Inside a square, high-walled box, made entirely of black lacquered wood, contains a gourd.

The whole body presents a reddish-brown, the size of two fists of an adult, in the sun, exudes a soft glow, no need to carefully distinguish, as long as you see this gourd, you can judge that the age of this gourd must be quite long.

However, for Jason, it doesn't matter how old or whatever.

Importantly, the taste!

A strong 'food' smell, he had smelled it before.

When the box is opened, the flavor is even stronger.

It's almost a blast.

It's like steamed steamed buns, and the water vapor gushes out when the cage drawer is opened.

Not only is it hot, but it also has a unique taste like pasta.

However, the gourd in front of me carries the 'smell of wine'.

In the rich 'food' flavor, there is a hint of wine.

The smell is faint, but clear.

Jason frowned slightly.

It's not that he doesn't drink.

In fact, in a way, Jason is quite fond of alcohol.

When I was in my hometown, drinking and masturbating was a great pleasure in life.

On a summer night, when the sun was completely setting and there was still a little heat on the ground, I moved a small table with one or two friends, sat on the side of the road, and shouted to the boss: '10 meat, 10 tendons, 4 big kidneys, roasted eggplant, two beans, and three boxes of snowflakes, ice!' Let's put together a plate of peanuts and edamame! ’

It's a great feeling.

It's so good that Jason can't even dream of it now.

Because, he was worried about drinking too much.

Getting drunk is not a good thing.

It's not just a loss of reflexes, confusion, and an inability to respond to sudden dangers.

It is also possible to 'drink and spit out the truth'.

Jason has so many secrets.

Every thing you say will have unpredictable consequences.

Therefore, he really did not dare to get drunk.

"'Food' smells of alcohol, do you get drunk?"

Jason guessed.

And the flower blossom courtyard on the side is talking about the origin of this gourd.

"This is a gourd made by a craftsman in the early Warring States period imitating the gourd of a certain big demon, it seems to be a real gourd, but it is actually made of iron, and the secret method is imprinted inside, in addition to being able to hold wine, it can also be used to know the enemy's birthday, and have the blood of the other party, under the premise of the other party's blood, the other party is included in the gourd, it is a rare prop, but it is a pity that it is ......"

"What a pity?"

The girl who was fascinated by the hearing asked anxiously.

"It's a pity that the use of this gourd is lost."

"My ancestors tried many methods, but they couldn't activate this gourd."

"It becomes an ornament."

Hua Kaiyuan Qing spread out her hands, looking helpless.

A look of pity also appeared on the face of the girl Sakura.

And Jason was moved from the bottom of his heart.

This gourd sounds, why is it a little familiar?

"Can it get everyone?"

Jason asked.

"Of course not."

"It's just a fake!"

"The highest storage limit is the ultimate of mortals!"

"However, if that big demon's gourd should be able to hold everyone, right?"

"Of course, these are all rumors, and I don't know if it's true or not."

Hua Kaiyuan Qing laughed as she spoke.

Although he is a member of the 'mysterious side', in the heart of this young onmyoji of the Flower Blossom Courtyard family, he is suspicious of the legends passed down by the family.

Because, he knows too well some of the family's practices.

Or rather......

History is written by the victors.

Every twenty or thirty years, the books in the family are rewritten.

The external term is to organize, revise, and protect.

Actually?

Hehe.

So, really believing those records is really going to kill people.

"As I said before, this is my apology, please accept it."

Hua Kaiyuan Qing took out the gourd and handed it to Jason.

"Hmm."

Jason nodded and took the gourd away.

He is sure that the rumors are true.

But it's just a high probability, the final result?

Jason didn't know.

However, Jason knew that the flower blossom in front of him was a pretty good collaborator.

Before the cooperation really began, he had already obtained the 'Blessing Stone', the 'Arrow of Rice and Rice' and this unknown gourd from the other party.

Therefore, Jason's opinion of the young people in front of him has changed considerably.

may have the arrogance of a big family, but people are not stingy and do what they say.

And next, if the flowers bloom and the courtyard is clear, it will make Jason's favor +1.

"Now that all three of our squad have gathered."

"Then I'll be the one to do the night off, right?"

Hua Kaiyuan asked.

The girl nodded repeatedly.

There is food, and Jason naturally will not object.

"I promised His Excellency Jason two banquets before, one of which was after everyone gathered, and this time it happened that everyone was gathered, and I also booked the venue of the banquet early."

"Excellency Jason, do you have anyone you want to bring?"

"The banquet hall is big enough to allow a lot of people to attend."

Hua Kaiyuan added.

The girl subconsciously wanted to call her friends.

However, the thought that she was going to compete in the 'King of Fighters - The King of Fighters Tournament' immediately dismissed that idea.

