Kai held the Emberroot Essence in his palm, feeling its lingering heat seep into his body. This ingredient alone could elevate his dishes to unimaginable heights, but it was only a single piece of the puzzle. The Recipe of Creation required more—many more.
He exhaled, calming his racing heart. The Abyssal Flame Ruins had tested him beyond his limits, but now it was time to leave.
Glancing around, he noticed the once-violent flames had begun to subside. Without the Flameborn Guardian, the ruins were stabilizing. Even so, the heat remained oppressive, and lingering any longer would be foolish.
Kai activated his Spiritual Cooking Aura, shielding himself from the scorching air as he navigated his way back through the treacherous pathways. The ruins groaned beneath his feet, as if mourning the loss of their guardian, but he paid no heed. His only focus was returning to the surface.
After what felt like hours, he finally spotted the exit archway, bathed in the faint glow of the outside world. Relief washed over him as he stepped forward—only for a sudden chill to run down his spine.
Someone was waiting for him.
Kai stopped just before stepping into the open, his instincts screaming at him to stay hidden. Carefully, he peered around the corner.
At the entrance of the ruins stood a group of figures, their imposing presence undeniable. At the center was a man in midnight-black robes, his aura suffocating. The emblem on his chest marked him as an Elite Combat Job Changer, but what truly caught Kai's attention was the insignia on his shoulder—a red flame with a black serpent coiled around it.
The Crimson Serpent Syndicate.
Kai's eyes narrowed. A powerful underground faction known for stealing rare ingredients and eliminating anyone who stood in their way.
Had they been waiting for him? Or had they just arrived, sensing the Emberroot's awakening?
Either way, he couldn't afford to walk out openly.
As he considered his options, one of the syndicate members turned toward the ruins, his sharp gaze scanning the darkness.
"I felt movement just now."
The leader smirked, folding his arms. "That means someone survived the ruins. If they have the Emberroot, they won't make it far."
Kai silently cursed. He had to act fast.
Taking a deep breath, he reached into his storage ring and pulled out a small Smoke Infusion Pellet—a tool he had crafted long ago using Dark Ash Bark. When crushed, it would release a thick, scent-masking smoke.
With a precise movement, he activated the pellet, throwing it deeper into the ruins. Within seconds, dark gray mist billowed through the entrance, clouding the syndicate members' vision.
"What's going on?" one of them shouted.
Kai wasted no time. Using the distraction, he activated his Stealth Footwork Technique, silently maneuvering around the archway and slipping past the guards undetected.
His heart pounded as he increased his speed, darting into the nearby rocky terrain.
He had escaped—for now.
But as he disappeared into the wilderness, he knew one thing for certain.
The Crimson Serpent Syndicate wouldn't give up easily.
And they would come for him soon.