Chapter 2: homely meal
Claire took both the kitchen knife, and the pitchfork before walking out.
She did not realize Zayne was watching from the window as she sneaked out. He followed, curious about where she was going.
The village is a small place. The houses are either one bedroom, or studios where Claire lived. It is at the outskirts of the village. Thus, they only need to walk a little to enter the wilderness. Every day, the villagers collected wood or wild vegetables from the forest, so there was a small path.
Claire's lithe form skipped through the mountain path quite agilely.
She's five foot five, neither thin nor fat. She has a willowy figure, runner's thighs. The tight jeans and the white shirt she wore highlighted her figure. Her wild chestnut hair bounced with every step she took. Her eyes are brimming with curiosity, her lips are red from biting…
If only that was all, the picture would be a teenage romantic drama.
It's just that Claire had a kitchen knife in her right hand, pitch fork in her left hand. That, combined with her happy bouncing looked more like a serial killer child coming to stab right at you.
Fortunately, there is no one watching ! otherwise, they would die from scare !
After half an hour of walking, she reached a mountain plateau.
There it was, almost a part of the grassy hill, its dilapidated stone arch almost overrun with weeds. The dungeon entrance looked more like an entrance into an ancient dog kennel.
Claire felt a strong force come at her from behind. Had it it, she would fall with her head striking the dungeon entrance.
She evaded at the last second, the knife in her hand flashing automatically in response.
The knife hit the slime nucleus, cracking it slightly. Slime vanished mid air, a white candy like cube fell down.
Clair picked it up.
' Hey ! Isn't this the slime jelly that is used to be part of military rations ? ' Claire wondered.
She put it in her satchel, and looked around for any more slimes. There was no need, because the slimes started attacking one after another. By the time she finished, she had seventeen slime jellies, five green bubbles and three mud balls.
It's already evening, so she started walking down the mountain without exploring the dungeon. She can not enter the dungeon without making sure all the slimes in the surrounding area are killed.
When a boss monster of the dungeon is attacked, it usually calls back all lower level creatures. If the slimes do the same, even their sheer presence could kill her by squishing her.
' Crunch ' A sound came from behind.
" Who is it ? Come out ! " Claire threatened automatically, holding the knife and pitchfork at odds.
She never expected another person to be here.
" It is I. " A baritone answered from the dark.
Claire squinted her eyes to see.
As the person neared her, she realized it's a male, and he was wearing the same school uniform as her.
" New kid ?! " Claire asked curiously.
" Ugh.. My name's Zayne Rhafyre. " Zayne answered.
Claire looked him up and down.
Zayne is five eleven, probably still growing, thin like a bamboo pole, and his face and skin are sallow. His raven hair is thick and wavy. The most striking feature about him are his eyes, which are a strange bright green, which flashed gold from one side, blue from another, yet completely unexpected black at times. He is a mixed race child who inherited only the advantages of his parents. Despite being sallow, his skin has no freckles. His lips are redder than her.
In his hands he is carrying a cloth bag, usually one used for groceries - and it seemed to be full with stuff. He gave her a very familiar feeling, as if she has seen him countless times. Yet, she can't place from where.
" What are you doing here, Zayne ? " Claire asked in a no nonsense manner.
" Ugh… " Zayne fumbled in that unique way of adolescent males.
" Did you follow me ? " Claire asked.
He shuffled his feet.
" I am sorry. " he answered after some time.
Claire just stared him down, till he looked like an errant child. After torturing him for a minute, Claire decided it's enough.
" I will forgive you, this time. Next time, just say hello, and walk with me. " Claire said, putting her hands down.
Zayne looked cheered up at her words.
" Can I do that ? .. I mean, walk with you ? " he asked, as he stepped forward.
" Sure, you can. This is a free society. " Claire answered, as she resumed her walk.
Zayne rushed to catch up with her.
" May I ask, why are you collecting these things ? " he asked, showing her the contents of his bag.
