episode_0013

It was only about 300 years ago that monsters’ corpses were included in human food culture.

Monsters, for the most part, had grotesque appearances and emitted an unbearable stench from their flesh.

Until culinary techniques advanced, monster corpses were nothing more than fertilizer, livestock feed, or even just garbage if resources were scarce.

Then, 300 years ago.

A famine swept across the continent, causing a surge in those starving, while the nobles sought only to preserve their own lives, leaving the lower classes to endure a time of hardship to the point of eating dirt.

That was the turning point.

The intense survival instinct of humans.

That was what put monster corpses on the chopping block.

To survive, endure disgust, endure the stench, and begin researching the use of monster corpses as ingredients marked the beginning of a serious endeavor.

And in the end, monster corpses had become a valuable food source.

Of course, to the ruling class who had never experienced famine, it was nothing more than a useful and unpleasant food source for the lowly lower class.

That’s why.

“It looks appetizing.”

Eldeen’s comment was hardly believable.

Unlike those who tried to hide their shock and disdain as they answered, his eyes seemed genuine.

Looking at the grotesque dish of roasted pig-like monster legs, his appetite seemed genuine.

It’s a lie.

He’s putting on a show, hiding his shock and playing along.

But eventually, he’ll have to reveal his true shock when he tastes it and join the climax of this revenge drama.

Even those of you who enjoy eating spiders, ants, and caterpillars will have to experience that horror…!

That’s why he pleaded with a desperate wish.

“…Then, please don’t misunderstand, would you eat at least a bite?”

It was truly a ridiculous situation.

It was truly a bizarre situation.

A revenger pleading with the revenged to eat.

But there was no other way.

The declaration of withdrawal by the final candidate was unprecedented in the history of the Pact Battle, and there were no provisions in place to deal with it.

There was no way to force the withdrawer to give their all in the final evaluation.

Sincerity cannot be forced, cannot be coerced.

So all they could do was delay the decision on the withdrawal and forcibly hold on to them.

“….”

Fortunately, he touched the dish.

Despite showing favoritism and kindness, he had been silent until now, but he finally started to move according to his own will.

An unsolvable problem.

Could the clue be found?

With that hope, they watched all of Eldeen’s actions and reactions.

It’s a shiver that cannot be covered up, to disdain and disgust what stirs in your mouth, it’s a chill that cannot be hidden by lies.

Derren, Kyle, and Blund.

As if to prove that, the three could not hide their disgust reactions, including dry heaving, as they reluctantly continued their meal.

Of course, there was no desire to enjoy their fear.

Because they were different from them.

Not villains who take pleasure in others’ misfortune and fear.

Just.

Hoping they remember the sins they committed.

Hoping they remember the sacrifices of those sins.

Hoping to understand the pain and sadness of those sacrifices a little.

At the face-to-face meeting that would take place in 7 days, they only hoped that they would sincerely repent.

And.

For those who do not repent, who waste their chance, they only hoped they would walk the path of self-destruction.

That’s why.

For all those hopes, Eldeen Raphellion had to eat monster cuisine and endure disgust.

Even if his wicked nature had changed by now, he still had to pay the price for that day’s events.

But.

“It was a taste that melted softly in the mouth. Your skills are excellent, Lady Dae Gong.”

Elden sent his praise outward.

With eyes filled with genuine emotion.

It was a praise for his cooking skills with a pure gaze that could not be condemned as false.

Moreover, as if leaving an impression, the way he wiped the grease off his fingers while looking at the dish in the bowl made him look no different from a hungry gourmet.

Tap.

Tap.

He knew that he had to show even the slightest reaction.

If he had lived spewing out disgust and hatred, then even if it was a slight discomfort when it entered his mouth, he had to show it.

He should have become not a hungry gourmet, but a terrified sacrificial lamb.

‘What the heck? What is this…!’

He had declared war to find the truth, but ended up losing gracefully in the argument.

He had to retreat and sharpen his sword to bring himself back to the battlefield.

This time, he would definitely win.

Just like he did to himself, he vowed to strip off the mask of deception by forcing disgust and contempt into his mouth.

With that determination, he brought out his weapon, ‘Monster Cooking’.

“Ugh.”

“Slurp….”

“Gulp….”

The sound of victory echoed continuously as it reached Deron, Blund, and Kyle.

