Dungeon Refrigerator 148.1

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Dungeon Barbecue

"...Oh, auntie? Yeah, yeah, it's Ruri. I don't need dinner tonight. Well, I won't be home for a while. Why? It's a training camp. Huh, when did I join the club? Yeah, yeah, it's whatever. That's the deal, so tell Uncle I said hi, okay? Bye! (Click) Phew♪"

After ending the call with Shark, who seemed to have achieved something, I questioned him.

"Shark..."

"Hmm, what...?"

"That call just now...?"

"Oh, that was my aunt. I'm staying at her place for now."

No way, you idiot! Why are you contacting my guardian without asking!? Well, no, that's not the issue. Why did you decide to stay at my place without permission??

"Hey, I heard Maachi and the others are staying too. Adding 1 more person shouldn't be a big deal, right?"

Oh no! Shark, you have no idea! Having you around will ruin my wonderful night activities with the three!!

"Well, it's been a while since I've seen Ruri, so it's a shame, right, Coach... (pat, pat)"

I won't comment on that, but Nina-san, perceptive of the nuances of a man's feelings, sensed my inner turmoil and comforted me. 

Exactly! I was really looking forward to the intimate time with the upgraded Ruu!! 

Argh! Internally, I bite my lip, shedding tears of frustration.

"But if we see something like that! We can't just stay away when we go back!!"

However, the four women who witnessed the dazzling phenomenon of Skill Orbs' radiant glow and extinction in the dungeon were excited, not just Shark.

"Ugh, sour! Hey, Ruri! It's even more sour than earlier!"

"Really!? Ugh! It is! It's sourer, Maachi!"

Ruri immediately started practicing the newly acquired [Acid] skill, creating acid in a bowl placed on the glass table. It was only a small amount, but she was ecstatic.

"(Tap, tap) Alright, everyone, take turns showering. We can't go to dinner without feeling refreshed!"

And I, like the adviser of a club activity, urged them. Honestly, they could chat forever if left alone.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"Oh, I'll go shopping while everyone is taking a shower."

"Then, can I come with you?"

"No, I'll quickly go on my bike. Nina-san, you stay here and supervise."

"Well, that works. It's cold outside today, anyway."

Yeah, thanks, Nina-san. But for this shopping, I have to go alone. Because it's a necessary measure for their mental well-being.

The reason is simple. The meat we're currently using as our main dish is from the dungeon's monster, the giant Camel Cricket. It's an insect, so it's low in fat, high in protein, and tastes decent. However, its appearance before cooking is extremely unpleasant.

Especially if Shark, who hates bugs, finds out about this, she'll probably start swinging a knife and chasing after me. 

So, I have to turn the Camel Cricket limbs stored in the spatial storage into meat somewhere inconspicuous. 

Now that we've opened the dungeon to them, it's too dangerous to do it at home.

.....

[Bang!... Clang, clunk... Clang, clunk...]

"(Sizzling... glancing around) Hmm, this should be a good spot..."

First, to really buy vegetables, I stopped by a cheap supermarket resembling a grasshopper shop and got various vegetables. Then, I headed to a desolate riverside at night.

Of course, to dismantle the Camel Cricket limbs.

"(Rustling... Crack! Squish... Splatter!) Splash!"

In the dark night, eerie and unsettling sounds echoed.

Still, I hurried with the dismantling. I didn't want to stand out, but I didn't want to spend too much time, so I worked under an overpass. However, when a train passed, it was okay, but when it didn't, the sounds seemed to echo even more, making me feel like I was making too much noise.

"(Rustling...)"

"Huh, what's that? Oh, it's just a cat."

Turning around at the unexpected noise, I saw a kitten with a spotted pattern. Timidly observing, it peeked from the dry grass.

Hmmm? It managed to avoid being eaten by the monsters overflowing with Dungeon Stampedes.

Rats monster even attacked people's pets, they said. Well, seeing just this one kitten, maybe its siblings or parents were taken out by the monsters.

"There, there, are you hungry? It's cold, and being hungry makes you want to die, right? Eat this and regain your strength. (toss)"

From the freshly peeled Camel Cricket limbs, I tore off a juicy piece and threw it. The kitten, cautious but eventually picked it up, with a swift movement, disappeared into the dark grass.

"It's cold...! Well then, let me finish up quickly and go home."

[Bang!... Clang, clunk... Clang, clunk...]

.....