The Area Ahead

At the village entrance, there was a metal fence gate, secured with a very heavy iron chain.

Inside the gate, there were three bamboo baskets, covered with cloth.

As Yimo approached, a scent of flour reached their nose.

Without hesitation, Yimo opened the cloth covering the baskets, and the contents were revealed with the steam.

The bamboo baskets were filled with steamed buns, conservatively estimating no less than fifty.

Yimo casually picked up a bun. It wasn't as white as those sold outside, but it looked better made, making one's mouth water. It was at a comfortable temperature, not hot to the touch.

Yimo squeezed it, intending to take a bite, but was stopped by Dieyu.

"Mr. Siba, be careful, it might be poisoned~" Dieyu leaned in slightly, smiling as she reminded Yimo. Inside her shawl, the hem of her skirt revealed a glimpse of snow-white, which was much more appetizing than the steamed bun.

Yimo looked at Dieyu and said, "Do you want one? It's already noon."

Oh, really...

She warns you it might be poisoned, and you offer her one.

Good heavens, that's something!

Although Yimo's words were rather tactless, Dieyu seemed completely unfazed and said, "No, no, to be honest, I don't really have an appetite~"

That made sense. It was a death game, and they hadn't been in it for long, so not being able to eat was normal.

"Man cannot live by bread alone, but without it, he'll starve!" Yimo said, taking a bite of the bun. Chewing it, Yimo found the taste quite good, better than those sold outside.

Actually, Yimo usually ate mostly instant food, like instant noodles, or those boxed instant meals with rice, noodles, and vegetables.

Eating them occasionally might feel good, but eating them every day had become difficult to stomach.

However, Yimo had a bit of a masochistic tendency, being quite wealthy yet maintaining this habit.

Eating these seemingly handmade steamed buns now, chewing them, Yimo found the taste to be excellent!

Then, looking at Dieyu, Yimo said, "If they put poison in the food, then this game is too malicious. I don't think so. Really, won't you have some?"

Dieyu shook her head, refusing, and did not eat.

Pikachu discovered scallion pancakes in another bamboo basket. Picking up a piece, Pikachu ate a bite without hesitation and said, "Mmm, good flour, and the taste is pure."

Pikachu ran a restaurant and was quite knowledgeable about such common foods.

Naughty Cat, seeing Yimo and Pikachu eating happily, also felt quite pleased. Noticing over a dozen small wooden bowls with lids in the third bamboo basket, Naughty Cat opened one to reveal stir-fried dishes that smelled delicious. Cupping the bowl with both hands, Naughty Cat asked, "Um... do you want to eat some of the dishes?"

Pikachu, not being polite at all, took out a pair of pure silver chopsticks from their pocket and picked up a few bites, not saying anything to Naughty Cat.

Yimo shook their head and refused. After finishing the bun in hand, Yimo clapped their hands and walked towards the iron fence gate, thinking.

Where did this food come from?

If it was refreshed by the game system, then there was no need to refresh it at the village entrance.

If someone put it here, then the possibility of it being placed by other players was ruled out first.

Because they were the first people to arrive here after the game started.

Then...

Doesn't that mean there are others in this game?

As for third-party players, Yimo felt it was unlikely for this game to have more factions.

Therefore, Yimo considered the possibility of NPCs existing in the game.

With this possibility in mind, Yimo wanted to interact with NPCs to see if any information could be obtained.

Based on the temperature of the steamed buns, Yimo guessed that the food had likely been placed there that morning.

The amount of food was enough for 12 people to eat their fill for three meals a day.

With this thought, Yimo decided to wake up early tomorrow. If they were still alive, they would definitely check the entrance to see if NPCs truly existed!

Of course, Yimo did not share these thoughts.

Then, Yimo began to climb the iron fence gate.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa... Siba Jungler... be careful..." Naughty Cat reminded from behind, sounding a bit scared.

That iron gate was quite tall!

"It's fine."

Although Yimo's physical fitness wasn't great, they thought climbing an iron gate wouldn't be a problem. Finally reaching a high point and about to climb over, a system prompt sounded in their mind.

『The area ahead is for later exploration!』

Oh, this... familiar wording!

Was Yimo the type of person to obediently follow instructions?

Of course not!

They just wanted to try and force their way over.

After all, in some games, there were scenarios where refusing a few times and persistently engaging in dialogue could trigger hidden plotlines.

So then...

"The previous area, please come back to explore it later!"

"The previous area, please come back to explore it later!"

"Ding ding ding, game rule violation, player deducted 11 points."

Yimo's vision went black, and his body, out of control, fell towards the ground behind him.

"Damn...!"

A gasp escaped him. Two meters wasn't high, but falling uncontrollably wasn't comfortable either!

"Roar!!!"

But fortunately, Pikachu was strong, with a broad back and a sturdy build. With a mighty roar, it stepped forward, grabbing Yimo's left and right shoulders with its two hands, like picking up a chick. It then easily placed him on the ground.

"Little Siba Jungler brother, are you okay!" The concerned voice was full of power!

Yimo's expression was a bit awkward. He turned his head and said, "Uh... thanks... I'm fine..."

"It just... hurts a bit..."

As Yimo spoke, Pikachu, feeling a bit embarrassed, finally let go.

Yimo rubbed his arm, seriously suspecting that before opening a restaurant, Pikachu might have been a wrestler or a weightlifter...

Among the players in this game, if they were to fight, only the mighty True Martial Emperor would have a chance to compete with her.

Dieyu walked over, pinching her earlobe, her left hand lightly clenched into a fist near her mouth. She said with a charming smile, "Forcibly violating the rules can lead to point deductions, you know~"

"Mr. Siba, perhaps you have many points and aren't afraid to waste them?"

Yimo looked at Dieyu. Although she seemed to be asking casually, he didn't dare to answer carelessly.

"It's alright, it's alright, just enough to get by."

"It's just that losing 11 points, not a whole number, is a bit hard on my obsessive-compulsive disorder."

"The system is as mischievous as ever, which is understandable."

Dieyu said kindly, "That's great. I don't have many points, so I really can't afford to waste them~"

"It seems we can't get out of this village. What should we do next?"

Yimo looked past the fence gate at a small path, the lush forests on both sides, and the cicadas chirping "zi ya zi ya zi ya" incessantly in his ears. He turned his head and said, "Let's go back and find a cool place to wait for the results from the other teams!"

"En, slacking off!"

Saying that, he took the lead and walked back alone.

He thought to himself that Dieyu and Pikachu were both extraordinary.

The former was clearly meticulous and courageous, showing no fear or nervousness in this death game.

The latter's physique was enough to take him down several times over.

As for Naughty Cat, further observation was needed.

As Yimo, Dieyu, and Pikachu all walked back, Naughty Cat looked thoughtfully at the food, not leaving immediately.

Pikachu noticed she hadn't left and turned to her, saying, "What are you up to, you drama queen? Don't tell me you're planning to poison it!"

"Ah, ah, ah! How could I!"

"I... I... I was just wondering if we should carry this food back. No one has had lunch yet." Naughty Cat looked genuinely concerned, pulling at the small bamboo basket. However, with her strength, just lifting it was quite a struggle.

Pikachu suddenly chuckled, "You're an idiot. No one's stopping you, so why bother? Wait for those guys to finish their business and let them carry it."

"Hurry up and go, don't try any tricks. I suspect you might be a wolf."