"Huh? What is that?"
Kamian looked at the store owner, Mylan, with eyes that showed he did not understand. Annette, next to him, had a similar expression.
If you suddenly told the part-ti waiters and kitchen assistants at a restaurant to go to Mount Hakin, they would all have the sa reaction.
Mylan began to explain with a friendly smile. "Did you know that most of our steaks have black root mushrooms in them?"
"I know."
Black root mushroom. It is a mushroom that grows in shady caves where sunlight does not reach, and its unique aroma blends well with at, enhancing its flavor.
That's why it's one of the basic ingredients used at Mylan Steak House. However, because it lives in caves, it was a fairly difficult variety to obtain, and its price was correspondingly high.
However, in line with Mylan's policy of insisting on only high-quality materials, it was used without substituting them with other low-priced materials.
"But by the way, I just got a call from my main business partner saying that they are having trouble supplying black root mushrooms."
"… … ."
It's a tricky situation for a restaurant, but what does that have to do with Mount Hakin?
Mylan opened his mouth again to those who still looked like they didn't understand.
"At this rate, we'll have to close down for the ti being. So, I think we need to take action to secure it as well."
"Secure it?"
"Yes. There is a cave where black root mushrooms grow halfway up Mount Hakin. It's a place that is not easily seen by people, so we use it secretly."
There is no lie here.
In fact, when there was a problem with the supply of black root mushrooms, they would pick them directly there. In order to keep the seeds from drying out, they were harvested in moderation and held out until the supply beca abundant again.
The question is, how did 'that guy' know that?
'I was being careful, but I ended up stepping on my tail.'
Anyway, at first, he was embarrassed when he found out about that.
If he spreads the rumor, people will rush in to pick the expensive mushrooms in an instant, rendering the secret source useless.
But he didn't use rumors as an excuse to threaten. Instead, he handed over money.
Then, he ordered Kamian and Annette to be sent there.
It's not possible to take a suspicious person's words at face value.
… … but it was too much money to refuse. That's too much money.
Mylan fell for that irresistible temptation.
In fact, business was going very well, but with the expensive rent, costly material costs, and finally labor costs, the profit was not as high as people thought.
That's why he just let it pass.
'Am I doing sothing crazy right now?'
No.
He said it clearly.
That it won't cause any harm to part-ti workers. He swore in the na of God, so it can't be a lie.
Eventually, Mylan opened his mouth again.
"I'm sorry, but you guys have to go there and pick so mushrooms for . I'll pay you extra for your help."
* * *
"Is it hard?" Kamian asked.
"No, it's nothing more than this," Annette smiled.
Although the slope was quite steep, she was trained enough to be able to climb this much.
That didn't an it wasn't difficult at all, but she was happier than she was tired.
She couldn't rember the last ti Kamian and she had spent ti together in the mountains like this. The only thing she rembered was from a very long ti ago.
'I was young back then.'
When had Kamian grown into such a big, sturdy man? Annette couldn't believe how fast ti had passed.
"If you're having a hard ti, tell . I'll take a break and rest," Kamian spoke again.
"Huh," Annette nodded. And then she thought, 'Is now the chance?' She knew Kamian was troubled for many reasons.
But she hadn't had a serious conversation about those concerns. She avoided bringing it up, worried it would only cause more trouble.
But she also felt bad about just continuing to watch like this. That's why she thought today might be the chance...
'Let's wait a little longer,' Annette decided, thinking it would be better to talk after she finished what she had to do.
* * *
"I think we've arrived," Kamian said, checking the map. A cave was visible ahead. It seed like that cave was the one the owner had told them about.
"Yeah, I guess so," Annette said, wiping the sweat off her sleeve. It was fortunate they had reached their destination just as things were starting to get tough.
"Then shall we go?" Annette tried to take a step forward. At that very mont—
"Wait."
Kamian looked ahead with sharp eyes, his right hand on the hilt of his sword. It was a weapon prepared in case they encountered wild beasts or other monsters.
Annette's expression changed at Kamian's reaction. She gripped her cane tightly with a serious face.
A suffocating silence.
What broke the silence was a human voice.
"Ugh, what's going on? It's so noisy I can't even take a nap."
A young man walked out from the bushes, rubbing his eyes.
Surprise filled the faces of Kamian and Annette as they recognized the person.
"What are you....?"
Max.
He was right in front of their eyes.
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