The sun had already started its slow descent behind the pines as Ken returned home from his rounds. His basket was full—three rabbits from his snare traps, two bundles of wild greens, and a handful of late-summer mushrooms he hadn't seen the week before.
He stretched his sore shoulders and unlatched the garden gate.
Just as he stepped into the yard, he noticed her—Reya—leaning casually against the side of the house, arms crossed and half-smiling like she'd been there all day.
"You again?" Ken asked, not rudely.
"You sound so thrilled," she grinned. "Busy day?"
Ken dropped his catch on the prep table outside. "Always."
Reya walked up, brushing a strand of black hair behind her ear. "I didn't come just to banter. I have news."
She leaned closer.
"Lady Marrow. She's coming. Here. The day after tomorrow."
Ken blinked. "Lady who?"
Reya groaned and smacked her forehead. "You don't know who Lady Marrow is? You really are buried in the woods."
Ken shrugged. "Should I?"
"She's the head chef and owner of the most prestigious restaurant in Venmere—The Silver Hearth. If she's impressed by what you cook, she'll offer you an apprenticeship. People wait years to even be considered. And she's coming to you."
Ken's mouth went dry. He opened it. Closed it again. "Why?"
"Because I told her you were worth tasting. So now you get to prove me right."
With that, Reya turned and strode back toward the main road, calling over her shoulder, "Impress her, village boy. Or I'll take it personally."
---
That evening, Ken sat at the table with his parents. His father sharpened a skinning knife while his mother knit woolen thread into a winter tunic.
"So this woman... she wants to eat your food?" his father asked.
Ken nodded. "If she likes it, she might offer me a job. A big one. In the city."
His mother looked up, fingers pausing. "Would you go?"
Ken hesitated. "I don't know yet. I want to build something here. But... the chance to learn under someone like her—it might make me even better. And then I could come back stronger."
His father gave a rare grin. "Then give her a meal she won't forget."
Ken smiled weakly. "That's the plan."
---
He spent the next few hours alone in the workshop room he'd built behind the house. Sitting on the floor with a blank page in front of him, he let the possibilities swirl.
> What's bold enough for a chef like her?
> What ingredients can I gather with confidence in a single day?
> What combination tells my story best?
One by one, ideas took shape. Dishes not just of flavor—but of memory.
---
The Special Menu for Lady Marrow
🍲 Starter: "Forest Heart" Broth – A savory wild mushroom and herb soup, simmered over low flame using locally gathered roots and fermented miso paste he'd been aging for weeks. Light, earthy, and full of umami.
🍖 Main: Venison Medallions with Truffle Herb Glaze – Thinly sliced wild deer, pan-seared and rested atop crispy flatbread, drizzled with a reduction of rare ginseng, truffle oil, and rosemary butter. Garnished with a pinch of sea salt from his own supply.
🍯 Dessert: Candied Forest Fruit Tartlets – A thin crisp crust made with wild barley flour, filled with a blend of honey-glazed berries and dried fruit, finished with a sprinkle of ground roasted nuts and citrus zest.
---
Ken stared at the menu. His hands trembled slightly. Not from fear.
But from excitement.
Tomorrow, he'd prepare the ingredients. The day after, he'd serve the most important meal of his life.
---
> KEN — STATUS (End of Chapter 25)
Level: 6
EXP: 40/120
Unspent Attribute Points: 5
Skills Unlocked:
Ingredient Prep (Lv. 2 – 50%)
Fire Control (Lv. 2 – 40%)
Seasoning Sense (Lv. 2 – 30%)
Ingredient Identification (Lv. 1 – 98%)
Basic Gardening (Lv. 1 – 50%)
Basic Trapping (Lv. 1 – 85%)
Butchering (Lv. 1 – 93%)
Meal Preservation (Lv. 1 – 80%)
Food Packaging (Lv. 1 – 75%)
Clay Crafting (Lv. 1 – 6%)
Basic Archery (Lv. 1 – 65%)
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