The punishment machine appeared once more.
Valerius stepped aside with a smile.
"Everyone, please."
The four eliminated players exchanged awkward glances.
No.11 had just joined the game and immediately ended up punished—she stood frozen, clearly not mentally prepared.
Billy, however, refused to lose momentum.
With dramatic flair, he marched forward and yanked the lever.
Clack clack.
A small card popped out.
Punishment: The Temptation of Delicacies
Billy's eyes lit up.
"Food? So the punishment is eating delicious food?"
Surely there was a catch.
But he was a robot.
What could food possibly do to him?
No.11 also relaxed slightly.
If it was just food… how bad could it be?
Only Robin and Sparkle stiffened.
Robin had trauma.
Last time the "singing" punishment had given birth to Girigiri Ai, and now she caught herself humming it against her will.
If this was called "Temptation of Delicacies"—
It definitely wasn't normal cuisine.
The rules appeared:
Requirement:
Select a master chef to cook a dish.
You must finish it.
During consumption, you must praise the food to the maximum extent possible.
"That's it?" Billy tilted his head.
Aside from Robin and Sparkle, the other two almost felt like this was a reward.
A list of chefs dropped down.
The four gathered to discuss.
No.11 pointed at a name.
"What about this one? Vietnamese Crow Bro. Says he's skilled in all ingredients."
Robin immediately shook her head.
"That doesn't sound like a chef."
Sparkle, meanwhile, grinned mischievously.
"Of course we pick her~"
Her finger landed on a familiar name.
Raiden Ei.
She had unfinished business with that cooking.
Curiosity burned.
Sure, it would taste awful.
But with four victims?
That's entertainment.
And if she was part of the entertainment?
Even better.
Robin nearly fainted.
"No. Absolutely not. That's lethal."
The livestream exploded.
[Raiden Ei: What do you mean lethal?! I didn't even want to cook for you.]
[Jing Yuan: Do not choose that.]
[Herta: That is not food. That is weaponry.]
[Furina: I would rather starve than eat her cooking.]
No.11, now fully convinced, resumed scanning the list.
Robin suddenly locked onto a name:
Alexandrina Sebastiane
Victoria Housekeeping.
Head Maid.
Her eyes shone.
"Head maid means she can cook."
No.11 nodded.
Sparkle pouted but relented.
Billy remained fearless.
He was a robot.
He feared nothing.
The livestream commentary turned ominous.
[Lycaon: Rina's cooking… is difficult to describe.]
[Corin: It's Lady Rina's cooking!!!]
[Ellen: I've eaten it before. Survived.]
[Sunday: So it's fine, right?]
[Herta: Raise your guard.]
The decision was made.
Rina it was.
Valerius gave a thumbs up.
"Excellent choice."
That smile was suspiciously bright.
A beam of light descended.
A maid in elegant attire appeared, lifting her skirt in a perfect curtsy.
"Victoria Housekeeping. Alexandrina Sebastiane. At your service."
Flawless posture. Perfect etiquette.
Robin nearly cried in relief.
This was safe.
This was professional.
"Please prepare four of your specialty dishes," Valerius requested.
"Certainly, Mr. Valerius. Shall I prepare one for you as well?"
Valerius paled.
"I—I'm not hungry. Not at all."
"Very well."
Rina seemed slightly disappointed but entered the conjured kitchen.
The sounds were normal.
No explosions.
No smoke.
Promising.
Soon, she returned, pushing a serving cart.
Elegant silver lids covered each plate.
She placed them down gracefully.
"Please enjoy."
Robin's confidence peaked.
This was refined cuisine.
Professional.
Safe.
She lifted the lid.
BOOM.
A burst of prismatic light shot upward.
Everyone blinked.
"Wow…"
This looked legendary.
Robin lowered her gaze to the plate.
And froze.
"…What is that."
The dish defied biology.
Multicolored liquids sloshed across the plate.
A limp octopus tentacle dangled off the edge, twitching faintly.
In the center—
A fish head stared blankly upward with lifeless eyes.
In its mouth sat a glowing green fruit emitting faint mist.
Silence.
Utter silence.
Robin's voice trembled.
"Can this… be eaten?"
The tentacle twitched again.
As if answering.
Yes.
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