CHAPTER 75: CHAPTER 74: BISCUITS AND CHIPS

Kael stood by the side of the narrow dirt road, waiting as the final box was loaded into the second mini-truck. His Land Cruiser sat parked a few meters back—blocking the trucks from leaving, just as he’d expected. It was a one-lane road, after all, and there was no space to turn around with both trucks still in position.

"Alright, everything’s packed up," Eli called from the driver’s seat of the lead truck.

Kael gave him a nod. "Give me a second."

He walked back to his SUV, climbed in, and started the engine. He slowly reversed into a small clearing just off the road—one he had noticed earlier behind a patch of bushes. It wasn’t ideal, but it gave just enough room for the two trucks to squeeze past without scraping paint.

One by one, the trucks rolled past.

Eli leaned out the window as he passed, and Kael walked up to the driver’s side.

Kael handed him a thick stack of cash bound neatly with rubber bands.

"Forty thousand dollars. As promised," Kael said. Then he pulled out another, smaller bundle from his jacket pocket. "And this—another five thousand. For the furniture, and for the extra effort. You and your crew went above and beyond."

Eli blinked at the second bundle, then chuckled, accepting it with a firm nod. "You’re a strange one, Kael. Most folks would’ve argued over the price instead of tipping."

Kael shrugged. "I’m not most folks. And I pay well for things done right."

They shook hands—brief but firm.

"If you ever need more help," Eli said, tucking the money away, "just say the word."

Then he shifted gears and drove off, the two mini-trucks disappearing around the bend, their engines fading into the distance.

Kael let out a breath.

The house was finally done.

The structure no longer felt abandoned—it looked like someone truly lived there again.

Kael parked the SUV in front of the house, stepped out, and walked around to the old shed behind the garden.

He unlocked the door, stepped inside, and stared at the weapons cache tucked neatly into the far corner.

He opened one of the crates, scanned the contents, and slowly pulled out a single AK-47. It was heavier than he expected.

"Just in case," he muttered.

If things ever went sideways in the other world, this might save his life.

The weapon vanished as he stored it in his Dimensional Storage.

He then stepped out and closed the door.

Next, he went back to his car, opened the back of the Land Cruiser, and retrieved the box of malaria medicine. Those, too, disappeared into storage.

No time to waste.

With the preparations done, Kael entered his house.

Many parts of the house were empty. Since much of the furniture was old and unusable, it had been thrown away. However, some iron items still remained.

He locked the door and headed upstairs.

Here, he had asked Eli to prepare a room for him to stay in.

The room Eli had prepared was modest but clean. A single bed with fresh sheets, a plain desk, a ceiling fan overhead that spun with a faint hum, and sunlight filtering through newly hung curtains.

He kicked off his shoes and sat at the edge of the bed. His body felt leaden.

He’d slept in inns, and in the fantasy world’s harsh climate more times than he could count. But now—for the first time in weeks—he had a real mattress, clean sheets, and the soft, constant breeze of a fan.

"No need to suffer through a sweat-soaked nap anymore," he murmured, setting his alarm.

He needed rest. But more importantly, he needed to be awake and alert before evening. There was still a world to return to, and people depending on him.

Kael’s eyelids grew heavy, and within minutes, sleep claimed him.

A few hours later, the alarm buzzed.

Kael woke with a start. His body felt better—rested, lighter. He stood, stretched, and splashed cold water on his face in the bathroom downstairs. Then he made his way to the basement, locked the door behind him, and approached the mirror.

With a small motion, he activated the ring.

The portal shimmered open.

And Kael stepped through.

[Fantasy World – Ginip]

It was morning here.

Kael quickly changed—simple tunic, sturdy trousers, boots. Nothing flashy, just enough to blend in. From his storage, he pulled out the box of medicine and packed it neatly into a cloth satchel.

As he descended the stairs, he spotted a familiar figure.

Officer Marrek sat at a side table near the wall, sipping from a steaming clay cup.

The Tigerman glanced up, ears twitching. "You slept long."

Kael rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish smile. "Yeah... overslept a little."

He glanced around. The shop was quiet. Seris was cleaning out some shelves.

Kael turned back to Marrek. "So, why are you here so early?"

Marrek set his cup down. "Mayor Lysandra is tied up with a delegation from Mangort. The usual headaches. She asked me to accompany you today."

Before Kael could reply, a voice chimed in from the back—Seris.

"He just woke up. Let him eat something first."

Kael turned toward her and lifted a hand. "Don’t worry."

He walked to one of the nearby shelves, picked up a packet of chocolate biscuits, tore it open, and popped one into his mouth.

"That’s enough for breakfast."

As he turned, he noticed Marrek watching with curiosity.

Kael held the pack out. "Want one?"

Marrek hesitated, then took one carefully. He sniffed it, then bit into it.

His eyes widened. "This is... soft. Sweet. What’s the flavor? Cocoa?"

"Chocolate," Kael said. "A special recipe. From my home country."

Marrek stared at the biscuit like it was a sacred food. "Most biscuits here are dry. Hard. Yours are... like clouds. Sweet, edible clouds."

Kael chuckled. "I’ll take that as a compliment."

Marrek took another one. "I liked your chips too. The salty kind with the red flavor. What did you call them again?"

"Barbecue-flavored potato chips."

"Right. Those ones. My son kept stealing them," Marrek said with a low chuckle. "I brought two small bags home last day. By morning, both were gone." He held a biscuit between two claws. "I wanted to buy more... but I held back. These things—your chips, your biscuits—they’re not like anything we have here. It feels like food made for kings."

He didn’t mention the cost—not directly. A man of his standing—an officer of the town hall—could afford a few silver coins. But the way he spoke, the reverence in his tone, said enough. These snacks weren’t just tasty. To him, they were rare luxuries. Makes sense, though. Kael was selling chips here for two silver each. Two! For chips! And the best part —he couldn’t even complain about it.

Kael smiled faintly. "Glad your family enjoyed them."

He pulled a fresh bag of chips from the shelf and handed it over. "This one’s free. A little gift."

Marrek blinked. "Are you sure?"

"Of course. Consider it thanks for all your help."

The Tigerman took the bag like it was sacred. "One day," he said, a glint of hope in his amber eyes, "I want to visit your country. Just for the food."

Kael didn’t reply right away.

He just smiled and looked out the window.

"Maybe one day," he said softly.

Then they stepped outside, where a carriage was waiting for them.