Liu Zheng approached the food cart to inspect the meal. The packaging was exquisitely refined, with intricate iris patterns and numerous ribbons wrapped around the box. Fortunately, the ribbon knots weren't too complicated, otherwise he'd have trouble restoring them later.

Opening the lid revealed a transparent glass jar filled with thumb-sized eyeballs. The eyeballs were meticulously cleaned without any blood vessels, appearing remarkably fresh and glistening as if still attached to a lamb. Thick mucus clung to the jar walls - whether added intentionally or secreted by the eyeballs remained unclear.

"Name: Premium Black Goat Spawn Eyeball Sashimi"

"Type: Item"

"Quality: Fine"

"Effect: Repairs defects, heals injuries. High probability of gaining 'Flesh Mutation' status. Extremely low probability of obtaining 'Flesh Regeneration' status."

"Note: The Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young - Her spawn awaits the gospel."

This thing... seemed particularly ominous. Reading the system description, Liu Zheng felt an ominous premonition. But regardless, work had to be done.

He repackaged the meal box and reentered the staff passageway. On his second entry, Liu Zheng realized he'd grown accustomed to the dark silence. Strangely, the walls now felt softer and warmer, like a young woman's skin. He even found himself somewhat entranced.

"Ghhh..."

The familiar suffocating sensation returned. Liu Zheng instinctively grabbed his throat with one hand, snapping back to awareness. Only then did he notice his other hand had sunk into the wall, making some rather primal movements.

"Fuck!"

Liu Zheng yanked his arm back as if electrocuted, vigorously wiping it on his uniform. He never imagined he'd sexually harass a wall. If anyone found out, they'd revoke his citizenship and deport him to India on the spot. That said, the texture was surprisingly good.

"If I survive and return to reality, maybe I'll buy some slime toys to play with," Liu Zheng mused.

Exiting the passage, he didn't head toward Heavenly Villa but instead ran in the opposite direction. Soon, he spotted the plane tree again.

"I'm back," Liu Zheng waved.

"Here to take a piss?" Delago asked excitedly.

"Uh, no."

"Got any moss then?"

"Nope, not that either."

"Then why are you here?" Delago closed its eyes disdainfully.

"I got this." Liu Zheng pulled a can from his pocket and shook it.

Hearing the liquid slosh, Delago reopened its eyes. "Oh, this stuff," it said with surprise.

"You've had it before?"

"I used to love it until I got diabetes," Delago shrugged its branches.

"Trees can get diabetes?" Now it was Liu Zheng's turn to be surprised.

"Don't assume only humans have metabolism," Delago said proudly.

"So... do you want it?" Liu Zheng wasn't particularly interested in these bizarre biological facts.

"Yes!" Delago answered instantly.

"But you have diabetes?" Liu Zheng squinted at it.

"A little drink doesn't count as drinking..."

"If it doesn't say it has sugar, then it's sugar-free..."

Delago began spouting nonsense, filling the street with jovial atmosphere.

"Stop stop, no more preaching." Liu Zheng approached the black soil and opened the can. A pungent, burning odor assaulted his nostrils, rapidly spreading down to his lungs. After some thought, Liu Zheng brought the can to his lips.

"Hey! What are doing?!" Delago shouted.

"Don't be stingy, just one sip. Like you said - a little drink doesn't count." He waved dismissively. True to his word, he only took a small sip before pouring the rest for Delago.

The plane tree closed its eyes as if enjoying rock music in its mind. Perhaps hearing something special, green sap began leaking from its eyes. Liu Zheng, having drunk too little, heard nothing.

"It reminds me of the first rain at sunset - my lost youth," Delago sighed.

"Three hundred years ago?" Liu Zheng quipped.

"What nonsense! I'm only eighteen this year," Delago fumed.

"My mistake." Liu Zheng said sincerely, eyeing its cracked bark.

"Good you realize it. Since the song was decent, what do you want in exchange?" Delago asked.

