208: Growth

Heading into the kitchen, I prepared some more bacon for Liane. It wasn’t as potent since I didn’t have Crisplet to assist with it, both losing their fire immunity, but the Drakon had Major Fire Resistance instead.

I then spent the rest of the evening practising carving the rune into one of the empty salt barrels I had received, not willing to risk the rum just yet, and it was probably for the best. I messed up immediately, cutting straight through the wood.

I didn’t bother trying to activate any of these runes, knowing they were all far too rough to try.

Five hours into it, Crisplet came into the dining room where I was sitting, letting off a burst of sparks, letting me know the bacon was ready to go.

“Thanks, Crisplet!”

Entering the kitchen, I saw both Liane and Lily sitting… waiting.

Inside the smoker room itself, it smelled incredible. The smoke itself tingled in my nose, but it wasn’t overpowering. The smell of the meat itself, however, easily overtook it, in particular the earthy smell from the Drakon.

Knowing all of these would need to rest, I stored them all temporarily, heading into the kitchen and pulling them all out again, laying them on the counter as Lily and Liane approached.

“You can’t eat these yet,” I said.

I saw Lily nudge Liane forward a step.

I had to hold back the laughter, but after giving Lily a look, Liane asked “At all?”

“They need to rest first, then I’ll cook some up. Don’t touch it for now, and no stealing any,” I said, looking directly at Lily, who just tilted her head at me.

I brought the barrel into the kitchen to work on the runes, just so I could keep an eye on the bacon. After an hour of practice, I decided it had rested long enough. I got some slices of each type, enough so I would have plenty of spares, even after Liane and Lily had several pieces.

Crisplet helped me with the cooking. I also decided, at least for this one, I would increase the potency and reduce the duration, while still remembering to purify it, just in case.

Finally, knowing I had used the Ironwood for this, I checked the buffs before eating it, just to be sure it was safe for anyone besides Lily.

[Rare] Iron Smoked Titan Boar Bacon

+11 Endurance

+2 Strength

Scaled Skin

Fire Immunity

[Rare] Iron Smoked Drakon

+7 Strength

+9 Endurance

+3 Charisma

Stone Skin

Fire Immunity

My eyes went wide as I read over the buffs. The stone skin that came from the wood had clearly combined with thick skin from the titan boar. I didn’t even think to test thick skin earlier, but now I had a new one to test as well, provided I could actually eat it.

I also noticed that the titan boar had shifted to rare.

“What is it? You look shocked,” Liane asked.

I took three pieces of each and handed them to Liane and Lily, quickly storing the rest of the cooked slices so they didn’t vanish.

“Have a look at the buffs,” I said.

Watching, she still didn’t hesitate, just eating the Drakon first. “Oh, a lot more stats on this one. Hari will really like it,” she said.

She then took a bite of the titan boar, her own eyes going wide. Then her skin started to turn black, as small scales covered her arms and neck that I could see.

“Whoa, that looks intimidating!” I said, getting close to her to inspect it.

“Feels weird, too. It feels stiff, but far better than stone skin. I’d be interested to see Hari’s thoughts.”

“Where is he?” I asked.

“He got back from the shop a couple of hours ago. I imagine he’d be training,” Liane looked thoughtful.

I was just about to run outside when I stopped myself, turning around. Storing all the bacon I had been resting on the counter, hearing a huff let out by Lily behind me.

“I knew you were thinking about stealing some!” laughing as I turned around.

The only response I got was Lily vanishing into a nearby shadow.

Going through the butchery room to reach the backyard, I was walking behind Liane as we went to the training yard. I barely noticed the day slipping away, as it was already night outside. It made her look extra intimidating with the scales as the moonlight glinted off the edges.

“Those scales look dangerous at night,” I commented.

“Not great for hiding though when it’s shining in the light.” Liane commented.

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As we approached the training yard, I saw Hari, Luis, Darren, and George, along with several guards, all practising, with Hari at the front guiding them all through the motions.

“I didn’t even know Luis was here.”

“He’s here most afternoons to train. He just doesn’t enjoy being a bother for dinner,” Liane replied, striding forward, catching Hari’s attention immediately.

“Liane? What the fuck happened to your skin?” he said, pushing through the line.

All the others turned around to look as well, their jaws dropping. Well, everyone except the guards training, as they kept swinging their swords.

I pulled out a piece of titan boar and offered it to Hari. Liane just stood there, hands on her hips, grinning, not even answering his question.

Hari, not waiting, took a bite of the bacon, then another, and then it was gone.

He just looked at Liane for a moment before nodding, seemingly taking a moment to process everything.

Deciding now was a good time, I also pulled out the Drakon as well, handing it over, and he ate this one in only two bites.

“Just strength and charisma?” he asked, looking at me.

“No, it’s got endurance as well, just not as much,” I answered.

The change in skin was far more noticeable with Hari, and I saw now that it covered the entire body, as his chest was slowly covered in scales as they spread to his arms and neck. The only difference compared to Liane’s was Hari’s were brown. They were not black.

“Luis! Hit me as hard as you can,” Hari said, turning around.

Luis didn’t move, still staring at him in shock.