Leaving Sacril in the room wasn’t something I enjoyed, but it was necessary.
I trusted him to stay put and rest while I took care of business.
The magical meat I’d been carrying wasn’t going to sell itself, and I needed the gold to keep us moving forward.
With that thought in mind, I stepped out of the inn and into the lively square of Blueberry Town.
It was a peaceful, almost idyllic scene, but my mind was focused on finding a butcher willing to buy the meat. Magical beast meat wasn’t exactly a common commodity, and I figured it wouldn’t take long to find someone interested.
Sure enough, I spotted a small shop on the edge of the square with a wooden sign swaying in the breeze. The carving of a cleaver and a slab of meat left no doubt about the shop’s trade. I stepped inside, greeted by the familiar metallic tang of raw meat and the faint, smoky aroma of a fire burning somewhere in the back.
A burly man stood behind the counter, his apron smeared with blood and his arms thicker than most tree branches. His eyebrows raised slightly as he saw me enter, though his expression quickly turned to one of cautious curiosity.
"What can I do for you?" he asked.
I set my pack on the counter and unwrapped a small section of the meat inside, letting him get a good look. The dark, rich color of the magical beast meat shimmered faintly,
“I’ve got some quality magical beast meat here. Around ten to fifteen kilos. I’m looking to sell."
The butcher’s eyes widened slightly as he leaned in for a closer inspection.
He rubbed his chin, clearly impressed but also wary.
"Magical beast meat, huh? Not something I see every day. You must’ve come across something big out there."
"Something like that, How much are you willing to offer?"
He hesitated, clearly weighing his options. After a moment, he sighed and shook his head.
"This isn’t cheap stuff, but I’ve got to make sure I can turn a profit. Five gold coins, and that’s stretching it. I’ll barely break even unless I find the right buyers."
I nodded, knowing he was right. Magical beast meat wasn’t just food—it was a status symbol, often reserved for nobles or powerful factions.
Not to mention it is nourishment value for Chosen Warriors and many other people.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
It is a life-saving food filled with energy that only the powerful can consume.
While he could likely sell it for seven or eight gold coins, finding the buyers and making the deal would take time and effort.
"Five gold coins it is," I said, extending my hand. He seemed relieved that I didn’t haggle, though I could see the hesitation in his eyes as he handed over the coins.
Spending such a large chunk of his monthly earnings wasn’t something he did lightly, but he knew the value of what he was buying.
After securing the coins in my pouch, I thanked him and left the shop. The transaction left me feeling lighter—not just because of the extra gold, but because I no longer had to carry the weight of the meat around.
Not that it is hard for me to carry, but still not carrying meat was a good feeling.
The thought of having some breathing room financially was comforting, even if it wouldn’t last forever.
Back at the inn, I ordered a hearty meal for both Sacril and myself. It wasn’t anything extravagant—roasted chicken, boiled vegetables, and a loaf of fresh bread—but it was enough to keep us satisfied.
I brought the food up to our room, where Sacril greeted me with an eager bark, clearly excited about the feast.
"Here you go, buddy," I said, setting down the plate of meat I’d ordered specifically for him.
Watching him dig in with such enthusiasm always brought a smile to my face. For all the changes he’d undergone, his love for food remained the same.
As I ate my own meal, I found my thoughts drifting to the future.
The five gold coins I’d earned today would cover our expenses for a while, but they wouldn’t last forever.
After finishing our meal, I leaned back against the wall and closed my eyes, focusing on my magical energy.
The room fell into a quiet stillness, broken only by the faint sounds of Sacril gnawing on a bone.
I began to regulate my breathing, allowing my mind to center itself.
Magic was as much about control as it was about power. Without a firm grasp on my energy, even the simplest spells could become unstable.
I visualized my energy as a flowing river, steady and unyielding, moving through every fiber of my being. The sensation was calming, almost meditative.
I practiced gathering small amounts of energy in my palm, forming it into a faint, glowing orb before letting it dissipate.
Each time I repeated the exercise, I focused on refining my control, making the energy flow smoother and more precise. It wasn’t flashy, but it was necessary.
The limitations of my current location were apparent.
Blueberry Town wasn’t exactly a hub for magical study or spellcraft, but that didn’t mean I couldn’t improve my fundamentals.
In fact, I believed that mastering the basics was the key to unlocking greater power.
Hours passed as I continued my practice, alternating between manipulating small bursts of energy and maintaining a steady flow.
The progress was slow but steady, and I could feel my connection to the arcane arts growing stronger with each passing moment.
By the time I finally allowed myself to stop, the room was dimly lit by the setting sun. Sacril had curled up in a corner, his eyes half-closed as he watched me with quiet curiosity. I smiled at him, feeling a sense of gratitude for his unwavering companionship.
"Not a bad day," I said aloud, more to myself than to him.
"We earned some gold, had a good meal, and made some progress. The journey’s far from over, but at least we’re moving in the right direction."
Sacril let out a soft huff, as if in agreement, before resting his head on his paws.