I gazed at the dark forest view outside the cave.
The twin moons were hidden behind thick clouds, leaving the world in near-absolute darkness. The only light was the dimly glowing embers of the campfire, its orange glow barely able to penetrate the shadows surrounding me.
"It's really dark," I muttered to myself. "Not a speck of light."
That thought sparked another idea. Should I buy a flashlight?
"Just buy it," I decided. "But not an expensive one. And it has to be practical."
I knew this world likely hadn't discovered electricity yet. So, I couldn't buy a flashlight that depended on disposable batteries or electrical outlets. That would just become junk once the batteries ran out.
"And I'm hungry too," my stomach grumbled softly, agreeing with my thoughts. Those instant noodles earlier were just enough to stave off hunger, not to replenish energy after a day of walking and fighting.
"Might as well buy food."
"System," I called.
The blue holographic screen appeared again, its soft light illuminating my face. I imagined the keyword: Solar Powered Flashlight.
A list appeared. I filtered it by the lowest price.
[Mountaineer Flashlight Siger Solar-10]
Description: Compact LED flashlight with integrated solar panel on the body. Equipped with a manual crank for emergency charging. Waterproof, shockproof, with three light modes (bright, dim, strobe). Just expose to sunlight for 6 hours for 8 hours of full use.
Price: 20 Points.
"Twenty points? Kinda pricey," I complained.
"But... this thing is very useful."
I added it to the cart. Next, I needed decent cooking equipment. I was sick of that dented goblin pot.
[Stainless Steel Small Pot - Oxone]
Description: Multipurpose pot with a 15 cm diameter. Suitable for brewing noodles, boiling water, or simple cooking for one person.
Price: 15 Points.
"Why is a pot 15 points?" I grumbled, but put it in the cart anyway. I also added a green plastic bowl, a folding spork, and a stainless steel water bottle.
Finally, the most important part: food. I opened the "Food" category, and my eyes immediately locked onto a menu item that made my mouth water.
[Jumbo Stuffed Meatball + White Rice]
I used the customization feature. "Lots of chili sauce, a little soy sauce, no vegetables."
Price: 8 Points.
[Bottled Mineral Water 600ml]: 1 Point.
Total: 44 Points. Remaining Balance: 758 Points.
I pressed the [PAY] button.
WHIRRR...
A brown cardboard box appeared silently on my lap. I opened it carefully to avoid making noise. I only took out what I needed: the bowl, spork, water bottle, and a clear plastic bag misted with condensation, containing a bowl of meatballs.
"Wow, still warm," I whispered in amazement.
The savory aroma of beef broth, mixed with the spiciness of chili sauce and a hint of fried onions, immediately wafted out, filling the small cave. A scent so strong, so familiar, so... Intoxicating.
Hopefully, they don't wake up from this smell.
I glanced at the three adventurers sleeping soundly. Their breathing was regular. Safe.
Moving as slowly as possible, I poured the contents of the bag into my new green bowl. The hot, slightly oily broth swirled, revealing the jumbo meatball split in the middle, showing smaller meatballs and quail eggs inside. Vermicelli and yellow noodles floated around it, garnished with crispy fried onions.
I opened the paper-wrapped rice. Fluffy white rice, still steaming. I took a small portion of rice with the spoon, put it into the bowl, letting it soak in the broth.
I scooped the first bite. Broth, noodles, vermicelli, and a small piece of meatball.
As the warm broth touched my tongue, my eyes closed.
Incredible.
The beef broth taste was so rich and deep. Savory, slightly salty, with the faint warmth of ginger and pepper. The chili sauce gave just the right spicy kick, not too burning, but enough to make my forehead sweat a little. The rice soaked in broth became soft, absorbing all the flavors.
I bit into the big meatball. The texture was chewy yet tender. It tasted like meat, not just flour. And inside, the explosion of flavors from the small meatballs and the savory quail egg completed everything.
"Ahh... delicious," I whispered, almost moaning in pleasure.
I had forgotten the last time I ate something this good.
After a day of surviving on just instant noodles in the forest, this simple meal felt like a dish from a goddess.
I ate voraciously, but slowly, savoring every bite. Every texture. Every flavor. The sound of my own slurping seemed loud in my ears.
"Thank goodness I got this power," I thought while chewing.
"At least I can still eat well in the middle of this harsh medieval world."
I glanced again at Garren, Dina, and Tom. They were still fast asleep, undisturbed by the aroma of meatballs beside them.
Thank goodness.
After the bowl was clean down to the last drop, I leaned back against the cave wall, my stomach feeling full and warm.
"Ah... so full." I sighed in satisfaction.
"The meatballs were delicious, the rice was soft too. It feels like it's been centuries since I ate food like this."
Heavy drowsiness began to attack, the effect of a full stomach and a tired body.
I cleaned up my leftovers, washed the bowl and spoon with the remaining mineral water, then packed them back into my bag. I put all the trash into a plastic bag to dispose of later. Leave no trace.
I returned to my guard post at the cave entrance, leaning against the cold wall. My hand never left the grip of the Glock pistol hidden in my jacket pocket.
I tried hard to keep my eyes open, scanning the darkness outside. But the warmth in my belly, the accumulated exhaustion of the day, and the false security of this cave conspired against me.
