Everyone is Young Except for Me Chapter 223

Michael separated from Park Muyeol and was rapidly rising in the sky. Higher and higher—he overcame the resistance of the mighty wind and steadily rose up.

'It is really hard to separate like this.'

For the first time, Michael had felt a father's heart during the week-long hunt. Thus, he wanted to feel this happiness a bit longer, preferably as long as possible. It was even more so because he had never laughed so sincerely in his life.

However, if there was a separation, then there was also a meeting. Michael reflected on this experience and vowed to meet again. Just then, there was a fluttering sound and a shape fell from above. The speed was so fast that Michael thought it was an enemy.

Therefore, he fired several small sand blades. The blades flew away in an arc and took the shape of a half moon. It didn't take long for it to hit the target that was flying toward him. The sand engulfed the object, creating yellow dust. However, a huge wind made of light green magic flew through it. It was much superior in speed to the sand blades Michael had fired. There were also many more. It was more than Michael had thought

“......!”

The giant wind blade and dozens of small wind blades flew toward him. The amazed Michael spread out the sand wide enough to form a foothold and stepped on the sand to dodge. The blades of wind that failed to hit Michael exploded. There were loud explosions as Michael danced to escape them. However, there was still one left.

“This...”

The giant half-moon shaped wind blade rushed toward him and Michael created a huge fist of sand. Then he hurriedly extracted gold dust from his sand to create the dark brown Desert Calibur. At the same time, he grasped it and swung. Michael's Desert Calibur collided with the mighty wind coming from above and they fought ferociously, like two beasts facing each other, creating small sparks.

The power was so strong that the atmosphere burst, creating a huge explosion. Through the scattered dust, he saw a man passing by him. Michael was able to figure out his identity after a moment.

'Dark Wolf...?'

Why was he here? Michael wondered if he had seen incorrectly and hurriedly turned his head in the direction of the person. However, the person had already disappeared. He was stationary while the other person was in a state of acceleration while falling. It was natural for Michael to fail to hold him. It was due to this that...

“Why is he here...?”

Michael was more curious about why this person fell from the sky. He couldn't think of any reason. The even more amazing thing was his strength. Michael had felt his right hand trembling as he controlled the sand fist. A huge feast of wind pressure that squeezed and controlled the surrounding wind. The incredible wind movement that made it seem like all the wind was on his side made even the world's number one, Michael, tongue-tied.

“...Indeed, it is still too early to be relieved.”

There were many strong people rising from below him. For example, Park Muyeol, who he met previously, and Dark Wolf, who just passed by him. As a result, Michael felt even more competitive.

“How interesting. It will be a lot of fun this time.”

He wanted to show everyone that he was still standing at the top. He was born to do so. The world was meaningless if he wasn't first.

Michael smiled and started to fly back up in the sky. His mind was full of anticipation for this World Competition.

* * *

It was a flat plain where a lava lake was located. There, two elderly men exchanged stories. One person was standing up while the other was sitting with his legs crossed. The huge petals made of light green magic power seemed very contradictory with the surrounding environment. It was like a fairy resting on a volcano.

“Did he attack first?”

“Ah, of course. Cheeky guy.”

I was currently having a heated discussion with Park Muyeol about Michael striking first. As I fell down earlier, my super sensitivity allowed me to find out that it was Michael, but it was probably different for Michael.

“He must've mistaken you for a monster. He is kinder than you think.”

In fact, it wasn't that I never had this thought. No, Park Muyeol was probably right. Nevertheless, I was still angry. Thanks to him, I had to recharge the wind magic power. I ate the Anemone made by Punghee and focused on meditation. Punghee was a sacred creature of the wind. She didn't like hot places so she had gone back to the Ring World. Wind would raise a fire so it was inevitable based on the relationship between attributes.

I muttered, “Rude guy... I hadn't liked him since the last time we met.”

“Tsk tsk. You have a bad temper.

“It isn't like that. He was the one who treated me like that.”

I didn't understand why Michael's attitude when dealing with Dark Wolf the other day was so different compared to his attitude with Park Muyeol. What made him discriminate against people? 

[The wind magic power has been completely charged.]

[The maximum amount of wind magic power has slightly increased through Anemone.]

Along with this message, the six Anemone petals behind me all fell off and scattered into the wind. Only then was I able to get up.

Park Muyeol looked amazed and asked me, “What type of flower is that? It is the first time I've seen it.”

“Anemone.”

