The third time was this [Erudite] advancement quest (continued)

On the hotel rooftop.

Adrian watched the championship awards ceremony about to begin below. He had so much to complain about that he did not know where to start.

"Joseph Jangster, my ass!"

On the competition stage.

The host gestured, and a group of staff wheeled a small cart onto the stage. An enormous golden trophy and a small brown wooden box rested on top.

"Now, let us present the winner with the prizes for this competition!"

Microphone in hand, the host spoke in an exuberant voice, rousing the audience's excitement and enthusiasm.

"A championship trophy made of gold, and a one-in-ten-thousand treasure of the sea—a Devil Fruit!"

The host walked over to the cart and flipped open the wooden box, revealing the Devil Fruit inside.

"The Paramecia Squeeze-Squeeze Fruit, a special Devil Fruit that lets you squeeze juice at will. For a cook, aside from those few legendary fruits, the Squeeze-Squeeze Fruit is still an excellent culinary assistant!"

As the host looked at the Devil Fruit in the wooden box, a flicker of burning greed crossed his eyes.

That was only human nature.

"Now, let us witness the birth of a legendary cook and Devil Fruit user!"

Before the host could take out the Devil Fruit, something unexpected happened.

A whistling sound came from above the ring to the right. A gigantic naginata nearly five meters long hurtled straight toward the awards ceremony with tremendous force.

Close behind the naginata followed a terrifying Smoke Demon with a savage face.

Its entire lower body consisted of dense, pale blue smoke. The skin of its muscular upper body was a strange, frightening shade of dark blue. A thick, long pink beard covered its hideous face, and its equally pink hair was tied into a high ponytail with a golden metal cord,