Chapter 475: Chapter 472 – Pineapple Pizza and Taste of Memories
After nearly an hour of strolling along the bustling Main Street of the Helios Empire’s capital, Sylvia began to feel bored with the simple foods she had been tasting along the way. The spicy chicken skewers she bought earlier were indeed delicious. The free-range chicken smoked with local spices gave a strong savory flavor but it still felt ordinary. The melted cheese bread she bought from a street vendor was the usual kind found in the outskirts: hard cheese and dry, coarse bread. Even the naturally sweet fresh fruit juice couldn’t lift her spirits. Everything satisfied her stomach, but none of it touched her heart or brought back old memories from the world before the Great Fusion.
Sol on her shoulder also looked somewhat listless. The golden cat’s tail swayed slowly without its usual energy. Occasionally he meowed softly, his voice low and slightly complaining, as if sharing his master’s boredom with the same old food. His golden fur, which usually shone brightly, looked a little dull under the midday sun.
Sylvia let out a soft sigh as she continued walking, her long black coat fluttering lightly in the wind. "Maybe today we’ll try something different, Sol."
Her red eyes narrowed as they scanned the rows of shops and restaurants lining the street. Most still offered typical post-apocalypse fare: thick wild meat soup with herbal roots, coarse wheat bread baked over open flames, river fish grilled with coarse salt seasoning, and cheap, filling wild vegetable stew. Those foods were practical, long-lasting, and suited to an era where imported ingredients were hard to obtain. But at the end of a small yet lively hidden alley, there was a fairly large shop crowded with customers. The aroma wafting from inside was completely different, tempting savory scents, the crispness of hot oil, and a slightly sweet smell that felt strangely familiar.
Sylvia approached, slowing her steps. Her eyes widened slightly when she saw the wooden menu board hanging in front of the shop. Neat handwriting in shimmering magic ink read:
Thin-crust round pizza with smoked meat toppings, melted cheese, tomato sauce, wild mushrooms, and various variations.
Golden crispy french fries.
Juicy fried chicken crispy outside, tender inside.
Simple burgers, nuggets, and even fresh fruit milkshakes.
"Wow..." Sylvia muttered quietly, almost in disbelief. "Finally, there’s food like this again in this world."
Even though the world had changed drastically after the zombie apocalypse and the fusion with another planet which had expanded the Earth’s landmass many times over, some old recipes from Earth had survived through survivors who carried their knowledge. However, the ingredients had become increasingly difficult to obtain. Real cheese from specially raised cow’s milk, high-quality fresh tomatoes from tightly guarded southern farms, properly sized imported potatoes, and sweet pineapples had all become luxury items. Their prices were expensive, so most ordinary citizens still relied on simple, cheaper soups, coarse bread, and grilled meat that were easier to make amid monster threats.
Sylvia stepped forward to the ordering counter without hesitation. The shop owner, a middle-aged man with an oily apron and muscular arms from hard work, immediately smiled broadly when he saw a new customer who was clearly not an ordinary person. Sylvia’s cold aura and Sol on her shoulder made the man slightly tense, but he remained professionally friendly.
"What can I serve you today, honored Miss?"
"I’ll order everything on the menu," Sylvia replied flatly, her voice calm but firm. "Including pineapple pizza. Make it the largest and the best."
The shop owner nearly dropped the wooden spoon in his hand. His eyes widened. "Everything...? Including pineapple pizza? That’s... quite expensive, Miss. The pineapple and real cheese ingredients are imported from distant southern farms. The price of one serving alone equals two days’ wages for a Rank C hunter."
"No problem," Sylvia replied, casually placing several gold coins on the counter. "Give me the best. And add extra cheese."
The large order made the owner hurriedly call all his staff. The back kitchen immediately became busy with the hissing of frying oil, dough being kneaded vigorously, magic ovens glowing brightly, and the mouth-watering aroma of melting cheese. Sylvia chose to sit at a wooden table on the shop’s terrace facing the main street. Sol jumped onto the table and sat in front of her with shining, curious eyes and perked ears.
"Be patient, Sol. It’ll be here soon," Sylvia said gently, stroking the golden cat’s head. Her cold fingers made Sol’s fur stand up slightly, but he purred softly.
The wait was quite long because her order was extraordinarily large. Sylvia spent the time observing the city’s bustle from her seat. People came and went: merchants pushing carts, hunters carrying weapons on their backs, children running around, and some still whispering about "the three Rank S girls who killed the Ancient Hydra in an instant." A few glances were directed her way, but Sylvia didn’t care. Her mind drifted far away to Nocture, to last night’s sudden attack, and her plans to evolve soon. Level 110 was only the beginning. She needed greater power.
