The Legendary Steak

"Whatever happens, never leave your heart open.

Hide it.

Burry it.

Until it is long forgotten."

I.

"Well would you look at that." Gimmly said as his figure appeared behind the door. He stared at me intently from head to toe as if I'm some kind of rare animal. I do get what he feels though. I never imagined that this body could look so dignified and noble. Staring at the mirror, I examined how I looked like at the moment.

Right now, I'm wearing a black coat, with a red, long sleeved, button-down, underneath it. I have what seems to be a belt which keeps the pants I am wearing in place. My pants are also jet black and my shoes are of the same color.

"You actually look decent." Gyn said, appearing right behind Gimmly. I felt my cheeks blush from the comment so I tried to hide it.

"He's a guy."

"He's a guy."

"He's a guy."

I told myself, feeling creeped out that I actually blushed because of another dude's comments.

"Erm…thanks?" I replied, not believing how kind Gyn sounds right now.

"I know why we didn't go for the full clothing now; he'd really top off any noble if he gave it a try. Hahahaha." Gimmly said in a joking tone.

"Yes, well, that's entirely because your shop and your men are good at doing their job." Gin told Gimmly with a smile on his face.

"Thank you Sir. Gyn. But the praises won't give you discounts you know." Gimmly replied.

"I'll return later for the full payment. Just give him enough clothes to wear especially for day to day activities." Gyn replied.

"Of course. Anything for my valued customer!" With this Gimmly made another set of claps which made his men dash and collect clothing from all around the store. Some made their way upstairs while others stayed on the ground floor. The men moved so quickly that you'd think there is a competition on, who can bring the items fastest.

After just a few minutes, they are done. Gimmly clapped at his men for their marvelous performance and proceeded to giving me the clothes. He then shakes hands with Gyn and, not long after, we left.

"Please do come by some other time Sir Horan. My men and I will be more than delighted to assist you in your needs." He said as we walked out of the store.

II.

"Come on keep moving. We don't have all day." As soon as the door closed shut, Gyn switched back his cold and distant attitude.

"Yes sir." I said, understanding that whatever I say to him may be used against me. It's better to keep my responses short and concise. Plus, if he hates my guts so much, he may just do as the guards initially planned: make me a human barbeque and stick me in the middle of the town square.

"There's a restaurant nearby. We'll head there next. After that, just wait inside the hotel for a while until night comes. I'd pick you up by then." He said in an orderly fashion.

Finally, I can eat. My stomach feels like it'd just eat my own flesh if I don't feed it soon. That's just how hungry I feel at the moment.

*stomach grumbling*

"Oh my…" The words came out instinctively. That sound didn't come from my own shameless stomach. No. That sound came from this person who has been badmouthing me all day long. I can't just pass up this opportunity. This is one of those moments that comes as impossible as getting struck by lightning.

Gyn turned as if to assess the words I have just said. His stare looks more irritated than ever. Shit I may have gotten at his bad side again but that won't stop me in my tracks. I need to use this opportunity before it goes down the drain.

"Stop your stomach from making that sound, it's very indiscreet." Gyn said with a stern and straight face. Before I could even make a move, he stepped his foot on the matter as if there is no room for argument.

"I'm pretty sure that wasn't my stomach." I answered him. We both heard it. That is definitely his stomach and not mine. I won't let him bully me for something I'm not even guilty for.

"Nonsense. Do not make any false accusations to the chief guard of Crystal. I can have you beheaded this very instant if you defy me any more." Gyn said, surer of himself than ever. With that, the realization struck me.

Ahh yes. There's only the to of us here. Even if I try it, I can't win an argument that is just based on what we both heard.

*Sigh*

Here I thought I finally got the chance to win against him. But I've been proven wrong. Damn it, entertaining him will surely be more difficult than I thought. I should just shut up. He may take away my free lunch if I defy him any more than this.

"Yes. That was my stomach. I'm sorry if I heard it wrong."

"Good." Gyn said, turning his back on me again.

"Let us procee–"

*stomach grumbling*

That's his! That is definitely his stomach!

Gyn froze in his place as if thinking of the best move to use at the moment. But I'd win this time. He can deny one instance of this but, two is just too much. He definitely cannot place the blame on me again. Come on then Captain of the Crystal Guards, face me so that I can properly embarrass you. Hehehehehe.

"Come on then. Turn." I said to myself.

"Let's see you try that cheap trick you used earlier Gyn." I continued.

But he didn't turn again. Instead he started walking faster than normal. Damn, he really knows how to escape out of a difficult situation huh. Entertaining him would be more difficult than I initially thought.

I quickly followed his lead and put more effort at observing my surroundings. I need to focus more into the details just like how Gyn showed me earlier with the people who walks barefooted. I didn't invest all my points into intellect for nothing. I need to do my best and make the most out of my stay here.

There were a bunch of streets that we passed through. There seem to be an alleyway at almost every turn. Also, it is small enough to only fit two people walking side by side. With this they have maximized the space of the town. However, I don't think anyone would like to pass through those alleys in the dead of night. You might get stabbed, or even cornered.

