Chapter 79

Ah, yes.

I received a request to hurry up with the food.

Verna looks puzzled, but Vers has a smug look on his face as he nods. Just wipe the cream off your face.

Duru brings out the ingredients. It seems Duru and Tasha are getting more accustomed to the process. Ruya is casually setting the table as well.

The meat handed over is the same lineup as last time: Lampbird, Honeyflowerbird, Fireboar, Devilhornboar, and Unicorn.

The Lampbird is a large bird, over a hug in size, and when grilled, its skin becomes crispy and fragrant. The Honeyflowerbird, on the other hand, is smaller than a pigeon, with delicate and tender meat. The Fireboar has delicious fat, and using this lard for frying is a good idea. The Devilhornboar, despite its name, has soft and juicy meat. The Unicorn has a rich flavor, and the impression varies greatly depending on the cut. A T-bone steak with a contrast of flavors, like the one served at the beach, would be interesting.

According to Duru, these are things he has seen offered occasionally besides the usual offerings. It seems that the other items are hard to determine if they are tasty or even edible, and he urged us to advance the dungeon exploration to gather more ingredients. For vegetables, if you tell them what you want, they can prepare them regardless of the season.

Bean and Lampbird soup. The base is a local dish from somewhere, where white beans and duck or duck are simmered with finely chopped onions. I made it normally (though the ingredients are not normal), then took out the bone-in Lampbird thigh, grilled it until the skin was crispy, and placed it on top for a bit of luxury.

Unicorn T-bone steak, well-done bone-in rib steak, and sukiyaki—since I wasn't sure if a communal pot was okay, I used small pots made by Ruya.

Honeyflowerbird and cabbage cold terrine, grated yam mixed with plum paste. A luxurious version of the tonkatsu meat. Devilhornboar and cabbage stir-fry. Fried Lampbird, nikujaga. Daikon salad, a slightly fancy salad with arugula, grilled vegetables. Onigiri. Various other dishes, and if I leave out the curry, Ruya will scold me. The vegetables are really delicious.

For dessert, the usual pudding, chocolate pudding, and a slightly bitter caramel pudding with rum.

I made a brownie, and at Vers' request, small cakes and tarts. He was quite noisy about using pink and red.

I also prepared various drinks and snacks.

As a prank, I added some pickled plums.

It seems I prepared everything individually to suit personal preferences, which is a bit of a hassle. However, unlike in the real world, there's no need to change or wash pots, so it's not too much trouble. I'll check the party dishes that didn't get served later.

I asked Tasha about the difference between "Missions" and "Trials."

"A 'Mission' is a proposition that must be completed to avoid affecting the world. A 'Trial' is something that, even if you fail, doesn't have much of an impact."

The judgment of the impact on the world of the gods is a bit vague, but that's the general idea.

There are gods who like to give trials, and gods who give them to people as a way to pass the time. Is it Val? Is it Ruya?

There are gods who love to eat, gods who prefer drinking, and gods who have a sweet tooth. They are quite unique.

It seems that these eight gods also act individually.

Oh, Vers' preference is for bright and contrasting colors. I wonder if the taste is good.

I was actively recommending colorful and cute dishes to Verna, but it seems she liked the rum pudding, which is brown. She also seemed to like the tempura of rape blossoms, so she might like slightly bitter flavors. It's hard to tell from her expressionless face, but the amount she eats is a good indicator.

Still, I wonder if this brother and sister will be okay, as they don't seem to get along at all.

"Hey! Thanks for the other day."

The one part of the panty god looked pleased as he spoke.

One hand held a fire liquor, the other a pudding.

I don't drink, so I don't know if this combination is okay.

"Since then, I've tried to mimic your style and wear a buttoned-up shirt. As you advised, I usually wear layers and only unbutton the top when I'm swinging my sword or after I've swung it. It worked perfectly!"

After greeting me, he leaned in and whispered this to me. I feel a bit awkward, but congratulations?

"I've also been helped by the mask you gave me. Thank you."

Vers, who gives the same kind of equipment, was so enthusiastic, so I appreciated the mask even more. It was a panty, after all.

"That mask from Asha and the armor you just wore don't quite match, do they? The gauntlets and boots don't match either."

Ruya joined the conversation. "I notice these things, you know."

"I'm wearing things I've acquired separately, so they don't match originally. It would be nice if I could change their appearance like the transformation magic Vers mentioned, but unfortunately, I can only produce accessories."

It seems Ruya's aesthetic sense is bothered by the mismatched equipment. Her usual equipment is a set with a white base and green accents. I don't usually care about this equipment since I only wear it when I'm solo, but I often meet the residents, including the gods, in this outfit with the "Skillful Gloves" and "Swift Boots."

Still, I can't give up this performance.

Maybe I can ask Elias? But if I show him this equipment, it will reveal that I've cleared the solo dungeon.

