Peak Between Two: Mushoku Tensei

-Third Point of View-

"I'm hungry. Got any menu recommendations?" Ryu asked after settling into one of the empty seats.

Randolph gave a small nod.

"We have meat stew with whole wheat bread or spicy dragon stew."

"Spicy dragon stew, huh?"

For some reason, the name caught his interest.

"Alright, I'll take that."

Randolph didn't say another word. He simply nodded again before turning around and heading into the kitchen.

A few minutes later, he returned with a bowl of stew filled with large chunks of meat.

Without any change in expression, he set it down in front of Ryu.

"Here. Eat."

Steam still rose from the bowl, carrying a strong, spicy aroma. Ryu grabbed the wooden spoon, scooped up a bit of the broth, blew on it lightly, and took a sip.

…And the moment the liquid touched his tongue, he knew this was going to be a struggle.

"Tch… This is way too salty."

Not just salty—it was overly spicy, with a strange bitter undertone that shouldn't be present in a stew.

However, despite the unbalanced flavors, Ryu kept his face neutral. Having undergone rigorous military training in his past life, he had eaten far worse meals than this.

"Well?" Randolph asked, arms crossed over his chest.

Ryu took a moment to think before finally speaking in a flat tone.

"Honestly? It's too salty, too spicy, and there's an odd bitterness that feels out of place."

Randolph raised an eyebrow slightly but showed no sign of being offended.

"I see."

Ryu set down the spoon and leaned back in his chair.

"But… it has potential. If you cut back on the salt, balance the spice level, and adjust the cooking time for the bitter seasonings, this could actually be a decent dish."

Randolph stared at him, his expression unreadable.

"You know how to cook?"

Ryu shrugged. "I've picked up a thing or two."

Randolph pondered for a moment, then, without hesitation, handed Ryu his apron.

"Alright. If you think you can do better, prove it yourself."

Ryu blinked, slightly surprised by the man's direct attitude.

"Seriously?"

"I don't like pointless talk. If you have advice, show me whether you can actually do it better."

Ryu glanced at the apron in his hands, then let out a small sigh before tying it around his waist.

"Fine. I'll show you what proper cooking looks like."

Randolph didn't say anything more—he simply gave a small nod and walked into the kitchen first. Ryu followed, and upon stepping inside, he immediately took in the sight of a simple yet well-organized space.

Pots hung neatly on the walls, large knives—old but still sharp—were arranged in their slots, and a rack filled with various spices and food supplies stood in the corner.

Ryu observed everything carefully. The setup wasn't luxurious, but it reminded him of the military kitchens where he had often cooked for his comrades.

Yes… In his previous life, aside from being a hardened soldier trained in countless battlefields, Ryu had a simple hobby that few knew about—cooking.

To him, cooking wasn't just about filling one's stomach. It was an art, a strategy, and a way to bring comfort to those exhausted from hardship.

Randolph crossed his arms, watching Ryu intently.

"Go ahead. Use whatever ingredients you need."

Ryu wasted no time.

The first step—he tasted the original stew again.

"It's too salty because of excessive salt. The spiciness is overwhelming due to an unbalanced use of dried chili. And the bitterness… likely from overcooked spices releasing unwanted compounds."

Ryu got to work.

First, he prepared a better broth.

He used meat bones to extract natural umami rather than relying purely on salt. He sautéed onions and spices over low heat to enhance their aroma without burning them.

Second, he adjusted the seasoning balance.

He reduced the chili amount, replacing it with black pepper for a milder yet still flavorful heat. He added a hint of honey and local red wine to neutralize the bitterness and deepen the flavor.

Third, he properly prepared the meat.

Instead of tossing raw meat into the stew, he pre-boiled it separately with basic seasonings to keep it tender and prevent it from turning tough over long cooking times.

A rich, enticing aroma gradually filled the kitchen.

Randolph, who had been silently observing, raised an eyebrow slightly.

"Hmm…" he murmured. "You know what you're doing."

Ryu didn't respond—he simply focused on his craft.

Minutes later, he poured the improved stew into a wooden bowl and set it on the table.

"Try this."

Randolph took a spoonful and tasted it.

The moment the flavors hit his tongue, his expression subtly changed.

"Hoo… This is much better."

Ryu smirked. "Of course."

Randolph slowly chewed, savoring how the saltiness, spiciness, and sweetness were now perfectly balanced. The bitterness was gone. The meat was noticeably softer, having absorbed the flavors well.

After swallowing, Randolph gazed at Ryu with a more relaxed expression.

"I'll admit, this is better than mine."

Ryu leaned back slightly. "That's because you cook by instinct, not by proper technique."

Randolph let out a low, raspy chuckle.

"I'm no chef. Just a man running a tavern."

Ryu studied him. "You're more than that, aren't you?"

Randolph didn't answer right away. Instead, he gave a faint, unreadable smile before letting out a quiet sigh.

The atmosphere between them shifted.

Randolph, who initially seemed like a quiet, intimidating figure, now looked more at ease as he continued eating.

"So, you're not just an ordinary adventurer," he mused, stirring his stew with a spoon.

Ryu, now seated across the table without the apron, took a sip of water before responding.

"I'm just someone who happens to know how to cook."

Randolph chuckled lightly. "Not a bad answer."

For a while, they simply ate in silence, enjoying the meal without unnecessary chatter. Yet, something had changed.

Eventually, Randolph spoke again.

"I owe you one."

Ryu raised an eyebrow. "Owe me?"

Randolph nodded. "I'm not particularly skilled at cooking. I run this place because I've grown tired of the battles I've fought."

"So?" Ryu asked. "Do you want me to teach you how to cook?"

Randolph smirked. "No. But if you ever need a place to eat for free in the future, you can come here anytime."

Ryu chuckled softly.

"That's not a bad deal."

Randolph then eyed him with his remaining sharp eye.

"I'm curious about one thing. Where did you learn to cook?"

Ryu paused for a moment.

The truth? In another world. In a place he could never explain to anyone.

But instead of answering directly, he simply gave a faint smile and said:

"Somewhere far from here."

Randolph shrugged, not pressing for more details.

That night, the once-silent tavern felt a little more alive—not just because of better food, but because of a rare moment of shared understanding.

Ryu had a feeling that Randolph wasn't just an ordinary tavern owner.

And perhaps, Randolph had also realized that Ryu wasn't just another wandering adventurer.

But for now, they were simply two men sharing a meal and an experience.

After finishing his meal and a brief conversation with Randolph, Ryu finally stood up, stretching his body after sitting for quite some time.

"Alright, I should get going," he said, slipping his hands into his pockets. "By the way, if we meet again in the future, I want to try your cooking… but better."

Randolph, who was casually wiping the table, smirked slightly.

"Heh, cheeky brat," he muttered, shaking his head. "Fine. I'll show you my improvement then."

Ryu gave a small nod before heading for the door. As he pushed it open, the cold night air greeted him with its crisp breeze.

Without looking back, he stepped out of the tavern.

Inside, Randolph remained where he was, watching as the young beastman disappeared into the dark streets of the city.

For a brief moment, the skeletal-faced man smirked faintly to himself.