Fantasy Realm [One Piece] [Harry Potter] [Naruto] - [Progression] [LitRPG]

Chapter 105: Scheme x Bribery - Don't Forget To Wash Up!

Alex sits on the airship, glancing around at the candidates who've returned. He counts about 150 to 200, thinking uneasily, Don't tell me all the others died? Well, it's Tonpa's fault for stirring up all that trouble. I just hope they can figure out what happened and leave me out of it!

He takes a moment to organize his poison collection, examining the vials carefully: [Giant Yellow Wave Frog Poison], [Two Headed Black Eel Poisonous Blood], [Green Lizard Matriarch Tongue Poison], and [Green Lizard Tongue Poison].

We're allowed to present up to five different poisons, he considers. The Frog Poison, Lizard Poison, and Eel Poison are all solid—they're average to good quality. The Frog's is Deep Green, while the other two are Light Green. That should be enough to pass, right? But should I present the Matriarch Poison too? Without it, I probably won't get first place, but that poison's effects are... intense. Do I really want to give it up just for a shot at the top prize?

He glances at the half-filled vial of the regular Lizard Tongue Poison. Maybe I could mix it with that damaged Bloating Square Mushroom I still have, he thinks. If I claim it's a "mutated" poison, they might not question it.

Alex goes through with his plan, squeezing the remaining poison from the damaged mushroom and watching as the system logs his new creation.

[Mushroom - Lizard Poison Mixture]
World: Hunter x Hunter
Quality: Green
Effect: Contains the toxin from a large Green Lizard's tongue, combined with the toxins of a Bloating Square Mushroom. This poison merges the effects of both, with surprisingly high compatibility.

Not bad, he thinks, pleased with the upgrade from Light Green to Green. That mushroom was deteriorating anyway. With this, I've got five solid poisons. I can still decide whether to submit just four and keep the Matriarch Poison for myself or go for the first prize by presenting it.

Settling back, Alex closes his eyes and dozes off. He wakes suddenly to see a familiar face approaching him.

"Hey, Alex! Glad you made it out too!" the man greets him. "I had to take a huge detour when a lizard beast wave overran the whole underground area! I overheard some examiners talking about a lunatic who attacked the Matriarch, the ruler of the island—crippling her by cutting off part of her tongue and even bombing her insides. They had to call in a team of beast hunters to calm her down and restore order to the underground. Whoever did it is in serious trouble. Wonder what'll happen to them?"

Alex's face tightens. SHIT! What the hell is he talking about? I'm a lunatic for defending my life? Screw their Matriarch, and screw them. Damn it, what am I supposed to do?

Better go take a shower, he thinks, and only submit the Toad and Eel Poisons. Anything lizard-related might look suspicious at this point. I'd better wash myself thoroughly, just in case they're somehow tracing lizard venom residue.

"Well, thanks for the info, Shal," Alex replies, trying to stay casual. "It's ridiculous, isn't it? They send us down there to gather poisons and then act all surprised when the beasts don't appreciate us invading their territory. Anyway, I'd better go take a shower."

"Good idea, Alex," Shalnark says with a grin. "Better to keep it under wraps that you were behind that 'little accident.' Not that I'd hold it against you, of course," he laughs.

"What the—? I'm innocent! Why would you think it was me?" Alex responds, a bit rattled that Shalnark has put it together so quickly.

Shalnark gestures to Alex's belt and calmly explains, "The metal balls you had attached there. I saw four of them before, but now you've only got one left. Might want to replace those if you've got any more."