"Think about it. By the way, can you make a little pickled plum for me to take home?"

You liked the pickled plums, didn't you? When I recommended them to Verna, Vers made a face and teared up after saying "Ugh."

"Unfair! If you can do that, I want the well-done rib steak!"

Fal joined in.

"Pickled plums keep well, but steak doesn't. Can you stop time or something?"

"Only the one who governs can do that. Time management is the domain of the Tree God Tasha."

Fal pouted. I gave her one serving.

"Hmm, not enough. But I'm sure the next feast will be more enjoyable, so I'll endure if you take off your clothes."

I declined.

After that, Verna, Val, and Duru came for the pickled plums. The two women seemed to have them for others, though Duru is a woman now.

Still, I want some seafood ingredients. I can't ask Fal, who previously said she was hesitant to eat the creatures that had grown attached to her. I need to expand my cooking repertoire.

Asha is eating meat while Fal is drinking fire liquor with pudding as a snack.

Val is smiling faintly and sipping slowly.

Duru asked for some tofu dishes.

Ruya, who eats little, is drinking beer after eating curry and examining a box like a music box.

Tasha is drinking green tea leisurely next to Duru, using the pickled plums as a snack.

Vers is getting slapped by Verna.

Everyone is enjoying themselves, talking about their preferences in food and drink, the state of the world, the bounty of the seasons, and occasionally the movements of the evil god. I sometimes join the conversation, but I miss the healing furball.

Thus, the second feast of the day passed.

I was worried about how things would go with a god who makes unreasonable requests without confirming people's intentions, but it seems to have worked out.

And the time to disperse.

"Hey, this is the first time I've eaten your cooking, and it was delicious!"

The Fire God Asha said.

"Thank you for the meal. I'll leave some meat in the dungeon to grow."

Fal said.

"I'll help too!"

I got a strong statement from Asha. ...Are the gods planning to turn the dungeon's depths into a pasture?

"Thank you for the meal. I couldn't make anything as delicious as the ingredients Duru prepared, but I'll try to make pudding."

"You pick up my heart, be your own king. Be calm like the darkness. Know that there is no constraint or domination."

"You take my heart, be your own king. Be nourishing and healing like water. Know that there is no constraint or domination."

The two gods disappeared.

In their place, the gods of light and darkness approached.

"Oh, you who have overcome my trial! You understand why the other gods encourage the exploration of the dungeon!"

He was overly confident and sparkly, but the cream on his face remained. It seems the other gods and Verna and Vers ignored the cream on their faces the whole time.

"It was delicious."

"I don't like noisy places, but I want to eat again."

"Pudding. The least sweet one."

Verna, whose default expression is blank, tilted her head adorably. Her eyes, which I thought were black, were actually purple in the light.

"Thank you. I can't make anything as delicious as the ingredients Duru prepared, but I'll try to make pudding."

"You pick up my heart, be your own king. Be tranquil like the darkness. Know that there is no constraint or domination."

"You carry my will, be your own king. Be a guide like the light. Know that there is no constraint or domination."

Huh?

"Wait, why Vers too?"

"The trial you received was mine! I can't stand being the only one left behind!"

He shouted and disappeared. He was a god with a strong sense of self-assertion until the end.

"You've been noticed by a difficult one. He likes to give trials for both big and trivial matters. Seriously, if he doesn't stop giving out weapons for trivial reasons, the craftsmen will cry."

Ruya complained. Despite everything, she seems to have a love for the craftsmen she protects.

"Even the big ones."

"Like this time, when he turned a problem threatening the world's principles into a trial without reporting it."

Tasha and Duru said.

Moreover, it seems that Vers is the type who will abandon and ignore those who fail his trials. Well, as a god, he probably can't keep worrying about a single person who doesn't accomplish anything.

"It was a bother, but I got a dragon. I'm not defending him, but if the seal hadn't been broken, even if I failed, it would have been just a matter for me with little impact."

The seal was more likely broken because it went wild during the trial, but it was apparently loose to begin with.

"Well, I'll try to rein him in."

"Thanks for suppressing the dragon."

The three gods disappeared.

"Other adventurers do mostly the same things, so they're all the same, but watching you is never boring. The results of your actions are unexpected."

"I'm just doing ordinary adventuring to get what I want..."

"Ho ho, ordinary, you say?"

He laughed with a tinkling voice.

"Be on the path you desire, not the one laid out for you."

Finally, Val disappeared.

