act36side

Remember, as soon as the meat <i>starts</i> to curl.

Whoops. Skipped a step. We should've drizzled some Originium slug beer onto the meat...

No need for that! This is more than perfect as it is!

Let's just dig in already! Then we can get back on the road! No need to waste more time on any extra steps!

...If you say so. Not my problem.

Well then, the Stir-fried Chili Originium Slug is done!

Hey, Big Beard, what're you doing?

Let me try something.

These shells have been cleaned, right?

Yeah.

What is he up to?

Who knows?

We'll put the cleaned slug meat back into the shells, mince some garlic and add a little butter, salt, and pepper... And of course don't forget the missing step: drizzle the meat in some Originium slug beer.

Then, add a bit of minced garlic at the shells' openings...

And finally, put the shells back in the fire facing upwards and roast them for a while.

The flames lick the Originium slug shells and give out an intense wheat aroma.

The oil sizzles as the warm scent of the garlic wafts toward the party.

Then, there is a light, joyful sound—

*crackle*

There we go! Now hurry and take them out.

I've got pancakes ready, too! Come on, let's eat!

Delicious!

Put the meat on the bread, and bite into it with the chilis. Then, take a sip of beer. Try it!

Here, try the pancakes! I added some fowlbeast eggs. You'll love it, guaranteed.

Is that colorful stuff on top crushed candies? It's sweet!

Fine, I'll try it too!

What's this?

Originium slug antennae.

Wow! So good! I like the chewy texture... but way too spicy! It's very different from Senshi's cooking, but still good!

Hm... With the beer, the roast slug doesn't have that earthy taste at all, unlike the stir fry.

I knew it. The result is always better when you don't cut corners. Rushing will do you no good.

No matter how minor a step is, we must take it carefully. That's what's so fascinating about cooking. Marcille, how anxious you were made me realize this.

Hey, I wasn't!

I'm not the kind of person who throws caution to the wind when I'm anxious! I'm only so worried because none of <i>you</i> seem to be!

It's like none of you even want to get back as soon as possible...

This beer is awesome! It's got a different malty taste to it, unlike anything I've ever had!

Well, that's good to hear. I was planning to bottle and sell it, so I brewed a couple batches. Sounds like I'll be raking in the dough.

Originium slug beer? Is it brewed with the slugs? How does that work?

There are many ways. If you raise them in clean wheat husks from the moment they're born, the husks will stick to them, and eventually they'll form shells that keep the smell.

And if you mix those shells into your brew's hops, this beer is what you'll get.

A few other places do it differently. Say, feeding the slugs hops and using their mucus in the brew.

I'm sure it'd taste different, but I like my brews the best!

The same goes for the pancakes you just had. Give those shiny little fellas some fruit, and their shells will end up sweet.

Mmh... *burp*.

I guess I can relax now that I know there's a market for my beer.

All of this is so good...

Anyway, I think Marcille's been so anxious because... we kind of stumbled our way into this place by accident.

To be frank, most of what you guys have said has gone right over my head.

*sigh*... Never mind. I guess we'll have to look elsewhere for answers.

Well, everyone gets homesick. I know that much at least.

But I've never met anyone who knows as little as you guys. It's not safe, traveling like that... Take these with you.

Big Bob quickly packs up some prepared slug meat and beer and hands them over to Laios, along with a book.

Laios flips through the book and finds it filled with crooked, illegible letters.

What's this?

Heh, that's my 'Bob's Gourmet Guide.' I wrote down everything I've seen and whether it's edible or not.

Take it. You seem surprised by even the littlest things, so just follow what it says in the book. Don't starve or get yourselves food poisoning.

...Seems like this is right up Laios's alley.

I can picture the expression on his face without even looking.

Oh, right, I also know of this place that has... uh, a lot of eccentric people. I'm sure they'd be able to help you get home.

I mean, they even got that red-eyed woman on a leash. If anyone can handle this, it's them.

Really? What's that place called?

Rhodes Island.

They've been opening branch offices in even the most remote villages. You should be able to find them pretty easily.

Okay. Rhodes Island. Got it.

(Quietly) ...What a strange name for an island.

(Quietly) Does that mean we'll need to board a ship...?

If you do manage to find it, remember to say hello to Mudrock for me.

Not a problem.

Alright then. I hope you'll find them soon!

Thanks, big guy.

What an interesting bunch.

I sure hope they'll find that... dungeon soon.

Ahem, now back to work!

Hm? What happened to the rest of the food?

Did they finish all of it...? Hm...

*burp*

Cooked Originium slug... yummy!

Hurry up, Laios.

Look at this mushroom! Even the dungeon's walking mushrooms don't grow this big!

Wouldn't it be amazing to see a walking mushroom this size...? Thoughts on having it for lunch later?

Careful now. The Gourmet Guide says jungle mushrooms are basically all poisonous to some extent.

For example, they might give you full body rashes, thicken your blood, or make you throw up nonstop until every organ is down on the floor...

...I'd rather not think about what the guide's author must have been through to learn all that in such detail.

The orcs only taught me how to identify <i>dungeon</i> mushrooms, so we'd best leave these alone.

But there are some animals that eat them!

Still no. If only one or two critters consider it edible, it means it's probably toxic to everything else.

In other words, if we see lots of animals eating this, then it's likely to be edible for us, too.

Right...

(Low roar)

What was that?

(Piercing buzzing)

There's something flying towards us! Careful, everyone!

WAAAAAAHHHH!

(Knocks here and there)

Ha! Now that was an impressive explosion!

A good thing the test site was empty.

Let me see...

Chamber pressure, off the charts. Same goes for temperature readings, and load capacity too!

Seems like it'll need reinforcement to perform well.

Next, final adjustments to the previous configuration, loosen the belt, tighten the screws, and... done!