Claire was surprised. There are far more slime jellies and bubbles in his bag compared to her own.
" Secret. " She said in answer.
Zayne did not push her unlike most children this age.
They reached the village entrance.
" Yo ! Claire ! Are you returning from collecting wild vegetables ? " one of the women asked her genially.
" Yes, Auntie. How's prep for dinner ? " Claire asked back just as spiritedly.
" Almost done ! Hurry back home, now ! Don't wander out at night. " She cautioned, as she closed the doors of their little villa.
" Surething. Have a good night. " Claire greeted her.
As they walked back, Zayne kept up with her.
Suddenly, she remembered.
' Starfire Zayne. The strongest fire mage whose spells could evaporate Iron into vapor. Lovingly called Z-star by his fans '
He was her classmate ? Did he join Blackbulls last time ? How did he get out ? … oh wait ! Unlike her with her twenty four core elements, Z-sar was a pure elemental who only had one core, and the strongest fire core in the world. He would have only needed to pay three times the awakening fees, which was probably nothing to him at the time.
It will not be bad to make his acquaintance.
" Slime jelly can be added to the porridge like a thickener. Do you know how to cook ? " She asked.
" Ugh… " Zayne muttered.
At this time, Claire had already arrived at the entrance of their building.
" Where do you live ? Today, I will show you how to cook. You bring the ingredients. " Claire said kindly.
Zayne did not move.
Claire looked at him expectantly.
After two blinks of her eyes, Zayne answered with a little surprise.
" I live here. " he gestured towards the building.
' Didn't you see me around ? ' his expression seems to be saying.
" such a coincidence. I also live here. " Claire mumbled out, trying to hide her embarrassment at not even noticing that he was around.
" Shall we go ? " Zayne asked, climbing up.
Claire followed him.
As she stopped in front of her house, so did Zayne.
" I will leave these with you. " he said, gesturing to the slime jellies he collected.
Claire felt a little awkward allowing a stranger into her home.
" Come in. She said, leaving the door open.
Zayne entered looking around curiously. Not that there is much to look around in a cookie cutter one bedroom apartment.
Robin looked at the door eagerly as soon as it opened. He was watching cartoons on the outdated tablet which Claire kept only for the purpose of entertaining the kids.
" Hello, big brother ! " Robin greeted Zayne more eagerly than he greeted Claire. Zayne greeted him back.
" You little traitor ! " Claire grumbled at her brother.
Claire opened her fanny pack, bringing out her loot. On the other side, Zayne set his own bag, bringing out his own loot.
He had thirty slime jellies, almost ten green balls, twelve brown rocks, five red bubbles, two red jellies, and a strange purple pill.
" Only these jellies are safe for eating. " Claire explained.
Zayne shrugged.
" You keep them all. I will bring in rice. " Zayne said, already walking out.
' Hey ! I did not promise to be your maid ' Claire wanted to call out, but Zayne rushed out before she could go.
After a mere one and half minute, he returned, with a big tub of rice, and four children in tow.
' What the ? ' Claire wanted to curse, but on the other hand, she understood a little.
Four children are too much even for a teenager. He must be grasping at the straws if he is forcing himself on a neighbor like this.
She could do some neighborhood talent donation. Claire received the rice tub, then added a glass of rice with six slime jellies to the pot. On the other side, she sliced up vegetables from her garden, added them to the giant pot along with the sliced up red slime jellies.
The red jelly seemed to act like pepper. The fragrance was mouth watering. The children all stopped what they were doing. They were watching her from across the table like meerkats, their eyes fixed on the stirfry.
' Zayne must really suck at cooking. ' Claire thought, looking at their shining eyes overflowing with hearts.
As soon as she set the pots on the table, the children and Zayne were all seated at the table, with cutlery spread out neatly beside their bowls. Even Robin was in his usual position, wheeled in by Zayne.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone