Chapter 57

"Thank you for the meal. Phew~ It was delicious, Yun-kun."

"You're welcome."

I finished eating and drank the water that had melted from the ice Reecool had created to settle my stomach after the meal.

During dinner, the surroundings had become completely dark, and although it was a bit dangerous to go out, since the other parties that had left this safety area had not returned, we were the only ones here.

"It was indeed delicious. The food might have been better than in the real world. The taste was solid, and you can eat as much as you want without getting fat, and it doesn't affect the real world."

Claude also had a very calm expression after the meal, stroking his partner while giving his evaluation. Kutsushita, being stroked, curled up happily, wagging his tail.

Next to him, Reiree started to rock her body back and forth as if rowing a boat. I was worried that she might crush Neshias, who was in her hands.

"Reiree, are you okay? If you're sleepy, why don't you go to bed?"

"Hmm. I'll go to bed. I feel a bit tired."

I watched Reiree stand up and head towards the log cabin with unsteady steps. Neshias in her hands, as well as Reecool and Kutsushita, who looked sleepy, followed behind.

Building this log cabin must have taken a lot of energy. Reiree might be the one who worked the hardest today.

"Reiree, you did a great job."

"Yeah, it's probably because of the excitement in this environment. Since we can't explore the surroundings at night, everyone is going to bed, right?"

"I might make some weapons. I have some time, so I'll make some throwing axes until midnight."

"I'll make some potions with the herbs we collected today."

That's right. Today we collected herbs that could be used to make potions, as well as ingredients for HP and MP potions.

"Got it. Then I'll go to bed early with Reiree. Wake me up at midnight. There's no combat in this safety area, but we need someone to keep watch just in case."

"Okay. I'll wake you up when I go to bed."

With that, Claude also disappeared into the log cabin.

"Hmm. Then let's start the night activities."

"Sure."

"Besides... talking around the campfire is a classic, right?"

"Well, I'm a guy."

I teased Magi, who had a mischievous smile, and checked my inventory.

The items we collected today, thanks to our joint effort with Magi, were more than what I would have collected alone.

We didn't collect too many poisonous herbs, and the ones we did collect were kept as seeds, so I didn't have enough to make potions.

The new herbs we found were called "Awareness Grass," "Calm Grass," and "Purify Grass," which are ingredients for status recovery potions.

The corresponding poisonous herbs were "Sleep Grass," which induces sleep, "Confusion Grass," which causes confusion, and "Curse Grass," which causes curses.

I mixed these herbs in the same way I usually make status recovery potions.

With practiced hands, I made potions for "Awakening," "Calm," and "Purify," making about fifteen of each.

During this time, Magi was hammering ingots in the forge.

"Hey, Yun-kun?"

"What is it?"

The sound of the hammering was surprisingly loud but not unpleasant. The steady rhythm was like a metronome, making me feel drowsy and relaxed.

"Do you need a melee weapon?"

"What do you mean, all of a sudden?"

"Well, you have a good sense of cooking, right? I thought it would be interesting if you had a knife as a weapon."

"Who uses a knife to fight while using a bow?"

A fighting chef, holding a knife in each hand to hunt prey. It's quite absurd. I don't think I want to see my back like that.

"Can you even use a melee weapon?"

"Blacksmithing allows you to make all types of weapons, regardless of your skill, and they all have attack ratings."

"Really? That sounds like a cheat."

"It's not. The attack rating is just that; there's no weapon damage bonus or skill benefits. That's why I use a throwing tactic based on the weapon's durability."

Hmm, that's an interesting fact. But a knife as a weapon... The cheap knife from the cooking kit seems inferior even to a throwing knife.

"If it can be used for cooking and has an attack rating, having a melee weapon wouldn't be a bad idea."

"When my weapon is done, I'll make one for you. Hehe, I'll make you the best knife."

She said this while putting away the axe she had just made and taking out new ingots. The fact that she took out four ingots suggests that the axe was a heavy weapon, which was a bit scary.

I continued making potions while listening to the sound of Magi hammering metal.

I made beginner potions, potions, high potions, MP potions, antidotes, and paralysis cures. Without using skills, the number and effects were moderate, and it took time.

"Ugh! I'm tired! But I'm done with my part!"

"Good job. I'm done with mine too."

Magi stretched her back and rotated her shoulders, looking tired. I took out some herbs from my inventory and started boiling them.

"I'm going to make your weapon now."

"But is it okay? What about the cost?"

I was worried about the cost, as I was short on money. How much should I pay, and when? But Magi waved her hand dismissively.

"Ah, don't worry about the money. You'll see that money becomes meaningless in this camp life. During this period."

"...That's true. I guess so."

There was no limit on the amount of money we could carry for the event. Those who had money would still have it, but in this place, there would be no stable supply from NPCs or production jobs.

