<h4>Chapter 241: Episode 45 – Gourmet Association (5)</h4>
Iris was confused.
Originally, she was supposed to sign a contract with a constetion of Asgard. It was a lesser-grade constetion that wasn’t well-known and Iris didn’t like the contract. That’s why she participated in the Bracelet Expedition hosted by Anna Croft. Anna said that if Iris showed a great performance here, Anna could change her intended sponsor.
Now in this unexpected ce, a chance came to Iris.
[The constetion ‘Demon King of Salvation’ wants to establish a ‘Sponsor Contract’ with you.]
Thinking about it, there was no way constetions could only contract with one incarnation. Some constetions had two or three depending on their capacity. Of course, the power of the constetion was divided so the incarnations received weakened stigmas.
Even so, Iris wasn’t in a position to regret something like this. “I ept!”
[The constetion ‘Demon King of Salvation’ states that this contract is only for a limited time.]
[The constetion ‘Demon King of Salvation’ states that this contract is valid until the end of the Bracelet Expedition.]
Temporary contract...
‘Yes, now isn’t the time to be greedy.’
Iris bit her lips and nodded. By the way, the words of the constetion weren’t finished.
[The constetion ‘Demon King of Salvation’ says there is a condition.]
[The constetion ‘Demon King of Salvation’ wants the ‘wish’ to be transferred to him after the scenario ispleted.]
Iris’ mind wasplicated.
...It was a temporary contract and he wanted the wish? A strange regret passed over her but she wasn’t in a position to pass up this chance. The Demon King of Salvation’s condition was based onpleting the scenario. It meant he would keep her alive, no matter what happened.
“I’ll definitely give it to you.”
At the same time, a holographic contract descended in the air. Iris ran over and signed the hologram.
[The Sponsor Contract has beenpleted.]
Power flowed into her body and she felt that someone was supporting her. She felt confident that she could do anything. However, Iris’ confidence quickly disappeared at the cries from behind her.
[The incarnation hunting has begun.]
There were screams as incarnations were torn apart by evil spirits.
***
[Current number of expedition members remaining: 6 people]
In the original novel, this game was called ‘Hunting and Chasting’. This wasn’t a Gourmet Association event, it was an event hosted by Anna Croft. In this round, Anna Croft decided to skip the process and start from the Gourmet Association.
I continued to mutter towards the air and the Mass Production Maker asked me, [Hoh, you participated?]
“...Did you participate?”
[Huhu, I’m too old to run to scenarios like that. And... it doesn’t suit my tastes.]
In fact, not all members of the Gourmet Association were enthusiastic about this scenario. On one side, there were the constetions who disliked Anna Croft. On another side, there were the constetions who disliked the event itself.
[Hmm. I don’t see your modifier on the list of evil spirits...]
There were 15 constetions who participated in the scenario. However, the number of constetions who chose the role of the evil spirit was only 14. I nodded and the eyes of the Mass Production Maker slowly widened.
[Indeed, there was a reason the old hag Persephone brought you here. But is it okay? You are here for the first time...]
I replied with a smile. “The more brilliant my debut, the better.”
Then the system message arrived like it had been waiting.
[The story ‘Gourmet Association Heretic’ has been acquired.]
Maybe Anna Croft would be listening to messages simr to mine.
「 There is always a story in a ce where many constetions gather. 」
This was the first principle of generating a story. The level of the story was determined bybining the risk to the story subject and the form of the story. Anna Croft was currently an ‘incarnation’ and she was walking a tightrope. If her scenario was sessfullypleted, it might be a legendary story such as ‘Follower of the First Generation’ or ‘Story Maniptor.’
I closed my eyes and saw what was happening with Iris.
[The constetion ‘Demon King of Salvation’ is looking at his incarnation.]
I felt sorry when I saw her shaking shoulders but I didn’t have any good memories for this child. I wasn’t good enough to show kindness to her. That’s why this was just a gesture for ‘trading.’
[The constetion ‘Demon King of Salvation’ says to stay calm.]
Iris gulped and replied.
-I don’t know if I can do it.
