Riku Okamari spent the morning traveling with VORNAG, who walked beside him with the attitude of a king whose carriage had broken down. The SSSS+ wolf, now simply called Vorn, constantly emitted an overwhelming, impatient pressure.
"Look, Vorn," Riku muttered, adjusting his glasses and checking his quickly emptying money pouch. "I know you want a Mountain Wyvern Core. But that monster is across the country. First, we need to leave this kingdom. Your cravings might get us arrested."
[I am VORNAG. Arrest is a concept invented by ants. Focus on getting resources.]
"Right, getting resources," Riku sighed. "That means we're heading to the border town of Kiels to book a stagecoach and get out of this foolish kingdom."
They arrived in Kiels, a cramped, muddy settlement against the enormous border wall. Riku, feeling Vornag's expectations weigh on him, went directly to the Stagecoach Office.
"Passport, please," the clerk grumbled, eyeing the massive wolf behind Riku with skepticism.
"Just a ticket to cross the border," Riku replied.
"The border crossing is temporarily closed. Indefinitely. Orders from the capital—something about 'internal stability.' You'll have to find another way out."
Of course. Riku realized the King had closed the borders after the summoning to keep new "heroes" from escaping—and he was caught in the trap.
"So, no official crossing?" Riku asked.
"Not legally." The clerk lowered his voice. "If you're willing to pay a hefty bribe, you could hire an Adventurer team to guide you through the woods and over the unmarked pass. Dangerous work, though. And expensive."
Riku walked straight to the Adventurer's Guild. He now had thirteen gold coins left.
After some tense negotiation, he managed to hire a C-Rank swordsman and his small, inexpensive team for the escort mission. The cost: Eight gold coins. Riku's heart sank as he watched his money disappear, leaving him with just five gold and a desperate need to hunt a Wyvern.
"We leave at dawn," the swordsman, Gritz, commanded. "We camp tonight outside the town perimeter. No fires. Too risky."
[Unacceptable. I need food, not just survival.] Vornag's telepathic complaint was a low rumbled thought in Riku's mind. [You will cook.]
Riku felt trapped. If he didn't feed Vornag, the Apex Guardian might decide that Riku was the next meal. He had to take the risk of making a fire.
In a clearing, Riku pulled out his cast-iron wok and a large slab of cheap, local monster meat that the butcher called 'Boar-Wolf.'
If I'm risking my life, Riku thought, I'm going to profit from it.
He combined the Boar-Wolf with pork from his [Magic Fridge], seasoning it with Earth-grade garlic, ginger, and chili flakes. He began stir-frying the dish, and the aroma of real civilization and spices filled the cold forest air.
The adventurers—Gritz and his team—stopped chewing their dry bread and stared, mesmerized.
Riku plated the meal: Ginger-Fried Pork with Boar-Wolf, served over fluffy white rice.
Vornag inhaled the dish with the quiet satisfaction of a deity. [Acceptable. This 'Boar-Wolf' is somewhat improved by your foreign spices. You may continue this service.]
Riku handed generous portions to the adventurers. Their reaction was priceless: wide eyes, quick prayers, and then eager consumption.
[Culinary Buff Mastery Activated: Ginger-Fried Pork. Party Gains: +15 AGI, +25 Endurance for 6 hours. Status: Sleep Debuff Removed.]
"My gods," Gritz gasped, wiping his mouth. "This is a C-Rank boost! Who are you?"
"Just a traveler," Riku replied with a small, cynical smile. Perfect. I just bought their loyalty and their silence for the duration of the escort.