Rudis rubbed her eyes in disbelief. This was the first time Iska had entered her house. No, it was the first time anyone had entered this house at all. Seeing the usually silent farm worker NPC standing inside her home was such an unfamiliar sight.

“…”

“Did you save me?”

“…”

She brightened momentarily thinking this might be some special event, but Iska, with his shaggy black hair and hat pulled low, didn’t answer her question.

Well, that figures. Iska was indeed just a worker NPC. The kind you typically can’t converse with. Just as Rudis was pouting and trying to get up—

“You collapsed in front of your house, so I brought you in.”

As Rudis moved, Iska, his hat pulled low, finally spoke.

“What…?”

His deep, resonant voice filled the room. Rudis’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Iska… Iska just spoke! And he said a complete sentence!

After never once successfully conversing with him, Iska suddenly spoke at length. Rudis stared at him with a dazed expression before hastily adding a response.

“Thank you.”

Iska merely nodded slightly and continued standing silently. Then suddenly, he spoke again.

“Would you like me to prepare a meal?”

“Huh?”

Rudis was momentarily speechless. His sudden appearance in her house was shocking enough, but she never imagined he would offer to cook for her. Her mind felt numb from these unexpected developments.

“Oh, no. I just…”

She was about to say she could just drink a recovery potion, but then realized this might be a good opportunity. This could be story progression, and choosing the wrong option might end it right here.

“Yes, please. The food ingredients are in the basement storage, but—ugh.”

When she tried to get up completely, a sharp pain shot through her waist. Rudis immediately curled up and groaned.

“Hngh… ugh.”

Every joint ached when she moved even slightly. Last night’s monster attack was part of the problem, but there was another reason for her waist pain.

‘I really need to take a potion…’

“While you’re at it, could you get a red potion from the blue storage—”

“…”

She waved her hand dismissively before finishing her request. Iska disliked potions. Besides, all of Noah’s potions were stored in identical bottles, requiring careful label checking. There were at least five or six different red potions alone. If she asked incorrectly, she might end up drinking growth fertilizer instead of a recovery potion.

“Never mind, let’s go together. Hngh.”

Rudis took two steps with a small groan, then stopped to catch her breath. Sweat trickled down her forehead, and just as she raised her hand to wipe away the cold sweat, her body was suddenly lifted into the air.

“You seem uncomfortable.”

Iska had picked her up. Rudis froze.

“Th-thank you.”

His eyes are blue. Meeting his gaze while being carried, she could see the eyes that had been hidden under his hat. His slanted eyes looked tired, with shadows beneath them.

“Where should I go?”

Iska asked while holding her. Of course, he wouldn’t know the layout of her house. Rudis thought she had made the right decision to go together.

“Turn the corner and you’ll see stairs. Go down those.”

Following Rudis’s directions, Iska descended the stairs with long strides. Even carrying her down the steep steps, he showed no signs of strain. Well, with muscles like his…

Even through his clothes, she could feel how firm his body was. Plus, Iska was truly large. When he held her, she fit completely in his embrace.

“It’s here, but…”

Reaching the basement, Rudis couldn’t continue. There were more than ten storage rooms lined up. All kinds of crops and items. Naturally, she had accumulated them, selling only when money was needed. She had collected everything meticulously in case something was needed for a quest, rather than having to farm, hunt, or gather anew.

There was a limit to how much money her wallet could hold anyway. So whenever she needed money, she would sell items that were abundant but wouldn’t spike in price due to trends.

As a result, there were too many storage rooms. And they were all full. Rudis enjoyed checking her storages daily, so she knew exactly where everything was. But explaining that to someone else seemed nearly impossible. Especially when Iska didn’t even know what he needed.

Ah! That’s right!

Belatedly, she remembered she had food too. Rewards from quests or dishes she had made after obtaining recipes. Once placed in storage, they wouldn’t spoil, so she had collected them to give as gifts.

“I have some pre-made food in storage. Should we just eat that?”

“I’d like to cook for you.”

