Chapter 56

"Magi, don't show the screenshot from earlier to anyone, okay?"

"I know. Yun, you're unexpectedly cute, you know."

"I'm not... It's fine now."

I emphasized that I wouldn't show the screenshot Magi sent to anyone. For some reason, I felt embarrassed. If Taku found out, he would definitely tease me again.

"Huh, we finally made it to our base camp."

"Yes, it's changed quite a bit since I last saw it... If my memory serves me right, it was just an empty lot before..."

In front of us stood a fine log cabin, small but large enough for us to sleep and stay.

"Magi, Yun, welcome back. I did a great job! A fine log cabin!"

"Wow... It's so grand, it's no longer a camp. It's practically a cottage."

"Right, don't praise me. The interior is also perfectly finished."

Claude, who emerged from the door, was smiling, a stark contrast to his usual expressionless face. Looking at him like this, he really is a handsome guy. Ugh, comparing him to my more feminine face, my heart aches a little.

"Come on, take a look! The bunk beds Reiri made! And the bedding used for the beds! Also, the sleeping arrangements for the young beasts are all set up! What do you think!"

I was a bit taken aback by Claude's unusually high spirits. Magi just said, "Wow, that's impressive," in a slightly drawn-out voice.

Indeed, the fluffy futons and blankets would make for a comfortable night. The bunk beds were designed to maximize the small space of the log cabin, complete with curtains. He even considered the genders, though I'm a guy! Ah, but it's a bunk bed, so the space is separated, right?

Furthermore, wooden boxes with cushions embedded in them were made for the three young beasts' sleeping arrangements.

This is the skill of the best carpenter and tailor... Having them as allies in this survival life is reassuring. But, I can't help but think this is a waste of talent.

"Also, I made tables and wooden dishes to help with Yun's cooking."

"Wow, the table is huge! And the dishes are well-made."

The quality of the log cabin had overshadowed the table, but having dishes makes me more motivated to cook.

"Hehe, I've prepared a safe and comfortable bed for tonight. Now, it's your turn!"

"Alright, alright. Harvest time."

I took out edible plants, fruits, and fresh river fish from my inventory, and finally showed the magic seasoning set.

"I think we have enough food until morning, but if it's not enough, I'll go night hunting."

"That's a good harvest. But night hunting is not recommended. The forest is hard to see in, and it's night. I doubt you'll find a proper weapon."

While Claude's words are true, I have the dark vision ability of [Eagle's Eye] and can use [Discovery] to easily spot prey. My tactic is to either take them down before they attack or escape.

Even if a strong enemy appears, with speed enchantments and curses on the enemy, my survival rate should be quite high. If I can't escape, I'll just have to accept it as bad luck.

"Night is my domain. Besides, I'm originally a solo player. Worrying is pointless. Well, let's light a fire before it gets dark."

I, personally, have no problem with the darkness, but the other three can't. Without a light magic or lantern, facing the night would be very unsettling. I arranged the stones I picked up from the riverbed in a circle and prepared a fire with the wood Reiri used and fallen branches.

"You can play with the young beasts for a bit. I'll start cooking in the meantime."

I took out the cooking kit and used the magic gas stove and magic chopper to start the fire. The cooking kit includes a magic gas stove, magic chopper for heat, and a set of eight tools: a pot, frying pan, chopsticks, spatula, ladle, and knife for preparing ingredients.

Incidentally, this is the basic cooking set, and there are higher-level cooking kits with large gas stoves and woks as additional options.

"Alright... Put the pot on the fire... Oh..."

I realized I had forgotten something important. I hadn't secured water. Without water, I can't make soup.

"Oops. I forgot."

I scratched my head, holding the pot.

"What's wrong, Yun?"

"Kun"

Magi and the puppy in her hands looked at me with concern.

"No, I forgot the water. I'll go fetch it now."

"Wait. Someone in our group could just get the [Water Attribute] to solve the problem."

"Hmm. But it's only the first day, and getting such an attribute might not be a good idea. We don't know what might happen."

While I was hesitating about Magi's suggestion, the puppy was whimpering. Then, with a bark, a hard sound echoed in the pot.

"Huh? Ice?"

"Woof!"

With each bark, five-centimeter ice cubes fell from the air. I watched as the pot filled with ice.

"... Could it be your magic?"

"Woof!"

"Wow! Amazing, Rikuru!"

The puppy, praised by Magi, wagged its tail so hard it looked like it might break.

"Did you name him Rikuru?"

"Oh, right. You tamed him. Was it okay for me to name him?"

"It's fine. I don't have a good naming sense."

I watched the three young beasts playing with the best producers.

Magi had the puppy.

Claude had the kitten.

Reiri had the bird.

They were playing, showing interest in each other and forming a bond. Honestly, they found their own partners and left me.

