After accepting Sir Arth's pledge, Soo-woon and his new knight companion combed through the wreckage of the kidnappers' caravan. They scavenged anything of value—rations, cloaks, a few pouches of coins, and some oddly enchanted tools. A half-hearted debate about taking the broken wagon ensued, but with the horses having fallen victim to the wolf's earlier rampage, there was no way to pull it. Neither had the inclination to clean the carnage left behind.
Instead, Soo-woon, now armed with magical ability, turned back and pointed his palm at the destroyed scene. A small orb of flame flickered to life at his fingertips.
"Let's not leave any traces behind." he muttered.
A brief incantation later, a blaze erupted, consuming the blood-stained wood and strewn debris in crimson tongues of fire. The ashes billowed upward like fireflies against the deepening sky.
Hours passed....
The sun dipped low, staining the horizon in hues of gold and violet. Soo-woon's small form trudged alongside the knight's imposing silhouette, fatigue etched in every step.
"Aaaaaaaaah! How much longer do we have to keep walking like this?" Soo-woon whined, nearly dragging his feet across the forest floor.
His ten-year-old body simply wasn't made for long treks.
Arth glanced down at the exhausted boy, then scanned the thickening woods. The trees grew denser, their shadows stretching long across the trail.
"No village in sight. Let's make camp here tonight," he declared, nodding to a nearby clearing blanketed in soft moss.
With that, they set about preparing camp.
Arth ventured into the woods to collect firewood while Soo-woon collapsed with a sigh, staring up at the tree canopy above. The gentle rustle of leaves and chirping insects surrounded him.
Minutes later, Arth returned, arms full of dry branches—only to freeze mid-step.
"What in the world…"
Before him stood a grand tent, large enough to house five men. A small campfire crackled in a polished iron brazier. The air was thick with a tantalizing aroma—meaty, spicy, rich.
At the center of it all sat Soo-woon, perched on a collapsible camping chair, stirring a skillet over the fire like a seasoned chef.
Arth dropped the firewood in shock. "Where did all this come from?"
Soo-woon grinned smugly, as he explained his online shopping skill to Arth.
Arth blinked. "Oh? That explains all this..."
He looked around, his eyes wide with surprise, at the equipment and utensils he couldn't begin to identify. The tent fabric shimmered faintly, the tools gleamed under the firelight.
As the awe faded, his brows furrowed. "Wait... why didn't you mention this earlier?"
Soo-woon shrugged, still stirring. "You never asked?" he replied immediately.
"..." Arth couldn't find words to argue and sighed.
"Stop sulking and come help with dinner, will ya?" Soo-woon said, pointing his spatula at him.
Arth grumbled, scratching his head. "Sigh... fine."
As they cooked, Arth's amazement only deepened. Soo-woon pulled out containers of vibrant spices, strange silver tools that whirred and beeped, and ingredients he couldn't name—marbled cuts of meat, green flakes that sparkled slightly, and perfectly shaped vegetables. The scent alone was intoxicating, layering the air with warmth and comfort, leaving Arth in awe.
Coming from a medieval era, Arth had never experienced the delicacies and delights of the modern world.
One hour passed, and the sun gave way to moonlight. The forest came alive with soft rustles and the distant hoot of an owl. Firelight bathed the clearing in golden warmth, and the occasional gust of wind carried the smell of spices through the trees.
A folding table, now placed beside the tent, bore steaming dishes: grilled meat skewers glistening with glaze, a thick stew that bubbled with aroma, and golden rice that smelled of herbs and garlic. There was even a pitcher of juice with frosty glasses.
Arth sat down slowly, his eyes wide with disbelief. Soo-woon placed the last bowl on the table and plopped down opposite him.
"Bon appétit," he said casually, lifting his fork.
Arth took a tentative bite. His eyes widened further. The flavors exploded in his mouth—sweet, savory, spiced, and utterly divine.
"This... this is amazing," he gasped. "The flavors are unlike anything I've ever had. The meat melts away… and these spices, how are they so vibrant?"
Soo-woon smirked, clearly enjoying the reaction.
Arth devoured everything with the focus of a man discovering food for the first time. He marveled at every bite, savoring each taste as though it were a treasure. When the last morsel disappeared, he leaned back with a satisfied groan.
"That was... unforgettable." he said, putting down the bowl. Soo-woon nodded, also setting his utensil down.
"Due to all the chaos before. I forgot to ask you about your level and Skills." Woon said with curiosity.
"Oh! You are curious about those." Arth said, looking at Woon.
Woon nodded.
Arth explained his stats accordingly...
*** Arth pandragon lll ***
Lvl-89
Skills: Swordsmanship(S), Super Strength(A), Area Shield(B), Archery(C), Horse riding(C), Survival(C)
Titles: Knight, Dragon Slayer
*** ***
Arth finished explaining his skills.
Woon snapped his fingers, and everything vanished into his Item Box.
The fire flickered low, casting long shadows that swayed with the wind.
"You should turn in for the night, I will stand watch tonight."(k)
"You sure? I can stand watch too, you know?"(p)
"No need for you to trouble yourself. I can do at least do this much for all the delicious food you fed me."(k)
Soo-woon yawned, already walking toward the tent. "Fine, suit yourself. Don't wake me unless it's life or death."
He waved lazily as he disappeared into the tent's folds.
Alone under the stars, Arth settled near the fire, sword across his knees. Fireflies drifted through the clearing like tiny lanterns. The crackling fire kept the night chill at bay, while the forest whispered around him in its nocturnal rhythm.
To be continued...