Chapter 87
“This is so delicious!”
Lyria’s already big eyes widened even more, as if they were about to pop out.
“How can something taste this good?”
Lyria, clearly enjoying the flavor, quickly devoured the tanghulu skewer.
Before I knew it, the skewer was empty, and her expression, as she stared at the bare stick, looked a little disheartened.
“Delicious, right?”
I wiped the sugar crumbs from around her mouth and looked at the kids with a proud smile.
Nia was too focused on eating to say much…
Crunch!
But judging by the speed she was eating and her sparkling eyes, it was clear she liked it.
‘I should’ve made this sooner if they like it this much.’
Of course, I wouldn’t have been able to make it without the ingredients.
It’s just a thought, though…
“You’re done, right?”
Taking the empty skewer from Nia’s hands, I smoothly wiped the corners of her mouth.
Wait, but…
Did she have some kind of feud with the tanghulu or something?
“…You ate pretty wildly.”
Seeing the sticky residue on her face, I wiped Nia’s mouth with my sleeve and gently pinched her cheek.
“It’s great that you enjoyed it, but if you eat in such a hurry, you might hurt yourself on the hardened, sharp sugar shards.”
“Ugh… Okay…”
In fact, there was a small cut on the left side of Nia’s lips, with a slight trace of blood.
She must’ve been cut by a sharp piece of sugar that had broken off.
I’d tried to coat the syrup as evenly as possible, but—
‘I’m no tanghulu expert.’
Preventing minor cuts like this wasn’t entirely possible.
Fortunately, it was just a tiny wound, so it wasn’t a big issue.
But if left untreated, the wound could become irritated or painful.
While I was momentarily considering what to do—
“I’ll help with that.”
Yeriel suddenly stepped in.
“Uh, well…”
I looked at Yeriel, unsure.
It wasn’t a severe wound, so I didn’t think it warranted using his healing skill.
‘But since he offered…’
There was no reason to refuse his kindness.
“I’d appreciate it if you could.”
I stepped back and gave him space.
“Alright, hold still for a moment.”
Yeriel placed his hand near Nia’s lips.
Paah!
A soft, warm, and holy energy flowed gently from his fingertips as they made contact.
‘Oh.’
I’d always seen his blooming flowers to heal wounds, so this method of healing felt a bit different.
For light injuries like this, there wasn’t a need to summon flowers—it could be done easily with a simpler approach.
It must’ve been tedious to use his usual method every time.
“All done.”
Had I been lost in my thoughts for that long? Before I knew it, the wound on Nia’s lips had completely disappeared.
Yeriel, looking satisfied, turned to me.
“Th-thank you.”
Nia, touching the spot where the cut had been, thanked him with a red face.
“It was nothing.”
Yeriel replied in a quiet, weary voice as he looked at Nia.
Wait… Did he sound tired just now?
‘Come to think of it, Yeriel has been using his abilities a lot.’
Not only when I was injured from time to time, but also during the Black-and-White War, he’d silently healed countless people from the rear.
With so few healers around, he must’ve been overwhelmed managing it all on his own. Yet, he never showed it.
‘If only I could absorb healing skills, it would’ve lessened Yeriel’s burden.’
Unfortunately, my skill only activated when I was directly hit, so I couldn’t absorb Yeriel’s healing ability.
For now, we were fine since Yeriel was here to heal us.
But what if, in the future, he couldn’t use his abilities?
Or worse, what if he left our team for a better opportunity elsewhere?
In such cases, even a small wound could become a serious issue.
‘It’s overdue, but I should properly thank him now.’
The things I had taken for granted because we were simply on the same team…
When I think about it carefully, none of it was truly obvious or guaranteed.
This realization made me determined to treat my current team members even better.
And if someone like Yeriel, who usually didn’t show his emotions, was revealing this much…
‘That must mean he’s been bottling it up for a long time.’
If this is how my team members start leaving one by one, I’ll once again…
Biting my lip, I turned around.
It was a bit embarrassing to say something like this all of a sudden, but if I didn’t do it now, I might not get another chance.
“Yeriel, about the other day…”
Just as I started to speak—
“Wendy, by any chance…”
Yeriel spoke first, cutting me off.
“…Could I, um, have a taste of that grape candy too?”
What he said was truly unexpected.
“G-grape…?”
I repeated the word blankly.
“Just a little. Even one piece would be fine. I don’t usually ask for things like this… but it looks so delicious.”
Yeriel’s cheeks flushed slightly, as if embarrassed.
I stared at Yeriel with a blank expression.
So, the gloomy look earlier,
The tired appearance,
And even the sudden offer to treat Nia’s injury—
Were all part of a grand plan to eat the tanghulu?
‘I was over here being all serious by myself!’
I felt an overwhelming sense of futility.
Still…
At least he wasn’t feeling burnt out from his heavy workload or questioning his role. That was a relief.
Letting out a soft sigh, I looked at the basket of tanghulu.
After hearing his request, how could I say no?
‘Five skewers should be enough for the Mountain Lord.’
Out of the six remaining skewers, it wouldn’t hurt to give one to Yeriel.
“Here, take one.”
Yeriel’s eyes grew wider as he accepted the tanghulu I handed him.
“Mmm, as expected, everything Wendy makes is amazing.”
Judging by his reaction, Yeriel, too, seemed completely captivated by the charm of tanghulu.
This would definitely work on anyone with a sweet tooth—even a tiger.
“I want one too…”
At that moment, other teammates started showing interest in the tanghulu.
But I firmly shook my head.
If I gave them all away, there’d be none left for the Mountain Lord.
“Alright, alright. Let’s focus on our tasks first, okay?”
I added, noticing Darwin’s slightly disappointed look.
“I’ve stored the ingredients, so I’ll make more for you all later.”
Since we’d received ten bunches of grapes and still had plenty of ingredients left,
Everything was safely stored in my inventory, so I could make more anytime.
Darwin’s expression brightened at my words, making me chuckle.
Despite his large build, he had such a surprisingly cute side to him.
“Alright then, shall we head out?”
With the tanghulu in hand, I started walking toward the grapevine house where the tiger was waiting.
***
“Well, are you ready?”
The tiger, now in human form, greeted us as we arrived.
Though his face appeared indifferent, the anticipation sparkling in his eyes was undeniable.
“Yes, I’m confident you’ll be satisfied.”
I replied and presented the plate I had been hiding behind my back.
“Hmm, at first glance, it looks like an ordinary fruit skewer.”
The tiger picked up one tanghulu skewer from the plate and examined it closely.
“If this is some sort of trick or foul play, there will be consequences.”
After issuing a stern warning, he cautiously took a bite.
Crunch!
The crisp sound echoed, and his eyes widened in astonishment.
‘As expected.’
This was the moment my instincts were proven right.
For someone who loves sweets, this flavor was irresistible.
Wearing a satisfied smile, I asked the tiger,
“So, how is it?”
After devouring the first skewer in no time, he reached for a second, but paused mid-movement, clearing his throat awkwardly.
“Ahem, hmm! It is truly excellent. The crispy, sweet candy coating combined with the soft, juicy fruit….”
As if savoring the taste again, the tiger licked his lips and continued,
“It’s a flavor worth boasting about.”
Contrary to my initial worry that he might pretend not to like it, he honestly shared his impression, and I nodded in acknowledgment.
“But… this is not enough.”
However, the moment was short-lived.
The tiger’s expression turned serious, his demeanor shifting to one of solemn determination.
—
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