At the edge of the lava zone, everyone found a rocky platform sheltered from the wind and lit a campfire.
Leib tied on an apron and stood before the corpse of the Lava Giant Lizard, his eyes burning with excitement as though he had seen a mountain of gold.
"A level 150 Heat Source Type monster..." His hands trembled. "Every inch of its flesh has been tempered by geothermal energy, and every part contains pure heat. To encounter ingredients like these even once in a lifetime is a blessing."
He drew his knife and began processing the giant lizard.
His first cut started at the neck and ran along the spine all the way to the tip of the tail. The moment the blade sliced through the lava scales, there was a sharp hiss, and the flesh inside was exposed.
The meat was deep red, with marbling like polished stone. Fat and lean meat were interwoven into perfect snowflake patterns. Most amazing of all, the surface of the meat glowed faintly, as if countless tiny sparks were hidden inside, flickering on and off.
"This meat..." Leib's voice trembled. "The snowflake marbling exceeds thirty percent, and it naturally emits thermal fluorescence... This is the best of the best!"
He cut off a piece of tenderloin. The cut surface was smooth and even, and the juices slowly trickled down it, reflecting a golden-red glow in the firelight like liquid amber.
"First, we'll make grilled lizard steaks."
Leib cut the tenderloin into thick slices three fingers wide and gently pounded them with the back of his knife to loosen the meat. Then he sprinkled on powder made from Rockspine Rat spines, chopped Wine God Mushroom, and dried Star Mushroom, before brushing on a layer of Queen Honey.
As the steaks marinated in the