*Slump*
"Whew..."
Placing down bags upon bags as it piles on the floor layered by some cloth, I wipe the flour off my eyes with my dirtied sleeves and look at my hand thick with dried flour that makes my skin rough. Even with wearing an apron they handed out, the clothes I have still got dirty easily.
"Good job, Sova! Worry not, Uncle will definitely bake you the best cakes he can offer!"
Yoo-Ah appear with a bright glow as if she just finished a huge pile of work. Feeling a chill down my spine I still can't help but feel down replying:
"Um, just asking but I can ask what cakes I want right?"
Remembering what they said and what I ate back at the school Qiyue bought me, I tried asking of that peculiar cake.
"Oh! Do you want something!? Quickly tell me! We'll cook you something real good!"
"Um... Can I have pancakes?"
"Pancakes? Sweet or crunchy?"
Yoo-Ah asks back quickly which left me baffled asking:
"Crunchy? What's a crunchy pancake? Can pancake be crunchy?"
"Of course! But I suppose it's only the outer layers of the bread that is crunchy while the insides are filled with vegetables. Though I personally like using those pakilpa from the north for a more sharp flavour..."
"Oh! Here I thought pancakes are all those fluffy and sweet stacks of plate shape cakes topped by all the syrup and butter you can find."
"Hum! Hum! Prepared to get your taste buds exploded then! I suppose I can have that for lunch as well, I should get some eggs too!"
Seeing Yoo-Ah answer back excited, I nod replying:
"Thanks!"
Hearing some heavy footsteps coming in,
*Drop*
"Chatting all you want, I suppose that's fine since we're done with the bags."
Juha enters carrying a bag inside and place it at the pile where I dropped mine. Just like me, she removes her coat and wears a apron while her glove's still on. She don't look so out of place here, maybe the coat does make a difference.
"Juha, do you have something in mind to eat?"
I ask her as I see her lean at one of the pillars of the room replying:
"Not really, to be given the option to choose what the best baker in the peninsula would make for us seems to be a arduous task... But then again we are doing this for sudden labour so forget what I want, what did you order?"
"Pancakes! The crunchy one!"
I answer back quickly and Juha tilts her head for a while before she shows a realization replying:
"Oh, fried cakes? Common but not a bad choice. I need something fulfilling too so that works. Though I don't think you can call that cakes."
"So bread?"
"Course it's not! It's still cake! Anyways, great job with all the work, Juha!"
"I suppose I'll allow you to call me that."
Seeing those two chatter, I look outside where the sound of even bigger crowd can be heard. Unlike when we came, the crowd has thin up by a huge margin yet they still stuff the already frolicking streets.
Looking above, I see the clear blue sky has dampen a bit from when we arrived, seeing below I keep wondering how they stand the winter especially waiting in line out there. Kinda reminds me of the usual family reunion...
I take a sit on the floor and cross my legs to look at the hail.
(I wonder where are they now? Are they experiencing winter too?)
"Sova, something on your mind? You look pretty sad there."
"Huh?"
"Yeah! Do you perhaps want something else! I know, why not some good old egg and bread! With a slice of bacon to drive up the taste!"
"Oh, no but I suppose that does sound nice..."
Picturing the sight of a Owlian breakfast of eggs, bacon, and toast or maybe even those creamy soup. I try to clear my mind of such hungry thoughts. But seeing Yoo-Ah trying to cheer me up I wonder if I made a sad face? I clap my cheeks and try to brighten up.
"What's wrong though? Did you get home sick?"
Juha asks jokingly but I nod since she hits the nail replying:
"Sort of. Usually this is the time my sister would come home and where we had the family reunion."
Juha was left a bit shock for a moment before she nods saying:
"I suppose that's a normal reaction for someone away from their home. Still, we may not be your family but right now we're the one you got, so enjoy it."
"That's a really weird way to cheer-"
"Sovaaaa!"
Yoo-Ah gave me another hug as I feel the rough grains on her skin.
"Don't worry Sova! I'll stay by you on your trip! (Plus! We both have the same circumstance so both of us with special siblings gotta stick together!)"
