The meal was delicious, and it hit all the right spots—especially with how tired I was feeling. I barely noticed all the buffs associated with it, even realising I had also earned experience in Manaflair Crust as well.

[Rare] Seared Mana Infused Thunar

Fire Immunity.

+5 Endurance.

+4 Intelligence.

+2 Perception.

Sprint.

Minor Fire Conjuration.

Minor Blood Sense.

Major Mana Restoration.

My essence memory basically let me know that Blood Sense did not come from any of the active ingredients, but instead came from Manaflair Crust. I shook my head—I was too tired to deep-dive into this tonight. Lily had already finished her Thunar by the time I'd stopped looking at the buffs on my status sheet and was currently eyeing off my half-eaten Thunar.

With a chuckle, I placed mine on the floor as well. I knew I should eat more, but I was just too tired, and I still needed to have a bath before I slept.

After sleepily saying goodnight to Liane—who was currently hiding her own Thunar from the gaze of Lily—I stumbled my way to the bedroom, only noticing that Lily and Crisplet were both following as I made it to my door.

***

I woke up on a hard surface and immediately panicked. Groggily looking around and realising I was on the floor of my room, with light streaming through the window—why was I on the floor? I looked around, noticing Lily was currently asleep on my bed, and I was still in my clothes, splattered with blood and other fluids from all the butchery yesterday, smelling absolutely terrible.

Did I pass out as soon as I entered the room? I don't remember anything past opening the door. I really needed to pay more attention to my stamina.

I quickly took a bath, noticing just how cold it was getting in the mornings now. Once I had freshened up and got into clean clothes, I left the room—Crisplet following after me—but Lily had not moved once. I also didn't want to disturb her, but I was starving, and I needed to try to find Milo, so hopefully I could catch him at breakfast.

Entering the dining room, no one there. Either it was really early, or really late—I didn't really know at this point. When I made my way into the kitchen, though, I was met with the unmistakable smell of copper and iron. Even though I was smelling it, it felt like it clung to my mouth, forcing me to taste it.

Shaking my head, I pulled out a clean pot, filled it with water from the rune, and got to work cleaning the kitchen properly. I hoped no one else had tried to use it before me.

***

Several hours passed with cleaning, and I was finally happy with the state of the kitchen. There was still an iron tang in the air, but it was far better than when I'd walked in. No one had shown up, so I suspected it was later than I expected.

I quickly pulled out a small amount of boar belly that I had left over and cooked just enough for myself, adding it to a roll I had already cooked. I considered adding something else to it, but this would do. I infused it—not because I thought I would get any decent buffs from it, but more because I wanted to get more experience. It's also why I toasted the bread.

"I'm going to go find the others, Crisplet," I said into the oven, wondering if he'd stay behind or come with me, and to my surprise, Crisplet was quickly out of the oven and in the brazier.

As I walked into the hallway, I was startled by a voice.

"The dead has risen!" Liane said, with a smirk.

I was still feeling a little tired, mumbling out, "Morning."

"Morning? We're past lunchtime now. You actually had me a bit worried—I saw you had passed out last night and Lily was physically dragging you into the room, the look I received made it very clear not to come close," she let out a nervous chuckle.

"That bad, huh?" I sighed.

Liane had a very serious look now, the smirk completely gone. "Yeah, that bad. I was distracted by your food and didn't realise how exhausted you were. I didn't tell Hari—yet—and I won't now that I know you're okay, but you need to look after yourself. Passing out like that leaves you very exposed and in an awkward position."

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I just nodded.

I felt an ember hit my side as Crisplet looked up at me from the brazier, clearly taking Liane's side in all of this.

Liane sighed. "Sorry—I don't like being the one to lecture someone, but if I told Hari, you'd have someone watching you constantly again, after an hour of lecturing. I've been there myself, and I don't think you want that."

I just nodded. I did appreciate it being Liane over Hari—or the others, for that matter.

"Anyway! Now that the heavy stuff is over, what are you up to?" She asked with a beaming smile.

"I was going to try to find Milo—and maybe join George and Darren with training," I said.

Liane looked at me sceptically. "And your stamina levels are up to that?"

Looking them over, I just chuckled nervously a little.

Stamina: 140/360

"No, not really—but I should be fine to watch, right?" I asked,

We made our way downstairs, mostly in silence, before making our way through the small door near the clerks and down the stone stairwell to the caves below.

Once I made it to the bottom, I was shocked at what I saw around me. It was nothing like what it had been just a couple of days ago. When I had left, it was a pretty average-looking cave with a spacious main chamber, but the surface was rough and very clearly still a natural cave.

Now, however, as I looked around, the stairwell exited into a hallway, and at the end of the hallway stood two massive doors made out of the very stone that surrounded us.

