The door creaked open slowly.
Rudeus and his entourage entered the store one after another.
Approaching them was a man with a sinister aura and a face so gaunt it was almost skeletal.
He wore a black eyepatch over his right eye, giving him an eerie aura that kept strangers at bay.
Perhaps because this shop rarely had so many customers, the man's face lit up with a rare hint of joy when he saw the group.
"Uh... welcome! Distinguished guests, please come in~"
However, as soon as he finished speaking, Eris jumped out impatiently.
"You must be Death God Randolph? I'm going to wage Ranked Blood Battle you!"
" Eris!?"
Rudeus frowned instantly and couldn't help but glare at her.
This guy...
Can't you just be a little more patient?
Sure enough, Randolph's smile vanished instantly.
"What? Aren't you all here for dinner?"
"I'm sorry then."
He raised his hand in a gesture of invitation, and his tone turned cold.
"Please leave, everyone. I haven't participated in battles for a long time."
No, no!
Rudeus quickly stepped forward to explain.
"Your Excellency Death God, of course we're here to eat. We've heard a lot about a very unique restaurant in Donggang, so we've come here specifically to try it."
As he spoke, he turned around, leaned close to Eris's ear, and whispered:
" Eris, listen to me. If you really want to fight Death God, then eat every last bit of the food he makes."
Eris was taken aback.
Clearly, they didn't quite understand what Rudeus meant by that.
However, she still obediently nodded.
"Really? You're all here for dinner?"
"Certainly."
Rudeus nodded with a smile.
"Bring the menu over here."
Randolph then smiled again, nodded, took the menu from behind the counter, and handed it to Rudeus.
The five people then gathered around a small round table.
However, upon simply opening the menu, they both fell silent.
The menu listed only two dishes.
There is nothing else.
"This... this is far too little!"
Roxy couldn't help but whisper.
That's exactly what I mean.
Elinalise also looked around the store, her lips twitching slightly.
"This shop has way too many strange things about it."
Although their voices weren't loud, they still couldn't escape Death God's ears.
Seeing this, Rudeus immediately put on a serious face and said in a very earnest manner:
What do you know?
"That's called 'less is more,' understand?"
"As the saying goes, scarcity increases value; the less food there is, the more precious it becomes."
"..."
Everyone fell silent.
Rudeus, however, seemed completely oblivious, looking down at the menu.
" Your Death God, six servings of... Dragon Meat Nanahoshi Grill!"
Upon hearing the name, Randolph's eyebrows immediately rose.
A smile returned to her face.
"Okay!"
After saying that, he turned around and plunged into the depths of the kitchen.
"Clang, clang, clang--"
A series of clattering sounds of pots and pans soon followed.
" Rudeus, are we really going to eat here?"
"Rujierd asked in a low voice."
"Yes."
Elinalise glanced around, her lips twitching slightly.
"Look at the decor of this shop, it looks like it hasn't been cleaned in five hundred years."
Rudeus did not answer, but instead waved to the crowd.
The group immediately understood and moved closer.
Rudeus lowered his voice and said:
"I plan to win over Death God."
"Later, no matter what he cooks, you all have to eat it all."
"And you absolutely must not show any unusual expression."
"You need to make it look incredibly delicious, absolutely wonderful, understand?"
The group looked at each other in bewilderment.
Although he was full of doubts, he finally nodded.
A moment later.
"They're here! They're here!"
Death God emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray.
He then placed the six dishes in front of everyone one by one.
"It's rare to have so many guests today."
Randolph smiled broadly.
"You can have your meal for free with that child."
After saying that, he stepped aside, crossed his arms, and stared intently at the crowd.
He looked just like a student waiting for exam results.
Rudeus's lips twitched slightly.
(Damn it! This guy really was watching this place.)
(I was hoping to find a chance to secretly use my Delicious Magic, but it looks like I'll just have to bite the bullet and eat it.)
He took a deep breath and quickly forced a bright smile onto his face.
"Hahaha~ Oh, it's fried meat!"
"This looks pretty interesting, I'm going to dig in!"
As he spoke, he picked up his knife and fork and cut off a piece of meat.
Just as it was about to be put into his mouth, Rudeus silently opened Magic Pocket deep in his throat.
The meat chunk enters the mouth.
It disappeared instantly.
The entire process left no trace.
However, at this moment, it wasn't just Death God.
