As expected, Sylphaeris beats Daichi at Go, and it's not even close.
[Daichi] "I lost all three games! This is ridiculous!"
He slumps back on the grass, completely frustrated.
[Sylphaeris] "You're improving, though."
[Daichi] "That doesn't help!"
The noise draws attention from inside my cabin. Yuki, Vesper, and Kara emerge, curious about the commotion.
Kara spots the board games first, her eyes immediately drawn to the craftsmanship.
[Kara] "Did you make these? The joinery on the boards is excellent."
[Wright] "Thanks. I used my Crafting skill."
[Kara] "Still, the precision is impressive."
Yuki's eyes light up when she sees the Go board.
[Yuki] "You have Go?! I love Go!"
[Wright] "You play?"
[Yuki] "I used to play competitively back in school. I got really into it after reading this manga about a boy who becomes obsessed with the game."
I perk up immediately.
[Wright] "Oh, I know that one! The scene where he slams his hand down during that crucial match—I got chills."
[Yuki] "Yes! And the part where he realizes the true depth of the game, how it's not just about winning but understanding the flow—that was beautiful."
[Wright] "The atmosphere during those tournament scenes was incredible. You could feel the tension through the pages."
[Yuki] "Exactly! It made me want to get better at the game."
We're both grinning like idiots, completely absorbed in our shared enthusiasm.
Daichi interrupts our manga discussion.
[Daichi] "Yuki, you should play against Sylphaeris. She's impossibly strong."
Yuki looks at Sylphaeris with newfound interest.
[Yuki] "Really? Want to play?"
[Sylphaeris] "I'd be happy to."
They settle down with the Go board between them, and the game begins.
Sylphaeris concentrates hard, her usual playful demeanor replaced with intense focus. Yuki matches her intensity, placing stones with careful consideration. The board fills slowly, back and forth, territory claimed and contested. It's close. Really close.
Finally, Yuki places her last stone.
[Yuki] "I think... that's it."
They count the territories together.
Yuki wins. Barely.
Sylphaeris stares at the board, absolutely devastated.
[Sylphaeris] "I... I lost?"
[Daichi] "YES! REVENGE!"
He jumps up, pumping his fist in the air triumphantly.
[Daichi] "Thank you, Yuki! You've avenged me!"
Yuki laughs at his enthusiasm.
[Yuki] "It was a really close game. You're very good, Sylphaeris."
[Sylphaeris] "Apparently not good enough."
She's pouting now, which is oddly endearing coming from an ancient spirit.
Vesper picks up the Shogi board, examining the carved pieces with interest.
[Vesper] "These games seem to have a lot of strategy involved."
[Daichi] "Want to learn? We can teach you."
[Kara] "I'm interested too."
Daichi and Yuki start explaining the rules of each game, and soon everyone is playing. Partners rotate, different games get tried, and laughter erupts when someone makes a rookie mistake. Vesper approaches each game like a puzzle to solve, while Kara gets surprisingly competitive, grumbling good-naturedly when she loses and grinning when she wins.
I join in as well, playing a few matches myself. It's relaxing. A kind of simple fun. The afternoon passes quickly in the warm sunlight.
---
As evening approaches, we head back to the barracks area to start setting up the barbecue.
Kara pulls the large grill from her Storage—the same one she built last time, sturdy and well-made with a wide cooking surface. I stack wood in the fire pit below it, arranging the logs carefully for even heat distribution.
Liora takes charge of the Honeyed Grain, setting up a smaller fire nearby. She pours Silverwheat into a large pot, adding water and stirring as it begins to simmer. Honey goes in gradually, each addition turning the grains more golden and glossy, until the sweet scent fills the air. She folds in dried berries and crushed nuts with practiced ease, the mixture thickening into something that smells incredible.
Sylphaeris takes charge of the salad again, gathering fresh Spiceleaf and Sunfall Fruit with obvious familiarity.
Daichi and Yuki approach Liora, looking eager to help.
