"This is checkers. Each player gets the same number of pieces with one player using the black chips while the other uses red chips. Players take turns moving one chip forward at a time either straight forward, sideways, or diagonally towards their opponent's side of the board.

Players can skip their chip over the other player's chip and force their opponent to remove that chip from the board. If a player successfully moves a chip to the other side of the board they flip their chip over so it is crown side up.

Normal chips can't be moved backward, but the crown chips can be. When the opponent can't make any further moves due to having all their pieces removed from the board or blocked in so they can't move, you win."

Veronica explained to Elora and Eldrin. This was only one of the games they would be playing tonight. The two had shown a great deal of interest when she had first suggested they have a game night. Seraphina had also been invited, but had declined. Veronica had been slightly disappointed, but couldn't exactly blame the Elven woman. She was sure it must be hard to remain impartial, always maintaining the balance between dungeons and the outside world. So, she decided not to push the issue. It wasn't like she was desperate for friends anyway.

Veronica watched her two teenage guests as they played their first round against one another. It didn't seem very fair for her to participate when they had yet to learn what they were doing. She'd likely win most of the rounds and it would only discourage them from participating in the future. While she wasn't personally super into board games and card games, it was one of the only forms of entertainment she had in this world. There were no Korean dramas and romance novels for her to binge the way she used to.

As the tavern kitchen was already stocked with plenty of ingredients, it was easy enough to prepare a few dishes for them to enjoy while they played. Veronica didn't bother with any entrees, but she did put together some roasted sunflower seeds, BBQ roasted seaweed, apple slices with caramel, and a selection of the new fruit-flavored sodas. While she had been assured by Seraphina that it was normal in this world for even children to enjoy watered-down wine, she wasn't exactly eager to get a bunch of kids drunk.

"What flavor did you say this is again?"

Elora asked as she reached for another sheet of seaweed. She crunched down onto it before licking her lips, looking eagerly at her while she awaited the answer. Veronica shrugged as she replied

"It's nothing special, it's just barbeque flavored. It has savory seasonings like garlic and onion mixed with sweet ones like sugar. I based it around a Korean BBQ variation from my old world, it used to be my favorite. There were other good ones like wasabi flavor or the more classic sesame oil, but none of them were quite as tasty as my favorite."

It was a bit strange to be able to speak so openly about being from another world, but it was also nice that she didn't have to hide it. Eldrin reminded her of a fan with their favorite celebrity as he sat starry-eyed, captivated every time she talked about what life was like where she came from.

"What is wasabi?"

he asked as he moved forward his checker piece. Veronica hesitated as she replied

"You might have something similar here, but it's, basically, just a really spicy root. It can give you bad breath similar to how garlic or onion does. There's a similar root called horseradish, which was often used to make fake versions of wasabi flavors as well."

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As she had spent the last few weeks putting all of the shelf-stable ingredients into the tavern kitchen, both of the kids were familiar with what onions and garlic were. They tended to not ask too many questions about why she called things what she did, but she also pointed at what she was talking about to make it clear. Many of the more common ingredients tended to have the same names as she was used to, but she couldn't be sure which ones had different names in this world and which ones were the same. The kids never bothered to correct her either, which likely had to do with the respect people in this world had for Dungeon Masters. Within her dungeon, there was no higher power than herself, as far as they were concerned.

Veronica knew that not to be the case, though. If she didn't conform to the rules of this world then she would be punished by the dungeon core. Who was to say how many years she'd lose off of her life the next time she messed up on something seemingly arbitrary? Still, Veronica had never really been the sort to submit to authority without having a good reason to do so. It had always annoyed her parents that they couldn't just say "because I said so" and then expect her to do what they wanted. Only if they gave her a good, logical reason would she consider doing what they wanted, even as a child. Why the dungeon core thought trying to force her to do things with the threat of punishment would work indefinitely she wasn't sure, but she knew it wasn't a matter of if, but when she'd next end up getting into trouble.

"Do you want to take a turn, Lady Veronica?"

Elora asked, sounding extra polite. Whenever Seraphina said it, there was a clear undertone of mockery as if she was holding back from laughing. The kids were never like that. Shrugging, she replied

"I don't mind watching you two play for a while longer. I have some other games too, but it might be better to save them for another time. It'll be more fun for me to play when you get enough experience to present a proper challenge for me anyway."

That reminded her, shouldn't dungeons being challenging be considered a good thing? She understood Seraphina's point about not making things too deadly and not bending the rules. Making a 10-Units deep hole in the firewall challenge room and making the only safe path one that could potentially lead to third-degree burns was, perhaps, a step too far. However, what were the limits on what was considered fair? Would putting bullet ants on the first floor be considered taking things too far, even despite the system rewarding her with them? She didn't think anyone would die from them, but she couldn't be sure of much of anything without a more direct line of communication.

When it began to get later in the day, Veronica got up and went to prepare the kids a proper meal. Snacks were great and all, but they just wouldn't quite satisfy the way something more balanced would. Both the kids ate meat, so it was easy enough to throw together some boar burgers for them. It was even a good option while playing games since it could be held in one hand while you used the other to continue moving pieces across the board. As Eldrin ate much faster than Elora, Veronica decided to play the next round against him while she finished her food at her own pace.

"So, you said we're going to serve food like that at the tavern? The adventurers are so lucky! I wish you could have moved here sooner. It would have been so cool if we could have stayed in your inn and bought your food instead of having to save up enough for even the basics. I would have worked hard all day long to collect things from the forest for food like that!"

Eldrin enthusiastically exclaimed. Veronica grimaced as she replied

"I don't know that I would have chosen to come to this world if it could be avoided. However, if you really feel that way, maybe you can spread the word to others who are suffering through the same thing you used to. It can wait until you can better defend yourself, though. I don't want you dying out on the streets when I need your help here."

Even despite how cold she tended to be with her words, the children never seemed to take it personally. They always treated her like she was a cool aunt or a kind shop owner who lived next door. It didn't really match the reality of the situation, but Veronica didn't really care enough to correct them on it either. After a while of playing checkers, she sent them to their room to retire for the night. They'd have to get back to work tomorrow as there was still plenty of work to do.