One Day to Run: Hunted Pepper, Savor the Delicacy
"Whoa…!?"
"…Well, that's unexpected…!"
In the unique quest "The Roaring Tyrant's Gambit in the Swamp", Pepper had taken on a commission from Rex at the Enhance Trading Company to deliver 200 Mad Frog pelts. With the help of Aitoil, the wandering Vorpal Bunny, he'd managed to secure the required amount.
But the real challenge lay ahead: getting back to Secondil. The sheer weight of the pelts was crushing his inventory, slowing his actions to a crawl. Even for a backpacker skilled at hauling goods, this was a slog. At this rate, delivering to the Enhance Trading Company would take forever—and the longer he lingered, the higher the risk of Aitoil being spotted.
"No choice…!"
Steeling himself, Pepper laid out a plan to Aitoil. He'd entrust the pelts to her, sprint to the Enhance Trading Company's Secondil branch, and request a recovery team. While he was gone, Aitoil would hide behind a rock to avoid detection. He'd return within 10 minutes, meet the recovery team, hand over the pelts, and, if all went well, hitch a ride back to Secondil for a safe return.
"Pepper-han, you better come back," Aitoil slurred, still tipsy from the Wind-Calling Sake. "I can fight if I gotta… but this sake's got me woozy…"
"I'll be back in 10 minutes, promise," Pepper assured her.
The Vorpal Soul Collar halved his experience gains, but it granted 2.5x stat points per level-up. After hunting 200 Mad Frogs and gaining two levels, Pepper had earned 24 points, which he allocated 10 to Agility and 14 to Stamina. Activating the skills Accel and Highbeat, he took off like a shot.
In that moment, Pepper was like the hero of Run, Melos!, racing to save his stranded friend. He tore through the swamp, kicking rocks to dust and chewing on emergency rations, his sights set on the Enhance Trading Company in Secondil.
Five minutes of relentless sprinting later, he burst into the branch office. "I've got the Mad Frog pelts, but they're too heavy to carry! Please send a recovery team ASAP!" he gasped to the receptionist before bolting back the way he came.
Run, run, run, run. He overshot his 10-minute goal by 30 seconds but made it back to Aitoil's hiding spot. Still drunk, she launched herself at him the moment she saw him, clinging tightly. "You… came back…!"
Feeling guilty for worrying her, Pepper comforted Aitoil until the Enhance Trading Company's carriage arrived in a flurry. "We're terribly sorry for the delay! We'll take you to Secondil—please, hop in!" The driver's swift response and sincere apology earned Pepper's forgiveness.
And so, Pepper and a cloaked Aitoil, reeking of sake, climbed aboard with the pelts and set off for Secondil.
"Thank you, Pepper-sama," Rex said in the second-floor meeting room of the Enhance Trading Company's Secondil branch. "We've confirmed the 200 Mad Frog pelts. It's modest, but please accept this reward…" He paused, wincing at the lingering sake stench.
Pepper pocketed 30,000 mani as his reward, noting Rex's discomfort but focusing on the next task. "I'm sorry to impose again," Rex continued, "but given your prowess, acknowledged by the King of the Night, we have another request…"
"Got it. What's the job?" Pepper replied.
The pelts had been a hassle, but 30,000 mani made it worth it. He kept any complaints to himself, ready to hear the next challenge.
"Thank you, Pepper-sama!" Rex said, his tone earnest. As Aitoil eavesdropped from within Pepper's cloak, Rex explained the new quest.
"As I mentioned, we're developing new products using Mad Frog pelts. One of our prototypes is nearly complete. We'd like you to test its performance against a monster called the Swamp Digger Maddeik."
"Swamp Digger? What's that?" Pepper asked, unfamiliar with the name.
Rex pulled out a map and began detailing the creature. "The Swamp Digger inhabits the canyons of the Quad-Eight Swamp, between Secondil and Thirdrema. It's a territorial beast, resembling a four-legged shark that swims through the swamp and crushes enemies with its razor-sharp teeth. Even seasoned Pioneers struggle against it…"
The mention of Pioneers tipped Pepper off: the Swamp Digger was an area boss. The mission was clear—use the provided prototype to repel or defeat it.
"You must be exhausted from the delivery," Rex added. "Please rest and prepare thoroughly. When you're ready, let the receptionist know, and we'll arrange a carriage to the Swamp Digger's territory."
Fighting an area boss in the swamp's harsh terrain required serious prep. With his weapons' durability strained from the Mad Frog hunt, half-measures would spell disaster.
"Understood. I'll prep carefully and take on the quest," Pepper said.
"Thank you!" Rex replied, bowing.
Pepper's to-do list was clear: three tasks. Repair his weapons, acquire new weapons and armor, and—most importantly—eat to curb his hunger.
"Excuse me!"
Leaving the Enhance Trading Company, Pepper headed to Secondil's weapon shop.
"Yo, welco—ugh, you reek of sake!" the blacksmith grumbled.
"Sorry," Pepper said sheepishly. "I was on a Mad Frog pelt quest for the Enhance Trading Company, and my buddy used some sake to lure them. They're off on an errand now."
"Uh, right…" the blacksmith said, still wary.
To keep Aitoil's existence under wraps, Pepper spun a vague but plausible story. "I'm here to repair my weapons, reinforce my Lock-On Breaker, and commission new ones."
