Chapter 124: Reincarnated as a Starving Ghost

When I logged out of the game, I practically sprinted from my apartment.

I burst into the empty Milai Restaurant like a gust of wind. Ignoring the fragrant and alluring Milai, I ordered two dishes and grabbed the tea on the table, downing two large mouthfuls in one go.

*Gulp... Gulp...* Phew, I was starving!

Milai, watching from the side, gave a small, knowing smile and drifted gracefully toward the kitchen.

...

"Ha..."

With two large cups of tea in my stomach, the intense pangs of hunger finally began to subside.

Come to think of it... that bastard Dr. Ye is truly a freak. I had considered myself quite exceptional for being able to stay logged in for twelve hours without a break, but I never expected that guy to be even more reckless!

Twelve hours!

I was nearing my limit, but that kid kept me there, half-begging and half-threatening, forcing me to grind my teeth and finish off the last two "Mausoleum Guards" just so he could meet all the requirements for his hidden class mission.

Once the mission was complete, I figured I could finally log off, right? No! The jerk still wouldn't let me!

He used the same tired threats again, forcing my half-starved self to "escort" him back to Greenleaf Town, claiming he was worried something might go wrong at the last minute.

And so, while I was locked in a desperate battle with my own stomach acid, I was forced to spend another half-hour in the game.

When I finally managed to get him out of that mysterious mausoleum, I had absolutely reached my breaking point.

I logged off immediately—he couldn't possibly threaten me again by pulling a bunch of undead monsters to my log-out spot now that we were out of the mausoleum.

I’d bet anything that Dr. Ye, that freak, didn't log off right away either. Judging by his attitude, he wouldn't be able to rest until he got back to the city to claim that damn hidden class.

Thinking of this, I gulped down a third large cup of tea.

I really admire that kid! How did he have the energy to keep going after half a day without food? Is one hidden class really worth risking your life over?

As I pondered this, Milai brought my food to the table with practiced thoughtfulness.

"Great! Thank you, Sister Milai!"

The aroma hit me, and I could no longer hold back. Disregarding the presence of a beauty and abandoning all gentlemanly manners, I grabbed my chopsticks and began to wolf down the food like a prisoner just released from jail.

In less than five minutes, the two new dishes and four large bowls of rice were "swept away like a storm."

Even the worldly-wise Milai couldn't help but stare, her expression one of utter disbelief, as if her brain had momentarily short-circuited.

Just then, a sharp clatter of chopsticks hitting the floor echoed from the corner of the restaurant.

***

Having suppressed the assault of my stomach acid, I was starting to feel like myself again. Hearing the sound, I instinctively looked up in the direction of the noise.

That was when I realized there was another customer in the usually empty afternoon restaurant...

And it was a young woman. She was sitting in the corner diagonally across from me, her large, beautiful, and lively eyes wide with shock and disbelief, staring fixedly at me and the four empty plates on my table.

I didn't react at first. I only noticed that the pretty girl in the casual white outfit was quite stunning, but I didn't recall seeing her there when I walked in.

How could I have missed such a pretty girl coming in? And she was sitting right across from me—there was no reason I wouldn't have noticed...

Wait...

Across from me...

I quickly scanned the battlefield of debris in front of me, and my expression froze.

The next moment, a chill hit my heart, and a wave of intense heat rushed up to my face.

Oh, damn it all! She was sitting right there... and that meant my "storm-like" display of gluttony had been witnessed in its entirety by this pretty girl... in high definition, no less!

Oh! God... how embarrassing!

Regret flooded me. I hurriedly shifted my gaze away from her, thinking about how unlucky I was. It was the first time I’d ever done something so shameful, and yet it had to be witnessed by a pretty girl!

Ugh, how am I supposed to face anyone now?

Ye Gang!!

"Ye Gang, you bastard, if it weren't for you, would I have been starved to this state? Just wait until I get back in there; I’ll show you..."

