Famine 112: Tiramisu Candy World

“Sir.”

Everyone respectfully backed away. Shi He lowered his head in a slight bow—without lessening his foot’s pressure on Qi Zhi in the least.

Si Zhiyan lifted his chin slightly. Shi He hesitated, then ultimately obeyed, slowly releasing the woman.

Wang Jinyu immediately crawled over and clung to Qi Zhi.

Yet Qi Zhi did not attempt to escape.
She propped herself up, tidied her disheveled hair, remained kneeling on the ground, and raised her head, breathless, to look at Si Zhiyan.

“So you’re the boss here… What, come to persuade me now?”

Si Zhiyan shook his head.

“I’m not here to force anything. You’ve killed too many people; I have to kill you.”
“But, I will let you see… another possibility.”

He fixed his gaze on Qi Zhi, chin lifted slightly.

In the depths of the mist behind him, the “Divine Soldier Battlefield Communicator” gifted by Nie Du activated, slowly displaying a set of images.

Oh? Planning to intimidate me? Qi Zhi sneered inwardly.

But the moment she looked up, she stopped cold.

On the screen, there was no intimidating miracle… only a woman.

Qi Zhi recognized her at a glance for what she was: an ordinary person. Unenhanced, perhaps not even known by name to anyone.

The kind of cannon fodder player whom the Starvation Game would swallow up without a trace, pitiful and powerless.

This pitiable, negligible player wore her hair in a simple ponytail, dressed plainly but clean, sat at a textile machine, humming softly as she worked, toes keeping rhythm on the pedal, embroidering a pattern in the corner of a garment. She seemed to enjoy embroidery very much; her face carried a natural, contented smile, her hands guiding threads that danced across the fabric in beautiful, intricate motions.

She looked so fragile, and yet so safe, as if living in calm and happiness.

The camera zoomed out to reveal a workshop, where small groups of players worked and chatted together; then further, an industrial area, with many large-scale production lines underway, each person busily attending to their task… Further back, ribbons drifted through an idealistic town; residents hung out laundry, the shopping district bustled, streets crowded with pedestrians, horses, and carts…

These were diligent players, deep within the farm.

Around them, many suitable players displayed the same gentle respect to one another, treating each as a true companion.

…Could these images really be from after the arrival of the Starvation Game?

Was such a place truly possible in this world?

Qi Zhi and Wang Jinyu held their heads high, faces scornful, but quietly, their hands clasped tightly, feeling a faint sheen of sweat growing between their palms.

In that moment, a thought arose uncontrollably in both their minds—

If we had started out somewhere like this, would everything have turned out differently?

Si Zhiyan said, “My powers are limited. I arrived very late, and could not change what had already happened.”
“I can only promise that what happened to you will never happen again—at least, not within my power to prevent.”

“In this world, there will always be lands where everyone has a chance to live by their own hands. To do what they want, to pursue their own dreams, to work for a life they truly desire. There is no need to kill, nor to be killed.”

“What we’re doing is not about saving any individual, or seeking justice for specific victims…”

“It is about creating a different world.”

“I will not stop. I am willing to do whatever it takes for this—including… killing you.”

Qi Zhi sneered, closing her eyes. “Is that so?”

“It sounds rather laughable… but I suppose, it’s a fine resolution.”
“This life is already over; if there’s another, perhaps let us reincarnate into your farm… Ha, but who wants to have children in this day and age?”

“You will.” Si Zhiyan’s voice was soft and resolute. “Given time, the farm will see new life born.”

“Let’s hope we meet again, under sunlight.”

“Ha…” Qi Zhi laughed quietly. “Then… thank you, I suppose?”
“Still, don’t expect a few good words to make me hand over the jar.”

Si Zhiyan answered, “That’s your choice.”

Shi He gazed up at the farm owner; behind the cold clouds, his half-shaded brows and eyes were tranquil, imbued with a detached kind of compassion:

“I do not fear you. I merely hope that, at the end, you might find a sliver of hope, however small.”

“And yet… forgive me. I must take the jar.”

At some point, a vine snaked out from behind the farm owner’s black high-collared coat, swelling rapidly, baring sharp black jaws… expanding ever larger into—

An indescribable abyss.

“——”

In that instant, every hair on Shi He’s body stood on end.
The oppressive power of a chosen one pinned him in place; he could not move.

What was that thing?!

A vine? No, that could not be a vine. Unknown, inconceivable—no thought but…

Terror.

The terror of the nameless and the unknowable.

Emptiness!

That tubular abyss engulfed both of them, from head to toe.

Just as a python swallows its prey, in the tube-like cavity of the vine, their bodies remained outlined, still alive, still struggling.

Gurgle. Gurgle.
A sound beyond reason squirmed and churned. At first the two human forms inside fought desperately, but soon their movements weakened, then stilled, pressed tighter, fusing, until even their forms became indistinct…

Eat together, live together, share life and death, fortune and disaster… Never part, always together.
If you refuse to hand over the cursed artifact… then swallowing you together will do just as well.

The mass within writhed; Shi He’s shoulders trembled, cold sweat soaking his back, his instincts squeezing his brain as tightly as an animal frozen before a predator—helpless, unable even to draw a breath, every inch paralyzed by fear.

He wanted to run, but his legs failed him, not an ounce of strength left, not even enough to pull air into his lungs…

Suddenly, a strong arm hooked firmly around his waist. The heat closed in, and Nidhogg’s voice whispered at his ear: “Breathe.”

Mind blank, Shi He clung tightly to that muscular forearm, obeying the command without thought.

…

Seconds later, all sign of the writhing remains had vanished.

The abyss reverted to a slender vine, no thicker than a finger, and slipped back inside the farmer’s high black collar.

