Magical Beast Meat X Hit Me X Satisfaction

More than a dozen fist-sized potatoes were piled in the bucket, their rough skins still smeared with dirt that had not been completely wiped off.

Beside it was a piece of magical beast meat wrapped in waxed paper. The dark red flesh had coarse, firm fibers, and a thin membrane of fat covered its surface.

Some of the potatoes and magical beast meat had already been washed and cut, then arranged on an old wooden board beside the iron bucket. A crude iron pot and a small jar of salt sat nearby.

Jiang Ye lit a fire, heated some water, and tossed the potatoes and chunks of meat into the pot to cook together.

Steam rose in rolling clouds of white beneath the dim light.

He squatted beside the pot, hugging his knees as he waited. His eyes stayed fixed on the bubbling broth, and his Adam's apple bobbed from time to time.

When the aroma drifted out of the pot, his stomach let out a distinct growl.

A meal of potatoes and magical beast meat counted as a luxury in Meteor City.

Magical beast meat was usually found only on the black market in Central City or on the tables of the major powers. Iron Wall must have called in quite a few favors to get it.

The merchants who traveled back and forth between Central City and District 13 occasionally brought some meat out to sell, but it was expensive and scarce, and several major gangs usually reserved it in advance.

He ladled himself a bowl and, not caring how hot it was, blew on it twice before stuffing it into his mouth.

The potatoes were soft and melted in his mouth, spreading the sweetness of starch across his tongue.

The magical beast meat had firm fibers, but remained tender even after being cooked through. When he chewed, the juices burst between his teeth, carrying a rich, savory aroma unlike that of an ordinary wild beast.

Even simply boiled with a little salt, it tasted so good that he nearly swallowed his tongue.

"So good."

Jiang Ye felt as though his tongue was about to melt.

Driven by hunger and the delicious food, he ate three whole bowls in a row before stopping.

Afterward, he sat against the wall with his hands resting on his stomach, closing his eyes as he felt the warmth spread from his stomach to his limbs.

The nutrients his body absorbed gradually soothed the lingering aches in his muscles. It was like rain soaking into parched, cracked earth, seeping through the surface and deeper below.

A question suddenly occurred to him.

How delicious would a meal made by a Gourmet Hunter be?

The thought flashed through his mind like a dream that seemed far too extravagant in Meteor City.

But Jiang Ye now had a special goal.

Once he was strong enough, he would definitely capture a Gourmet Hunter and have a friendly learning session.

With that thought, he stood up, gave the iron pot, bowl, and chopsticks a quick rinse, then lay down on the iron-framed bed.

A thin layer of old cotton batting covered the wooden bed, pressing uncomfortably against his lingering aches. But sleepiness soon overcame that discomfort, and his eyes closed of their own accord.

He slept as deeply as a stone sinking into a bog.

There were no dreams, no sudden awakenings, not even a single turn in his sleep.

His body quietly repaired itself, grew, and built up strength as he slept.

When the first ray of gray morning light shone through a gap in the shipping container and onto his face, Jiang Ye opened his eyes.

He sat up and rolled his shoulders.

His muscles still ached, but he could bear it.

"Not bad."

After murmuring to himself, Jiang Ye stood up and hopped twice on the spot. The old injury to his knee had not worsened, and the indentation on his lower leg had mostly faded.

That was undoubtedly a good sign.

He pulled on his clothes, pushed the door open, and headed for the clearing.

The morning wind rushed down his collar, making him shrink his neck against the cold, but he did not slow down.

When he reached the edge of the clearing, he saw a figure.

Bago was squatting beside a pile of scrap sheet metal, hugging his knees and waiting quietly.

The aura he gave off was like that of a lurking cheetah!

When he saw Jiang Ye approaching, Bago first raised his eyes above his knees. Only after confirming who it was did he stand and brush the dust from his backside.

"Boss."

He called out, his tone slightly hesitant and probing.

"You sent for me?"

Jiang Ye did not answer.

He walked to the edge of the clearing, bent down, and picked up a stick as long as his arm. After testing its weight, he tossed it to Bago.

Bago caught it instinctively. He looked down at the stick in his hand, then back up at Jiang Ye, his brows knitting involuntarily.

