The streets felt… normal again.
Almost.
—quieter, but with an underlying tension.
Huge banners hung from government-sanctioned stalls and grocery storefronts: "GOVERNMENT CERTIFIED SAFE: MONSTER-VARIANT POULTRY – 70% DISCOUNT."
Despite the massive price drop, the queues were non-existent. People walked past, some even covering their noses as if the mere sight of the meat could infect them.
Reva sighed, adjusting her trident position. "You can't blame them. Yesterday these things were trying to peck our eyes out. Today, they're expecting people to eat them? That's a hard sell."
Grim walked with his left hand in his pocket, gaze unfocused but observant.
"If this keeps up… they'll start giving it away."
Lily :"They don't have a choice. Storage will become a problem."
Vyan was visibly agitated.
"Ahh, shit… shouldn't have bought it this morning."
Tara burst out laughing.
She tilted her head, smirking.
"But hey—earlier you buy, fresher the meat."
Vyan grinned right back.
"Ofcourse , that's the reason I bought it"
Everyone laughs on him being so simple minded.
A notification buzzed across their devices.
"Special chicken dishes prepared at Guild Cafeteria."
"So… we're the lab rats now."
Kaal didn't even hesitate.
"I'm not eating."
Reva smirked.
"Chickening out?"
Tara instantly lost it.
"That's a good one."
Kaal didn't react.
"Better safe than sorry."
Tara leaned in, teasing.
"This might be your last chance to eat chicken."
"I can wait."
Bete stretched lazily.
"If we all die anyway, might as well eat properly."
Fugu shrugged.
"If effects are delayed, waiting won't help."
Maya added calmly,
"It's already been tested, so need to worry."
Guild Cafeteria — Noon
They enter the cafeteria —and the smell hits first.
Long trays line the tables:
Chicken biryani, fragrant and steaming.Butter chicken glowing in thick, rich gravy.Crispy fried chicken stacked high.Slow-cooked curry bubbling gently.Baskets of naan, roti, and puffed puris.Aromatic blooming rice.
It was full on party.
Hunters are already eating.
The guild sounds alive, like nothing had happened the day before.
Vyan grabs a plate without hesitation.
"If this is the end, at least we go out happy."
Maru loads his tray aggressively.
"Guild approved protein. "
Lily frowned slightly.
"There's enough. You don't need to take everything at once."
They start loading their trays with the delicacies.
Sain noticed Kaal's plate.
Just biryani.
And raita.
Nothing else.
"Only biryani?" he asked.
Tara peeked over.
"You're not even going to try anything else?"
Kaal replied simply,
"I like biryani."
He glanced at Sain's plate.
"No biryani for you?"
Sain shook his head.
Sain : "Nah not a big fan of Biryani"
Fugu looked amused.
"But I see you're a big a fan of Rotis"
Sain nodded.
"Works best with curry."
Grim stared at his plate like he was solving a puzzle.
"You're taking Puri also ? that's a weird combination."
Tara : "Eh what are you saying , try it with Chicken curry , it tastes amazing."
Grim : "really?"
Sain : "Yeah"
They sit down to eat.
Lily inspects texture.
"Cooked properly."
Bete : "Mhm.., tastes pretty decent."
Grim took a bite.
Paused.
Then another.
"…This is good."
"damn this Puri & Curry combination is amazing"
Reva : "Yeah , never knew I was missing out on such an amazing combo"
Fugu: "True , anyone has any other combo ideas?"
Bete : "There isn't much diversity in the chicken dishes here"
Tara : "We still have our barbeque party today though, right?"
Maya : "Right it's better to have it today itself while the meat are still fresh, we'll have to get all the ingredients later , anyways let's enjoy the food now"
Anya : "Look at Vyan eating chicken like it's the last time he's eating"
Vyan : "Well isn't actually the last time , all the chickens are already dead. This might be the last time I'm eating chicken"
Lily : "Technically not all chicken are dead , but yeah it might a long wait before it's available again."
Maru : "No way , my protein , I'm going for seconds"
They run off to get more chicken.
Everyone started experimenting.
Rice soaked in curry.Butter chicken scooped with naan.Fried chicken paired with everything possible.Biryani mixed with unexpected combinations.
Steam rose. Oil glistened. Crunch echoed.
Laughter followed every new "discovery."
Evening — The Planned Barbecue
Outskirts of the city—At a quiet clearing Anya recommended.
A quiet clearing outside the city. Open sky. Cool air.
Bete rolled up his sleeves like a performer stepping onto stage.
"Time for real cooking."
He begins listing the items they'll prepare:
• Honey-glazed roasted chicken •Herb-grilled breast slices• Barbecue Chicken • Chicken Tikka
They discuss on the cooking skills & assign tasks.
Charcoal pits were set.
Fire sparked to life.
Tara takes over all the slicing & chopping work ,
Bete starts showing off his skills : smoky paprika rub, Sweet soy glaze, Citrus-herb marinade, Spicy fermented paste, Garlic butter.Pepper.
Maya roasts the honey chicken & Lily grills the lemon & herb chicken breasts while Grim,Reva& Anya help in barbecuing , while Sain & Kaal keep the skewers rolling .
Vyan & Maru keep the fire going.
Maru fans the flames with excessive enthusiasm prompting Vyan to compete with him.
"I'll make it hotter!"
Maru : "Not happening."
Bete in a firm tone
"Tone it down you two , unless you want burnt chicken"
Meat hit the grill.
TSSSSSS—
Fat dripped onto charcoal.
Flames flared.
Smoke curled upward, thick and fragrant.
Golden crust formed slowly, perfectly.
Juices sealed inside.
The first bite—
Crunch.
Steam escapes.
Spice hits first.
Then sweetness.
Then smoke.
Then tender meat that falls apart effortlessly.
Maru nearly tears up.
Maru:"This is insane."
Bete beams proudly.
Maya smiles softly.
Even Grim admits:
"…this is fucking amazing."
Tara laughs mid-bite.
Kaal relaxes fully for the first time in days.
For hours—
They eat.
They talk.
They forget.
Bete insists everyone take more.
Late Night
They pack leftovers carefully.
Foil wrapped tight.
Sauce sealed in containers.
Maya hands neatly packed portions.
Back home—
Families eat together again.
Warm kitchens.
Shared plates.
Relieved smiles.
The city smells like charcoal instead of fear.
For one night—
The chickens are just food.
And the hunters are just people.