After those soy sauce, miso, and sake fermentations, and cosplaying as that eccentric man with the top hat from a movie by introducing chocolate earlier this morning, we open the store like always.
I take my place at the counter as usual, while Yomogi, Chantal, Kimberly, and Pinna are at their respective sections — kitchenware, woodworks, ceramics, and toiletries.
"Thank you for your purchase, sir. Next in line, please."
MOMENTS LATER
Eventually, the morning rush eases, signaling if it's time to recharge ourselves.
"Alright, it's lunchtime, girls!"
"Yay!"
Just like that, the girls close the store and join me heading upstairs together. Arriving at the second floor, I walk straight into the kitchen and take out some ingredients from the refrigerator.
Yeah, refrigerator, not "freezing box" anymore.
I can't help but feel a little proud of calling it that now. Pinna's upgrades really brought it to life, as it definitely looks like one back in Japan. And even the girls started calling it "refrigerator" or "fridge" too.
First, I take five ramekins and dust the insides with butter and a little flour. Then, I toss chunks of chocolate and some butter into a bowl and slide it into the microwave. After that, I give it a stir until the last bits melt completely.
Next, I crack the eggs into a bowl, add sugar and a pinch of salt, and whisk until the mixture thickens and pales. Then, I slowly pour in the melted chocolate and butter, folding it together. After that, I add flour and continue mixing until everything blends into a rich batter. Finally, I divide the batter into the ramekins and slide them into the oven to bake for a while.
With the cakes in, I turn my attention to the Misdaras long meat, or as I still call them, sausages. I place them onto a skillet until they're golden and plump, and then set them aside.
Then, I grab some soft, long Heiligeichen's bread from Heiligeichen.
Actually, I found the bread by accident in my usual morning shopping to Misdaras and Heiligeichen. People from the latter called the bread "pocket buns," which were apparently a common snack among adventurers that they just ate them plain. But the moment I saw them, I immediately recognized them as hotdog buns.
I slice each bun open halfway, careful not to split them fully, and begin assembling. Grilled sausage goes into each bun, and one spoonful each of ketchup and mustard goes over the top.
Ever since I started growing tomatoes in the terrace garden, I could also make my own ketchup. When I got the sausage in my travel Misdaras back then, I wasn't able to make a hotdog straightaway because there was no ketchup ... and yeah, now I'm glad because my [Seedless] skill has brought tomatoes to life in this world.
After that, I pull the cakes out of the oven and set them aside to cool. Finally, I place the hot dogs onto a large plate and carry them to the table.
"Lunch is ready, girls."
The girls are already seated, and the moment I set the plate down, four pairs of eyes light up.
Chantal leans in.
"Ooh! What is this, Motegi-kun? I've never seen this before!"
"It's called a hot dog."
Yomogi excitedly asks.
"Motegi-chan! Did you use long meat again?"
"Yup."
Kimberly tilts her head.
"And the bread… are these… pocket buns...?"
"Mmhmm."
Pinna examines the plate.
"Processed meat encased in yeast-leavened bread, topped with tomato puree and ground mustard seed paste. Structurally compact. However, nutritional density is high in sodium and saturated fats. But given your established culinary habits, the occasional indulgence is acceptable. Proceeding with consumption."
And I laugh awkwardly.
"Ahaha... well, thanks for the warning, Pinna."
With that, I look at everyone.
"So, shall we eat now?"
"Yes!"
They say in unison, and each one grabs a hotdog and takes a bite. And then...
"Mmmm!!"
They moan together in delight as Chantal's cheeks puff from chewing.
"This is so good! I still can't get enough of the long meat, it's so chewy! Motegi-kun, you're the best!"
"Thank you, Chantal."
Kimberly dabs her lips with her finger.
"I've never… eaten... pocket buns… like this… before..."
"Do you like it, Kimberly?"
And she nods silently.
Yomogi beams and points at her bun.
"Motegi-chan, is this red sauce from tomatoes too?"
"You're right, Yomogi."
"It's delicious! I love tomatoes!"
Pinna swallows her bite, then comments.
"The relish provides a briny crunch. The ketchup is sweet with a mild acidity. The mustard lacks chili's heat but maintains a complementary sharpness. It contrasts but does not overpower. Balanced."
"Yeah, mustard is a classic hot dog condiment, you know?"
