In a wooden dish lay a golden-yellow pudding, the top caramelized to a perfect dark brown.
The pudding glistened under the firelight, its surface dotted with the perfect blend of sweet and bitter flavors. It was soaked in a sauce made from rum and wild berries, giving it a rich, almost intoxicating aroma. The smell itself could make a person weak in the knees, like walking into a pastry shop where the air was thick with sugar and butter.
Black Pudding Monster Flavored Pudding – ★1Made with the gelatin of the Black Pudding Monster, combined with eggs and milk to create a pudding with a chewy texture and a unique flavor. Temporarily increases jumping ability, allowing you to jump from higher places (small).
"Such a strange additional effect."
Yeats thought to himself, as he looked at the pudding with a smirk.
"Geralt would never fall to his death after eating this."
In Phantom Wings, there's a wind-based spell called Featherfall that reduces falling damage for multiple party members. According to the game settings, the snowy owl could learn this spell, but only if there was someone to teach it. If it had to figure it out on its own, it would depend on the individual magic pet's talent.
Yeats turned his head to look back.
Gray was squatting on the ground, watching the snowy owl eat with an expression that could only be described as "melted" by cuteness.
The snowy owl was clearly starving, finishing off the entire portion of petrified goat iron teppanyaki in one go. Its yellow eyes widened as if surprised by the deliciousness.
Yeats: ...
It might not know any magic yet, but it's definitely a foodie!
"Hey, you two, come take a look at the dessert I just made." Yeats waved at them.
Gray and Farkas approached, eyeing the pudding in his hand with solemn expressions.
"Who wants to try it first?" Yeats asked, glancing between them.
Gray shook her head furiously.
"Are you kidding me? No matter how pretty it looks, it's made from that black gooey slime."
Just thinking about it made her stomach churn!
"Master, if you insist on trying it, let me taste it for you first!" Farkas said, his eyes full of determination.
"You… forget it, I'll do it myself," Yeats said with a helpless sigh, scooping up a spoonful of the black pudding and popping it into his mouth.
Gray gasped in shock. "You... you actually ate the Black Pudding Monster?!"
"Master, are you alright? The antidote is right here!" Farkas said, equally anxious.
Yeats ignored them both, savoring the pudding and savoring the unique flavor. He raised an eyebrow in pleasant surprise.
"I never expected the Black Pudding Monster pudding would taste like this."
"What kind of taste?" Gray asked, unable to resist.
Yeats smiled, flashing a set of white teeth, and handed her the next portion of pudding.
"You'll know when you try it yourself."
Gray wiped a bead of sweat from her forehead, holding the dish and swallowing hard.
Calm down, curiosity killed the cat...
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Elsewhere, Farkas trusted Yeats immensely. He took the pudding from Yeats's hands, his eyes full of faith, and scooped up a big bite of the black pudding.
"Oh?" Farkas froze. "This... tastes like this?"
"It must be the flavor given by the Black Pudding Monster," Yeats said. "Some people might not be able to stomach it, but others might really like it."
"I think it's really good. A delicious dessert," Farkas grinned.
Gray listened, her curiosity piqued.
Watching Yeats and Farkas chatting happily, Gray finally decided to join in.
She took a deep breath and nervously scooped a spoonful of the pudding, shaking slightly as she brought it to her mouth.
But just as the spoon was about an inch from her lips, the image of the Black Pudding Monster digesting the petrified goat iron teppanyaki flashed in her mind. Her face went pale.
Too late.
Before she could stop herself, her hand moved faster than her brain, and the flavor exploded on her taste buds. A slight saltiness combined with the sweetness of milk and eggs, creating an unexpected but delightful balance.
The richness of the milk melded with the tangy bite of the black goo, creating a decadent, velvety texture. The pudding felt almost alive as it glided across her tongue, like a warm hug for her taste buds. The creaminess was tempered by just enough saltiness to make it addictive, like eating a caramelized soufflé laced with umami. It was a taste that made her rethink everything she thought she knew about food.
Gray froze for a second.
Then she gasped, "This pudding… it's salty?"
