Chương 77: [78] Reciprocating
Aiden gladly accepted Kashima Ouka's offer of assistance. After gathering the spoils, the group set off together.
The journey back was uneventful, with no more encounters with infant dragons or monsters. Thanks to the enthusiastic Kashima Ouka, Aiden and the members of the Takemikazuchi Familia engaged in lively conversation, making the trip back to the surface smooth and pleasant.
An interesting episode occurred along the way. The members of the Takemikazuchi Familia had already recognized Aiden's strength, so they weren't particularly shocked by his abilities. However, Aiden's extraordinary luck, enhanced by the Golden Rule, left them in awe. They couldn't help but marvel at the disparity between people.
Kashima Ouka proved to be very adept at socializing. Not only did he act as Aiden's supporter, carefully storing his spoils separately, but he also skillfully kept the conversation flowing, helping both parties get to know each other better.
By the time they returned to Orario, it was already late at night. The city was asleep, and a bright crescent moon hung high in the sky, casting a soft glow over the slumbering streets and the few scattered pedestrians.
"Ah, we're finally back. Thank you, Aiden." The girl with a headscarf bowed deeply to Aiden.
"Thank you, Aiden." The others echoed also bowing.
"Please, there's no need for that. Aren't we friends?" Aiden hurriedly helped each of them stand up.
"Of course, we're friends, Aiden. Even though we aren't as strong as you, the weak have their own uses. If there's ever anything you need us for, please let us know. This is my life's request." Kashima Ouka said earnestly, still bowing.
"Oh, come on, there's no need for that." Aiden felt a bit exasperated at their insistence on bowing.
"Please, you must agree. This is our request as your friends." Kashima Ouka persisted.
"This is also our life's request. Please, you must agree." The other five echoed.
"Alright, alright, I agree. Happy now? It's late, everyone should go rest." Aiden relented.
"That's wonderful." The members of the Takemikazuchi Familia beamed with joy at Aiden's affirmative answer.
"Goodbye, everyone. See you tomorrow." Aiden said with a smile as he bade them farewell.
"Goodbye, Aiden." They all waved as they parted ways.
Unable to refuse Kashima Ouka's insistence, Aiden walked home carrying a bag filled with his spoils from the journey. Knowing Takemikazuchi's personality well, Aiden had also agreed to a noon visit from Takemikazuchi tomorrow.
Gazing at the high-hanging crescent moon, Aiden reflected on the recent actions of the Takemikazuchi Familia. "Grateful and reciprocating."
Recalling Dunn and Wade saying similar things, Aiden couldn't help but muse, "Even though this world respects the strong, there are still many good people. Or maybe I'm just lucky?"
When Aiden returned home, the first thing he did wasn't to head to his room to bathe and sleep but to visit the washroom.
After emerging from the washroom, he didn't even dry his hands before heading straight to the kitchen.
Thanks to the magic stone as a universal energy source, Aiden's kitchen was almost identical to a modern one, complete with running water, a refrigerator, an oven, and other common household appliances.
"Ah, I'm starving. Fortunately, there are still some leftover ingredients." It had been nine hours since dinner. Aiden opened the fridge, took out a bottle of apple juice, and retrieved the leftover roast beef, skewers that had not been grilled yet, and the pre-mixed sauce. He placed the roast beef into the magic stone oven similar to a microwave to heat it up.
Since the charcoal was used up, Aiden could only use the magic stone grill. Amidst the sizzling sounds and the thin mist formed by smoke and fire, he flipped the skewers while summarizing tonight's gains.
"First, I now clearly understand the power of Firestorm against large monsters and the magic power consumption from continuous use." Aiden opened the apple juice, took a few sips, and sprinkled sea salt on the already golden-brown chicken skin.
"Second, making money is straightforward. This experience reinforced the Golden Rule effect; as long as it involves money, my luck becomes extraordinarily good. If I ever come into a world with highly developed mobile networks, I wonder how my luck would fare in gacha games." Aiden picked up a skewer and began to sample it.
"Mm, hot, but the taste is just right." Aiden placed the finished chicken skin onto a plate.
Next, he switched to grilling skewers wrapped in beef slices with scallops and bird meat skewers.
"Third, I saved the Takemikazuchi Familia, creating a good bond. But judging by the distance those infant dragons were chasing, they probably would have made it back to Orario without me." Aiden flipped the skewers while sprinkling black pepper and salt on the beef and brushing sauce on the bird meat.
As a carnivore, Aiden only grilled some green peppers and leeks; the rest were all meats and seafood.
"Fourth, a beef burger, so delicious." Aiden took out the heated roast beef, placed it between two slices of bread, added perilla leaves, salad dressing, and cheese slices, and then took a bite.
The beef, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, combined with the rich flavor of the cheese and the refreshing taste of the perilla leaves, created a magical chemical reaction. The cheese's aroma and the beef's savory flavor, along with the refreshing taste of the perilla, blossomed on Aiden's palate.
"Fifth, these skewers are truly delicious." The salted chicken skin was golden and crispy, while the scallop beef skewers had the freshness of scallops and the savory flavor of beef, creating a taste so delightful that it left Aiden in a state of bliss. The green peppers, brushed with sauce, were flavorful and juicy, retaining their original taste and a slight crispiness. The bird meat skewers were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, juicy and full of flavor, with a slight sweetness from the sauce.
Of course, not everything was perfect. The leeks were overcooked, and the chicken wings were dry and tough.
But overall, this late-night snack was quite a success.
"Sixth, enjoying skewers late at night, now that I'm full and satisfied, it's time to sleep." Aiden raised the last chicken skewer, took a gentle bite, and the crispy exterior gave way to tender, flavorful chicken. The combination of the chicken's natural taste and the complex flavors of the sauce elevated the experience to a new level, filling Aiden with a deep sense of happiness.
After tidying up the kitchen, Aiden yawned and patted his still-flat stomach, a contented smile spreading across his face.
Meanwhile, the members of the Takemikazuchi Familia made their way through the plaza, walked along East Main Street, and continued southward, finally entering Daedalus Street.
Daedalus Street was a well-known slum in Orario, another labyrinth-like area above ground, densely populated with a complex layout. This was one of the reasons Aiden had avoided renting a place at number 66 when he first arrived.
However, for the members of the Takemikazuchi Familia, this place was incredibly familiar and dear, as their only residence was located here.
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