Erina Nakiri.
That golden-haired, arrogant Eldest Miss possessing the God Tongue from Shokugeki no Soma, the Spirit of Aphrodisiacs?
Lin Ye took a good look up and down.
Only now did he notice that besides having a good-looking face, the golden-haired young girl also possessed a proud figure. Her cold and arrogant temperament was displayed completely; even now, knowing she was situated in a dangerous Strange Game, there was not the slightest change.
She was just as arrogant and awe-inspiring as in the original work.
"Totsuki Academy?"
Lin Ye blurted out a noun.
This made the beautiful golden-haired young girl's expression change slightly. "You actually know of Totsuki Academy?"
"Heard of it. A cooking school famous for its culinary arts."
To think Totsuki Academy actually existed in reality; wouldn't his future life be delightful? What Lin Ye could refuse least was gourmet food. If Totsuki Academy existed in reality, his future days would be blissful. Only gourmet food could not be let down!
"Do you know anyone?"
Lin Ye smiled without speaking.
This made Erina Nakiri purse her lips in displeasure, but she also knew the situation was different now. This was not Totsuki Academy; her status and position had no place to be used in this dangerous Strange instance. And she didn't know if her own knowledge and skills would be of any use.
The most critical point was that there was no one she knew here.
Gourmet Sports Meet. The team size could not exceed four people.
Although this allowed for a one-person team, in terms of current information, fighting alone was no different from death. To leave here alive, one had to find people to cooperate with.
"I don't mind teaming up with you."
Erina Nakiri tossed out a sentence. She crossed her arms, her imposing manner awe-inspiring. Even if the reality of the situation required her to bow her head and request, when it really came time to open her mouth and issue the request, she still couldn't change that touch of arrogance. It was as if it were carved into her bones, hard to change.
The amusement in Lin Ye's heart grew even stronger.
Toward this kind of cold and arrogant woman, what he had to do was ruthlessly suppress her, making her recognize reality clearly, put down her external high and cold posture, and reveal her true, soft side.
After all, Erina Nakiri knew the danger of the Strange Game. To leave alive, she needed to rely on the strength of others. And Lin Ye, a veteran player who could take out a huge sum of 350 Strange Coins, was a very good object of reliance.
"Beauty, since you said that, wouldn't I look like I have no face if I directly accepted?" Lin Ye asked in return, then immediately added, "I mind very much."
Erina Nakiri's face changed immediately.
From childhood to adulthood, it had always been her rejecting others. When had she ever experienced being rejected by others, especially a man? In her heart, a pervasive feeling of anger was constantly rising.
"However, for the sake of you being so direct, it's not impossible for me to consider it. But you... need to pay a tiny price."
This remark instantly attracted the lines of sight and attention of the surrounding people.
Price?
This price wouldn't be letting this beauty sleep with him, right!
Men! They always liked pretty girls.
The whispered words transmitted into Erina Nakiri's ears. Her expression changed slightly, looking somewhat ugly.
This man...
Lin Ye held up a finger and slowly spoke, "Ten times."
Shock.
For a moment, the surrounding people were silent, staring blankly.
Everyone around thought it would be one time, but the result was this veteran player directly asking for ten times. How thirsty and impatient was this! Was the character of these powerful veteran players this bad?
Erina Nakiri glared, filled with fury.
Since when had she been humiliated like this?
"Impossible."
"Sigh, as expected. It seems I have no chance to taste the cuisine made by Miss Nakiri's own hands. I was originally quite looking forward to it."
Erina Nakiri: ???
Surrounding players: ????
You guy, you did it on purpose, right! Absolutely on purpose, right!
Erina Nakiri thought ruthlessly in her heart.
Being toyed with time and again, how could her mood possibly be good? If it were at Totsuki Academy, she would initiate a Shokugeki against the man before her eyes, defeating the opponent through the Shokugeki to obtain victory. But now, this method of dueling was no longer suitable. She even knew she couldn't anger the man before her eyes.
What did a veteran player represent?
It was strength, it was experience, it was the probability of survival.
Unless she prepared to be self-reliant, or found other veteran players with strength and experience to establish a companion relationship, otherwise...
Erina Nakiri became increasingly dissatisfied. This feeling of suffering humiliation yet being unable to explode and counterattack was really very, very bad.
