The first spoonful silenced the world.
Kael's eyes widened as the stew hit his tongue, a rich, savory warmth unfolding across his senses like sunlight on frozen skin. He paused, lips slightly parted, unsure of what he was experiencing.
Flavor.
Real, intense flavor.
Tender chunks of meat fell apart in his mouth, soaked with broth spiced just enough to tingle but not overwhelm. Carrots and root vegetables added sweetness, while the fire-grilled bread on the side had a crisp crust that gave way to soft, buttery layers. The drink she brought, something citrusy and cool, washed it down with a balance so perfect it made his chest tighten.
Not from pain.
From joy.
He chewed slowly, deliberately, as if afraid the experience might vanish if he rushed. His shoulders relaxed without him realizing. For once, his body wasn't bracing against attack, cruelty, or hunger. It was just… present. Here.
Alive.
He set the spoon down briefly and stared at the meal. «This is ridiculous,» he whispered under his breath. «Why does it taste like happiness?»
He didn't even know what happiness truly tasted like, but if it had a flavor, this was it.
As he returned to eating, Kael's thoughts slowly began to organize themselves, floating to the surface of his mind like embers in calm water.
You need a plan.
This meal, this place, it was a gift. But he couldn't rely on kindness forever. He needed money. Stability. A way to survive in this world without drawing too much attention. Food, clothing, a place to sleep… things he'd never truly owned in his first life. Back then, he hadn't been allowed to work. His family claimed he was unstable, unfit. Dangerous. He'd never been given a chance.
But here… I can make one.
He swallowed another bite, savoring the way the meat practically melted on his tongue. He had no work experience. No training in trade, or social skills, or even what people did for a living. The thought made him frown briefly.
What could he do?
Kael glanced down at his hands. Strong. Steady. Overflowing with mana. His combat ability was beyond anything this world likely understood. Even hiding the bulk of his power, he could protect, track, fight, and survive.
The Ghost.
The masked persona had been born out of necessity, but it was also an opportunity. It gave him anonymity. Distance. Freedom to act without risking exposure. And perhaps… it could earn him coin.
He could become a Hunter.
He already knew about them, warriors, mages, scouts, all united by the common cause of protecting people from Void Creatures and other threats. They were paid by guilds, hired for contracts, and often worked alone.
A job that lets me fight monsters, earn coin, and stay hidden. It's perfect.
Kael made up his mind then and there. He would register at a Hunter Guild. Not as Kael Renhart. As the Ghost.
He was still chewing another mouthful of stew when his eyes, as if drawn by invisible threads, drifted back to her.
The waitress.
She was across the room, leaning over the counter and laughing with the cook. Her snow-white hair caught the golden glow of the lanterns, and her crimson eyes shimmered in a way that made him feel oddly warm. As she turned to carry a tray of drinks to another table, her gaze passed his direction, and locked onto his.
Kael froze, spoon halfway to his mouth.
His heart skipped a beat.
Wait… was I watching her the whole time?
She blinked. Then smiled.
And before he could look away, she approached.
Kael panicked. Act natural. Just eat. Wait, don't eat with your mouth full! Dammit!
She stopped beside him, eyes twinkling with amusement. «Enjoying it?» she asked softly.
He swallowed quickly, almost choking in the process. «Y-Yeah. I mean… yes. Very much. It's… kind of amazing, actually.»
She giggled lightly. «I could tell. I've been watching you from over there.»
He blushed.
Heat rose to his face, actual heat. His ears burned. He didn't remember ever blushing before, but here he was, red-faced like a flustered teenager.
«You looked… happy,» she said, smile softening. «Really happy. And that meant a lot.»
Kael looked up at her, confused. «What do you mean?»
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. «It's rare, honestly. This restaurant doesn't get much traffic. The food's good, my mother's recipes, but we're not in the best location, and the city's got plenty of more famous places. Most people who come here are too tired to appreciate it. They just eat, complain about prices, and leave.»
Kael's expression grew serious. «Then they're idiots.»
She blinked.
«No, I mean it,» he said, placing his spoon down. «This stew? It tastes like someone put their soul into it. The bread, the spices, the texture, it's flawless. It's like… a warm hug after a cold life.»
Her eyes widened slightly.
Kael's face reddened again. «I mean, not that I've had a lot of hugs, or lives, but…»
She laughed. A musical, genuine laugh.
«Thank you,» she said. «Really. That means more than I can say. I'll tell my mother you said that. She'll probably cry.»
He blinked. «She… still cooks here?»
She nodded. «Every morning. She started this place after my father passed. I help out when I'm not training at the local academy.»
Kael was about to ask more when another waitress called her name from behind the counter.
She turned, then gave Kael a small bow. «I should get back to work. But… thank you again.»
He smiled, quietly. «No. Thank you.»
She hesitated for a moment, then said softly, «Come back sometime. I'd like to see that look on your face again.»
Then she walked away, back into the rhythm of the restaurant, the clink of plates and soft chatter.
Kael sat there a long moment, staring at the bowl.
His heart still felt… warm.
She noticed my happiness. And… she was happy because of it.
He didn't know her name yet. But he would.
He took another bite of stew, slower this time. He wanted to remember every detail. The flavors. The warmth. The memory. His first real meal as a person who could feel.
He finished the dish in silence, drank the last of the spiced citrus, and leaned back with a long sigh of satisfaction. Before he stood, he looked around the restaurant once more, imprinting it in his mind.
I'll become a regular here. No matter what it takes.
He stepped outside into the cool afternoon air. The city of Myrefall spread before him in vivid color and sound.
The streets bustled with a mix of humans, beastfolk, and elves. Stone buildings rose in elegant tiers, many with glowing mana-lanterns embedded in their walls. Crystal rails powered by arcane circuits carried small transports above the cobbled roads. Children laughed as they played with animated toys formed from illusion magic. Merchants hawked enchanted trinkets, floating parchment, and portable hearthstones.
Kael tilted his head back and looked at the sky. Clean. Blue. The drifting clouds parted as a flock of mana-kites soared overhead, tethered to children laughing in the plaza.
The city felt alive in a way that made his chest ache.
Magic and technology woven together into daily life. It's like something out of a dream.
Back in his old world, everything had been grey. Bleak buildings. Cold weather. Harsher people. Here, even the air smelled better, charged with faint traces of mana and life.
He walked slowly, taking it all in. His coat fluttered behind him, and his boots clicked against the cobbled stone with quiet purpose.
The sign came into view a few blocks later:
[Myrefall Hunter's Guildhall]
The building stood three stories tall, crafted from white stone and shimmering blue crystal. A massive emblem, a stylized beast being pierced by a spear, hung above the door. People walked in and out with armor, weapons, and scrolls in hand.
Kael stared up at it, exhaling slowly.
«Time to begin,» he whispered.
Not as Kael Renhart.
But as the Ghost.
He stepped forward, through the doors of the Hunter's Guild, into the next chapter of his new life.