'Sebas, buy me the Minor Self-Healing skill. I want to try something.'
[ Minor Regeneration: Cost: 300 points ]
[ Master, you do not have enough points. ]
'What?!'
'Ah, I forgot. I haven't hunted any monsters lately.' I sighed, shrugging off my annoyance.
"Thewy are so soft." Liora murmured, stroking a Voidfang's thick fur.
'I can't leave him injured. Sebas, give me a healing potion.'
A slender vial of crimson liquid materialized in midair.
'I'm grateful to Mr. Korin—he slipped a few potions into my item pouch with those fruits. I saw them while organizing and didn't buy more.' A hint of a smile curved my lips.
I uncorked the vial and let droplets fall onto the wounded Shadewolf's flank.
'I wanted to see if Minor Regeneration evolves with the host. After all, the alpha's Shadow element shifted to Dark upon his evolution.'
'He gained new skills—Dark Cleave, Midnight Rebirth—none of which came from the orc's spells.' I frowned, mulling it over.
[ It appears skills fuse with the host's core element upon evolution, adapting to their nature. ]
[ Midnight Rebirth: The shadows mend wounds under the cover of eternal night. ]
'Is that so? I never had time to inspect skill details. It does mirror the orc's regeneration…'
Liora peered up at me. "Papa, can Liora play with them?"
"Okay."
I paused. "Liora, aren't you scared of the big one?" I pointed toward Rex.
Liora tilted her head, puzzled.
'She's used to them already? That's… surprising.'
"But Liora told Papa that he is good." she said slowly.
'Huh? She said that for alpha form—she knows Rex is the alpha? But he looks so different!'
"How do you know he's that big wolf, Liora?" I asked.
Liora touched her cheek, thinking. "It's the eyes."
'The eyes? Sebas?'
[ Perhaps she recognized his presence from when she was younger, Master. ]
'Maybe.'
'We are really late for lunch. We should eat now.' I glanced at the sky as clouds parted to reveal the sun's position.
"Let us all eat."
"I have no meat—only fruits. Is that acceptable, Rex?" I asked.
"I do not require food now, Master. I shall retreat into the shadows and that restore my stamina." Rex replied.
'He's broken now—able to starve foes in prolonged conflict.'
"But these others need meat to grow properly. Fear not—they'll hunt swiftly." Rex said, and two Voidfangs and some Shadewolfs dashed into the woods.
"Okay. I'll cook the meat for you then." I replied.
Rex began to speak, but my gaze fell on Liora.
"Liora, let's eat." I called to her as she crouched beside the injured(now healed) wolf.
"Okwy." she replied, running to my side.
"Is it jam?" she asked, eyes wide.
"No, but I'll make something sweet from fruits." I promised.
'I'd love to bake a honey-glazed fruit tart, but I lack pastry ingredients. For now, honey-drizzled fruit it is.' I felt a pang of regret.
'I'm sorry, Liora. Papa will cook you the best meal soon.'
All the remaining wolves sat in a semicircle.
A small chair made of compacted soil emerged—perfect for a child.
"Sit here, Liora. Papa will be quick." I smiled.
Liora climbed onto it—so adorable, my heart swelled.
'Sebas, fetch me honey.' I ordered.
[ Pure honey acquired, Master. ]
[ Shop points remaining: 0. ]
The honey jar floated into my hand, lid twisting open in midair.
A soft flame danced around its rim, warming the sweetness.
I laid fruits atop a leaf-woven table Sebas conjured.
'Sebas, help me arrange them.'
I sliced the fruits precisely—juices glistening like gemstones.
Sebas placed them on broad leaves as plates.
'Leaves? Sebas, you created these?' I asked, surprised.
[ Yes, Master. ]
[ Little Miss must learn proper dining etiquette—not plucking food from thin air. She may pick things from the ground later; she should know basic manners. ]
'You're right, Sebas. I need to teach her some basics—reading, writing… I can speak and read well enough, but I cannot write their language. I must find someone to instruct us' I thought, already planning.
A sweet scent drifted through the air.
'Looks like the honey is warm now.' I held the floating jar before me.
On a large platter lay an array of colorful fruits. I drizzled the golden honey over them; the aroma—warm, floral, with a hint of wildflower—filled the clearing.
A low, leaf-crafted table materialized before Liora, its surface at perfect height for her small chair as its legs extended. I placed the platter gently atop it.
Liora lifted her nose like a curious kitten, nostrils flaring. Her stomach rumbled softly. I chuckled.
"Let's eat." I said.
A wooden fork fluttered into my hand, and I speared a honey-glazed slice. Bringing it to Liora, I mimed opening my mouth wide.
"Say ahhhh."
Liora closed her eyes and parted her lips obediently. I fed her the fruit; its flesh was succulent, juices bursting sweetly on her tongue. She clutched her chubby cheeks, eyes wide.
"It's sooo twasty!" she exclaimed in her gentle, childlike voice.
"I'm glad you like it. Here—finish this one," I said, offering the remaining piece on the fork.
I took a bite of the fruit—it was juicy, sweet, and bursting with flavor, as if freshly picked moments ago.
'Inventory preserves freshness really well.' I mused, a bit impressed.
