Chapter 10: Well-Done

Chapter 10: Well-Done

Liu Ji had never eaten raw meat in his life before.

Having been raised in a typical Chinese family and accustomed to fully cooked food from school cafeterias, raw meat was a no-go for him. Even his steaks had to be well-done; medium-rare was simply out of the question for him.

Now faced with a chunk of raw bear meat in another world, Liu Ji wasn't about to start gnawing on it.

Liu Ji also didn't like being a freeloader, so after some effort and a bit of charades, he managed to get some basic cooking tools from Yaine.

The equipment was simple—a pot, a knife, a cutting board, a few wooden bowls, and a small packet of salt. Though basic, it was sufficient for cooking a meal.

As for a stove, thanks to his fondness for watching outdoor videos, Liu Ji could set up a simple stone stove as long as someone could help him start a fire.

Seeing Liu Ji busy himself by the fire, Mervant and Yaine exchanged glances.

"Be honest, did you think he was some kind of wild man who'd eat raw meat?" Yaine asked with a deadpan expression.

"Um, aha." Mervant shrugged. "After all, he couldn't even speak, right?"

"I told you before, it's not that he can't speak, it's just that there's a language barrier." Yaine sighed. "Remember when we first met? He switched through four or five languages trying to communicate with us. If I recall correctly, you only know Dragontongue and the common language, right?"

"Uh... Is that so? Looks like I was mistaken." Mervant stroked his chin, realizing his error.

"Never mind, just don't be like this next time. It was really impolite," Yaine said. "Thankfully, he didn't seem to mind."

"Got it. But I've been meaning to ask." Mervant crossed his arms. "Are you maybe a tad too concerned about this mysterious potato man of unknown origins?"

"I've mentioned it before, we need a guide," said Yaine, frowning.

"Why does it have to be him? Shouldn't we try to find someone else?" Mervant countered. "Maybe there's someone around who understands our language. Moreover, you are trying to teach him magic. Don't you think this reasoning is a little far-fetched?"

"So, you're suggesting we leave this place and go elsewhere to see if there are other people?" Yaine said with a tinge of irony. "Maybe I'm mistaken. I thought you were the one who most wanted to stay nearby and wait for Calidora."

"No, that's right, but..." Mervant stumbled over his words, scratching his forehead in frustration. "I just feel that, for a stranger whose background we know nothing about, you don't need to teach him magic, do you?"

"Why? You think he could defeat you or me after learning to make a fireball?" Yaine raised an eyebrow.

"That's not what I meant," Mervant said. "Aren't you worried he might have ulterior motives?"

"You ought to know, I'm an Ifrit," Yaine said with furrowed brows.

"You are only half Ifrit, your perceptual talent isn't complete," Mervant said. "Otherwise, your teacher wouldn't have..."

"Ah?" The coldness in her voice halted Mervant's words, and the sudden drop in temperature felt as if winter had arrived.

Next, he tossed some fat trimmings into the pot to render, stirring them with his stick chopsticks. After scooping out some excess oil and solid fatty bits, he added the chunks of bear meat, frying them until they changed color.

He then added the bowl of broth, covered the pot, brought it to a boil on high heat, and then reduced it to a simmer. Once the meat was tender, he added a bit of salt, and his plain steamed bear meat dish was ready.

Yes, steamed. Liu Ji would have preferred to make a richer braised or stewed dish, but the circumstances limited him.

Liu Ji tasted a bit, finding the gamey taste a tad strong, but that was a minor flaw. Although he couldn't expect the complex flavors of modern dishes enhanced by a variety of spices, the pure taste of meat was sufficiently rich.

For Liu Ji, who hadn't eaten meat in so long, the flavor was splendid.

Mm... Delightful flavor...

And there was also an inexplicable urge...

Almost instantly, Liu Ji realized what this impulse was.

He turned around and saw Yaine behind him. Swallowing nervously, he forcibly suppressed this impulse.

No, now was not the time for experiments; better to wait until it was quieter at night.

The meat from an entire paw was enough to fill the pot to the brim.

Liu Ji scooped two generous bowls of meat and covered the pot.

With more than half the pot still full, there should still be plenty left for the other two when they return.

"Here." Liu Ji approached Yaine and handed her one of the bowls.

Yaine looked up at him, uttered a curt, single syllable, then put away her notebook and took the bowl.

That word must mean "thank you," huh? Liu Ji thought as he sat next to Yaine, instinctively passing her two sticks.

"Uh?" Yaine was slightly confused, but still accepted these two makeshift chopsticks.

Liu Ji smiled at her, then using his own set of "chopsticks," he picked up a piece of meat, blew on it, and then popped it into his mouth.

Mm, considering the conditions, it turned out quite well indeed.

Curious to see Yaine's reaction toward his cooking, Liu Ji turned to look at her.

But as he did, he noticed Yaine staring blankly at his right hand.

In Yaine's right hand, her two "chopsticks" were held extremely awkwardly, forming a perfect cross.