Chapter 36

After hunting the Sea Golem and spending four days, we finally decided to leave Leila and return to Astram.

Originally, hunting one Sea Golem in a day would have been enough to complete the request, so we could have left immediately. However, I realized that I had spent a significant portion of the money earned from hunting the Sea Golem to make Menbosha and custard sandwiches, so we decided to continue hunting.

Even so, considering the ecosystem, we couldn’t hunt recklessly. Thinking of other adventurers who might also hunt, we only caught six more…

But even that was pushing the limit of what the Adventurer Guild could transport, so we spread it out over three days, catching two each day.

Thanks to that, it became standard practice at the Adventurer Guild to hunt Sea Golems weakened by wheel battles over several days. Our party, which hunted two Sea Golems a day for four consecutive days, was treated like minor heroes.

Because of that, the market price for Sea Golem shells dropped slightly this year.

The only saving grace was that by teaching the innkeeper a few recipes, we got free lodging and meals.

By the time we left for Astram again, the innkeeper had mastered making Menbosha and was selling it as a regular menu item, so it wasn’t a big loss for them.

In fact, considering that frying requires a lot of cooking oil, it’s more cost-effective to produce in bulk at a restaurant rather than making it for a single meal at home. So, it made economic sense for the inn to cook in large quantities.

Thinking about the cost of cooking oil, wasting a large amount just for one meal is insane.

And so, we returned to Astram, leaving behind adventurers who looked at us with awe and an innkeeper who looked at me with admiration.

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A few days passed after returning to the Adventurer Guild of Astram.

The vibrant spring season had matured, transitioning into late spring and early summer.

Sunlight streamed through the open windows of the Adventurer Guild, warmly caressing my scales. I lounged lazily, half-closed eyes basking in the warm sunlight.

If I were a cat-like beastkin instead of a Lizardman, I’d probably be purring right now.

“Hmm…”

This time of day is probably between morning and afternoon.

It’s been a while since I’ve lazed around this late.

Normally, Mari, despite her usual clumsy appearance, has a very regular routine and would have knocked on my door to have breakfast together, subtly hinting for me to cook…

Ah, now that I think about it, Mari went on a request with Karina today.

If I joined, the request would become too easy, and it wouldn’t feel like an adventure.

I always knew my skills were higher than theirs, but after hunting the Sea Golem, it became even more apparent.

Also, after hunting the Sea Golem, the two of them grew closer, often spending time together. Being women of similar ages, unlike me, they seemed to get along even better than with me.

Well, that means I can enjoy some quiet time alone for once.

On days without adventurer requests, we usually do our own things, so it’s not that special.

Then, first, breakfast… or rather, lunch?

Maybe I’ll just have brunch.

But cooking for one is a hassle, so I’ll just grab something at the Adventurer Guild.

After having clam chowder in the coastal city recently, I realized that even in this world with a generally low culinary standard, there are hidden gems of delicious food.

For a while, it wouldn’t be bad to explore good restaurants instead of cooking myself.

After all, we earned a good amount from hunting the Sea Golem.

With such leisurely thoughts, I went down to the first floor of the Adventurer Guild and noticed something unusual.

It was a girl drinking beer not from a glass, but straight from a barrel.

What’s this?

Am I seeing things?

Of course, unlike in my past life, this world is quite lax about morals and laws.

But even so, a girl who looks like she just entered middle school drinking beer straight from a barrel in the middle of the Adventurer Guild?

And no one is stopping her?

Rather than saying anything, I just stared blankly at the girl.

As I watched her back, wondering if I should take the drink away, I realized who she was.

Ah.

I see.

No wonder no one is stopping her from drinking beer like it’s water.

For a moment, I thought she was a human girl drinking alcohol and was shocked.

Despite being an adult, her appearance, which made her look like she was only thirteen or fourteen, would have been shocking if I didn’t know she was a Dwarf.

I almost approached her to take the drink away, which would have been a huge mistake.

Good thing I realized in time.

With a sigh of relief, I found a corner seat and ordered some snacks.

The Dwarf girl drinking beer glanced at me meaningfully, but feeling a bit guilty, I subtly avoided her gaze.

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“Hmm…”

After finishing my meal, I quietly pondered how to spend the rest of the afternoon.

Hmm. With the money from hunting the Sea Golem, maybe I should go shopping.

Come to think of it, there are a few cooking tools I’ve been eyeing…

Or should I just buy them?

Soy sauce.

Since this continent doesn’t have a culinary culture that uses soy sauce, the soy sauce available in the market is all imported from across the sea.

Naturally, its price is higher than sugar of the same weight.

Even for someone like me, who doesn’t hesitate to buy cooking tools, the price is hard to swallow.

For the price of one small jar of soy sauce, I could buy several cooking tools.

But with the lump sum I have now, having soy sauce would allow me to try various Asian-style dishes I couldn’t before.

Galbi-jjim, pork soy sauce bulgogi, teriyaki chicken skewers…

Taking a big bite of meat soaked in that perfectly salty-sweet marinade would make me want to eat endless bowls of white rice.

Soy sauce marinade is unbeatable.

Thinking about it makes me crave white rice…

Should I buy cooking tools that will be helpful in the long run?

Or should I go for soy sauce, a consumable that allows me to boldly try various dishes I couldn’t before?

It’s a tough decision.

…!

Wait.

There’s more than just two options.

What if I save up more money to buy a magic-infused artifact?

When I made custard sandwiches in Leila, I realized that with an artifact, I could try dishes I couldn’t before.

A portable cold storage, like a refrigerator from my past life, would not only preserve ingredients longer but also allow me to make dishes that require chilling.

With that, I could have made custard pudding instead of just custard cream sandwiches.

Hmm…

I never thought I was such a materialistic Lizardman…

Since coming to Astram, I feel like there are so many things to spend money on.

Speaking of refrigerators, having a mage in the party would be convenient.

Not for making adventures easier, but for having cold drinks with every meal.

As I sat there, feeling drowsy after eating, the Adventurer Guild’s door suddenly opened, and a staff member rushed in.

“Emergency request!”

Ah, an emergency request.

Come to think of it, the first time I met Karina was during an emergency request.

Well, with the money from hunting the Sea Golem, I don’t need to take on requests.

But I soon had to retract that thought because of the nature of the emergency request.

“The mission is to hunt an Awakening Species of the Fruit Tree Antlered Reindeer!”

What? The Fruit Tree Antlered Reindeer?

As the name suggests, the Fruit Tree Antlered Reindeer is a monsterized reindeer, with the most notable feature being that its antlers bear fruit instead of being typical antlers.

It’s a very rare monster, and I’ve only hunted a few. But the most important thing is the unique nature of the fruit it bears.

Unlike other fruits that gain nutrients through photosynthesis, this reindeer’s fruit gains nutrients through carnivorous means, making its juice several times more concentrated than regular fruits.

Moreover, the reindeer’s meat, influenced by the fruit, has a fragrant aroma without any gamey smell, making it a delicacy.

And it’s not just any Fruit Tree Antlered Reindeer, but an Awakening Species?

Gulp.

I can’t resist this.