She, Erina Nakiri, actually had such a day too; it was hard to imagine!
Lin Ye took the girl's fluctuating reactions into his eyes. His heart was full of joy; this was exactly the girl's reaction he expected.
"So, is Miss Nakiri willing to make cuisine for me ten times!"
The golden-haired beauty's pale purple eyes stared at Lin Ye. Feeling the lines of sight coming from the surrounding people, her red lips moved lightly, "I don't make cuisine for strangers."
She refused.
The surrounding players were astonished once again.
That was clearly a step down offered by the veteran player, a step giving a chance, yet the golden-haired young girl actually refused. Did she not want it? Was she crazy!
Having a veteran player's help, what a lucky thing that would be. How many of them wanted it, yet this powerful veteran player seemed to have zero interest in them, while she actually still refused?
Many people were angered to death.
"Big Brother, my craftsmanship is also not bad."
"I am also a chef, head chef of a three-star hotel. The gourmet food will absolutely have no problem."
"I, Old Wang, have done Shaxian Delicacies for twenty years. I guarantee you will eat the most delicious and tasty Shaxian Delicacies. Let me team up with you!"
...
...
The golden-haired young girl wasn't willing, but there were plenty of newcomer players who were willing.
Among them, very many people were chefs, or players who came with a certain level of cooking experience.
Lin Ye keenly captured this information.
The newcomer players selected by the Strange Game this time seemed not to be completely randomly selected either. They also had a certain connection with gourmet food.
Erina Nakiri remained silent. The reactions of the surrounding people, to her, were more mockery and humiliation. But now she could only endure it.
She began to place her attention on the players walking away, preparing to find a suitable veteran player.
Very quickly, a dashing, black long-haired female entered her field of vision. Erina Nakiri walked over.
Opportunities had to be grasped by oneself; sitting and waiting for a veteran player to come to the door was a fundamentally impossible thing.
Lin Ye didn't chase after her.
Since Erina Nakiri refused, he wouldn't force it either. Now the two could be said to be strangers; him being proactive would only arouse more of the girl's vigilance. Just with Erina Nakiri's high and cold posture, she couldn't put down her airs without experiencing a severe beating. Lin Ye waited for that moment.
...
The Suit Mask Man returned to the stage again.
"There are five minutes left for free team formation. Please, guests, determine your teams as soon as possible."
"The Strange Coins rewarded for the first place this time have reached an unprecedented four hundred and fifty Strange Coins. A full four hundred and fifty Strange Coins!"
"Are guests not tempted?"
"Find companions, form a team, win every event of the Gourmet Sports Meet, obtain high scores, and you can become the first place."
"Quick, quick, quick, get moving!"
But until now, the Suit Mask Man hadn't said what the specific events of the sports meet were, not even the first event. Not knowing the event, one didn't know what kind of people to team up with.
But Lin Ye had an idea, though it also needed careful consideration.
Five minutes time.
Maximum team of four people.
Lin Ye looked at the newcomer players surrounding him and spoke, "Everyone, those with a body type leaning towards fat, I'll have to trouble you to go find other people to team up with."
Sports meet.
Lin Ye guessed it involved necessary physical exercise. People who were too fat definitely couldn't withstand physical exertion for too long a time.
Instantly, several people revealed disappointment on their faces.
"You..."
"You are discriminating against fat people."
"Based on what are fat people no good!"
"Us being fat isn't our fault either."
...
In the middle, there was also a lady with a height of 160 and a weight that should also be at least 160, trembling while pointing at Lin Ye, shouting and yelling to express her dissatisfaction.
"You said it right, I am discriminating against fat people. This is a sports meet. Even if it's a Gourmet Sports Meet, there is a high probability it will also involve sports."
And regarding sports, in physical exertion type sports—the vast majority of sports—fat people could not achieve good results and would instead drag the hind legs.
"Please leave!"
Several newcomer players were extremely unwilling, but they left too.
And the remaining people revealed expectation in their eyes. Who among them would be selected to become a companion! There were three spots. Their probability was still quite big.
And Lin Ye very quickly proposed the second screening opportunity.
On the other side.
Erina Nakiri walked in front of the black long-haired female veteran player coming toward her. She determined at a glance that this beautiful female with a composed demeanor before her was a veteran player; this was her judgment.
