Chapter 161
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: Feast Among the Black Thunder
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The awkward atmosphere passed in the blink of an eye, and the sun had set.
"Tch... Who would've thought the intruder was actually a guest."
"That's Jamad! Keep it down, or you might stir up trouble again."
"What the hell happened last time he came?"
"That kid got into it with the warriors and flipped the whole village upside down."
"No way, for real? The warriors are the elites, right?"
"Yeah. If Ungus hadn't stepped in, there might've been blood. It only ended peacefully because the Rock Fang Tribe and Black Thunder Tribe are on good terms."
Carmeli whispered to Mael.
"What are they saying?"
"They're talking about Sir Jamad's past."
"Jamad... You mean that Jamad from Pointed Rock Mountain?"
"Yes. Though he's currently under Snowman's summon now."
"No way... So that troll from earlier?"
"Yes, that's right."
"No wonder... I was shocked when the trolls suddenly turned friendly."
The village buzzed with activity as trolls prepared something everywhere. The savory aroma mixed with the scent of beast blood suggested the entire tribe was busy readying a meal.
"By the way, Mael."
"Yes."
"Why is this place called the Mist Hills? Do you know?"
"Just as the name implies. It's because mist often rolls in."
"I haven't heard of any big lake or sea nearby, though."
"That's... connected to a primal god called Ambika."
"Pardon?"
"The Black Thunder Tribe has been bound to Ambika, the primal god of lightning, for generations. Primal gods are like natural disasters. Wherever their influence reaches, unusual weather follows."
"Ah..."
"That's why the Mist Hills get frequent rain and are always charged with thunderous energy."
"You know a lot, Mael."
"I've been working as an archaeologist for the Relic Society, after all."
Carmeli finished talking with Mael and turned to look where Kang Seol was.
"What is he doing?"
"Looks like he's helping with the cooking."
"Troll cooking would've made me nervous... but if it's Snowman's, then it's fine."
"Exactly."
As they said, Kang Seol was directly involved in the trolls' dinner preparations for their guests.
A troll with a slightly twisted face approached him and spoke. He seemed to be the one usually in charge of cooking.
Kang Seol sensed something off not just from this troll, but from a few others as well.
"No need to grill. Cozal keb meat is tender, human."
"Grilling makes it tastier. Why avoid the fire?"
"Cozal keb meat burns easy! Burns and gets tough. Tough meat makes teeth hurt, and they complain."
"Then grill it right."
"Yeah. Grill it right... We know, but it's hard."
"Watch and copy."
"Human teaching us?"
"You're learning."
"Different. Got it, I'll watch closely."
I can't follow this conversation at all...
Troll talk is all about that strawman fallacy trend.
So gentle, like a kindergarten teacher lololol
'These guys seem like the inferior ones in the tribe...'
Troll society was ruled by combat logic. Those weaker in battle could drag down allies' morale, so they were assigned to housework like this.
'Harsh, but maybe it's merciful in a way.'
At least they weren't abandoned in the wilderness. In less prosperous tribes, that would happen often.
Sizzle...
Braziers lined up, with cozal keb meat cooking inside.
"Done. Time?"
"30 seconds."
"Same for the other side."
"Then one minute."
"Now, you just count numbers, and the rest put meat in the braziers like me."
"Ordering us?"
"You're following."
"Different. Got it."
This might not be a dream of troll king?
Fools who fall for it once—it's like problem 5 in the logic section.
Sizzle...
The sound of meat grilling in the braziers continued.
'These guys don't even know cooking basics.'
The Black Thunder Tribe lacked hygiene, knowledge of spices, and any concept of enhancing flavor. From Jamad's stories, the Rock Fang Tribe seemed savvy with food, but not these guys.
'They never valued cooking deeply.'
Either way, he couldn't stomach a lousy dinner.
They'd been surviving on rations without proper rest.
This meal needed to banish all that fatigue with flavor and nutrition.
Not for the trolls—for the search party.
"Troll who can read and write?"
"Uh... me."
"Any of these here?"
The paper Kang Seol held listed spices in troll script.
"This, this. And this only grows in winter."
"Good enough, bring them. I'll write recipes and uses, so study when you can even after I leave."
"Ordering?"
"You're following."
"Different. Got it."
Kang Seol got serious, boiling sauce in a pot big enough for a person, adding veggies for balance beside the meat.
"Ugh... Trolls don't eat grass."
"What?"
"Eat beasts that ate grass."
"...Grass separate."
"Grass no taste."
"Eat grass, grow big like Jamad."
"What? No more?"
Was Jamad a vegetarian or something?
He eats whatever you give him fine.
Good kid. I skip beans too.
The heaps of cozal keb meat were running low.
"Wasn't this sacrificial meat?"
"Sacrifice tomorrow fine. Guest day, Akimba overlooks."
As countless trolls received the food, messages popped up for Kang Seol.
[Cooking completed.]
[Cozal Keb Roast with Vegetables completed.]
[A fine aroma. Cooking successful.]
[A novel recipe never seen before.]
[Stamina permanently +2.]
[Inspiration awakens.]
[New recipes will come to mind upon encountering ingredients.]
[Cooking skill slightly improves.]
...
[Festival-scale cooking produced at once.]
[Cooking skill greatly improves.]
[Inspiration awakens.]
[Understanding of ingredients rises to genius level.]
[Culinary repertoire vastly expands.]
[Special achievement 'Feeding the Masses' obtained.]