Yeats nodded. "It's a method used in the Roland Palace, so it's called a savory pudding."
"How do I put it… It's strange, but I can't help but want another bite," Gray mumbled, holding the spoon in her mouth.
"Didn't someone say—" Yeats crossed his arms and teased, "That they'd never eat monster-made dishes again?"
"This... this is dessert, not exactly a dish," Gray said, her face flushed as she angrily shoved another large spoonful of pudding into her mouth.
Yeats smiled, arms crossed.
Her mouth is as stubborn as the petrified goat iron plate!
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Yeats had intentionally ignored the snowy owl earlier.
Now, however, he could feel a pair of eyes silently watching him.
He took the portion of pudding that was originally meant for the snowy owl and placed it in front of the bird.
"I know you want to try it too."
Yeats said, "Stay still. I'll let you out."
Of course, the snowy owl didn't understand what he was saying.
However, the snowy owl, being somewhat intelligent, had just enjoyed a meal of petrified goat iron teppanyaki.
Its hostility seemed to have lessened. It made no aggressive move, simply staring at Yeats as he placed the pudding in front of it.
Yeats gently held the owl's round head and carefully untangled the fishing net around its body. The owl initially struggled, but sensing that Yeats was trying to help, it gradually relaxed.
Yeats couldn't resist stroking its soft white feathers.
Wow… this feels amazing!
Freed, the snowy owl seemed a bit disoriented. It shook its neck and feathers, took a few steps on the ground, then paused to glance at Yeats.
Its yellow eyes glinted with sharpness.
Yeats thought for a moment and nodded.
Then, the snowy owl spread its wings and took off with a "flap!"
It had been so close to becoming Yeats's magic pet, but it flew away. Farkas looked a bit disappointed, turning to console him.
"Master, even hunters find it difficult to tame a magic pet. Don't be too upset," Farkas said, thumping a tree trunk, his face full of sadness. "Ah, there's no need to be upset!"
Yeats: ...
Who exactly is the one feeling upset here?
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To be honest, Yeats thought that taming a magic pet depended on fate and timing.
Looking at the flying snowy owl, he heard the sound of flapping wings growing louder from the darkness.
A small smile appeared on Yeats's lips.
Ah, so that's the game plan. The old bait-and-switch!
"Hey, it's actually coming back!" Gray exclaimed.
"My heavens, it really is!" Farkas said, his eyes shining with renewed hope.
The snowy owl flew in circles above the forest before finally returning, landing back on the ground near the dish of pudding.
It tilted its head left and right, inspecting the pudding carefully before tentatively pecking at it with its beak.
The owl froze for a second, then took another peck, its yellow eyes widening in realization.
"It must be saying, this flavor is... very unique," Gray said, trying to interpret the owl's actions.
Yeats was stunned. "You can speak animal language? Why didn't you tell me before?"
"It's not magic," Gray said, tapping her temple with a smug grin. "It's just my dragonborn intuition, translating by feel."
Yeats: ...
The snowy owl, after finishing its meal, simply stayed in the camp, perched on a nearby tree, watching the surroundings with vigilance, as if it were a proper sentinel.
Magic pet status: Confirmed!
Yeats thought to himself.
It's also an ice mage, perfect for keeping food fresh and chilled!
"By the way, Yeats, if you manage to tame the snowy owl, there's a huge benefit!" Gray said, excited.
"How so?"
"If we tame it, it can help us with night watch!" Gray beamed.
Yeats: "But the snowy owl is active during the day, not at night."
"Huh? It's an owl, right? Since when do owls work during the day?" Gray asked, confused.
"Snowy owls are the exception. They're active during the day and rest at night," Yeats explained.
"But look at it—it's so energetic, it doesn't seem like it's resting at all!" Gray pointed.
The snowy owl was standing alert in the night, its eyes as wide as saucers.
Yeats: ...
After a moment of silence, Yeats's tone became serious. "I know what it is."
"Oh?" Gray leaned in, eager to hear.
"The truth is simple—"
Yeats confidently said, "This snowy owl is a night owl."
"That's why it's sleepy during the day and active at night!"
Gray: ???