Chapter 266: A Low Growl.

Chapter 266: 266: A Low Growl.

They arrived back at the cave. Everyone had done their part, and everything was ready for preparation.

Ayra immediately got to work with the assistance of everyone there.

Following her instructions, they cut the meat into the right portions. Then they watched as Ayra seasoned the meat with what she had managed to gather.

"Is this safe?" one of them asked the same question.

Another immediately replied, "It’s from the female, so it’s definitely safe."

"Yes. The female knows everything."

Ayra instantly felt proud as she smirked and continued seasoning all the meat available.

"Paying attention?" Ayra asked as she worked. "I won’t always be there, so everyone should learn to at least do this. Okay?"

The warrior beastmen all nodded profusely like kindergarten children learning something fascinating.

Even Nyx and Commander Lynn leaned in, paying immense attention and taking note of everything she was saying.

And when she was done, she proceeded with frying the meat.

She meticulously placed the meat over the steel holder above the fire and positioned each piece properly so the flames could touch the right places.

As she worked, she continued giving them live lessons.

"I’ll do a couple, and you all will work on the rest," Ayra reminded them.

They nodded profusely again as they watched her fry the meat. She meticulously turned each piece from time to time, making sure every part was cooked at a moderate rate without burning it.

Soon, its smell filled the whole cave, a magnificent aroma spreading through the air and filling their nostrils as they all closed their eyes and sniffed deeply.

"As expected of the female. It already smells like beast heaven," one of them said.

"Exactly. With just a few ingredients, she was able to make it smell like this. Impressive!"

"I can’t wait to get home and try this! I’ve already learned how she does it."

"Me too, me too!"

The warrior beastmen sounded happy and excited as they spoke. Ayra couldn’t help but shake her head as she continued.

She had finished a couple more pieces when Commander Lynn spoke.

"You should get some rest now. I’ll take it from here. I’ve learned it."

"Me too," Nyx added.

Ayra nodded with a smile as she stepped aside and sat down, watching the two of them fry the meat.

She nodded with a satisfied smile as they managed the first piece and then the second.

"Good students indeed," she said as she tasted the one they had made.

"Tastes great." She smiled at them. "I guess frying meat is surely your calling. And definitely not porridge."

"..."

The two were left speechless.

---

Soon enough, enough meat was ready for everyone to eat. They all sat around the campfire, each person holding a massive portion of meat in their hands while taking satisfying bites.

"Mmm. So delicious. Now this is the real deal!"

"Exactly. It tastes so good I could eat this all day."

"Thanks, Ayra, for feeding us again tonight!"

They all bowed toward Ayra, smiling happily like satisfied little puppies.

Ayra smiled while also taking small bites. She had already eaten something before coming there, so she wasn’t too hungry.

"Don’t mention it. As long as everyone is happy."

She turned to Nyx. "You? Happy?"

"..."

Nyx flushed as he looked away.

"I’m okay..."

Ayra shook her head with a smile as she continued watching them eat. They all took huge bites like people who hadn’t eaten in ages. They clearly enjoyed the food, and seeing them so satisfied made her happy. ⅇ

But Ayra’s eyes eventually settled on Commander Lynn, and her expression grew worried.

She still hadn’t completed the task, and she had very limited time left.

[Ding!]

[Host has an hour and thirty minutes left to get the task done. (1 hour 30 minutes)]

Ayra blinked at the system with a sigh.

She had to kick off her plan now. She needed to start something that would make sure she completed the task before her time was up.

She really didn’t have much time left.

And so, Ayra sat there going through the plan in her head. She reviewed everything again, preparing to begin the execution.

After she finished reviewing it in her mind, Ayra was about to speak when they suddenly heard something else.

It sounded like a low groan coming from somewhere nearby.

Everyone immediately went quiet and looked around cautiously, all of them stopping mid-meal.

"What was that sound...?" one of the beastmen asked.

"Was that the sound of your stomach, maybe?" another asked the beastman sitting beside him.

The beastman shook his head. "That’s not the sound of my stomach at all..."

He was about to finish his words when the sound came again.

Louder this time.

It was clear that it wasn’t just some low groan, but the growl of something. A low, vicious growl that immediately made them think of a monster.

Immediately, everyone dropped the meat they were holding and got to their feet, alert. Their weapons were drawn and ready to strike as they surveyed the cave.

"Do you think it’s that monster...?" one asked.

"It could be..." another replied.

Ayra also got to her feet, staring toward the entrance. She was both pissed off and scared at the same time.

Just when she was about to execute her damn plan to get this task done, this monster had to show up now?!

She really didn’t have time for this at all!

Since when had cracking become so damn hard like this?!

Commander Lynn and Nyx instantly stepped close to Ayra, positioning themselves in front of her to protect her from any incoming threats. Everyone’s attention was fixed on the entrance of the cave, where the vicious sound was coming from.

"Protect the female by all means," Commander Lynn ordered firmly, his eyes fixed on the entrance.

Nyx said nothing.

He couldn’t help but grasp the feeling of the energy now circulating around the cave. It was becoming more and more pronounced.

And somehow, he found it familiar.

It didn’t take him long to realize that this was the same energy he had picked up outside while they were gathering ingredients earlier.

And most importantly...

It was the same energy he remembered from years ago.