"Is this a technique Sekiro invented himself? It feels a bit too overbearing."
"Shura. Just the name evokes an aura of blood-soaked skies."
"Never mind, I should go collect some rice from Ms. Rice first. And maybe see if there's any news about Shura."
Chun Hei looked at his empty purse. After several battles, his accumulated pills, vigor pills, stimulants, rice, and other consumables were nearly depleted.
It was undeniable that player skill and experience were important, but without supplies, it was like fighting without lubricant – painful and difficult for everyone involved.
"I have been waiting for you."
Upon arriving at Ms. Rice's charming abode, the beautiful, black-haired young woman, who looked as if she had stepped out of a painting, was quietly meditating on a cushion, serene and elegant.
Chun Hei couldn't help but steal a few more glances.
"Here is your rice, my dear."
"Mhm, come, please accept it..." Prince of Immortality held out a cup of sparkling rice. Chun Hei immediately took it; one had to taste it personally to understand its wonders.
"Thank you."
"Mhm, this rice is precious. Chew it carefully and savor it."
"I will, I will. Is there any more?" After a circuitous route, Chun Hei circled back. He hadn't collected rice in a while, so he figured there should be a good stock. He intended to gather a bit more today.
"Please... come again." Ms. Rice's voice was a little weak, but she still gave Chun Hei a generous portion of plump rice grains.
After collecting the rice,
Chun Hei intended to return. After meditating at the Sculptor's Idol and then coming back, he found Ms. Rice unusually weak, softly murmuring what sounded like suggestive ramblings.
"Mmm... huff... huff-huff..."
"Mmm-hmm~~~"
Her head was bowed, and her panting was clearly audible. It was evident that collecting rice twice in a row had taken a toll on her vitality.
The livestream suddenly emitted a peculiar sound. If one didn't look at the screen, they might think the streamer had stumbled upon a questionable adult website. If the sound were played aloud, those nearby might cast knowing glances.
'???'
'She's giving birth...'
'My dad, who's watching TV in the living room, is giving me a meaningful look. I think I'm about to face a minor social catastrophe.'
'Mom... let me explain...'
'Who knows how many times I've heard this.'
'She produced too much rice, and now she's exhausted.'
'I'm blind. What program is being broadcast right now?'
'That heavy breathing...'
'She's weak after only three requests????'
......
"Mmm!"
Seeing Chun Hei approach again, Ms. Rice, mustering her weakened body, said haltingly, "Prince's warrior... you came... just in time..."
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine..."
Ms. Rice maintained a respectful posture, preparing to reach into her clothes to retrieve more rice. "I'll get you some rice right away..."
"Wait... just wait."
"You don't look well. Rest properly, there's no rush for rice." Chun Hei understood the principle of moderation. If the young lady was already like this and he still insisted, what was the difference between him and a pervert?
"...Okay, I understand."
Hearing Chun Hei's dissuasion, Ms. Rice hesitantly withdrew her small hand.
"Is there anything I can do to help you?"
"Huh?"
"I mean, is there anything you want?" Chun Hei patiently explained. After all, Ms. Rice had given him so much rice; if she needed anything, he could collect it for her during his missions.
"Then... I'd like to eat persimmons..." After Chun Hei's repeated questioning, Ms. Rice finally revealed her desire.
"Then you should drink more hot water." /
Seeing a flood of question marks appear in the comments, Chun Hei quickly chuckled and explained, "Just kidding, everyone. Ms. Rice wants to eat persimmons. Can we be stingy? We'll give them to her."
He spoke with flair, but his heart ached. Those were persimmons, the heart of a white snake, as precious as materials for the Divine Dragon's Perfume.
"Here, take the persimmons you wanted."
Chun Hei walked up to Ms. Rice and handed her the Dried Snake Persimmon he had scavenged from the snake cave earlier, offering it to the frail girl.
He felt this was his most glorious moment in the game. Although it pained him, he knew these upfront investments were necessary for sustainable development.
"You really brought them for me." Ms. Rice's weak voice held deep surprise.
"I saved them all for you. Eat them."
"Okay, I won't be polite then."
Taking the persimmon, Ms. Rice began to chew it in small bites.
"Chew... meow... chew chew..."
"Chew... chew chew... meow... meow... ~~~"
Closing her eyes, she became even more indistinct.
The comments immediately lit up with yellow question marks. Even Chun Hei himself couldn't help but exclaim, "Everyone, I really didn't mean for this to happen, but it feels like she's doing it on purpose."
'My mom is telling me to get out and watch.'
'Awkward sounds.'
'Something's not right. These sounds are amazing.'
'I suggest recording them and playing them on repeat for late-night activities.'
......
"It's so sweet, incredibly delicious!"
After finishing the entire Snake Persimmon, Ms. Rice immediately regained her energetic demeanor.
"Mhm, mhm."
Chun Hei watched Ms. Rice eat the whole persimmon with a frown. He wondered if it could really be sweet.
"Please extend your hand."
Hearing Ms. Rice's request, Chun Hei hesitated, "But..."
"It's alright now. Please extend your hand... Please accept the fruits of my harvest."
"Understood." Chun Hei stepped forward to receive the harvested rice. He had to admit, the persimmon's effect was immediate. The rice in his palm was still slightly warm, and when he brought it closer to smell, he could detect a faint milky fragrance.
Could it be...
Chun Hei stood up, looked at the still-warm rice in his hand, then at Ms. Rice's slender chest beneath her loose robe, and said in confusion, "That shouldn't be right."
"Thank you, Prince's Warrior. It seems thanks to the persimmons you gave me, the fruits are abundant. If you are willing, please also share some with the Prince of the Dragon's Heir."
Ms. Rice's gentle voice reached him, and Chun Hei received another special [Rice for the Prince].
"Hey, it's even individually packaged."
Clutching the rice bag, Chun Hei bid farewell to Ms. Rice and returned to Ashina Castle.
The Prince sat quietly before the candlelight, engrossed in reading a bound book, not even noticing Wolf's return.
"Cough cough..."
"Wolf, you've returned."
The Prince turned his head, his face lighting up upon seeing Wolf.
"Yes, I have something to deliver to you, my lord."
"To deliver to me?"
"It is this."
Wolf handed over the rice Ms. Rice had given to the Prince.
"Is this... rice?"
"Yes, the Prince of Senpou Temple said to give it to you." Wolf answered truthfully. Chun Hei, from his god-like perspective, quietly enjoyed the dialogue segment. These were all necessary and helpful for understanding the plot.
Of course, some players disliked dialogue phases and skipped them, opting for pure combat. However, even then, Chun Hei maintained the fastest clearing progress.
Returning to the narrative, the Prince accepted the rice and specially prepared a cooked rice ball for him.
[Sweet Rice Dumpling
A sweet rice dumpling made from the rice given by the Prince of Immortality. It restores HP for a period of time and continuously restores Posture.
The Divine Father once silently gave a sweet rice dumpling to a hungry Wolf. That sweet rice dumpling was incredibly delicious. This sweet rice dumpling before us must also be quite delicious.]
"Hooray! I declare, sweet rice dumplings are the best!"
"You think so. Let's try it." The Prince looked eagerly at Chun Hei, anticipating praise after eating it.
Chun Hei turned and walked to the side, preparing to pretend to taste it. Honestly, this item was too precious and could even eliminate Posture; eating it here would be a waste.
This was the first food item he had encountered in the game that could remove Posture. For players who engaged in prolonged sword duels, this was a divine artifact.
"Heh heh... you want to sneak off and eat it." The Prince's hearty laughter came from behind him. "It's okay if you want to do it like this!"
"Oh my gosh~~~ Delicious!"