Day 3 Part 4

"Ugh, this is such a pain, I don't want to walk~" Biana groans, the annoyance clear on her face as she makes her unwillingness known.

"We're not too far from Isadora, she should be up ahead. We'll rest soon," I reassure her, focusing on the staff-like object in my hands. Its intricate designs seem almost sophisticated, but I've got a more pressing interest in what lies beneath.

With each step, I fiddle with the staff, painstakingly peeling back layers of wood to reveal the core. Biana, out of pure curiosity or maybe just for lack of anything better to do, watches as I work.

I finally manage to rip apart the exterior, my fingers gripping the final piece, the heart of it all, the Antrestone. It's dark gray, glimmering with hints of silver that capture the light. A slow grin spreads across my face as I hold it up.

"Oh, Antrestone? To think you could find that here. Oh~ look it's Isadora~" Biana interrupts, pointing towards our companion up ahead.

Following her gesture, I see Isadora, standing over the corpse of the monster she killed. She looks contemplative, or maybe even regretful. But knowing Isadora, it's probably something much simpler.

Approaching her, I note the way her gaze is fixated on the dead beast. I sigh, recognizing that particular look in her eyes. "No, it's not edible," I state, hoping to curb any weird ideas she might be entertaining. She must be hungry right now, this brat doesn't understand not everything is edible.

Isadora doesn't respond, instead, she heads towards a nearby tree and leans against it, closing her eyes. The air is filled with a moment of silence, only to be broken by a low growl. Looking around, I quickly identify the source: it's coming from Isadora's stomach.

"You should consider the effects your body will experience eating a monster like that" I sigh, shaking my head at the absurdity of it all. I reach into my bag and retrieve a three-eyed rabbit Biana managed to shoot on the way here.

Glancing around, I realize we've wandered further into the forest than I'd initially thought. Exhaling slowly, hey you stupid system, Show me the map. As if conjured from thin air, a holographic map appears before me, showing our current location in relation to everything else.

A quick sweep of the map highlights a nearby lake. "Alright, I know you're hungry, and I know you're tired," I tell both Isadora and Biana. "We're already too far from the group, we've been running for at least two hours. Follow me, we're going to head somewhere safer."

Isadora doesn't question me, while Biana opens her mouth, clearly about to start an argument. But before she can, Isadora hoists her up, carrying her as effortlessly as one would a sack of rice. A resigned "Alright~ Whatever~" is all Biana says before falling asleep in Isadora's arms.

The two of them are a mess. Isadora's clothes are stained with monster blood, and Biana's sleeping form is covered in dust from the forest floor. Still, within thirty minutes, we arrive at the lake. It's serene, with a small river running out of it.

"Alright, you two go ahead and get yourselves cleaned up, I'll see what I can prepare to eat," I instruct them, making my way toward the river. Isadora tries to wake Biana, but when she doesn't respond, she simply tosses her into the lake. Biana's cry of "Are you crazy!" echoes through the quiet forest, but Isadora simply ignores her and slips into the lake as well.

Leaving them to it, I survey our surroundings. I've read somewhere that edible plants often grow near rivers. After a bit of searching, I find something that looks like a sweet potato, except it's black. I collect the three largest ones I can find and continue my search, only managing to uncover some mint.

I sigh, taking a seat on the riverbank. I look at the mint and black tubers in my hands. It's not much, but it's all we've got for now. At least it's something. Ugh, let me think, just what can I make with what I got?

Sitting by the riverbank, looking at what little food I've gathered: a three-eyed rabbit, a handful of mint leaves, and some strange, black tubers that look and smell suspiciously like sweet potatoes. They have to be sweet potatoes right? I turn each over in my hands, trying to brainstorm a meal that will satiate both Isadora and Biana's appetites. Tsk, this is a pain, what could I possibly make out of this?

First things first, I need to prepare. I scan the area and find a decently flat, sturdy-looking rock. Not too far away, I spot a patch of trees that will provide sufficient coverage. Umbra, you are the best~ Let's see, let me make some sort of pan. Not bad, my crafting skills are improving. I say holding up the pan.

Next, I need to gather wood for a fire. I pick a few branches from nearby trees, keeping an eye on the pair in the lake while I work. Once I have enough, I return to my spot by the river, starting a small fire and setting the rock pan atop it. It's time to get cooking.

I decide to try something new. I'm working with limited ingredients, so improvisation will be key. Taking a deep breath, I ready myself to start.

First, I skin and clean the rabbit, the process is quick and routine by now. I then cut it into smaller, more manageable pieces. Satisfied with the preparations, I start to arrange the pieces on the hot rock pan.

