Chapter 67

I woke up, I think at the same time as yesterday. My blurry vision caught the light seeping through the gaps of the log house.

"...It's morning. I need to make breakfast."

This morning, it's for ten people and five young beasts. I can't just have everyone grill and eat their own food like yesterday; that would lead to a biased use of ingredients.

Right now, we have a large amount of flour that we can't use up. I need to make good use of it, or I'll feel uneasy relying only on other ingredients. As I get up, I organize in my head what I need to do first thing in the morning.

"We have flour. The MOBs that appear in the morning are chickens, so we need eggs and chicken meat. And... we have vegetables, so a salad, and cutting up some fruit should be fine. We also have jelly for dessert..."

As I stand up, I think Claude is not here, probably stayed up all night again, and before I can reach for the door, it opens.

"...Good morning, Claude."

"Yeah, good morning. And good night."

With that, Claude collapses onto the bed as if he's falling into mud, making a dull thud and immediately starting to snore.

"If you find the watch duty tiring, you could switch with someone, but I guess it's nice to be able to sleep soundly."

As I say this and step outside, Tou-Tobi is already up. He's wielding a short sword and practicing against an imaginary enemy.

He moves left and right, forward and backward, using his movement sense to leave afterimages as he thrusts his short sword into a point in the air.

"You're starting off energetic this morning."

"Good morning, Yun."

"Where are the others?"

"They're all still sleeping. I woke up and took over for Claude."

"I see. Then I'll go on a morning hunt."

I wear the same white dress from yesterday and shoulder my bow.

"Is it this time of day?"

"Yeah, I'm going to get the ingredients needed for breakfast. I'll be back in about an hour."

With that, I wave and leave the base camp. I wander through the forest, using my bow to slay the chickens that appear in the same spot as yesterday.

However, the equipment's bonus was so significant that it took a few misses to adjust to the difference in sensation. I was once again reminded of the benefits of the equipment.

During my wander, I also gathered fruits like apples and strawberries, looked up at the trees to find beehives, and collected herbs and spices. I think there should be milk, and something that drops milk, but I haven't seen it yet. It might be a good idea to search the MOB report board with keen eyes today.

Yesterday was too intense. I want to take it easy today.

When I return to the base camp, some people are already up.

Magi is leaning against the table with her arms crossed, watching the morning exercises. Rikuru is in her arms, and Luka is holding a new sword.

Luka's sword is large for a one-handed sword and has a wide blade. It's a bit too light for a two-handed sword, but it's classified as a bastard sword.

The design is simple but has a certain elegance that fits Luka's usual demeanor, making it feel natural.

Luka wields the new weapon with ease, and the occasional two-handed swing creates a sword pressure that scatters the surrounding grass.

"Good morning. Luka's sword is complete, I see."

"Good morning, Yun. Yeah, I finished it last night, but I was tired, so I'm checking it now. Luka, how does it feel?"

"Yes, it's just as I imagined. I prioritize power over speed, so the previous sword was a bit too light."

Luka sighs and sheaths the sword.

"Then, I'll start preparing breakfast... Rikuru and Rui, can you help me with the cooking?"

"Woof!"

"..."

Rikuru slips out of Magi's hands, and Rui slowly gets up from the straw bed.

"Yun~ What's on the menu for breakfast?"

"Well, we have flour and fresh eggs. Since we have a sweets factory and baking powder, how about making pancakes? We just need to make the batter, and then it's just a matter of cooking it."

As I say this, I put on an apron and start the stove and stove. I mix the flour, eggs, baking powder, and sugar with water produced by Rui, making sure there are no lumps with a whisk. Meanwhile, I have Rikuru help by cooling the jelly I made yesterday.

However, preparing breakfast for ten people and five young beasts is quite a task.

Even cooking on multiple frying pans at once, it's a considerable number. I might be tired just from cooking in the morning.

While cooking, I slice vegetables by hand, plate them, and fry beaten eggs in a frying pan. I move busily.

The finished meal includes a raw vegetable salad, scrambled eggs, fruits, and pancakes with honey from the beehive I found this morning, which I place in a jar in the center of the table.

I serve breakfast to those who are up, and I continue cooking, storing the finished dishes in my inventory to keep them warm. When new people come to the breakfast table, I take them out.

By the time everyone is up and ready, I finally have a chance to eat. I understand why mothers want everyone to wake up at once in the morning. Without the inventory's state preservation, it would be quite troublesome to cook for each person as they wake up.

"I'm tired from the morning. Ten people and five young beasts are quite a lot. I think I'll prepare some meals in advance today?"

As I say this, I plop down into a wooden chair. Magi hands me a glass of water.

"Good job. Are you okay?"

"It's tough. Since we can save in the inventory, it might be better to prepare meals in advance for the next few days and focus on exploration."

Magi nods in agreement as we eat breakfast together. The pancake, with its subtle sweetness and the strong sweetness of the honey, gives me a slight boost of energy.

After that, I eat a little at a time while observing the black cub we rescued yesterday.

It came out cautiously but couldn't resist its hunger, eating the small pieces of pancake I cut for it. It tends to stay closer to the other young beasts than to us players, especially sticking to the large Rui, who doesn't seem to mind.

"Let's have a meeting while we eat."

Claude, who had fallen asleep, woke up after a two-hour nap and is the last to join the breakfast table. I wonder how he can stay healthy with such short sleep, but in a game, it's probably fine. In real life, it would be worrying.

"Huh? What's up, Yun. Is there something on my face?"

"No, I was just thinking how you can be fine with such short sleep. Anyway, sorry for the digression. Go ahead."

As I say this, I take a bite of the blue fruit jelly I made. The refreshing taste of blue Hawaii and the fresh texture of the fruit help lift my slightly low morning mood.

"Then, let's talk about today's plans. I and Magi will visit the other base camps individually."

"Why is that?"

"To set up infrastructure, I guess. Last night, I saw on the bulletin board that many people are not receiving support from production classes. Today, we'll meet with acquaintances in production classes to decide how they can support combat classes."

"Production classes are sweet when their production sense levels are high. Combat classes can feel secure with the support. Everyone is happy."

Some people are already doing something like this, I guess. Maybe it showed on my face, but Claude continues.

"Well, I didn't plan to move at first, but there were discussions about unbalanced negotiations. For example, trading all the items obtained in the dungeon for repairs. Such extreme deals are not being accepted, but it's becoming hard to ignore. So, we, with some name recognition, will go and see."

"Hmm. Is it just a little for you? Well, it's tough. Does it concern me?"

"No, it doesn't. Yun, do you plan to take on potion-making requests on the bulletin board? The general process is that production classes post their categories and the base camps they can serve on the bulletin board, along with the rewards they want. Players then find and negotiate with the ones that match their conditions. It doesn't concern those who don't use the bulletin board, and we won't force anyone."

I put my hand to my chin and think. Is there any benefit to spending the time?

If I take on the requests, my name will become known, which could promote "Atelier." Also, I can get what I want without using my personal time.

However, this is only if we can reach an agreement.

If I'm not good at negotiating, it might be better to join Taku or Miu's party and explore the floating continent, mainly in a healing role.

"Hmm. What should I do? I could do it if they bring the materials."

I look up at the sky and think. Should I stay safe and benefit, or take the risk and adventure? I glance around and see Rui and the cub on his back.

Yeah, it's better to stay safe than to take risks and