I held the fork in my right hand, while my left rested against the side of my face, propping me up in a lazy, comfortable posture.
Moments like this felt peaceful. Quiet.
"Which one next, Liora?" I asked, gesturing to the vibrant selection.
"Thwat one." she pointed at a plump, indigo fruit.
I lifted it with the fork like a tiny plane. "Here it comes."
"Here it comes," I said, slowly guiding the fruit toward her mouth like a gentle plane.
Liora leaned forward eagerly, unable to wait any longer, and took a bite.
I smiled softly, savoring the warmth of this simple, perfect moment.
Ahead, two large winged beasts—avian monsters the pack had slain—arrived, carried by Voidfangs.
'A bird, huh? I could grill chicken if I had soy sauce and mirin…'
[ Do you wish to purchase Soy Sauce and Mirin? Cost: 70 points. ]
I sighed, then a blue panel appeared.
[ Shop Points Remaining: 100 ]
'Huh? But how?' I murmured, brow furrowing.
[ Master, it is because you bestowed a class upon the pack leader. ][ They are now your subordinates in the system's estimation; when they hunt, you accrue points. ]
'That's incredible!' excitement tingled along my spine.
'Time to work.'
'Sebas, drain the blood and get me the clean meat.' I ordered.
'I loved eating all kinds of food. Mom used to cook so many different dishes for me. I guess I picked up cooking because I wanted to eat even when no one was around… though, Mom was always there.' I recalled, the memories from Earth stirring something deep inside.
I conjured a cooking surface from thin air. Sebas laid the sliced bird meat atop it.
The sky had darkened now, a deep indigo stretching overhead as stars began to flicker into view.
From my inventory, I pulled out the ingredients. I poured a generous mix of soy sauce and mirin into a bowl—the scent rose immediately, warm and soothing, like a memory wrapped in steam. I added a spoonful of honey and watched as it melted into the dark liquid, swirling in golden threads.
'A bit of grated ginger… and a crushed clove of garlic for depth would be great.' I thought, the image of my mother's hands at the stove flashing across my mind.
[ 10 points used. ]
I conjured a pan from the air itself—compressed wind mana forming an invisible but perfectly contained space. The pan hissed the moment the meat touched its unseen surface, the fat sizzling in the heat of my creation.
I seared each cut slowly, letting the skin turn golden and crisp before lowering the heat. Then, with measured precision, I drizzled the glaze over.
The sauce hissed on contact, bubbling and thickening, clinging to the meat like liquid amber. A rich aroma rose—sweet, savory, slightly smoky. The scent reminded me of home, of warm kitchens and lazy evenings.
I flipped each piece with care, ensuring the glaze soaked into every corner, coating both sides evenly. By the time the last piece was done, the meat glistened under the light—perfectly.
It took time, but I didn't mind.
When cooking finished, Sebas conjured a large bowl for Rex and smaller dishes for the Voidfangs and the healed Shadewolf. All devoured their portions with feral appetite.
Liora and I returned to the fruit platter. She nibbled happily; for now, sweets alone would suffice.
'It's early, but we can rest.' Liora yawned, her eyelids fluttering.
"Let us sleep." I whispered, gazing at her.
Liora nodded, curling against me.
"I will keep watch in the shadows, Master." Rex said, his form dissolving into darkness.
The Voidfangs assembled around us. I settled onto the back of one, Liora snuggling against my chest beneath the wolf pelt.
'I'll evolve the fifth pack member tomorrow.'
'........'
Sleep claimed us all.
to be continued…
-------------------
I had a Dream
In the dream, I saw her.
It was a simple feeling,we were outside with a stranger kid, talking.
Suddenly, something appeared —an animal, maybe a bear.It grabbed the child.
We ran.I took her inside my house,just a few steps away from where we were.
The door was closed and locked,trying to keep that thing out —I'm not sure.
She was crying.I could feel the sadness in her voice, her emotions.
She was crying inside,not from fear,but because she couldn't save the child.
She said,"I couldn't save him."
Then I did something I couldn't think I would in real life —
I acted on instinct and hugged her.I—I tried to be someone she could rely on.My parents were there,and though I was scared,I held her tightly,comforted her.
Her head rested on my shoulder.She cried quietly,full of regret and sadness.
I told her,"It's okay."I tried to console her.
I remember the warmth she gave back,how needed and comfortable I felt.I just felt... warm.
But I don't remember much.It was a dream, after all.
But when I woke up,I felt really calm.I was happy.
I had found warmth and love —something I just wish for in real life.Someone cared for me —I remembered that feeling.
But still,I was sad.I was scared.
Because I knew this feeling would fade away,like all the other emotions of mine.
And then I went to take a bath.I couldn't take my time to be in the moment,because that's a luxury I can't have.
I knew I can't have all of that in real life,but I was more sad because the feelings were already starting to fade.
My fake emotions to show in front of others were taking over,covering the real feelings I had in a long time.
By breakfast,the feeling was really fading.
Around noon — 1 PM —I lost the feeling.
And around evening,I had forgotten her.
But at night,I remembered that —I didn't wish to forget it.I didn't want to forget her.I didn't want it to fade away.
But I knew it would.
And now,those feelings have faded —nothing remains.
And as this night ends,I shall forget her too.
-by Zero