[Daichi] "Is there anything we can do to help?"
Liora smiles warmly at them.
[Liora] "Would you like to help me with the Honeyed Grain? It's a traditional high elf dish we make during times of celebration."
[Yuki] "We'd love to!"
[Daichi] "I've never tried elven food before."
[Liora] "Then you're in for a treat."
She hands them spoons and shows them how to stir properly, how to fold in the ingredients without crushing the delicate grains. They work together, chatting easily about the differences between human and elven cuisine.
—
The hunting group returns from the forest.
Takeshi, Aiko, and Kenji look proud and satisfied, like they've accomplished something significant.
[Takeshi] "We're back!"
[Wright] "How did it go?"
[Takeshi] "Great! I leveled up thirty times!"
[Aiko] "Me too! That was fast!"
[Kenji] "37."
I smile at their excitement. Here I am, still level 1.
[Rhevan] "They all did well. Kenji excels at ambushes. Very precise, very quiet."
Kenji nods, looking pleased with the compliment.
[Nym] "Aiko was invaluable. Several hunters made mistakes and got injured, but she healed them immediately."
[Aiko] "I'm just glad I could help!"
They seem like they had fun, and I'm glad for it. This is exactly the kind of experience they need.
Rhevan opens his Storage, and meat begins piling up on the ground in impressive quantities.
Some I recognize from the last barbecue. Manahide Hare already skinned and cleaned, thick marbled cuts of Steelhide Warboar, and Skytalon Griffin, apparently fit for royalty.
There were some new types, so I activated Appraisal.
—
[Appraisal]
Emberfang Wolf
Fire-element predator with fur that glows red when agitated. Fangs generate intense heat capable of cauterizing wounds instantly. Hunts in coordinated packs using flame to corner prey.
[Appraisal]
Crystalwing Deer
Elusive creature with antlers that shimmer like glass. Extremely skittish with exceptional hearing and reflexes. Meat is prized for its delicate flavor and tender texture.
—
Oh, these were the monsters that Rhevan mentioned earlier during lunch.
[Rhevan] "We stopped by the river on the way back."
He pulls out additional catches, and I activate Appraisal again.
—
[Appraisal]
Shimmerscale Trout
Large freshwater fish with iridescent scales that reflect light. Firm, pink meat rich in nutrients. Thrives in fast-moving currents and feeds on magical algae.
[Appraisal]
Ironshell Crayfish
Massive freshwater crustacean with shell reinforced by mineral deposits. Claws are powerful enough to crack stone. Meat is sweet and dense, similar to lobster.
[Appraisal]
Embercoral Eel
Serpentine predator with bright orange skin. Naturally spicy meat due to diet of fire-element coral and plants. Aggressive when cornered but flees from larger threats.
—
[Wright] "This is shaping up to be even bigger than last time."
[Rhevan] "That was the idea."
Kara pulls a large table from her Storage and sets it up as a work station for meal preparation.
Everyone gathers around, and we begin preparing the meat together. Takeshi and Rhevan work on cutting thick steaks from the Warboar and Griffin, seasoning them generously with salt, pepper, and crushed herbs. Aiko and Nym skewer chunks of Hare and Wolf meat, alternating with vegetables for balance. Kenji fillets the Shimmerscale Trout with surprising skill, his movements precise and efficient. Yuki and Daichi clean the Ironshell Crayfish, cracking the shells slightly so they'll cook evenly. The Embercoral Eel gets cut into sections and seasoned heavily to complement its natural spice. The Crystalwing Deer is prepared whole, rubbed with herbs and oil, ready to be roasted over the fire on a spit.
I man the grill, arranging the coals for different heat zones—some areas blazing hot for searing, others cooler for slower cooking.
Vesper stands beside me, ready to rotate skewers when needed.
[Vesper] "Just tell me when."
[Wright] "Will do."
Takeshi joins us as well, looking eager.
[Takeshi] "I want to help cook. I used to grill back home sometimes."
