The Host Mask Man maintained his indifferent posture. Facing the arriving players, he remained expressionless, merely watching.
Meanwhile, several staff members were checking and verifying whether the ingredients brought by the arriving player groups met the requirements.
"Group 27, ingredient: rat meat. Meets the requirement: burrowing mammal, ten jin."
"Group 12, ingredient: blue banana. Meets the requirement: Blue fruit, five jin."
"Group 05, ingredient: cabbage. Meets the requirement: Green vegetable, five jin."
...
...
The teams capable of returning now were, without exception, groups that had completed the ingredient search work. Hearing the staff members' responses, they all breathed a sigh of relief one after another.
Judging by the number of people who had returned to the gathering place, they felt that their ranking this time should look quite good. Especially upon discovering that Lin Ye had only just arrived, returning later than them; this increased their confidence even more.
"After all, this is a project purely based on luck."
"If you can't find it, you can't find it."
"Even a Veteran player with strong power can't do it."
"His streak of three consecutive first places ends here. Just don't know who ended it."
...
...
Many players were lamenting. Although they held good will toward Lin Ye due to his help, they also held a certain degree of jealousy toward Lin Ye, this number one. Seeing that this Veteran player Lin Ye did not return first to submit ingredients, they sighed endlessly. Their moods were very complex.
"Damn it, these people."
The Newcomer players of the two groups acting with Lin Ye couldn't bear it, especially the female university student.
"Brother Zero spent more time only to help us."
"If not for helping us search first, how could Brother Zero be this slow?"
"Ingrates who forget favors and violate justice. Brother Zero shouldn't have suggested Veteran players lead teams in the beginning; should have let you all die in the mouths of wild beasts one by one."
...
The angry rebuttals of the few people were heard by the remaining players, but facing the threat Lin Ye brought, they didn't dare to truly open their mouths to rebut. Receiving kindness from Lin Ye was a fact. If they really rebutted here, or even provoked, that would be forcing themselves onto a road to ruin. Even now, they didn't want to cut off their own retreat.
Very quickly, time passed second by second. The confirmation of ingredients finally reached Lin Ye's side.
The Host who had been in the distance walked over. He patted a staff member's shoulder, signaling the staff member to step aside and leave it to him to handle.
"Oh, golden ostrich wings. It's truly a loss that you guys could still catch a golden ostrich."
The golden ostrich's vigilance was very strong; at the first sign of trouble, it would immediately run, take off, and leave the dangerous place. For an average person to want to catch it, the difficulty was quite high.
The Host recalled that the golden ostrich's food also involved apples. This made him secretly sigh in relief; if they hadn't gone to process the red-related fruits and vegetables in advance, he feared Lin Ye might have found ingredients meeting the requirements right when catching the golden ostrich.
This guy's luck was truly not bad.
"You guys qualify. No problem with the ingredients."
This sentence from the Host made the few people relax. Only at this moment did they know they had cleared the level.
"Black watermelon. To even be able to find this, your luck is also not bad."
The Host Mask Man's praise made the corners of the few people's mouths raise in happiness.
"This, this is all thanks to Brother Zero. If not for Brother Zero, how could we possibly find this black watermelon? Without Brother Zero, I'm afraid we would all be dead."
"Yes, yes, all this is the result of Brother Zero's help."
...
The Newcomers traveling with Lin Ye were most grateful to Lin Ye. Aside from Lin Ye helping them find the corresponding ingredients, there was also that battle when the giant snake attacked. If not for the two Veteran players, Lin Ye and Cold Frost, these Newcomers would likely all have been buried in the snake's belly, becoming the giant snake's dinner. Being able to return alive, being able to find ingredients, was all due to Lin Ye.
"Impressive, impressive."
"To be able to help other guests find corresponding ingredients, you are truly a special guest."
The Host Mask Man couldn't stop praising, complimenting continuously. The other players didn't detect the problem in this praise, but Lin Ye smelled the ill intentions within it.
Cold Frost was also watching. This Host had been targeting Lin Ye all along; how did he change his nature this time, praising Lin Ye like this? Was this fawning? No, this was absolutely not fawning, but... targeting. Hiding all malice underneath by way of praise. Next, that true, cold side would appear.
