Territory Marking (3)
The atmosphere grew a bit tense for a moment due to Luna's slip of the tongue, but it didn't last. They'd already met their original goal—Ratatosk—so they decided to hammer out the detailed plans step by step.
The territories needed to overlap as little as possible and be spread out as much as they could. For that, Ratatosk would have to check the map.
"Ratatosk know read map?"
"Map? What's that? Food?"
·····This was going to take some time.
Still, they had the weekend free, so they could plan then. Afterward, Ratatosk headed off to find a new mate, and with no more reason to stay in the forest, they returned to the academy.
"You're back. Care to tell me what you discussed with the president?"
As planned, they met up with Grace upon returning. Lee Yeonju was already gone. Sivar debated whether to tell her everything but glanced at Luna instead.
This was better left to her. Luna caught his meaning and nodded, stepping in to explain. Grace didn't seem to mind, judging by her expression.
"We talked about stabilizing the outer forest. Sivar's help is essential. We'll probably do it every weekend."
"Every weekend... Understood. We'll need to coordinate schedules."
Grace picked up on the secretive nature and didn't pry further. She seemed satisfied with that much.
With everything wrapped up, Sivar headed toward the Usk disassembly area, where the work was still ongoing. Lunchtime was approaching, so the baby Usks should all be butchered by now.
"Perfect timing. How will you settle the payment?"
"With the rest."
As expected, the baby Usks were fully butchered and waiting. Freshness was key for the meat, but the on-site slaughterhouse handled cold storage without issue. Payment worked the same way.
He took only the edible parts and handed the rest to the butchers. Unlike adults, baby Usks didn't yield much upon disassembly anyway. Probably useful for research.
"Even babies are massive, so there's still a lot."
"Gonna eat it now? Too good to waste in the dorms."
The meat from just the babies exceeded dozens of kilos. But he planned to devour it all today. Saving it would only hurt freshness, and more importantly, he wasn't eating alone.
Stuff like this was meant to be shared. Plus, plenty of adult Usk meat remained—like that half-processed one over there, enough for several meals.
The issue is where to cook it all.
Sivar pondered as he eyed the boxed Usk meat. Everything was great, but no good cooking spot.
Dorms lacked other ingredients, and letting it sit felt wasteful.
"If you're in a bind, may I recommend a place? Pay for the service, and you'll get a magnificent dish."
"Place like that?"
"Yes. Pricey, but worth it for Usk."
Ah, right—that spot. He had a vague idea. With Chaos Forest nearby, places like that cooked if you supplied ingredients, as Grace said.
But in Soul World, no one used them much. Early game, money was tight; later, the cost-performance sucked.
"What do you think? I can cover the bill. Better than cooking yourself."
"Let's go."
"Great. Then..."
"Eat together."
"Pardon?"
Before Grace could respond, Sivar made his pitch. Her eyes widened round. She glanced at the others, then pointed at the meat boxes.
"All together. Eat this."
"You hunted it. Eat alone."
"No need to share with us."
As expected, firm refusals. But he was prepared.
"I hunted. I decide."
"··· ···"
"Eat together."
His poor speech made it sound like an order. Still, his intent got across. Kara chuckled first, calling it cute, and the others smiled warmly.
"If Sivar insists?"
"No helping it. Let's share. Enough for all?"
Good food tastes better shared. Sivar grabbed the boxes and headed to the restaurant Grace mentioned.
Yeonju, though...
He'd get her some later.
Since entering the academy, Luna had been through a whirlwind of experiences in real time.
Sivar meeting Ratatosk. Hector's battle. Saint Kwonseong Lize's visit. The midterm terror(?). And now Usk.
All tied to Sivar, each a headache. She even craved going home.
Want to eat it again...
But one bite of Usk cuisine erased all worries. The best food she'd ever tasted. Just thinking about it made her mouth water.
She'd doubted they'd cook Usk well, but it was exquisite. Juices burst on the tongue. Tender chew, no toughness. Beef-like flavor, but better than home-cooked beef from occasional slaughter.