[Wright] "Perfect. You take that side, I'll take this side."
We start cooking together, falling into an easy rhythm.
The steaks go on first, sizzling immediately as they hit the hot grill. Fat drips into the coals, sending up bursts of flame and fragrant smoke. The skewers follow, with Vesper rotating them carefully to ensure even cooking. The whole Crystalwing Deer is set on a spit over a separate fire, turning slowly to roast evenly. The Shimmerscale Trout gets placed on a cooler section of the grill, skin-side down, the skin crisping beautifully. The Ironshell Crayfish are set directly on the coals, their shells turning bright red as they cook. The Embercoral Eel sections sizzle and pop, releasing a spicy, smoky aroma that makes everyone's mouths water.
Soon, everything is ready. Platters are loaded with food and brought to the long tables, and everyone gathers eagerly, filling their plates.
---
The barbecue is in full swing, with everyone enjoying the feast.
[Takeshi] "This Warboar steak is incredible!"
He takes another huge bite, juice running down his chin without shame.
[Aiko] "The Crystalwing Deer is so tender! It melts in your mouth!"
[Yuki] "The Shimmerscale Trout is amazing. The skin is so crispy!"
She's carefully picking the fish apart, savoring each piece with obvious appreciation.
Daichi cracks open an Ironshell Crayfish claw, pulling out a chunk of white meat.
[Daichi] "This is like the best lobster I've ever had. But bigger."
[Kenji] "The Embercoral Eel is spicy. I like it."
He's already reaching for a second piece, his usual stoic expression giving way to quiet satisfaction.
Rhevan sits with his hunting team, looking satisfied as he eats a thick Griffin steak, the meat perfectly seared and seasoned.
[Rhevan] "Good hunt today. We'll do it again soon."
His team nods in agreement, too busy eating to respond verbally.
Nym is eating the Honeyed Grain, looking pleasantly surprised at the flavor.
[Nym] "Liora, this is excellent. You've perfected the recipe."
[Liora] "Thank you. Daichi and Yuki helped."
[Daichi] "I just stirred!"
[Liora] "Stirring is important."
Kara is trying a bit of everything, methodically working her way through the different meats to compare them.
[Kara] "The seasoning on the Emberfang Wolf is perfect. Not too strong, doesn't overpower the natural flavor."
Vesper is gnawing on a skewer, completely absorbed in her food and looking blissfully content.
[Vesper] "I love barbecues."
Sylphaeris floats between groups, chatting with everyone while somehow managing to balance a plate of food in her hands.
[Sylphaeris] "This is wonderful! I'm so glad we're doing this again!"
I'm eating a piece of Griffin when Takeshi approaches, his expression sincere.
[Takeshi] "Wright, thank you. For everything. Bringing us here, giving us a place to stay, letting us be part of this."
[Wright] "You're welcome. You're part of the family now."
[Aiko] "It feels like home already."
[Yuki] "I never thought I'd say this, but I'm happy I got summoned here. Well, not the summoning part. But ending up here."
[Kenji] "Better than being stuck with those nobles."
[Daichi] "Way better. Even if I'm going home eventually, I'll remember this."
The conversation shifts naturally as more people drift over, drawn by the warmth of the fire and the comfortable atmosphere. Plates are refilled, drinks are passed around, and the gathering settles into the easy rhythm of shared stories and laughter.
Rhevan tells a story about a hunt gone wrong, where a Thornback Serpent ended up chasing them through the forest until they had to climb trees to escape.
Nym recounts a time when a spell backfired spectacularly and accidentally turned her hair bright purple for three weeks.
Kara describes building her first treehouse and nearly falling out of it multiple times before finally getting the construction right.
The heroes share stories from their world—school festivals where everything went chaotic, sports tournaments with impossible comebacks, video game marathons that lasted entire weekends.
The fire crackles steadily, sending sparks up into the darkening sky. The stars come out one by one, and the night stretches on, warm and full of life and connection.
I take another bite of food and smile.