Chapter 46: Truffles, Trials, and a Tense Banquet

After finishing business for the day and returning to the Floating Island, I picked up a bucket and walked toward the cow.

“I’m going to milk some oil.”

“Mooouu.”

I collected tea tree oil and olive oil into the bucket.

When making soap, adding oil instead of tea tree powder mixed much better. 

Recently, I had even started planting olive trees and such, so I was now producing all kinds of oils myself.

“You’ve got quite a lot today.”

“I expanded the shop. To fill the display shelves, I need to make at least twice as much as before.”

After thoroughly mixing the olive oil and tea tree oil, I poured in the lye and stirred. It wasn’t just for the shop—

I also had to supply Rose Inn, so I needed to make it in advance whenever I had time.

“By the way, I heard a guest is coming to the Elf Forest, and it looks like I’ll be the one cooking.”

“Did Sharin ask that of you? She must trust you a great deal.”

“That’s true, but honestly it’s a little pressuring. What kind of dishes should I make?”

“Everything you cook is delicious, so don’t worry too much. Haven’t you already won over the palates of those picky elves?”

I put the finished soap in the Ice Cave to cure, then grabbed my pickaxe to do a bit of mining before dinner time.

I wonder what’ll pop out this time.

Gulp.

Swallowing dryly, I stepped into the underground entrance of the Floating Island.

Ding.

[You have entered Underground Floor 3.]

“It’s pretty big, huh?”

Compared to the floors above, the third underground floor was on an entirely different scale. 

I moved my feet carefully.

Step, step.

I had completely smashed all the rabbit golems on floor 2 last time, so the underground spirit definitely wouldn’t stay quiet.

It was obvious it would try to interfere with some new nasty trick.

At that moment.

“Huh? What’s that?”

A black mushroom came into view. 

Strangely, mushrooms were growing right on top of a rock.

I took a step closer to examine it.

Twitch.

What was that? Did the rock just move?

I thought I’d seen wrong for a second.

But then the rock twitched again.

Don’t tell me… another golem?

I cautiously inspected the rock from every angle.

Whoosh.

Suddenly, a huge pincer shot out from the rock.

Ding.

[A Mushroom Hermit Crab has appeared.]

[Mission! “Please remove the truffle mushrooms growing on the Mushroom Hermit Crab’s shell.”]

“Hermit crab?”

It wasn’t a golem. Though mushrooms were growing on its shell, the body was unmistakably a hermit crab.

But the more important thing was—

“Wait! Tru-truffles?!”

The kind that grow underground like potatoes, an ultra-expensive ingredient used as a spice.

Truffles, also known as songro mushrooms.

They’re extremely valuable precisely because they grow underground and are hard to find.

I absolutely have to harvest these!

I gripped my pickaxe tightly and strode forward.

However.

Hop.

Sensing danger, the hermit crab clung to the wall and started climbing.

“Hey! Come down here!”

I swung the pickaxe, but it was nowhere near enough to reach the crab that had already climbed all the way to the ceiling.

Grab.

I picked up a stone to knock it down, then stopped.

If I’m not careful, the mushrooms might get damaged.

Having no choice, I put the stone down and spat on my palms.

“You think I can’t climb up there?”

I boldly began climbing the rock wall, grabbing protruding stones here and there.

Slip—

“Argh!”

The wall was much slicker than I expected.

Stars flashed before my eyes as I crashed to the floor.

Looks like I can’t climb it normally.

While I was thinking, my eyes landed on the pickaxe.

“Oh! Right.”

If there’s nothing to step on, I can just make footholds, can’t I?

Ting!

I immediately started digging into the wall with the pickaxe.

I drove the pickaxe deep into the rock, carved out grooves, and used them as footholds to climb step by step.

“Eut-cha!”

Repeating the same process, I steadily climbed the cave wall, higher and higher.

The fellow hanging from the ceiling stared at me curiously.

Finally reaching the ceiling, I clung tightly to the pickaxe embedded in the wall and stretched my other hand toward the hermit crab.

It struggled, but the crab—covered in truffles—was already having a hard time just staying attached to the ceiling.

“Gotcha!”

Plop—

The rough-textured truffle detached from the shell. I quickly put it in my bag and was about to continue harvesting more when—

Hop—

Deciding it had had enough, the crab dropped to the floor and scurried away somewhere.

“You won’t get away!”

I hurriedly climbed down and chased after it.

“Tch…”

This time it slipped into a crevice in the wall. Without hesitation, I reached into the crack to grab it.

Swish swish.

“Why won’t you stay still?”

Clamp.

“Argh!”

My fingertip got pinched by its claw, and I hopped around clutching my swollen finger.

Huff huff.

“So that’s how you wanna play?”

If it was going to hide and refuse to come out, I’d just have to force it out.

I gripped the pickaxe and struck the hole.

Ting! Ting!

The opening gradually widened, and the hermit crab raised its claws high, on full alert.

Ting! Ting!

As I kept widening the hole, it eventually became large enough for my upper body to fit through.