Finally, the food arrived. Several waiters brought large trays and an extra table just to hold everything. Large hot pizzas with various toppings steamed with fragrant aroma, still-sizzling salted and spiced french fries, golden crispy fried chicken, thick juicy burgers, crunchy nuggets, and cold creamy fruit milkshakes. The overall scent spread across the entire terrace, making other customers turn their heads with envy.
Sylvia immediately took a slice of her long-time favorite pineapple pizza from her old Earth days. The slice was still piping hot, the real mozzarella cheese melting perfectly and stretching into long strings as she lifted it. Fresh pineapple gave bright yellow tropical sweetness, contrasting perfectly with the salty ham and rich cheese. The sweet-and-sour tomato sauce soaked into the thin crust. The crust was crispy on the outside but soft and chewy inside, with a light herbal aroma from fresh basil and oregano sprinkled on top.
She took a slow bite.
The taste exploded in her mouth like a bomb of memories.
The cheese was soft, creamy, and rich on the tongue. The fresh pineapple delivered a refreshing sweet-tart burst that balanced the saltiness of the ham and the savoriness of the cheese. Every bite had the perfect texture: crispy, juicy, and warm. Sylvia closed her eyes, letting the taste carry her mind back to the past. Rainy nights in her small apartment, ordering delivery pizza while watching old movies, laughing with college friends, or eating alone while reading a book under a desk lamp. Simple life before the zombies appeared, before the world was destroyed, before she became undead and met her sisters.
"So delicious..." Sylvia murmured softly, her voice almost trembling. Her eyes were half-closed as she savored every second. "It’s exactly the same as before. Even better because it’s been so long."
Sol meowed curiously, leaning his head toward the pizza until his little nose almost touched it. Sylvia smiled faintly and cut a small piece for him. Sol bit carefully, then his eyes widened. His tail immediately wagged rapidly like a propeller, showing immense satisfaction. He purred loudly while chewing, his little paws pressing on the table with excitement.
Sylvia began tasting the other foods one by one. The french fries were crispy outside and floury-soft inside, with perfectly balanced salt and a secret spicy seasoning that made her tongue dance. She dipped them in tomato sauce before biting, the contrasting texture making her addicted. The fried chicken was juicy inside with perfectly crispy skin, spices penetrating all the way to the bone, and tender, non-dry meat. The burger was thick with soft buns, juicy ground beef, fresh vegetables, and a special sweet-and-sour sauce. The nuggets were crunchy outside with soft chicken inside. The fruit milkshake was cold, creamy, and full of real fruit pieces.
She shared many portions with Sol, who ate with increasing enthusiasm as if this was the best food in his long life. Occasionally Sol tried to steal a french fry directly from Sylvia’s plate, making his master laugh softly, a rare sound that was almost never heard.
The foods didn’t just fill their stomachs; they also awakened deep memories. In a world that had changed so drastically after the planetary fusion and zombie apocalypse, "modern" foods like these had become rare luxuries. Magic ovens for perfectly baking pizza were rare, imported ingredients had to pass through dangerous monster-filled territories, and skilled cooks like this shop owner were becoming fewer. That was why most people still relied on simple soups, coarse bread, and grilled meat.
Sylvia ate slowly and reverently, savoring every bite as if celebrating something lost. Occasionally she smiled when Sol did something funny, like trying to lick sauce off his own whiskers. The Qilin was with Alicia, but Sylvia was sure her sister would enjoy similar food later. Maybe she would bring them here tomorrow.
After feeling full, Sylvia leaned back in the sturdy wooden chair, her hand gently stroking Sol’s slightly bulging belly. She gazed at the clear blue sky above the capital, white clouds drifting slowly. Her stomach was full and warm, but her mind returned to Nocture. Yesterday’s attack was a harsh warning. The enemies in the shadows were growing bolder. She had to become stronger. Level 110 was only the first step toward her next evolution. She needed a new dungeon, high-level dangerous quests, or valuable information that could speed up the process.
Sol, now full, lounged comfortably on the table, his belly rising and falling gently. Sylvia softly stroked his golden fur. "We will return stronger, Sol. For Nocture. For my sisters. And for memories like this that are worth fighting for."
They spent more time at the shop than planned, enjoying the lively city atmosphere while occasionally hearing whispers about their achievements. For a moment, the world felt a little lighter.