Yoo-Ah whispers at the end as I am reminded by who her brother is. The special-rank hunter, Gisa... Or Yoo-Gisa? Now that I think about it, why didn't he return and deal with the monster at the martial law? I mean there's posters of him and everything congratulating him for his promotion.
Still in my thoughts Yoo-Ah lets me go and brush off the hefty amount of flours on her body asking:
"Still, what to have for desserts?"
"I heard we're allowed whatever is at the counter display. I'll have the ones there."
"Oh! Since today is Wishday, Uncle must've bake some Star and Moon Cakes! I'm gonna have those!"
Seeing as we have finish our due, we pick ourselves up and leave the kitchen. Remembering what I thought back when fighting the Moonlight Swordsman, I decided to ask,
"Say, Yoo-Ah, do you know what a Waffles are? I mean Belgian waffles?"
"Hmm!? Waffles? Nope! Is that a Imperial Owlian Dish? If it's related to bread or cakes I'm sure Uncle Yi would know!"
"I see..."
"Oh! Could it be you wanna try it?! Let me go ask Uncle, I'm sure he's already waiting at the dining room!"
Yoo-Ah runs ahead among the quiet halls, filling it with the echo of her loud footsteps. With only one way ahead, Juha and I take our time as I look at her brushing her arms and removing her apron. Passing through windows, underneath the winter sun's light, the flour that becomes visible as she shake them all off and make them look like glitters that highlight Juha's beauty. Maybe I've been staring for a while but Juha glares asking:
"What?"
(Weird... I don't usually pay this much attention to a girl's looks since I saw too many already).
"Ah, nothing, it's just that I rarely see you in anything but your military uniform."
"Hmph! It's expected of me to wear it when I'm still working. And didn't we had this conversation before? Besides, I'm not wearing my coat, so I doubt this counts as a uniform."
"We did!?"
(Does she remember all the conversation she had?)
"Fool! Why do you wish to see me in another garbs? You don't complain with Yoo-Ah wearing her Staff uniform most of the time."
Seeing my reaction galled her, I try to change the mood replying:
"W-Well, I'm just curious what kind clothing the people wear-"
Not wanting to lie and pile upon the bad coincidences I quick change saying:
"Sigh, who am I kidding. I just thought you look very pretty atop the winter city behind you. Kinda like seeing a painting when you stand behind the window."
Juha frowns at my praise as her glare soften replying:
"I'm surprised you could say that without a tint of sarcasm nor lies or better yet with a straight face."
"Heh, guess that's a normal reaction. Sorry."
Probably creeped out by my sudden praise, Juha walks ahead as I try to wonder what's going on with me. Gaining a bit of distance, she slows a bit and turns her face a bit saying:
"The nobles that's trying to gain favours from me could learn a lot from you. So... Thank you."
"H-Huh?"
"Besides, I think you are a subject to speak too about being beautiful. Maybe if you, yourself showcase yourself, I might consider wearing something else. An even trade after all."
"W-Wait, really? And hold on, didn't you see me enough with all kinds of clothes before? And it's not like I have many either. This is the newest clothes I got."
"That does not count. And if you really wish to talk about clothing, I can indulge you. After all, hearing you talk about that reminds me of my mother and sisters."
"Oh? Did they ask you to wear something else?"
"Yes, in this case, they wanted me to wear something other than some simple shirts and shorts when I'm at home or going on my fishing breaks."
"You like shirts and shorts too? I guess we have the same taste!"
"Hmm? Do you? As for me, I wear them because I'm just not used to those extravagant robes or tunic, I suppose I wear some shorts when I do wear a robe."
"Oh... I suppose that's better than me."
"Hmm?"
"I don't know about your battles but I realize... That everytime I went out or got involved in a battle, my clothes and armour would end up getting destroyed one way or another. I don't know if that is just bad luck but I really can't excuse it now when it happened everytime. The recent promotion quest is a good example."
"True, we found you beaten like a rag doll and almost naked."
Feeling a jolt shaking my head I wonder,
(Wait... Did she perhaps see? But seeing how she thought it was a joke...)