[The constetion ‘Demon King of Salvation’ says there is no hopeless scenario.]
All scenarios had holes to escape out of. The hole was small and tiny so it was highly difficult to clear on the first try. This meant there was a chance to clear it after trying a few times and I was a person who knew more about this world than anyone else.
The sound of the evil spirits moving could be heard in the distance. Iris’ physique was at the limit and the only stigma I could pass on was Sacrifice’s Will. Dammit, that stigma wouldn’t help in the current situation. However, stigmas weren’t the only things that constetions could give.
[The constetion ‘Demon King of Salvation’ is giving his incarnation the ‘Assassination King’s Cloak.]
Iris was surprised to see the gift that emerged in the air. It was an item I bought for 150,000 coins from the Dokkaebi Bag. It had a usage limit of 30 minutes a day andcked the ability to deceive the constetions, but the current situation was different.
[...Here?]
The constetions emerged from the grass as if they were waiting. The constetions that became evil spirits looked different. There were a giant horned demon and a spirit with a bull’s head holding a small scythe. The only thing they had inmon was that they had no feet and were shrouded in a ck cloak.
[Hmm, strange. It was definitely around here.]
[Did you see it properly?]
Iris disappeared and the constetions who were evil spirits couldn’t discover her traces at all. The constetions who yed the role of evil spirits were under strong restrictions. The constetions in the role of the evil spirit could only one-tenth of their current ‘status.’
For the constetions, a game wasn’t fun if it was too easy. Just as there were no humans who would rejoice in stepping on 15 bugs. They didn’t hesitate to impose constraints on themselves for entertainment. This was the constetions of the Gourmet Association.
[It seems she must’ve done something. Let her run a bit more. The scenario should be stacked up to taste better.]
[...Huhu, I’m looking forward to it.]
The constetions searching the grass soon gave up and Iris received a system message.
[The expedition member Iris dimirovna Rebezova has survived an evil spirit once.]
[The story ‘Bracelet Expedition’ has umted.]
This scenario was made up of ssic stories. The longer Iris stayed in the scenario, the more the energy of the ssic story would permeate her.
-I-I lived!
[The constetion ‘Demon King of Salvation’ says you were lucky this time.]
If these guys were high-ranking constetions, it would’ve been impossible to hide from them using the Assassination King’s Cloak.
However, just like Persephone and the Mass Production Maker, the really high-ranking Gourmet Association constetions wouldn’t run like dogs towards this scenario. It was also interesting to watch other constetions vent their desires in this event. In other words, they were the real audience I should aim for.
-Thank you for the gift.
[The constetion ‘Demon King of Salvation’ says it is a loan.]
-...Yes.
[The constetion ‘Demon-like Judge of Fire’ is sympathetic to your incarnation.]
[The constetion ‘Prisoner of the Golden Headband’ reproaches your harshness.]
The scenario would start from now on.
***
As the number of expedition members continued to decrease, Iris moved towards the volcano while avoiding the eyes of the constetions. She also had the good luck of collecting the bracelet from the expedition members that died along the way.
[Current number of expedition members remaining: 2 people]
It was natural since I was participating in the scenario while reading Ways of Survival in real-time. It was because Ways of Survival contained a very detailed ount of the Bracelet Evil Blight, the prototype of this scenario.
I analyzed the terrain using the scenario map and moved Iris along the most efficient path towards the volcano.
[Haha, this is a fun story. Wasn’t there a lot of delicious food? I’m drooling...]
The other constetions seemed to notice that someone was involved on the ‘expedition’ side. Nevertheless, none of them were panicked.
[The expedition member ‘Merves Lutier’ has died!]
Shortly afterwards, Iris was alone.
[...It smells delicious.]
The scattered evil spirits were gathering near the volcano. They knew that thest expedition member had toe to the volcano. Now the time of the Assassination King’s Cloak was almost up. I gave a signal to Iris.
[The constetion ‘Demon King of Salvation’ says to do it now.]
Iris started running towards the volcano. I stared at the back of the running girl. All the constetions of the Gourmet Association were watching the little girl running with all her might.
Perhaps, everyone knew. This girl, she had no choice but to die here.