My head drooped to my chest.
And I fell asleep.
...
"Hey, Liam."
A voice. Soft, but urgent.
"Liam."
The name felt foreign to my half-asleep ears.
"Liam, wake up."
"Last night's meatballs... were delicious," I mumbled, my mind still floating in a warm, flavorful dream.
"Liam, wake up!"
SPLASH!
A cold, wet sensation suddenly doused my face, jolting me awake in shock.
"Wahh!" I jumped up, eyes wide open.
"Where... is this?" I looked around in panic. The damp cave. Remains of embers turned into black ash. And the view outside the cave mouth was still pitch black.
Three figures stood before me, their silhouettes faint under the dim predawn light. They had packed their gear, ready to leave.
Then I remembered.
"Right. I am in another world now," I whispered to myself.
"Turns out it wasn't all a dream." I let out a long sigh.
"What are you talking about, Liam?" Dina asked, her hand still holding the water bottle she had just used to wake me up.
"Nothing, Dina. Thanks for waking me." I wiped the remaining water from my face.
"And... sorry. I fell asleep last night. I felt really sleepy." I put my hands together in an apologetic pose.
"It's okay," Dina replied. "Besides, not long after you fell asleep, Garren woke up for his watch. He saw you were already sound asleep."
"Thank goodness," I said, relieved.
"Liam." Garren's voice sounded harsh, cutting through the relief.
"If you couldn't handle the watch, you should have woken Dina or me. You don't know how dangerous your actions were. Didn't we tell you, this forest is full of monsters? It's not uncommon for adventurers to die while they sleep."
I could only look down and nod. He was right. I was wrong. I had underestimated the situation too much.
"Come on, Garren. We should get going. The later it gets, the more monsters wake up," Tom chimed in, defending me.
"Yeah, you're right. But remember that, Liam," Garren said as he turned, helping Tom stand and supporting him on his shoulder.
"Thanks for the advice, Garren," I answered sincerely.
"Don't take it to heart, Liam," Dina smiled at me. "Garren said that for your own good. He doesn't hate you, you know."
"I know," I replied.
I stood up and started packing my things. I checked the Glock pistol hidden under my jacket, ensuring the magazine was full and the safety was on. I gathered all the plastic trash from my meal last night, put it into the plastic bag from the gear, and placed it inside the cave.
I walked to the cave entrance. The morning air felt piercing, hitting my face with a biting chill even though I was wearing a thick jacket. The sky on the eastern horizon was just starting to show a pale indigo streak.
I glanced at the watch on my wrist. 04:25.
"Still very early."
"What are you looking at, Liam?"
Dina approached me, her wooden staff gripped tight. Her green eyes stared at my watch with undisguised curiosity.
I immediately pulled my jacket sleeve down, hiding it. "Nothing."
"Dina, why are we moving this early?" I asked, changing the subject while walking behind Garren, who was supporting Tom.
"Because the activity of most monsters is lower at night. They sleep. The ones active at night are usually smaller, less dangerous monsters."
"I see."
"Dina."
"Yes?"
"Do you know anything about... clocks?" I asked carefully.
"Of course I know. I often see objects called clocks on the Adventurer's Guild tower or in the town square." She looked at me strangely.
"Why do you ask?"
"I just wanted to know what time it is now."
"Then you can only find out once we arrive in the city later," she answered with a smile.
"Liam," she said again, her voice now slightly hesitant. "Could... could you call me 'Onee-chan'?"
"What?" I turned to her, confused. We were walking side by side, our footsteps crunching softly on the wet leaves.
"I mean," she paused, her face flushing slightly under the dim light.
"You're still young, and you keep calling me by my name. I feel... it's impolite."
I fell silent, processing her request. From the front, I heard stifled laughter from Garren and Tom.
Calling a woman who was likely younger than my actual age 'Onee-chan'?
I observed her appearance once more. Short pink hair, fair skin, green eyes... European facial features. Pretty, indeed. But still...
"Hmm..." I thought, trying to find a polite way to refuse.
"Don't listen to her, Liam!" Garren shouted from the front, his laughter now unrestrained.
"Dina is just like that. She really likes little kids. Every time she meets children, she always forces them to call her 'Dina Onee-chan' with a cute expression."
Hearing that, I reflexively took a step back, moving away from Dina.
Pedophile? The thought flashed by, making me shudder.
"Garren, damn you! Look what you did! Liam misunderstood now, didn't he!" Dina exclaimed, her face now as red as a tomato.
"Listen, Liam! I'm not what you're thinking! I mean... um..." She tried to explain, her voice stammering from embarrassment and panic.
I moved further away from her, shifting closer to Garren's safe side.
"Liam, listen! It's not like that!"
"Shh! Quiet!"
Garren's voice suddenly became sharp. He reached his hand back, stopping Dina and me.
My body instantly tensed up. I pulled out my Glock, gripping it tight with both hands, the barrel tip shaking slightly.
I glanced at Dina. Her playful expression had vanished, replaced by cold seriousness. She held her wooden staff with both hands, posture alert.
I moved slowly behind Garren, my eyes scanning the darkness of the forest in front of us.