the adults were their parents.
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A cute and pudgy teenage boy frolicked through the forest brush. The summer heat was oppressive, yet the boy jumped and romped through the forest, without a care in the world. Every once in a while, he would suddenly stop, got down onto his knees, and played with something on the forest floor.
The boy hummed a simple song, and before long, pulled out a golden tuber covered in dirt and soil. He smiled in satisfaction as he raised his grubby hand into the air, and admired the plant against the backdrop of the forest. As quickly as he dropped onto his knees, the boy sprang back onto his feet, and he continued on with his forage.
Care-free and happy, the boy suddenly stopped at the sound of a rustle in the bush. He furrowed his eyebrows and extended his hand, before a piece of raw meat magically appeared on the ground. Foxes and wolves frequented the forest edge, but he had a system with the local fauna. He would provide free meat to the animals, and in return, they would not attack the boy. Of course, he’s only met foxes and wolves, and there were other creatures in the forest.
Suddenly, the bush parted ways before a short person stumbled and collapsed in front of him. The boy carefully observed the situation and thought, 'Such a pretty, silver hair, yet it’s a waste that the person’s so dirty.'
His parents had repeatedly warned him about the dangers of strangers, yet the teenage boy decided to help the person in front of him.
‘If this person is an NPC, maybe it will even lead to a quest!’
The cute and pudgy teenage boy grabbed onto the unconscious person, and heaved with all his strength. His soiled and grubby hands strained against the heavy weight, and moved several dozen steps before he stopped.
‘He’s so heavy!! All my stat points are distributed in Dex and Agi. It’ll take me FOREVER to bring him to my tree-house!’
Never the less, the boy struggled and persevered, and brought the person out of the forest brush and onto a small trail. Once at the clearing, the boy plopped onto his rear, and sat on the trail. He wiped his forehead, which already bore sweat in the summer heat, and rubbed his shirt collar against the sweat that collected under his round chin.
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‘Times of trouble means that it’s time to eat!’
With practiced motions, the boy waved his hands in front of him, and several items popped out. A small barbeque grill now stood on the path, along with a large piece of yellow-coloured meat. The boy gathered several large branches, and along with his mana, he fed the fire below the grill.
‘This magical venison tenderloin is worth quite a few gold coins. It better be delicious, or I'll never go back to that butcher again. As for spices and seasoning, I’ll pair it with sweet roasted barley, since deers generally eat grasses and grains. And maybe some ice-peppers since I’ll need the strength and it’s so hot today.’
The boy mischievously grinned as he seared the meat on the grill, and gave the characteristic barbeque char-marks on each side. Then, he suspended the meat on a mesh rack, and placed it inside a large iron pot with pieces of damp wood. The boy swallowed in nervous anticipation, and twitched his nose at the aroma of hardwood smoke. Once the meat was done, the boy recalled the grill back into his inventory, and cursed as he waited for the meat to ‘rest’ on his plate.
‘Always HATED waiting for meat to rest. Yes, it keeps the meat juices in. Yes, it is the secret to using high-quality meats. But why do I have to wait for so long?!? It’s not like the steak is on vacation...’
After five minutes, the boy couldn’t resist anymore and quickly devoured the meat. He closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensation on his tongue. First, was the warmth of the meat and the wood-smoke flavour. Followed closely, the intense kick of the ice-peppers gave the boy a jolt on his tongue. Satisfying meaty juices flowed with every bite, and the meat easily fell into tender pieces. Just before the meaty flavour overwhelms the spiciness, a swirl of sweetness and a second smokiness comes around. The meat, the sweet roasted barley, and the wood smoke, all melted together as it doused the fiery intensity of the ice-peppers.
The boy sighed softly, as he reveled in the afterglow of his barbeque steak.
*Ting*
You have created a unique, rare dish!
Please offer a name for the dish:
The boy’s tender voice shouted out, “Venison of fire and smoke!”
*Ting*
[td100]
Satiety and stamina has been refilled.
+ 10% fire and heat resistance for 1 hours
+ 15% strength for 1 hours
+ 25% dexterity for 1 hours
+ 25% movement speed for 1 hours
+ 25% stamina regeneration for 1 hours
+ Movement penalties due to heavy loads reduced by 50% for 1 hours[/tds]
You have eaten the dish "Venison of Fire and Smoke".