Chapter 4: The First Guests

Victor stood behind the counter, arms crossed, staring at the bubbling pot of soup he had just prepared. The kitchen was eerily quiet now, save for the faint crackling of flames from the massive stove. His heart raced as he recalled the intimidating presence of the Demon King, who had approved of his **Screaming Tomato Soup** with a single ominous nod.

"Well," he muttered, "if I survived feeding *him*, I guess I can handle whatever else this place throws at me."

As if on cue, the front door to the tavern slammed open with a deafening *BANG*.

Victor jumped, gripping the nearest utensil—a spatula—for dear life. He peeked out from the kitchen to see a group of monstrous creatures spilling into the dining hall.

The sight was enough to make him gulp.

The first was a hulking orc, his green skin glistening with sweat as he dragged a massive club behind him. Beside him was a banshee, her translucent form hovering a few inches above the floor, her hair billowing as if caught in an invisible wind. Trailing behind them was a pair of imps, their sharp-toothed grins wide as they whispered and cackled to each other.

Victor stepped out cautiously, his chef's coat suddenly feeling woefully inadequate.

"Welcome," he said, his voice cracking slightly. "To the Demon King's Tavern. Please, uh, take a seat."

The orc's deep, gravelly laugh echoed through the hall. "You're the chef? You look like you'd faint at the sight of raw meat!"

Victor forced a smile. "And yet, here I am. What can I get for you?"

The orc slammed a meaty fist onto a nearby table, shaking the entire room. "Meat! The rarest cut you've got. No seasoning, no garnish. Just meat!"

Victor blinked. "Raw meat? That's it?"

The banshee floated closer, her voice a haunting whisper. "I prefer something cold... icy... something that will remind me of the chill of death."

Victor swallowed hard. "Okay, raw meat and... ice. Got it."

The imps chattered, pointing at the menu that had mysteriously appeared on the wall overnight. "Ooh, we want the Infernal Nachos! Extra spicy!"

Victor sighed, pulling out his notepad. "Alright. Coming right up."

---

Back in the kitchen, Victor stared at the list of orders with a mix of dread and determination.

"Okay," he muttered, "this is just like running the diner back home. Except instead of Karen asking for extra mayo, I've got demons demanding raw flesh and banshees wanting icy snacks."

Skritch fluttered onto the counter, grinning. "Welcome to the real challenge, human. Think you can handle it?"

Victor ignored the snarky assistant and opened the **Gourmet System Menu**. His eyes scanned the glowing options, searching for any hints on how to prepare meals for monsters.

**[New Recipes Unlocked!]**

- **Hellfire Roast**

- **Chilled Soul Sorbet**

- **Infernal Nachos**

Victor selected the recipes, and the ingredients appeared in glowing orbs on the counter.

"Alright," he said, rolling up his sleeves. "Let's get to work."

---

The **Hellfire Roast** was deceptively simple. Victor seasoned the slab of meat with a special blend of fiery spices from the system and threw it onto the roaring flames of the enchanted stove. The meat hissed and crackled, sending up plumes of smoke that smelled both savory and strangely... menacing.

Next, he turned to the **Chilled Soul Sorbet**. The recipe required him to extract the essence of frost from an **Ice Wraith's Tear**, which the system kindly provided. He churned the mixture in an ancient-looking ice machine, shivering as the temperature in the kitchen dropped dramatically.

Finally, the **Infernal Nachos** came together with a mix of fiery cheese, crispy lava chips, and a generous sprinkle of **Scorching Chili Flakes**.

Victor wiped his brow and stepped back to admire his work. "Not bad for my first real shift."

---

Carrying the dishes out to the dining hall, Victor felt a flicker of pride. The orc's eyes lit up as the **Hellfire Roast** was placed before him.

The banshee let out a low, approving moan as she tasted the **Chilled Soul Sorbet**, her translucent form flickering slightly.

The imps dug into their **Infernal Nachos**, squealing with delight as the spicy heat hit their tongues.

Victor watched nervously. "Well? How is it?"

The orc tore into the roast with his sharp teeth, chewing thoughtfully before letting out a hearty laugh. "This is... fantastic! You've got a real talent, chef."

The banshee nodded solemnly. "This cold... it reminds me of the void. Perfect."

One of the imps hopped onto the table, holding up a chip. "Best nachos ever! Spicy enough to make my tongue melt!"

Victor exhaled, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Glad to hear it."

---

As the monsters feasted, Victor noticed something strange. A soft glow emanated from his chest, and a familiar chime echoed in his ears.

**[System Notification!]**

**[Quest Completed: Serve the First Guests!]**

**[Rewards: +50 Experience, New Recipes Unlocked, Beginner Chef's Apron (Enchanted)]**

Victor glanced at his apron, now glowing faintly. "Enchanted, huh? Guess I'll take all the help I can get."

Skritch fluttered over, smirking. "Not bad, human. Looks like you might survive here after all."

Victor leaned against the counter, watching as his unusual patrons enjoyed their meals.

"Survive?" he said. "I'm not just planning to survive. I'm going to make this the best damn tavern in the Demon Realm."

The promise hung in the air, as if sealing his resolve.

For the first time since his bizarre summoning, Victor felt a spark of excitement.

This wasn't the life he had planned, but it was a life he could build—one dish at a time.