Chapter 73

Zakuro, who had only recently named the black kitsune, now found himself in a partner relationship with it. There was no noticeable change, though. I think its trait is related to black flames, but it's unclear. Come to think of it, Claude's kutsushita and Riri's nesias also have completely unknown traits. Well, neither of them look like they're built for frontline combat just by their appearance... but they're still cubs, so their traits might change as they grow.

I'd like to make some predictions and verify them, but time is limited. Before the evening feast—dinner, which has somehow turned into a noisy party—I need to prepare various dishes. I don't mind serving the same menu as yesterday. But with the ingredients and tools available, my creative juices start flowing.

So, the dish I prepared is a curry-flavored macaroni gratin. The macaroni was made using a pasta-making machine. You just put in the dough and set the desired shape, and it extrudes the pasta in that shape. It looks like a machine that stretches and cuts regular dough, but it extrudes macaroni, which is just surreal. Games can ignore the laws of physics and explain everything with fantasy.

I placed small pieces of chicken and vegetables on the macaroni and poured white sauce over it. I could have added cheese on top, but...

"Isn't curry the thing for camping? I want curry!"

Someone makes such an unreasonable request, but it's impossible. I can't make a commercial-level roux. So, as a compromise, I sprinkled curry powder and covered it with cheese. The rest is up to the oven. At least it will taste like curry. Really, they're so demanding.

And for another dish, it's easy. I cleaned the fish someone caught, coated it with flour, and cooked it on a frying pan with melted butter. It's a simple fish escalope. Adding some sautéed vegetables or mushrooms as a side dish makes it look great.

Then, I just need to put the bread on a large plate and place it on the table.

The other cooking team members are also showing their creativity with their favorite ingredients.

Since we can't prepare curly thin noodles like those used in yakisoba, we used udon instead. The savory aroma of the sauce is very appetizing.

Some made meatballs from minced meat, creating hamburgers or sandwiches, which are easy to eat and classic dishes.

Some went overboard with the arrangements, creating mysterious objects. Hey! Who made this pink pot!?

"Yun, do you have any dessert?"

"We have fruits, Sei-nee. Really, how can you be so noisy day and night?"

"Come on, Yun, you're so cold. Forget the city's noise and let's be natural in front of the great outdoors."

"Sure, sure."

I'm sitting a bit away from the group, quietly enjoying my meal.

During meals, I like to savor the dishes quietly. Wow, the dishes made by others are delicious. They might be a bit heavy to hide the roughness of the cooking, but they're still very tasty in this survival situation.

I haven't tasted my own dishes because they were taken from the moment they were served, but from the reactions of Sei-nee and Miu, it seems the taste is fine.

"Yun, what did you do today?"

"Hmm, I baked bread in the morning, made lunch boxes, had a light lunch, took a short break, and then prepared dinner, leading up to now."

Really, I've only been cooking. I want to level up my bow skills. My cooking sense is so high that I might as well be using a knife as my main weapon.

"I see. Today, we fought the Camping Goblins. With the remaining days so few, we need to fight stronger monsters to level up, but they were tough."

"What was it like?"

Sei-nee, with a small hum, placed her finger on her chin, tilted her head cutely, and began to speak.

"There were two-meter-tall goblins leading smaller goblins. We had to deal with the minions first before attacking the main target. The size difference and their long weapons made it hard to get close. But the second one had a shield and a longsword, so we surrounded and took it down."

From her description, it seems the Camping Goblins have different weapons for each individual and are accompanied by minions. Solo hunting would probably be impossible. Moreover, a goblin over two meters tall should be called an ogre, right? But I didn't mention that. What I'm curious about is the reward.

"What did they drop?"

"Wow! It's mobile, you can sleep in it, and it has easy storage in the inventory! It's called the [Sleeper Wagon]. And the price is unknown!"

"Why do you say it like a TV shopping program?"

"Never mind, don't worry about it."

Phew, Sei-nee sometimes makes jokes that are hard to understand, but they're not as intense as Taku's or Miu's, so I can easily ignore them. The light atmosphere between Sei-nee and me subtly changes to match the scene.

"How is it? We haven't met much in [OSO], but are you having fun?"

That's a straightforward question. After the first day, we barely communicated, and I only received indirect updates from Miu. To Sei-nee's words, I—

"Yeah, it's fun. At first, I wondered how it would go with the unfortunate sense, but I've made friends and am enjoying it."

"That's good. I felt a bit guilty for making Kousuke invite you, and then leaving you alone."

"I'm not a child."

I'm fine on my own, and if it didn't suit me, I could have stopped. But the people I've met are so nice that logging in feels like visiting friends.

"But, summer vacation will be over soon, and you won't have much time, right?"

"Yeah. My university lectures will start, and... I'm sorry, I can't come home this summer. But I'll visit once in the winter."

"Don't worry about it. We can meet in this world, but please show your face at the shop."

"Got it. But, Yun, you have a shop? What's it like?"

"Don't get your hopes up. I built it with a small budget, and I plan to expand and renovate it in the future."

"Hehe, a shop that grows with Yun. Sounds interesting."

Really, she captivates men with her gentle, droopy-eyed smile. Look, there are a few guys around who are smitten. Hey, stop looking over here.