"Hello!"
Erina Nakiri actively greeted the black long-haired female.
"I don't want newcomers."
The black long-haired female spoke calmly.
"I am a newcomer, but I have skills. I can provide help in this Gourmet Sports Meet."
This sentence made the black long-haired female interested.
"Speak."
"I am a student of Totsuki Academy. My culinary arts are very strong. I can distinguish various ingredients and can also taste and appraise various cuisines. And regarding making cuisine, I also have much confidence. Many high officials and noble people regard tasting cuisine made by my own hands as an honor."
She looked at this golden-haired young girl before her eyes. From the other party's words and behavior, she actually felt this golden-haired young girl didn't lie. As a veteran player, she still had this bit of discernment.
"Wanting to clear this Gourmet Sports Meet, chefs are needed, and gourmet appraisers are also needed. And I exactly fit."
This was Erina Nakiri's greatest advantage.
In other Strange Game instances, her culinary arts and appraisal wouldn't be of much use, but this time in a Strange Game obviously related to 'gourmet food', she obviously had a place to use her abilities.
Erina Nakiri saw the intention in the woman's eyes and raised a confident smile.
At the same time, a scene also surfaced in her mind. That veteran player who deliberately toyed with her just now—when he sees the combination of her and this black long-haired veteran player taking first place, while she contributed the majority, what interesting reaction would he reveal?
Erina Nakiri looked forward to that scene very much, and looked forward even more to that scene appearing as soon as possible. He would definitely regret it, would regret it very much, right!
She looked forward to it increasingly.
"You have a lot of confidence in yourself."
"This is established on the foundation of this strength of mine."
Erina Nakiri's expression was calm, the corners of her mouth slightly raised; this was the manifestation of confidence.
The black long-haired female veteran player actually also noticed that many newcomer players this time were chefs or practitioners related to restaurants. Combining with the instance mission theme of 'Gourmet Sports Meet', chefs were indispensable. Wanting to successfully clear it, or even obtain victory, chefs were necessary.
"Fine, team up with me. Miss, you won't be disappointed."
"You can call me Cold Frost."
The black long-haired veteran player spoke.
"I understand, Miss Cold. I am Erina Nakiri. You can call me Nakiri or Erina."
In the past, how could she possibly speak like this? But now, she also began to compromise with reality. Pride was important, but compared to life, a part of pride could also be put down.
"Follow me. There is a person; we need him to become a companion."
Erina Nakiri heard this, and instantly her purple eyes flickered with luster.
Quite obviously, that was a player Miss Cold knew, with an extremely high probability of being a veteran player. With two veteran players as companions in the same group, she felt that even if she wanted to fail, it would be difficult.
She indeed chose correctly! Erina Nakiri exclaimed secretly in her heart.
She followed Cold Frost and left.
Currently, the hundred or so players had already gathered in twos and threes, successfully grouping to form teams. And a portion of newcomer players hadn't successfully teamed up yet; they gathered beside veteran players, seeking the remaining spots in the veteran players' teams.
A while later, Erina Nakiri arrived following Cold Frost.
Only, her expression wasn't very good. Because the person Cold Frost sought was Lin Ye, precisely that veteran player she had just rejected.
What situation? What was going on? This was targeting her, right!
Erina Nakiri was secretly startled in her heart, but very quickly thought that Cold Frost choosing to come find Lin Ye must also be because Lin Ye's previous performance and the financial power displayed by the Strange Coins made Cold Frost come to seek cooperation.
"Yo..."
Lin Ye looked at Cold Frost, then looked at Erina Nakiri, and greeted proactively, "Finally came over. I thought you didn't plan to come look for me."
When he saw Cold Frost, he knew his teammate candidate. Unless Cold Frost still had other trustworthy companions. But seeing Cold Frost and Erina Nakiri gathered together, he only felt that worldly affairs were unpredictable and life's fate was infinite.
Going around in a circle, Erina Nakiri still had to return to his side.
"I didn't look for you." Erina Nakiri spoke up first.
"The one I asked wasn't Miss Nakiri, oh!"
This sentence made Erina Nakiri's face ugly.
"Long time no see, Zero."
"Not too long either. Calculating by actual time, it hasn't been many days."