"Is there any..." Liu Zheng's voice cut off abruptly. He suddenly wondered - would mentioning Gluttonous Snake count as revealing restaurant secrets? Though the connection seemed tenuous, he wasn't taking chances.

After considering his words, Liu Zheng rephrased: "I need to beat a game. Do you have anything to improve my dynamic vision and reflexes? Or something that can clear it directly?"

"You mean Gluttonous Snake?" Delago's response surprised him.

"You know about it?"

"I've eaten plenty of your restaurant staff's brains. Though they all tasted weird," Delago said disdainfully.

"Can you digest all their memories?"

"Not exactly. Only fragments. And I can't know too much about the restaurant - best you don't ask either," Delago swayed its canopy.

"Got it. Since you know, just pick me something suitable." Liu Zheng had no intention of pressing further. Last time he asked about the female boss, Bullhorse nearly beat him to death. Judging by appearances, Delago was probably stronger than Bullhorse.

"Lucky you - I've got just the thing." After the black soil churned, tree roots tossed a golden finger at Liu Zheng's feet.

"Name: Bronze Finger"

"Type: Item"

"Quality: Excellent"

"Effect: When used appropriately, grants one S/L (Save/Load) opportunity."

"Note: Life is a shitty game because it doesn't allow S/L."

"Later." Pocketing the Bronze Finger, Liu Zheng sprinted toward Heavenly Villa. Behind him, Delago's rock music seemed to reach its crescendo. The plane tree wildly shook its branches as dozens of bone-adorned roots erupted from the ground, dancing violently in the air with eerie howls. Clattering bones of various shapes created a scene of demonic revelry.

-----------------

"Heavenly Villa" - four gilded characters spanned the marble archway, with an oval high-rise towering behind. Two guards stood rigidly at the gatehouse, another inside the security booth, and one more guarding the underground garage entrance.

"Property fees here must be 10 yuan per square meter," Liu Zheng marveled at the staffing as he adjusted the takeout bag and approached the gate.

"Halt! What's your business?" A muscular guard blocked his path, chest muscles straining against the uniform. Something ominous bulged at his waist.

"Bloody Restaurant delivery." Liu Zheng squared his shoulders too. Though less impressive physically and sartorially, he more than compensated with attitude.

"Order slip?" The guard extended a hand.

"Here." Liu Zheng produced the delivery receipt.

"Unauthorized personnel prohibited. Hand over the food - I'll deliver it," the guard declared after checking.

"Here we go," Liu Zheng thought. Of course the delivery wouldn't be straightforward. While the guard probably wouldn't steal or misdeliver, there was no guaranteeing who'd actually receive it.

"Restaurant policy requires hand-delivery to the ordering party. Cut me some slack, brother?" Liu Zheng attempted negotiation.

"Who's your brother?" The guard sneered. "Either hand it over or get lost." He clasped hands behind his back, looking down contemptuously.

"No compromise?"

"Give me some meat, and I'll let you in." The guard licked his lips.

"Fine." Liu Zheng frowned but ultimately conceded.

"Us too." Suddenly, shadows loomed overhead - all guards had surrounded him with malicious grins.

"Heh." Facing encirclement, Liu Zheng smirked devilishly and pulled out his phone. "Boss, finished the delivery yet?" he asked respectfully. Get full chapters from NoveIＦire.net

"On my way back. What?"

"Some trouble here - guards won't let me in."

"Not my problem. Figure it out," Bullhorse snapped.

"I've got something good. Surely you'd like to see the game's completion reward?"

"Fuck!" A screeching brake sounded through the phone. "Can't help directly," Bullhorse said after a pause. "But if reason fails... resort to physics. Got it?"

"I see..." Hanging up, Liu Zheng suddenly launched a flying kick that obliterated one guard's crotch.

"Should've said so earlier." He beamed at the guards with utmost benevolence.