Second World
chapter-728

Jack continued on the path, all the while the little elderly draconian was grumbling on his back.

"You know, you are one very grumpy old draconian," Jack said.

"Hmph! And you are one trickster outworlder," Darmos shot back.

"Dude, I'm just following your rules. You know, those unreasonable and unnecessary rules that tried to hinder me from doing you a favor of getting you back home safely."

After a long walk, they came upon a serene landscape with greeneries and a small lake. Behind the small lake was a small waterfall. There was a wooden hut by the side of the lake. Several birds and small animals roam around the place freely.

"You leave here…? Not bad, old dude," Jack remarked.

"We have arrived. Now put me down," Darmos said.

"You don't want me to put you on your bed inside the hut?"

"Here is fine."

Jack put the old draconian down as requested. He received notification that his quest had been completed, he received exp points and coins as well as the additional rewards: Received Darmos' favor, sort of.

What's the deal with these 'sort of' words? Jack thought after hearing the notification. Maybe he should have just followed what Darmos asked and fought the monsters while carrying the old draconian on his back?

While Jack was pondering, he saw Darmos walking to his hut.

"The hell! Hey, old dude. Don't you have a sprained ankle?" Jack uttered.

"It's healed!" Darmos talked back.

"Heal my ass! You are clearly pretending," Jack said while following him.

Jack came by the edge of the lake and enjoyed the view. The water was very clear, he could see some fish swimming inside. The wind felt humid due to the waterfall but was refreshing. Darmos had gone inside his hut. Jack enjoyed the refreshing air a few minutes before going into the hut as well.

It was a simple hut. Only one bed with a table and chair and another room where some tools were stored. Darmos was taking a large pot out from there.

"You are one rude outworlder. I don't remember inviting you in," Darmos complained.

"Don't sweat the small stuff," Jack replied.

Jack followed Darmos when he went out again. There was a spot by the side of the hut with some woods stacked together. Darmos sparked a fire there and created a campfire. He then filled up his pot with water and put it above the campfire. While the water was being boiled, he went back into the hut and took some food ingredients.

While Darmos prepared dinner, Jack went and sat on a rock by the side of the lake nearest to the waterfall. He let himself immersed in his surroundings.

Jack had always done his routine martial training every day. He started his day with Formless Flowing Sword style and Eight Diagram Illusory Steps. At night before sleep, he practiced mana manipulation and mana concealment.

Domon had taught him the basics of mana concealment after Wong displayed it the last time. The secret was to blur one's mana with the surrounding mana, becoming one with nature, so that one was indistinguishable from the others.

He lowered his breathing to as slow as possible, as if an animal in hibernation. His bodily process also slowed down. A small bird perched on his shoulder, thinking of him as a stone. More birds came and perched as well. Even a squirrel jumped and laid on his lap. Jack didn't respond at all.

Of course, this method was useless in direct combat. No point in staying still during a fight. Maybe if he was preparing an ambush, then this was a good technique. Jack had informed his grandfather to teach this concealment technique to the range players of their core members, especially gunners. It should help them in making it more difficult for their enemy to find their hiding places.

Jack's target was not to use this technique for an ambush. He was not an ambush type of player. His target was to be as Wong, having his presence clouded unless his opponent's mana sense was extremely high. When Jack asked Leavemealone about his fight with Wong, Leavemealone confirmed that it was indeed difficult to pinpoint Wong's attacks during the match. If Wong was someone who enjoyed using concealed or back attacks, then this technique of his would be more troublesome.

However, to reach this kind of concealment while moving and in direct combat, was at a completely different level than what he was doing now. Domon had told him not to rush. Everything had its time. He would need to be able to master and enter this motionless concealed state at will first before he could even think of shrouding his mana during active combat. Aside from that, Domon informed him that he also needed to be fluent in manipulating mana before trying to attain this mobile concealment state.

Darmos glanced at Jack and surprise showed in his glint.

"What are you cooking?" Peniel asked. She was flying around Darmos' pot.

"My dinner," Darmos replied. "Is the kid doing that often?"

"He spares some time doing that every day," Peniel answered. "That and also this something they called martial arts. Oh, and also mana manipulation."

"He can manipulate mana?" Darmos asked with wide eyes.

"He is still in the beginning stage," Peniel said.

"Still, with his level and class, that is impressive already," Darmos said.

"You should see the other outworlders I have seen," Peniel said. "By the way, I am also surprised that you know about mana manipulation. Considering your very low level."

"Don't judge a book by its cover," Darmos said. "Okay, I'm done."

Jack opened his eyes. The birds and the squirrel immediately scurried away.

"Dinner is ready?" Jack said as he came over.

Darmos looked at him. "Who said anything about your share. This is my dinner!"

"You are too impolite, old dude. How can you cook dinner and not share it with your guest?"

"You are the impolite one! I never invited you to be a guest here. Whatever, fine. I will give you some."

Darmos poured some into a bowl and handed it to Jack. Jack looked at it. It looked like some sort of stew. He used a spoon to scoop it and taste it.

"Puah! Are you sure this is edible?" Jack uttered.

"How rude! Hmph! Don't eat it then," Darmos said and started eating from his bowl.

"Unbelievable… You are truly eating it," Jack said with wide eyes. He then took out his apprentice cooking stove and started cooking as well. Although he didn't focus on this auxiliary skill, he had always cooked his own food so his proficiency was improving steadily.

He had also learned several new recipes from loots. He always informed Ellie when he did. If she already had the recipe, Jack would then learn the recipe himself. He now cooked a new recipe called Beef Stew. This food granted 5 HP recovery per second and increased all healing received by 100% for the next three hours. The effect was pointless for him at the moment since he didn't plan to go out grinding, he only ate it for the taste.

When the cooking was done and he was about to eat it, he caught Darmos' stare.

"It smells good, isn't it?" Jack asked him with a grin.

Darmos turned away. "Nah, I doubt a food made by a kid like you will taste anything good."

"Dude. If you want, just say it," Jack said and gave him a bowl of his Beef Stew. "I cooked for two portions anyway."

Darmos turned back. He seemed to be in struggle. He finally couldn't resist the temptation and accepted the bowl. After eating one spoon, his eyes bulged. He then gobbled down the food ravenously.

"Dude, take it easy…," Jack said after seeing him. "I bet you have stayed here all by yourself for way too long. You should go to the city more, there are lots of gourmets there."

"I'm not used to crowds," Darmos replied without stopping eating. Within seconds, he finished the food.

"Damn! Isn't that too fast? I haven't even begun eating mine!" Jack said. He then noticed Darmos' eyes that were eyeing his bowl intensely.

"Don't tell me… Your stomach is not full yet?" Jack asked.

"We draconian consumes a lot," Darmos replied.

"Draconians do eat more compared to other races," Peniel confirmed. "The non-outworlder draconians anyway," she added.

"Hm… Tell you what. You tell me where I can find Broidrireg, you can have this beef stew again," Jack said to Darmos with a grin.

Darmos turned away. "Hmph! Don't think you can coerce me like that!" He uttered.

Jack shrugged. He gave his bowl to Darmos.

"What? I'm not telling you!"

"Doesn't matter. I'm just trying my luck. Take it. I can cook another portion."

Darmos hesitated for a bit before accepting the bowl.

Jack then proceeded and cooked again.

"Are you full already? Or do you want another bowl?" He asked while preparing the ingredients.

"… Perhaps one more bowl will be great," Darmos replied.