Chapter 35

Chapter 35
Chapter 35: Never Mind The Heir, I’ll Focus On Healing

“Since I’m on my own now anyway, I might as well unwind.”

There was an abundance of activities to pursue inside this subterranean maze.

So… aside from casual angling, I mean tasks that can steadily build up my foundation in a wholesome manner.

First, mana conditioning.

The ambient mana within the labyrinth was far more concentrated than the private training grounds belonging to the Asteri Family.

This implied it was likely the most mana-dense region across the entire empire.

“It poses a bit too much risk to treat as a standard practice area.”

Any proper zone for training mana requires two specific conditions.

Initially, it needs a high volume of mana.

Secondly, that mana has to remain stable.

This specific location overflowed with energy, yet lacked any real stability.

Put simply, it resembled a turbulent ocean.

Should an ordinary spellcaster attempt to condition themselves here, they would face immense difficulty.

A momentary lapse in focus could easily cause them to get swept up by chaotic, raging currents of energy, leading to severe internal trauma.

However, Lion operated under different rules.

Acting as the rightful master of the maze, the surrounding mana behaved calmly solely around him. Even when powerful surges occurred, his personal mana circuit possessed remarkable capacity, reducing his injury risk to almost nothing.

Consequently, if he decided to push his limits here, he could accumulate a massive reserve of power before finally departing.

Yet…

“There is no real need for me to strain myself.”

Lion resolved to proceed entirely at his own leisure.

Even with advantageous opportunities surrounding him on all sides, trying to seize everything at once would only strain his capacity to the breaking point.

Furthermore, he held the freedom to enter and exit this labyrinth whenever he pleased, treating it as if it were his personal estate.

Another factor played a role as well.

This physical form.

Even if the sensation failed to register immediately, his body must have undergone a severe shock.

“This delicate frame even lost consciousness.”

His family held deep concerns above all else regarding his physical state.

“Older Brother, you must not push yourself under any circumstances.”

“My primary obligation is to look after my physical well-being.”

Prioritizing self-care for at least three consecutive days without overexertion or illness stood as his top objective.

Reaching into his storage pouch, Lion retrieved a specialized flask and cup outfitted with warming enchantments.

Drip, drip.

The steaming brew released a gentle, inviting aroma.

Slurp!

The warm liquid offered a comforting sensation, instantly heating his core.

“Indeed. Let us take things gently. Very gently.”

Fortunately, fishing was a skill he had practiced back in his previous life.

He had participated in it at an indoor angling parlor visited during a company team-building event!

He firmly kneaded the bait into a compact sphere, carefully threading it onto the hook to prevent it from dissolving, and then casually cast the bobber outward without exerting much muscle.

Strokes did not come easily at first.

Nevertheless, it was not as though he returned completely empty-handed.

Crucian Carp (★)

Minnow (★)

Although the fishing rod’s description claimed its durability had worn down past ninety percent, the tool suffered zero structural degradation.

“Splendid, as long as it holds together like this.”

At the very least, avoiding starvation seemed guaranteed.

As a short while ticked past…

Twitch!

The line attached to the rod stationed by the shoreline gave a peculiar tug.

“Oh.”

Could this instance be slightly different?

Lion gripped the handle of the rod and braced himself.

After a brief moment, the line pulled taut!

Gulp!

Lion swallowed hard, immediately reeling in while leaning his weight backward to counterbalance the tension.

This encounter differed entirely from any previous catch. The pulling force felt tremendous, indicating a considerably larger specimen.

Following a prolonged struggle against the creature’s resistance, the hazy silhouette of a plump fish finally breached the surface from the depths, thrashing wildly and generating heavy ripples across the water.

Then, with a sharp heave as he drew the line further inward…!

Labyrinth Carp (★★) secured!

* A unique carp species obtainable exclusively within the confines of the maze. Unlike standard varieties, it lacks small bones and carries no muddy scent, resulting in exceptional flavor.
* Completely non-toxic and free of parasites. Its scales maintain a soft texture as well! Ideal for physical restoration.
* Reaches the upper end of standard carp sizing!

