cutter

Right! The most important thing is hope!

That makes perfect sense! Mm, I'll remember that.

By the way, why do you want to cook so much?

You should already be able to find any kind of cuisine you like in the Rhodes Island cafeteria, right?

It's because... I've never had anything but MREs. So I want to know what it's like to eat something I made with my own hands.

Well, maybe not 'never,' but I was following my master for as long as I can remember, and my master didn't know how to cook either.

Later on, after I became a mercenary, I had even fewer opportunities to sit down and enjoy a peaceful meal.

I was really curious about how food was made, so one time I slipped into a tavern's kitchen to go take a look. The owner thought I was a thief though, and ended up scolding me all night. Ahaha...

Cutter!

Hwah! Yes, ma'am?!

I swear, I'll teach you how to cook if it's the last thing I do!

Even if we have to sacrifice a dozen potatoes, no, a hundred, I swear I'll teach you!

Um, please calm down. That's all in the past now. And look, I survived and stayed healthy—

Finish up your mashed potatoes, and we'll continue the training!

Y-Yes, ma'am!

I can't believe I ended up using the rest of the potatoes and she had to go look for more ingredients...

Getting kind of... sleepy...

No, no, I can't let her down now!

I just learned how to peel potatoes, so I can't afford to slack off already!

*Yawn*... But the afternoon sun is so comfy...

I can't keep my eyes open...

Maybe a little nap...

Hey, wake up.

Here, this is yours.

Thanks.

Lucky you, you can fall asleep even at a time like this. But that's fine. There's still time before we head out, so conserve your strength while you can.

Hey, you over there. Catch.

Again with the canned food?

We're lucky we even have canned food. You got any idea what happens to mercs who lose their supplies out in the barrens?

You collapse on the ground out here, and scavenging Originium slugs think you're a carcass and start gnawing on your clothes from your legs up. You're still conscious by the time they get to your flesh.

Speaking of which, I'm sure in the mood for some coal-grilled sandworm legs. Preferably fresh.

*Columbian profanity* You wish.

Why can't we grill something anyway? I'd even settle for soup at this point.

No.

We're in the barrens, and there's no wind. Fire means smoke, which means anybody can spot us from miles away.

Might as well be broadcasting 'there's a caravan here' to all the other mercenaries in the area.

We're escorting goods this time, so we can't afford to blow our position.

Ooh, the little girl's talking like a pro now. How many runs have you made at your age?

Too many to count.

Done pretty much everything except fraud and trafficking. I've probably been doing this longer than you, too.

You talk a big game. But how do you know when I got in the biz?

Your knife.

What?

It's one of the latest from Raythean, put out just last year. Brand new materials, and half the weight of the previous generation. No signs of wear and tear on your belt sheath either, so you can't have used other knives before.

Impressive. You sure know your stuff.

To tell you the truth, I'm only doing this because I lost my farm in a Catastrophe. Who the heck would take a job that puts a bounty on their head if they had any land to grow crops on?

Heh. Still, I might be the newbie here, but I've never screwed up a job.

If we bump into any bandits, I'll show you what I'm capable of.

Bah. Don't jinx us.

Can't you take a joke? We did a great job covering up our trail, and we only got our route just before setting off.

That's the best way to keep it secret.

Some employers prepare multiple route maps in advance and keep them sealed. Before departure, a middleman will randomly select one and hand it to the mercenaries.

Then we're allowed to refuse the job if the seal has been tampered with.

This avoids direct contact between the mercenaries and the employers, and also eliminates the risk of leaks. Our client kept things professional this time.

What a stand-up guy. Makes you wonder what the hell is in these boxes to be worth all this trouble.

We just drop off the goods at the destination, grab our money, and leave. Nothing else matters.

True. But when they're paying this much just to move 'em, they must be worth a pretty penny! Makes me feel like I'm in the big leagues now, hahaha!

Soon as I get my hands on that cash, I'm gonna find a good bar and drink myself silly.

A few more contracts like this, maybe I'll even head south, buy another plot of land, and open another brewery! Hahaha!

What about you guys? What are you gonna do with the money?

Can't say I share your optimism, so I'll need to find a weaponsmith for crossbow maintenance first.

How about you, girlie?

A new hairclip, probably.

Huh? What'd you say?

I lost my last one. My bangs sometimes fall down and block my vision, and it's a pain in the ass.

Ahahahahaha—

Bwahahaha...

What's so funny?

Mercenaries are like MREs.

The value and purpose of the food is never for it to decide.

And after the usable portions have been squeezed out, what remains is just excess waste.

Waste, to be tossed away in the barrens without a second thought.

*cough* *cough*...

We're the only ones still alive...

That attack was clearly premeditated.

I can't say for sure what happened, but someone must have deliberately exposed our position—

What are you doing? Forget about the goods. We're already exposed, and there'll be more after us before long!

Out of my way!

We've already failed the mission! You need to head to the town up ahead and find a way to deal with your injuries—

Do you not see this chunk of Originium in my neck?! It's over for me!

I'm already dead! I just want to take a goddamn look at the shit I'm dying over!

There's no need for you to—

Hah... Haha... Hahahahahaha!

Empty. There's nothing inside!

We've been nothing more than goddamn bait from the very beginning! That money... was the price of our heads!

I'm such an idiot. How could I get caught up in other people's bullshit? As if being a mercenary can just endlessly shit out money.

Hahaha... But I suppose they're right about one thing. Die fast enough, and you won't have any need for money!

Damn it all! All you mercs can go to hell!

Hey, Cutter? Wake up.

Ah! Sorry, how long was I asleep?

Your training's been getting rough recently.

Still, it's been a month, and it's time to check on your progress. So chin up and show me what you've got!

You ready?

Mm... Mhm!

(Swallows nervously)

(Carefully lifts the lid of the pot)

I've finally... finished.

Woooah, this looks pretty promising!

I knew you could do it, Cutter!

It's all thanks to you, Sideroca. I'd never have managed it alone.