Chapter 19: This Spicy Fish Stew is Amazing
Translated by Vine
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6:00 AM sharp. I woke up and immediately started packing, preparing to move.
“Ugh… the salt…”
So sticky.
I learned that a beach vacation is nothing but hardship without money. I ate a chocolate bar for breakfast and finished packing.
“If I consider my current location…”
Should I go straight up and then turn west? The schedule is tight. I’m planning to climb the mountain.
“…I’ll think about it as I go.”
They say that most worries before taking action are pointless.
Midway up the mountain.
A clear stream flowed beside me, with small plants and animals thriving nearby. Where there’s water, there’s life. This area had more food than other areas, and…
“Kyaa──whoo!”
Clear water flowing.
This is the most important thing.
Clean, unpolluted water, constantly supplied. I jumped into the river without a care in the world, forgetting about the possibility of other cadets nearby.
“Hee… this is amazing!”
The grime of salt and sweat washed away. I even washed my clothes, which I hadn’t changed in days. This is the civilized life. Well, it’s closer to a naturalist’s life than a civilized one, but whatever.
“There are a lot of fish. And crayfish too.”
Changing locations was the right choice. There was plenty of food visible just with Present Vision. I wanted to catch and eat them right away, but I had to find a place to stay first.
‘I can get food anytime…’
But you have to build a house in advance. Like a struggling young worker who, horrified by Seoul’s housing prices, finds a place in the distant suburbs, only to endure a 4-hour daily commute. Even if it’s hard, securing a place early is beneficial in the long run. It was impossible in my past life, which was frustrating──wait, why am I thinking about this?
“There’s a… good spot!”
A suitable place to sleep, near the river but not too humid. I quickly set down my bag and looked around.
“As expected, there are traces of someone having lived here.”
Traces of a campfire and someone having slept there. I should avoid this place, just in case. But out of curiosity, I used [Past Vision] to check who had stayed here.
“…Minerva?”
I saw Minerva and several other cadets. It seemed like she was leading the group. It was interesting that Minerva appeared in every scene when I projected the surrounding objects with [Past Vision].
“Hmm…. if it’s Minerva…”
I decided it was okay to set up camp here. I gathered some branches and built my usual shelter. Then I caught some fish from the river, and….
“It’s time to use this.”
****************
Meanwhile, Minerva and her group:
“I’m sorry, Leader…”
“She was… too strong…”
“…No, it was my fault.”
The result of the Mars subjugation attempt. Unfortunately, they let her get away. She was stronger than they anticipated, and their plan to surround and capture her failed.
‘I don’t remember her being this strong…’
The weight of her sword felt different. Heavier and stronger. Mars had grown stronger in just one month. Her unexpected growth resulted in casualties for their group.
“It’s because I’m… not strong enough…..”
I’m still too weak.
Minerva bit her lip and tightened her grip on her sword.
‘…No, pull yourself together, Minerva.’
A sharp pain. Her eyes regained focus.
“Let’s return to our base. We’ll recover there and then resume the subjugation.”
Mars wasn’t in good condition. She looked emaciated from hunger, with dark circles under her eyes. She wasn’t calm during their fight either. She wasn’t the only one in a hurry. If they tightened the noose slowly and steadily, victory would be theirs. Minerva regained her composure and reassured her group. But then,
“Leader… there’s a stranger in our camp….!”
“A stranger?”
Before she could fully relax, urgent news arrived.
“He’s not one of us. He must be from somewhere else… sniff… sniff, sniff…. hmm?”
“….This smell.”
At the same time, a pungent aroma, unlike anything found in the forest, filled the air. A spicy, appetizing smell that drew them in, hungry and tired as they were.
“I’ll… take the lead.”
“…….*Gulp!*”
Minerva led the way, her hungry subordinates following closely behind.
‘If we encounter him…’
What should we do?
Attack? Negotiate? Or trade?
Hunger gnaws at reason, and fatigue clouds the mind. Their bodies, driven by the alluring scent, moved forward before they could even think.
“….Chrono-ssi?”
“You’re here?”
Why is Chrono-ssi in their camp?
“I’ve been waiting. You’re finally here.”
“What… what is this…..”
What is his purpose?
Why is he here?
“I made some spicy fish stew. Want some? I made a lot, just in case!”