Even Eris, Roxy, Rujierd, and Elinalise were all staring intently at Rudeus.
Randolph asked even more impatiently:
"How is it? How does it taste?"
"Chew, chew, chew..."
"Chew, chew, chew..."
Five ants!!!
The sound was almost shouted.
After saying that, he grabbed the remaining half of the fried meat and stuffed it into his mouth.
Then he picked up the soup.
"Gurgle gurgle--"
He gulped it down in one go.
Randolph's eyes lit up instantly.
"Really? That's great!"
Then, he looked at the others with anticipation.
Everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.
In the end, I had no choice but to bite the bullet and pick up the knife and fork.
The moment the piece of meat enters your mouth--
A greasy, fishy smell exploded in my mouth.
The meat was tough and dry, with almost no juice, and chewing it felt like gnawing on a piece of dried wood.
The expressions on their faces froze simultaneously.
But remembering Rudeus's instructions, they forced smiles and swallowed the meat bit by bit.
Eris, mimicking Rudeus, swallowed the piece of meat whole.
The next moment, she slammed her hand on the table.
Five ants!!!
The sound was so loud that it seemed to shake the roof.
Randolph stared blankly at the crowd.
The next second, a tear welled up in the corner of his eye.
"Real..."
Is it that delicious?
His voice trembled slightly.
Then, he suddenly waved his hand.
I've changed my mind!
"This meal is on me, I'll take the money!"
Rudeus's heart skipped a beat.
The opportunity has arrived.
He put down his cutlery and looked at Randolph intently.
" Your Death God, do you know why your culinary skills, though so superb, have remained hidden in a place like this?"
Randolph paused for a moment.
He then shook his head.
"Have no idea."
"Because you chose the wrong target audience!"
Rudeus laughed.
"Most people simply can't appreciate your top-notch culinary skills."
"You should go for high-end dining, catering only to the aristocracy and the wealthy."
"Only those who truly possess wealth and status can appreciate your craftsmanship."
"That's where your culinary skills will truly be recognized."
"High-end dining route..."
Randolph repeated it thoughtfully.
After a moment, he hesitated and said:
"Even if you say that, these are the only two dishes I can currently offer that are presentable."
Seeing this, Rudeus immediately pressed his advantage.
"It doesn't matter."
"We can learn from them."
"But I don't have any connections, where can I learn?"
Randolph frowned.
Rudeus smiled slightly.
Where should I learn?
"You are the infamous Death God!"
"If you're willing, is there anywhere in this world you can't go?"
Randolph paused slightly, taken aback.
Rudeus continued:
"How about this, we're going to the King Dragon Kingdom anyway."
"I'll introduce you to the king and ask him to give you a sinecure."
"Wouldn't that allow you to enter the royal kitchen and continue honing your culinary skills?"
"I'll return here someday after I've completed my studies."
"With your culinary skills, won't this restaurant's reputation be completely established by then?"
"To grow bigger and stronger, and create new glories!"
Randolph's eyes lit up when he heard this.
"This sounds... too good."
However, he quickly remembered something else.
"By the way, may I ask your name yet?"
"I am Rudeus Greyrat."
" Rudeus..."
Randolph frowned slightly.
A moment later, his eyes suddenly widened.
"I think I've heard this name before."
"You're that... Primordial God?"
"Hahaha."
Rudeus laughed heartily.
"It is I."
"I see!"
Randolph was immediately filled with respect.
"Disrespect, disrespect!"
"I have benefited greatly from speaking with Primordial God Impact today."
"No, no."
Rudeus smiled and waved his hand.
"Ha ha ha ha--"
The two looked at each other and smiled.
The atmosphere was harmonious.
However, at that moment, an untimely voice suddenly broke in.
"Hey, I said..."
Eris crossed her arms, her face full of impatience.
"Will you duel me now?"
Randolph was taken aback.
He then looked at Eris.
"Oh?"
" Primordial God Impact, who is this...?"
Ah~
Rudeus coughed lightly.
" Eris the Housewife".
"Currently, I have just entered the Emperor Rank."
He looked at Randolph and said with a smile:
"Your Excellency Death God, would you do me the honor of sparring with her?"
Randolph remained silent for a moment.
Then, he slowly smiled.
"Since it's Primordial God Impact's request..."
"Then I certainly won't refuse."
With that, he turned around and walked towards the back of the shop.
"Come with me."
Eris's eyes lit up.
It's finally here!