Beef, but superior.
Adults are tougher, but babies are the same, he said?
After the feast, Sivar offered more anytime. Adults remained.
Normally, guilt would make her hesitate—he soloed them. But it was too delicious to refuse. Plus, Usk was healthy; otherwise, no alchemical or potion use. Every part valuable.
Feels bad mooching every time... Anything I can offer?
He'd given tusks to Kara, shared meat. She only received, nothing back. Guilt inevitable.
...That incident won't work, huh?
A rare memory surfaced. Once-in-a-lifetime. Thought beast-related then, but evidence pointed to Sivar. He denied it, but Ratatosk confirmed. Cost her a shoe.
Sivar felt guilty too—perfect leverage. Tusks might be stretch, though.
Meat second. Tusks first.
Sivar said: Get as strong as Kara. Back then, unclear why. Now? Made sense. Without her skill, she'd be weapon fodder.
His way of caring. To match Kara, train hard.
That's when she trained with renewed focus.
"Luna."
"Yes?"
"Something wrong?"
Gloria noticed her change, voice laced with curiosity—not worry. Chased training would worry her. But Luna was dead serious, multiples of usual.
"No? Nothing different."
"Look me in the eye. Your gaze has changed."
Luna tilted her head. True, more serious for tusks. Gloria sensed it. As master, sensitive to such.
Luna turned. Kara sparred lightly with Chronos. Sivar skipped self-training—off with Grace to Godin.
"Something wrong... Lying if I say no?"
"Staring at Kara while saying that... Don't tell me...?"
"?"
Gloria's "don't tell me" face baffled Luna. After thought, Gloria placed a hand on her shoulder, advising seriously.
"If troubled, stop training. Forcing it harms the body."
"...Not troubled. Just reason to get stronger."
"Reason... Care to elaborate? We share secrets."
Shared secrets—Gloria and Chronos's affair. Luna chuckled, nodded. Fine to share this.
"Here's what happened..."
With others, full context to avoid misunderstanding. But Luna's mouth invited it—like a conch shell.
Staring at Kara, she explained slowly.
"Heard Sivar took down Usk?"
"Of course. Academy's buzzing."
"Yeah. He gifted one tusk to Kara sis."
"Really?"
Gloria startled. Knew tusk value. Sivar might not—forgivable.
"Yes. Asked if I could have spare. Shameless, but wanted it."
"Sivar refused?"
"Yeah. Said no unless I match Kara sis."
"Oh my."
Gloria mulled context. Obvious skill gap—Luna crushed in spars. Kara landed hits on Sivar, though.
"Kara as benchmark... Something between them?"
"Yeah... Why else gift her?"
"Hmm..."
Gloria pondered. Sivar and Kara closer than thought. Luna's position precarious—always chasing.
Only option: get stronger, as Luna said. But too slow. Talent alone meant nothing without combat experience.
"Luna. Anything special with Sivar?"
"Why sudden?"
"Leverage for gifts. Sneak in slyly."
"Hm... There is, but..."
Humanity-related—unmentionable. Luna smiled awkwardly.
"Kinda... embarrassing for both... Hard."
"Embarrassing for both?"
"Yeah. Tough to say."
Magic mouth strikes again. Gloria's face brightened positively. She glanced at Kara—still sparring—before speaking.
"That's it."
"Huh?"
What nonsense? Luna stared, flustered. Gloria patted her shoulder, sugary voice.
"Use that to get close. Shared embarrassment, plus your effort? Guilt-gift guaranteed."
"··· ···"
Sounded right? Luna tilted head, puzzled yet convinced.
"I'll help. Can't power-level short-term, but can shock Sivar."
"...Really?"
"Yes. Your drive's perfect—training without it is pointless."
Gloria continued.
"Plus, Kara hasn't had that experience. Agree?"
"...Yes."
Hated reliving it. Luna grumbled inwardly. Oblivious, Gloria beamed.
"So, let's push! Your experience is huge help."
"··· ···"
Luna said nothing. Mouth zipped tight—only now.