The warmth that heats on a chilly day and the nearly irresistible scent emitted from skewers of meat on the flames...
It would be hard to believe that this aroma came from the meat of a monstrous beast that, at first glance, did not look appetizing at all. However, the fragrance that wafted was, undoubtedly, even more enticing than that of mutton.
It was no small feat. Mabel, who had studied monsters deeply, learned in the process how to eliminate any trace of poison from the meat. Thus, they obtained meat from a monster nearly at the Star Rank, which, by itself, already made it especially fragrant due to the high protein concentration. Moreover, as it began to roast, the aroma became even more irresistible.
Amon contributed some spices, bringing lemon juice, salt, pepper, grated Parmesan cheese, among other ingredients. They started the meal with a round of Carpaccio.
"Mm, delicious!" Barbara exclaimed with satisfaction after tasting the dish, enhanced by the lemon juice: "Just like this, it's amazing, I can hardly wait to taste it roasted~!"
"Me too~" Maisa said, after carefully swallowing her bite.
The rest, with their mouths full, could only nod, emitting a murmur of contentment.
Amon silently reflected: 'Mm, I should save at least about 220 pounds to take back with me. I'm sure that Bianca, with her cooking skills, can prepare something even better. And, besides, I would like her to taste it too...'
While reflecting, Amon let his gaze wander distractedly to the flames roasting the meat, a soft smile outlining his lips as he considered how pleasant moments like these were. His smile reflected a mix of contentment and inner satisfaction, highlighting the appreciation for simple pleasures that often go unnoticed. Experience exclusive tales on m v|l e'-novelhall.net
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[Cemetery of the Damned]
Even aware that his action could result in the death of his entire team during the pursuit, he was not willing to discard the treasure. After all, if it attracted so many monsters so intensely, he was more than willing to risk his own life!
Of course, driven by greed, he planned, even in case of death, to return to the site and recover the lost treasure. Therefore, he made sure to memorize every part of the path traveled, to facilitate a possible return.
'This is my chance for ascent, I will not give up!' He mentally convinced himself, casting a determined look in the direction of Minerva.
Minerva was his target, both in terms of surpassing and desire. He frequently found himself fantasizing about her, wishing to see this arrogant woman become submissive before him, begging for his attention.
The mere idea energized him, injecting new vigor into his steps, making him accelerate even more in the desperate race.
While running, Ricard could not avoid the constant flow of thoughts about the treasure and Minerva. He knew he was in a race against time, both to escape the relentless monsters and to consolidate his plan of ascent and personal conquest.
Amid the chaos of the frenetic escape, he occasionally cast furtive glances towards Minerva, trying to disguise his intense curiosity and interest under the pretext of being attentive to the dangers around. His mind worked double, calculating not only the escape route but also the future implications of his actions.
Meanwhile, the other members of the group fought with determination, completely unaware of Ricard's secret thoughts. They trusted each other to survive this ordeal, each fighting not only for their own life but for the survival of the entire group.
"We need to find a way out fast!" Frank shouted, cutting through the air with his sword, making a path through a horde of smaller monsters that tried to surround them.
"I'm trying to find one!" Lan replied, concentrating intensely while using her magical abilities to probe the terrain around them, looking for any advantage that could provide them with an escape route.
Fugaki Koske, in turn, used his abilities to create temporary barriers, attempting to slow the monsters' advance and give the group a necessary breather to plan their next move.
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