"I didn't get to ask the details but what happened after you found me?"
"Oh, before the two adventurers that accompany you can approach, the Adventurer Guild Leader of the Peninsula came from nowhere to take you away. I suppose our division should thank him since he sort of sush the whole incident and swept it under the rug to prevent further panic across the entire peninsula, I suppose I should expect that from one of the most influential family on the peninsula or the Mighty Heaven. Other than that, the next day they told us we could visit you at the room you were in. But you're still unconscious then."
"Oh! I see... Wait, the guild leader?"
"Right, you don't know him. Then again, seeing your records I think it's normal for him to show favours. Especially since Jin-Yeon Nim supports you too."
"I-I see..."
"But I at least understand your pain. Worry not, with me around and your new reputation, I doubt not just anyone wants to cause trouble with you."
"Thanks!"
Juha folds her arms and glare replying:
"Don't misunderstand, this is still just a job from the Colonel! There's nothing personal!"
"Right... But thanks either way."
"Hmph!"
Among our idle chatter, we soon arrive at the dining room it seems. With large table at the centre, a huge double window to light the room, and longer table at the sides the dining room looks more like a display than a place for dining if it wasn't for the chairs sprawled about and the basket with table utensils.
Gathering around are the others who seems to finish their works. Especially Bai-Sik who already started eating his fill with Bai-Sumi by his side watching him go.
"Woaaah! *NOM* *NOM* *CHOMP* This... This is simply amazing!"
Bai-Sik exclaims while Bai-Sumi shakes her head replying:
"Slow down, you'll choke. And wow I can't believe I finally get to see the legendary baker in person. I wonder what he looks like? None of the magazine or media ever show his face."
Jana and Ye-Hua on the other hand...
"Hah! As expected of a silly lowborn peasant, your literacy and calculation is no match for the master race! Bask in the glory you mortal!"
"Why don't you say that when you're actually part of the legendary 13 Great Nobles from Heaven. I mean you haven't even broke the 1.8 meter mark let alone 1.7-"
"Foolish Girl! His bloodline gift is not the only one to be a noble!"
The two seems to be arguing as they sort out a dish and picking up food for their plates, Ye-Hua especially using her tongs to point at Jana saying:
"Right even then, we only had a difference of one, I suppose your so called master race is not so different than this lowborn peasant."
"Oh, you nasty little wight, when did you learn how to talk back?"
"Who knows, I might just been holding it all~ in. So, I'll be taking the strawberry tarts-"
"Never!"
(Wonder what did they do?)
Seeing the two argue and fight with the utensils makes me wonder if this is how they spend their time most of the time? Juha who ignores the others take a sit as I wonder where Yoo-Ah is. Before I could take a sit beside Juha, I or everyone stops what they're doing when a towering figure enters as I realize again how tall the doors are.
(Am I just short or are the people are just that tall? And... What's with him?)
That's Yoo-Ah and the lady walk past him. To sit at the table on the centre.
"Mhm! Sorry, I suppose it is a bit awkward that I didn't get to meet any of you when you first enter. I am the owner of this bakery, Hwangsaechi Yi-Il. Thank you very much for all the help, so please enjoy the cakes and breads we have here and if you wish to have more please tell or you can just go infront to grab the ones already on display. The bakery is closed for this break time."
Contrary to his polite way of speaking and his dirtied, stained, and ragged clothing along with the net on his head, he is a towering dark figure of a nobleman with brooding feral charm and a piercing red gaze.
(He remind me of kitten... If he had a beard and moustache).
"Geez, honey! Your eyes are acting up again. You probably scared them! Come on! Eat up you all! You deserve it! And don't mind his scary look!"
The lady pats his shoulder and push him away saying:
"Come on, back to the kitchen. Didn't Yoo-Ah said she wants some dishes to be cook?"
"Right!"
He looks back at us shouting:
"Please, enjoy!"
Wondering what that was about, Yoo-Ah rushes to me shouting:
"Sova! Your meal is already underway! Come, let's take in some appetizers!"
"Appetizers? Never heard of that."
"Oh? Well, it is a meal you have to make you go more hungry!"
