62: Essence

We set up our camp that evening right on the border with the forest, so we finally got to collect firewood. Liane and Jen both went hunting in the forest as soon as we stopped. I knew what Liane would be looking for—so did Jen, which was why she chose to go as well.

 

I was about to wander off myself and use Foraging, but Hari put a hand on my shoulder.

 

“I know their running recklessly like that gives the impression the forest is safe, Trev, but it’s not. Please don’t wander in there without someone with you,” he said, looking in the direction the two girls had run.

 

And he was right. The dangers of the forest didn’t even enter my mind—I just saw blue. I swear I saw Dilwater berries in the distance, along with Virfolium.

 

Nodding, I said, “No problem, I won’t wander off. I do see lots of useful stuff from here if someone could help me out later, though.”

 

Milo had just walked back into camp as I said it, carrying a large stack of wood on a cushion of air.

 

“I’ll take you in there once I’ve set up the building,” Milo said.

 

“Thank you! And Crisplet, you heard what Hari said—be careful!” I called to the little elemental, who was already on an ever-growing exploratory mission. It felt a little hypocritical of me to tell Crisplet to be careful while exploring when Hari had just told me the same thing.

 

I heard Hari yell out, “Oh, also Trev—armour on when you go in there!”

 

I nodded again. I hadn’t worn it all day, but I knew once we entered the forest I would need to wear it whenever I wasn’t inside the structure—just in case a stray blow or projectile hit me.

 

I got to work preparing dinner for the night. I wanted to keep it fairly simple since I’d be spending time foraging, so I decided to make something I hadn’t made in a long while: a stew.

 

I really wanted to cook something from the Galvonson or the drake—just to test—but part of me insisted I get some magical ingredients like death caps, blood tears, or virfolium to go with it, to do it justice.

 

I had learnt a lot since I’d last made one, so I was confident I could make a really nice one tonight. Using one of the Buvul rumps, I diced it into cubes and seared them in the pan. In the pot I added diced tubers, carrots, onions, Garlic Grass, mushrooms, and some very ripe tomatoes, then poured in the meat and all the juices as well, covering it with water.

 

Leaving that by the fire for Crisplet to work his magic, I got my armour on. It took a while because I wasn’t used to all the straps, and in the end Milo still had to help me with it to make sure it was fitted properly and not going to rub.

 

After saying goodbye to Crisplet, we went towards the forest!

 

I activated my foraging ability and directed Milo straight to where I’d spotted the berries. I happily discovered two small bunches of Dilwater berries. I immediately cast Transformation on both so I wouldn’t forget they were toxic, then stored them.

 

As I was looking around, I spotted the plant I’d seen earlier with leaves on it—but before that, below the ground, a small round potato-sized blue glow. Was that another truffle?

“Milo, I think I spot another truffle!” I said excitedly, leading the way.

 

“Nice! This time we’ll get to eat it, right?” he asked as he followed along.

 

“Sure will!” I said as we arrived at the spot.

 

This one was harder than the others to reach, as it seemed to have been growing near a cavity below the tree’s roots. But after a bit of work from Milo, we managed to reach it, and sure enough—

 

Would you like to store [Uncommon] Mana Truffle x1 for 5 mana? Yes/No

 

It wasn’t a rare one like the book said it could be, but this was amazing!

 

Once that was stored, I looked around me. Obviously, I saw the leaves up ahead and knew we’d be going there next, but I wanted to check if I could spot anything else. That was easier said than done, because practically everything inside the forest was glowing at least a little bit—unlike the mountains, where things stood out clearly.

 

In my excitement, I felt a sharp pain in my arm.

 

“Ow! What was that?” I cried out, shaking my arm. Looking down, I saw a spider—a Leaf-Bladed Spider, the kind Liane likes to eat—had bitten me. A moment later, it was cut in half by one of Milo’s wind blades.

 

Quickly checking my notifications to see how bad it was…

 

Notifications:

 

You have earned 25 experience for making an enjoyable meal

…

You have earned 100 bonus experience for a buff used in combat

You have earned 100 bonus experience for a buff used in combat

You have earned 100 bonus experience for a buff used in combat

…

You suffered 15 damage!

Poison attempt failed: Poison immunity.

You have earned 100 bonus experience for a buff used in combat

 

Well, it wasn’t that bad at least.

 

“Trev, are you okay?” Milo asked, coming up to inspect my arm.

 

“Yeah, fine I think. It did a little bit of damage, but it failed to poison me,” I said, seeing my hitpoints were still 275/290.

 

“Also, I’m getting a buff in combat experience,” I added curiously.

 

“Yeah, we all had some jerky for this reason. You said you’re close to level 20, right?” Milo chuckled, grabbing my arm to inspect it properly.

 

I just nodded. I was super close to level 20—maybe I’d hit it tonight?

 

But I focused back on the task at hand. Reaching down, I stored the two halves of the spider. I didn’t think Liane would mind if it was split in half, and there was no point wasting it.

 

As we made our way to the leaves, I was surprised they weren’t Virfolium. Instead, it appeared to be something I had not seen before. The leaves were a mix of red and green, and they gave off a very fresh smell—like every breath of it was cool air.

 

Picking it and storing it—

 

Would you like to store [Uncommon] Frost Nettle x16 for 5 mana? Yes/No

 

Selecting Yes, I told Milo what they were, but he only shrugged. I would need to check the book later tonight.

 

We wandered around for a while longer. I found some more Frost Nettle, two Death Cap mushrooms, and a small amount of Virfolium. Overall, I was super happy with my haul—especially the new items. And I would finally get to try the Mana Truffle myself!

 

I also looked at my notifications again to see how close everything was…

 

Notifications:

 

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

…

You have earned 100 bonus experience for a buff used in combat

You have earned 100 bonus experience for a buff used in combat

You have reached Level 20 in Arcane Chef

You have +2 unspent stat points

You have a new ability selection

You have earned 100 bonus experience for a buff used in combat

…

You have reached level 5 in Basic Meal Prep

You have 1 available Evolution Quest

You have earned 100 bonus experience for a buff used in combat

 

Oh, wow—a lot had happened! This was exciting!

 

It felt like it had been a long time since I’d got a new ability, and now I had managed to get a new evolution quest as well!

 

“Hey Milo, can we head back now? I think the stew is ready, because I just hit level five in Basic Meal Prep—and I also hit level twenty!” I said excitedly. The smile on my face would have been huge!

 

He just chuckled but agreed, and we made our way back to camp.

 

Once I was there, I thanked Crisplet for taking care of the stew, receiving a burst of sparks in response while he went back to playing in the fire—and, if I was not mistaken, building something out of coals.

 

I got the simple one out of the way first:

 

Congratulations! Your Basic Meal Prep skill has 1 available Evolution Quest:

 

Create 10 unique dishes. – 0/10

 

Huh, that seemed easy? I just needed to make ten dishes that were different? Easy. I’d get that done in a couple of days.

 

Then I turned to the difficult choices…

 

Congratulations on Level 20!

Choose from the following options:

 

Mana Pan

Skill type: Active

 

The perfect tool does exist.

 

Allows you to create a pan of various sizes out of Mana.

 

Gourmand’s Insight

Skill type: Active

 

Everyone has taste.

 

Identify your target’s favourite and most hated ingredients.

 

Feast of Power