Chapter 4: The Little Neighbor

Chapter 4 - 4: The Little Neighbor [First-time class mission completed — Bonus reward acquired] [Acquired random trait — Culinary Sage] [Gained 1000 points of general Basic Ability EXP] [Random skill proficiency level +1] [Received 3 Disciple Binding Slots] Without hesitation, Nanatsuki poured all the Basic Ability EXP he had just earned into Spiritual Pressure. He glanced at his status panel, which had undergone a few changes: [Basic Abilities: Spiritual Pressure Lv10, Swordsmanship Lv50, Kidō Lv20, Hakuda Lv10, Shunpo Lv20] [Trait: Culinary Sage] [Disciples: None (0/3)] His Spiritual Pressure had increased from level 5 to 10, and Blade Catch had leveled up as well—moving from Beginner to Proficient. Skill levels were divided into five tiers: Beginner, Proficient, Advanced, Mastered, and Supreme. A flood of cultivation memories filled Nanatsuki's mind, as if he had truly spent a period in deep training. Focusing his attention on the "Culinary Sage" trait, he immediately saw more details. [Culinary Sage: Your culinary skills have reached the Supreme tier. You instinctively know the best way to handle ingredients—and can even create dishes that glow!] Nanatsuki's cooking used to be average at best—he could make things edible. But now, with the Culinary Sage trait, maybe it was time to try cooking something more complex. Once the morning class ended, he could return home. Nanatsuki quickly sprang into action, eager to test the effect of this new trait and see just how far it could go. The Katori-ryu Dojo was located in West Rukongai District 6 – Fuwai District. The Rukongai's living conditions and public safety were reflected by its numbering—the lower the number, the better the environment. The Fuwai District was still considered to have decent food supply, safety, and environment. It had abundant greenery and forests, so many hunters lived in the area. Upon returning to Fuwai District, Nanatsuki made a stop at the nearby hunter's home. He was out of meat and needed to buy some first. Just behind the dojo was a vast stretch of forest. At the forest's edge lived a hunter who had been there long-term. Their households were essentially neighbors, and Nanatsuki often came here to buy wild game. As he approached the wooden cabin, the barking of a dog came from inside. He stepped up to the door and gave it a gentle knock. Knock knock knock— Moments later, Nanatsuki heard light footsteps behind the door. The wooden door cracked open just a sliver. "Lisa, it's me," Nanatsuki called out. Only after hearing his voice did the person inside fully open the door. Standing there was a black-haired girl with delicate, adorable features—she looked to be about eleven or twelve. But despite her seemingly harmless appearance, she was actually a hunter capable of venturing into the mountains alone. As she opened the door, a small Akita Inu rushed out from the house, curiously circling around Nanatsuki and occasionally sniffing at his pants. "Lisa, is this your dog?" Nanatsuki crouched down and gave the dog's head a good rub. "I found Fuku in the mountains," Lisa said as she scooped up the Akita, who was trying to bite Nanatsuki's pants, and hugged him close. "Pretty cute. Once he grows up, he might even help you hunt. I'm here to buy some meat—have you gone hunting recently?" Nanatsuki asked with a smile. "A few days ago I caught a wild boar, but most of the meat was sold to Granny Jiang. There's just a little left," Lisa said, putting Fuku down and heading inside. She tiptoed up to unhook some cured meat hanging above the fireplace. There was an izakaya (pub) near the dojo, and Granny Jiang, the owner, often bought wild game from Lisa as well. "You were going to eat those, right?" Nanatsuki scratched his head. The meat in Lisa's hand was clearly marinated and looked like it was going to be dried over the fire. "I'm heading up the mountain tomorrow—leaving a bit is enough." Lisa bit her lip. She didn't want Nanatsuki to leave empty-handed. "But there's no guarantee you'll catch anything. You should keep it for yourself as emergency rations. I'll come back after your next trip down the mountain," Nanatsuki said, waving his hand. The black-haired girl's full name was Yadōmaru Lisa. Though she hadn't yet donned glasses and looked nothing like the image Nanatsuki had in mind, he still remembered that name. This little neighbor had the potential to become Captain of Squad 8. Right now, she was still in a growth phase and needed plenty of food. Nanatsuki caught sight of a few pig intestines on the counter. An idea sparked—since he was testing the "Culinary Sage" trait, why not go big? "Lisa, are those pig intestines for sale?" Nanatsuki pointed to the counter. "Eh?" Lisa's mouth fell open slightly in surprise. "Those are... those are for cooking Fuku's food!" "Hey now, what kind of face is that? You make it sound like I'm about to eat literal crap." Nanatsuki pulled out his coin pouch and handed Lisa 200 kan. "My cooking skills have leveled up big time lately, and I want to try making a dish with these intestines. Just one piece is enough." "If you really want them, take them..." Lisa didn't take the money. "Fuku probably can't finish all of them anyway." She couldn't wrap her head around someone wanting to cook pig intestines. She had never eaten such a thing herself—after all, they were full of filthy, stinking stuff. In her heart, Lisa had already stamped Nanatsuki's dish as dark cuisine. "Take it." Nanatsuki pressed the money into her hand and gave a thumbs-up. "I'm a swordsmanship instructor at the Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy now. As a teacher, how could I just take your stuff for free?" The little girl lived on her own and couldn't always catch something on every hunting trip. Her meals were irregular at best, so Nanatsuki couldn't bring himself to take anything from her without payment. While he was at it, Nanatsuki checked Lisa's status panel. [Yadōmaru Lisa] [Talent: S] [Spiritual Pressure: Lv3] [Reputation Level: Friendly] [Status: Shocked (How are pig intestines edible?!)] As expected, her talent was exceptional. Nanatsuki mentally added her to his list of disciple candidates. He'd have to find a way to officially take her in later. "You became a teacher at Shin'o Academy?" Lisa looked him over in surprise. "So your swordsmanship is that good?" "Good enough to teach academy students." Nanatsuki smiled. "If little Lisa joins Shin'o in the future, you'll have to call me Instructor Katori." Lisa was still too young, and her Spiritual Pressure hadn't yet reached the level needed to pass the entrance exam. Nanatsuki took the pig intestine, now wrapped in oiled paper, and gave the Akita one last head rub before leaving. The little dog's beady eyes spun rapidly, staring at the intestine Nanatsuki carried. 'Hey! That's my food you're walking off with!'