"I am very ordinary."
"How could that be! You are truly very special."
The Host shook his head and continued to speak, "Throughout three sessions of the Gourmet Sports Meet, there has never been a guest like you. You could be said to be the first guest to achieve this level since the establishment of the Gourmet Sports Meet."
"The other guests, which one isn't for themselves? Not actively harming other players is already considered good will, doing very well. Unlike you, guest, who even actively helps other guests, allowing so many guests to clear the level and live until now."
The Gourmet Sports Meet was essentially a competition. But Lin Ye completely had no intention of competing; instead, he actively provided help, completely changing the style of the past two Gourmet Sports Meets. How could this not make the Host Mask Man marvel!
However, everything ended here. No matter how kind, having not completed the project requirements now, he would also be eliminated.
Inexplicably, the Host Mask Man felt a tiny bit of regret. If things had proceeded normally, Lin Ye getting first place really wouldn't have been too big of a problem; he might even have taken first place in all projects, achieving an unprecedented first-place record. It was just a pity that... everything ended here.
"Thanks."
Lin Ye offered thanks.
"Then, guest, now it is your turn to submit ingredients."
The Host Mask Man spoke. Everyone's line of sight converged on Lin Ye's body. The Newcomers knew Lin Ye hadn't found ingredients, and Cold Frost and Erina Nakiri naturally knew the same. They didn't know where Lin Ye was going to get ingredients meeting the requirements. But they were willing to believe in Lin Ye. There were still twenty-something minutes left before the time ended; they could still make it.
"Does it have to be now?"
"Of course not, you just need to submit before the stipulated time."
He looked at Lin Ye. "However, I see that you and your companions seem to have not found ingredients meeting the requirements—red vegetables or fruits."
He looked around a circle; no one had found any.
"None right now, but there will be in a while."
"Oh!"
The Host Mask Man suddenly thought of something. "Guest, are you preparing to wait for other players to return and exchange ingredients with them?"
Placing hope on other guests? It would be better to come beg them. Hahaha. This guy was already at the end of his rope, out of methods. The Host Mask Man wanted to laugh more and more. This third project, this guy couldn't pass. Let you go against us, let you scheme against us; this is the ending you deserve.
The smile in his heart became increasingly intense.
"Host, this method of yours is not bad."
Mask Man: ???
You hadn't thought of this method yet! Then what did you intend to do! The Mask Man couldn't help but think.
"I originally planned to go look, but looking at it now, waiting here, perhaps the ingredients I need will arrive."
Silence. Total silence.
Cold Frost and Erina Nakiri almost felt that Lin Ye's spirit might have been influenced by the Strange and fallen into a state of confusion. Otherwise, how could this situation appear?
"A joke, just a joke."
Lin Ye smiled, letting Cold Frost and Erina Nakiri heave a sigh of relief. As team members, they shared glory and shame with Lin Ye. If Lin Ye didn't find ingredients, their result would be the same, not any better.
And they now definitely sensed the malice coming from the Host Mask Man. This guy was doing it on purpose. He knew long ago they hadn't found ingredients, so up to now he had been picking fights—first praising, afterwards he definitely wanted to ridicule ruthlessly. Disgusting, vile, extremely vile. This kind of guy, sure enough, it was best if he died.
Cold Frost clenched her hands. Her hands were a bit itchy. If possible, she really wouldn't mind—once she killed him—completely burying this Host with his vile nature.
"So it was a joke, so that's how it is. I thought, guest, you really planned to adopt my method. Although my method is relaxed, it really isn't necessarily effective. Who knows whether the guests returning later will carry ingredients meeting the requirements!"
Impossible. All ingredients meeting the requirements couldn't be in the hands of players. Your third project, 'Hunting', has only failure as the ending.
He increasingly anticipated Lin Ye's painful appearance after the time arrived. He wanted to see Lin Ye's mourning appearance, weeping bitterly, begging for mercy, begging to be let off. Letting a human with powerful strength like Lin Ye reveal this side... that would be such a satisfying and happy thing. Even thinking about it now, he felt his whole body trembling, comfortable beyond belief.
