“Remember, cut the meat according to the grain and as thin as possible.” Tosa watched Seb chop the skinned rabbit meat on a flat piece of wood. The slaver also just taught Seb to butcher the little animal.

I could have fast-forwarded the scenes because all that mattered was that Seb got the ability to make jerky. Players don’t need to know the process. However, I’m pretty fascinated by what happened. Seb looks like he’s really learning how to do that from Tosa. It all looks like real human interaction—some great details.

Well, except for the word ‘Cook’ with the plus sign above Seb’s head. Such a thing would not appear in the real world.

“If only there were broadleaf plants and fruit like berries, I could teach you to make pemmicans too.” Tosa said.

Seb, still allowed to wear his blue pants, continued to cut the actual meat that was only a little. “Pemmicans?”

“It’s a mixture of meat, animal fat, and fruit. In addition to not rotting quickly, it’s also nutritious because it’s not just meat like jerky.”

“Wow, I didn’t expect you guys to know about nutrition….” Seb grimaced. “Ah, I didn’t mean to offend your tribe.”

Tosa chuckled. “We have a tribe member who comes from one of those sky ships.

He was the one who told about the importance of nutrition. You could say she is a godsend for us. That woman taught us a lot.”

“Wow, she’s different from the clueless me.” Seb smiled widely. “If I may ask, what is the name of your tribe and how is life there?”

“Our tribe’s name is Redtooth.” Tosa sneered and shrugged. “You could say, our Tribe is peaceful, but that’s because our tribe leader is strict. If someone makes a mistake, the lightest punishment is doing some work, and the heaviest punishment is being tied to a tree.” The man looked at Leva. The woman who was still completely naked and tied to the tree lowered her head, making her hair cover her face. “And Leva….. Ah, what about the jerky?”

“Just a little more.”

Hey, why does your story stop there, asshole? I want to know more.

Tosa smiled. “After this, I’ll teach you to make pemmican, even if you can’t practice it directly.”

“Well, you’re a good person, Tosa. This jerky lesson is more than enough, really.”

Tosa’s smile widened. “You wonder why a slaver like me who trades humans can be good, right? Well, we really don’t want to do this. Leva is still a member of our Tribe. You could just say she’s gone too far.”

Huh, then how about that kicks and lashes? How about leaving a woman completely naked like that? You two don’t consider Leva part of your group anymore!

“Oh, it’s done.” Seb breathed a sigh of relief after cutting off the last piece of meat. “Then what about the innards? Are we throwing them away for wild animals to eat?”

“You can grill it in the fire, then eat it for later or tomorrow.” Tosa chuckled again when he saw Seb’s mouth gaping open. “You must be shocked at my words. You’re not used to eating innards, are you? You’re just like that woman in our Tribe.”

“Ugh, but in a state of survival like this, we have to make the most of what we have.” Seb scratched his hair.

[Communication is also crucial for diplomacy. Chats like this can increase the impression of other colonies. Characters who chat well with your colonists will tell stories with those in their colonists.]

I’m starting to get frustrated. As much as possible, I do not want the bloodshed to occur. There is a risk of death for my colonists, and I also hope that my colony’s relations with other Settlements will be good. But that means I have to let go of these two bastards. Not only that. My colonists must be kind to them.

***

The pieces of meat had been hung on a rack made of tree branches, then placed by the fire so that they could be exposed to the smoke.

The other characters have eaten and are now sleeping. Manu and Kat lay in the shelter while Tosa and Reha used their sleeping bags. Only Seb was still awake. He walked over to Leva, carrying one of the emergency food boxes and Kat’s water bottle.

“Hey, your name is Leva, right?” Seb asked the woman. “Here, eat it.”

Leva lifted her head, then squinted at the food box whose contents had only been partially eaten. “Huh, you didn’t eat it all the way through?”

“I’ve eaten the rabbit innards.” Seb grinned. “Well, I can’t say the intestines, liver and other organs are delicious, but at least I’m full now.”

You are the best, Seb. I tried those innards and immediately wanted to throw up.

“Hey, how about you let go of me now, big forehead?” Leva hissed.

“If I let you go, you’ll kill them in their sleep, right? Sorry, Miss. It could trigger conflict with their tribe. The tribe will wonder why they didn’t come home. They will search and eventually will check on us. ” Seb shrugged and started scooping rice from the food box. “And my name is Seb, not big forehead.”

“Okay, Seb. I’ll do anything for you, as long as….” Leva stopped her words as Seb put the food in her mouth.

“No.” Seb smiled again.

Leva raised an eyebrow. “This food is so delicious….”

“Is that so? My friend Manu said so too.”

“So can you let me go…..”

“Tomorrow I will let you go, after the two of them are far away.” Seb fed the girl again. “Forget about them. You’re already a part of us. I guarantee you, we won’t treat you like a slave.”

Leva snorted, then looked the other way. “If that’s what you meant to buy me, then I thank you. And thanks for the food too.”

Ah, at the very least, despite her violent temper, Leva was grateful, unlike someone in my colony.

“You’re welcome.” Seb wore a big smile, still feeding the naked woman.

I remembered something. They say I can’t always ask the colonists directly for information. How about I ask it through another colonist? I’m curious about Leva’s origins.

I whispered something into Seb’s ear.

Seb was silent for a moment. “So, what made you sold into slavery, Leva? Well, you don’t have to answer my question if you feel uncomfortable.”

“It’s okay.” Leva looked at Tosa and Reha, who were still asleep.. “But I’m not sure the story will be interesting.”