Thanks to some experimentation during the afternoon, I had learned a few new things about my Inventory skill; each one more fascinating than the last.
First, in true fantasy magic fashion, I discovered that time either doesn't flow inside the inventory or flows extremely slowly. The silvestre meat I'd stored nearly three days ago still looked and smelled as fresh as when I had processed it. That alone opened up all sorts of possibilities. Perishable goods? Not a problem. Traveling provisions? Practically immortal.
Secondly, I realized that items taken in and out retain their exact condition, but when stored in bulk, the system seems to "standardize" them. For instance, all the goblin bones, hides, and parts looked completely identical once retrieved. It was unnerving, like they'd been replaced with factory-made replicas. The idea that my mysterious power was capable of processing and normalizing organic material made me wonder what other strange things it could do.
Finally, and perhaps most reassuringly, I was nowhere near the storage limit. After just one day of mining, I had nearly a thousand stone blocks, hundreds of metal ores, and more miscellaneous items than I could count, yet there was no sign of slowing down. It felt limitless.
Armed with this knowledge, I'd made a quick trip to the market the day before we departed. The mayor had paid me four gold coins up front for this job, another four promised upon completion, so I decided to make good use of the advance. I visited the market and splurged on perishable goods I didn't think I could carry around before: milk, eggs, flour, herbs, and, best of all, cheese.
Those two ingredients, cheese and wheat flour, opened a door to one of my favorite foods from Earth: pizza.
It was a dish I rarely enjoyed in my old life. After my parents passed, I spent most of my money paying off their debts, living on instant noodles, rice, and the occasional street hotdog. Pizza was a luxury reserved for the rare occasions my construction company ordered takeout for overtime crews. The thought of having it again, here in another world, brought a strange comfort.
Outside, laughter echoed from the bath I had built earlier, a simple wooden tub large enough for three, fed by a small boiler. The girls had been ecstatic when I mentioned it, and judging by the giggling, they were still enjoying themselves.
I had provided a small basket of hygiene supplies too: soap made from ashes, animal fat, and crushed flowers. The smell reminded me of lavender from back on earth, so I had nothing to complain about.
When the door finally opened, Josey, Daisy, and Ria stepped into the cabin, wrapped in towels and glowing from the heat. Steam curled around them as they entered.
Josey and Daisy, ever the warriors, had the toned builds of athletes: strong but graceful, their movements measured even when relaxed. Josey's short auburn hair clung damply to her face, and Daisy's dark braid dripped over one shoulder. They looked at ease, trading smiles that hinted at mischief.
Ria, on the other hand, was… radiant. Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders, and her soft curves stood in contrast to the athletic frames of her companions. When she caught me glancing at her, her lips curved into a knowing grin.
"You know, Abel," she teased, "staring at a lady fresh from the bath is rather rude. What would Belle say if I told her?"
I managed a sheepish grin, scratching my cheek. "Belle would probably blame you for trying to tempt me."
The three burst into laughter, and the tension melted into good-natured teasing.
I took my bath quickly, and returned ready for dinner.
The flickering firelight reflected off the wooden walls, and the smell of fresh pizza filled the air. I retrieved a barrel of ale from my inventory, Belle's parting gift, and set it on the table with four mugs.
"Present from Belle," I said, pouring each of us a drink.
Daisy raised an eyebrow. "She really thinks of everything, doesn't she?"
"You've no idea," I replied with a smirk.
Then came the main course. I pulled the pizzas from the cooking station and set them down on the wooden table. Each one was golden brown, topped with melted cheese and a few toppings. Wild mushrooms, thin cuts of fowl, herbs, and even slices of tomato from the market.
"This," I said, gesturing proudly, "is called pizza. It's a food from my old world, baked bread topped with cheese and whatever you like. Go ahead, eat with your hands. It's part of the experience."
The girls hesitated for a moment, then took their slices. The reactions were instant and gratifying: eyes widening, smiles spreading.
"This is incredible!" Josey said, half through a mouthful. "You made this yourself?"
"Mm-hm," I said, sipping my ale. "Used to eat it back home sometimes. My cook station let's me make it here too."
"It's so soft and savory," Ria added, licking a bit of sauce from her finger. "I could get used to this kind of dinner after every quest."
We ate and talked late into the evening, sharing laughter and stories. The conversation eventually drifted toward my old world: what life was like there, how people lived, worked, and loved.
"So you're saying," Daisy asked, leaning forward, "that men and women are about equal in number? One to one?"
"That's right," I replied. "And most people usually have one partner. Relationships are pretty balanced that way."
Josey shook her head in disbelief. "That must make things… competitive."
I laughed. "Oh, it does. But it's also simpler. Here, it seems a little different."
Ria swirled her ale thoughtfully, then leaned a little closer. "In this world, men are rare and valued. It's common for a man to have multiple partners, wives or lovers, especially if he's strong, skilled, or… productive." Her eyes sparkled as she said that last word, clearly teasing.
I chuckled. "Yeah, Belle mentioned that too. Speaking of which, what exactly were you and Belle whispering about before I left for this trip? You two seemed rather conspiratorial."
Ria's expression softened. "Oh, that? Nothing sinister. I've known Belle for years, ever since I first arrived in the village. She's a good friend. The three of us: Josey, Daisy, and I, usually stop by her tavern after jobs."
"So she was giving you gossip, then?"
Ria giggled. "You could say that. She told me about you; how you've been helping around the village, crafting, and, well… about your nightly visits."
I coughed into my drink, earning a round of laughter from the others.
"She also said you tend to overwork yourself," Ria continued, her tone softening. "And she asked me to make sure you relax a little while we're out here. That's all."
"Well," I said, trying to regain my composure, "I appreciate her concern. Though I can't help but feel like there's more to this story."
"She basically gave me permission to ask you if you wanted to spend the night with me while we were here?"
"Well, I would be a coward of a man if I turned a beautiful girl like you away. But we aren't exactly alone right now."
She stood up and walked over to me, where I sat. She straddled me in the chair, her nightdress shirt riding up. She wrapped her arms around my neck. "That won't be an issue; those two are lovers and voyeurs. We discussed it in the bath, and they basically want to watch. What do you think?"