I immediately thought of the culprit who had placed me in this awkward predicament. The "resentment" and "pain" in my heart found an outlet, and I cursed Dr. Ye ten thousand and eight hundred times in my head.

While cursing, I endured the burning sensation on my face and shifted my gaze toward the window...

But as I did, my eyes locked once more!!

What?!

What kind of day is this?

The street outside, which should have been empty under the bright sun, actually had people on it! And two more beauties at that...

What’s worse!

These two young women, who had appeared out of nowhere, were just as stunning as the girl sitting across from me. They were standing outside the glass window of the Milai Restaurant, staring at me with expressions of shock and awe.

"Ugh..." I felt as if I’d choked on the food I’d swallowed long ago.

Then, a voice in my heart roared again:

Ye Gang... you damned kid! Just wait until I get my hands on you!

...

Today was probably the most humiliating day I’d spent on the Scavenger Planet... I didn't even know how I managed to walk out of the Milai Restaurant.

The first time I’d ever been so savage and terrifying while eating, and it had to be seen by one, two, three beauties... When did I, usually so vigilant, become so dull?

***

I stormed into the gym, skipping my usual warm-up. I took off my jacket, cracked my neck, and stepped into the mechanical battle room! The "fierce killing intent" on my face caused quite a stir among the few people on the eleventh floor.

A new betting pool was quickly organized!

...

The moment I entered the mechanical battle room, the two beauties from outside the restaurant arrived as well.

These were the same two girls who had spotted Qi Lin training alone at the gym a few days ago, the ones who had tracked him back to his apartment.

Over the past two days, they had basically figured out Qi Lin’s name, as well as where he ate and rested.

The summary of their findings had left them quite surprised—a boy just over seventeen living such a monotonous life!

He lived alone, spent his time only at the "Gym" and "Milai Restaurant," and spent all other hours cooped up in his apartment; he didn't even participate in the scavenging work!

After hearing from the Scavenger Association that Qi Lin had ordered a "Magic Era" virtual game pod and taken a month-long leave of absence, they realized that this boy, who had such strong combat skills, was also a fan of "Magic Era."

A boy with no bad habits, who loved to exercise and shared their passion for "Magic Era," was a rare find on this dull planet.

This only strengthened their resolve to get to know him.

They had planned a beautiful encounter at the restaurant, but Qi Lin’s performance just now had truly scared them...

It had thrown their planned lines into chaos, and it wasn't until he left that they remembered their purpose.

By the time they reached the mechanical battle room, the girl in the pale yellow top was clearly still shaken by what she had seen. Watching the figure inside the room, who was wreaking havoc on the combat target and causing it to emit loud crashes, she asked her companion hesitantly:

"Sister Lulu... do boys always... eat that intensely?"

"Well, of course, boys are just like that..."

The girl called Sister Lulu was only seventeen or eighteen herself, not much older than the girl in yellow, but she acted more mature and spoke with an air of authority.

"But he does seem to eat a bit more... though that makes sense, that’s what a man should be like! Besides, with combat skills that good, it’s only natural for him to eat a lot!"

At this point, Lulu paused, pulled her gaze away from the battle room, and looked at the girl in yellow.

"Xinyi, remember our deal. Whoever he takes an interest in, you must find a way to invite him here in three days!"

"Three days?" Xinyi was shocked. "Didn't we say we had a month? Why three days now? Three days isn't enough! What if he doesn't agree..."

Lulu glared at her. "Dummy! You really want to wait until the last day to make your move? What if he doesn't have any experience in dueling and loses?"

"That... that's true... but... three days, what if he says no?"

"If I say you're a dummy, you're really a cute one. Don't underestimate the charm of us sisters... is there anyone on this planet who would turn down an invitation from us? Even if he is a bit special... hehe, can't you offer him a little incentive?" As Lulu spoke, she gave Xinyi a suggestive wink.

"Incentive?" Xinyi blinked her pure, beautiful eyes, looking as if she didn't quite catch the meaning.