Chapter 3 - The Scroll's Function

Leo chuckled softly after reading the note left by his master.

"Master, I guess you were really obsessed with godly stuff." He said with a happy expression on his face.

He read the note's contents a few more times before placing it back in the metal box. Later, he lay down on the bed, holding onto his master's box. 

"Master, you must have no unfinished desires. That explains why you wrote a sketchy note for your disciple and a golden scroll that will probably have no use for me." 

Leo remained in the bed with the right hand covering his eyes from the sleeve. He immediately stood up and picked up the golden scroll and before taking a closer look, he smelled something.

"Hmm?! This smell…belongs to-" Before he could complete his sentence, the strong smell of his dish that was ready came in presence to stop his thoughts.

He immediately left for his kitchen and didn't delay in completing his dish. The aroma was filling the air to the brim. There were all kinds of noises coming from his kitchen, from the sound of a burner to the clanking of utensils.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen…

In Leo's kitchen, there was this friendly mix of sounds that made it feel like a happy dance was happening. You could hear the vegetables getting chopped up, like a rhythmic beat, and the onions sizzling in the hot pan was like a song starting. The pots and pans joined in, making a clinking noise that was like the background music to Leo's cooking adventure.

The smell was the real star, though. The air was filled with a mix of sweet and savory scents, as if you could taste the garlic and tomatoes just by smelling them. It was like the kitchen had its own delicious perfume. And when Leo added herbs like rosemary and thyme, it was like the kitchen was telling a story with all these different smells coming together.

Then, there was this comforting aroma of simmering broth, promising something really tasty was cooking. It was like a warm hug from the stove. And in the background, the oven was quietly doing its thing, making the bread all toasty. The kitchen was turning into a place of wonderful smells – like a cozy haven of good food.

In Leo's cozy home, serving the stew felt like the culmination of a private performance. The spoons made a gentle clinking sound against the bowls, providing a solo accompaniment to the quiet ambiance of his solitary kitchen. As Leo took the first bite, it was the grand finale of his personal culinary showcase, a moment of sheer enjoyment as he savored the deliciousness he had cooked up. The kitchen, in its serene aloneness, seemed to applaud him silently, leaving Leo to relish the lingering smell of his successful kitchen symphony.

Leo carefully placed the metal box on the dining table, intrigued by the mystery it held. As he indulged in his meal, his attention was captivated by the golden scroll he had retrieved from the box. Intricately engraved, the scroll unfolded a tale of craftsmanship and secrets within its golden surface. Leo found himself engrossed, studying the complex engravings from various angles before deciding to set it beside his plate and focus on his food.

In the midst of savoring the flavors of his dishes, Leo's attention was abruptly drawn back to the scroll. The engravings inside began to glow with a mesmerizing array of lights, captivating his senses. Before he could react, the scroll emitted a brilliant white light that shot through the roof, expanding rapidly. In an instant, Leo found himself encircled by the luminous glow, along with half of the table adorned with his carefully arranged meal.

As the light transformed from radiant to transparent, Leo discovered himself seated in a grand and majestic hall adorned with ancient beast engravings. Ten imposing figures occupied thrones before him, their presence exuding an air of authority. Perplexed and disoriented, Leo barely had time to process his surroundings before one of the ten men spoke.

"Looks like the senior found himself a successor before passing away." declared the enigmatic voice, leaving Leo with more questions than answers in this unforeseen and mysterious realm.