"What if there are!"
"That is true too. I suggest, guest, you can leave one companion here to wait, while you and another companion head to the dense forest to search for ingredients. There are only twenty minutes left until the end; I believe you can do it."
This Host's attitude was unusually good, making numerous observing players feel that this Host really might have changed his nature. Why was he so friendly, even actively proposing methods? It was completely different from his previous performance.
"Nakiri, you stay a bit. Miss Cold, you take a trip with me."
The content of these words made the scene's atmosphere change again. Really returning to the dense forest to search for ingredients? How could they possibly find them? There were only twenty minutes left!
"Okay."
Cold Frost accepted directly.
Erina Nakiri had constant doubts in her heart, and also many worries, but she endured them and didn't ask. Asking had no meaning; apart from wasting time, it wouldn't have any effect. It was better to just believe Lin Ye. How could a Veteran player like Lin Ye not have a backup plan? He must have already found a solution.
Very quickly, under the gaze of everyone's line of sight, the figures of Lin Ye and Cold Frost disappeared from the field of vision, entering the dense forest.
"Left, they actually really left."
"Brother Zero actually really didn't find ingredients."
"Those ingredients, I'm afraid, were targeted by the Organizer!"
"Very likely. From the beginning, felt the Organizer's targeting attitude toward Brother Zero."
...
Discussions were rife; players lamented. In just less than twenty minutes, how could it be possible to find the required ingredients? This round, I'm afraid Lin Ye won't pass. It inexplicably made people sorrowful. They had, after all, received Lin Ye's care.
A few Veteran players among them had complex moods. But if Lin Ye really went cold, their pressure would also be smaller, and they could also strive for first place. First place was 450 Strange Coins. Under Lin Ye's hard work, it increased from 100 Strange Coins to 450 Strange Coins. If they obtained first place, they would obtain a huge income of Strange Coins. Whether for self-use or handing over to an organization, or perhaps trading with national forces, it was a quite worthwhile matter.
"Sigh, can only say he was targeted by the Organizer."
"Who can pass a project competition under the referee's targeting!"
"Being a person, one still needs to be a bit more low-key. Pitfalling the Organizer felt good, but in the later stages, one has to repay it with their own failure."
...
Veteran players sighed constantly as they spoke.
"Maybe he can succeed!"
"No possibility of that."
"What if!"
"There is no what if."
...
Some Veteran players argued because of this, and even brought out Strange Coins to make a betting pool. Some bet Lin Ye would complete the mission and retrieve ingredients; some bet Lin Ye would fail.
The Host Mask Man took the players' reactions into his eyes, laughing endlessly in his heart.
"I believe in him."
At this time, Erina Nakiri's voice pierced through the noisy exchange of the whole venue. So many players held no trust in Lin Ye, but she, Erina Nakiri, held ample confidence.
"Zero and Miss Cold will definitely bring back ingredients."
The Host Mask Man took a look and walked toward Erina Nakiri. He gazed at this golden-haired young girl. "Guest, you have a lot of confidence in him?"
"Of course."
"But I can regretfully tell you, that guest's possibility of success is very low, very low."
Low to the point of approaching zero.
"As long as it's not zero, he can succeed. I believe in him."
"A pity. He isn't here. If he knew of this trust you have in him, he would definitely be very happy, right!"
The Host Mask Man laughed loudly. "How about this! I'll give you a chance."
He looked at Erina Nakiri. "If he fails and doesn't bring back ingredients, according to the rules, we have the right to treat failed guests as ingredients to process. But I will specially allow you, this beautiful Miss, to join us and become a member of ours."
The voice of these words wasn't light. The majority of players heard it. They stared blankly. One could actually join and become a member of the Organizer? Why didn't he say this earlier! If it was like this, the players who failed in previous projects would definitely have been willing to join. Compared to death, joining the Organizer counted as nothing at all.
But after a short while, they figured it out. This qualification to join the Organizer was also not so easily obtained.
"Pervert."
"Men are all the same appearance."
"This guy, sure enough, is like this."
...
Whispers revealed an obvious fact.
Erina Nakiri heard it in her ears. Her expression changed slightly. "I have no interest. I believe he will return."