Lin Ye looked at this acquaintance, feeling quite moved in his heart. Compared to the acquaintance 'Jack' from the last Invitation Mission, Lin Ye trusted Cold Frost more. The two had a life-and-death friendship; Cold Frost was even willing to sacrifice herself to buy time for him. So, Lin Ye trusted Cold Frost considerably.
Of course, after the last cooperation, Lin Ye's trust level toward 'Jack' had also increased.
"Do you have a partner for this instance?"
"Aren't you one?"
After Cold Frost dazed for a moment, she smiled. The ice mountain beauty revealed a brilliant smile.
"Mn. Besides me, there is also her, Miss Erina Nakiri. She is a chef. I think she will have a very high function in this Gourmet Sports Meet."
"Just now Miss Nakiri actually refused my suggestion."
Cold Frost only then realized that Lin Ye and Erina Nakiri had had an interaction.
"If you feel there is a problem, then forget it."
Cold Frost pulled a straight face and looked toward Erina Nakiri, which made Erina Nakiri's face become even uglier. Merely one sentence made the veteran player she had persuaded with great difficulty change her mind.
What was this called?
Erina Nakiri felt the malice coming from the world, as if the whole world were targeting her.
"Miss Cold, I actually have no problem. Just seeing if Miss Nakiri is willing to cooperate with me for a win-win."
The problem was thrown in front of Erina Nakiri.
Erina Nakiri had made mental preparations to be mocked and ridiculed by Lin Ye, but the man before her eyes merely expressed a normal thought, without the flavor of mockery.
She steadied her breathing and spoke slowly, "If Mister is willing, Erina has even less reason to refuse."
By now, if she refused again, that would be seeking death.
Currently, the players on the square had basically finished teaming up. The remaining scattered independent players without teams also gathered together. Even newcomer players knew that in this 'Gourmet Sports Meet', fighting alone had no way out. Teaming up to face the sports events with teammates was what accorded with reality.
"Then the last person..."
Facing this sentence from Cold Frost, Lin Ye shook his head. "Just three people! In certain instance events, having more people means facing more pressure."
Now their team had two veteran players and one newcomer. In Lin Ye's view, this was already enough. Projects involving gourmet production and appreciation could be completely handed over to Erina Nakiri, while regarding other sports involving combat and high physical exertion, there were him and Cold Frost.
More information would depend on that host of the Gourmet Sports Meet.
Ding ling ling...
The bell rang. The free team formation time was up.
The Suit Mask Man clapped his hands again. "Respected guests have also finished teaming up. Then now, we will distribute the team number wristbands to every guest."
A table appeared out of thin air. Placed on the table were wristbands one after another. Red, green, blue, white, black. And on them were numbers.
"Please have each team send someone to collect them."
One minute later, Lin Ye brought back red wristbands, numbered 26, and distributed them to Cold Frost and Erina Nakiri.
"Took one extra?"
Cold Frost looked at that extra red wristband in Lin Ye's hand.
"Spare. Maybe it will be useful later."
Some players only took the number of wristbands matching their group's headcount, but Lin Ye took all four wristbands. The organizer didn't stop it, which showed this was permitted. The wristband represented the identity of a team member; if following this train of thought, the space for manipulation was quite large.
"Very good, number wristband collection ended."
The Suit Mask Man clapped his hands. "Then, the 3rd Gourmet Sports Meet formally begins. Everyone applaud to express celebration."
Clap clap clap clap...
Applause rang out. Compared to that first time, the applause this time was much better, but the heat wasn't enough.
The Suit Mask Man didn't care either.
"Let me announce the first event of the Gourmet Sports Meet." He raised his hand and waved, speaking out, "Pull it up."
As the voice fell, on the other end of the square, strange figures dressed as chefs in white coats appeared one by one. They also wore masks, their appearances unclear.
"The first competition event is 'Rice Bucket'."
One chef figure after another walked to the front of the stage holding black buckets.
Thud thud thud...
There were a full thirty-five black iron cans, exactly corresponding to the current thirty-five teams.
"The rule is very simple. Each group only needs to finish eating the food in their own bucket to pass. Ranking will be determined based on the sequential order of finishing, and points will be given."
Swish!
Someone voiced a question, "What's inside?"
