Ryan's encounter with Thamuz left him both shaken and encouraged. If a creature as powerful as Thamuz could appreciate human food, even if just a little, maybe there was hope. Maybe, just maybe, he could carve out a place for himself in this terrifying world.
But it wasn't just about survival anymore. Ryan had always been a bit of a dreamer, and now, despite everything, a new dream was taking root in his mind. He wanted to do more than just survive—he wanted to thrive. And if there was one thing he knew how to do, it was cook.
Over the next few days, Ryan set about improving his skills with the ingredients he could find. He explored the Abyss, learning its strange and dangerous ways, and began experimenting with different combinations of the limited food sources at his disposal. Each time he cooked, he felt a little more like himself, even in this monstrous body.
He made what he called "Abyssal Stew," using a mix of strange roots and a kind of meat that resembled beef, though it had a slightly metallic taste. He even managed to scrounge up some spices from a ruined caravan, adding a kick of flavor to his dishes.
It was during one of these cooking sessions that Ryan realized he wasn't alone. As he stirred the stew, he noticed a pair of glowing eyes watching him from the shadows. His heart skipped a beat, and he froze, not sure what to do.
"Who's there?" he called out, his voice trembling slightly.
The eyes moved closer, and soon, a figure stepped out of the darkness. It was a creature of the Abyss, smaller than Thamuz, but no less intimidating. This one had sleek, dark skin, with sharp claws and a pair of wings folded neatly against its back. It looked at Ryan curiously, its nose twitching as it sniffed the air.
Ryan stared back, unsure of what to say or do. "Uh, hi?"
The creature tilted its head, its eyes narrowing. "What are you doing, Helcurt?"
Ryan relaxed a little. So far, everyone still seemed to think he was Helcurt. That was good. He could work with that. "Just, uh, making something to eat," he said, gesturing to the pot of stew.
The creature moved closer, peering into the pot with interest. "Eat? We do not eat like humans. Why are you doing this?"
Ryan thought quickly. "You know, just trying something different. We may not eat like humans, but that doesn't mean we can't enjoy good food, right?"
The creature sniffed the air again, then looked at Ryan with a hint of suspicion. "What is it?"
"Abyssal Stew," Ryan replied, offering a small grin. "Want to try some?"
The creature hesitated, clearly unsure. Ryan could see the internal struggle—the creature's instincts telling it to reject anything human, while its curiosity and the enticing smell of the stew pulled it in the opposite direction.
Finally, the creature reached out and took the makeshift ladle from Ryan's hand. It dipped it into the pot, bringing a small amount of stew to its mouth. The creature sniffed it once more before taking a cautious sip.
For a moment, Ryan held his breath, waiting for a reaction. The creature's expression remained neutral as it swallowed. Then, slowly, a look of surprise crossed its face.
"This... this is good," it admitted, almost reluctantly. "What is in this?"
Ryan's heart swelled with pride. "Just some roots and meat I found. Nothing fancy, but it's all about how you prepare it."
The creature nodded, still looking slightly bewildered. It took another sip, savoring the taste this time. "I did not think anything from the human world could taste like this."
Ryan chuckled, a bit of his confidence returning. "There's a lot you can do with the right ingredients and techniques. If you want, I could make more dishes like this."
The creature regarded him for a moment, then nodded slowly. "I would like that. Helcurt... you are different than usual."
Ryan's heart skipped a beat. Had he blown his cover? "Different how?"
"More... creative," the creature said, though it didn't seem suspicious, just observant. "You never cared for such things before. It is... refreshing."
Ryan smiled, deciding to lean into it. "Maybe I've just been inspired. The Abyss can do that to you, you know?"
The creature nodded again, seemingly accepting this explanation. "If you keep cooking like this, you may become quite popular in the Abyss. Food can bring even the fiercest warriors together."
Ryan hadn't thought of that, but the idea intrigued him. Could he really use food to build alliances, to earn trust, and maybe even protect himself? It was a crazy idea, but in a world where nothing made sense, it might just be crazy enough to work.
As the creature finished its stew, it looked at Ryan with something akin to respect. "I will return tomorrow. If you make more, I will bring others."
Ryan's eyes widened. "Others?"
The creature nodded. "The others would want to taste this. We do not often have the chance to experience something new. They may not show it, but I know they would appreciate it."
Ryan considered this. It was risky—drawing more attention to himself could expose him. But it could also be the key to surviving, maybe even thriving, in this world.
"Alright," Ryan said finally, nodding. "I'll make more. But remember, it's not just about the food. You can't tell anyone where I get my ingredients or how I prepare them. It's a secret, understand?"
The creature smiled, a rare sight in the Abyss. "Understood. I will keep your secret, Helcurt. Until tomorrow."
With that, the creature disappeared back into the shadows, leaving Ryan alone with his thoughts. He looked down at the pot of stew, now nearly empty, and couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
If the creatures of the Abyss liked his cooking, then maybe he could use it to his advantage. He could keep them fed, earn their trust, and, just maybe, find a way to survive this nightmare.
But he knew he'd need to be careful. The Abyss was a dangerous place, and trust was hard to come by. One wrong move, and he could be exposed as an imposter—or worse, end up on the menu himself.
Still, as he cleaned up his makeshift kitchen and prepared for the next day, Ryan couldn't help but feel a spark of hope. For the first time since arriving in this dark and terrifying world, he felt like he had a purpose—a way to fight back against the fear and uncertainty.
The next morning—or what Ryan guessed was morning—he set out on another foraging trip. He needed more ingredients, and he needed them fast. If the creatures of the Abyss were going to come to him for food, he had to be ready.
As he explored the dark and twisted landscape, Ryan found himself thinking about what he could make next. The Abyssal Stew had been a success, but he needed something more. Something that would really impress them.
His mind wandered back to his favorite comfort foods. Back home, nothing beat a good burger—a juicy patty, melted cheese, crisp lettuce, all sandwiched between two soft buns. The thought made his mouth water, but then reality set in. How was he supposed to make a burger in a place like this?
But then again, if he could make pizza and stew, why not a burger?
The challenge excited him. He could use the meat he'd found, maybe even find something to grind it into a patty. As for the bread, the dough he made earlier could work as a substitute for buns, and he might even find something to mimic cheese.
With renewed determination, Ryan pushed forward, gathering what he could find. He discovered a strange plant with leaves that had a peppery taste, something that could work as a garnish. He also found a large, hard fruit that, when cracked open, had a rich, oily flesh that might work as a substitute for cheese if he could figure out how to process it.
By the time he returned to his alcove, Ryan had everything he needed to make his first Abyssal Burger. It wouldn't be exactly like the burgers from back home, but with a little creativity, he was confident he could make something special.
Ryan set to work immediately, grinding the meat using a pair of sharp rocks. It was tough going, but eventually, he managed to form a few rough patties. He then set about preparing the bread, mixing the dough and forming it into bun shapes.
Next came the cheese substitute. Ryan sliced the oily fruit into thin strips, then carefully heated it until it began to melt slightly. The result wasn't perfect, but it was close enough to give the impression of cheese.
As the patties cooked, filling the air with a savory aroma, Ryan felt a sense of pride swelling within him. This was more than just survival—this was art. He was taking the ingredients of this dark world and turning them into something familiar, something comforting.
Finally, Ryan assembled the burgers, stacking the meat, melted "cheese," and peppery leaves between the soft, warm buns. He stepped back to admire his work, a smile spreading across his face.
Just as he was finishing up, he heard the familiar sound of footsteps approaching.