Beer and Chicken Skewers
"Hmm...?"
The seasoned cockatrice meat. Isn't the seasoning a bit too heavy? Cockatrice meat is juicy and springy, yet it melts smoothly in your mouth. On the flip side, the meat's flavor fades quickly, but the seasoning lingers for quite a while. The balance feels off. Did they use standard chicken skewer seasoning? "A little disappointing..."
What if they'd used just a touch less? Or maybe a special sauce made just for cockatrice skewers? For regular chicken, this might have been perfect, but on cockatrice, it feels overpowering... A place that grills skewers this well wouldn't overlook that. Which means there's a better way to enjoy it.
"...Wait. No way?"
That's when I spot the sauce set next to the kiosk—mayonnaise, pepper, minced garlic, and mustard. Tucked away behind the water pitcher and kiosk, barely noticeable. Ah, of course. So that's how you're supposed to eat it.
Into a small dish: mayonnaise and pepper. Another dish for a bit of minced garlic and mustard...
"Hmm...?"
Minced garlic, huh. Dip the meat in it like a sauce? Or put it on top? I glance around. Is anyone using the minced garlic? Oh ho... I see. On top of the meat, or mixed into the mayo with pepper...?
I scoop a little minced garlic onto the meat and take a bite. Aha. The garlic's aroma actually tamps down the seasoning's intensity. And the garlic's sweetness brings out the meat's flavor vividly. Just chewing it fills your mouth with that garlicky scent—like your stamina's surging!
But since it's straight minced garlic, the spiciness is unavoidable. Sweet but hot. And the aroma is strong. It dials back the seasoning, but this feels more suited to salt-grilled meat. Salt-grilled with a garlic infusion. Mm. Definitely better this way.
"Mayo with garlic, and a bit of pepper..."
No idea on the ratios since it's my first try, but half a spoonful of garlic to a heap of mayo. Roughly 1:3? Sprinkle in some pepper and stir with chopsticks. Tasting the sauce off the tip—mm! The mayo's richness is masked by the garlic aroma, giving it a refreshing twist! Like tartar sauce! The occasional crunch of garlic bits exploding with flavor—love it.
Now, one piece of seasoned cockatrice meat into it...
"Oh...!"
Definitely different! Eaten plain, the seasoning just coats your mouth with that cheap skewer aftertaste. With just garlic on top, the flavors clashed and overwhelmed. But the mayo? Its oiliness neutralizes the slightly crisped seasoning. Sure, the bold seasoning sometimes punches through the mayo, but that's when the garlic hiding in the mayo steps up. That clean, refreshing garlic scent sweeps your mouth fresh. The rich flavors, now cleansed, meld with the mayo and the melting cockatrice juices, sliding smoothly down your throat!
Ha, this is it! The real signature dish! Mayo, garlic, pepper—simple stuff you can find anywhere, but this combo... Way more refreshing than squeezing lemon from that side garnish. And addictive—you crave another bite! The meat goes down easy. Speaking of which, I order another beer.
I thought I was too full, but it turns out the human body has a sneaky side—it just keeps packing it in.
"...Overdid it a bit."
Beer plus chicken skewers and the Cockatrice Skewer Set: 210 pt total. Even if chicken's common across dimensions, this is ridiculously cheap. Only a company cafeteria could beat it. But they don't sell beer, so this might be better.
By the time I finish the last skewers, the glass and plates are empty. All that's left is my satisfaction and fullness. Found a gem after ages. Listening to others pays off.
"Here..."
"Oh, just leave the plates! We'll clean up."
"Got it. Thanks for the meal."
"Thank you!"
As I start stacking to wrap up, the staff stops me—they'll handle it. Payment's already done with the order, so grab your stuff and go. Before stepping out, I glance back: the staff swiftly clears and resets with a fresh water pitcher. Someone from the line outside sits down instantly. Efficient. Hope a place like this sticks around forever.
"Ah, damn."
Snow's falling outside. Dimension Central's weather is fickle—forecasts are useless. But it's light, so probably won't stick.
"...Lucky break."
A long line snakes along the shop's side. Chicken skewer waitlist, looks like. Damn, this popular? Good thing I got in without waiting.
"Ugh... cold..."
"Still pretty warm, though, right?"
"Dunno... You got feathers, so maybe..."
"True. You lived where the average temp's over 60 degrees."
"Still, it's early. Hour wait tops?"
"Gotta try the Cockatrice Set today."
"Hm?"
A winner's smugness rises as I savor this hidden gem early—then I spot the angel and demon interns from before. After-work drinks? Makes sense. They were talking about it earlier. Cockatrice Set, huh... Mouth's watering. Dying to brag about how good it is. Casual mention as I pass—spoiler that kills the hype, or builds anticipation? Who knows. Won't test it, though. No need for mean pranks. Just hope they enjoy the surprise.
...
A few days later.
"So, you're saying we get into cockatrice meat distribution?"
"Yes."
I confidently submit the new proposal. Create a premium meat corner, led by cockatrice.
"Why bother? Food division's low-margin anyway. Storage costs more, from what I hear."
The Marble Golem Manager pulls a sour face, his marble body matching his stiff demeanor. Shaking off lame jokes, calm down. Time for the prepared pitch.
"Manager, we're not a monopoly anymore. Upstarts like Black Company, Alvenheim Company, Dwarftron Corporation are closing in fast."
"...Go on."
"Our distribution network keeps us #1 now, but coasting means we'll lose it anytime."
Black Company's viral social media ads are ruthless. No holds barred for market share. Scroll-bait ads kidnapping you to product pages or app downloads, borderline adult ads dancing on legal lines—they even skirt interdimensional bans and offload shady goods secretly. Result? Big market share gains. System users prefer "Screw it, we'll make bank and take the jail time!" over "This violates dimensional law."
During a final showdown with the Demon King, you get a genius idea for 100 banana boxes. Would you rather hear "Tariffs add points; bananas from that dimension are illegal per law, etc.—confirm?" or "Pay up, we'll ship anything!"? They rake in more than their fines. Can't blame them for not quitting.
Alvenheim Company's bleeding cash the textbook way: high prices to sellers, low to buyers. They eat the loss. Builds supply and users. Backed by loan shark Svartalvenheim—solid parent funds enable it.
Then Dwarftron pushes quality, Kwon Beopja sells cute clothes and dresses—everyone carving niches.
"Our biggest weapon? Distribution. To flaunt 'buy anything, anywhere,' we need unique items like this."
"...Indeed. To avoid obsolescence, diversify inventory."
Luckily, it lands. The manager approves the project with a nod. Sweet. Now I can grab cockatrice at the corner mart. And outlets everywhere. Cockatrice anytime! Using System Industry for personal gain. What's wrong with that? It wasn't a lie—just self-interest too.