[ Acquired a new skill: Winemaking Lv. 1 (75%) ]

  [ Acquired a new title: Homemade Alcoholic ]

  I woke up today to a couple of strange notification windows floating in front of my face. I welcome the one about the winemaking, but the title I tried my best to ignore it. My mood was low, not being able to eat meat for several days now—I had no more capacity to jest in my system.

  My craving for the meat of another living being actually pushed me on the verge of walking back from my decision to give the slimes the bitter, over-smoked meat as their feed and instead use the meat to satisfy myself—until I heard a splash in the well.

  At that moment, I remembered the fish inside the well. I first noticed them a couple of weeks ago as this strange, tiny fish that had appeared out of nowhere, and only today did I realize how big they had become. I wanted to clean them out immediately and eat them, but since there were only about six and I knew basically nothing about those fish, I figured I should learn about them first and maybe how to breed them.

  Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

  So, naturally, I went to the ancient library, and found this considerably old aquatic bestiary book titled “Fish—what do we know about them? How are they real? They live under the water, for goodness’ sake! An aquatic bestiary.”

  I know. I know that the title sounded sketchy, but according to the book, the fish is called Kanalele. It’s a magical breed of freshwater fish originated from the thick river-jungle of south-eastern part of the continent. Its distinctive features are its elongated body, vibrant coloration, and ability to survive in the harshest of environments. It can survive and perhaps even thrive in any environment as long as there’s water and fresh soil. It feeds on the nutrients in the soil, lays eggs that can withstand the lowest and highest of temperatures, and can grow as long as an adult’s arm. This species is—and I feel the need to repeat this—according to the book, the cockroach of the aquatic world.

  I really, really have some reservations about how the book phrases things, but since it also includes somewhat reasonable instructions on how to take care of fish, I gave it a pass.

  It was late by the time I finished reading the book, so I rested for the day, and decided to deal with the fish tomorrow.

  Today’s menu.

  Breakfast: A bowl of eternal soup 2.2. (NO MEAT)

  Lunch: A bowl of eternal soup 2.2 (NO MEAT) + a cup of cherry tomato juice.

  Dinner: A bowl of eternal soup 2.2. (NO MEAT, I REPEAT, NO MEAT)

  Reinforcing Tunnel Project: 1200 / 5900