After all, she signed a confidentiality agreement: she is not allowed to actively tell others about the 'inner world'.

"Nope."

Sakura shook his head regretfully.

"I probably have a couple of friends coming."

Jason said directly.

Whether it is the old monk of Tongshou Temple, He Tai, or Hui Lijing, Ryosuke, and Urashima, they are all people who are familiar with the 'inner world', so naturally there is no need to hide it.

"Okay."

"It's 3 p.m., and I'll send someone to pick you up at 6 p.m."

After explaining the time accurately, Hanakaiin Haru left the 'Tong Shou Temple' for the time being.

The yarn warehouse did not leave.

Rather than Hanakaiyuan, Sakura prefers to stay with Jason.

When the flowers bloomed and the courtyard left, the old monk of Tongshou Temple walked out of the main hall.

"Soul Collector?"

Looking at the gourd in Jason's hand, the old monk of Tongshou Temple was surprised.

"You know this?"

Jason tossed the gourd in his hand.

"Well, it is recorded that a craftsman imitated a prop made by a certain demon's gourd."

"It is rumored that this gourd hides quite a lot of secrets."

"However, it is only a rumor, and after the method of use is lost, it becomes an ornament."

"If it can still be used, it will never appear in the branch of the Flower Blossom Courtyard."

The old monk said what he knew, and then turned his head to look at the girl in the sakura.

"Hello, I'm a monk of Tongshou Temple."

The old monk greeted him kindly.

"I'm Sakura!"

The girl replied with a big grin, and then, as if thinking of the teachings she had received on weekdays, in the face of an elderly person, she should not be so rude, and immediately bowed again: "Please take care of me when we meet for the first time." ”

"Hahaha, it's okay, it's okay."

"No need to be so polite."

"Would you like tea and snacks?"

"I remember there was a wing."

In the face of the polite children, the old monk of Tong Shouji Temple was very happy.

"I'm sorry."

Sakura bowed again.

Jason looked at the two of them, stood up silently, and walked towards the wing room on the left.

This is his room at Tongshou Temple.

Consumed a lot of satiety.

Now is the time to replenish it.

After closing the door, arranging a few more [Keyafa Seals], and confirming that all the places that can be entered and exited are blocked, Jason walked to the bed.

Although it is in the Tongshou Temple, Jason will not lose the habits that he should have.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, Jason was the first to take out the 'Blessing Stone'.

After sniffing it, he threw it directly into his mouth.

Slightly sweet, but not rich, when the teeth are strained—

Click!

The whole 'Blessing Stone' cracked.

Inside is ...... Peanut?

Peanuts wrapped in sweet coats?

It's not peanuts soaked in old vinegar, although it's a little weird, but it's also delicious.

【Swallowing the 'Blessing Stone' (Small)】

[Stamina, energy, and injuries recover slightly!] 】

Satiety +10

[Satiety: 604]

……

10 is not much for Jason these days.

But this kind of satiety that can be obtained without hunting is somewhat of an unexpected gain for Jason.

Next, Jason picked up the fragment of the Arrow of Inawa.

Unlike the slight sweetness of the Blessing Stone, the fragments of the Arrow of Rice and Rice are rich in sweetness.

It's like a ball of cream.

Moreover, it is the melt-in-your-mouth kind.

It's as sweet as a bite of cream.

"Delicious."

Jason commented from the bottom of his heart.

Sweet and always makes people happy.

As a result, people unconsciously tend to sweetness.

No matter how bitter life is, when sweetness appears, it will dilute the bitterness.

Do you still remember the bowl of sugar water that your mother made when you took medicine when you were a child?

How many people are afraid of getting sick.

But it's because of this bowl of soup.

The pain became less terrible.

There will even be some expectations.

Not sickness, of course, but sugar water.

Sweet and really wonderful.

And even more beautifully, the text in front of Jason's eyes.

【Devour 'Arrow of Rice and Rice' (Fragment)】

[Moderate recovery of physical strength, energy, and injuries!] 】

Satiety +25

[Satiety: 629]

……

Feeling the sweetness in his mouth that had not yet dissipated, looking at the text prompt in front of him, the corners of Jason's mouth curled.

Then, he picked up the 'Soul Collecting Gourd'.

The food is right in front of you, and the aroma is getting stronger.

But!

The smell of wine is becoming clearer and clearer.

Although it was mixed with the smell of wine, Jason still couldn't help but open his mouth in the face of the aroma of food.

He wanted to taste the taste of this gourd.

At the same time, dishes such as drunken shrimp involuntarily came to mind.

But there was a voice in my heart that kept echoing.

Stop it!

Can't eat!

Unsure of the result, don't try!

