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Chapter 82 - The Pursuit Beast and the Wanted Fugitive

◆ Super Evolution Soup Ingredient List ◆

①【"Eye of Obsession" from the Pursuit Beast Barugurumu】◀ (In Progress)
②【"Sclerite Nerve Core" from the Four-Legged Armored Insect Spardio】
③【"Discharge Feather" from the Thunder-Devouring Bird Kurubaku】
④【"Reverse Scale" from the Red-Eyed Bear Rugan】
⑤【"Tremor Hoof" from the Earth-Rending Demon Ox Gorumāda】

"Hah... hah... hah... We managed to beat it, but that was a close one..."

The earth-shaking rumbles in the valley subsided, and amidst the dust lay the massive corpse of a demonic beast. The Pursuit Beast Barugurumu. A monster of obsession with glowing crimson eyes and vicious fangs.

Deeply embedded in its forehead was a single sword of light. A man in the form of a Goblin Knight, Mamoru, knelt beside it, still gripping the hilt.

"Damn... That thing was heavy..."

Nearby, his party members collapsed one by one, catching their breath. Tiris, the Dark Elf sniper, Koni-chan, the Fire Troll, Amy, the mage, and Defray, the healer.

"Alright, it's cookin' time!"

That voice, belonging to Defray, echoed with a hint of joy. As the dedicated healer, he had spent the entire battle hidden behind a rock, so he was at full stamina.
(Defray's not much of a fighter, but he's a master chef.)

"Today, we're havin' Barugurumu stew with a white mustard sauce! C'mon everyone, eat up and get your strength back! We've still got four more S-class monsters to take down!"

"I... I can't believe his stamina..." Tiris wheezed, leaning against Amy's shoulder.

Koni-chan, lying on the ground, was repeatedly chanting, "I'm hungry!"

◆ Cooking Commences
Defray quickly set to work sorting the ingredients. He carved out the demonic beast's eye, storing the "Eye of Obsession" in a magic preservation container, then selected the tenderest cuts of meat, blanching them to remove the blood.

"This part's important. Don't cut corners. Cookin's all about respect, ya know."

He took out an iron pot, chopped some wild herbs, and sautéed them in oil to release their fragrance. Next, he poured in white wine, added whole-grain mustard and milk from a mountain cow, and perfected the stew's sauce. Finally, he cut the Barugurumu meat into thick slices, seared the surface, and let it simmer in the sauce.

The aroma began to drift through the area.

"A pinch of magic salt to finish... and there. All done!"

Inside the pot was meat so tender it fell apart, swimming in a fragrant, creamy mustard sauce.

"Cookin' is love. Prepare it properly, treat it with care, and savor it with relish. That's a warrior's etiquette, ain't it?"

Defray delivered his usual catchphrase.

"Let's eat!!" Koni-chan shouted cheerfully, and everyone else laughed as they picked up their spoons.

The monster's eye, Barugurumu's "Eye of Obsession." It was the first key ingredient for their Super Evolution Soup.

Four more to go. But for now, they could catch their breath.

Mamoru descended the mountain a little, coming near a human city wall. He sat down, leaning his back against it, and casually glanced at the notice board.

There it was.

【WANTED】
Name: Yuto Mikazuki
Crimes: Murder of a Royal Knight, Defiance of Royal Decree, Disturbance of the Royal Capital's Order
Bounty: 3,000 Gold Coins
Dead or Alive

Mamoru frowned.

"Yuto Mikazuki... I know that name. I fought him many times in the game. He's incredibly strong."

Yuto, the Black Moon Swordsman. A solitary master swordsman who wields a cursed black katana called Oborozuki, and utilizes the instantaneous Moon Flash and the shadowy Shadow Flash techniques.

"I'll need to think of a counter strategy. He probably won't be an ally. In fact, we might be the ones getting hunted."

Mamoru's eyes glinted sharply.

"The fourth one. The solitary swordsman, Yuto Mikazuki. He believes only in the power of his sword, belongs to no faction, and wanders in search of deathmatches with the strong. If you encounter him, you all will be no exception."

Mamoru recalled the Demon Lord's words. He quietly looked away from the notice board and stood up.

A wind blew. The journey for the Super Evolution Soup had only just begun.