The rain hit Patna like a tantrum—wild, humid, and full of steam. Amidst the collapsing neon signs and crumbling bazaar alleys, a savory scent cut through the chaos. Spices, herbs, and mana-infused ingredients swirled in the air like a divine aroma war.
In a makeshift kitchen cart reinforced with awakened steel and mounted flame runes, a man with a manic grin flipped a glowing ladle and whistled an off-tune melody.
Harsh Patel.
Nickname: "Biryani."
Soul Weapon: Chakra Skillet.
Combat Cook. Enchanter. Bomb-thrower. Problem.
And maybe, just maybe… the perfect mess Blackhunt needed.
🍛 A Recipe for Mayhem
"Eat this and tell me the meaning of life."
Ankit blinked as a glowing bowl of mana-biryani was shoved into his hands. It hissed with golden vapor and shimmered faintly with rune-etched saffron threads.
He glanced at Kaido and Riya, who both gave him the "you first" look.
"I'm not eating that," Kaido said, already gripping his spear in suspicion.
Ankit took a bite.
The world. Froze.
His muscles tensed with power, his vision sharpened, and his breath ignited like firelight.
"Okay. That was good."
Harsh clapped like a child. "You just unlocked my Tier-1 buff: 'Palate of Precision.' Grants +5% reaction speed and minor stamina regen for ten minutes! Only takes thirty seconds to cook!"
Riya raised a brow. "So… you're a chef who fights?"
Harsh's smile dropped for a second—just enough for Ankit to catch a flash of something darker beneath the mirth.
"Not just fight. I survive. With flavor."
🥘 Trouble Comes to Dine
As the sun dipped below the edge of the broken city, distant screams echoed across the block. Harsh dropped his ladle, eyes narrowing.
"They're back. Mana slavers."
Dozens of bandits, twisted by corrupted mana, charged in—wearing armor pieced from dead awakened corpses. They wielded crude soul weapons, unstable and barely held together by greed.
"They want my brother. Again."
Harsh grabbed his skillet and pulled a glowing wok from beneath the cart. The air exploded in aroma and sparks. He hurled spice grenades that exploded with blindness, flames, and choking fog. Each dish he served was a curse or blessing—depending on the target.
Ankit, Kaido, and Riya fought back-to-back with Harsh. The synergy was chaotic but surprisingly effective. Kaido blocked with his iron spear, Ankit danced through openings with twin talwars, and Riya darted between foes like a phantom.
But when one slaver grabbed Harsh's younger brother, everything stopped.
Harsh's eyes burned.
He roared—and for the first time—unleashed the true form of his soul weapon.
Soul Art: Kitchen of Ruin – Tandoor Hellfire
Enemies within 5 meters suffer 15% defense reduction and constant burn over time. Duration: 30 seconds. Cooldown: 3 days.
The area burst into roaring blue flame. The slaver howled as his armor disintegrated, his scream muffled by sizzling agony.
Harsh caught his brother as the boy fell into his arms.
🍽️ A Seat at the Table
Later that night, in a quiet rooftop under lantern light, Harsh sat cross-legged, cooking for the team.
"I used to be a Michelin-tier chef," he said quietly. "After the mana came… food became more than food. It became magic. But in the Tower… it became survival."
Ankit nodded. "You cook with soul. I want that on my team."
"On one condition," Harsh said, tossing a curry-drenched grenade into the air and catching it. "No wasting ingredients. No wasting lives."
"Deal."
📌 Chapter End Note: Guild Update
Harsh 'Biryani' Patel – The Combat Cook
Role: Support DPS, Buff Enchanter, Field Crafter
Soul Weapon: Chakra Skillet
Background: Former chef turned awakened combatant. Known for explosive cuisine and emotional depth hidden behind humor.
Joined: Chapter 27