Chapter 126: Too Extravagant

To this day, Sierra Sullivan still hadn’t eaten Exotic Beast Meat.

She had a massive stockpile of meat—everything from chicken, duck, and fish to beef and lamb.

Even though she, Jayce, and Candice Tate all had voracious appetites, they had enough meat to last them for decades—even into their next lives.

As someone who wasn’t short on meat, Sierra Sullivan had no intention of trying Exotic Beast Meat.

She knew many survivors had eaten it, and that it wouldn’t cause any physical harm, but the psychological hurdle was still difficult to overcome.

Looking at the nearly colorless stew in the massive pot, filled with large chunks of Exotic Beast Meat, Sierra truly felt her appetite vanish.

Forget eating it; she didn’t even want to look.

Looking at it for too long would inevitably bring back memories of slaying the Aberrant Beasts just moments ago.

The gory scene of blood and flying flesh was utterly nauseating.

It wasn’t just Sierra; Jayce was equally uninterested.

Of course, it wasn’t that Jayce couldn’t eat it. He just saw no reason to, and more importantly, he didn’t want to make Sierra uncomfortable by doing so.

The pair took one look and averted their eyes, but Trevor Thorne called out cheerfully, "We might not have much else, but there’s plenty of Exotic Beast Meat to go around. Dig in!"

General Aldridge shook his head. "Like we said, we didn’t come here to freeload. Things aren’t easy for you all, so you should keep this for yourselves. We won’t be eating; we brought our own food."

Trevor Thorne heard General Aldridge’s words but paid them no mind.

"How much food could you possibly have brought? With so many people, you’re not going anywhere anytime soon. You should save what you brought for snacks. You still need to eat a proper meal."

Nathan Thorne chimed in with a smirk. "My dad’s right. An army marches on its stomach. In times like these, there’s no need to put up a front. Otherwise, you’re just suffering for the sake of pride, aren’t you? And even if you eat a bit more, we won’t complain... considering you’re here to help us, after all."

The words were one thing, but who couldn’t understand the meaning behind them?

It was blatant, backhanded mockery.

Sierra already thought Nathan Thorne had a few screws loose, but she hadn’t wanted to pick a fight with him. After all, they were here to help, so there was no need to make the situation hostile.

But now it seemed some people had no sense of shame, let alone a brain.

Since Nathan Thorne was practically begging for trouble, there was no reason to spare his pride.

Sierra simply pulled a full set of cooking equipment from her storage space—pots, pans, bowls, a gas canister, all sorts of seasonings, and even various vacuum-sealed meats.

On top of that, she brought out piles of fresh fruits and vegetables, along with rice and flour.

General Aldridge burst out laughing at the sight. "Well, kid, you really came prepared. And what a coincidence—I happen to have a dozen master chefs with me. They used to cook for the whole company, and their skills are top-notch. They’re fast, they’re good, and today, you’ll get to taste their work!"

Sierra beamed. "Then I can’t wait for the feast!"

General Aldridge waved his hand magnanimously. "You just wait to eat. Leave the rest to us."

As General Aldridge finished speaking, a dozen burly men stepped forward.

In their hands, the heavy pots and pans seemed to weigh nothing at all.

Without discussion or explicit orders, each man quickly found his role and got to work, moving as a well-oiled machine.

Watching their bustling, energetic work, Sierra was already looking forward to the meal.

Jayce was an excellent cook, and the precooked meals she had stockpiled were delicious.

But sometimes, nothing could beat the unforgettable taste of a steaming hot meal cooked in a large pot, served fresh.

Jayce stood up as well, addressing the master chefs. "If you need any vegetables that we don’t have out, just let me know. I can get them for you in a flash."

As he spoke, he opened his backpack and poured a small handful of seeds into his palm.

They were strawberry seeds.

In the blink of an eye, the seeds took root, sprouted, blossomed, and bore fruit. Bright red strawberries dangled among the newly formed leaves and vines.

Each strawberry was the size of Jayce’s fist.

There were so many that Jayce looked as if he were wearing an outfit made of strawberry vines.

Jayce walked forward, letting each of the master chefs pick a few strawberries as a small treat.

They were the ones doing all the cooking, after all! It was hard work!

Of course, they deserved a little reward first.

He didn’t just give them to the chefs; Jayce didn’t forget everyone else either.

By the time he made his way back, every single one of the hundred-plus people in their group was holding strawberries, happily munching away.

All of this happened over the course of several minutes—not an instant, but not a long time either.

The people from Dawnlight Base stood frozen in place as if under a spell, staring in utter disbelief at the scene before them.

If it weren’t for the dust still hanging in the air, the yellow sand swirling outside, and the desolate state of the room—all clear signs of the apocalypse—they would have mistaken this for some big corporation on a company retreat.

Bringing their own pots, pans, rice, flour, oil, meat, eggs, and vegetables was one thing. But to also have a Wood Ability User who could instantly grow strawberries as an appetizer for over a hundred people?

A Wood Element Ability was so rare and precious. Shouldn’t it be used to grow filling staple foods like potatoes and sweet potatoes?

How could it be wasted on growing something like strawberries!

It was simply too extravagant, too wasteful!

But those strawberries were so big and red... Everyone was eating with juice dripping down their chins, their lips stained a glossy, rosy color...

’I want one so badly!’

GULP!

It was impossible to tell who swallowed first.

But immediately after, everyone from Dawnlight Base began to gulp, their own mouths watering uncontrollably.

Nathan Thorne stared in disbelief, a complex mix of emotions churning within him.

’They’re just strawberries,’ he thought. ’Something I wouldn’t have given a second glance before.’

’But now... why do they look so delicious!’

The moment he realized what he was thinking, his conflicted feelings gave way to pure anger and resentment.

’These people are too much!’

’Are they here to help, or to show off?’

Consumed by his anger, Nathan Thorne never stopped to consider why things had turned out this way.

Of course, even if he had, he wouldn’t have considered himself at fault.

’It’s all their fault—Jayce, Sierra, and all of them!’

With a full set of tools and a team of veteran cooks making simple, hearty fare, the meal came together quickly.

Twenty minutes later, a rich, delicious aroma began to waft through the area.

Every person from Dawnlight Base had a mess tin in front of them, filled with the largely untouched stew from earlier.

They had always thought the stew was bland and tasteless, but to survive, they could always close their eyes and force it down.

But now, with the rich aroma wafting through the air, they couldn’t bring themselves to take a single bite.

’Compared to what those people are having,’ they thought, ’how is this any different from pig slop?’

’It’s impossible to choke this down!’

Trevor Thorne’s feelings were also a tangled mess, but he was in no position to say anything.

They had brought their own supplies. They could eat however they pleased. What right did he have to criticize them?