"What's this...?"

Jiang Ye picked up another stick, held it in his hand, and tilted his head toward Bago.

"Hit me."

Bago's brows drew together even more tightly, his face full of bewilderment.

Could the boss have some kind of kink?!

"Boss, you want me to attack you?"

His hand remained still, clenched around the stick. His heart involuntarily began to beat faster, and his first reaction was resistance.

Jiang Ye could see the expression on his face.

Confusion, incomprehension, and a hint of offended annoyance.

In Meteor City, a subordinate attacking the boss was a capital offense. Even if it was only for show, no one dared cross that line.

Bago was certainly wild, but that did not mean he had no brains.

Jiang Ye offered no explanation.

He merely took a step forward and spoke.

"This is your only chance to attack your boss legitimately."

He raised the stick in his hand and looked Bago in the eyes.

"Are you sure you want to waste it?"

Bago pressed his lips together, his Adam's apple bobbing once as he hesitated.

But Jiang Ye gave him no more time to think.

The next second, the stick chopped down with a rush of wind.

Jiang Ye's strike was not fast, but it was extremely accurate.

He aimed for Bago's right shoulder. The angle was not particularly tricky for a stick spar, but it was enough to leave his opponent no time to think, forcing him to react on instinct.

Watching the attack come at him, Bago's shoulder moved instinctively.

He turned sideways and held his stick across to block. The two sticks collided with a muffled thud.

The shock traveling back through the stick made Bago's arm pause slightly.

He had used half his strength to block, but Jiang Ye's strike had been considerably stronger than an ordinary twelve-year-old's should have been.

Bago glanced down at Jiang Ye's fingers, which were gripping the stick tightly.

Then he looked into Jiang Ye's eyes and saw a single word.

Keep going!

At that, Bago's mouth twitched.

He was now completely certain Jiang Ye was not joking!

Realizing this, he twisted his wrist, sliding his stick along Jiang Ye's and using the twisting force to deflect its tip.

The next second, he pressed forward a step and flicked his stick upward, sweeping it toward Jiang Ye's ribs.

The angle was tricky.

It was neither a forehand chop nor a straight thrust, but an upward diagonal cut from the side, like a beast choosing to attack a vulnerable opening rather than head-on.

Jiang Ye's pupils contracted at the attack. He saw the stick's trajectory and had already judged where it would land. He needed to turn sideways, step back half a pace, and block with the end of his stick.

But his body could not keep up; it failed to react at all.

His knees seemed nailed in place, his shoulders turned a beat too slowly, and his arm came up an inch short.

Bang!

The stick swept squarely into his ribs.

Jiang Ye was lifted off his feet as though an iron bar had pried him up from the side. His body swung halfway around in the air before he landed heavily on the gravel.

The side of his face scraped across the rough ground, and gravel dug into the skin below his cheekbone, leaving a stinging pain.

The stick flew from his hand and rolled two meters away, clattering against a piece of scrap metal.

The sudden outcome stunned Bago for a moment, his stick stopping in midair.

He looked down at Jiang Ye on the ground, his chest rising and falling more rapidly.

He dropped his stick, took two steps forward, and crouched down, reaching out to help him up.

"Boss, you..."

"Stop."

Jiang Ye's voice came up from the gravel, carrying an unmistakable command.

He braced his hands on the ground and pushed himself up. Fine grit clung to the side of his face beside a shallow scrape, and a trace of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

He raised a hand and wiped the corner of his mouth with his thumb. After glancing down at the dark red on it, he bent over and picked up the stick that had rolled beside the sheet metal.

"Good."

Jiang Ye raised his head and looked at Bago, the corner of his mouth curving slightly.

Seeing that smile, Bago recognized what it meant.

Satisfaction!

"That's exactly the effect I wanted."

Jiang Ye tightened his grip on the stick again and tipped his chin toward Bago.

"Pick it up."

Bago's Adam's apple bobbed.

He did not bend down immediately. Instead, he watched Jiang Ye for a moment, only bending down to pick up the stick after confirming there was no intention of backing down in his gaze.

"Remember."

Jiang Ye's voice came from across from him, slightly hoarse.

"As long as the fight isn't over,"

"you're not allowed to stop."