Kai's eyes locked onto the source of the sound—a Flame Serpent, its crimson scales glowing like molten metal as it slithered out from between the scorched rocks. Its golden eyes gleamed with menace, sensing an intruder in its territory.
Without hesitation, Kai leapt back, narrowly dodging a sudden burst of fire from the serpent's mouth. The air rippled with heat, and the ground where he had stood moments ago was now blackened and cracked.
"This won't be easy," he muttered, his heart pounding.
Flame Serpents were known to be territorial and aggressive, but what made them even more dangerous was their resilience. Their bodies naturally absorbed fire energy, making traditional attacks useless against them.
Kai analyzed the creature, his mind racing. He wasn't a warrior—he was a chef. But that didn't mean he was helpless. His Spiritual Cook abilities gave him heightened awareness and instincts.
Instead of attacking recklessly, he focused on the serpent's movements. Every predator had a pattern, and he needed to find its weakness.
The serpent lunged again, its fangs flashing. Kai dodged to the side and noticed something—a brief pause before it launched its fire breath.
That's it!
The moment the serpent opened its mouth again, Kai grabbed a handful of cooling herbs from his storage bag and threw them into the air. The sudden shift in temperature caused the flames to weaken for just a second.
And that second was all he needed.
Kai charged forward, using the heat-resistant gloves in his bag to grip a nearby jagged rock. With precise force, he slammed it against the serpent's head, stunning the creature momentarily.
The beast hissed and writhed, but Kai was already moving. He darted past it and ran deeper into the valley, not wasting time on a prolonged fight. His goal wasn't to hunt—it was to find the Fire Lotus Root.
The deeper he went, the hotter it became. The rocks glowed with an eerie red light, and steam hissed from the ground. But then, he saw it.
Nestled between two burning stones, surrounded by flickering embers, was the Fire Lotus Root.
Its crimson petals shimmered, releasing waves of heat, and its golden veins pulsed with power.
Kai took a deep breath. This was it. The key to his dish.
But just as he reached for it—the ground trembled.
A shadow loomed over him, and he slowly turned his head.
Behind him, rising from the molten ground, was a Flame Serpent King—twice the size of the one he had faced before. Its eyes burned with intelligence, and its fangs dripped with molten venom.
Kai clenched his fists. Getting the Fire Lotus Root wouldn't be that easy after all.