Finally, I pick up one for myself and take a bite. The soft bun, juicy sausage, tangy ketchup, and sharp mustard are blending perfectly in my mouth.
"Oh yeah, that's delicious."
After the last of the hotdogs are gone, I suddenly blink and remember something.
"Oh, I almost forgot!"
With that, I make my way back into the kitchen and see the cakes I took out earlier are now completely cool. Then, I grab five small plates and place one cake on each. For the final touch, I lightly dust powdered sugar and place sliced strawberries on top of each cake. When it's done, I carry the plates out to the table and set them down on the table.
"Alright, this is our dessert."
Chantal's eyes light up immediately.
"Oooh! I've never seen a cake this black before!"
So is Yomogi's.
"It even has strawberries on top too!"
Kimberly gazes at the plate.
"It looks… beautiful… Motegi-sama..."
And Pinna is the one who asks me.
"Master, please clarify. What is this item?"
"It's called lava cake. Go on, give it a try."
With that, each one eagerly picks up her spoon and gently cuts into the cake. As soon as the edge breaks, a slow stream of warm chocolate flows from the center, surprising Yomogi, Chantal, Kimberly, and Pinna.
"It's so soft..."
"Whoa! It's melting already!"
"It looks like... it's not... fully... cooked..."
"Structural breakdown indicates intentional underbaking. Presentation is curious. Visually engaging."
Then, I speak again.
"That's exactly how it's supposed to be. Now taste it."
And they obey, each taking a bite. Then, just like before, their eyes go wide, and they all moan in delighted unison again.
"Mmmm!!"
Chantal beams.
"It's so gooey and sooo good, Motegi-kun!"
"You like it?"
"Of course!"
Yomogi already figures out what it's made of and excitedly asks me.
"Motegi-chan, is this made from chocolate?"
"Yup."
"I knew it! It's bitter and sweet, and I really like when I eat it together with the strawberry!"
Pinna begins her usual breakdown.
"Primary taste: semi-sweet chocolate with moderate bitterness. Texture: exterior lightly firm, interior fluid. Despite its unconventional appearance, the dish achieves a pleasing balance between flavor and mouthfeel. Conclusion: satisfactory."
In which I playfully ask her.
"Which means?"
"It is delicious, Master."
As for Kimberly...
"Mmm... mmhmmm... hmmm..."
She has her eyes closed, humming as she chews. Her long, pointy ears twitch, her whole face full of contentment.
"Kimberly?"
She opens her eyes and smiles at me blissfully.
"This is… the softest dessert... I have ever... eaten, Motegi-sama…"
"Good to know that."
Finally, I take my own spoonful, enjoying the molten chocolate center, the light sugar on top, and the freshness of the strawberry that melt together perfectly.
"Mmm… just as delicious as the hot dogs."
And then, we continue to enjoy our simple, shared lunch before we open the store again.
REMANTIA'S LABYRINTH, TWENTY-FIFTH FLOOR
After closing the store and counting the sales, I teleported all of us to the labyrinth as usual.
And right now, we're walking through the 25th floor with the same formation: Yomogi and Chantal in front, while Kimberly and I walk behind them. Except that today is different because Pinna is back with us.
The first, last, and only time she joined us in the labyrinth was before she devoted herself entirely to building my appliances as she followed us against the Needle Bees at the 16th floor. Now that she has completed everything, she's fulfilling her promise to return to adventuring.
She walks at my left side as her Observer Unit One floats just ahead between Yomogi and Chantal, while her Crawler Unit Two slithers in the space between the front and rear groups.
And of course, all four women are in their usual battle attires, and Pinna's return somehow makes me ogle at them again.
To the front, I see Yomogi's orange bridal robe is still loosely off her shoulders, and I don't know if I should hope the fabric lowers just a little more to show more than just her cleavage or not as she walks. Beside her, Chantal's purple bikini armor always makes me think that if it weren't for its thin, cross-laced straps, her entire back would be fully exposed.
To my right, Kimberly's golden halter dress dips deep at the chest, and I can't help but thank it for not hiding what it doesn't need to. And to my left, Pinna's skintight green bodysuit clings onto her frame that is too sleek in all the right ways but is also too wrong in others.
Focus, Motegi, focus.
As we walk, the girls talk lightly, and Yomogi and Kimberly are the first ones to speak.
"This is my first time exploring the twenty-fifth floor of a labyrinth."
