XIV: Daybreak
“TO eat it? Monster meat is poisonous, you know,” I said. Naturally, I wasn’t going to reveal that I myself was eating that same poisonous meat every day.
“Oh, you might not know because you came straight here from Kiel, but the Farunians spread the monster meat diet to Eyland,” Kylan said. “That’s how we know how to eat it.”
I didn’t need his methodical explanation—I knew it all too well, because everyone had gotten it into their heads that I was the one who had ordered the spread of monster meat consumption.
“I heard about that,” I said, “but that’s no reason to eat it yourself, is it?”
“Actually, the stuff really works. They say the farmers in southern Eyland who were the first ones forced to eat it immediately got more toned. In other words…it makes you stronger. There’s actually a bit of a monster meat craze among adventurers now.”
A craze? Seriously?
“Of course, not everyone is doing it,” Kylan continued. “We actually already are, but it really is awful, and it’s almost killed us before. It really isn’t meant for human consumption.”
I knew that firsthand. Maybe I even knew it best of anyone in the world.
“But it’s also an opportunity. To be honest, our party’s never going to get past C-rank on our own. But if we eat monster meat, we might make it to B. Basically, we’re betting on that possibility.”
Darion and Belinda nodded their agreement.
Are they serious? They started eating that awful stuff just because they wanted to get a bit stronger?
“So you guys were about to have a pleasant lunch of Bloodbear steak?” I said, and it came out sounding sarcastic, unintentionally. The party I’d just joined was eating monster meat—this was no laughing matter.
“Well, I guess that’s right,” Kylan said somewhat apologetically. “Why don’t you join us, Marcus? It might be rough starting with Bloodbear meat all of a sudden, but we have some Morat jerky we keep preserved. Try a bite. If you slowly acclimate your body to it, you’ll be able to eat Bloodbear in no time.” Kylan was smiling affably.
Who the hell would want that? And anyway, my body is more than acclimated enough already, thank you.
“Actually…I already have some food on me,” I said. “So I think I’ll pass.”
It wasn’t a lie. I was, in fact, carrying a large quantity of provisions that Gamarath had prepared for me beforehand. However, it was all monster jerky. The one difference between it and what the adventurers were offering me was that mine came from a powerful monster that only I (or Cassandra) could eat. In an expression of unwanted kindness, Gamarath had said, “The meat Your Majesty eats isn’t easy to come by, so I took the liberty of getting some for you myself,” and forced me to take it with me. Actually, most of what I was carrying with me was that monster jerky. I had been considering dumping it somewhere, but it was valuable, so it felt wasteful to get rid of it.
“Um…what sort of food do you have, Marcus?” Belinda asked, her eyes suddenly shining.
Why is she so interested in my food?
“It’s nothing special,” I said. “Don’t worry about it.” I absolutely couldn’t show them meat from an even stronger monster.
“Actually, Marcus, can we see it?” Darion pleaded. “Lately, we’ve been eating nothing but monster meat. I’m starving for some regular food, so if you have any, I’d really like some.”
Huh? If you’re craving normal food, just don’t eat monster meat.
“C’mon, guys, giving up already?” Kylan chided his partners. “Didn’t we all swear we wouldn’t eat regular meals until we made it to B-rank?”
So it’s him…he’s the culprit. He’s one of those people who sets overly ambitious goals and then forces others to go along with them, like Ogma. Nothing they say is technically wrong, so nobody can really disagree with them, and everyone gets dragged into their schemes.
“Yeah, but I occasionally miss ordinary food,” Belinda said, looking forlorn.
“I bet even the Hundred don’t eat that poison every day. If they did, they’d either have a few screws loose, or they’d just totally be giving up on their humanity,” Darion said. His discontent must have reached a breaking point, because he was starting to put words to his actual suspicions.
Sorry, but they do eat it every day. And yes, they do have a few screws loose.
“Think about it from the opposite angle,” Kylan said, spreading his arms wide as he tried to persuade the other two. “If the Hundred aren’t eating it daily, that’s an opportunity. If we eat it every day, we can close the gap. We can get closer to those monsters! Also, other adventurers might be trying out monster meat, but maybe not for every meal. That’s exactly why we have to keep eating it. This is a competition! We need to dig deep!”
Whoa, he sure is devoted to improving himself more than necessary. And the fact that he’s not even wrong about how it works makes it all the more unpleasant to hear.
Setting aside the part about other adventurers, not only were the members of the Hundred eating monster meat for every meal, but those meals were also part of a system to increase the potency of the meat at the proper times. These three adventurers would never catch up to them.
“Marcus,” Kylan suddenly said to me.
“What is it?”
“You’re a member of Daybreak now too, so eat monster meat with us. And can you throw away the food you have with you? Knowing it’s there will weaken the group’s resolve.”
I’m fine with throwing it away, but it’s monster jerky. I’d better not let them see it.
“I’ll throw it away later. It’s not like I’ve even decided to join yet.”
Why, oh why did I have to run into a party that eats monster meat?
“That’s not fair, Marcus!” Darion protested vehemently. “Don’t try to back out of this the second you learn you have to eat monster meat!”
He must have been starving for some ordinary food. I could empathize with him so much it was painful. After all, I was starving the most out of anyone.
“Exactly, Marcus!” Belinda said. “We’re party members now! We’re all in the same boat! I feel like I’m going to give in just knowing you have regular food with you. So, can you just throw that stuff away here?” She grabbed my bag so forcefully I felt as if I’d be killed if I didn’t hand it over, and the bulging bag’s contents spilled out onto the ground—the deep purple, highly toxic jerky. It was immediately clear to everyone that it was monster meat.
Darion and Belinda were speechless. Kylan picked up a piece of jerky and looked at me.
“What is this?” he asked.
I only paused for a second. “To tell you the truth,” I replied, “I’ve been eating monster meat too, probably for a bit longer than you guys have.” I refrained from revealing that “a bit” meant “more than ten years.”
“Why, Marcus? Why for so long?” Kylan asked curiously.
“Farune invaded my home. I need to get stronger to take revenge, no matter what it takes. So, I started eating the monster meat they’re always eating over there. It was like selling my soul to the devil. But if I don’t do it, I’ll never be able to fight on an equal level with them, will I?” I explained. It was quite the smooth excuse, if I do say so myself, especially given that it was totally off the top of my head.
“Then why didn’t you want to eat monster meat with us?” Darion asked somewhat awkwardly.
“The meat I’m eating is stronger than yours. So, I’m sorry, but I can’t eat what you’re eating. I have to always aim higher, so I can’t eat weaker meat.”
Why am I saying so many things I don’t mean?
“It’s nothing to worry about.” Belinda clasped my right hand in both of hers. “I’m sorry, I had no idea you were going through that. I just lost my composure, and I’m ashamed.”
“You know, Marcus, it’s too bad we can’t eat the same meat, but I knew it—we’re comrades. We’ve been comrades since even before we met. That is…I know our souls are connected!” Kylan said this embarrassing remark without batting an eye.
Our souls are connected? What’s that supposed to mean? We only just met each other, so there’s no way that’s true.
However, the three adventurers had me fenced in, and it didn’t seem like I would be able to escape without incident.
Why? Why did I have to join another group of people eating monster meat? Did I do something terrible in my past life?