Chat group, become my wings!

"How about insecticide?" Kevin Cross suddenly suggested.

"Huh?"

"Think about it. Forget the earth dragons, but spiders are technically still insects, right? What if we used a high-grade insecticide? You think that would work on your mother, that giant spider?"

"Are you kidding me? We're magical beasts! Even if I look like a spider, I'm a magical beast, got it? Our venom is lethal with just a drop. And you think a bug spray is going to do something?" Kumoko rolled her many eyes in exasperation.

"Well then, I'm afraid I can't help you," Kevin said, even sending a dramatic emoji of regret.

"Hehe, actually, A-Kevin, if you really wanted to help me, there's still something you could do..." Kumoko let out a sheepish giggle.

"You want food again?" Kevin raised an eyebrow knowingly.

"Of course I do! I mean, delicious food is life! But, um, it'd be even better if you could bring it in person."

"You want me to come to your world?" Kevin looked startled.

"Yup! I mean, you've never visited my isekai world, right? Wouldn't it be a good experience? Plus, I'll even throw in a bunch of magical beasts as souvenirs."

"No thanks. Hard pass. And you being this enthusiastic makes me think you're up to no good."

"Hey now! I'm totally pure-hearted. I mean, sure, if I trick you into coming, the system admin will give me a little reward, but it's mostly about cultural exchange!" Kumoko blinked innocently.

"Seriously? You're selling me out to the system admin?"

"Oops. Did I say that out loud? Ah well, doesn't matter now. Say, group leader, are you sure you don't want to visit? Ever since the chat group went public, the admin's been calling me nonstop. She even left the phone with me just to keep in touch. I eat, sleep, fight, and level up all under her surveillance. It's suffocating!"

"Let's be honest, even without the chat group, you'd still be monitored."

"Ugh, you got me. Anyway, I'm heading out to hunt a fire dragon. The way anime describes them, they're supposed to be delicious. I want a big juicy one all to myself!" Kumoko shouted excitedly. "Hey hey, want me to share a piece once I catch it?"

"Fire dragon meat? Absolutely! I've gotta see what otherworldly meat tastes like."

"I'm curious too. Would you mind saving a piece for me?" Saeko Busujima chimed in.

"No problem! I'll prep a portion for each of you," Kumoko offered generously.

With her current strength, catching a fire dragon was no big deal especially with all the anime walkthroughs floating around in her memory. Before long, a large red envelope popped up in the group chat.

Kevin opened it with curiosity and anticipation. With a soft chime, a massive hunk of meat appeared in front of him easily over 100 pounds.

Even though it weighed that much, the meat wasn't particularly bulky. Fire dragon muscle was incredibly dense, far denser than regular meat. A piece of fire dragon flesh half the size of a standard steak easily weighed twice as much.

But that wasn't the main concern.

The real issue was: how the heck do you cook this?

The meat was still steaming when it arrived, despite being freshly severed. No treatment, no prep, just pure, primal meat. But it was hot really hot.

Then again, fire dragons lived in magma. Of course their flesh would retain high heat even after death.

A rich, meaty aroma wafted from the cut, mouthwatering and primal.

"So… should I cook it? Or is it already cooked? I mean, technically it's fresh off the dragon, but it's also steaming. Is this still considered raw?" Kevin muttered to himself.

After checking the temperature, he decided to go for it. There was no way to cook it more than it already was.

He sliced off a chunk, popped it into his mouth, and his eyes widened.

Delicious.

Unreal levels of delicious.

The flavor was pure and intense, with no trace of gaminess. The meat was bouncy and juicy, firm to the bite but bursting with rich, savory juices the moment it was torn. It was unlike any meat he'd ever tasted.

"@Kumoko, this fire dragon meat is amazing! From now on, I'm leaving all my meals to you," Kevin typed in the group chat, tagging her with excitement.

"Hey! That's exploitation! You're exploiting a poor, innocent little spider! You're too cruel, group leader!" Kumoko jumped up, feigning outrage. "How can you prey on a tiny spider like me? You're practically a villain!"

"Excuse me? I've been the one sending you sodas and snacks nonstop. Now that you're finally giving something back, you're calling me cruel?"

"You're literally trading high-tier fantasy ingredients for a few bottles of soda. You think that's fair?"

"Totally fair. You can't get soda in your world. It's cross-dimensional trade. Just basic economics. No soda deliveries, no sugar fix for you."

"...Fine. You win. You capitalist overlord," Kumoko muttered.

The others began thanking Kumoko for the fire dragon meat, though unlike Kevin, they weren't as shameless about it.

Except one.

Izumi.

When she saw the red envelope, she tapped it without thinking.

A steaming chunk of fire dragon meat materialized right in front of her, filling the air with an intoxicating aroma.

Then, horror.

The scent had wafted across the entire Hengshan Sect, attracting everyone nearby.

Izumi panicked.

They were all heading her way.

She nearly burst into tears.

____________________

NEXT CHAPTER : Demon Slayer's Nemesis 

(Shinobu captures demons but hits a snag living creatures can't be sent through the chat group. Kevin suggests sending body parts instead, and soon his lab is flooded with twitching limbs. Tests reveal that sunlight from any world can melt demons instantly and xenon lamps, tech from Kevin's world, can mimic that effect.

Armed with this new discovery, Kevin personally travels to Shinobu's world and gifts her anti-demon xenon weapons, changing the battlefield forever.

Next: Can modern science tip the scales in a war against monsters?)

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