However, once again, the sound of defeat echoed during Elden’s turn.

It felt like he was going crazy.

He was so angry that he felt like he would go mad.

After dominating Elden, he spent the whole day thinking about him, leaving behind his research and experiments.

The problem he posed was interesting and annoying at the same time.

He formulated numerous hypotheses and devised plans for their verification, even sacrificing his sleep.

As a result, the complexion under the white fox mask had become somewhat pale.

Although shadows were cast under his eyes, her mind was filled with hypotheses and proofs.

“….?”

Why does that fierce and terrifying face look so repulsive now?

Why do I want to dig into those eyes that I was too scared to even look at during my school days?

It’s disgusting.

Repulsive.

And disintegrating.

It’s too, too, too frustrating.

Remyang gnashed her teeth.

There can’t be a problem in this world without a solution.

If there is no answer, it simply means it hasn’t ‘appeared’.

Revealing hidden answers is the basic virtue, ability, and quality that a great investigator should possess.

Crack!

Remyang stood up nervously from his seat.

Revenge was not originally started to enjoy their fear.

If they hadn’t caught his attention in the first place, revenge wouldn’t have started.

It was simply a revenge based on enlightenment and guidance.

This was enough for the message to be delivered on the first day.

Above all.

“….?”

It was difficult to face Elden’s innocent and naive expression.

His desire for investigation seemed to be raising a flag of surrender and offering medicine.

During his school days, he was tormented by abuse and mockery, but now he was being tormented by annoying pranks.

How did he figure it out and skillfully avoid this revenge drama?

Don’t back down.

Try avoiding it to the end.

With that determination, Remyang left after scanning the three candidates who were swallowing their discomfort and holding back their emotions.

“Hmph.”

Leaving only a snort for Elden Raphelion.

And then.

As Remyang left the arena, the three candidates who had been holding back their emotions also began to rush out.

Kyle Belaon, who had the weakest stomach, couldn’t hold back his vomit.

“….”

A duel that ended in an instant.

In a quiet space devoid of any signs of popularity, a lone raccoon, left behind, wandered around unfamiliar foods it had never tasted before, soon following them out of the city.

Squelch, squelch.

Chirp, chirp.

“Hmm, they look delicious.”

Juicy grilled front legs of a coatbo with a taste of chicken.

Savory stir-fried half-worm with a flavor of seasoned pork belly.

Chewy chicken wings with a taste of black bat wings.

The gourmet raccoon couldn’t understand why three humans had abandoned such exquisite flavors.

**

Raccoon.

No, Elden, who left Daechon with a disappointed palate, was on the move with Rendler.

Rendler, following behind, asked with a puzzled expression, “Where are you going?”

It was the opposite direction of where the annex was located.

Moreover, Elden’s footsteps were not heading in the direction of Confucius.

At the end of this road, there was the largest library in the Northern Territory.

“The library.”

“…Excuse me?”

Rendler raised an eyebrow in confusion.

And asked again, “The library… are you serious?”

“Yes. I want to find something to read.”

To stay in the Grand Castle for 15 days, one needed something to occupy the spare time.

And it wasn’t just about participating in the final evaluation battle for 15 days.

One day was for the evaluation battle with the Grand Lady, and the next day was a rest day with no official schedule.

Of course, the rest time was also for the final candidates to socialize and have personal time.

Therefore, the abstainer needed something enjoyable to do during the rest time.

Spending the whole day training with Rachel was not an option.

In times of hardship and exhaustion, one needed something to relax and enjoy.

In this world without game consoles, TVs, or YouTube, reading material was the best option.

Especially for Lee Jun-woo, who was a fan of web novels even in modern times, heading to the best library in the Northern Territory was a natural choice.

“Now you’re even trying to nourish your mind… I am so happy, sir…”

“Enough.”

He just wanted to read novels from this world.

It wasn’t about nourishing his mind.

Before the sentimental butler could shed tears, Elden hurriedly entered the library.

“It’s huge.”

Indeed, as expected of the largest library in the Northern Territory, it was vast.

Moreover, as a space open to the general nobility and servants of the Grand Castle, there were many people.

“If you have any recommended books, bring them to me. I’ll be looking for something to read.”

“Yes. Understood.”

And so, Elden bid farewell to Rendler and began to explore the library, humming to himself, filled with anticipation of what novels within novels he might find.