Usage: Cooking, Alchemy

☞ Click to view recipe.

Flop, flop.

A creature measuring just under a meter in length had been successfully landed!

Within a space so compact it barely resembled a proper lake!

Lion stared in mild astonishment at the unexpected haul.

Above all else…

“The sensation, the tactile feedback is astonishing!”

The physical feedback bore no resemblance to reeling in smaller fry.

Did this explain why people ventured out onto open seas chasing the dream of landing colossal catches?

It felt as though the true appeal of angling, long forgotten, was finally returning to him.

“In truth, I never felt all that enthusiastic about it back then.”

Participation had never been voluntary, accompanied by a constant sense of pressure to secure a catch.

Every situation in those days was met with impatience, driven by the belief that he had to produce tangible results no matter the context.

Yet the current reality was entirely different.

He simply tossed his line, occupied a seat, and accepted whatever outcome followed—catching something if fortune allowed, or remaining unbothered if nothing bit.

By clearing his mind and focusing purely on the act of waiting, the enjoyment multiplied organically.

You have come to understand the true essence of angling and awakened a new talent!

New Talent: Fishing

Your proficiency has reached Apprentice Fishing Level 1.

Lion deposited the still-thrashing Labyrinth Carp straight into a bucket.

“This particular fish shall serve as our evening meal.”

Besides, didn’t the specimen he just hauled in possess high nutritional value alongside great flavor?

It suited his frail constitution perfectly.

“First, I must establish a proper cooking station.”

Lion immediately pulled various inventory items into the open, arranging a makeshift workstation.

Cups, dining utensils, a cutting board, alongside a compact storage rack and a woolen blanket.

“I originally packed these items just in case Rikschel caught a chill.”

Thanks to that foresight, he now had adequate bedding material.

“Ah, I ought to unpack the alchemy apparatus as well.”

Fortunately, wandering through the Mimir Forest had left his storage inventory well-stocked with daily necessities.

And…

“A complimentary bonus item.”

Lion drew out the extra gift acquired during his transaction at the Shilling Shop.

It turned out to be a simple flint starter.

Magic Flint

* Simplifies the process of generating an ignition source.
* Considered obsolete in modern times, yet situational utility remains.

“This makes starting a blaze straightforward enough.”

Stacking dry kindling he had previously set aside from his inventory, Lion constructed a small campfire pit.

Whoosh!

Fortunately, the flame caught hold rapidly.

As twilight descended, the fire provided a remarkably adequate source of illumination.

“With the current dry wood supply, maintaining a fire isn’t an immediate concern…”

Still, the pile would not last a full month.

Once morning arrived, he would need to chop additional timber or gather dry grass to expand his fuel reserves.

“I can address that concern tomorrow.”

Right now, appeasing his hunger took precedence, meaning preparation of the fish needed to begin.

Lifting the carp from the bucket, Lion positioned it across the wooden cutting board.

The dinner menu had been decided the exact second the fish was landed.

“In moments like this, a primitive roast remains unmatched.”

Every camper’s ultimate culinary dream!

Cooking the meat simply by threading it onto a skewer.

For reasons hard to explain, even identical cuts taste superior when roasted directly on a stick.

Holding the skewer while biting directly into the meat, or tearing off morsels piece by piece, added to the experience.

Lion began by slicing open the underside of the deceased carp, carefully extracting its internal organs.

Labyrinth Carp Innards

* Unsuitable for consumption, but functions as a premium alchemical reagent.
* The gallbladder specifically contains trace amounts of maze mana. Exercise caution to prevent material degradation.

Usage: Alchemy

☞ Click to view recipe.

“I will drop these into a pot for now.”

Transferring the internal organs into the alchemical vessel rather than discarding them caused the container to begin warming autonomously.

Lion poured in a measure of alchemical solution, returned to his workspace, and drove a long wooden skewer straight through the prepared fish.