"The same… for me… Yomogi..."
And Chantal laughs confidently as she turns at Pinna.
"Hahaha! You two'll be fine. We've got this. Right, Pinna?"
"Correct. Although monster quantity increases from four to five starting from this floor, successful progression is a statistically reasonable expectation."
Yeah, Yomogi once made it to the 24th floor in Misdaras with her late husband, while Kimberly reached the same floor in Heiligeichen alone.
But again, because all the labyrinths in Acrusse follow the exponential numbers like in math, it means that floors 16–24 we already conquered, had four monsters inside, floors 25–35 will have five, and if we make it to floors 36–48 later, we will face six.
And yes, only Chantal and Pinna have actually experienced that level. Chantal made it to the 35th floor in Misdaras with her former party, while Pinna reached the same floor in Heiligeichen alone with only her gadgets.
Then, Yomogi and Chantal halt us as the latter's ears twitch.
"I think it's a plant this time..."
And Yomogi sniffs the air, but her expression brightens.
"Mmm… it smells like walnuts!"
Between the two, Pinna's Observer Unit has scanned the path ahead, and I ask her.
"Pinna, what do you see?"
"Multiple entities detected. Count: five. Species: Wallynuts. Trajectory: direct approach."
"Okay."
Yes, I know I have [Appraisal] skill, and yes, I know you might ask, "Why don't you use it here?"
So let me answer. When I was still living alone, I frequently used that skill.
But ever since I've been with these girls… I've stopped needing it so much and only used it for converting Acrusse coins to yen. I mean, they're experienced adventurers, so I obviously trust them more. Also, Yomogi's nose, Chantal's ears, and Pinna's vision through her Observer Unit are all sharper for this case.
And right on cue, five monsters that look like oversized, mossy walnuts come into view. Their tough husks are cracked and gaping like maws, and inside each one is a round core.
Kimberly warns me.
"They… can shoot… those nuts. Be careful… Motegi-sama…"
But Yomogi still looks delighted, so I playfully ask her.
"So, will they drop nuts?"
"Yes! Walnuts are their rare items, Motegi-chan!"
And her answer is enough for me to silently activate [Temporary Boost], setting all of our stats to infinity.
Yomogi cheers.
"Let's get those nuts, Chantal!"
Chantal already twirls her daggers.
"Right behind you, Yomogi!"
Kimberly thanks me.
"Thank you… Motegi-sama…"
"You're welcome."
As for Pinna, she is still recalibrating.
"System adapting to stat enhancement… Adjustment in progress… Readiness level: acceptable. I am prepared, Master."
"Alright, then. Let's do it."
With that, Kimberly casts the same spell twice to shield Yomogi and Chantal.
"Wind… Wall. Wind… Wall…"
Just in time, the Wallynuts fire a volley of nut-like projectiles. They bounce harmlessly, and Yomogi and Chantal thank her.
"Thanks, Kimberly!"
"Amazing, Kimberly!"
With the barriers still intact, Yomogi and Chantal charge forward.
"Grraahhh!"
Yomogi roars as she bolts ahead, which ends up with her grabbing one Wallynut. She hurls it overhead, then leaps up and spins, delivering a crushing kick.
"Get away! Get away! Get away!"
Chantal shouts as she dashes in, and the other Wallynuts shoots its nuts again. With a leap, she lands on it and slices it apart with both daggers.
Pinna's Crawler Unit Two is already moving, popping out a thin metal disc across the ground. Then, it shoots a glowing wire that snares and yanks the third Wallynut into a spin, slamming it against the left wall, then the right, back and forth, again and again until it's destroyed.
Lastly, Kimberly and I nod to each other silently.
"Wind... Javelin..."
"Wind Javelin!"
We cast the same spell, sending two sharp spears that pierce through the final two Wallynuts.
And then, we scatter to pick up the walnuts as Yomogi and Chantal are excited.
"Motegi-chan, can we eat this with chocolate later?"
"Of course."
"Ooooh, I can't wait! That's gotta be amazing, Motegi-kun!"
Pinna explains something to me, which Kimberly confirms.
"Wallynuts appear on the ninth floor of Heiligeichen's labyrinth. Average drop rate for edible walnut: five percent."
"Yes… I've fought... them… there... before…"
"Ah, I see..."
And with that, we press deeper into the twenty-fifth floor and gather walnuts together.