Learn to fight hunger!

Don't be controlled!

The voice stemmed from Jason's cautious habits.

Or rather...... Reason!

Reason then told Jason that it was dangerous.

But the gourd was still getting closer and closer to Jason's mouth.

10 cm, 5 cm, 2 cm.

When Jason's teeth were about to touch the husk of the gourd, Jason stopped.

Not the kind of simple stop.

It's trembling.

Jason's body was like a mountain in his hands.

Moreover, these two mountains are also magnetic mountains!

A magnetic mountain with the positive and negative poles facing each other!

The great attraction is in both.

The distance that had been stopped began to shake again.

And then—

Syllable!

Jason's empty hand slapped himself violently.

The slap is crisp and loud.

However, it is not useful at all.

Jason still wanted to eat.

And...... And the tongue sticks out!

The gourd wasn't far from Jason's mouth.

When the tongue sticks out, it is natural to be able to touch the gourd.

Once you have tasted the taste of the gourd......

Jason's remaining sanity made Jason understand what the outcome was.

Maybe he'll have a big meal.

But it's more likely that he fell to the ground drunk.

Of course, this is the best outcome.

The worst?

Naturally, it's 'drunk and spit out the truth'.

No way!

Nothing like this can happen!

Telling himself from the bottom of his heart, Jason's empty hand pushed his chin violently.

There is no room for this push.

When the teeth come into contact with the protruding tongue, it is ...... Bite off!

Burst!

The tongue fell to the bed, dripping with blood.

Stimulated by the pain, Jason's eyes cleared for a while.

He was about to let go of his grip on the gourd.

But he held the gourd's hand and did not listen to the command at all.

Without hesitation, Jason's empty hand was a break.

Click!

The bones of the wrist broke, and the gourd fell straight to the bed.

Then, looking at this gourd, Jason, who had no tongue and a broken wrist, was still full of yearning from the bottom of his heart.

Knock, knock, knock!

Every beat of the heart adds a point to Jason's yearning.

And the only remaining reason is expelled by a point.

Bang!

Bang bang bang!

Jason raised his hand and slammed it into his left chest.

Continuous, non-stop smashing.

Smash until the flesh is blurred.

smashed to the bone and broke the tendon.

Smashed to the point that the heart was shattered.

Smashed to lifeless.

Death has come.

Then, life emerged.

After waking up, Jason escaped from the bed like an electric shock, leaning against the door and gasping for breath.

Whew! Whew!

Jason seemed to have been fished out of the water, and beads of sweat dripped to the ground.

At this time, Jason was more tired than he had really experienced a life-and-death battle.

Fighting hunger is never easy.

Jason has a fair share of the say.

Since his awakening from the predator's talent, he has been battling hunger almost every moment.

From the very beginning it was simply impossible to resist.

I am slightly able to resist it after that.

And as long as you don't start eating, you can resist most of the time.

What Jason has experienced and paid for is definitely beyond everyone's imagination.

And if you start eating it like you just started, can you still resist?

The price just paid is already clear.

This is just the beginning, though.

Jason stood behind the door, and it took five minutes for Jason to calm down.

Little by little, he cautiously approached the bed.

It's as if there's some great danger there.

Jason moved a minute away.

When he finally got closer to the bed, and the throbbing hunger pangs in his heart were about to rise again, Jason returned to the door again and began to gasp for breath.

After ten times in a row, Jason finally calmed down.

But it's just a matter of getting closer.

By the time he was able to pick up the gourd, it was completely dark.

How many attempts were made in between?

Jason couldn't remember.

All he knew was that he was still a success.

Pulling out a rope tied to the gourd, Jason hung the gourd around his waist, and then pushed the door out.

The flowers outside the door have been waiting for a long time.

Seeing Jason walking out of the door, Hua Kaiyuan Qing stepped forward and asked with a smile, "Your Excellency Jason, is something wrong?" ”

"I overslept."

Jason replied casually.

Faced with this perfunctory answer, Hua Kaiyuan Qing did not ask.

He didn't want to ruin the good relationship between the two sides because of some trivial matters.

"Oh, let's go, then?"

Hua Kaiyuan asked.

"Okay."

Jason nodded.

"Let's go! Let's go! ”

"Feast! Banquet! ”

The big smug has already begun to cheer.

The old monks of Tongshouji Temple, Ryosuke, and Urashima, who went together, also had a hint of anticipation.

Of course, Hui Lijing has also called to inform her.

However, just as everyone walked out of the Tongshou Temple, a servant of the flower blossom courtyard came in a panic.

"Oh no, Lord Hanakaiin-sama, your invitation to the 'King of Fighters - The King of Fighters Tournament' has been deprived!"