Pepito and the Portal to Progress

Chapter 16: A Taste of Home and a Trial by Fire

The heavy Guild door creaked shut behind us, sealing off the familiar absurdity of Sarimanook like the lid on a box of leftover drama. The bright sun and sea-salted wind hit me in the face—a jarring, bracing contrast to the guild's musty interior.

I was officially out of my element.

"Alright, team," Tak announced, slapping a hand onto my shoulder like I was a teammate and not a walking liability. "To the docks. We've got a boat waiting."

The walk through town felt... different. Usually, I was the guy behind the stall, shouting about solar gadgets and giving out freebies to anyone who looked slightly interested. But now? I was one of them—the formidable-looking adventuring squad marching through Sarimanook like a scene from a gritty shonen opening. People gave us a wide berth. Or rather, they gave Alimpatak a wide berth.

I was clearly the emotional support NPC.

"So, Pepito," Tak said, falling into step beside me. "First time on a real quest?"

"Does a calamansi-picking trip to my Tita's farm in Batangas count?"

"Only if the calamansi tried to bite back," Yara called from up front, ears twitching in amusement.

"Then nope," I admitted. "This is a first."

"Don't worry," Daks rumbled from behind, his calm voice like a weighted blanket. "We'll keep you safe. That is the job."

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A Boat, A Breeze, and an Increasing Sense of Doom

The Guild's designated boat—a small, beat-up rowboat tied to a mossy pylon—waited like a loyal mutt that had seen better days. It wobbled when we stepped in, creaking like it had opinions.

Padre Daks and Tak took the oars, muscles working in slow, steady rhythm as they rowed us into the open blue. The sea shimmered beneath us, sunlight dancing on the water's surface like a living spell. The briny scent of salt and sunbaked wood filled my nose.

Behind us, Sarimanook's coast faded into watercolor. Ahead, the forested mass of Amihan's northern island rose like a sleeping giant draped in green.

"This rowboat," I muttered, gripping the sides as a wave jostled us, "was definitely not built for five people and a week's worth of anxiety."

"Don't rock the boat, man," Tak said, only half-joking.

Daks chuckled from the back. "Trust in your guardians. Thirty more minutes, and we'll reach the eastern woods."

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Into the Wild Woods

The moment our boots hit the shore, the east woods of Amihan swallowed us whole.

The canopy overhead blocked out most of the sun, casting the trail in cool shadow. The scent of damp moss, crushed leaves, and something faintly floral—maybe honeysuckle?—tickled my nose. Every step on the soft earth was accompanied by the faintest rustle of underbrush and the creak of branches shifting in the breeze.

Up ahead, Yara moved like a whisper, her wolf ears alert and twitching with every sound. Tak followed, confident and relaxed. I was smack in the middle, next to Mina—who might've been sleepwalking—and Daks trailed behind us like a very holy mountain.

"We'll avoid any major monster encounters today," Tak called back. "This is just an orientation quest. Herb gathering. Low danger, low drama."

I gave a thumbs-up. "Sounds great. Let's keep it drama-free."

We hiked for hours. Through gnarled roots. Past twisted trees. Over mossy stones.

And we found... absolutely nothing.

No herbs. No glowy mushrooms. Not even a suspicious patch of grass. It felt like the forest was holding its breath.

A twig snapped somewhere behind us.

I froze. "Was that—?"

"Probably just a bird," Daks said.

"Or a forest spirit watching us," Mina added dreamily, eyes barely open.

Comforting.

---

Campfire Conversations

As the sky turned a deep indigo and the trees cast long, creeping shadows, Tak called it.

"These herbs are more elusive than a politician's promise," he grumbled. "We make camp here."

"Awoo~! I got the firewood!" Yara announced, bursting through the trees like a one-wolf lumberjack, arms full of twigs and pride.

Tak turned to me. "Alright, Pepito. Light us up."

I grinned. Finally, something I could actually do.

I pulled out my windproof lighter, gave it a satisfying click, and a perfect flame bloomed to life. Within seconds, the firewood crackled and flared, sweet pine smoke curling into the forest air like incense at a midnight novena.

"These lighters, man," Tak muttered reverently, turning one over in his hand. "You weren't kidding. This is sorcery."

Daks leaned in, his face lit by firelight. "If these ever reach the Royal Capital, you might become scandalously rich."

"Scandalously sounds good," I said. "I've been surviving off moral victories for too long."

A loud grrrrowl shattered the moment.

Yara clutched her stomach. "Ugh. Rations time."

They all pulled out their food: jerky that looked like angry leather, dense travel bread, and what may have once dreamed of being cheese.

My stomach recoiled. "You eat this? Voluntarily?"

"You didn't bring food?" Yara asked, genuinely horrified.

"Oh no," I said, straightening up. "I brought real food."

---

Feast in the Forest

I pulled out my phone.

Three swipes, two taps, and my Inventory App shimmered to life beside me. Magic-tech? Maybe. Glitch in the world's coding? Probably. But it worked.

With a soft whoosh, a hot pack of adobo rice blinked into existence. Then biko, rich with coconut and sugar. Cans of afritada. Foil pouches of tuna. And, of course, cup noodles—the true meal of champions.

A divine aroma exploded into the camp.

Mina's eyes opened wider than I'd ever seen. "...Is that magic?" she whispered.

"Sort of," I replied. "I'll explain later. First—let's eat."

"This smells like tomorrow," she said, completely serious. "But in a good way."

Tak stared at the food like he'd just found a treasure chest. "Are you sure this isn't some ancient lost relic? Like, the Hoard of the Hungry Gods?"

"Don't worry," I said. "There's plenty. Tonight, we dine like tired adventurers in a mall food court."

We dug in.

Tak slurped his noodles like it was the happiest sound he'd ever made. "Bro. Pepito. This… this beats most taverns in the Royal Capital."

"I have never," Daks said reverently, "in all my years, tasted a sweetness like this."

Mina cradled her biko like it was a sacred artifact. "...More, please."

I blinked.

These people had fought monsters, survived curses, and crossed deadly terrain. But what stunned them… was home-cooked flavor.

And I was the one who brought it.

For the first time, I didn't feel like a tag-along.

I was Pepito Espiritu.

Former shopkeeper.

Otaku.

Apprentice adventurer.

And now—Cup Noodle King of the Forest of Amihan.

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[End of Chapter 16]