“Oh, Anemone... can I place some in the flower store?”

“......”

Why ask when he hadn't gone to the flower store?

“Come to Metheus. Additionally, this flower has no seeds so it can't be sold. It is made of magic power.”

Park Muyeol felt it was a pity and smacked his lips. Then I started to descend into the small, active volcano with him. Magma poured out of small craters, but I just walked casually on the lava as if I didn't care. I also tasted it. Park Muyeol saw it and he looked at me like I was a madman.

“I've never seen anyone eat lava before.”

“I want to cook with this.”

“Cook? Did you finally get dementia?”

I summoned Solar for the first time in a while. “Solar.”

“Hehe. Master has called!”

“Yes, let's cook.”

“Good!”

Solar settled under the naturally floating pot and I hesitated for a bit as I thought about calling Punghee.

“...It won't work.”

Even if I called her, she would return to the Ring World soon. I didn't want to call someone who didn't want to come out. I had to only cook with Solar now. Of course, this didn't mean it was impossible. There was obviously a method to cook lava among the sun recipes.

I pulled out Alexus' diary after a long time. I was careful not to let it burn in the hot heat. Then I found the verse about how to turn lava into a dish. There was a method to make edible lava. Just below, the list of dishes was listed.

-Lavflavored stir fry, lava flavored seafood soup, lava spaghetti, lava steak...

There were too many to count. Of course, it said steak, but this didn't mean it was real steak. If I used goblin meat then it would become 'lava goblin steak.'

“Are you hungry?”

“Cough.”

I could hear Park Muyeol's stomach making a growling sound. He coughed a couple of times. Then I sent him a party application.

[A party has been formed.]

I took a look at the party window and was quite surprised. “Oh, you've leveled up a lot?”

“I raised it a bit while you were lazy.”

“You are too rude.”

In any case, it was good for me that Park Muyeol had become stronger. It was because there was more manpower to protect Metheus. I would have to knight him. More than that...

“Now that we've formed a party, ingredients will drop. Go and hunt monsters.”

“What? Why aren't you going?”

“I have to cook. I have a production class. Shouldn't hunting be done by a combat class?”

“What is this nonsense?” Park Muyeol grumbled, but he ran and killed monsters faster than anyone else.

It started from the low level lava snail that crawled slowly while emitting lava from its mouth, to the lava fox that showed off six tails. The small lava golems were unfortunate because they couldn't be used as good ingredients. In any case, the various monsters around me aroused my desire to create food. By this time, the ingredient brought by Park Muyeol was piled up in front of me.

“I'm so tired. Feed me because I'm hungry. Don't even think about making it taste bad or I will hit you without hesitation.” 

His words made me laugh. He wouldn't be able to eat or sleep. It wasn't because the food wouldn't be delicious. It was because I intended to make delicious food that was spicy. I intended to feed Park Muyeol the hottest thing in the world. I had fire resistance and wouldn't burn, so I could eat it casually.

Huhu. It was fun just imagining Park Muyeol's sudden anger. The two of us often played pranks like this.

“Now, I will start.”

I started boiling the lava in the floating pot. Then I sprinkled some of the North Pole's snow that I bought in advance from the auction house. Currently, there were many users going in and out of the North Pole so all types of items were displayed and sold at the auction house. Funnily enough, some people scooped up snow from the North Pole and sold it. It was sold because it was so cold that it didn't easily melt. It was so ridiculous that no one bought it. However, I bought all of it. I was a chef and I needed it.

The lava came in contact with the cold North Pole snow and emitted hot steam. Then once it started to harden, I took it out and threw it to the ground. After doing so several times, only clear liquid lava with a low temperature remained. It was the so-called purified liquid lava. It was like the clear and transparent part of rice wine after removing the floating solids.

“Ah cha.”

I moved the pot skillfully, adjusted Solar's fire, and boiled the purified liquid lava to enhance the spiciness. I added salt and cut various vegetables. Then I cut the meat obtained by Park Muyeol into chunks. The snails were also delicious so I added a bit. Additionally, I added some spaghetti. After some time, the dish was made.

The name was 'Fox meat spaghetti with lava snails.'

It was my first time making it but a 'pure' rating came out. It was five stars and I couldn't help gulping when I saw it was better than I expected. It was the same for Park Muyeol.

“Give it to me. Oh, it's delicious. Huuuup.” 

Then Park Muyeol tasted regret for the first time.

Chapter end