"What are you doing?"

Moen was staring blankly at the glass of water when suddenly Aluka's voice came from behind.

Startled, Moen nearly slapped the glass right into Aluka's face but thankfully held back just in time.

"What's wrong?" Aluka asked curiously.

"Nothing, it's just... you walk so quietly that you startled me."

"Ah, I see," Aluka laughed. "Well, I had no choice. If I dragged my feet while walking at home, I'd get scolded for sure."

"Same here." Moen nodded. "It feels like families all over the world are so concerned about this, like not smacking your lips when eating, or similar stuff."

"Exactly."

Aluka shrugged, then turned back toward the kitchen.

Before long, she returned, carrying a large tray with a roasted whole lamb in her arms with some effort.

"Roast lamb is ready!"

"So fast?" Moen quickly stood up to help. "Has it even been an hour? Can it be cooked thoroughly in that time?"

"It was already cooked." Aluka winked playfully. "Before I went out, I left the lamb in the oven on low heat. All I had to do when I returned was sprinkle some spices. The waiting was... actually just so you'd be hungrier."

"That's so mean!"

"Haha, I'm kidding. The spices do need some time to infuse the flavor, or else the taste wouldn't sink in."

Aluka handed Moen a knife and fork. "Go ahead, help yourself. Don't expect me to do the slicing for you."

"Thanks."

Moen accepted the utensils and was about to cut into the lamb when he suddenly froze, as if remembering something. His gaze turned sharply toward Aluka.

"Um, you eat first."

"Hmm?"

Aluka frowned slightly. "Do you think I poisoned it?"

"No, no!" Moen waved his hands vigorously and smiled awkwardly. "I just thought... well, I'm crashing at your house, eating and drinking your food, and you've worked so hard to prepare this. If I didn't let you taste the meal first, wouldn’t that make me a bad guest?"

"Is that so?"

Aluka stared at Moen for a long moment, then raised an eyebrow and smiled. "Alright, I'll assume that's what you meant."

She picked up the silver knife and deftly sliced off a piece of the lamb's roasted, crispy skin. Bringing it to her lips, she took a bite.

The crunch of her teeth meeting the crispy skin sent an enticing sound into the air. Just hearing it made Moen's mouth water.

"Then I won't hold back!"

Unable to wait any longer, Moen lunged forward with his knife and fork, showcasing his Level 5 knife combat skills as he carved into the lamb.

The tender meat melted in his mouth; the rich aroma of the spices filled his senses. There wasn’t even a hint of gaminess—just pure goodness rivaling the gourmet meals served in a duke's estate.

"How is it?"

"So delicious!"

With his cheeks puffed up like a chipmunk mid-feast, Moen gave her a hearty thumbs-up.

"Glad to hear it."

Aluka smiled softly. But after her first bite, she didn’t rush to take another. Instead, she carefully used her silver knife to slice the lamb into thin, delicate pieces, arranging them neatly on her plate.

Is she preparing this for her husband?

The thought came to Moen naturally, and he couldn't help but sigh at the affection of this newlywed couple.

Then, thinking of how he himself had nowhere to return to and was being hunted down by a psychopath, an overwhelming sadness welled up within him. He could only turn his grief into appetite, burying his face back into the feast.

---

"Woof!"

In the midst of indulging himself, Moen suddenly heard a bark. Startled, he instinctively looked in the direction the sound came from.

Huh? It seemed to come from one of the rooms?

"That's my dog," Aluka explained. "Normally, he’s very well-behaved. If he’s barking, he’s probably hungry."

"You have a dog?" Moen's eyes lit up.

"Can I see it? I really love dogs."

In his previous life, Moen had always wanted a golden retriever. Sadly, circumstances had never allowed it. He’d had to settle for stroking dogs in pet shops just to amuse himself.

Now, faced with a chance to interact with one, how could he miss it?

"Sorry, no," Aluka refused decisively. "My dog is very shy around strangers. Otherwise, he wouldn’t keep hiding in his room."

"Oh, I see."

Moen sighed in disappointment. "Well, whatever."

It seemed like he’d never have the fortune to own a pet. Though, oddly enough, people seemed keen on trying to make *him* their pet.

And that was deeply troubling.

"Take your time eating. I’m going to feed my dog some food," Aluka said, carrying the neatly sliced lamb pieces on a plate. Humming a little tune, she walked down the hallway, stopping at the door at the far end. She pushed it open.

"Woof, woof, woof!"

"Good doggie, here you go. I brought your food."

"Woof... woof..."

As Aluka gently shut the door, the barking grew softer, though Moen could still discern a hint of... excitement?

"Looks like Aluka has a great bond with her dog."

He couldn't help but feel envious. Letting out a sigh, Moen returned his attention to the roasted lamb, launching into round two of devouring.

---

"Huh?"

Halfway through his meal, Moen froze, eyes wide with shock.

"Wait, all that carefully sliced lamb... was for the dog?!"

---

"Ah, I'm stuffed."

After finishing nearly half the lamb, Moen leaned back in his chair, patting his round belly. A wave of pure satisfaction washed over him.

What could be better than eating to your heart’s content after a whole day of hunger?

"I feel like I could die happy right now."

"You’re full now?"

Aluka emerged from the room carrying an empty plate.

"You look exhausted. Want to take a nap? The guest room is open."

"Wait, are you sure?" Moen hesitated. "I’ve already crashed here for food and drinks. Adding a place to sleep seems a bit much..."

"Think about it this way," Aluka said with a smile. "You’ve already taken food and drink. What’s a bed on top of that?"

"True."

Moen nodded, not standing on ceremony. "In that case, I’ll impose on you a little more."

"No problem. First room on your left," Aluka replied.

"Thanks."

The guest room wasn’t particularly well-prepared; the bedding was simple, and there were no blankets.

But for Moen, it was more than enough.

As soon as his head hit the pillow, the exhaustion of the past few days came crashing down like a tidal wave.

He drifted off into a deep sleep almost instantly.

Outside, the moon hung high in the sky, its silvery glow bathing the world in quiet light.

Everything was peaceful and serene.

---

"I love you."

---

"Uh-oh!"

In the dead of night, Moen's eyes shot open, his face etched with alarm, as if a calamity had just struck.

"I need to use the bathroom."

Overeating was coming back to haunt him.

"I knew overindulging was a bad idea!"

Moving cautiously, so as not to disturb anyone, Moen got out of bed and tiptoed to the hallway.

"Damn! I forgot to ask where the bathroom is."

"At this hour... Aluka’s probably asleep. Waking her up for such an awkward situation seems rude."

Standing at the end of the corridor, Moen found himself staring at three unfamiliar doors.

"Three choices. Pretty decent odds, right?"

His hand reached for the doorknob of the room on the far right. Slowly, gently, he twisted it open, creating a small gap.

"Woof."

A bark escaped from the room.

"This is..."

Moen paused, slightly stunned.

It seemed to be the room where Aluka kept her dog.

"Not the bathroom."

With a sigh of disappointment, Moen prepared to close the door quietly.

"Wait."

Suddenly, a spark lit up his eyes.

"Since I’m already here... maybe I could sneak a peek?"

He really did adore dogs.

Just one little peek wouldn’t hurt, right?

Thinking this, Moen crouched down, carefully lowering himself until his eye aligned with the narrow door gap.