The crab tried to think of an escape route, but I was blocking the entrance, leaving it trapped.

“Just hand over the mushrooms nicely.”

Plop! Plop!

I bent down and picked the truffles off its shell.

Ding.

[Mission success!]

[The Floating Island’s affinity has slightly increased.]

Bubble bubble.

The hermit crab foamed at the mouth. It looked furious.

“Don’t be too mad. Your shell is lighter now, so it’s good for you too, right?”

Hearing my words, it tilted its head, then stroked its shell with a claw. 

Apparently it didn’t think it was all that bad.

“I think this many truffles is enough.”

The indescribable, unique aroma mixed with the earthy scent washed over me.

A hermit crab that grows truffles on its shell— the underground ecosystem was truly fascinating.

“Shall I head back for today?”

I had spent a lot of time harvesting truffles, so I’d save the rest for next time.

Feeling happy, I climbed the stairs back to the surface.

“Did you have a good trip?”

Elenia flew over, circling around me bzzz bzzz while brushing off the dust.

“You’re completely covered in dust— looks like you had quite a struggle.”

“Tada!”

I proudly showed her the truffles. They were still full of earthy fragrance.

“Aren’t these truffles?”

“I had a really hard time getting these. Guess what— they were growing on a hermit crab’s back.”

Now I’ll probably be able to get truffles regularly.

“You’re surprised too early. By now all sorts of different creatures should have started living down there.”

“That’s true. The underground is getting more and more interesting.”

Even more diverse creatures… Just how many new and wondrous things would surprise me next? Curiosity and excitement surged within me.

Finally, the day had come.

The day we welcomed a guest to the Elf Forest.

The elf village looked busier than ever.

“I should hurry and prepare too.”

I rushed toward the plaza—

“Huh?”

Mary was wiping down the stall.

“Why are you cleaning here?”

“Why? Because I’m helping. Today is an important event.”

“What?”

Has the sun risen from the west today?

“Is it really that shocking? You’re making me embarrassed.”

“It’s just so unexpected.”

“Ahem, I can’t live with debts.”

“Ah…”

She must have felt bad about eating without permission last time. 

If she was offering to help of her own accord, there was no reason to refuse.

“I thought I’d eaten something wrong for a second.”

Glare—

Her eyes were so sharp that I shut my mouth.

“Ahem. Then please set up the tables where the guests will sit. The tablecloths and dishes are in the bag I brought.”

I had specially prepared a menu just for today.

I carefully placed each ingredient on the counter one by one.

Bwooooo—

Suddenly, the sound of a horn echoed through the Elf Forest.

“What was that sound?”

“It looks like the guest has arrived. Hurry.”

While Mary finished setting up, I started preparing the food. 

I sliced onions and garlic and prepared soaked rice.

Chop chop.

When the banquet preparations were complete, Village Chief Sharin walked into the plaza. 

The guest was with her.

Huh?

I raised an eyebrow.

It walked on two legs like a human, but its face resembled a wolf’s, and fluffy fur covered its body.

A beastman— the werewolf-like race I had only ever heard about.

Flinch.

The beastman’s eyes widened the moment he saw me, a human.

His expression clearly said, ‘Why is a human here?’

A subtle exchange of glances continued between us.

Smile—

When I gave a small smile, he furrowed his brow.

I could feel that he was uncomfortable with me.

I found him novel and awkward too, but I acted calm and unbothered.

“Chief Sharin. The seats are ready, so please come this way.”

Mary skillfully guided the two to their seats.

Then it’s my turn.

Because today was special, I had prepared a full-course meal.

First, to ease tension and open the palate, an appetizer: fresh vegetables raised on the Floating Island drizzled with olive oil— a salad.

“Ahem…”

The beastman made an uncomfortable scratching sound at his throat.

Sharin asked quietly.

“Is something wrong?”

“I just don’t have much of an appetite.”

Next, Mary poured bright red watermelon juice that stimulates the appetite into glasses.

“This is watermelon juice.”

The beastman glanced at the watermelon juice, then stared at me. 

His eyes were filled with venom, as if he wanted to devour me.

Slurp.

Sharin took a sip first and made a satisfied expression.

“Please try it. It’s much tastier than it looks.”

As though he had no choice, the beastman barely touched the glass to his lips.

Could it be that it doesn’t suit his taste?

My mouth felt bitter. 

No one really knows what beastmen usually eat.

On top of the already stifling atmosphere, he was frowning hard— it was frustrating.

Was it that he didn’t like the food, or simply that he didn’t want to eat food made by me? I couldn’t tell at all.

“Shall I prepare the main meal now?”

“Please do.”

The moment Sharin answered Mary’s question, I immediately started cooking.

I absolutely could not let this banquet be ruined.

I had to present the best main dish.

Tap tap tap tap.

Whoosh— whoosh—

Fwoosh.

I poured every technique I had honed until now into cooking. 

The pungent earthy aroma rising from the ingredients ignited my confidence.

Just watch! You won’t be able to resist eating this!