"Since you believe, then why not bet!"
"Bet? If I win, what benefit is there?"
One sentence asked the Host Mask Man in reverse. It seemed that for this one bet, there was only the price of Erina Nakiri losing, and no result stated for winning.
"What do you want?"
What did she want? Erina Nakiri frowned slightly in thought. What could she want? What can she want? More delicious ingredients? Recipes? Brand new delicious cuisine? She felt these things were inappropriate. Leaving aside whether they had them, even if they did, the value wasn't high. It actually wasn't much help for her survival in the future Strange Games.
Finally, Erina Nakiri thought of something.
"Strange Coins."
"You want Strange Coins?"
"No, it's not that I want Strange Coins, but if I win, then the Strange Coins for the first place reward increase by another three hundred fifty."
Erina Nakiri gave a light hmph, her sharp eyes staring.
"How about it, dare to?"
Add another 350 Strange Coins? This woman actually dared to propose this suggestion? He watched, and at the same time felt the stinging lines of sight from the surrounding players. Although they didn't speak, those eyes were expressing a certain fact—coward, a good-for-nothing who doesn't dare to bet.
"It seems the Organizer of the Gourmet Sports Meet doesn't have any funds either, and the person in charge has no guts. Better not bet, saying it out loud makes people laugh."
"Bet."
The Host Mask Man slammed forcefully, speaking immediately. "I'll bet with you. If you lose, you join us. And if you win, then the Strange Coins for the first place reward increase by another three hundred fifty, reaching eight hundred coins."
He went all out. He had one hundred percent certainty. Even taking ten thousand steps back, if the first place Strange Coins really reached 800, as long as a first place didn't exist, these Strange Coins would never have the possibility of going out.
"Good, it's a deal."
Erina Nakiri said. This was as much as she could do. Next was to continue believing in Lin Ye, believing Lin Ye could bring back good news. If Lin Ye successfully brought back conforming ingredients, then... she would count as having made a contribution. Within those 800 Strange Coins, there was also her contribution.
Suddenly, the Veteran players felt that Lin Ye returning and successfully producing ingredients was also a good thing. According to the judging standards of the previous two projects, the earlier one submitted ingredients, the more points they got. This time, Lin Ye's points would likely be at the bottom. By borrowing the results of the third project 'Hunting', it was completely possible for them to catch up, or even surpass Lin Ye.
Eight hundred Strange Coins. A full eight hundred Strange Coins.
"You have to come back for us!"
"We hope you return with ingredients."
"Begging you, add oil!"
...
The Veteran players who were wavering or even hoping Lin Ye would fail, in this moment, were all pumped up with chicken blood, shouting encouragement for Lin Ye, hoping Lin Ye could return with ingredients. After all, as long as Lin Ye returned, the first place reward would be 350 more Strange Coins.
Those sounds of 'add oil' made Erina Nakiri increasingly embarrassed. These Veteran players were all self-interested. Before, every one of them hoped Lin Ye wouldn't return; now that Lin Ye returning meant 350 more Strange Coins, every one of them was sincerely praying for Lin Ye to return. This reality made Erina Nakiri realize that in the Strange Game, it was very difficult for Strange Players to have true friendship.
The friendship between Lin Ye and Cold Frost was truly rare and commendable, extremely precious. In this Strange Game filled with danger and death, having a trustworthy companion, that was truly good! Erina Nakiri lamented. She also wanted it. Besides considerations for survival, it was also a longing for that sincere emotion.
The Host Mask Man listened to the changing words of those players, cold snorts constant in his heart. These players, every one self-interested, extremely realistic. But their prayers were destined to fall through. It was impossible for Lin Ye to find ingredients, not possible at all.
There wasn't much time left until the deadline. The Host Mask Man hoped this time could go faster.
"Couldn't be thinking of running away, right!"
"That should be impossible. Veteran players all know that without completing the mission, one cannot leave here, unless there are special items."
But as far as the present was concerned, before the moment the project's stipulated time ended, players wouldn't use items now even if they knew they were going to fail. So, Lin Ye must definitely still be risking his life searching for ingredients.
"Risk your life!"
