Apocalypse Forecast

Is it thrilling? I gotta say, it really is.

Just thinking about a little brat-like, semi-transparent spectre running around in my bedroom while I’m asleep gives even me, Huai Shi, the shivers.

It’s like I’ve stumbled into the wrong movie set.

I always thought this world was quite fantastical, but I never expected it to evolve into a style blending mystery and horror.

How could it be that, even after arriving in Yingzhou, someone had implanted a monitor right in my chest?

Twenty-four hours of deep, intimate surveillance.

The thought of some sinister being always keeping an eye on my back, and on my wallet, makes my heart twitch. I can’t help but shudder with cold—when will this tool of a person finally stand up...

After habitually going through a set of fist forms, just as he was about to add a few more comments, Huai Shi heard his door being knocked.

He hung up the phone amidst Tong Ji’s utterly unreliable blessings.

Ten seconds later, Miss Huaizhi pushed open the door with a troubled expression. Her gaze landed on the servant before her, and her lifeless stare sent a chill down his spine.

The visitor brought news that could be good or bad.

The second Chef Demon duel for Huaizhi Sushi had begun.

The first round of Chef Demon duels hadn’t even progressed halfway in these two days, yet the second duel had arrived so abruptly. The host from the Li Jian family didn’t hide the reason and told Zhenxi and Huaizhi straightforwardly that someone had specifically challenged them. They could accept, with the loser naturally leaving the competition. If they didn’t accept, nothing would happen.

As for the one who issued the challenge, should they lose, they would have to forfeit not only their candidacy but also a substantial bet.

Although Huai Shi didn’t care for the money, seeing Zhenxi’s eyes gleam, he thought it over and chose to accept.

He could guess a bit of the challenger’s plan.

It was nothing more than sending a pawn to test the waters, to gauge the level of Huaizhi Sushi.

Her best skills, her school of thought, and... her weaknesses.

Among all the Chef Demons that had appeared, only Huaizhi Sushi remained a mystery. She’d just shaken a glass of ice water from start to finish, and yet somehow managed to defeat the seeded contestant Shenjin Qing with just a cup of cool boiled water.

Such an unusual style had left many people feeling a chill at the back of their necks.

They wanted to understand her actual level of skill.

Huai Shi was very calm about this because he truly had no real skill level.

As long as he didn’t encounter the most troublesome Chef Demon within his perception, he could fight anyone casually.

For the type sent to test Huaizhi, destined only to be cannon fodder and a pathpaver for others, Huai Shi wouldn’t even need to lift a finger; he could just eat them into exhaustion.

And he could gain some experience points in the process, plus there was money to be had.

Was there anything better than this, really?

Unless the other side doubled their money, Huai Shi felt nothing could be better. It was a pity he hadn’t realized this earlier; otherwise, he could have eaten a few more meals off Shenjin Qing.

With a peaceful heart, Huai Shi quietly spent the brief time before the duel.

Just to be safe, after some preparation, he and Zhenxi, led by a servant, once again entered the vast underground plaza.

The atmosphere was still peculiar.

It seemed the last Chef Demon duel had ended not long ago. The thick, meaty aroma enveloping the entire place was so intense it made one’s head spin just from sniffing it.

”Miss Huaizhi, you’re late, you missed the most exciting part just now.”

The heavily tattooed, bear-like Chef Demon Vladimir greeted them warmly, as if they were actually very familiar.

Huai Shi immediately looked eagerly towards the center of the arena.

Would there be anyone cooking extra portions for me to sample later...

Unfortunately, there weren’t. Truly straightforward and young Chef Demons like Kujikane were a rarity. The ones currently in the arena hid their skills well, revealing nothing of their systems unless necessary.

And upon learning that Huaizhi Sushi was about to enter the next Chef Demon duel, everyone’s eyes suddenly lit up with eagerness, hoping to see the unveiling of her non-existent true capabilities.

They had not considered that this person, apart from being able to eat, was weak, helpless, and pitiable.

Amidst the overpowering meat aroma, the hippie Arumu packed up his tools and looked back at Huai Shi, who was waiting to enter the arena. He seemed surprised, but quickly made way.

His opponent, however, was being carried out, covered in bruises, with blackened lips and swollen limbs. It didn’t look like poisoning.

As he passed by the stretcher, Huai Shi’s eyebrows slightly raised.

This is... rhabdomyolysis?

It seemed to be a consequence of explosive exercise and fitness activities, where massive muscle ruptures led to autointoxication and precipitated conditions like acute kidney failure.

He was all too familiar with this matter.

The basic course at Orchard Gym covered these issues as warnings when Professor Luo taught fitness fundamentals, but it was quite rare to see a Sublimator end up like this.

But what on earth did he eat to end up like this? And for it to act so quickly too...

Huai Shi sniffed the rapidly dispersing scent of meat in the air and became curious.