"You make something to make you more hungry? That sounds very counter intuitive-"
"Just enjoy the food, Sova! No need to be so literal!"
Yoo-Ah pulls me along and sit near Juha. As she take some plates for us, she asks:
"Hey, Sova what do you think of Uncle Yi?"
"Huh?"
"I mean his looks! If I have to say he is actually pretty popular with the ladies at the city who saw him, even when he's married!"
"Oh?"
"You think so too, right Bai-Sumi Unnie!?"
"H-Huh? Yeah..."
Bai-Sumi who is still in a daze quickly regain her sense back when Bai-Sik says,
"You're setting the bar too high if that's the kind of guys you want devil Aunt."
"Just eat your food quietly, you brat! Sigh... Where did you even learn to talk like that?"
Bai-Sumi pats his head as she sighs resting her head on her hand. Yoo-Ah who already grab some meals stares at me while eating piece meals before ,asking:
"So... Sova, do you have any type of guys you like?"
"Prfff! Huh?"
Almost biting my tongue hearing her say that question, Yoo-Ah probably seeing my reaction draws close with a huge grin asking:
"So... You do?"
Yoo-Ah and Jana who probably heard her quiets down and lean close. Juha who seems to be chill also quietly drag her chair closer too it seems.
"...No, I don't!"
(Guy types? What in the world does that even mean? Guys have types? So do girl have it too? It seems the love business is harder than I realize).
I quickly refute her question which makes Yoo-Ah smile even more replying:
"The more someone denies it the more they have to hide~! Come on, you do don't you! It could just ve your favourite idols~!"
(I suppose I should say something? But I feel like if I do I can't take it back. Even then, what am I suppose to say?)
I wonder for a while seeing Jana glaring at me a bit before I say,
"Long hair?"
"Heh? You like boys with long hair? It seems the guys around here are gonna have a hard time getting your attention! I mean not many guys here grow their hair out nowadays! Even the idols have short hair as trends!"
"Really?"
(Most of the guys I met have long hair...)
"Yup! Well, I suppose Gramps and that jerk Colonel have long hair but they're both Martial Masters so they don't count!"
"True..."
(Just like what Sis Fei said... Wait, that's enlightened people no? But I can't say I'm enlightened since I'm not so smart).
"So, you just like long hair? A bit bland, no? Like what else? What else!?"
"Uuh... Honestly I don't know what else to say. I mean, what do you expect? I rarely know a guy, let alone get along with one."
(I mean I don't have many male friends and the one I know can't be called normal. And any other well, they are usually my enemy).
Knowing that I probably can't just bluff my way out, I just started to be honest.
"Eh? R-Really!?"
Yoo-Ah holds her face in shock and regret while the others looks at me a bit surprised, except for Juha who doesn't seem to react much.
"Woah, you're more innocent than I thought... With looks like that I thought you get hit a lot. Or by at least other owlians? Isn't Owlians treated better in this Peninsula? Though I haven't seen one since I enter the city..."
Ye-Hua comments as she takes a slice of cake from the table a she asks. Juha with a shadow over her eyes eats quietly and shakes her head for some reason.
"Oh, you foolish bogey, just shows how much sheltered you are."
"Huh!? What is that suppose to mean? Do you need to be reminded where we found you?"
Ye-Hua refutes back a bit irritated but Jana pulls her fan replying:
"Can't you tell? Sova's a special girl with special taste. She chose me after all, there's no way she's interested in men."
"Oh yeah... But still!"
(Oh fudge! That's right!)
Seeing Yoo-Ah who's a bit confused hearing them I decided to quickly change the subject asking:
"Since you asked, what about you, Yoo-Ah? Do you have any type you like? I mean you did say you dated people before. So you must like many types of guys!"
"Ugh! Cough! Cough!"
*Crash*
The two stops their conversation when Yoo-Ah stumble even while sitting and I could see her face twisting. Bai-Sumi who heard me grins widely and leans forward to Yoo-Ah and rest her elbow asking:
"Oh? Is that so, Yoo-Ah? It's true that you're pretty popular yourself. But dating? Wow~ you sure went up the world."
