Chapter 205: The Effects of the Worm
I had just tasted the skewered grilled meat and soup made from the worm’s flesh. Both dishes were so delicious they could transport one’s consciousness, and surprisingly, they were not as grotesque as their appearance suggested.
“Thank you for the meal… It was delicious, both of you,” Rest expressed his gratitude to Yuri and Ula, who had prepared the food.
“I never expected the worm to transform like that. I mean… it was delicious enough to send me flying to the other side of the Moon!”
I had nearly experienced a second reincarnation in another world. The flavor was as mysterious as the cosmos itself, but upon further reflection, it was indeed delicious, so I decided to let it slide.
“Now then… I should get back to supplying magical power for the barrier…”
“Wait, Rest,” Yuri called out, stopping him just as he was about to rise from the table.
“We haven’t had dessert yet.”
“…………”
I knew that. I was aware and had intended to slip away, but it seemed my escape route had been blocked.
(No… I get it. I admit it. Yuri… you are truly amazing.)
Rest praised his friend silently in his heart.
(Your curiosity about food and your ability to sniff out delicious dishes are genuine talents. I acknowledge that. But… I can’t help but fear when the next bomb will explode…)
No matter how innate Yuri’s culinary sense might be, there was no guarantee it would last forever. A person who advances solely on talent without a solid foundation is bound to make a major blunder someday. Rest had come to realize this through his two lives.
(Seriously, though, what’s up with your development? You eat the flesh of bugs and monsters, yet your body… your chest is ample, your thighs look soft, and your rear has grown quite plump… If you keep spouting such foolishness, I might just…)
“Hm?”
Rest tilted his head, feeling as if he had conjured up something incredibly lewd in his mind. Had he really been thinking such perverse thoughts all along?
“Hm… Jelly.”
Ula presented him with a half-spherical, wobbly pink jelly on a wooden plate.
“Jelly? How did you make that?” Rest asked, his eyes wide with surprise. Was jelly even something one could make by oneself?
“Ah, I’m not quite sure… but while I was heating, cooling, mixing, and kneading the worm’s flesh, this came out. I tasted it, and it was delicious, so please give it a try.”
“Ugh, a product of sheer coincidence, huh…”
He wanted to say not to serve him such a thing. What kind of alchemy could possibly turn a worm into jelly?
“Just eat it.”
As much as he wanted to refuse, Ula looked up at him with her big eyes peeking through her long bangs, her earnest gaze leaving no room for rejection.
(Damn… she’s still a child, but she’s going to be a beauty in the future. If you look closely, despite being a kid, her development isn’t bad, and soon she’ll be quite the catch…)
“What’s wrong with me?”
Once again, he found himself thinking something strange. He was genuinely perplexed about what was happening to him today.
“…Are you not going to eat?”
“Well… I will eat it.”
Rest reluctantly accepted the plate of jelly and the spoon. It didn’t look bad. The beautiful pink hue made it seem like it could easily be mistaken for peach jelly.
“…………”
He glanced around for help, but both Yuri and Ula were watching him with excited expressions, just like Ula.
“…Please, don’t hold back. Enjoy it.”
“Oh, the stars are beautiful.”
Of course, Ula’s attendant, Arly, showed no signs of stopping him, giving a thumbs-up. Ostre was still lost in his thoughts, having tripped off to the other side of the Moon, with no sign of returning. It seemed there was no one to throw him a lifeline… Reluctantly, Rest plunged the spoon into the jelly. It was translucent and wobbly, looking incredibly juicy. The fact that it appeared so appetizing only heightened his anxiety.
“Here goes… I’ll give it a try…”
Steeling himself, he brought it to his mouth, and the jelly slid smoothly down his throat.
“…………!?”
It had no taste. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t good either. It was completely flavorless and odorless. However… what was this heat surging from deep within him the moment he swallowed?
(It feels like I just swallowed a burning coal… what on earth did I just eat!?)
“Oh, it seems the effects are kicking in.”
“Great success!”
Yuri and Ula exchanged glances and broke into smiles.
“I-I don’t understand… what is this…?”
“We made it from the worm’s body fluids and reproductive organs. Since you’ve been working hard and seem tired, this should definitely give you a boost!”
“…………!?”
Now that I thought about it… the heat generated by the jelly was having a strong effect on a certain part of my body.
“Boost? That’s taking on a different meaning altogether…!”
Come to think of it… I had been thinking quite lewd thoughts for a while now. Perhaps the worm’s blood and flesh had some sort of invigorating effect, akin to a tonic.
“With this, you’ll recover from your fatigue, and tonight you can sleep soundly!”
“Sleep soundly, you say!”
Rest couldn’t help but raise his voice in exasperation at Yuri, who was puffing out her ample chest.