Demonic Po*nstar System Chapter 762: No Dinner

"Nothing," Luna repeated from the couch, her voice devoid of emotion.

"I didn’t prepare dinner tonight." Alexandra’s expression was completely, devastatingly innocent.

Seven – six on the ground and one shimmering above Kaiden’s head – stared at her in that particular silence reserved for those who had expended thousands of calories battling monsters all day, only to be informed the larder was empty.

"That’s… totally fine," Nyx said, recovering the fastest. She was already heading for the kitchen. "Don’t worry about it, I’ll throw something together. There should be enough in the fridge for -"

She opened the fridge.

Nyx stopped dead.

The refrigerator was completely full. Cuts of monster meat sealed in preservation film were stacked in orderly rows. Herbs harvested from the dungeon were tied neatly with twine. Rare mineral salts sat in labeled containers. There were marbled Ironback steaks, Emberfang ribs, Frosthorn tongue, and at least five other items Nyx couldn’t identify.

Nyx’s gaze sharpened. "Bestie. What are you not telling me?"

"I’m not telling you anything at all." Alexandra picked up an empty cookie plate from the counter and turned away.

The rest of the group was converging now. Luna had vaulted over the couch. Calypso’s head appeared over Nyx’s shoulder. Aria peered around Kaiden’s arm.

"Is that Emberfang?" Luna thrust her face closer. "Who put it here?"

A yawn was her only answer.

Kira and Rika emerged from the rear of the private wing, much like survivors of a prolonged siege. Their devices were tucked under their arms, their hair, which had started the day in immaculate magazine-style splits, was now frizzing at the ends, and the dark circles under their eyes were so prominent they could have been mistaken for expertly applied eyeshadow.

"Good work out there," Rika commented.

"Seriously impressive," Kira added, mid-yawn. "The chat had a blast. And your accounts, too."

They noticed the open fridge, the stunned expressions, Alexandra’s retreating back.

"Oh, that?" Kira made a dismissive hand gesture.

"We sourced monster ingredients for a cooking broadcast," Rika explained.

"Premium stuff. It took a while to locate vendors willing to deliver same-day to a guild hall situated far from civilization -"

"- but we accomplished it. If you’re too exhausted tonight, though -"

"- just grill a steak, fill your bellies -"

"- and get some rest. You exerted yourselves greatly today."

"No need to labor further."

They delivered these statements in alternating phrases without looking at each other, too weary for complete sentences but still perfectly in sync.

Kaiden’s dark halo pulsed once, and Alice materialized beside him, bouncing with excitement.

"Yes! Let’s do it! Right now!" Her face was enormous and beaming, utterly unfazed by the concept of exhaustion. "For the very first time, my cooking for big brother is going to be officially recorded and shared! No more secrets!"

She twirled towards Alexandra and wrapped her arms around the maid, squeezing her tightly.

"Lexi, let’s go all out!"

Alexandra’s face fell. "I… Alice, I’ve never been on a broadcast before. I don’t know if I’m capable…"

Alice hugged her tighter, then looked up.

Her puppy-dog eyes were devastatingly effective.

Alexandra let out a soft gasp.

She glanced at Kaiden, seeking assistance.

Zero help was offered. Kaiden was observing his girls, all of whom were already perking up. Their armor was being shed faster now. Luna had her torn jacket pulled halfway over her head. Calypso was audibly cracking her knuckles.

"Alright then!" the demoness’s tail whipped out behind her. "Let’s put on a proper cooking stream! All seven of us!"

"Don’t you mean eight?"

"Nope."

"What about me?" Kaiden inquired dryly.

"You…" Bastet’s half-lidded gaze found him, and the purr rumbling through her voice had the power to melt the Emberfang ribs without any heat. "You can simply relax, Master. Allow us to handle the labor. You have earned your rest…"

"Well… Fine, I suppose…"

He chuckled, and the private wing burst into a flurry of activity.

