Vol 3 Chapter 3: The First Quest part 2

By the time Foin left the room with the firewood, Linyer had already settled by the fire and was staring at the skewer in Gobu's hand. Linyer's eyes were sparkling, and a drop of drool was slowly flowing down both sides of her mouth.

Foin quickly put the medium-sized logs onto the fire and then sat down. He was lost in thoughts as to what to do next. he still had some of his previous alcoholic beverage, and he thought that maybe if he gave some of that to the girl, he could complete the task and the quest as well.

The four of them sat around the fire while Énilo and Gobu kept roasting the food. Eventually, Linyer managed to break free from the dominating and appetizing smell, and she turned her attention to Foin.

"So erm... How can I call you..."

"Oh right, I forgot to introduce myself... How silly of me. Call me Foin..."

He replied, trying to keep up his cool and confident act, which was now much easier thanks to the previously activated skill.

"I see... Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, what is it about?"

"I have noticed that you are not only able to fend off the cold weather but also make your entire base so warm... Could you tell me what formation or spell you used, as it seems to be quite well maintained?"

"Spell? Formation? No, I am simply using some basic knowledge. Do you see that large grey thing with that fire under it? That is the source of the heat."

Foin explained as he pointed at the boiler. He felt that it was time to shine, so he kept explaining.

"Although it doesn't seem that great, it is quite a useful creation of mine. It is but a solid outer layer with water in it. "

"What? Can such heat be achieved with that structure?"

"Of course! A boiler is quite useful when it comes to fighting against the cold."

Foin said with a grin, though at first, he was not even confident in the boiler's effectiveness. But then he remembered that he still had a bucket full of empty but delicious peteaches back in the bathroom.

He suddenly stood up and stepped back into the bathroom to bring out the peteaches. In the meantime, Linyer looked at the boiler once again. She was astonished that such a simple trick could really work. But then she shook her head. 

"Maybe he is just giving me a portion of the real info, or he just straight-up lied. After all, even though he seems friendly, I don't think he sees me as a friendly person."

She thought as she finally looked back at the fire. Foin came back quickly and just in time as Gobu and Énilo were done with the first serving of their skewers.

"I have brought the dessert!"

Foin stated with a smile as Gobu gave him one of the skewers. Seeing that Gobu was faster, Énilo only glared into the goblin's eyes and then glared at Linyer, who stood it firmly and returned the glare. After a loud audible sigh, Énilo gave a portion to Linyer, though she was not happy to provide food to the intruder.

Foin was the first one to taste it, and as soon as he did, he had a great idea. He looked at the new girl for a brief moment, who was just eyeing the food so far.

"Hm... Not bad... But I think a bit more spice would make it even better."

Foin added as he kept eating. He kept his eyes on the girl, who looked at him instantly.

"I see. So he figured out that I am not a simple traveller and now told me what he expects me to grin the next time I come. Quite a sly you are, Foin!"

Linyer thought as she tried to hold back, grinning in anger, but once she took a single bit from the pepper on the top of her skewer, all her emotions were washed away. She just stared at it blankly without even being able to take her eyes off of it.

"This... This single piece of seemingly worthless vegetable contains this much energy!?! It is comparable to the fruit of my mother's sacred tree, which grows a single fruit once a year at best. How... Just who the hell is this guy?"

Linyer thought as she just kept staring at her food. It took her almost a whole minute to continue eating. And once she reached her first potato, she paused once again, but this time only for a shorter period.

"Erm... Foin... How easily can you grow these?"

"Why are you asking? Perhaps you want to barter for some?"

Foin thought as he looked at the girl who was drooling while staring at the peppers and potatoes.

"Erm... yes... If you can give me some extra... even if it is raw... I would leave those pelts here!"

"Are you sure? It is winter, and you... phew... Fine, I guess."

Foin said as he finally gave in. And as he said that the other task on the panel had also turned green.

"Alright, in that case, I will prepare some for you, so I will be right back."

Foin added as he stood up and walked back into the storage. He sat down by the large pot in which he still kept his alcoholic liquid. From his inventory, he pulled out two peteaches and started making two containers. 

He made a bottle and a bucket from one of them. His goal was to put some of his special brewed drink into the bottle and then use the other peteach to make some sort of cap for it; then, he could make some extra plates from the excess peteach.

He could make four more plates, which he put away quickly. He tried moving the bottle around to check how well that cap worked, and it proved to be working just fine. The cap itself was made of two diameters: one that he tried to be as wide as the inner side of the bottle's opening and a shoulder to seal off the top.

"Notice! The quest had been completed!"

"A reward will be issued shortly!"

"Your skill, Inventory, has been upgraded!"

A few new panels appeared as he was done testing the bottle. With one quick movement, he put some peppers and potatoes into the bucket; it was filled to about 75%, and then he put the bottle in as well.

The bucket was brought outside and put down not far from where he sat down. The girl instantly looked at it curiously and was surprised to see so many items in the bucket, especially the smaller grey container.

"Here are the potatoes and peppers. And I put in something to... To keep you warm in this cold!"

Foin said with a smile.

"There is just one more thing I want to ask you, Foin... What are you..."