Chapter 148 I Guess We Can Have A Lunch Break Now.

The materials were too much for any of us to reasonably think of exhausting.

I realized this after rationally analyzing everything around me. Not only were the ores and liquid resources in surplus, but the Mana density here was also immensely high.

Ideas started sparking in my head and a plan slowly formed.

'Hehe, that could work...'

It was amazing how this place didn't even have a Boss Monster of any sort.

'Just a very rich deposit of resources. I could use these excellently well... for the sake of this City, of course.'

"What should we do now, Sir Legendary Dragon Slayer?" Zabdel approached me with a reverent tone.

Something about his greeting seemed to indicate a level of hypocrisy. Was he trying to send me a message? Was he trying to personally tell me not to think of hoarding any of the items to myself?

'What a shrewd man you are, Zabdel.' I grinned to myself.

As Vice Guildmaster of Dulum, he had to be successful at business and relations, considering the Guildmaster was always not around—now being a very classic example.

"I have a plan. But that involves all of these deposits remaining here. As for the other resources that are being mined above ground, we should check them out."

Looking at the vast underground space, it was enough to serve as a base of operations. Not only was it hidden, but it was big enough to contain several large constructs.

It was also overflowing with energy.

'Perfect!'

'My MP is being restored thanks to being here alone. Thank goodness. I was about to pop another Mana Recovery potion into my mouth...'

[Domination] took a lot of MP per second. It increased depending on how many monsters I had under my control.

Once my MP ran out, the effects would be dispelled. To reenact the effects, I would then need to use the Skill on the targets again... and that was just unreasonable.

To prevent that from happening, I had been taking in Mana Recovery Potions in private, ensuring that my MP.didnt deplete. I even used a few Skills at my disposal to boost and recover my MP.

All for the sake of not losing my grip.

However, there was a limit to everything. Sooner or later, they were going to consume everything.

"So, were returning to the surface?" Zabdel asked with curiousity.

I was certain he thought we would have to climb all fifty Floors to check our total spoils. Not on my watch, no.

'Who knows the amount of MP I would lose if I leave this place now?'

"There's no need for that. I have commanded them to proceed here once they are done with their mining. It should take a few more hours, but before they are here... there are a few things I want to try out."

Zabdel nodded and gulped.

His face seemed a bit pale, and despite the great concentration of energy surrounding us, he didn't seem all too good.

He wasn't the only one too.

'Ah, look at everyone's face. How could I have forgotten... they're still human, after all."

Everyone most likely hungry or tired. Even though I was the one doing most of the work, it didn't change the fact that they followed behind me.

Lucy and Zabdel were the only ones in Level 30 among them, and even they would be famished at this point.

'I've been too absorbed in my goals. That's terrible.'

"It's been quite some hours since we've begun our exploration. Why don't we have a lunch break?"

"I-is that really alright?"

"W-we're fine."

"Y-yeah. Let's do what we can to h-help."

Who were they kidding? The looks on their faces completely betrayed the message they were trying to pass across. If was almost too serious to be funny.

"No. I insist. It's important to obtain sustenance after exerting oneself. You have all accompanied me on this important mission... you deserve to eat now."

My tone sounded somewhat condescending, but I had no choice. If I made myself seem more authoritative, they wouldn't waste my time with more back-and-forths

'Just agree already!'

As expected, they all agreed to eat once I enforced it with my official statement.

I decided to handle the food supplies, considering I told everyone not to bring any with them. It would simply slow them down.

Utilizing Inventory, I brought what would serve as our lunch—rice and chicken.

'We cooked the rice from the harvest we just had. As for the chicken, I... bought it from Shop.'

The Adventurers with us—Zabdel, Asa, Liebert, and Bu—were surprised by the food I presented to them.

However, upon getting a whiff of the rice and well-grilled chicken, along with the sauce I added to the mix, they couldn't control themselves.

"T-this is..."

"I-I have never seen anything like this before."

"C-can we really...?!"

Their eyes sparkled with curiousity and unadulterated interest. Who was I to deny them of their meal, especially after they had endured so long without sustenance.

"Please... dig in."

And so they did. Tears fell from Liebert's eyes as he dug into the chicken. I saw as some tried to maintain some degree of civility while eating, but the tastiness of the meal—coupled with their hunger—made it difficult for then to maintain it.

Lucy, Sarah, and Byron were calmer when it came to enjoying their food. This wasn't the first time they were eating something like this, so their taste buds had acclimated.

Still, since they were famished, their speed was considerable.

'Haha...' I made sure to enjoy my meal, taking only a moderate portion.

'I'm not very hungry, so it's fine.'

Besides, I had to set an example to the people who looked up to me. The Legendary Dragon Slayer couldn't be seen as a glutton—no way!

'Besides, this is good. They're enjoying the meal. If they like what they're eating, it'll be perfect for advertising.'

Since I was planning on going into the merchant trade—focusing primarily on food—I needed people to get a taste of what I had to offer.

Besides, by increasing the supply of food resources, I could help people as a Hero. As long as I didn't overdo it, other merchants wouldn't be too affected.

'Once we're done eating, I should try out that thing...'