This Life, I Will Be the Protagonist-Chapter 523 - : Divine Game: Chaotic Restaurant 43

The cooldown time for [Mysterious Power] is seven natural days. At first glance, this means it can only be used once per game. However, Rita has [Clock Reversal], which halves the cooldown time. Although she hasn't unlocked it yet, there's always a chance the game mode will change by the time it's available.

She prepares some dishes to reduce cooldown times just in case. Maybe, by the last day of this Divine Game, she'll be able to use it one more time.

Unfortunately, her special ability is also restricted. The [Mysterious Power] she used this time isn't the ultimate version, but a regular one. This version can't heal her during its activation period, which makes everything even harder.

Marmang-Crab and Sea Pony haven't attacked her yet, though.

Marmang-Crab is hesitating, too. It has something that could increase the kill reward, but it hasn't used it yet. After all, it's been with BS Rita the whole time during this game, and it's seen how many times she's died. It's just not the right time to use these things.

Marmang-Crab asks, "So, when time stopped, you really went to find Pine Bloom?"

Rita responds, "No, I threw that troublesome rabbit guest into another player's restaurant."

At this point, Marmang-Crab can't hold back anymore. Skipping the pleasantries, it lowers its voice and asks, "That skill of yours, the one that lets you move while time is stopped, would you be willing to trade it?"

Marmang-Crab never considered BS Rita as the one behind it. Its main suspect is Octopus Bucket. After all, only Octopus Bucket could move without being noticed. Of course, it's also possible that the guest was just causing trouble.

Despite a lingering suspicion about BS Rita, when Rita returned carrying the rabbit and said, "Don't you all have a skill that counters time stop?" it managed to suppress that doubt, at least for now.

Rita doesn't deny it, instead asking, "What are you offering?"

That comment she made about the skill wasn't just off the cuff. As she was leaving restaurant 233 with the rabbit, she had heard some noise coming from another block. Some players were still able to move during her time stop!

But, of course, everyone who's up to no good has their own little unspoken rules. Rita didn't waste time figuring out who it was, and the other player didn't waste time looking at her either. They both focused on their respective tasks.

Although Rita's a bit irritated by the idea of someone else taking advantage of her time stop, she understands the necessity. Time stopped is precious, and she couldn't afford to waste it just to figure out who the other player was.

Marmang-Crab, voice low, says, "I'll be honest. Three SSS-level healing skills, three SSS-level attack skills, three SSS-level defense skills."

Even without consulting B80234615, Rita knows that this is still a lowball offer. If she had a skill that allowed her to move while time is stopped, even if it's only for one minute, it would give her a chance to hide or at least save herself.

Looking at all the restaurants she's visited and the high-level players who can't even move during the time stop, it's clear how rare such a skill is.

Of course, it's possible some high-level players had already used their skills before she arrived, hiding away somewhere.

Rita replies, "You're not being honest."

Marmang-Crab thinks for a moment but doesn't push further. It can't bring itself to offer more—it's reluctant.

Maybe the cost of dying once is worth more than the offer it made.

It seems it's falling into a collecting habit again.

Marmang-Crab decides to check out the event gift pack. The other player might not have a skill of that caliber, but at least buying some intel would be useful.

Once things quiet down, Rita turns her focus back to solving the issue of Pine Bloom's health.

Once that problem is resolved, even if she dies and loses the effect of [Mysterious Power], the immediate danger will be over.

Relying on [Fourfold Spring] won't cut it. Though it's her strongest healing skill, it requires combat to be effective.

Just then, a new guest arrives at restaurant 233, whom Rita calls "Rabbit 3"—though, looking at the rabbit with only one ear, she has a bad feeling. This rabbit looks strangely familiar.

Rabbit 3 stares at Rita, then sits across from Rabbit 1.

Rabbit 1: Pfft.

Rabbit 3 starts muttering angrily in some unknown language, but it sounds quite furious.

Rita moves to the back of Octopus Bucket, avoiding Rabbit 3's gaze, and quietly asks, "In the restaurant, aren't employees and guests not allowed to attack each other?"

This is something Rita figured out while preparing food earlier.

If a guest breaks the rules three times, they die. This indirectly suggests to players that once a guest enters the restaurant, killing them is the only way to win. If direct killing was allowed, there'd be no need for such a convoluted closure rule.

On the flip side, these event gift packs are rampantly causing chaos on Food Street, but once they enter the restaurant, they become docile. They must have rules to follow as well.

If players can't grasp this idea and don't include the "no attacking" rule in the restaurant's guidelines, they essentially lose the opportunity to modify the rules.

Octopus Bucket nods, "I think so."

Rabbit 3 stares at Rita for a while, then takes the menu from Sea Pony and begins to order quietly. Meanwhile, Rabbit 1 finishes eating.

The dining time is 30 minutes, excluding the wait time for food. Rabbit 1 finishes 8 minutes early, but doesn't rush to leave. Instead, it stands up and walks over to Rita, saying, "How about a trade?"

Rita, wary, asks, "What kind of trade?"

Rabbit 1 responds, "You let me randomly pick one of your skill icons as payment, and I can let you leave this game right now."

As soon as it finishes speaking, Rita answers, "I refuse!"

Rabbit 1 can't help but laugh, "You've rejected my trade again."

Rita sighs, "You always choose something I can't trade."

Rabbit 1 replies, "I said it's random. What you're afraid of might not even happen."

Rita responds, "At critical moments, I never trust in luck."

Both know what the other means. Rita is afraid that her core skill, [I Just Want to Improve So Badly], might be chosen.

Rabbit 1 says, "But staying here means you'll just be dragging it out. You're likely to lose [Midnight Exile]. You're gambling too, betting that you won't fail. I'm just trying to help you."

All the players in the restaurant, including Rabbit 3, are watching them.

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Rita doesn't try to dodge Rabbit 1's words. She responds firmly, "If you pick randomly, the choice is in your hands. If I stay, I fight for control. Even if you win, I won't be happy. If I lose, I'll lose willingly."