"Strive hard!"
"But in the end, you will discover all your efforts didn't have any meaning. What you welcome is destined to only be failure."
The Host Mask Man slowly exhaled a breath.
And time returned to a few minutes ago.
After Lin Ye and Cold Frost left, upon confirming no one was following behind, Lin Ye stopped his steps.
"Now you can tell me the method, right!"
Cold Frost guessed Lin Ye deliberately left the gathering place.
"Very simple. Go directly to retrieve our red fruits and red vegetables."
"Where?"
Lin Ye pointed the direction.
Cold Frost was startled, but very quickly thought of something.
"They..."
"Yes."
Lin Ye nodded. "The Organizer already collected the relevant ingredients while we were heading to the dense forest to search."
"Damn it."
Cold Frost was indignant. She truly hadn't thought the Organizer targeted them to this degree, even doing such a vile act as directly taking away and hiding all red-related plant ingredients. This plainly was wanting them to die! If not for Lin Ye seeing through it, she feared even if they searched for another ten days and ten nights, they wouldn't find relevant ingredients.
"How do we sneak back? There should be staff guarding over there!"
"Also very simple."
Lin Ye extended his hand toward Cold Frost. Cold Frost didn't hesitate, placing her own hand on Lin Ye's hand.
Before long, Cold Frost saw her own hand become transparent. No, not only did the hand become transparent, connectedly her body and clothes also became transparent together. The whole person entered into a transparent state.
"Invisibility."
Lin Ye had an Invisibility skill! Cold Frost was astonished. If this skill was used well, it was a god-tier skill! At least it was convenient for hiding and sneak attacks; used properly, one could absolutely obtain huge battle results.
"Enter just like this. Let's go!"
Lin Ye released his hand. The two gradually broke away from the Invisibility state.
Circling around, Lin Ye and Cold Frost successively entered the back area of the gathering place. There were other staff members guarding here. But facing the invisible Lin Ye and Cold Frost, the staff members completely didn't discover them.
Lin Ye was at ease. If the staff members reacted and detected their existence, he would use Time Stop to distance himself in the first instant.
As for the storage place of the red ingredients, it had now been concealed. But for Lin Ye, this wasn't a problem at all. Under perspective, those coverings that hadn't undergone any processing didn't have any effect at all. Lin Ye had locked onto it long ago, and successfully brought Cold Frost to its side.
"So many."
Looking at various types of red ingredients, Cold Frost gnashed her teeth. Looking at this blood-red patch, the anger in her heart flourished even more. So many quantities and varieties of red ingredients; they hadn't found a single bit. Turns out they were all collected and hidden by the Organizer.
Good. Very good. She remembered this grudge. If there was a chance, she would definitely take revenge ruthlessly.
"Let's go!"
Cold Frost took ten red tomatoes. The requirement was ten; taking ten was enough.
"Not enough. We take them all away. Use the player's Storage Grid."
Cold Frost really wanted to say there wasn't this necessity. But since Lin Ye said so, she didn't refuse. The two took away all of the two-hundred-plus red ingredients of various types stored here, not leaving a single bit behind.
...
Five minutes remaining until the end.
Another few groups returned; they also found the corresponding ingredients. Several people were very bedraggled, covered in mud, with wounds on their bodies; obviously, they were injured. But fortunately, they had brought back ingredients and completed the mission.
"So thrilling, almost died."
"Is the first place this time still Brother Zero? He should be the first player to submit ingredients again, right!"
"Brother Zero, where is Brother Zero!"
...
Someone replied. "Zero, he hasn't found ingredients yet. He's still out searching. Looking at it now, I'm afraid he won't make it."
"Ah!"
Shock. The newly returned players revealed expressions of astonishment one after another.
"How is it possible? How could Brother Zero possibly have not returned yet!"
After all, in some players' hearts, Lin Ye not taking first place was the confusing thing. Even if not first, at least top five, right! But now, Zero actually hadn't even returned in person; this was hard to accept no matter what.
"It's true. The two Newcomer groups he was responsible for brought back ingredients, but he just happens not to have."
"This... this is being targeted by the Organizer, right!"
"Shh... careful of being heard."
