Chapter 84-3: Hunger Tactics (3) |
Day Seven.
Before mealtime.
All trainees stood at attention on the training field, listening to Mad Sand explain the upcoming schedule.
But many of their expressions had changed.
From initial confidence, arrogance, and fighting spirit, they were now listless and barely holding on from hunger.
Many of them had managed to endure purely by absorbing energy particles from the air during rest.
But energy particles couldn’t fill an empty stomach or replenish depleted bodies.
At this point, the rest of the trainees looked at the players and Four-Eyed race with hatred, wishing they could stab them through with their eyes.
It was these two cancerous races that had deprived everyone of food.
They didn’t even bother with pretense before each fight anymore, they’d rush straight in and flip the tables, giving the others no chance to eat.
In truth, they could pick up food from the floor if they abandoned their pride.
But these trainees were elite representatives of their respective races, and none would disgrace their race’s honor with such a humiliating act.
Still, if this starvation continued, they truly wouldn’t be able to hold out much longer.
All of them had one question gnawing at their minds.
How had these player and Four-Eyed race beasts not starved to death yet? It had been seven days. How were they still enduring?
The players had the same question in their hearts.
The other races had at least eaten their fill in the first couple of days. It made sense they could hold out this long. The players themselves had secretly eaten at night to compensate, but even then they were so hungry their eyes gleamed gold.
So how were these Four-Eyed beasts managing to survive seven days without eating? Their endurance was absurd.
The Four-Eyed race trainees shared the same doubts.
They had been relying on their racial ability ‘Eye of Illusion’ to hypnotize themselves into suppressing hunger, forcing themselves to endure through pure mental manipulation and willpower.
Even so, they were already reaching their limits.
But the players hadn’t eaten properly from day one. How could they still be standing?
At this rate, they feared they’d soon be carried back to their homeland in stretchers.
Clap!
Just then, Mad Sand suddenly clapped his hands, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Three days from now, new recruits from Water Valley will be joining our camp for combined training. Rest well for now. Starting tomorrow, the training intensity will increase again.”
Hearing this, every trainee’s expression twisted in pain.
They had mentally prepared for tough training before joining the camp.
The problem was, while enduring this high-intensity training, they were barely eating. If their bodies kept deteriorating like this, they would completely collapse.
After his briefing, Mad Sand led the group toward the cafeteria.
But none of the trainees had any expectations for a peaceful meal.
They were sure the players and Four-Eyed beasts would spark another cafeteria war, and even if they wanted to avoid it, they would inevitably get dragged in.
However, upon entering the cafeteria this time, Mad Sand clapped again.
“Today, fighting is forbidden in the cafeteria. All of you eat properly.”
The moment these words fell, every trainee’s face lit up with uncontrollable joy.
Even the Four-Eyed race.
Since joining the camp, their biggest regret was provoking the players.
Before entering, their elders had explained the rules of the camp: survival of the fittest, elimination of the weak. Strength earns respect; weakness earns bullying.
To become the strong, one must act aggressively.
Both the combat instructors and higher-ups were watching their every move.
This was the most direct way to prove their strength.
Naturally looking down on the weak, they had chosen the players as their first stepping stone, planning to crush them before challenging other races.
What they hadn’t expected was that the seemingly weakest player race would be far more terrifying than they imagined.
If given another chance, they would never have provoked the players.
But there were no ‘ifs’ in life. Since they had chosen this path, they had to grit their teeth and follow it through.
Hearing Mad Sand’s announcement now, happiness struck them like a sudden miracle.
Finally, no more starving!
As everyone lined up for food and sat down, Mad Sand nodded in satisfaction.
He had watched the cafeteria battles unfold these past few days.
He also realized that if the Four-Eyed race freshmen didn’t eat soon, someone might die.
He could accept deaths caused by accidents during high-intensity training, but he would not allow deaths from malnutrition.
Most importantly, he had high hopes for these Four-Eyed trainees.
Without question, they were the hardest-working and most innately talented of this year’s recruits.
Losing them to starvation would be a loss for the Anti-Tide Legion.
—
With a plate piled high, Ghost Eye led his clan to a secluded corner table.
Staring at the food on his plate, a deep sense of happiness filled his heart.
They had never realized how blissful it could feel just to have a proper meal.
Ghost Eye grabbed a piece of roast meat, brought it to his mouth, and took a small bite. A satisfaction beyond words blossomed instantly on his taste buds, a subtle charred aroma, perfectly balanced by the savory richness of fat, combined with the tender, juicy texture to create a harmonious duet in his mouth.
As he chewed, the juices burst forth, rich but not greasy, savory with a hint of sweetness, utterly intoxicating.
Happiness danced on his tongue, slipping gently down his throat, leaving behind endless aftertaste and desire. Each bite was a tender caress for his mouth and a whispered apology to his long-parched stomach.
He couldn’t help but speed up, devouring the hard-earned feast.
The aroma of meat lingered at his nose, intertwining with the flavors in his mouth. It wasn’t just a sensory delight, but also a spiritual comfort. In that moment, all troubles and fatigue melted away, replaced by this warm, fulfilling meal.
Just then, a voice like a curse suddenly rang out from afar, shattering his beautiful fantasy.
“Ghosty!”
Startled, Ghost Eye jolted, looking up to see Li Zheng grinning at him while biting into a rib, waving cheerfully.
“So tasty. Don’t waste food, okay?”
Before Ghost Eye could reply, he noticed his kin had all instinctively quickened their eating.