After a few more alleys passed through, the familiar aroma of food has finally hooked my nose. That is the smell of meat being grilled. Seeing how delicious the smell is, I'm guessing it is close to getting cooked…maybe it was even marinated with a brush; stroking some sauce into the meat every few seconds. Arghhh just the thought of it makes me drool from hunger.

"Here we are." Gyn said.

We stopped at the door where the aroma is strongest. There's no doubt that the meat is being cooked here. Whoever the Sheff is he or she must be a genius. I started walking forward as if the aroma has hypnotized me but Gyn's hand stopped me from entering.

"Could you at least wipe that drool from your mouth? I don't want to be seen with an unrefined brute."

I quickly placed a handkerchief on my lips; getting embarrassed by the remark made by Gyn. I didn't even notice how my drool was literally forming from the side of my mouth. I want to eat so badly right now.

"Sorry. My bad." I said.

"Don't show that same appearance to the count, I was assigned to assist you so any disgrace you bring to yourself would also be brought to me." He said in a stern tone.

*Stomach Grumbling*

This time it was my stomach which finally made the sound.

"Well looks like you're quite hungry seeing how your stomach kept on making sounds since earlier." Gyn said with a smirk on his face. This guy just made it look like I actually made those sounds earlier!

*Stomach Grumbling*

…

…

…

"Looks like I'm not the only one." I said, staring at his face. For a moment I saw his cheeks turn red and that might actually be the case because, he quickly turned away and opened the door.

YESS!

How do you like that mister captain?

HOW DO YOU LIKE ME NOW HUUH??

Don't ever underestimate a guy who died thrice already! Hahaha.

III.

"Can I take your orders?" A man who wore a waiter's attire came at our table. Ever since my small victory, I've been staring at Gyn with a triumphant smirk. He can go and stick me up a pole, I don't care. I'm going to savor this moment for as long as I can.

"I'll have one large steak." He said and…that's all? Wait. How about me? What will I eat?

"Erm… you seem to be forgetting something?" I said, removing the smirk I had on my face earlier.

"Oh? What is it exactly?" He replied in his normal and cold tone.

"How about me? What will I eat?" I replied.

"There's plenty of aroma to go around in this place. You can sniff the air until your stomach gets full." He replied.

You're kidding right? He won't include me in the order just because I finally got one over him? Argghhhh this guy is a natural born irritation to my life! He was probably designed to meet me one day and put me at my wit's end.

That's how you want to play it huh. Fine. I looked around, trying to find the waiter. If he won't order for me then I'll just order for myself. I still have plenty of money after all.

"Wait a minute. What's that?" I told myself, seeing a flyer sticking on a wall.

"Analyze." The skill analyze can also make me read things that are far off. This is a convenient attribute added to the skill after I maxed out my intelligence.

The flyer reads:

"Test your mettle with our Ogre steak! Finish it in an hour and you do not have to pay."

"I was born for this." I told myself as I stood up.

"What are you doing now?" Gyn said.

"I'm gonna get free food." I told him, with a wide smile on my face.

"One order of Ogre Steak please!" I shouted so that everyone inside the restaurant can hear.

"What do you think are you doing?" Gyn said.

"Like I said. I'm getting free food." I replied.

Suddenly, the whole restaurant fell silent. The sound of people talking quickly turned into murmuring. I don't know what all the fuss is about. It's just steak right?

BAM!

The door of the kitchen opened with a strong sound. A giant figure appeared. There's a lot of smoke so I can't see clearly but, the height alone tells you that you should not take this person lightly.

"Who is the brave soul that dares challenge my legendary steak?"

His boots appeared out of the smoke. Then came his hands; both holding on to a cleaving knife. With just the smoke you'd mistake him for some elite monster holding on to a weapon. His face also came out, lips holding on to a huge cigar and puffing out smoke. His eyes are deep black, as if it has experienced war, and his hair is tied into a man - bun.

"That's me!" I answered, walking up to him.

"Please prepare an Ogre Steak for me."

The man stared at me for a while, as if examining my capacity. His face looks stern and serious, as if this is a battle before the war. He puffed out smoke, and then some more, before finally speaking.

"Do you think you have what it takes to conquer where others have failed?" He said as he stared at me with the same stern expression.

"No sir. I don't think so. I KNOW I CAN!" I replied. Confidently smirking at him.

He observed me for a while longer. While this happened the murmuring around the restaurant got even stronger. Then, as if to break this long silence, he suddenly bursted into laughter.

"HAHAHAHAA! I like your confidence kid." He said. He then called out another gigantic person from the kitchen.

"Prepare the table for this kid, make him wait there while I make the steak." He told the other man.

"Kid I hope you have the stomach to match your guts." He said as he roared in laughter again; entering the kitchen.

*Alert: You have reached Level 24. 10 bonus status points are given to you as reward.*