Campfire Cooking in Another World with My Absurd Skill Season 2 Episode 8: Do Blacksmiths Dream of BBQ?

As Mukoda walks through a bustling town with his familiar, Fel, the wolf's insatiable hunger drives the conversation. Mukoda, ever the weary chef, expresses a longing for a break from his daily cooking duties. He suggests the simple joy of grilled food, and Fel, surprisingly, is immediately intrigued by the prospect of skewered meats. This casual idea sets the stage for a much larger culinary undertaking.

Mukoda's fleeting thought of custom-ordering a grill from a blacksmith quickly turns into a shouting match. Fel's agitated response to Mukoda's musing inadvertently triggers a local blacksmith. The man, a gruff, hammer-wielding figure, erupts in real anger, declaring his workshop is meant for weapons, not trivial kitchenware. Mukoda is left scrambling, his grill dreams momentarily shattered by the blacksmith's indignation.

Seeking advice, Mukoda consults with Arieg, a knowledgeable old man surrounded by gold. Arieg explains the fierce pride of the town's blacksmiths, mostly dwarves, who forge weapons for battling monsters. He describes their stubborn 'artisan spirit,' which leads them to reject anything they deem 'unchallenging,' like kitchenware. Crucially, Arieg mentions their intense love for alcohol, suggesting it might be a more effective negotiating tool than money.

After feeding his familiars a simple meal, Mukoda takes Arieg's words to heart and consults his online supermarket. He carefully selects a bottle of high-quality whiskey, considering its potency the safest bet for his next attempt. His familiar, Sui, looks on, innocently asking about the 'brown liquid,' unaware of its powerful diplomatic potential. Mukoda, now armed with his 'secret weapon,' feels renewed determination.

Nervously, Mukoda returns to the blacksmith's shop, peeking through the door. He tries to politely explain his desire for a custom-made grill, even showing a detailed drawing of his design. The blacksmith, however, is unimpressed and dismissive, reiterating his refusal to craft kitchenware. He tells Mukoda to leave, warning that other blacksmiths would have been far less patient with such a request.

With his direct appeal rejected, Mukoda switches tactics, whispering to the blacksmith about his love for alcohol. He then dramatically reveals the bottle of Suntory Whisky. The blacksmith, Arieg, is instantly captivated by the rich aroma, his stern demeanor melting into eager curiosity. After tasting, Arieg is ecstatic, declaring it the best alcohol he has ever had. Mukoda seizes the moment, offering five more bottles for the grill, which Arieg quickly counters, demanding ten, sealing the deal.

Later that night, Mukoda reflects on Arieg's passionate love for alcohol, drawing parallels to certain gods he knows. Suddenly, a wave of real anger washes over him; he realizes he has completely neglected his divine offerings. His casual forgetfulness hints at the chaotic nature of his relationship with the higher powers.

Suddenly, Mukoda finds himself facing the wrath of several gods: Ninlil, Agni, Kishar, Ruusalka, Hephaestus, and Vahagn. They berate him for his delayed offerings and insist he level up to open new specialty shops for their desires. Mukoda, overwhelmed and distressed, finally lashes out, threatening to return their blessings and stop all offerings if they force him. This threat causes the gods to panic and reluctantly back down, though they begin to plot new strategies.

Having secured a peace treaty, Mukoda agrees to an increased offering limit, and the gods waste no time in leveraging his online supermarket. Ninlil greedily demands every type of cake, while Kishar eagerly selects cosmetics. The alcohol-loving gods, Agni, Hephaestus, and Vahagn, joyfully choose their various beverages. The scene is a frantic display of divine indulgence, leaving Mukoda both exasperated and resigned to his fate as their personal shopper.

After fulfilling the gods' extensive shopping list, Mukoda is utterly exhausted, slumping onto a stack of cardboard boxes. He laments the sheer time and effort involved in making offerings, internally calling the gods selfish. Deciding he needs a tangible way to recenter himself after such meaningless divine chatter, he resolves to cook something truly satisfying.

With renewed focus, Mukoda summons a massive cockatrice. He meticulously seasons the bird with herb salt, then expertly stuffs it with pilaf. He skewers the opening shut and binds its legs to maintain its shape, transforming the raw ingredient into a culinary project. Carefully, he brushes the chicken with olive oil before placing it into a preheated oven, his familiars watching with keen anticipation.

As the cockatrice roasts to a golden-brown perfection, Fel and Sui grow increasingly impatient, their hunger palpable. Mukoda instructs Sui to craft deep bowls and cups from blue crystals, which the slime readily does with magical speed. Finally, the beautifully roasted chicken is revealed, glistening and aromatic. Mukoda carves it open, revealing the savory pilaf stuffing, ready to be served.

Mukoda serves generous portions of the roasted cockatrice and pilaf to his eager familiars. Fel, Dora-chan, and Sui devour the meal with gusto, praising the crispy skin, tender meat, and flavorful rice. Even Fel, usually content with plain meat, finds the pilaf delightful, happily consuming the bones too. The meal concludes with delicious puddings, leaving everyone, including Mukoda, utterly satisfied.

Later, while Mukoda sleeps soundly, unknowingly drooling, two of the alcohol-loving gods, Hephaestus and Vahagn, conspire. Despite agreeing not to force Mukoda to level up, they decide to secretly bestow him with a skill upgrade. Their reasoning is simple: a higher level means new specialty shops, which means more varieties of alcohol for them. With a mischievous glint in their eyes, they send a magical blessing towards the sleeping Mukoda.

Mukoda returns to Arieg's workshop, whisky in hand. Arieg, delighted by the payment, proudly unveils the custom grill, improved beyond Mukoda's original design for better heat distribution. Impressed, Mukoda prepares to test it. Arieg, eager to witness its maiden use, insists they grill right there. Mukoda lays out various meats, and Arieg even contributes his homemade sausage. As they feast, Arieg is utterly astounded by the enhanced flavors, particularly the wasabi soy sauce, calling it a perfect match.

As Arieg reaches for the whisky bottle, Mukoda intervenes, intending to introduce him to a more refined way to enjoy it. Using ice, mineral water, and Sui's specially crafted silver cup, Mukoda meticulously prepares a whisky soda. Arieg takes a sip, his eyes widening in pure amazement, exclaiming it makes him feel like he is flying. He is equally impressed by the clarity of the ice and the effervescence, marveling that only Sui's silver cup could hold such a drink. Then, Arieg casually reveals his knowledge of Mukoda's dungeon-conquering prowess, surprising Mukoda by confirming his secret reputation among the 'insiders.'