“”””………..””””
That no longer mattered to her, or her subordinates.
“The problem is, I don’t have any bowls.”
So, make some bowls.
“”””……Woooooooh!!!!””””
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Bowls!
Give me bowls!
Wooden bowls! Stone bowls! Clay bowls, anything!
“I! I brought a bowl!”
“Shut up! Don’t insult the stew with your dirty bowl! Here, use my wooden bowl! Please!”
“Ah… I can’t make bowls because I’m a wind-type…!”
The hungry and tired cadets clamored. Chrono smirked and──
“──Don’t you know to respect your elders, you brats?!”
“”””Ouch──!!”””
He hit them on the head with the handle of his dagger. It didn’t hurt that much, but he took the wooden bowl from the cadet in front of him, filled it with stew, and said,
“Shouldn’t you serve the leader first?”
“”””Ah….!!!”””””
Driven by hunger and fatigue, they had only thought of themselves and charged forward. Minerva took the bowl from Chrono and stared at him silently.
“…..Huh? What? Is there a problem?”
‘Why…..’
Is he being so kind?
What is his purpose?
As she pondered, Chrono said,
“Oh… come to think of it, I don’t have any spoons.”
“…………”
“No spoons.”
“……….?”
“Do you want to get hit before you make some, or just make some?”
“Ah….!”
Chrono had somehow taken control of the cadets. In this cold and hungry moment, he was like a savior, offering fire and food, reminiscent of ‘that person’ who fed the multitudes with five loaves and two fish.
“Here comes the special gochujang grilled freshwater fish!”
“”””Kyaaaaaaaa!!!””””
Their morale exploded. They had been gathering and eating, but it was never enough. They had been enduring hardship, eating only bitter roots. The taste of ‘deliciousness’ was enough to drive them crazy. And there was plenty of it. The broth was rich and flavorful. Their bellies were full, the fire was warm, it was paradise.
“Chrono, it’s a bit late, but welcome to our group!”
“We always welcome talented people like you!”
“Wow… this is the value of those 10kg?”
All hostility had disappeared, replaced by goodwill. Chrono blended in with them, sharing stories of his journey.
“So, you know the pearl of the night sky? And the fireworks on the beach? I came here because the only place left was the mountains.”
“….Seriously?”
They wondered if he was even taking the same test, but they let it slide.
“Chrono-ssi.”
“Hmm~~~… why?”
Minerva spoke sincerely, with all her heart,
“Thank you.”
“….Ugh.”
I shouldn’t be feeling like this, Chrono muttered. He stood up and shouted,
“Who wants to watch a movie?!”
“Me!”
“Me too!”
“Me, me, me!!!”
An impromptu movie theater. Chrono‘s phone was working hard.
Meanwhile, Juno:
“….Mars?”
“!,….Juno?”
She ran into someone while she was out.
“Mars… what happened to you….?”
“…What do you care?”
Mars didn’t look well. She was bleeding from several wounds, and there were ugly purple bruises on her body. She looked exhausted, and her greatsword looked more like a walking stick.
“Mars, come with me. I’ll tell Ter.”
“…..No, thanks.”
“Mars.”
“……..I’m sorry, but I can’t right now.”
Mars shook her head. She was grateful for Juno‘s offer. She was truly thankful for her concern. But that’s why she couldn’t accept it.
‘If I do…. Juno will be in danger too.’
She was enough. Mars braced herself and was about to leave──when she suddenly felt a surge of energy. She turned to Juno.
“Juno, you….”
“You’re going anyway, even if I tell you not to, right?”
Juno placed her hand on Mars‘s body. Hera‘s blessing emanated from her hand, slightly healing Mars.
“Go. Go, you idiot.”
“….I’m not an idiot…”
“Yes, you are.”
Chrono too,
and you too,
you’re both idiots.
[Juno? Where are you?]
“!,….Hurry up and go.”
“…….Thank you.”
Mars quickly left, disappearing into the darkness of the forest.
“Juno, there you are.”
“Sorry, Ter. I had a bit of a stomachache… hehe.”
Juno turned and smiled, pretending nothing happened. I hope we all survive until the last day and meet again.
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Thank the Gods someone was there to help Mars but she still has not proper;y eaten anything,