System vs Rebirth

Chapter 287 Food

”Ha…”

”Ha…”

”Ha…”

Anna and Noel were panting. They were sitting on the ground with their backs leaning on each other.

”Iʼm so tired.” Anna let out a long sigh of relief.

”Still…” Noel glanced to the side, looking at the numerous corpses.

”Indeed. Itʼs quite a sight to see this many corpses here.” Anna nodded in agreement while taking pride of their hunt. It was hard to fight them, especially the Advanced Level Demons, so they should be proud they could defeat all these demons in one fight.

”Then again, we have to face more demons in that mountain. There is something wrong with that mountain, donʼt you think?”

”I believe so. Even the bird that alarmed the demons didnʼt come to chase us. Iʼm afraid that there are more demons than we originally expected.”

”But this danger comes with an opportunity. The more demons weʼre going to face, the more Crystals we could get. In fact, with all these demons alone, I can pay off the debts.” Noel smiled and pointed at the demons. ”There you go, this is the hunt, you can get all of them.”

”…” Anna was speechless, never expecting Noel to think about this opportunity. He had absorbed all their Demon Crystals not long ago to become a Spirit Wielder, and now he claimed he had finished repaying the debts.

Considering there were many Advanced Level Demons, she finally accepted. ”Fine… Weʼll split as usual after this.”

”Good.” Noel nodded in agreement.

”I think weʼll be in trouble if we bring these Demon Crystals on top of the ones weʼll get on the mountain. So, do you mind if I absorb them first? Itʼll take a while but no more than a half day.”

”We have Moon Blessing, so the night is not a problem.”

As soon as Noel agreed, Anna started taking out the Demon Crystals from the corpses and gathering them in one place.

Noel was near her all the time to protect her from any threats, but luckily, nothing came to this area.

A few hours later.

Anna was woken up by a sweet smell. She had just finished absorbing all the Demon Crystals, so she hadnʼt eaten this whole time.

When the smell entered her lung, it incited the reaction from her stomach.

*Growl!*

”!!!” Annaʼs body trembled as her face was flushed red. She never expected that she couldnʼt even control her stomach.

She glanced to the side and found Noel steering a soup in a black wok. Although they had been traveling together for so long, this might be the first time she saw Noel cooking.

After all, her food was so delicious that Noel couldnʼt resist. However, she forgot that Noel would also start cooking to make sure he wasnʼt dependent on her and by the time she realized it, Noelʼs cooking was already quite decent.

She gulped down while looking at the yellowish white soup. ”This is…”

”Sweet and creamy magic soup from the Greenwood Kingdom. I have to boil it for another thirty minutes. So, why donʼt you head to the river over there to wash yourself first?” Noel pointed at his back.

”O-oh!” Anna didnʼt know how to react to this bizarre finding. ”Since when did you started cooking? I have never seen you cook.”

”A few months ago. I know that my cooking skill is low compared to yours, but at least, this one tastes decent.” Noel rolled his eyes as if Anna was looking down on his food.

”…” Anna fell silent for a moment before she decided to go to the river. On her walk, her heart was beating crazily. She gulped down and screamed inwardly, ʼWhat is that? Noel can cook? If he can cook, does that mean he doesnʼt need me anymore? I thought I could conquer Noel through his stomach, but if he can cook, thatʼs a different problem.

ʼThatʼs right. We have to go separate ways in a few months… by the time we meet again, Noel shouldnʼt be interested in my food anymore.ʼ Anna pinched the bridge of her nose. She knew that the food wasnʼt that relevant anymore after solving the hatred, but there was a disappointment in her heart when thinking that she couldnʼt cook for him anymore.

”Well, shouldnʼt I be happy that I donʼt have to cook all the time anymore?” Anna muttered, trying to make her feel better, albeit failed. She hung her head low as she walked toward the river.

After a while, she returned to their camp while drying her hair with towel. ”Iʼm back.”

”Mhm.” Noel nodded, took out a bowl, and poured the soup on it. ”Here you go.”

”Thanks.” Anna received the ball and sat next to Noel. She didnʼt hesitate to taste the soup, trying to measure Noelʼs cooking skill.

But when the spoon entered her mouth, the sweet smell from the found instantly filled her mouth and lung. But more importantly, the soup actually had two tastes. It was sweet but sour, making her confuse the taste for a second before realizing the clash between the two actually enhanced the dishʼs flavor.

*Cough!* Anna coughed once, overwhelmed by the flavor.

”Whatʼs wrong? Is it that bad?” Noel let out a long sigh, knowing that it wasnʼt up to par with Annaʼs cooking.

”No, it tastes good, but there are a few problems. The taste is a bit too overwhelming. You have to dilute it with water a bit more. I can understand that you pair it with hard bread, so that the bread will have a good flavor and soft texture if you dip it into it… But you have to understand that weʼre adventuring right now.

”If you eat something too overwhelming, there is a bigger chance that you will fall ill. Even if our body is stronger as a Spirit Wielder, you have to take care of your diet. One time might not be a problem, but if you continuously do it for a period of time… You might also create a chronic illness in your body.”

”Ah!” Noel scratched the back of his head before remembering something. ”Is that why your cooking feel so light but fulfilling?”

Anna nodded.

”I see.” Noel sighed, muttered inwardly, ʼSo, Anna didnʼt cook something just for the sake of filling our stomach. She also took care of our bodies but still gave us the satisfaction that we needed…ʼ

Seeing Noelʼs disappointment, Anna quickly devoured the soup and said, ”Still… I said that once in a while is fine. So, another bowl please.”