"Got materials?" the blacksmith asked.
"Right here." Pepper pulled out his swamp-mined ores—Gray Steel, Iron Ore, Swamp Fossils, Silver Steel, and the rare Swamp Bounty Rock—stacking them on the counter.
"Well, damn, that's quite a haul," the blacksmith said, eyeing the rare rock. "This Swamp Bounty Rock's a rare find. With this much, I can reinforce your Lock-On Breaker no problem. What else?"
"For repairs, my Vorpal Small Hammer. For new weapons, I'd like one Swamp Pepper Dagger and one Swamp Pepper Small Hammer made from Swamp Fossils. Sell the leftover ores to cover the crafting costs."
"Got it. But with repairs, new weapons, and the Lock-On Breaker upgrade, it'll take till mid-afternoon. That cool?"
Time was tight, but Pepper trusted the blacksmith. "Please, go ahead."
"You got it. I'll make 'em perfect," the blacksmith promised.
The commission ate up most of Rex's reward money, but Pepper had no regrets. Next, he visited the armor shop, purchasing a full set of Blade-Barrier Pelt Armor crafted from Mad Frog pelts, upgrading his beginner leather gear.
"Thanks for everything," he said to his old gear, a sentimental nod. Switching to the new set, he hesitated at the headpiece—a gaudy, pro-wrestler-style mask. Deciding it was too much, he kept his trusty leather hat.
"Hmm, got some time to kill…"
With the delivery done, weapons in progress, and armor upgraded, Pepper was momentarily free. He could log out and research the Swamp Digger on his phone during lunch, but for now, he needed something to do.
"Yo, Pepper-han!" Aitoil's voice piped up from his cloak. "You got those Mad Frog Tongues, right? How 'bout a little feast?"
Weissash's favorite delicacy was tempting, and Aitoil's eagerness suggested she was itching for a drink. "You helped me out big time with the Mad Frogs," Pepper said. "Let's celebrate to thank you."
"That's the spirit!" Aitoil cheered. "You get me, Pepper-han!"
Decision made, Pepper hurried to a Secondil alley, where Aitoil conjured a door back to the Rabbit Palace in Rabbits.
"Whoa! Fresh Mad Frog Tongues!"
Back at the Rabbit Palace, Pepper and Aitoil headed straight to the dining hall to see Teak, showing off the rare drop.
"Teak! Me and Pepper-han are throwin' a little party," Aitoil said, still tipsy. "Can ya whip up the Okashira's favorite?"
"Hold up, Aitoil-nee," Teak said, eyeing her. "You're already smashed from that Wind-Calling Sake. You sure you're good?"
"It's a feast with Pepper-han! I'm fine, fine!" she insisted.
Pepper couldn't help but worry about her drinking more, but he was curious about the delicacy. "Teak-san, I'd love to try what the Teacher likes. Please make it."
"Alright, I'm on it," Teak said. "Take a seat and wait."
Handing over the Mad Frog Tongues, Pepper and Aitoil sat side by side. Soon, the kitchen filled with the sounds of sizzling meat and the savory scent of salt, making Pepper's stomach growl.
"That smells amazing," he said.
"The Okashira, me, and Big Bro Edward all love this aroma," Aitoil purred.
"Edward, huh?" Another sibling name dropped casually, but Pepper brushed it off, focusing on the meal.
Finally, Teak returned. "Here ya go! Teak's special Mad Frog Tongue Skewer!"
A tray arrived with bamboo cups of cold water and a white rectangular plate bearing the dish. The salt-grilled tongues, skewered like yakitori, resembled crispy chicken skin.
Pepper checked the item's stats:
Mad Frog Tongue Skewer
A delicacy crafted by Food King Teak, grilled with only salt. The flavor deepens with each chew.
Once you start, you can't stop until your will prevails, as the juices flood your mouth.
Restores 25% hunger. Takeout available.
"Looks delicious," Pepper said, salivating.
"This… this is it!" Aitoil crowed. "The smell's perfect with sake!"
She popped open her gourd canteen, bit into a skewer, and took a swig. Pepper clapped his hands, said "Itadakimasu," and took a big bite, savoring the aroma.
(Hmm…? It's got that gizzard-like crunch, but…)
Despite its chicken-skin appearance and subtle gizzard texture, the flavor felt… faint. Like chewing bland gum. (Is this some gourmet taste I'm not refined enough for? Am I not ready?)
Unbeknownst to Pepper, Shangri-La Frontier's food system starts players with a "default" taste setting. This safety measure prevents players from becoming so enamored with VR food that they neglect real-world meals, risking starvation. True taste only "blooms" under specific conditions, which Pepper hadn't yet unlocked.
"…Teak-san, this is delicious," he said politely, not wanting to offend the chef.
"Glad it was worth makin'," Teak replied with a grin. "Pepper, bring me any ingredients you find. I'll charge ya, but I'll whip up something top-notch."
"For real? Thanks!"
"Pepper-han, c'mon, let's toast!" Aitoil urged, raising her canteen.
With a wry smile, Pepper clinked his bamboo cup against her canteen, savoring a brief moment of respite amidst the ticking clock.
Fuel Up with Mad Frog Tongue Skewers