Some of them avert their gaze when I glare, but others still don't notice or even send me a look back.

"Phew. I'm getting a bit chilly..."

"Big sisters! Don't sit in the corner with such gloomy faces, come over here!"

Miu waves her hands, calling us over. To escape the gaze, I take Sei-nee and move to the makeshift stage. Some people are performing on the stage, and it seems to be Magi and Claude's turn.

"Look, big sisters, it's starting!"

"Okay, we're coming."

I sit down in the spot Miu secured, and we watch the stage. First, Claude is holding his staff behind his neck.

"What's he doing?"

"Who knows? It just started..."

Miu and Sei-nee, with keen interest, watch along with me.

Claude's performance was essentially an impromptu play. He used props to express the scenes, but he only played two roles at most. He changed characters by putting on or taking off a cloak, and in the silence, he used his footsteps and unique speech to create a sense of presence, captivating the audience.

He held his staff in that way to act as a traveler, using the staff on his shoulder to represent a sword when swung, a spear when thrust, and a staff when struck on the ground, engaging the audience's imagination.

When he put on the cloak, he was a traveler. When he grabbed the edge and spoke, he was a woman. The distinct actions for each character made the performance quite enjoyable.

It was a short play, about ten minutes, but it was very engaging.

"Wow..."

"Yeah, I don't know how he can do that."

To Miu's whisper, I simply respond. Claude, who had finished his performance, comes down to us.

"How was it? Did you enjoy my skit?"

"Yeah, it was great. I didn't expect you to have such a hidden talent."

"It was wonderful."

"Amazing! I'd like to see it again. Big sister."

Our praise makes Claude smile slightly.

"How about it? Why don't you perform after Magi? Show off your talent and liven up the place?"

To Claude's unexpected suggestion, I stiffen. I don't have any act that I can perform in front of people.

"Sounds fun! Come on, Sei-nee, let's do it too!"

"Sure, let's do it together?"

"Hey, I'm good! I don't have any act!"

I try to refuse, but they grab my hands and drag me to the side of the stage.

Magi is performing a throwing act, throwing various weapons at targets from a distance. The audience is amazed not by the hits but by the weapons themselves.

The weapons being thrown are—knives, daggers, short swords, long swords, battle axes, short lances, long spears, and short spears. A variety of cutting and thrusting weapons fly through the air, and the audience is fascinated by the shapes of the weapons embedded in the targets, which look like a museum of weapons.

"And the final showpiece weapon—the Twist Dagger!"

He says, gathering strength in his waist, and the dagger, with a spiral spin, is absorbed by the target. But the dagger, instead of stopping at the target, gouges it, creating a round hole and embedding itself deeply into the tree behind. The dagger, with three blades twisted towards a single point, is a strange and unique weapon.

"...What is that weapon?"

My whisper, filled with shock and disbelief, is met with a calm explanation from Claude behind me.

"The Twist Dagger. While a regular dagger is suitable for cutting and stabbing, the Twist Dagger is specialized for thrusting. The spiral blades easily penetrate the flesh and tear through tissue, making it extremely lethal..."

"I don't want to hear such a scary explanation!"

My shout makes Claude fall silent, but the sisters are impressed, saying "Hmm, interesting" and "Wow, that's something."

Girls, don't be impressed by such violent explanations!

"So, what are you going to perform?"

"I don't have any act..."

I was about to say I don't have any act, but we're already at the edge of the stage, indicating it's our turn.

The audience's expectant gazes are on us.

Miu, in her silver armor, is a capable front-liner with high player skills, respected by others.

Sei-nee, the guild's sub-master, can fire low-level spells like a mobile artillery, embodying a completed form of a magic class.

Being between such two, I naturally draw attention and expectations.

"Then, I'll go first!"

"Hey, wait!"

My warning goes unheeded as Miu stands in the center of the stage, draws her one-handed sword, and dramatically poses. She holds the pose for a few seconds, drawing everyone's attention.

Suddenly, her sword shakes, leaving afterimages as it swings. After a breath, a slash. Another breath, another slash. The rhythm becomes faster, and her movements and sword swings become more intense.

With each swing, her fine silver hair dances like silk. She pulls the audience in, showing a stern beauty through her sword that contrasts with her usual brightness.

Finally, she jumps into the air, leaving four afterimages as she falls from the peak of her jump.

There's no room for criticism of such a sword dance, and the audience applauds and cheers, even whistling. Watching from the side, I can't help but think I can't compete. Any act after such a performance would pale in comparison.

"I can't do it..."

"It's okay, Yun. You can do it. I'll back you up at the end."

"But..."

I become more hesitant than usual. No one wants to feel miserable. Even if I back out, no one would blame me.

"You can do it, Yun. There must be something only you can do."

"...Sei-nee"

Her words make me think. What can I do? Right, I have many skills—archery, potion-making, accessory-making, cooking...

"I don't think I can win..."

"Just try it! It'll be fine!"

She pushes me from behind. Standing on the stage, I'm exposed to the gazes of dozens of people, making my legs tremble.

The audience, also nervous, makes me feel overly expected.

In this situation, I take out my chosen props from my inventory.

They are—a knife and an apple.