Amidst a realm brimming with the dance of swords and the sacred creed of honor, a realm divergent from the languid existence of the modern era, the tapestry unfurls. In this realm, an aura of somberness permeates every nook and cranny. In this world, everything was gloomy and also quite literally, since in this world, lightbulbs didn't exist. The very concept of illumination is reshaped, for the absence of electric lightbulbs conjures a dimness that is more than just metaphorical. Inside humble abodes and majestic castles alike, only the warm glow of candles and the flickering embrace of torches illuminate the path ahead.
On a frigid and moonless night, when the stars themselves seemed to shiver, the desolate streets lay empty, their solitude broken only by the solitary figure of a knight, a sentinel donned in formidable iron armor. With measured strides, he traversed the glistening cobblestone, each step echoing through the damp air as raindrops descended upon his resolute form, cascading down the polished metal of his armor like liquid melodies, unnoticed and disregarded by the unwavering knight.
As the knight inclined his head, peering through the narrow slits of his visor, a sight unfolded before his eyes that was both unexpected and captivating. Nestled amidst the interwoven tapestry of buildings and shuttered stores, a peculiar establishment revealed itself—a glorious oasis amidst the somber night. Its vibrant illumination, surpassing the gentle glow of candles and the dancing flames of torches, spilled forth with an effervescent radiance, casting an ethereal spell upon the otherwise shadowed landscape. It stood as a beacon of warmth and conviviality, beckoning the weary and the wanderers with its alluring embrace.
Lifting his head up a bit more, he muttered the restaurant's name. "Aetheria's Tavern"
Consumed by an insatiable longing to unravel the enigma before him, the knight succumbed to the irresistible pull, his footsteps carrying him toward the beckoning threshold of the luminous restaurant. With a gentle, he slid open the doors, revealing a realm untouched by his steel-clad presence until this very moment.
Stepping into the sanctuary, a symphony of awe engulfed his senses as if he had wandered into an uncharted realm of wonder. His eyes were wide with astonishment. From the celestial expanse above, a celestial tapestry of lights cascaded, casting an embracing glow upon the chamber, akin to the tender embrace of a hearth's fire. Verdant oases of life, an abundance of vibrant foliage, adorned every corner, breathing an essence of vitality into the ethereal realm that had unfolded before the knight's very eyes.
As the knight's eyes wandered through the captivating interior, they caught sight of a figure peering out from the depths of the kitchen. Fueled by both curiosity and hunger, he made his way to the inviting bar counter, taking a seat.
He removed his helmet, revealing a strikingly handsome face. His blond locks cascaded like streams of golden sunlight. Piercing blue eyes and a well-defined chin, chiseled to perfection, added a touch of authority to his noble appearance, befitting his role as a courageous knight.
He then watched as the owner walked out of the kitchen.
"What would you like?" Jun-Hyung spoke as he stared at the knight in front of him. 'Is there some sort of expo going around here or what?'
The knight then looked up at the menu and spoke, "What would you recommend," These were things he had never seen before in his life.
"The Moussaka is pretty good," Jun-Hyung answered as it was the first dish that popped into his mind.
"Then I will take that." The knight spoke.
Nodding, Jun-Hyung walked back into the kitchen and sighed. He had no prior knowledge about cooking, not to mention he now had to cook for a customer.
He then opened the recipe book he had on hand and moved to the oven to preheat it to 400°F, but the moment he read the next step, he froze. he had forgotten that he had not even stocked on ingredients.
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The system will provide ingredients until the restaurant rank hits one. Ingredients will be in the refrigerator, drawers, and shelves.
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Sighing in relief, he walked towards the refrigerator and opened it, revealing the many different meats and veggies that were in top condition. Then reading through his recipe book for the last time, he grabbed the eggplant and placed it on his chopping board.
As Jun-Hyung's fingers curled around the handle of the gleaming cleaver, a peculiar sensation rippled through him. At that moment, it was as if time itself had folded, entwining his essence with the timeless art of cleaving. The weight of the cleaver felt familiar as if it had been an extension of his hand. Despite the logical knowledge that he had never embarked on such a task before, Jun-Hyung disregarded the perplexing notion, yielding to his instincts.
In a mesmerizing display of culinary prowess, Jun-Hyung began by gracefully slicing the luscious eggplants, their glossy deep-purple skin revealing the tantalizing layers within. As he deftly sprinkled salt upon each velvety slice.
Jun-Hyung proceeded to coax his skillet with a glimmering pool of olive oil. The finely chopped onions and minced garlic sizzled harmoniously, enveloping the kitchen in an aromatic embrace. The ground lamb, seared to perfection, mingled with the robust diced tomatoes, their vibrant hues intermingling, painting a vivid tableau. With a flourish, he sprinkled the ensemble with a pinch of dried oregano, dried thyme, ground cinnamon, and ground nutmeg.
With the essence of Greece infused in every morsel, Jun-Hyung embarked on the final act. As he arranged the tender eggplant slices, glistening with a hint of golden splendor, in a symmetrical tapestry, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer beauty that lay before him.
With the grace of a maestro, he poured the velvety béchamel sauce, Sprinkling breadcrumbs like stardust upon the ethereal sauce.
As the aroma of the Moussaka wafted through the air, filling every corner of the kitchen, Jun-Hyung placed the dish into the oven, where heat would work its magic, melding the ingredients together.
But to his surprise, the moment he put it in the oven to bake, the Moussaka had already finished baking.
Taking his finished product out, Jun-Hyung couldn't help but drool. Never in his life had he seen something so delicious, not to mention this was made with his own hands.
As Jun-Hyung moved out to the bar counter with the dish in his hand, the knight immediately shifted his gaze toward the dish in Jun-Hyung's hand.
"Would you like something else?" Jun-Hyung asked as he placed the dish in front of the knight, letting its fragrance enter his nose.
"Beer, please."
"Coming right up," Jun-Hyung spoke as he entered the kitchen again and opened the fridge but realized that there was no beer inside.
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Beer can be dispensed at the beer barrel.
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As Jun-Hyung's gaze wandered, he stumbled upon a captivating sight embedded within the wall—a beer barrel, seamlessly integrated, with only half of its form visible. Moving closer, he reached for the awaiting pint glass placed nearby.
Jun-Hyung positioned the glass beneath the tap. As the amber elixir began its descent, a delightful aroma permeated the air, reminiscent of sweet caramel and pure indulgence. The golden stream poured forth, its luminosity illuminating the space with a radiant glow.
Taking the glass to the bar counter, the knight was taken aback as he had never seen such a delicious glass of beer.
"Thank you." The knight raised the glass once after taking it from Jun-Hyung.
As the cold, invigorating beer caressed the knight's throat, a moment of pure astonishment engulfed him. His eyes widened in surprise, mirroring the wonder that ignited within. The beer was refreshingly cold, a sensation reserved for wintry realms, yet here, amidst the blossoming embrace of spring, it tantalized his senses with its icy allure. How could beer possess such profound goodness, its essence transcending expectations and delighting every sense?