The Nihility Chef

11 Years Later, September 18th

A young man stood in a well-equipped kitchen, expertly maneuvering between sizzling pans and bubbling pots. At 1.95 meters tall, with long, unruly black hair cascading down to his waist, olive skin that gleamed under the warm sunlight, and piercing amethyst eyes, he cut an imposing yet strangely elegant figure. His sharp jawline looked as if it had been carved by the gods themselves, and his thick sword-like eyebrows only added to his heroic presence.

And yet, the outfit he wore was nothing short of ridiculous.

A white apron adorned with cartoonish pink animals hung over his broad chest, and atop his head sat a chef's hat with fluffy fox ears protruding from the top.

"Alice, are you bloody happy now? I'm wearing the damn outfit." The boy grumbled, irritation lacing his deep voice.

Alice, seated comfortably nearby, giggled—a bell-like sound, soft and clear, like a refreshing breeze on a scorching summer day. "Thank you, Sami, for this wonderful birthday," she said, her pale blue eyes shimmering with mirth. "And for the record, I think you look absolutely adorable."

Alice had matured into an awe-inspiring beauty over the past eleven years. Her golden hair now carried striking black streaks, an inheritance from her powerful bloodline. Her symmetrical features—plump pink lips, a refined nose, and a delicate rose tint on her fair skin—gave her an air of kindness and approachability. Yet beneath that gentle exterior lay an unshakable, dominant spirit that had earned her the moniker 'Morrigan'.

She had not merely survived the political battlefield of the royal court—she had conquered it, shattering opposition with the combined strength of her own will and Sami's unwavering support. The nobles who had once mocked her now bowed before her presence, while remnants of the old Crown Prince's faction lay in wait, biding their time for his eventual return.

But today was not about politics. Today, Alice was just a girl celebrating her sixteenth birthday with her closest friend.

Sami finally finished plating the food, presenting a dish that was nothing short of a masterpiece. The bluish meat was arranged in the shape of a blooming lotus, its succulent juices dripping into a pool of lava-red sauce. Golden grains of rice shimmered underneath, reacting with the sauce in tiny, fiery bursts. Small, pebble-shaped vegetables were scattered within, and atop it all sat an emerald green soft-boiled egg, its delicate surface quivering ever so slightly.

The aroma alone was intoxicating.

"I call this dish the Five Element Donburi," Sami declared, his voice brimming with pride. "The main ingredients are Raging Water Boar, Inferno Chilies, Steel Stalk Rice, Terra Onions, and Spring Eagle Eggs. Go on, taste it."

Alice didn't need to be told twice.

The moment the dish touched her tongue, her eyes widened in astonishment. A whirlwind of flavors exploded in her mouth—one moment, the elements worked in perfect harmony, blending into a delicate and refined taste, and in the next, they clashed violently, waging war upon her palate. The refreshing coolness of water, the unyielding solidity of earth, the ferocity of fire, the nurturing embrace of wood, and the razor-sharp bite of metal—it was a chaotic symphony of sensations, and she adored every second of it.

"Deliciousssss," Alice moaned, practically melting into her seat.

With zero hesitation, she devoured the entire dish, not leaving a single grain of rice behind. Sami, watching her blissful expression, felt a deep sense of satisfaction wash over him. As a chef, nothing mattered more than seeing the pure joy of someone enjoying his creation.

At just seventeen, Sami had already reached the middle of Realm 3, a feat that allowed him to manipulate spiritual ingredients with ease. However, he had recently decided to take his craft a step further—by forging his own weapon, a weapon that would accompany him throughout his journey to the peak.

"Alice, I'm ready to create my weapon."

With that solemn statement, the atmosphere in the courtyard shifted.

Or at least, it would have—had Alice not erupted into uncontrollable laughter.

Clutching her stomach, she bent over, her body trembling with mirth. "Loo—loo—look at what you're wearing!" she choked out between gasps for air. "That serious face of yours… with that ridiculous apron… I can't—!"

Sami glanced down, realizing he was still adorned in the fox-eared chef's outfit. His expression darkened. With a flick of his fingers, fire surged from his body, incinerating both the apron and hat into nothingness.

"Shut up! I'm never wearing any of your stupid outfits again!" he barked, glaring at Alice, who only laughed harder. "Now let me make my damn weapon in peace."

Suppressing the last of her giggles, Alice followed him into his private forging courtyard, watching as he retrieved an assortment of rare materials and a massive cauldron from his space ring. Among the materials were:

Mithril (Neutral/Binding agent)

Void Crystals (Space)

Mobius Sand (Time)

Gravitas Iron (Gravity)

Eldritch Gems (Abyssal Essence)

Each material radiated power, their energies pulsating in his hands. The only missing element was Aether, but for now, Sami's own blood would have to serve as a substitute.

With a deep breath, he tossed the materials into the cauldron and sliced his palm, letting his blood drip into the mixture. The reaction was immediate—a violent eruption, like molten steel colliding with water. The cauldron's contents writhed and twisted, absorbing his essence, forging a bond between man and metal.

The pain was excruciating.

Sami clenched his jaw as white-hot agony shot through his veins, feeling as if a thousand molten needles were searing his flesh. He refused to falter. He focused his mind, shaping the molten essence into the image within his soul.

Minutes stretched into eternity.

Finally, the roiling energy settled, leaving behind a single, sleek black bracelet resting at the bottom of the cauldron. It was deceptively simple—smooth, unassuming, yet brimming with unfathomable power. Every so often, it pulsed with shifting colors, each hue representing a different element.

Alice stared in disbelief. "Wait, that's it? Your grand weapon is a bracelet?"

Sami smirked. "No, you idiot. It can change form. I, a refined and handsome gentleman, have no interest in lugging around a massive weapon everywhere. It would ruin my aesthetic."

As if to prove his point, the bracelet shimmered, expanding into a 1.7-meter-long greatsword. The blade was black as the abyss, its edges gleaming with a menacing sharpness. The hilt bore a pulsating orb, its core resembling a neutron star, while intricate swirling patterns along the blade mimicked the spiralling pull of black holes.

Sami ran a hand over its surface, admiration glinting in his eyes. "I shall call you Gluttony. Let us devour our way to the peak."

Information of the Day: The Abyss

The Abyss is a semi-sentient plane of existence that seeks to devour Verus, assimilating it into itself. It is vast, surrounding Verus on all sides, held at bay only by the barrier of 'space.' But this protection is not eternal.

The Abyss creates sentient beings from its own essence, sacrificing parts of itself to produce warriors. The strongest among them rival Verus' most powerful cultivators. Despite the threat, some humans choose to align themselves with the Abyss, betraying their own world.

They are known as Heretics.

And everyone despises a traitor more than an enemy.

If you stare into the Abyss long enough, the Abyss stares back.