Pushing our way inside, I just took in the sights, as what was once a fairly dark cave was now a smooth-walled, massive room. The roof was still rough, but the floor and all the surrounding walls were smooth, like they had been carved. At the back, where the crack was that led to the water, now stood another set of doors that were open.

In the main hall, I noticed that George and Darren were in the middle of a spar. They didn't appear to be really pressing each other hard, but they both looked comfortable with their weapons as their strikes flowed.

When Hari noticed me, he gave me a wave. "Come to train?"

"Not yet, sorry—" I began, but I was interrupted.

"He won't be doing any proper training today. His stamina is still too low after working too late last night and sleeping poorly," Liane said firmly.

Hari didn't question it, instead just nodding as we made our way to the rear doors leading into the new area. I heard Hari yelling out orders to George and Darren, who had both stopped their spar to wave, before being asked what they were doing.

Entering the new area, I saw Joanne, eyes closed, sitting cross-legged by the water's edge as it softly lapped against her. Off to the side of the room, I saw Milo, who was currently working on what appeared to be a cliff edge, as the cave opened up to the outside and overlooked the ocean.

I stood in wonder, looking at the vastness of the ocean and the giant opening Milo had made, as he appeared to be making some sort of balcony area.

"Oh, Trev, perfect—I don't suppose you have any candy left?" he said, looking absolutely ragged, with robes that were mostly dirt now and large bags under his eyes.

"You somehow look worse than me," I said with a laugh.

A voice came from behind. "He does look worse than you, and you'll not give him any more candy—not today," Hari said, appearing in the doorway.

Milo appeared distraught at the news. "I'm so close to being finished, though!"

"And a few hours' sleep won't change that. In fact, both of you should go," Hari said firmly.

"Uh, before I go, could I ask some questions about the skill options that I got?" I looked between Milo and Hari.

"Now's not the best time, Trev. He's probably not thinking straight if he thinks he's alright looking like that," Liane began, but was cut off by Milo.

"Nonsense, I'm fine. Let me hear your options."

I heard Hari let out a deep sigh. "After this, you're both going back to sleep for a couple of hours. If you don't, I'll drag you there myself and stand watch at your doors."

Personally, I didn't mind the idea of getting in a few more hours' sleep—especially seeing how low my stamina was—but I started reciting the options I had for Butchery, before a hard jab in the side stopped me. Turning, I saw Liane with a glare, pointing over her shoulder at Joanna in the room with us.

"Ah—you're right. Let's take this conversation upstairs, Trev. It'll make Hari happy and give us some space to talk," Milo said with a smile, noticing the gesture.

A short moment later, we were sitting around the dining table, Liane still with us, and I properly recited all the Butchery options I got. I also explained I thought Apex Harvester was a clear winner—but was immediately shut down on that thought.

"It's strong, sure—but what does Apex Harvester do that can't be done with Monster Carver? Consider for a moment the Carver skill explains all the parts of the body and says 'other', so in all likelihood it will also include scales, no?" he began. "Then you need to consider how much use you're going to get out of Apex Harvester."

"I have the drake and the dragon?" I said out loud.

Milo nodded. "That you do—and that's it. How many carcasses do you have of creatures that are not the dragon or drake, or—better question—how likely are you to get more dragon or drake?"

I was feeling a bit embarrassed I'd jumped straight to the apex one, but answered all the same. "Unlikely," I mumbled.

"Exactly. So you'll be left with a skill that, sure, will make those two items easier—but by all rights, Monster Carver will likewise make those parts easier too. You just won't be able to carry extra-large slabs of meat while butchering," he said.

I nodded. It was all correct.

"The others don't seem useful: the fish one is of no use; the ranger one, like you mention, takes you down a path you don't want to go—so best to avoid it; Rapid Quartermaster is not something you'll use to its potential; and Apex Harvester seems weaker than Monster Carver." Milo stood up, and with a chuckle, "On that note, I'm going to go to sleep—or else Hari will be up here forcing me to stay in my room for a day."

He left the dining room, leaving myself and Liane at the table.

"You should probably go too."

I couldn't help but chuckle a little, but before I did, I made my skill selection.

Congratulations you have chosen Monster Carver!

Monster Carver

Level: 1

Experience: 0/100

"Any chance you could wake me up in a couple of hours so I can cook dinner?" I asked hopefully.

Liane smirked. "If that cat's not going to kill me for it—you got it."

I then made my way to my room, and upon entering saw that Lily was still sleeping on the bed—my bed!

"Lily, if you're awake, don't scare off Liane when she comes to wake me up, she's just trying to help." I said, jumping onto the second bed in the room.

I didn't get a response, but I did see a little movement—so she heard me, right?

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