[You have obtained the title "Vers' Favor"]

[Light Magic has evolved into Light Magic]

[The title "Asha's Blessing" has evolved into "Asha's Favor"]

[The title "Fal's Blessing" has evolved into "Fal's Favor"]

[The title "Verna's Blessing" has evolved into "Verna's Favor"]

[You have confirmed the favor of the Eight Gods. You have obtained the skill "Descent"]

[You have obtained the title "Asha's Hero"]

[You have obtained the title "Vers' Hero"]

[You have obtained the title "Verna's Saint"]

[You have confirmed four titles related to Hero and Saint. You have obtained the title "Mark of the Gods." As a result, "Asha's Hero," "Vers' Hero," "Fal's Saint," and "Verna's Saint" will be integrated]

[You have obtained the title "Val's Feather"]

[You have obtained the title "Duru's Fruit"]

[You have obtained the title "Ruya's Gem"]

[You have obtained the title "Fal's Water Lily"]

[You have obtained the title "Tasha's Parasite Tree"]

[You have obtained the skill "Skill Reflection"]

[You have obtained the skill "Attack Seizure: Life"]

[You have obtained the skills "Aerial Movement" and "Aerial Action"]

[You have obtained the skills "Green Earth" and "Feng Shui"]

[You have obtained the skill "Design Materialization"]

[You have obtained the skill "Storage"]

[You have obtained the skills "Water Movement" and "Water Action"]

[You have obtained the skill "Divine Tree"]

[You have obtained the skill "Seal Release"]

[You have obtained the skill "Vers' Protection"]

[You have obtained the skill "Verna's Protection"]

[You have obtained "Seedling of the Tree of Life"]

[You have obtained "Fal's White Waterfall Underwear"]

[You have obtained "Tasha's White Leaf Hat"]

[You have obtained "Verna's White Night Dress"]

[You have obtained "Verna's Dark Ring"]

The sheer number of announcements made me a bit dizzy.

At least get away from the panties, Fal!!!!!

□ □ □ □ □

・Increase

Titles

["Asha's Blessing" → "Asha's Favor"]

["Fal's Blessing" → "Fal's Favor"]

["Verna's Blessing" → "Verna's Favor"]

["Vers' Favor"]

["Asha's Hero"]["Fal's Saint"]

["Vers' Hero"]["Verna's Saint"]

↓

["Mark of the Gods"]

["Val's Feather"]["Duru's Fruit"]

["Ruya's Gem"]["Fal's Water Lily"]

["Tasha's Parasite Tree"]

Skills

["Light Magic" → "Light Magic"]

["Descent"]

["Skill Reflection"]["Attack Seizure: Life"]

["Aerial Movement"]["Aerial Action"]

["Green Earth"]["Feng Shui"]

["Design Materialization"]["Storage"]

["Water Movement"]["Water Action"]

["Divine Tree"]["Seal Release"]

["Vers' Protection"]["Verna's Protection"]

□ □ □ □ □

Homura Lv.34

Rank C

Clan Zodiac

Occupation Magic Swordsman Alchemist (Assassin)

HP 1162

MP 1485

STR 50

VIT 29

INT 101

MID 34

DEX 33

AGI 60

LUK 39

*Some have been promoted due to the favor of the gods.

NPCP ["Galahad"]["-"]

Titles

■General

["Communicator"]["Circulating Power"]["Mystery Solver"]

["Economic Leader"]["Lone Adventurer"]["Nine Lives"]

["Sage"]["Elegant One"]["World Flyer"]

["Pain Liberation"]["Dungeon Overcomer"]

["Prepared Defense"]["Feeder"]

■Favor of the Gods

["Asha's Favor"]["Val's Favor"]

["Duru's Favor"]["Ruya's Favor"]

["Fal's Favor"]["Tasha's Favor"]

["Verna's Favor"]["Vers' Favor"]

■Titles from the Gods

["Asha's Brief Guide"]

["Duru's Fruit"]["Duru's Earth"]["Duru's Fingertips"]

["Ruya's Gem"]["Ruya's Eyes"]["Ruya's Preparation"]

["Fal's Water Lily"]

["Tasha's Parasite Tree"]["Tasha's Disciple"]["Tasha's Magic"]

["Val's Feather"]

["Mark of the Gods"]

["Gods' Time"]

■Slayer Series

["Lizard Slayer"]["Bug Slayer"]

["Beast Slayer"]["Gel Slayer"]

["Bird Slayer"]

["Dragon Slayer"]

■Master Ring

["Sword King"]["Wise King"]

Skills (1SP)

■Magic

["Wood Magic Lv.28"]["Fire Magic Lv.30"],["Earth Magic Lv.28"]

["Metal Magic Lv.27"],["Water Magic Lv.27"],["☆Wind Magic Lv.29"]

["☆Light Magic Lv.27"],["☆Dark Magic Lv.28"]

["☆Thunder Magic Lv.28"],["Scorching Magic Lv.9"],["☆Ice Magic Lv.22"]

["☆Heavy Magic Lv.21"],["☆Air Magic Lv.23"],["☆Time Magic Lv.21"]

["Druid Magic Lv.22"],["☆Alchemy Magic Lv.6"]

■Healing and Holy Magic

["Holy Magic Lv