Kira and Rika moved instinctively. The lighting was adjusted, camera angles optimized through Kaiden’s interface settings, and audio levels were checked. This time, no makeup was applied, as the entire purpose was to capture raw authenticity.

Post-combat, still covered in dust, still bearing bruises, preparing a meal together simply because they were hungry, content, and alive.

The broadcast went live just as Alice assumed the central position, her brow furrowed over a cutting board laden with Emberfang ribs, her tongue poking out from the corner of her mouth in intense concentration. The other girls were spread across every available surface and station.

Alexandra sighed softly, resigned to her fate.

The viewer count, which had been steadily declining after the combat feed concluded, reversed its trend and began to climb. The chatters who had assumed the day’s events were over tuned back in. Those who had stayed found themselves witnessing seven women occupying a kitchen space.

Calypso snatched a piece of raw Ironback steak and swung it towards her mouth.

Alice’s hand descended upon the demoness’s wrist like a swift trap.

"No snacking!"

"Little sister, I’m merely performing poison tests—"

The younger sister in question remained unconvinced. "No. You were snacking. Gluttonous Demon! I’ll make your tail a part of the meal!"

"Huh?" The Infernal Matriarch blinked.

Her expression then shifted to one of curiosity. "Wait, would it be tasty?"

"...I suppose..." Nyx pondered.

"There are indeed many monster tails that prove quite delicious..." Luna chimed in, a wide grin on her face.

Alice glanced towards the girl diligently making slices, her nose wrinkling slightly.

"Storm Gremlin, those pieces are far too thick."

"Excuse me?! I was slicing things long before you could even grasp a knife!"

"Not adequately! Thinner! Observe—" Alice demonstrated on her own cutting board, her movements precise and delicate, producing paper-thin slices. "Like this. Do you see?"

Luna's gaze, a shade of purple, narrowed. She looked from Alice to the cutting board, then to Kaiden, who showed no inclination to intervene. In fact, all he offered was a thumbs-up.

"..." Fueled by fiery determination. "I will show you true cutting."

Her hands became a blur. The precision of the Stormblade translated into kitchen knife speed, sending slices of Frosthorn tongue flying off the board in sheets so thin they appeared translucent.

"Alright," Alice conceded. "That is acceptable."

"Acceptable?!"

Aria was tending to the stove, stirring a reduction that filled the kitchen with an aroma of spice and char. Nyx handled the seasoning with the same spatial precision she employed when hurling boulders, measuring pinches without the need for spoons. Bastet had taken over the dessert station, meticulously arranging components.

Alexandra moved between them all—the sole individual who had actually consulted the recipes and therefore understood what was required—acting as the silent supporter who truly held everything together, while allowing Alice to believe she was the head sous chef.

And in the background, almost imperceptible unless one actively searched for them, Kira and Rika stood behind their tablets, mugs in hand, monitoring the stream and ensuring everything proceeded smoothly.

Kaiden observed them.

The twins had been present for less than a day. Somehow, the refrigerator was fully stocked, the live stream was operational, and all that remained was for everyone to cook and enjoy themselves. He looked at the two women struggling to keep their eyes open behind their screens.

He raised both hands towards them.

Kira and Rika looked up. For a moment, they were confused, mirroring each other's frowns and head tilts. Then, they grasped his intention, and twin smiles bloomed across their faces.

They high-fived him. One palm each, left and right, a simultaneous clap.

"Kai?"

Aria's voice, soft and gentle. Coming from the stove, where she was stirring with a wooden spoon and looking back at him over her shoulder, her silver eyes holding a very specific request.

"If you have nothing else to do... why don't you come hold me from behind while I cook?"

The twins giggled. Luna made a gagging noise. Nyx offered a smile from behind her cutting board. Calypso called out, "Sharing is caring!" and received a sweet, possessive smile in return.

Kaiden walked over, slid his arms around Aria's waist from behind, and rested his chin on her silver hair. She immediately leaned back into him, her stirring hand never ceasing its motion, her free hand settling onto his forearm.

The chat erupted in a frenzy.