His voice was more determined than expected, and the idea of eating pre-made food vanished from her mind.

“Do you have a favorite food?”

“Anything is fine?”

His first question! She wanted to give a thoughtful answer, but nothing came to mind. Rudis hesitated before responding.

In truth, Rudis rarely ate food. She knew how to cook, but only did so when she obtained recipes or to fill her guidebook. She never really felt hungry, and when her stamina was low, she preferred eating low-value crops when poor or efficient potions when she could afford them.

Rudis was an extreme player who prioritized efficiency even in managing her stamina.

Actually, the food here generally tasted terrible. Just look at how they made jelly from Bahala. She didn’t have high expectations for Iska’s cooking either.

“Spring crops are in the yellow storage, summer crops in the blue one, and fall crops in the brown storage. Usually. Gathered items are in the green storage, but let me know if you can’t find something. I have pretty much everything. Oh, and things like flour and salt are in the kitchen.”

Since he worked on a farm, this explanation should be enough. After explaining, Rudis broke into a cold sweat.

“Could you put me down now? I need something too.”

She was still being carried. Treatment was urgent, regardless of cooking. It wasn’t just a stamina issue; something seemed seriously damaged.

“I’ll take you there. Where should we go?”

Rudis shook her head at Iska’s offer.

“I’m going to find a potion. I should go alone. Put me down.”

“Can you walk?”

“Yes.”

Only after repeated questioning did Iska finally set her down. With an awkward smile, Rudis entered the white storage. She had chosen the color thinking of Noah.

As soon as she entered, she found and drank a healing potion and a stamina potion. The moment the red and blue potions touched her throat, she let out a gasp of relief.

‘Noah is truly amazing. How does he make these?’

Rudis marveled as she clenched and unclenched her fist. The stinging pain had completely disappeared, and her body felt light, like she was reborn.

With a much more sprightly step, she came outside to find Iska waiting.

“Did you get everything?”

“Yes. Are you feeling better?”

“Yes. I’m completely fine now. Thank you for carrying me.”

“Ah…”

After this brief exchange, Rudis suddenly looked up at Iska standing nearby. His enormous height, broad shoulders, and wide-brimmed hat made it difficult to see his face. Even making eye contact was challenging.

While heading up to the first floor, she glanced at what Iska had gathered. A few mushrooms and common berries. Thankfully, there were no monster by-products. Rudis felt oddly relieved as she followed Iska to the kitchen.

While Iska prepared the meal, Rudis hovered nearby, carefully observing his actions. Cooking recipes were usually obtained as quest rewards, but watching someone cook could also teach you. Recipes learned this way weren’t recorded, but they could be confirmed in the cooking guidebook. Although she couldn’t get the actual recipe, it would be a waste not to collect it.

“Iska, why don’t you take off your hat?”

Rudis asked, finding it difficult to see properly with his large frame and wide-brimmed hat.

“…My face is hideously deformed.”

That can’t be true! Rudis was certain. Even with just his lower face visible, she could tell Iska was handsome. Even if he had a large scar across his face, it wouldn’t be hideous—it would be cool.

“It’s okay. Just take it off. Isn’t it uncomfortable?”

“I’m comfortable like this.”

“Alright, then…”

What could she do if he said he was comfortable? Pushing aside her disappointment, Rudis continued peering curiously.

But does he really know how to cook?

Iska did nothing more than tear up a few mushrooms and vegetables before putting them in a pot. He didn’t use any spices, and instead of cutting the ingredients with a knife, he tore or ripped them with his hands.

Is he making something weird too?!

The horror from the tavern came rushing back. She had suffered so much trying different foods there that it brought tears to her eyes.

“Now it just needs to boil.”

Fortunately, there was no bad smell. Still, Rudis kept glancing at the pot with suspicion until Iska pulled her away.

“You should rest now. I’ll go water the plants.”

“You should also—”

Rest. Rudis couldn’t finish her sentence.

“You… why is there…?”

Because red blood was flowing from Iska’s leg.