The central air conditioning was quite powerful, and it didn’t take long for the overly rich, uncomfortable scent of meat to finally dissipate.

”Miss Huaizhi, right?”

A fat man walked out from the entrance.

His attire was quite proper: his small mustache was well-groomed, he wore a white chef’s uniform, and a fairly traditional tall hat sat on his head.

He looked as if he hadn’t had a proper rest in a very long time, with dark circles under his swollen, bulging eyes, and he couldn’t help but chuckle, HEH HEH, while looking at Huaizhi Sushi’s face.

As if out of concern, he asked, ”I heard last night was quite lively. Did you rest well, and can you continue the duel?”

”Before worrying about others, shouldn’t you take care of your own kidney deficiency first?”

Huai Shi calmly countered, pulling out a chair to sit behind the cooking station. ”I am quite curious, though, who egged you on to initiate this duel... Haven’t you noticed that you’ve been too daring?”

”Miss Huaizhi, you are the High Peak, mysterious and terrifying, but there always has to be an Explorer who takes the initiative to challenge, right?”

The fat man with the Roman accent grinned, revealing gapped teeth. ”Forgot to introduce myself. Just call me Enrico. Enrico Saget. Even though I’m just a nobody, we are now on the same battlefield. Please, show no mercy and crush me with all your might!”

Even with such a humble tone, he couldn’t hide the malice behind his words. His eyes narrowed lecherously as he looked at Huaizhi Sushi.

Drooling with desire.

Up in the stands, Arumu was taken aback for a moment, then looked up at the fat man.

”Enrico? How has this guy gotten so fat?”

The hippie Chef Demon pinched his chin and clucked in interest, ”This could be interesting, that guy might just be Miss Huaizhi’s toughest opponent.”

”Are you saying he’s the ’Stinky Glue’ from the Sicily region?” Flamikir frowned. ”How did that guy end up here?”

Enrico Saget... even among Chef Demons, he was notorious.

Beyond his off-putting culinary skills, he also had an extremely tenacious style that could be described as persistent harassment. It was said that once he set his sights on someone, it was like getting stinky glue on your hands—impossible to shake off, cut away, or get rid of, sticking around like a maggot on a rotting corpse.

Relying on his extraordinary recovery Ability and the aid of copious amounts of banned substances, he gained a life force akin to that of an earthworm and powerful Abyss Resistance, thus starting his infuriating Chef Demon career.

According to records, he once challenged the same opponent more than forty times within a year, never ceasing his assaults until he secured a victory. And once he won, all of the opponent’s reputation, achievements, and efforts would be trampled under his feet.

To deteriorate his opponents’ condition as much as possible, he wouldn’t hesitate to use public opinion manipulation, extortion, intimidation, kidnapping, poisoning his opponents’ restaurants, and even disguises to steal techniques.

His reputation grew increasingly foul, but this ever-expanding miasma of disgust and hatred also made him stronger and stronger.

Like a Ghoul, he devoured the corpses of his opponents, growing to his current level.

He indeed stood in the same place as Huaizhi Sushi.

Not only were they on the same battlefield, but he also possessed similar advantages. His abnormal vitality was almost insect-like, with incredibly strong resistance to toxins, and he was also adept at shedding his tail to survive.

”To join this duel, it seems that fellow has prepared quite a bit, at least quickly gaining more than ninety kilograms,” Arumu remarked, his voice intentionally louder. ”According to his unique detoxification method, that much fat should be enough to neutralize toxins sufficient to kill thousands of people. Truly impressive.”

Without any regard for his voice being heard by others, in fact... Arumu was intentionally leaking information to Huai Shi.

Every Chef Demon present felt only deep disgust for someone like Enrico, much like seeing a fly buzzing around in one’s own kitchen.

Eager to swat it dead.

Even if they were eager to learn about the true level of Huaizhi Sushi’s skills, they were not willing to side with that man.

”Right, right, exactly,” Enrico laughed, unbothered, his flesh quivering. ”Toxins and such are useless against me. Even if I have to cling on stubbornly, I’ll still be here after three rounds. Miss Huaizhi, please don’t harbor any naive thoughts of a quick resolution.”

Huai Shi couldn’t help but sigh, ”It seems you’re not just ordinarily obnoxious.”

”Isn’t that a form of affection for me?”

Enrico placed his massive toolbox beside him, still bearing that unpleasant smile. Gazing at his opponent with a lascivious look, he said, ”Shall we begin, Lady SuZi? I can’t wait to get close to you, HEH HEH... By the way, you should know that you’re my type. It’s a pity though...”

He glanced at Huaizhi Sushi’s chest. ”Somewhat of a letdown.”

Huai Shi sighed and looked up at the high platform.

”Say, does a Chef Demon duel have rules against sexual harassment?”

Up on the high platform, all was silent, no response.

Clearly, there was no such rule...