This was a question any player was curious about. Who wanted to know what was packed in these thirty-five sealed iron cans?
"There is everything. What you eat depends entirely on luck."
So the things inside every iron can were different! That made this exciting.
"Luck is also a part of strength."
The Suit Mask Man continued to speak, "Every group collects the corresponding Rice Bucket according to their own group's number. Must finish eating within thirty minutes. If not finished, the guests who didn't complete it will definitely regret it."
He smiled slightly. The profound smile made the hearts of numerous newcomers tremble.
What was this called! Couldn't even choose, could only choose the Rice Bucket corresponding to their own number.
Lin Ye was also a bit regretful, feeling he was targeted.
Just now, he used 'perspective' to quickly scan a circle and discovered quite a few good things convenient to eat, such as apples, such as bananas, but also discovered many foods difficult to swallow. This really was drawing a simple food meant being quite fast, while drawing unpalatable food meant this event would likely be hard to pass.
"First event formally begins. Guests, come move the Rice Buckets quickly!"
In the instant the voice fell, everyone swarmed up, blocking it until not a drop of water could trickle through. This was obviously also the organizer's prank, doing this deliberately to reduce the players' time as much as possible.
"Don't squeeze."
"Come one by one."
"Come according to order, otherwise no one can complete it."
"Back up, back up quickly."
...
Only at this time, Cold Frost looked blankly at that Rice Bucket labeled '26' that appeared in front of her. In merely the blink of an eye, the Rice Bucket had already appeared in front of her.
"Miss Cold, let's go get it quickly!"
Erina Nakiri hadn't discovered it yet.
"Already got it in hand."
"Mn?"
Erina Nakiri only then turned around and saw the Rice Bucket appearing by her side. "It was Miss Cold, you..."
But after seeing Cold Frost shake her head, Erina Nakiri realized who brought the Rice Bucket back. In merely a blink of an eye, the Rice Bucket appeared. Was this the strength of a veteran player?
Erina Nakiri was secretly shocked in her heart. If she hadn't been together with veteran players, let alone achieving good results, even clearing the level would have had some difficulty!
Erina Nakiri glanced at the crowd blocked together. Now that everyone had reacted, the personnel also began to be orderly, but until all Rice Buckets were taken away, it would still require considerable time. And they could already start eating now.
Lin Ye grasped the Rice Bucket lid. "Make psychological preparations."
He already knew what was inside.
"Mn."
"Open it!"
"Don't know what food will be inside."
Curiosity. Extreme curiosity and expectation. Hoping it would be some simpler food convenient to eat.
Click... With a sound, the Rice Bucket lid opened.
The moment the items inside entered the two women's fields of vision, their pupils shrank involuntarily. Erina Nakiri instinctively took a step back, instinct driving her to flee.
Slimy white tentacles were waving; the body seemed to want to crawl out from inside.
Cold Frost had sharp eyes and deft hands, covering the Rice Bucket at once, but one tentacle was already outside. It turned and touched, appearing to want to squeeze out and break free.
"Octopus..."
Cold Frost's tone was calm, but it was hard to conceal a touch of anger. Live creature. She clearly felt the targeting coming from the organizer.
"Should be targeting me. After all, I pitted the organizer once just now."
Lin Ye didn't mind. Compared to rice, vegetables, and fruits, he was much more interested in meat.
"Eating raw octopus, how to eat?"
Pressure was huge. Cold Frost found it hard to imagine.
"This shouldn't be an ordinary octopus. It should be a Strange Octopus that suffered Strange pollution. I suspect eating too much will suffer Strange erosion."
"..."
Cold Frost wasn't doubting Lin Ye, but knew what Lin Ye said was an extremely probable matter. And once Strange erosion reached a certain degree, people—even players—would also be polluted and eroded into Strange entities.
"I'll do it! Cold Frost, Miss Erina Nakiri, you two be responsible for cutting."
Erina Nakiri looked at Lin Ye blankly. This man prepared to shoulder this responsibility alone? You just said eating too much might suffer pollution and die, yet now you actually want to bear it alone?
The intense contrast made Erina Nakiri feel she was completely unable to know the man before her eyes.
"Alright, there are players of other groups who have started. We also have to speed up. The organizer targeted me, so I instead want to let the organizer know they won't succeed."
