Heath froze for a moment at the man's words, but he did not dwell on it. If they wanted his most expensive ingredient, that naturally meant his Lava Eels. But using Lava Eels to serve guests who had died...
Heath quietly redeemed two Lava Eels anyway. He planned to make Eel Rice for the three guests before him, a way of treating these guests who had unexpectedly departed this life. Heath remembered them discussing their futures when they had eaten here before, but their futures had stopped forever today. Even if the League offered compensation and their company provided financial assistance, they had still left this world in the end.
Two Lava Eels were nothing much.
"All right, just a moment." Heath put the Lava Eels in a basin to one side. They needed to be prepared separately, and the process took some time, but Heath had done it before, so it would not take him too long now. He soon finished preparing both Lava Eels. Once he drizzled on the kabayaki sauce, the fragrant Lava Eel Rice was ready. This was the most expensive food Heath had. Unless he could obtain Ore Rock Bugs and unlock a new Recipe, this would remain his only ingredient at that price for the foreseeable future.
Heath had also considered making Purple Crab, but Purple Crab was somewhat more delicate, and the portions were not large enough. Lava Eels were better: plenty of meat, very pleasant to eat, and great flavor.
"Everyone, here's your Lava Eel Rice." Heath brought the Lava Eel Rice over, one serving each, exactly three portions. The three men accepted them with smiles. They sat beside the man named A-Zhe, then asked Heath for three beers, one without foam and two with foam.
``` [You served demanding guests. You