Preparing to Leave

It had been a few days since Alaric's breakthrough. 

Since then, he had taught the slime evolution method to Clarus, received a report on Ooze Village's defensive situation from Mike, and began working with Natali to make beef jerky possible.

"This heat is still wrong... we need to dry out the meat, not burn it." Alaric said, looking at the clay oven that the villagers put together for Natali.

Natali was silently despairing at the slowly dissipating ingredients, and said, "I understand the premise, sir, but how can marinating meat and slow cooking it preserve it during the winter?"

"Food without water within takes much longer to spoil. Try to maintain the heat a bit lower, the process could take anywhere from 3 to 5 hours. You should understand the process by now." Alaric said.

Natali sighed but resumed the process of marinating the low-fat content dire boar meat once again.