In daily life, Lin Yu actually didn't have particularly high tolerance for pain.

Getting scalded while cooking or bumping his shin against a table corner could make him gasp in pain or even shed tears.

As a child, what Lin Yu feared most was getting injections.

To avoid shots, he'd even pretend to be perfectly healthy while running a 39°C fever in front of his sister.

But that was only the "ordinary" Lin Yu—the Lin Yu in "performance mode" wouldn't flinch at physical pain.

Right now, experiencing sharp agony comparable to torture, Lin Yu's mind was screaming internally.

Yet...

The Lin Yu on the surface remained completely unfazed.

Because Fluoxetine would never be someone who'd show weakness to this level of pain.

Even if this pain made Li Hua pop pills like candy or left Robin trembling in agony...

Lin Yu could still maintain his composure.

His obsession with "performance" surpassed almost everything else.

Feeling the bodily pain with crystal clarity, Lin Yu exhaled softly and spread his hands.

"My, what an interesting sensation," he maintained Fluoxetine's voice and lighthearted tone, "And this is the weakened version too... An ordinary person poisoned like this would probably die from sheer agony!"

Hearing this, Li Hua—who'd taken painkillers to barely stay composed—instantly understood...

The Lin Yu beside him hadn't found some method to reduce the pain, but had endured the full brunt of it without flinching.

"What a monster... Truly worthy of being the Psychological Society's S-Class!"

"A complete psychopath!"

Lin Yu chuckled at Li Hua's words: "Now now, Gambler... Isn't the old man over there the same?"

The addressed Radish coughed lightly.

"Ahem, I don't have that ability... This old man just has some immunity to toxins..."

He said amiably.

As they spoke, fifteen minutes passed in a flash.

The others who'd chosen goose liver also finished their portions.

Ka observed the diners and spoke again.

"Dear guests, it seems you've all enjoyed the appetizer..."

"Now, please enjoy today's soup course."

"Misty Island Raspberry and Calm Sea Clam Chowder."

From the pool beneath it, Ka produced a soup pot and seven shallow bowls, serving the deep red soup before distributing them.

"Please enjoy."

Receiving the bowl, Lin Yu remained highly vigilant—as did the other players.

Since Ka hadn't specified a time limit this time...

Lin Yu first tentatively sipped a small amount.

Sweet and sour, with a hint of umami.

It was actually quite delicious.

Moreover, drinking it caused no physical discomfort.

Noticing Li Hua downing his entire bowl in one go, Lin Yu caught on.

The Gambler's ability had a 30-minute cooldown...

Meaning Li Hua likely used his power to confirm the soup's safety?

Realizing this possibility, Lin Yu also drank his soup without hesitation.

After finishing, Lin Yu suddenly noticed...

Both the limb pain and overwhelming stomach fullness had miraculously vanished.

"So... this is a reward stage?"

Lin Yu pondered.

Seeing Lin Yu and Li Hua's actions, the others followed suit.

Expressions of astonishment appeared on every face.

Everyone realized this soup course contained no "test"—it was pure reward.

Yet knowing this, no one let their guard down.

Any gamer knew such full-recovery "rewards" only appeared in two scenarios:

After defeating the final boss...

Or right before facing it!

Considering the upcoming banquet segments were "side dish" and "main course"...

They were likely about to encounter their toughest challenge yet!

Once everyone finished their soup, the octopus Ka spoke again.

"Honored guests, having enjoyed the raspberry clam chowder, we now proceed to the banquet's climax—"

"Next you'll taste my signature dishes and newest menu creations!"

"The side dish is named [The Frontier's Gift to Pioneers at World's End]!"

"The main course shall be... [A Victor's Blood Runs Ever Sweet]!"

With this, a lever rose from Ka's pool.

"Come—distinguished guests!"

"Both my 'side dish' and 'main course' require you to personally select ingredients... Let's begin with choosing your 'side dish' components!"

Pulling the lever, Ka triggered whirring pulley sounds overhead.

"CLANG—"

The table and all chairs began ascending, accelerating rapidly.

At first like an old factory freight elevator...

Then speeding up to high-rise office elevator velocity...

Until the intense weightlessness made Lin Yu mutter:

"This is practically a space elevator now?"

Howling winds rushed past as dark thunderclouds loomed overhead.

"WHOOSH—"

The dining setup soon plunged into the clouds, where damp mist reduced visibility and made breathing difficult.

Only then did the ascent gradually stop.

Within these cold, humid clouds, Lin Yu glimpsed faint "shadows"—

Unidentified creatures swimming through the clouds like fish.

Ka spun its spatula:

"Guests... players, you have three attempts to choose side dish ingredients."

"Select creatures from this 'sky sea' as your next 'meal'."

"Some are unsuitable as ingredients... others grant wondrous effects when consumed..."

"Choose carefully."

"However, as a hint—I'll provide a confirmed 'edible' list."

"Creatures on this list are absolutely 'safe' and 'harmless', though without special benefits."

"Anyway, ANYWAY!"

Ka's voice suddenly rose as its spatula struck the pot.

"CLANG—"

A new rope descended before each person.

"You must retrieve your side dish ingredients within thirty minutes!"

"Grab the rope—it will move according to your will, granting free aerial mobility."