However…

“Hmm.”

The initial setup looked slightly awkward.

For one, stability seemed questionable, and the thicker portions of the flesh clearly risked uneven cooking.

“In that case…”

Lion re-threaded the carp onto the skewer in a distinct zigzag formation.

This adjustment provided significantly greater structural stability.

“Just to be thorough, I shall add a second support point.”

Utilizing the identical technique, the arrangement appeared quite solid.

Lion promptly positioned the skewer close to the hearth with the fish’s head angled downward, dusting the surface evenly with salt.

This orientation allowed excess fats to render out while locking the natural juices inside, guaranteeing a crispy outer layer coupled with a moist interior.

Since the meal required slow roasting over an open fire, his only task remaining was to attend to minor chores and let the time pass comfortably.

“Phew.”

Standing up, Lion cleared a patch of ground to serve as a resting area.

Fortunately, a massive tree stood directly beside him, offering a convenient surface to lean against.

Factoring in the removal of protruding ground stones using a hoe, paired with laying out one blanket underneath and using the other as a cover…

“Not entirely unsatisfactory, would you agree?”

While it lacked the luxury of a plush bed or a heated bedchamber, the setup possessed an unexpected romantic appeal and comfort.

Furthermore, thanks to the impressive ceremonial robe set he wore, sensations of extreme cold, heat, or dampness remained entirely absent, preserving a pleasant atmosphere.

“Shall I test out the sleeping arrangement now?”

Lion stretched out comfortably.

Admittedly, it bore little resemblance to the soft, springy mattresses found within proper rooms.

Yet, considering he had started with virtually nothing, this level of wilderness camp setup felt genuinely remarkable.

“Control yourself; don’t get carried away.”

Even if the zone was safe, his stay would extend far beyond a day or two—he intended to spend a considerable duration here.

A full month.

Establishing a solid schedule now would make the latter half much smoother.

“Indeed. How often does one get an experience quite like this?”

Appreciating such romance required maintaining a level of diligence.

As Lion rose once more to finish organizing his campsite, the rich, savory scent of roasting fish drifted across the clearing.

The cooking process was clearly complete.

Stepping outside, Lion lifted the skewer from its resting position.

Grilled Labyrinth Carp (★)

* A roasted fish whose natural flavors were maximized through slow application of gentle heat. However, due to the primitive preparation method, overall culinary satisfaction remains limited.
* Consumption restores fullness alongside a modest probability of yielding a special acquisition…

※Caution※ Cannot be removed from the labyrinth boundaries.

“This marks the first time I have encountered such a restriction notice.”

Did this imply the delicacies born of the maze could only be savored within its walls?

The exact nature of the ‘special acquisition’ remained a mystery, though the outcome hardly sounded detrimental.

Besides, the low probability rate matched expectations.

Regardless, the visual presentation of the finished grilled carp appeared magnificent.

The exterior scales, likely crisped by the fish’s natural oils, turned a golden-brown reminiscent of fried foods, while the tender flesh exposed through the slightly parted belly looked exceptionally succulent.

Above all else…

The savory fragrance radiating from the grilled dish aggressively stimulated his appetite.

When one is full, such odors can prove mildly irritating, but during bouts of hunger, the scent drove a person nearly insane.

An intense craving arose to scoop up a massive portion of the flaky white flesh accompanied by white rice, topped with a crisp slice of red kimchi.

Naturally, neither rice nor kimchi was available at the moment, but skewered fare carried its own unique charm, making the omission acceptable.

“The description claimed it possessed few fine bones, though I remain somewhat skeptical.”

Normally, carp made poor choices for direct grilling due to a muddy aftertaste and an abundance of fine bones, yet this labyrinth variant seemingly operated under entirely different biology.

Well, a single bite would confirm the truth.

Without hesitation, Lion took a generous bite out of the grilled carp.

Crunch!

The skin yielded with a crisp snap akin to fried chicken, releasing a flood of juice-laden flesh that instantly filled his mouth.