104. The Gate That Holds [BONUS]

Carlos waited beside the kitchen table while the light above Mira's pan slowly faded.

Nobody spoke, as if they thought a spoken word would disturb Mira's focus.

The two Hearthkeepers were standing behind Mira with their hands folded together.

Even the normal meal pots had been moved farther from the fire. The kitchen smelled like hot pepper and roasted meat, but there was something else inside it too. Something sharp enough to make Carlos's chest feel warm whenever he breathed in.

Then the system panel changed.

--

[Advanced cooking attempt complete]

[Emberhorn Pepper Meat x1]

[High-quality Meal]

[Ingredient compatibility: partial]

[Target quality: insufficient]

--

Mira stared at the result for a long time.