Chapter 280 Hotpot.

Once everybody was settled, loaves of bread were soon shared among everyone, along with cans of sardines they had gotten from the supplies they had found inside the building.

Everyone sat down together, eating happily while drinking water to wash down their food. After everything they had gone through that day, even something as simple as bread and sardines felt like a satisfying meal.

Meanwhile, Darren was nowhere to be found among them.

He had been given another task, and that was to grab the hot pot ingredients which would be used to prepare dinner.

Just when the soldiers had finished eating, Darren finally made an entrance onto the fifth floor, pushing a wheelbarrow that contained everything needed for a perfect hot pot.

The wheelbarrow was the first thing to make an entrance, followed closely by Darren’s happy face.

Even though Ivy had the power to make everything she needed appear right in front of her, she still didn’t do such a thing. Instead, she had already made the ingredients and cooking tools arrive on another floor while Darren simply had to go over there and bring everything to her.

The survivors couldn’t help but turn their gazes toward Darren the moment he walked in with the wheelbarrow. It was filled to the brim with everything Ivy needed to prepare the hot pot....fresh ingredients, meat, fish, vegetables, seasonings, and all the other things required to make a proper meal.

"Huh? What’s that?" one of the soldiers asked, his brows furrowing in confusion as he stared at the wheelbarrow.

"Another round of food?" another soldier asked in disbelief. "We’re going to eat again?"

"Fuck! Is that meat?" someone suddenly exclaimed, his eyes widening as he pointed toward the contents of the wheelbarrow.

Murmurs from both the Fierce Hunter soldiers and the Diamond Base soldiers soon filled the air as they watched Darren carefully arrange everything in the circle they had formed by sitting together.

The moment the soldiers realized what was about to happen, their eyes practically lit up.

Hot pot.

They hadn’t expected to have anything this good, especially not while they were on a mission in such a dangerous environment.

Darren placed the portable cooking equipment in the middle of the group and began setting everything up with Ivy’s help.

Soon, the broth was placed over the heat.

As it began to boil, its sweet and spicy aroma slowly filled the air, spreading throughout the entire floor.

The effect was immediate.

Stomachs began to grumble.

One soldier instinctively placed a hand over his stomach as he swallowed hard, while another shifted closer, seemingly unable to resist the mouthwatering aroma.

Ivy proceeded by adding the meat cuts into the boiling broth, carefully placing the fish on another side before adding the vegetables and other ingredients.

The moment everything entered the pot, the aroma became even stronger.

"Oh my goodness!" a Diamond Base soldier exclaimed, staring at the pot in disbelief. "Just where did she get meat and fish from? I mean, we’re on a mission, after all."

He placed a hand over his stomach as it continued to grumble despite the fact that he had just finished eating bread and sardines.

Another soldier couldn’t help but laugh.

"What do you expect? She’s Captain Ivy from Hope Base. We’ve heard a lot about her base, so it’s normal to see her with meat and fish."

He swallowed hard, his gaze remaining fixed on the bubbling pot.

"Fierce Hunter Base is lucky for real."

"Fuck!" the first soldier muttered, licking his lips as the aroma reached him again. "I only want a bite. Just one."

"Not only you. I also want a bite."

Another soldier added, his spoon still resting between his lips while his gaze remained fixed on Ivy and Darren.

The sight was almost amusing.

These were hardened soldiers who had faced monsters without flinching, yet a pot of hot food had managed to completely capture their attention.

Ivy couldn’t help but shake her head with a light chuckle.

She continued stirring the broth, allowing the meat and fish to cook properly before finally raising her head to look at the soldiers.

"Do you all care for a bowl of hot pot?" Ivy finally asked.

The moment her words left her mouth, every soldier moved toward her immediately.

Bowls and spoons were raised into the air as they nodded their heads together in unison.

"Yes!"

"Of course!"

"Captain Ivy, please!"

"Give me some too!"

Their eagerness made Ivy laugh softly.

She couldn’t help but find their reactions amusing.

"Very well, then," Ivy finally replied.

She began collecting their bowls one after another and generously filling each one with hot pot.

She made sure every soldier received a large portion, adding enough meat, fish, and vegetables to make the meal satisfying.

The soldiers stared at their bowls with barely concealed excitement.

"Thank you, Captain Ivy!"

They chorused in unison, happiness written all over their faces.

Without wasting much time, they all began devouring their hot pot.

Some blew on the steaming food before eating, while others didn’t even bother waiting for it to cool down properly.

"It’s so good!"

"This is amazing!"

"Captain Ivy, can I have more meat?"

"Me too!"

"Give me another piece of fish, please!"

Soon, the once-orderly group had become filled with laughter and satisfied voices as the soldiers enjoyed the meal.

Even those who had initially been hesitant couldn’t stop themselves from asking for seconds.

Ivy simply smiled and continued serving them.

Seeing the soldiers eat happily after such a difficult day made her feel somewhat relieved.

Meanwhile, Justin sat far away from the group, his arms crossed over his chest as he continued to let out irritated scoffs.

His expression remained dark, and the happiness surrounding him seemed to make his mood even worse.

He didn’t say anything, but the anger written all over his face was obvious.

Soon, the soldiers were finally done eating.

Despite how tired they were, they made sure to wash all the dishes and clean the area before settling down for the night.

One by one, everyone retired to their sleeping spaces.

However, no one dared to sleep too deeply.

The fear that a monster could arrive at any moment remained firmly rooted in everyone’s hearts.

Even the slightest unfamiliar sound was enough to make some of them open their eyes and reach for their weapons.