Chapter 420: Usa Apple
“Hey, Jean, you there?”
The sound of knocking on the door accompanied by Dean’s voice.
“I’m here. It’s open, so come on in.”
I replied, and the door swung open to reveal Dean, who entered carrying a bag.
“Here, take this. Are you busy? Is Retze the only one not knocked out?”
“Not busy, not busy.”
I accepted the bag he offered and peeked inside.
Inside were numerous red, slightly elongated fruits that looked like a mix of gummy candies, cherries, and cranberries.
“Cherries?”
“They’re different from the cherries I know, but thanks. I wonder if they make good jam?”
I popped one into my mouth, and it was sour. The taste was like an extremely tart cherry, with a hint of bitterness.
“Fruit wine or jam, I guess. Not the tastiest thing, but I thought it might be a bit rare.”
It seemed Dean thought it wasn’t that great, but since I had never tried it before, he had gathered them from the forest while on a Guild request.
“Wow, thanks!”
They’re small, and it must have taken quite a bit of effort to gather this many. I was more than happy to receive something I had never tasted before, so I expressed my gratitude again.
“Is this an apple? It’s different from the apples I know, but can I eat it?”
“Go ahead. Just know that eating it might…”
“That’s not a good sign…!”
Before I could finish, Dean was already munching away.
“You ate it!?”
Dinoss exclaimed in surprise.
“Dean, you…”
The Butler hesitated, unsure of what to say.
“You just dove right in without hesitation for something so unknown.”
Karn said, looking a bit dumbfounded.
“Well, it’s food Jean brought, right? Hmm. It’s sour, but sweeter than the ones around here. No bitterness either. It seems good after a hearty meal of fatty meat.”
Dean swallowed and commented.
Here, apples—and fruits in general—are usually sour, so they’re often turned into jam or used in cakes. Eating them raw is quite rare.
“Despite all the chatter, Dean always carelessly eats whatever Jean brings and enjoys the effects.”
“Most of the time, it’s tasty, and the strange effects aren’t bad either.”
Dean responded to Retze with a small sigh.
“Yeah. But I kind of envy your boldness.”
Retze said, resting his chin on his hand as he watched Dean.
“If we’re talking about boldness, Jean is the same. He eats whatever I bring without a second thought. Sometimes I worry he might end up eating a poisonous fruit.”
Dean glanced at me with a hint of fear in his voice.
“Please don’t mix in any poisonous fruits.”
I would definitely eat it!
“It’s hard to tell the difference between the tasty ones and the poisonous ones. I try to avoid those.”
“Are they tasty?”
“I’m not confident in telling them apart, so next time, take me with you, Retze.”
What’s this? Are there delicious things in the forest that I don’t know about?
“I don’t mind taking you, but we’re getting sidetracked.”
I shifted my gaze from Dean to Retze, who looked exasperated.
“…Indeed, while a nice butt on a man can be a bit of a mixed feeling, what Jean brings in generally has good effects.”
“There are fruits that turn you into a pig if you eat them, thanks to the Spirit’s Mischief.”
The Butler and Haulon exchanged remarks.
“Is there really such a terrifying food circulating?”
“Usually, they look different, so it’s rare for them to slip into the market.”
Haulon waved his hand dismissively.
Wait, if it’s rare, then it does exist! Oh, but I’m safe since I always use [Appraisal] when buying food, so I should be fine. I felt a little thrill.
“We’re getting off-topic again. —The effect of this Usa Apple is that when you eat it, it makes it easier to lend Spirit Power and allows you to store the ability to share it.”
Dinoss picked up an Usa Apple and explained to Dean. Stop describing it like it’s fat!
“Wait, seriously!? It’s not about leg beauty or anything… is it!?”
Dean shot back at Dinoss.
“What are you hoping for…?”
“Well, considering past experiences, I guess I should check before eating.”
The Butler and Retze exchanged glances.
“Well, for those seeking power, the Usa Apple is something they’d want desperately.”
Saying that, Dinoss tossed the apple into his mouth.
“Sour!”
“Oh, you’re eating it.”
Haulon remarked to Dinoss.
“To lend my name to this guy, I feel like the titles of King Wolf and Legendary Gold Rank aren’t enough.”
“Ugh…”
Haulon stumbled over his words, looking somewhat refreshed by Dinoss’s comment.
“I’m the mysterious Great Sage, but I feel like that’s not enough…”
Haulon glanced between Dinoss, the Usa Apple, the Butler, and Karn.
For now, I was debating whether I should jump in with something mysterious or not.
“Becoming stronger isn’t a bad thing. In fact, it’s something to be desired… But eating this might lead you away from common sense…”
Saying that, the Butler popped the Usa Apple into his mouth.
“…”
With a sigh, Haulon reached for the Usa Apple and swallowed it whole.
Wait, you swallowed it whole, old man!? Isn’t that going to get stuck in your throat!? Choking is common among the elderly and children, you know?