Everyone who witnessed this wore a face more pale than the last; some Silver Ring Alliance members, utterly terrified, collapsed to the ground and fled in panic.

Only the farm owner’s expression remained unchanged—still distant, still compassionate, with a heavy air of the inhuman.

From Shi He’s angle, he saw only the side of the master’s neck. The jawline was sharp, white, with a single drop of bright red blood.
The vine, sated, raised its tip and wiped that tiny drop of blood away.

With ethereal fingers, the master stroked his nape, pressing a fingertip upon the vine; it curled playfully around his fingers, obedient and intimate.

In a heartbeat, the dreadful aura vanished without a trace, as though it had never been at all.

“…Hah…”

Shi He’s shoulders finally relaxed, and he gasped for breath.
He felt as though fished from water, knees buckling, but ended up collapsed into Nidhogg’s embrace instead of the ground.

Nidhogg, one hand in his pocket, held Shi He secure with just one arm, bearing the boy’s full weight with ease.

Shi He could not recall the last time he’d been wrapped in such familiar warmth. For a long, hazy moment, he closed his eyes, fingers digging into his brother’s arm, unable even to stand upright, his chest burning. He dipped his head in secret, gently nuzzling his forehead against that arm, restrained, fleeting… yet full of longing.

The dragon’s wrist trembled, unusually mute for a moment, before he spoke to Si Zhiyan:

“Next time you call out your little pet, have the other chosen clear out first.”
“It’s matured quite a bit. The best among the players can sense its presence now.”

“I don’t know what it is… but whatever it may be, it’s nothing harmless.”

“You need to start taking that seriously, boss.”

Si Zhiyan turned and nodded slightly.

After confirming Shi He was unharmed, he made a call for someone to bring a calming cup of milk from the farm.

He was about to offer a few words of comfort, but saw that the boy had already buried his face into Nidhogg’s chest, ears flushed red and looking rather pleased.

Si Zhiyan couldn’t help but laugh softly, shaking his head.

In the past few days, with Nidhogg at the head, many on the farm had clamored for a vacation to the water park. Once they’d finished socializing, he supposed they’d have their own affairs to attend to, and he need not worry.

Turning back, he glanced at the farm announcement.

[Nursery No. 11 – Tiramisu Candy Jar of Dreams [Refined Quality]]
User merges with the cursed artifact, carrying a muted, sweet hope that births these vines.
Can your hope overcome the despair of this world?
No one knows.
But at this stage, there’s no turning back. Why not dream a beautiful, sweet dream?
This is the last gift the merciful evil god has left for you.

The vine will bear many candy jars, each containing a pocket dimension.
Within each, a rainbow world unfolds.

[Method One]
Open an individual candy jar.
Each contains its own expanse of 50m x 50m x 50m—your Candy Jar—composed entirely of random candies and desserts.
Blue skies float with cotton candy, rivers flow with milk tea, the earth underfoot is crumbled Oreos, house walls are chocolate cake, fences of tangy gummy ropes, paths of caramel cookies…

Hope you’ll enjoy a wonderful time in your personal Candy Jar.
Ah, but beware of cavities.

[Method Two]
Seal a candy jar over a plot of land, storing away a [Dream World].
The Dream World can move with the jar, its internal space unlimited, sustaining infinite fresh air and allowing independent expansion and transformation.
The inside is a [Safe Zone]: players can’t hurt each other, nor destroy the world’s features; any entity below S-level that enters will instantly lose all hostility.

If enough space is provided, a Dream World can even spawn its own 50x50x50m Candy Jar.

When the lid is twisted shut, the Dream World is sealed from the outside.
When opened, it connects freely to the world. All other properties remain unchanged.

…

What an excellent crop.

This S-level cursed artifact’s fruits bore the [Refined] label, powers far surpassing ordinary food.

Especially the second method—to seal away a Dream World, essentially preserving the original function of the old jar but then some: self-adjusting temperature, a full candy world, the ability to place farm facilities, free movement and added safety zones…

It’s as if you had an infinite number of [customizable business kiosks]—and then upgraded them.

Once again, the farm nurseries had not disappointed.

From its traits, the artifact must have been related to [Dreams]… Though now, with things at this stage, it was no longer possible to see its full description.

Besides…
At least there would be plenty of desserts to eat.

Si Zhiyan opened one of the jars.

This time, it generated a candy jar shaped as a tropical rainforest, dense with plants, but on closer look, every tree was made of dark chocolate.
Leaves were mint, vines were gummy ropes, and the moist earth itself was tiramisu.

Si Zhiyan squatted and used a trowel to dig up a bit of tiramisu.

The trowel sliced through the cocoa-powder “veil” to reveal a layer of cloudlike cream beneath. He took a bite; the mascarpone’s aroma was perfectly balanced, the texture soft and smooth, creamy and moist, sweeping across tongue and teeth in gentle delight.
The layered biscuits were soaked in coffee liqueur, merging the rich flavor of coffee with a hint of alcohol and a slight bitterness, highlighting the sweet cream to perfection.

Just a touch sweeter than usual—but even more delicious for it!

Si Zhiyan’s eyes lit up. With a knuckle resting at his lips, he slowly chewed and swallowed, nodding in satisfaction.
With desserts at this level, he almost wanted to open a bakery just for these jars!

Except… the atmosphere behind him seemed a bit off…?

Si Zhiyan glanced back and was nearly startled.

Behind him, a crowd of familiar players had gathered: the vanguard squad, Nidhogg and Shi He, Qiu Hong, many others from the original caves… Nearly everyone had come, with Qiu Youqing and Wang Jianguo pressed up at the very front, drooling as they stared eagerly at him.

No one said a word—yet every other look seemed an accusation:

Sir, are you going to eat all that yourself?