The Red Dragon's Chicken Feast

A dilapidated, cracked ancient castle. Inside its depths, in a dark egg chamber where almost no light penetrated. A woman in a red dress sat upon the jade throne there.

Feeling a rare thrill of excitement, she stared intently at the Gallery shop.

"Seven o'clock... It comes up at seven, right?"

Today, to buy the chicken and beer the Moderator had announced for sale.

"Why is time dragging on so slowly? This is so frustrating..."

Her name was Mortezar, the Red Dragon. All races called her one of the five pillars upholding the world. Gallery users called her an 'old fogey.' Her gallery handle: BreathHoldingMaster.

This great being sat with one remaining hand pressed to her mouth, gnawing at her nails.

An impatient look unbecoming of one of the five pillars supporting the world. Startled by her own demeanor, she quickly reined in her emotions.

But the bubbling excitement wouldn't fully subside. Had she ever eagerly awaited something like this before?

For her, who could have anything she desired, this sense of longing was utterly foreign.

"It's been ages since I felt this frustration. But this emotion could be entertaining in its own way."

Aside from one outing in fifty years, she had confined herself to this castle, passing the time. She had no regrets about that choice—it was one she'd made to support the world.

But boredom had always bound her, crushing her under its endless weight, gradually wearing her down.

Until a few days ago, when she saw the food the crown princess of the Krantz Empire was eating.

"I thought I'd experienced every pleasure in my long life..."

The image wouldn't leave her mind. Golden crispy skin. Snow-white flesh beneath. Steam rising enticingly between.

A form she'd never seen—not even when hatching from her egg. How mesmerizing was this sight?

That food had to taste like nothing she'd ever experienced!

Mortezar passed the time imagining its flavor. For four whole days, including today. Endlessly.

"Tsk, drooling again. It's like my mouth is broken. To affect me like this with mere thoughts—what devilish food this is."

She wiped her continuously flowing saliva. Continuing her four-day imaginings, she checked the Gallery clock.

18:58. Soon, that child would be in her arms!

Anticipating her meeting with the being that had dominated her for four days, Mortezar straightened her slouched posture.

But it soon crumbled again, along with her draconic dignity. Deciding not to care today, she focused on the Gallery shop screen.

To taste chicken faster than anyone else. She accelerated her body and focused her mind with mana for the quickest purchase.

A torrent of the great dragon's mana swirled accordingly. With preparations complete to hit the buy button, she concentrated to not miss the moment the Gallery clock hit 19:00.

And then, 19:00.

"Hup...!"

Mortezar completed the purchase instantly, placing the chicken and beer on the table she'd prepared and finishing her meal setup.

The beer can hissed open with a chiik. The chicken gleamed, steam rising alluringly.

After screenshotting its beautiful form, she immediately grabbed a piece with her hand.

She must have bought it the fastest! And now, she'd taste it first!

Excited by this novel food she'd never tried, the fact that the Krantz imperial family had already eaten it had long faded from her mind.

But it didn't matter. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Among those who bought at 19:00, she was definitely the first to taste it.

"!"

The crunch and juiciness hit the moment it touched her lips. Nutty aroma and overflowing juices flooding her mouth.

How ecstatic was this flavor? How beautiful?

Mortezar writhed in bliss, savoring the chicken's taste. This was heavenly. The supreme food.

If this wasn't the best, she'd eradicate all other foods and make it the only one.

"How utterly ecstatic... Oh, right, that was there."

Her eyes fell on the beer can amid her deepening appreciation. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Seeing droplets beading and trickling down the cold surface, she swallowed hard.

"If the chicken is this ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠superb... surely that booze too?"

What would it taste like? What if it clashed with the chicken? What if it marred this perfect meal?

After serious contemplation, trusting the Moderator wouldn't pair mismatched foods, she boldly chugged the beer.

"Gulp, gulp, gulp... Kraha...!!"

The sharp tingle sliding down her throat. Refreshing! Not the absolute best, but cleaner and crisper than any liquor she'd known.

"Truly, this chicken and booze pair perfectly! The ultimate combo!"

Feeling an indescribable joy, Mortezar continued her feast. Chicken pieces vanished one by one, beer cans lightened.

Soon the beer ran out and the chicken platter emptied, but she didn't care. She had time to spare and points overflowing.

"I'll buy more right now... Hm? The Moderator posted a notice."

A post from the one who'd gifted her this supreme meal. Knowing gratitude, she paused purchasing to check it.

"What?!"

The notice threatened to halt chicken sales.

"No! Don't pull it! I'll write a post right now—just wait!"

It wasn't ignoring! She was too busy eating to react!

Providing such delicious food and demanding an immediate post? At least give time to eat!

"Just a bit longer—I'll post soon!"

So flustered she yelled at the Gallery screen, trying to communicate. To wash her hands, she dashed to the bathroom at a speed she hadn't used in ages.

*

"Wait, they couldn't post cuz they were eating...?"

After a delightful meal with Sora, I started the planned sales: chicken, cola, and beer—three items total.

Carefully prepared not to harm this world's races, I was dying to see the users' reactions.

So I waited. For 30 minutes.

Chicken usually takes 20 mins to finish. I added 10 extra for buffer, watching leisurely, but the Gallery posts flatlined.

Thought maybe it glitched—it's old after all. Tested with a post, and it worked fine.

I legit thought the users all choked and died. Confirmed they're alive, so time to retract the threat.

I deleted the threat notice and posted a new one.

Users must've been pretty pissed. Fair—don't poke during transformations or meals. Beer bonus calmed 'em down.

I replied diligently to angry comments, plugging emotes too. Made 'em with care, but no traction. Gotta use 'em myself to hype.

"Chicken sales are a huge hit. What do you think, Sora?"

Sora purred on my lap.

Sora seemed to think it was an excellent result too.