"It's fine. As long as they're happy, I'll work for their happiness..."

"Ah! Yun, come back to reality!"

Feeling a bit sulky, I started preparing dinner. I put the pot with ice on the fire, melted the ice, and turned it into water.

While the ice was melting, I cleaned the fish, removed the guts, and cleaned them. I then salted them, skewered them, and grilled them over the fire.

I also filleted the fish, chopped it finely, and mixed it with edible plants from the forest to make dumplings for the soup.

Another fillet was steamed with herbs and edible plants, seasoned with salt and pepper.

"Hey, dinner's ready."

When I called out, the three and the three young beasts came over, probably because they were hungry. The food we brought was all NPC-standard level 2, which doesn't really satisfy you when you eat it.

"Tonight's dinner is grilled fish, dumpling soup, and herb-steamed river fish. I know it's a bit fish-heavy, but it's the first night. I plan to explore a wider area tomorrow."

"No, it's enough. Rather, it's a fish festival, and Kutsushita is happy."

"Kutsushita?"

Magi pointed to the kitten on the table, waiting quietly for the food.

"See, its body is black, but its paws are white, like it's wearing socks, so I named it Kutsushita."

"Good name. Is it okay to call it that?"

"Na~"

It seems very happy. It even climbed onto Claude's shoulder and rubbed against his cheek, which was quite enviable. I mean, it's quite popular.

"The puppy is Rikuru, the kitten is Kutsushita. Reiri, did you name the bird?"

"Um, not yet."

"Okay, here, you're small, so I'll debone the fish for you."

I deboned the fish with chopsticks to make it easier for the bird to eat, making sure to remove any small bones that might get stuck in its throat. Meanwhile, Reiri was thinking of a name for the bird.

"Here, eat slowly."

"Chirp chirp..."

"Right. Let's call it Nicias. And the nickname will be Shiacchi!"

The bird seemed to sense something and looked at Reiri. I was holding a piece of fish with chopsticks, about to feed it to the bird.

Reiri and Nicias seemed to connect, and the bird happily jumped, showing its presence to Reiri.

"Wow... I was surprised! Shiacchi, it's time to eat."

"Peep peep"

Yeah, it feels like a bond was formed. Wait, what? When did the young beast leave my hand?

"... Ugh..."

"This is..."

"Ah, Yun, what's wrong? Don't be so down."

I thought they would bond with me somewhere. But it was just a fantasy. The young beasts found their correct partners!

"I see... That's what it is."

"What? Are you laughing at me, Claude?"

Claude, who seemed to have come to a realization, was looking at me with a hand on his chin.

"I can see the general method to tame young beasts."

"What do you mean, Cro?"

While Nicias was still excited, Reiri asked.

"Shall I explain my theory while we eat?"

"Claude, you're really dragging it out. Are you confident in your theory?"

Magi, looking pleased, narrowed her eyes. I'm very curious too.

"This is just my theory, okay? I think it's fine. While we eat, we can pick at the dumpling soup and herb steamed fish."

"Assuming there are several phases to tame young beasts. Let's call the first phase 'affinity.' It's the stage where you gain their favor."

Everyone murmured "affinity" and pondered its meaning.

"From what I've heard, it increases by giving them food, playing with them, and talking to them. And it can be shared within the party. Besides affinity, there's another parameter called 'intimacy.'"

"Hmm. So, the actions we take during this camp period depend on affinity? And what is this intimacy parameter?"

My question. Even as I asked, I had an idea of what it might be.

"Intimacy is a factor in determining a partner."

As expected, to make a young beast a pet, and considering that a summon stone is one per beast, a specific partner must be decided eventually.

"The second phase is the development of intimacy. By giving each young beast a name, we triggered an increase in intimacy. It's assumed that we've reached a certain level as partners.

The final phase is maintaining a close relationship until the end of the period."

"Okay, Cro, why do we need to separate affinity and intimacy? I don't understand why affinity is for the party and intimacy is for individuals. And what happens if we don't give them names?"

"If someone has high personal affinity but low party affinity, the young beast might ignore everyone in the party. Various scenarios can be inferred, but perhaps it's designed to allow everyone to interact with the party mascot.

Regarding names, it's similar to naming a captured familiar after capture, so it can be inferred that the same applies here."

Indeed, I wouldn't want to be the only one rejected. I cautiously reached out to pet Kutsushita, who was drinking the dumpling soup, and it didn't reject me but seemed reassured. Ah, it made a purring sound. So cute.

"Well, it's just a hypothesis. Don't get too caught up in it. You can forget it if you want."

Saying that, Claude ate the salted grilled fish with his chopsticks.

While the other three ate with their partners, I felt a lingering loneliness and made a resolution.

I will definitely find my partner.