Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended

CHAPTER 67: The Ties that Bind - Healing and Celebration

Daisuke lightly flicked her forehead, and April covered the ache with her tiny hands, tears tipping her chestnut eyes.

"Only jerks would hate or bully people just because they're different," Daisuke responded. "Being a fairy doesn't change the way that I feel about you."

Daisuke's response elicited smiles from everyone. April joyfully threw herself into his arms, but her delight turned to embarrassment when her stomach emitted a loud growl of hunger. In an almost comical sequence, the collective rumbling of everyone's stomachs echoed in unison, and cheeks began to blush in shared embarrassment.

Daisuke laughed.

Rexar clutched his stomach with a pained expression. "Come to think of it, we left Wonderelle shortly after escaping the dungeon."

"We haven't had a bite to eat in nearly two days," Milo, drained from depleting his mana, groaned, his soul seemingly departing through his wide-open mouth.

Zephyr was slumped lifelessly over Daisuke's shoulder, a pink tongue sticking out of his mouth.

"Your bodies may be all healed up now," said Daisuke to the people, "but to fully recover, you all need to have full bellies and plenty of rest."

"Wait a minute," Timartha began, "you don't mean—"

"I'll prepare a feast big enough for everyone," Daisuke confirmed, and the Beastfolk started salivating at the thought.

"No, stop! We haven't gone out to forage since the village was raided by the demons," the woman asserted hotly. "That sacrifice will be utterly in vain if you start a fire."

"She's right," said Feng in agreement. "The smoke from the fire and the smell of cooking food will attract monsters and even the remainder of the demons that still lurk in the forest."

"You guys obviously have never been inside of a dungeon before," Rexar defended haughtily. "I've seen the demons, and they are nothing compared to what we've faced for the past few weeks."

"He's right," Milo agreed confidently. "I'm sure even Zephyr would be able to take all the demons by himself."

"Kiyuu~"

"Don't be ridiculous!" Timartha retorted, but when she noted that the warriors' expressions didn't change, she knew that they were being very serious.

"Haxks and Zephyr have done more than enough for us already," Elena chimed in with a smile. "As our honored guests, we'll be responsible for handling any monsters or demons that may appear."

Timartha sighed, passing a glance over the disheveled and emaciated figures of her people. She couldn't tell the last time any one of them had a proper meal; their diets had mostly consisted of mushrooms, fruits, and vegetables, which was hardly enough for them to maintain good health.

"Very well," she reluctantly conceded. "But if the worst happens, you and your kin can be prepared to be haunted by me until the end of time."

The Beastfolk erupted in cheers, and Daisuke couldn't help but cringe, uncertain whether their joy stemmed from the promise of being fed or the grim and horrible fate he might face if he got them all killed.

***

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the landscape in the warm hues of twilight, the flickering flames beneath a sizable pot cast a glow on the faces of the eager village folk.

Elena led a cohort of capable women in the peeling and cutting of carrots and potatoes—generously supplied from a certain someone's well-stocked inventory—to add a touch of richness to the bubbling stew in the pot. The air carried the fragrant aroma of ingredients harmoniously merging, creating an enticing symphony for the senses.