"Yea, you said you're the dating master."
"Hoho~? Interesting. Wonder what the others would think? Dating master~"
"Ahack!"
I added more but it seems to worsen Yoo-Ah's situation for some reason and makes Bai-Sumi's grin to a huge smug while her eyes sharpen like a hunter to a prey.
"Um, you okay?"
"..."
I asked a bit worried for her thinking she might be choking and approach closer but she grabs my apron's collar shouting:
"Cough! Cough! How could you!"
"Huh...?"
Yoo-Ah tightens her grip and try to shake me shouting:
"I thought we were the bestest friends!"
"W-What?"
The best she could do was pull the apron before she stops saying:
"Fine, I'll prove it to you!"
"Excuse me?"
"I'll be giving you advices to approaching guys then!"
(You need advices? I thought you just went in there and talk? Oh, maybe it's some sort of customs here? But either way, it might help me make more male friends so...)
"Please do!"
"Pretty, excited huh? Hmm... Now that I think about it, you're actually pretty tall Sova."
"I-I am? You're not lying right?!"
"Yeah!"
Yoo-Ah regains her spirits back and stand up, placing her hand on her chest she proclaims:
"I'm around 1.7 meters which is already quite tall for a girl my age and I am the tallest among my peers. And you're already much taller than me I say around 1.79 nearing 8. That's already super tall!"
"R-Really? You're not lying right?"
"Of course not! I mean look at Juha, I compared it but you're taller!"
"O-Oh?"
"And among the girls in this room, you're the tallest too! Taller than some guys too!"
"I never realize that..."
(I guess I'm pretty tall? But...)
"But wait! What about the others then? Like the new Governor, the colonel, and even Uncle Yi-Il? They're much taller and I saw those heights everywhere."
Yoo-Ah fix her chair and take a seat replying:
"Heh! I don't know what you mean but those people are rare! Heck! The only ones I know to reach heights surpassing 2 meters is my dad, Hwang-So gramps, Uncle Yi, Elder Won-Yok, and Soo-Li's dad!
I guess that's quite a lot and only guys but, it's still true that I was surprised to see the Colonel being so tall. But those are just common for Martial Art Masters like them!"
"Oh, now that you say that..."
(I suppose all those people are crazy strong some way... Not that I know half of who Yoo-Ah speaks).
"What's the point of speaking of heights? If I remember correctly didn't guys like girls shorter than them? Or that girl like guys much taller than them? *munch*"
*Crash*
A revelation was dropped by someone unexpected, Bai-Sik who's still eating as he told that got everyone's attention when he continue with,
"What? I'm sure that's what my mom told me, so that's why I'm going to grow so tall that I have no need to worry! And I need not fear since my dad is super tall and I'll soon be as tall if not taller when I hit my growth spurt! Plus, I'm a descendant of the Great 13 Noble family so I'll at least easily surpass 1.8 meters and suffer the same problems my dad suffer, short doors and ceilings!"
Bai-Sik happily says that while I see Yoo-Ah's face crumbled. Bai-Sumi who tries to hold her laughter and feeling a bit conflicted. Pat him on the head which just makes him irk and afraid.
(Oh? Now that he say that... Everyone I know who is supposedly a noble in the city is easily taller than me. Like Sis Fei, Sis Yuwei, that Moriz, and Qiyue, even those diplomats I met back then are all taller than me. Then there's that bull lady too that's taller than Sis Rubeca and her horns even touch the train's ceiling that she had to bend over a bit... I wonder if it's part of that bloodline gift or something?)
Yoo-Ah scratches her head replying:
"Aaah! Forget it then! Whoever those great noble families are you are still very pretty, Sova! Sure you're tall but I'm sure many will look past over that! I mean you still have many charming traits! Like that cute look! Your long blonde smooth hair! That idol-like Face! And sweet attitude is absolutely desirable!"
"I don't know what to feel about that. But what about the advices? Didn't you told me how you're going to teach me?"
*Crash*
"(Sova! Why?! Can't you see I'm just buying time to avoid the shame!)"
Yoo-Ah crashes close as she grasp at my shoulders whispering to me.
"Huh?"
"Sigh... Your literal approach to everything can sometimes be a bane to overcome."
Juha suddenly comment and I turn around asking:
"What does that mean?"
"Figure out yourself, dumbass."
She nonchalantly answer back and continue eating her meal which looks tiny. Seeing Yoo-Ah in critical condition yet not hurt,
(Maybe I should change the subject?)
"Say, after we eat, do you have somewhere to go, Yoo-Ah?"
"Oh! Well, I'm suppose to return to work! But since our star child's asking, I guess I have to leave my post-"
"Oh, no you don't! You've been taking your chances since you got here! You're not going anywhere!"
"Aw..."
Bai-Sumi rejects Yoo-Ah's offer when I think something else to do asking:
"Hmm, why not just take a quick bath?"
"Oh? Great idea! I suppose a hot bath is great for this winter! Maybe since I've been inside most of the time but I heard the winter this year is colder than ever!"
"Really? I don't feel that different. Maybe because this is the winter I experienced."
(I never realize either. I mean I don't feel that different with cold or heat now... Maybe it's thanks to Mary).
"It's true."
Juha answers back before continuing with:
"I heard from my gramps that one of the Mythical F.A.B.L.E.D is inside Heaven now and causing the harsher southern winds to blow here."
"F.A.B.L.E.D? What's that!?"
"Hmm? This is new to me too. F.A.B.L.E.D, huh? Weird name."
Yoo-Ah tilt her head asking while Ye-Hua chimes in asking and I nod along asking:
"Yea, what are they? I heard they're like the leader of monsters?"
"Honestly me neither but from what I know gramps told me, they are what people call living catastrophe and some Hunters make it their goal to kill those."
"Woah! Now I really have to explore the world outside this peninsula! I just can't wait with my new authority as a prim and proper adventurer! But I wonder what kind of monsters are they to wonder them such infamy? Are they like the Monster king and its infamous vassals?"
Ye-Hua exclaim excitingly when a huge figure enters and a strong fragrant enters my nose. Yi-Il comes in with a huge tray with our food on it. He looks at Ye-Hua saying:
"Hoh, F.A.B.L.E.D huh? Quite a rare topic for Adventurers to talk. (Let alone girls)."
Ma-Yi follow behind him with a tray full of drinks with a scent of something very sweet saying:
"Oh, come on, Honey! They'll get to know about those beasts sooner or later as adventurers. But why not quench their curiosity?"
"Okay... I suppose as the senior I could tell. But first, eat up! A special fin pie for you..."
He hands Jana a small pie with a huge fin at their sides and a net of sauce above as steam still rises.
(Woah! That looks delish!)
Jana spare no time to grab her used fork and take a small bite, letting out her breath as hot steam comes put of her mouth, she puffs her cheeks before saying:
"As expected of one of the best baker in the peninsula, this is wonderful!"
"Thank you, but I still need to improve if I want to keep that title, just make sure to not leave a crumb. And for the next lady, a mega sized kebab with cheese, vegetables, meat, spicy sauce and other ingredients."
Yi places down a long and thick minced meat wrapped by a thick paper dough of sort. And inside other than the meat are some crisp vegetables and a surplus of sauce.
"Woah! Can't believe you actually agree! This is a dream come true! Well, thanks for the meal! Time to fulfill my dream of stuffing my face full of real meat!"
Ye-Hua tears up and grabs the giant roll as thick as her face and tries to eat the tip but her small mouth can't seem to even fit the edge as some meat fall over and Yi smiles giving her a bigger fork, spoon, and knife saying:
"Fulfilling a dream is good and all but please eat it carefully."
"hank yah!"
Ye-Hua replies with her face full and he continues to Bai-Sumi and Bai-Sik saying:
"As for you two, one special large tart and moon glow buns."
As he than grabs a tall glass filled with a red drink and he continues saying:
"That comes with a shake, enjoy."
"Y-Yes! T-Thank you!"
Bai-Sumi was left daze for a while before she snaps back and starts cutting the tart. Before I could see more, Yi-Il arrives towering over us while we sit. He seems to gaze sharply at me when he places down some sort of exotic - looking brown bread ror Juha and Yoo-Ah.
"Here, some fried cakes with eggs and meat inside, enjoy."
"Oh! Thanks! Capt!"
"It smells and looks wonderful, thank you."
"And for our special Star child, Yoo-Ah made you a special Fried cake of her own. Please enjoy."
"Oh?"
(Maybe that's just how his eyes are? I mean I did met someone Sis knows who's like that).
He places down a plate covered plate and lift the lid, a huge steam flows out covering my view before finally revealing something. A layered cakes with eggs and mince meat in between. The sight of the dripping juice and colorful sauce made me swallow my own saliva when I look at Yoo-Ah shouting:
"This is for me? Thank you so much!"
"Of course! Think of it as your early promotion celebration! And for an apology too... But I doubt-"
Since Yoo-Ah's close I gave her a hug replying:
"Like I said, it's fine! I should thank you for treating me so well!"
(Yoo-Ah is seriously kind. I wonder if I'll even get the same treatment from someone else?)
Yoo-Ah face reddened a bit before she smiles widely saying:
"Alright then! Enjoy it! It's one of my specialty!"
I let hee go and seeing Yi-Il giving us our utensils, I grab a spoon and fork saying:
"Well, everyone let's eat!"
"Eat! Eat!"
Yoo-Ah continued while Ma-Yi places down some iced drink and realize the brown water is actually tea.
(Oh? You can drink tea with ice? Here I thought it's something you have hot or warm?)
As I start gobbling the meal, Yi-Il walks away saying:
"So, continuing where I was gonna say. F.A.B.L.E.D. Honestly even though they have existed before the liberation era and many avid researchers have tried to learn but not many is known so far."
"*GULP* Before the Liberation Era? Means that they could be more than 3000 or maybe even 4000 years old!"
Ye-Hua exclaims loudly as I hear her gulp her huge meal and Yi-Il looks at her surprised saying:
"Hoh? I'm surprised you knew about the missing millennia. And it is said the F.A.B.L.E.D (D) is estimated to be older than a millions years and is rumoured to have seen the creation of this world."
"That's just ridiculous! I mean I know there's people who are immortal but the oldest record of a living immortal is the current God of War or Heaven's Commandant who is said to be around 4000 years old by now."
"Hehe, girl you're pretty knowledgeable. But not all the F.A.B.L.E.D is that old. In truth only half of them are confirmed to be from before the calendar was made, which is the fabled F, A, and D.
The rest has been hunted down, defeated, and replaced. Honestly B was suppose to be in that list but 26 years ago, a year before that catastrophic civil war began, the leader of the World Hunters and all his World Hunter group along with the previous Aologi Emperor and most of the imperial military managed to vanquished the mighty B before it could cross and wreck havoc upon the Aologi Empire."
"What!? Someone actually manage kill them? And not only that, half of them have already been killed!?"
Ye-Hua express her shock as she still moves her hands and mouth and Yi-Il nods replying:
"Of course, but even if they won, they started hunting it for 20 years and it only fell 26 years ago, making it a total of 46 years. Plus, almost all of the World Hunters perished and the survivors of it now makes up the famous main 5 hunters group."
"What!? How come I didn't know that! More like, how did you know all that, Capt!"
Yoo-Ah intervene and Yi-Il gives his empty tray to Ma-Yi scratching his chin replying:
"Oh, right, I never told you this but I was once part of the World Hunters back then you know. I was there when they fought the F.A.B.L.E.D. (B)."
"Huh!?"
"What!?"
"The fu-"
"Hold up! You never told me this before!"
"I mean, you never asked, and how do you think I got you in the adventurer guild in the first place?"
"That... Makes a lot more sense. Here I thought you coerce them with your cooking skills and- Aaah! This is too much!"
"G-Great baker-nim! Is it true! You're once part of that legendary World Hunters!?"
Bai-Sik rushes to him with crumbs on his face and the glowing buns still on his hands.
"Haha, yup, but don't treat me too differently."
"Today might be the best day ever! I met not only a pioneer but also someone from the World Hunters too! This is so awesome!"