[Special title 'Head Chef' acquired.]
'Totally cooking-focused effects.'
Still, it'd come in handy someday. Kang Seol sat beside Frannan.
"Ahem... Tastes good."
"As always?"
"Learned tonight that happy trolls dance weirdly, thanks to you."
"...Not thrilled."
As Kang Seol took a bite and looked around, a group of trolls stared and whispered about him.
[Unozuma's favor toward you increases.]
[Toruruk's favor toward you increases.]
[Hinui's favor toward you increases.]
...
'...Because of the monster cooking?'
Favor up should feel good, but their excessive attention was burdensome.
A group of trolls approached, poking his shoulder.
"H-Human, how'd you make this?"
"Human different from ones I know?"
"Almost ate one like this."
"Waste! Can't keep him?"
"Jamad's friend."
"Stays tonight, leaves tomorrow? Right?"
"Still, Jamad's friend..."
"Makes sense! Makes food like this, of course!"
Kang Seol felt weird being treated like his monster dish was some amazing skill.
'Anyway... good thing?'
Then Carmeli looked distressed at Mael and Kang Seol.
"Wh-What do we do? The troll next to me is offering booze!"
"Fermented goat milk brew. Sharing drinks with friends common even among humans, no?"
"As a servant of the divine, alcohol is..."
"Right now, aren't trolls closer than gods?"
"Ahem... No choice. Just one sip..."
"...Possible?"
Gulp...
Carmeli downed it in one go, grimacing.
"Ugh... Bitter... Baranoa's scriptures say the wise don't seek the sun at night."
"Meaning?"
"Morning always comes, so hide in darkness, don't forget teachings. This sip like that darkness? But really tastes bad..."
"Diocesan head twists it fancy to justify drinking."
Frannan snorted, and Carmeli grinned.
"Even the divine does it?"
Kang Seol eyed the cup offered to him calmly and sipped.
Slurp...
'Yup... Fishy.'
Then another message.
[Flash of Inspiration]
[New recipe comes to mind]
Kang Seol relayed what popped into his head to Carmeli.
"Mix in some honey and cinnamon powder; it'll be better."
"Eh... What difference?"
"Agreed."
They hesitated but tried it and exclaimed.
"Tasty!"
Trolls followed suit one by one.
[Influence with faction: Black Thunder increases.]
The next day, Kang Seol's party, Ungola of the Black Thunder Tribe, and the tribe's elites headed to Thunder Plateau.
Jamad and Kang Seol talked en route. Last night, Jamad had spoken privately with Ungola, and now relayed it.
"What curse hit Ungus?"
"Thunder Plateau has an unburning tree. His soul's bound there, struck by lightning eternally."
"Ambika... Terrifying."
"Primal gods are all vicious. We survived Sulfur Monkey Purgar only because he was in a good mood then—nothing more."
"Way to save him?"
Jamad said flatly.
"None but death."
"Then why hasn't Ungola killed Ungus? Weren't they close?"
"Not hasn't. Couldn't."
"What?"
"Ungus is Black Thunder's hero. Deepest mastery of lightning. Simple mind, but skills solid. Long time since seen, probably stronger now."
"That big a gap? Can't just overwhelm with numbers?"
"Primal god curses aren't simple. Ambika reinforces Ungus's sorcery when outnumbered to fight back."
"...Playing with him like a toy."
Jamad nodded at Kang Seol's words.
"Black Thunder devotes life to embodying lightning. Easiest way to gauge their prowess? What is it?"
Kang Seol thought, recalling their odd looks.
"Burn scars on body and face?"
"Right. More scars, stronger. Saw Ungola's face?"
"Yeah, half black and scorched."
"Ungus?"
"......"
"You'll see soon. And... I have a request."
"Request?"
Jamad said seriously.
"This fight... leave to me."
"......"
"Know it's your body. But can't just stand by sending off a friend."
"Got it."
"...What?"
"I'll help instead. That okay?"
Jamad nodded at Kang Seol's straightforward reply.
"Yeah, it'd be tough alone anyway."
Rumble-!
Thunder boomed then.
Knock, knock.
A troll knocked on the carriage door.
"Get out now, humans. Unless you wanna ride lightning to death."
Creeak...
"From here... Thunder Plateau."
Rumble-!
Crackle-!
Carmeli grabbed Mael's arm in fright at the lightning.
"J-Just now, lightning hit nearby."
"Imagination."
"Really! I saw it, I did!"
"Haha, nerves frayed."
"Th-This..."
(Roughly holding back curses)
Mael could film a wholesome diary in hell lololol
Ultimate mental fortitude for real lol
Plip... Plip-plip...
Scattered raindrops greeted them, just enough to cool the crown of the head occasionally—not worth an umbrella.
Rain fell, but it wasn't heavy.
Ungola said.
"Let's go. My brother awaits."
Clank... Clank...
This was indeed Thunder Plateau.
A massive tree unmarred by lightning stood at the center, drawing all eyes approaching the plateau.
And finally, they reached a spot with a clear view of the tree.
There, someone was.
Rumble-!
Lightning struck him.
"Gaaarghhh!"
"......"
Writhing in agony with each bolt.
Yet never falling from the tree.
Jamad called out.
"Hey! Ungus! I'm here. Heard you acted up again and got in deep shit?"
"Grur?"
His whole body emanated faint heat like freshly roasted meat, revealing pitch-black skin.
"Grr..."
Ungus was jet black.