A sudden surge of power.
Dense Mana that seemed as if it was always a part of me.
The rough texture of its body.
It’s thin, though, and smooth strings that were finely intertwined with significant force.
They decorate the green body with three colorful flowers.
Red gathered hot particles of fire, Blue gathered cool particles of water, and green gathered sharp particles of wind.
As I felt the fine bow, I got new ideas on how I can improve my archery as well as my spells.
“Thanks, Ailji! You too Gaar and Perry! I am grateful for your amazing gifts!” I shouted, continuing to feel this excellent piece of craftsmanship.
It was good, not best, but good.
It had flowed in its stability and energy distribution and some of them can’t be fixed even if I wanted to.
I can use this, but not after (tier-4).
Well, it wasn’t a problem, as this was also a life-saving bow.
In case of an extreme emergency, I can kill the opponent with its only skill that created a super-powerful explosion using all of its core’s power.
‘That would be a great thing.’
Smiling brightly, I put it away in the white crack.
And as soon as I did that, other beasts surged forward to say their thanks.
Overwhelming me with their excited and ‘happy’ voice, this gift offering indeed continued for the whole day.
***
[ “Tomorrow morning?” ]
It was almost sunset when we finished our little gifting ceremony.
I didn’t know if it was lucky or just blessed, but I had definitely gained many resources in just a span of two days.
From the vampire flower, skill stone from chibi ninja, and gift from golden deer to all the gifts I received after just saving my dear friend.
I was thankful to her and every beast here for giving me so many precious things.
If I can, I might have stayed here for a bit longer.
But, I had to reach the willow tree on the other side, cross the dark forest and escape from this great forest.
This was an arduous task, and I knew I can’t reach any new realm of strength in a short amount of time.
I had a long way to go and there were still many obstacles I had to cross.
If I could, I wanted to live with her for a long time and see the entire forest from her point of view.
She was a leader and I could research the unknown beasts in this great forest.
I wanted to… but my desire to see my parents again once again was greater than any of those things.
Looking at her with a sad smile and exhausted face, I started talking.
“Fern. You are my first real friend. Nothing will change this fact.
If things were different and I wasn’t in this situation, I might have just stayed with you here.
I would have loved nothing more than to live with my friend in this beautiful place.
But… you know. I have to march forward.”
I paused and caressed her big head.
I liked playing with her head and she, too, melted on my gentle touch, like a big squirrel.
It was amazing to see her melt like that, but there was still grief in those eyes.
“But… I have to go back and I know it won’t be easy. There will be difficulties and maybe… I might die-” With a sharp voice and real angry aura, she cut me off.
[ “Don’t you dare say that!” ]
Her eyes were furious, and my hand was still on her head.
Forgetting about that horrible pressure and sorrowful surrounding atmosphere that was more dangerous than I thought was possible, I slid my hand onto her furry neck.
[ “No, no not there. Oh~. Oh! Yes~! Ah! Just like that…” ]
Her words were something that one can misunderstand, but her melted expression and the fallen big body were now looking like a cat.
“I will do my best, my lovely friend. But… even I haven’t seen tomorrow.”
Just like my previous life, where I didn’t know if I will live or die the other day… I know nothing about what tomorrow had for me.
It was always uncertain, and I knew full well how weak I was in this horrible place.
My point of view has changed these past few days, but this hell was still hell in my eyes.
[ “Eon… I don’t have a flashy gift or anything like that but, I will always be here. I will always be your friend and every member of my family would consider you as one of us.
I know how hard this might be; I know and I’m helpless in this situation but…
If fate ever allows it and we can meet again in different, positive circumstances, I want you to stay with me, with us. ｎ𝚘𝚟ｌ.ｃｏ𝚖
This part of the forest, this family of mine will always welcome you, my savior and eternal friend, with open arms.” ]
Her voice was stern and I could also feel the sorrow in those big, forest green eyes.
“Until fate allows it…”
I mumbled under my breath and continued playing with her soft fur.
“Fern. I think we will meet again. Maybe in this very forest. If I ever get the chance… or curse, to be here again, I will come here.” I promised and took my hand away.
[ “You better keep your promise~!” ]
She shouted and jumped on my lap.
“What do you say? Wanna taste my cooking?” I asked with a genuine curiosity as this might be the last time we were together.
[ “Cooking?” ] She asked with bright, shining eyes.
I knew she would like it and there was a good chance that she would remember those for a long time.
I loved looking, and I had told her this fact.
Now that I was in a place where I had an abundance of space, ingredients, and resources for cooking, I had to do something to show my thanks for their splendid gifts and care.
I was happy there were many things that I could make and there was a good enough place to cook.
I also didn’t have to worry about all the things that I feared at the night.
I can freely cook here, however, and whatever I wanted.
No beast was fierce here, nothing could harm me when I was here and I was happy that there was such a great place to set a large temporary kitchen if others helped me.
I knew that even though they were beasts, many of them loved cooked food, and many of them were skilled cooks in this enormous family.
From hunting beasts for food and preparing, everything was a big task, but if the big three helped me with some matters, I can even present them with my first ever banquet.
Looking at her with a warm smile, I started walking down the stairs.
[ “You will cook~!? For me?” ]
Her eyes were still shining and she still couldn’t believe her ears.
With a mysterious smirk on my face, I reached the ground.
***
[ “Master Axion. We brought everything you asked for!” ]
With an excited look on his face, Gaar showed me the large open kitchen area they had set in just an hour.
With big pots made of beast shells or similar things and wooden utensils that I could use for all the ingredients that they could find.
From fruits, flowers, and herbs to different big cuts of meat.
This was something amazing, and I was shocked by Gaar’s ability to instruct everyone so skillfully.
Perry had taken care of the meat, and Ailji had taken care of all the fruits and herbs.
If it was before, I was sure I couldn’t do anything with the things I had no idea about.
But now that I had my appraisal skill, I knew I can find out most of the things about the ingredients they had brought with them.
It was fascinating, and new ideas were popping into my head.
I had a very large number of customers to feed and I was sure this will be one of my rarest experiences in this life.
“Thanks, Gaar, let’s look at what I can make the best of these.”
[ “WE should be the one to thank you, master Axion.” ]
I sighed as I looked at his bright smile.
Gaar was someone that lived in an Orc village and didn’t have a special meal for a long time.
‘Don’t worry. I will make things that will blow your mind!’ I thought as I got into this new set kitchen.