Under Lin Ye's request, the Rice Bucket lid was opened once again.
Cold Frost took out her own weapon, grabbing this octopus which obviously had changes in appearance from normal octopuses with one hand.
Swish swish swish!
Twelve tentacles and the head were separated. This wasn't finished yet; Cold Frost relied on swordsmanship to cut the tentacles one by one into appropriate sizes convenient for eating.
Lin Ye took out a piece, smelled it first, then put it into his mouth and started eating. The meat quality was very elastic; chewing it felt not bad.
Gulp...
Lin Ye swallowed it after biting just a few times. Superpower: Devour could solve the food, but the problem lay in who the object of the superpower drawback's effect would be this time. Cold Frost, or Erina Nakiri.
Lin Ye quickly picked up the second piece and started eating. When it was the third piece, he finally saw the mail notification coming from the character panel.
[Due to the effect of an unknown power, your body has been influenced, Strength has received a slight increase.]
The meat of this Strange Octopus could increase Strength. Unexpected surprise.
"How is it? Feel the body uncomfortable?"
"No issue, quite good."
Cold Frost was worried even more, feeling Lin Ye was putting on a brave front. "I'll also join you..."
"No."
Lin Ye grabbed Cold Frost's wrist at once. "I'll eat, you don't need to."
If because he ate a few pieces less, leading to the Strength attribute not being enough to increase the numerical value, wouldn't he be losing out? Now, at this moment, Lin Ye decided to hog the food.
Cold Frost pursed her lips, her eyes revealing a moved expression. "You... really haven't changed a bit."
Just like that last time, sacrificing oneself for others. Such good person players were really too few, too scarce; it was really possible they would die one day.
"Miss Cold also hasn't had any change, still dashing and beautiful."
Lin Ye, biting the tentacle, even praised in passing.
Cold Frost was helpless. "Wait until this Strange instance ends, come to Xia Country to find me, or tell me your address, I'll go find you."
Lin Ye was stunned.
Erina Nakiri was also stunned.
What making an appointment to meet offline meant—even this pure young girl of hers who didn't have any romantic experience knew clearly.
Only, there was one point she cared about more now: why was it that she clearly hadn't eaten anything, yet the God Tongue was constantly emitting flavors rushing toward her head?
In taste and texture, it must be this octopus tentacle!
Why could she taste the octopus flavor? Could it be the relationship of the same group?
She wanted to ask, but considering Lin Ye was focused on eating tentacles, she endured it. At least, she couldn't drag the hind legs. Couldn't affect Lin Ye eating the octopus.
And many other groups also started eating.
"Holy crap, what is this? Apple? This ugly monster is an apple?"
"Tangerine is this big, how to eat this?"
"Chicken leg, raw chicken leg, how can one swallow this."
"Finished, mine are all bugs. Damn it, how to eat these pitch-black bugs."
...
Meat foods were all raw. There were those flying in the sky, walking on the ground, swimming in the water. And besides those were mutated apples, bananas, cabbages, rice, and other plants. The main theme was being strange-shaped, large size, large quantity, fully filling up the entire Rice Bucket.
There were players wailing, players dumbfounded, and also players eating cheerfully.
"Haha, these bugs are unexpectedly quite delicious. One bite, one bug; eating them takes no effort. Not bad, not bad, the texture is also quite good."
"Our group still has four people. This first event, we'll take it."
"Quick eat, start eating."
...
The four people of Group 30 ate bugs vigorously without stopping. The thousands of bugs in the Rice Bucket were decreasing at a speed visible to the naked eye. They even ate faster and faster, their faces full of smiles.
"Done."
Finally, the four of them finished eating a whole Rice Bucket of bugs. Black liquid stains still flowed from the corners of their mouths, but everyone's face held a satisfied smile of wanting more.
"The first place of this first event 'Rice Bucket' is our Group 30."
Finished speaking, the four raised their hands.
"We finished eating, Host."
A shouting sound attracted the attention of all the other surrounding people. Time had passed less than fifteen minutes.
Finally, the first group to complete appeared.
First place was gone. The remaining groups who were about to finish sped up their eating speed one after another. No first place, they wanted to fight for second.
And at this time, a howl rang out.
...
...
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