“Ah...”
She was 100 steps away from the volcano when the privilege of the Assassination King’s Cloak finally ended. The 10 evil spirits wandering around instantly gathered.
[I will eat first!]
Iris watched the iing evil spirits and backed away with terror. Herst desperate gaze was towards the sky.
[The constetion ‘Demon King of Salvation’ is asking to lend him your incarnation body.]
Iris gasped as her mouth opened.
[The constetion ‘Demon King of Salvation’ says it isn’t an ‘advent.’]
If I manifested in the form of an ‘advent’, I would also be constrained by the scenario. Thus, I wouldn’t do it as an ‘advent’ this time.
I had a skill that was more efficient and consumed less probability. I deliberately pulled out a few stories that made up my incarnation body in order to deal myself a serious blow.
[Exclusive skill, Omniscient Reader’s Viewpoint stage 3 has been activated!]
[The 1st person supporting role viewpoint has been activated.]
[Your understanding of ‘Iris dimirovna Rebezova’ has increased!]
I opened my eyes to Iris’ point of view. Maybe my body in the Gourmet Association was currently sleeping. Thus, I had to end this game in the shortest amount of time.
[Some constetions have noticed your presence!]
At the same time, there was an outpouring of true voices towards me.
[There was someone helping her. Who are you?]
[Hoh, is it an advent?]
[This windfall...!]
Iris received the umted stories and her body shone golden. Iughed bitterly as I looked down at myself.
One way for a neer in the Gourmet Association was to grow step by step. However, if I dragged it on like that, I might not be able to reach the end of the story after 3,000 chapters.
[Did that Anna girl n something? The person I just killed was a sword master.]
One constetion walking in the distance spoke as he threw the incarnation in his hands. Perhaps he was thest expedition member to die.
[You look like a new recruit. It is best for you to leave this ce. Or else your body will suffer a great blow.]
The head of the dead expedition member rolled towards me. It was the head of the incarnation who fled to the end but eventually didn’t survive. I carefully picked up the head and one of the constetions sneered.
[Do you pity him? Huhu... this guy doesn’t know art.]
“Why should their lives be your art?” I stroked his head and the memories of the dead incarnation flowed in. The memories soon became a story that dwelt at my fingertips.
[A fragment of the story ‘Grudge of a Brutally Murdered Sword Master’ has been acquired.]
The constetions drew back with a frown.
[...You like dirty stories.]
“Dirty? You gave it to me.”
Why did this person easily be a sword master? It was simple. He originally received it from a constetion.
“The story is boring. The scenario is too slow. It is the power that all of you gave them.”
The things that were received gathered. Someone became a sword master. Someone became a great magician. Then the sword master and great magician became the sin. They all became the prey of these beings.
[What are you trying to do? Stop eating!]
A hot-tempered constetion raised the power of the evil spirit. Originally, Iris couldn’t defeat them. The expedition could never win against the evil spirits. However—
The evil spirit screamed and retreated from the burning sword.
[Kuaaaack!]
In my hand was the sword I had purchased along with the Assassination King’s Cloak.
+
[Item Information]
Name: Eoren’s Sword – Replica
Rating: SS+ (Specific scenarios only)
Description: A sword energized by a first generation story. Only female incarnations can use it and it can generate a force that resists evil spirits for 10 minutes.
+
It was a sword that cost 200,000 coins. It was also a sword that was useless apart from in this scenario. Normally it was an item I would never buy.
[...A first generation sword?]
[Hey, don’t be scared! It’s just a replica version!]
In fact, I was really worried about it.
[Many constetions are astonished by your actions!]
I had wondered if it was worth taking this risk for this scenario. I measured what I could get from it.
[Some members of the Gourmet Association are showing a strong hostility to you!]
Some things should be calcted and some shouldn’t. Then I made a choice.
“You knew I woulde to the volcano.” I decided not to calcte things. “Then did you know? I also knew you would be gathering here.”
No matter what penalties were received or if the opponents were constetions. I couldn’t afford to pay attention to it.
Nevertheless, I smiled like always. “Let’s start the real hunting.”