Chapter 5 – A Taste of Power
The Mana Boar lay silent and still, its once vibrant and pulsing mana now extinguished. The creature's massive form, which had thrummed with magical energy moments before, had become a lifeless shell. Its hide, usually a shimmering kaleidoscope of energy, had turned dull, a dead grey. Yet, to Axel's heightened senses, the carcass still thrummed. Not with the same living mana as before, but with something else—something older, deeper.
It was power, locked away like a secret.
Axel could feel it in his gut, that strange resonance of magic bound within the beast's flesh. He wasn't sure how he knew it, but the new, subtle hum of his [Cooking] skill whispered to him. The power of this beast wasn't gone—it had simply transformed.
"It's not the mana that remains," Elyria's calm voice cut through his thoughts, grounding him. "But its essence. The magic is no longer alive, but it's embedded within the meat. That's the key."
Axel glanced at her, finding her kneeling beside the beast, her silver hair catching the light in strands of shimmering moonlight. Despite the surreal nature of the moment, Elyria seemed at peace, utterly in tune with this world. It was as if she had always belonged here, always understood this strange magic that Axel was only beginning to grasp.
Axel knelt beside her, feeling the pain in his ribs flare as he lowered himself, but he bit it back. It was becoming easier to tolerate. The [Vitality] in his stats seemed to hum along with him, offering slow but persistent healing. The broken, burning sensation was now a dull ache that he could push aside, for the moment.
The boar's body lay in front of him, its rich, marbled flesh awaiting transformation. Axel didn't see it as a beast anymore. It was a canvas. A raw material. He could almost hear the whispers of the [Cooking] skill, guiding his hands as it sorted through the possibilities—where to cut, where to slice, which part of the body to preserve and which to discard. There were no random decisions anymore. The beast, now food, had a destiny. And it was Axel's job to fulfill it.
"Are you ready?" Elyria asked, her voice soft but laced with a quiet challenge.
Axel nodded, then grunted as he rose to his feet. "We need a fire."
Elyria didn't respond with words. Instead, she raised a delicate hand, pointing to a spot nearby. Axel followed the gesture, and his eyes landed on the patch of scorched earth where the boar had last unleashed its fury. A tree had been vaporized, leaving nothing but a charred scar on the land. The remnants of the boar's charge still lingered in the ground. The soil beneath the blackened earth pulsed faintly with a red glow.
"There," Elyria said. "The ground is still hot. It will be enough to start with."
Axel moved quickly, feeling his muscles still a little sore from the fight but energized by the strange new hunger that churned in his gut. He grabbed a thick branch from the nearby woods, a sturdy length of wood with a jagged end, and began to scrape away the cooled surface of the soil. Beneath it, the reddish earth shimmered faintly, still warm to the touch. He gathered dry leaves and twigs, piling them carefully together until they were ready to catch flame.
Axel closed his eyes for a brief moment, drawing a breath deep into his lungs, trying to still his racing thoughts. This was his new life, this cooking. This world. He wasn't just preparing food. He was transforming energy, reshaping essence. He didn't know if he believed it, not fully—but something inside him told him it was true.
With a prayer to whatever gods or forces governed this strange reality, he coaxed the fire to life. The embers took slowly, curling up into an eager flame. He leaned forward, watching the blaze as it took hold, feeling the warmth of it spread, reassuring him in this world of uncertainty.
Once the fire had been established, Axel turned back to the boar. His hands moved with more purpose now, guided by instincts that were still foreign but rapidly becoming second nature. The butchering was almost therapeutic, a dance of blade and muscle. His knife—his blade—sliced through the tough hide, severing sinew, muscle, and fat with precision. It was like unlocking a hidden treasure chest. Each cut revealed new potential.
He moved swiftly, cutting through the tougher muscle-bound shoulders, setting them aside for a stew, and preserving the leaner legs for a roast. But the belly—the belly was where the real magic lay.
Axel's fingers hesitated over the beast's belly, feeling the marbled meat beneath his fingertips. It was warm to the touch, and as he ran his hand along the flesh, he could sense the boar's power still pulsing there. This was the heart of the beast's vitality, its strength, and its fiery nature. It was a connection—an exchange—between him, the beast, and the world itself. His body, his soul, could feel the connection.
With a focused intent, Axel continued, his every movement guided by the whisper of the [Cooking] skill in his mind. The skill no longer felt like an abstract concept. It was part of him—his knowledge, his purpose.
The boar's belly was a treasure trove of energy, thick with fat and muscle. But it wasn't enough. Axel needed more.
His skill pulsed again, and the list of requirements flashed in his mind: herbs to balance the fiery mana of the boar, a liquid to braise the meat, and heat—sustained heat. Axel's eyes scanned the surrounding area.
A flash of red caught his eye—a plant with bright crimson berries growing at the edge of the glade. It was the [Firebloom], its fiery petals unmistakable. The berries, tiny and fragrant, exhaled a scent of cinnamon and smoke. He plucked a handful, the smell filling the air with a comforting warmth.
Nearby, a stream trickled through the forest, its waters crystal clear, with an iridescent sheen that shimmered in the light. Axel didn't need to consult the skill. He knew. This was [Mana-Spring Water], a liquid revered for its ability to enhance magical dishes.
With the ingredients in hand, Axel returned to the fire. He gathered his materials, forming a makeshift pot from a large, flat stone. He carved into it with the same knife, hollowing it out gently to create a vessel for his creation. It wasn't much, but it would do. The world seemed to bend to his will now, and he could feel it. This was his craft, his art.
He placed the tender boar belly inside the stone pot, added the [Mana-Spring Water], and crushed the [Firebloom] berries, letting their sweet-spicy scent fill the air. He placed the pot over the fire, feeling the heat gradually intensify.
As the meat began to cook, a new window appeared in his mind's eye.
[COOKING IN PROGRESS: MANA-BRAISED BOAR BELLY]
The bar representing the cooking process filled slowly, its progress reflecting the magical alchemy taking place. Axel couldn't help but watch, captivated by the transformation unfolding in front of him. Each passing second added depth to the flavor, every flame licking the pot enhancing the power of the dish. He could sense the magic in the air—his system was alive with it.
The aroma that filled the glade was intoxicating. Rich, savory, and undercut with the subtle sweetness of the [Firebloom] berries. It wasn't just a smell—it was an invitation. A challenge. His stomach, still tight from earlier pain, let out an audible growl, and he realized how empty he truly felt. This hunger was more than physical; it was primal.
When the bar finally filled, the notification came.
[MANA-BRAISED BOAR BELLY: RANK F+]
[QUALITY: HIGH]
[EFFECTS: VITALITY RESTORATION, MINOR STAMINA BOOST]
Axel's breath caught as he read the words. It was more than he had hoped for. This wasn't just food—it was an experience. A gateway. He had forged it, piece by piece, from the very essence of a beast's power. He had created something more than a meal. He had created magic.
With reverence, he carefully lifted the stone pot from the fire. The meat was a deep, burnished red, glistening with the glow of mana-infused power. Axel sliced a small piece with his blade, the tender meat practically melting under his touch. He took a bite.
A jolt of warmth surged from his stomach, a cascade of vitality flooding through his body. The pain in his side receded almost immediately, the sharpness dulling to a distant throb. His stamina, drained from the brutal fight with the boar, surged back. The ache in his ribs—once unbearable—became a distant memory. It was like the very essence of the boar's vitality had been transferred into him. This wasn't just food; it was life, it was power.
Axel finished the rest of the meat, savoring every bite. The effects were subtle, but undeniable. His muscles felt stronger, his mind