The Organizer could target Lin Ye, naturally they could also target other players. Therefore, quite a few players now didn't dare speak bad words about the Organizer, deeply afraid of being stared at by the Organizer and targeted, thereby losing the possibility of clearing the level. Even a Veteran player with powerful strength like Lin Ye was going to fail under the Organizer's targeting, so how could Newcomers like them survive under the Organizer's targeting? Therefore, they could only be cautious not to attract the Organizer's attention, praying they could pass the final time safely.
"A pity."
Players were lamenting. Such a Veteran player with powerful strength and a good personality was going to fail under the Organizer's targeting. How could this not make some players who had good feelings toward Lin Ye feel regret! One could only say, good people don't live long, while evil people obtain comfort instead. He saw the Organizer's Host; that worn mask couldn't conceal that joy.
It made people angry, made people helpless. But they couldn't do anything. Apart from lamenting, they couldn't do anything.
Only three minutes remained until the time hit the point. No human figures appeared in the distance. Even Erina Nakiri's worried heart became increasingly intense.
Lin Ye couldn't have really not found it, right! Then she... wouldn't she have to work for this Organizer? Don't want that! You, appear faster for this old lady! I don't want to stay here and work. I still want to return to reality. Didn't you want to eat the cuisine I make? If you don't appear, you still want to eat the cuisine I make? Dream on.
Erina Nakiri became increasingly disappointed, and the look in her eyes dimmed.
"Coming!"
Suddenly, a player's voice instantly attracted many people's attention. The lines of sight of those who heard it were cast toward the direction of the entrance one after another. It was Lin Ye and Cold Frost.
The Host Mask Man froze. Could they have really found it? Looking at that black bag... the volume wasn't very big. But what if there really were ten red plant ingredients!
The Host Mask Man gulped.
"Impossible."
"This is impossible."
Before long, Lin Ye and Cold Frost arrived.
"Check it!"
The black plastic bag opened.
The Host Mask Man reacted the fastest. He looked over with a glance, seeing pink fruits. In this instant, he was at ease.
"Sorry, guest, this is pink, not red."
Amidst wild joy, the Host Mask Man's suspended heart was completely put down. So it was pink! This wasn't red. His explanation had absolutely no problems.
"This is also red! Pink is also red."
"Apologies, it is not."
Facing Lin Ye's struggle and rebuttal, the Host Mask Man shook his head.
"Then what kind of red do you want!"
"This kind."
To cope with this situation, there were still samples on the scene. The Host Mask Man waved his hand. A red fruit appeared, brightly red and smooth, making one raise the impulse to caress it.
"Only this kind is red."
He looked at Lin Ye and shook his head. "Guest, apologies, your type of fruit does not meet the requirements. I can only express regret."
Erina Nakiri's eyes revealed despair. No, it actually wasn't. This pink clearly could also be red. This Organizer was abusing power. This was absolutely intentional.
"This kind of red is okay?"
Lin Ye pointed angrily at that red fruit.
"Of course."
The Host Mask Man nodded with solemn seriousness.
"Sigh, a pity for Brother Zero. Went to great trouble to find pink fruits to bring back."
"Pink is also red!"
"This determination is up to the Organizer. Now Brother Zero doesn't have any chance. There's already no time."
...
Only one minute of time remained. Unless Lin Ye conjured up new red ingredients, otherwise, there was absolutely no possibility. Many people sighed in regret; such a powerful Veteran player was finished just like this. A pity, truly a pity. The three hundred fifty Strange Coins were also gone. Sigh. Veteran players also shouted what a pity.
"I understand."
At this time, Lin Ye's entire aura was low and disappointed. This reaction made the Host Mask Man shout 'cool' directly. He had waited for this scene for how long?
"Since that's the case, then I can only give this kind of ingredient."
Hmm?
The Host Mask Man issued a query.
In the next second, he saw a patch of bright red fruits suddenly appear before his eyes, falling and rolling non-stop with a clatter.
In this moment,
The Mask Man was sluggish.
The staff members were dumbfounded.
Even Erina Nakiri and the numerous players were all dumbfounded.
What was going on?
Where did so many red fruit ingredients come from!
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