As the meat cooks, I turn my attention to the black tubers. Carefully, I peel them and cut them into thin slices. The texture feels like a regular sweet potato, but the color remains a stark black. Interesting.

Once the rabbit is nicely browned on both sides, I push it to one side of the rock pan and add the sliced black tubers. They sizzle as they hit the hot rock, releasing a sweet, earthy smell that reminds me of roasted sweet potatoes.

As the tubers start to soften, I pluck some mint leaves from the bunch I found earlier. Roughly tearing them, I sprinkle the fragrant leaves over the rabbit and tubers. The minty aroma mingles with the cooking food, filling the air with an unexpectedly appetizing smell.

While everything cooks, I sit back and keep an eye on the fire, adjusting it as necessary. I have to admit, this improvised meal is coming together nicely. It's no feast, but given the circumstances, it will do.

The final touch is a quick taste test. Picking up a slice of the black tuber, I blow on it a bit before popping it in my mouth. It's sweet, just like a sweet potato, but there's also a hint of something earthy, almost nutty. I can't identify it, but it's delicious. With the taste test approved, I let the dish cook a bit longer until everything is nicely browned and crispy.

Finally, I call out to the girls, "Food's ready, get out of the lake."

Biana is the first to arrive, her hair slick with lake water and for once, not a tangled mess. It's an odd sight, her usually unruly hair lying flat and orderly. She must notice my gaze because she quickly asks, "What? Why are you looking at my hair?"

I shrug and respond, "This is the first time your hair isn't in a tangled mess."

She snorts, sitting down across from me and the fire. "Tsk, it's a pain in the ass to do my hair, I just let it do what it wants." Her eyes drift towards the food cooking on the rock pan.

Just then, Isadora appears, the last traces of monster blood washed off her clothes. True to herself, her appearance remains steadfastly unchanged. The only thing she seems to care about more than training is food. She eyes the rock pan with a predatory gaze.

With a sigh, I use some flat rocks as makeshift plates, serving up a portion of rabbit and black tuber to both girls. Isadora looks from her portion to mine a few times but says nothing, opting instead to sit down and dig in.

Biana, on the other hand, speaks up as she chews. "Oh~ your food never seems to surprise me~ You know no matter how I think about it, the food you make is always weird and different."

I sigh again, picking up a piece of the rabbit. "Well, as long as it's edible and doesn't kill you, I'd call it a success."

With our bellies full, we lapse into a comfortable silence, the sounds of the crackling fire and the distant hum of night-time insects filling the air. The rabbit, though a little gamey, turned out better than I expected. The black tubers, surprisingly, were a hit with the girls, the unusual yet deliciously sweet and earthy flavor was indeed a pleasant surprise.

Glancing up, I notice the first traces of dawn tingeing the horizon with hues of pink and orange. We'd been running for hours and eating had taken a bit longer than anticipated. It's time for some well-earned rest.

I rise, stretching out my aching muscles. "Alright, we'll sleep here for the day. I don't think any beasts will attack us here. Both of you get some sleep, I need to get myself cleaned up," I announce.

Biana, already half-asleep, murmurs something under her breath, a slurred, "You don't have to tell me twice~" is all I manage to catch before she rolls over, nestling into a soft patch of grass.

Isadora, always stoic, gives a brief nod and leans against a nearby tree. The ever-disciplined warrior, she closes her eyes and falls into a meditative state, rest for her more akin to training than anything else. Damn, she won't lay down to rest? Despite all she did?

I shake my head at the two of them and begin to make my way towards the lake. The serene body of water reflects the breaking dawn, and the sight is, in a word, peaceful. With a running start, I jump into the lake, the cool water enveloping me in a refreshing embrace.

I float there, the water lapping at my skin, and my gaze fixed on the awakening sky. As I soak in the tranquility, an intrusive system window pops up, breaking the moment.

[You have slightly altered the future.]

I frown at the notification, my mind spinning. I've done my best to follow the original story, making only minor alterations that, at least within the Island all my actions should lead to the same result of the original story, and shouldn't have affected the overall plot. The ending should be the same, right? So, what exactly did I change?

Before I can delve deeper into my thoughts, a familiar, tiny red glowing form appears in front of me. Ilka, ugh, the annoying little shit, did I let her out of habit?

"Why do you look like you ate a pile of shit?" she laughs, her mirth echoing through the quiet morning air.

Sighing, I shake my head, meeting her gaze with a bemused smirk. "Ugh, those bastards were such a pain in the ass".