Potions, for example, could cause inflation without limit.

"...Come to think of it, the potions I made might be valuable?"

"It's too late to realize that. Out of 100 items, half are potions, but they won't be enough if we fight higher-level or equal-level bosses multiple times. Also, consider the possibility that we won't be able to repair our weapons or armor at all during the seven days."

Magi, speaking in a cheerful tone, might be hinting that production jobs are incredibly important during this period.

Thinking about it, this camp event seems to have some unreasonable aspects. We walked around all day, and the items we could collect were mostly malicious, like poisonous herbs and poisonous fruits.

"Well, making a knife for you is like a reward from me. Thank you for today's cooking. I hope we can continue to work well together, and it also has a protective meaning."

"Thank you."

I accepted her thanks sincerely and took the leaves out of the boiling water, pouring them into Magi's and my cups.

"Here you go."

"Hmm? It smells good."

"It's herbal tea. I used my alchemy skill, but it's more like a drink."

"Wow, you're really versatile, Yun-kun. I'm glad I invited you."

"Being versatile can also mean being poor at everything."

I said this with a self-deprecating tone, poured my own herbal tea into a cup, and sent the rest to my inventory.

Magi held the wooden cup with both hands and drank it quietly.

"It's soothing. It's warm and comforting. The taste is refreshing. This is the tranquility away from the city's noise. A moment of bliss."

"Indeed, it's quiet. The night sky is beautiful, even in a game."

"Wow, it's so clear because we're in an open area."

We listened to the crackling of the firewood and looked at the steaming cups, agreeing with each other.

"Hmm. Thanks for the tea. I feel like I can work hard again."

"Good. I'll go to bed now. I'll leave the potions I made for you."

"Thanks for everything. Good night."

"Good night."

I said this and entered the log cabin.

In the back, I could see the young animals curled up and sleeping in a small box. I took a screenshot quietly.

"...Good night."

I whispered this quietly and got into bed. Sleeping in a game was surprisingly natural and felt like a letdown.

The heaviness of my thoughts lifted, and I felt relaxed, just like when I sleep in real life.

I must have slept for about five or six hours. When I woke up, the surroundings were bathed in a faint light.

I was on the bottom bunk, and I could hear the soft, regular breathing from the top bunk, realizing that Magi was sleeping.

I quietly got out of bed.

"...You're awake?"

"Good morning, Claude. Did you keep watch all night?"

When I woke up, Claude was sewing leather at the table.

"Well, I was working on my production at the same time. There were no problems. I'm used to staying up all night in the real world too."

"Don't lead an unhealthy lifestyle."

"Haha, I can't help it."

Claude, who responded to my advice, silently handed me a knife and a leather belt.

"This is from Magi and a thank you and apology from me."

"For what?"

"...For the cooking and the name I gave them."

"Is that all? I don't mind."

Saying this, I started looking for ingredients in my inventory to plan the breakfast menu.

The ingredients weren't abundant. I planned to peel apples and cook them with sugar and water, make a simple stir-fry, and a salad with raw vegetables.

"Do you really not mind? About the young animals you tamed being taken?"

"Well, if I say I don't mind, it would be a lie. But can I ask one thing?"

"What is it?"

Claude's voice tensed. He might have expected me to make some unreasonable request, but I had only one request.

"Let me pet Kutsushita and the others. I want to be healed by petting them."

"...Is that all? If Kutsushita and the others don't mind, you can pet them as much as you like."

"Thanks. Also, thanks for the knife and belt from Magi. I'll try them on."

I immediately equipped the belt and knife. The thick leather belt covered my waist and was worn through the pants. The knife, slightly longer than the one in the cooking kit and similar to a real one, felt comfortable in my hand.

Magi's Knife [Weapon: Knife]

ATK +25, SPEED +15

The total physical attack is lower than a bow, but the speed bonus suggests it might be a weapon that relies on speed and frequency.

CS No. 6 Oaker Creator [Torso]

DEF +8, MIND +8, SPEED +4

This seems to be something Magi put together for this harsh survival environment. Even so, the three-point stat boost is welcome.

I tried equipping them and holding the knife.

The sound of the wind cutting through the air as I moved the knife in different directions made me feel that I could use it effectively. But—

"It's good for cooking. It might be usable as a weapon, but it's not specialized for that."

"Got it. That's valuable feedback for a production job. I'll make sure to tell Magi."

"Well, I'll use it for its intended purpose."

I started peeling an apple with the knife. It felt natural in my hand, which was quite surprising.

"By the way, before I forget."

"What is it?"

"Check your menu."

I was confused by his sudden words, but when I opened my menu, I saw that there was an additional item on the usual menu screen.

"Information Board? What's this?"