Aetherios System [Slow Build OP MC, Isekai LitRPG/Cultivation] Chapter 151: Book 3: Chapter 7: Culture Swap

Read chapter 151 of Aetherios System [Slow Build OP MC, Isekai LitRPG/Cultivation] by TTReynolds on NovelPedia.

Book 3: Chapter 7: Culture Swap Book 3: Chapter 7: Culture Swap Evening settled over the forest like a borrowed, hand-made blanket; warm in a few places, and occasionally full of small biting insects. The trees loomed, and above the caravan camp, smoke curled lazily into the air. And, more importantly, there was meat. Thick strips of sizzling Stonehide Gnasher were skewered on spits, juices crackling over an open flame. What had once been a nine-foot living tank pig, was now being turned into what Lance had enthusiastically dubbed “ god-tier bacon .” It smelled amazing, a mix of earthy spice, gamey richness—and to Alex’s nose—contained the distinct aroma of victory. Apparently, once one got past the part where the meat was denser than a phonebook, and tougher than Kate’s last three relationships, it went down surprisingly nicely. The entire caravan was invited to join, merchant and mercenaries alike, and everyone enjoyed the meaty spoils. Within minutes, the entire camp had turned into a college camping trip, with people lazing about, playing music and passing around drink. Garret stood near the largest fire, his shirt half-unbuttoned, one foot on a log, gesturing dramatically with a stick of half-eaten meat like he was delivering a one-man theater performance. “I kid you not, its tusks were like tree trunks! ” he declared to a crowd of mostly unimpressed mercenaries, and a very interested Tom-Tom, who was now dual-wielding roasted skewers himself. Lance nodded solemnly. “I measured one. Thirty feet. At least.” Selka arched an eyebrow, “Are sure that wasn’t the tree it knocked over.” “Details!” Garret declared. “The point is, it died gloriously, and we are now eating the fruits of our bravery.” He raised his skewer in toast. “To glorious protein!” The mercenaries around the fire gave a scattered round cheers. Even Ghrukk gave a single, gravelly chuckle that sounded like someone dragging a dagger across loose stones. Then he went back to chewing through a rib bone like a dog. Doran, the resident dwarf warrior, sat apart, sharpening what might’ve once been a chisel but now looked suspiciously like a weapon he had disguised as a tool. Or possibly the other way around. Alex had to admit that it was hard to tell with dwarves. “Wasting perfectly good crafting time on pigs,” the dwarf said. Alex, somehow always being thrust into social experiments no one else would, sat down beside him. “So…” he began, “Dwarven forging. What’s the secret to getting enchantments to stick on such highly condensed alloys?” Doran glanced up, gave Alex a look like he’d just asked if rocks had feelings, and grunted. “Hammer hard. Don’t mess it up.” “…Right,” Alex said. “But what about layered rune-stamping? Like, do you—” “Stamp it. Layer it. Bang. Done.” “Okay, but how do you—” “Forge hot. Runes cold. Use a brush. Not goat-hair. Goat-hair catches fire.” There was a long pause between them. Alex nodded slowly. “You know, you’re exactly how I imagined dwarves would be. In a vaguely comforting way.” Doran grunted again. It was impossible to tell if it was agreement, annoyance, or just general dwarf noise. Alex suspected it was a versatile sound, like “meh,” but with more beard behind it. Either way, he understood he wouldn’t be getting much from the dwarf in the way of conversation. Perhaps Zach would have been a born a dwarf is he was from here and not earth? Henry as well. Thankfully, social rescue arrived in the form of Myrae. The half-elf glided in with the grace of someone who had grown up around elves and copied their natural grace. “Doran’s been grumpy since before the Stone Era,” she said cheerfully, taking a seat beside Alex and handing him a cup of something warm, and not immediately poisonous-smelling. Doran didn’t look up, still working on his chisel. “Stone Era was overrated. Everything was round and stupid.” Myrae winked at Alex and waved. “See? Best leave the grump to himself, come.” The two of them relocated to a quieter fire, away from the d