(World Hunters... Come to think of it, I met some back after I got out of the relinquary... I wonder how is Yosova and the other two doing?)
Yi-Il kneels to pat his head replying;
"You're giving me too much credit kid, I'm retired already after receiving a crippling wound. Besides since you're all adventurers like I was. I think rather than the F.A.B.L.E.D, I think you would want to hear about the vast Unexplored beyond? Or better yet, the mysterious dungeons and labyrinths across the whole world? Like the one deep under the sea?"
(Didn't Yoo-Ah said something similar?)
"Oh? Please tell-"
"No, I want to hear more about those fabled!"
My words was cut by Yoo-Ah before I realize she somehow finishes her meal which makes me pick up the pace as I hear her continue asking:
"Like, tell us how you become a Hunter! Or how did the World Hunters defeat that fabled being! Or more like how old are you, Capt!"
"Weird last question, but I thought you should know asking that to a master martial artist is useless is it not? Plus, as for the hunt, well that's going to be a very long story. But before that, why don't you all finish your meal? It's starting to get cold."
Hearing him said so and already picking up the pace, I finish mine while savouring the juicy goodness that filled my mouth before asking:
"*Gulp* um... Yi-Il Ssi?"
"Hmm? What is it star child?"
I was reminded of something else from the distance past that Sis Rubeca once told me about other Hunters.
"Is it true? That the leader of the World's Hunter is one of the mythical race of titans?"
"Hoho? You must have travel far to learn of that race. Normally people would just call him an abnormal human, it seems the title of adventurer suits you."
"Titans? The hell is that?"
"Hmm? Weird, I never heard of such race in the imperial library..."
Yoo-Ah and Juha looks confused by my question when Ye-Hua stands shouting:
"Titans!? I thought they went extinct after Rucina's conquest!"
*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*
Yi-Il hearing her smiles widely and stands clapping his hand replying:
"Hahaha! It seems the adventures here might be more promising than I thought. But as for your question Star Child, why not try asking him? Seeing your track record I have no doubt he would personally extend and invitation for you when you become a pioneer."
"Huh?"
"Really!?
"Take it from me, but maybe he might've change since we last met. And it's good you're invested in the topic but try to finish your meal before it gets cold. Excuse me, I'll take the dirty dishes."
Seeing him pick up my dish and others as I wonder how nice it would for someone to cook for you like this. Patting my filled stomach I wonder,
(Usually since I work at a diner I got some leftovers or that I can make some noodles myself from watching Uncle Ramen make one. Rarely I ever eat at home and our yearly celebration usually comes with ordering a meal... Maybe I should try home cooking more?)
I look at Yoo-Ah asking:
"Say, Yoo-Ah since I'm resting for a while, mind teaching me to cook?"
"Oh! Of course! I could teach you more adventurer food!"
"Maybe just some normal food would be nice... Ah!"
I look at Ye-Hua who's still eating her meal, seeing her trying her best to stuff as much as she can but only taking nibbles each time, I remember our time back at the cave asking:
"Say, Ye-Hua?"
"Hmmf?"
"That grinding way of cooking, can you teach me about it? I mean it's pretty delicious and the best part is you didn't even actually use fire.
"Hoh?"
"Grinding cooking? Never heard that before."
Yi-Il and Yoo-Ah turns their attention to Ye-Hua. She gulps down whatever's in her mouth replying:
"Oh, Sova, you're giving me too much credit. I mean sure I can cook but it's not as good as the ones given here."
"Oh! Oh! Tell me more! This is the first time I heard about cooking without fire!"
Seeing Yoo-Ah approach Ye-Hua, I start to feel a bit heavy in the eyes as I realize probably how much I just eaten...
(It may not be as much as before I went out to the promotion quest but it sure feels like I eat that much).
Looking out the double window beside me, I could see light from the snow sprawled city. It's not a bad view and sure is not a bad thing to see...
I look back at Ye-Hua and Jana who's getting along with Yoo-Ah and wonder,
(How will I deal with them? Or perhaps is there another solution? Or should I just do it my way?)