Chapter 45: Giant: Stomach of the Glutton!

A spacious area resembling a subterranean church.

A considerable number of gas lamps hung from the walls.

Aside from these, there were some large-scale murals that had peeled off rather severely.

In the basement zone, heavy dampness was an inevitable fact.

Yet, one could still discern from these murals that this place had once known a period of glory.

Roughly fifty or sixty people were seated within the grand hall.

The sound of hushed conversations drifted faintly.

Before long.

A cluster of gray shadows drifted from the corner of the podium to the central position.

Everyone turned their gaze toward that mass of shadows.

A humanoid contour, yet an Extraordinary entirely in the form of shadow, detached itself from the gloom.

"Mr. Shadow."

He was the initiator and manager of the Extraordinary gathering.

His identity was shrouded in mystery, and very few knew his true background.

Moreover, he possessed the exceptionally rare [Shadow] sequence profession.

Once that "shadow," interweaving between light and darkness, appeared.

Envious gazes mingled with wary ones among the crowd.

"The Shadow sequence, that is a remarkably rare sequence indeed."

Seated in a corner of the crowd, Zorn pondered silently.

Within the circles of the Extraordinaries, a chain of discrimination also existed.

Rare and uncommon "Shadow sequences" like Mr. Shadow unquestionably stood at the very apex of this discrimination chain.

Next were the caster sequences, which held a somewhat higher position in the hierarchy, running almost parallel to the special elemental sequences.

Following them were alchemists, artisans, apothecaries, potion-makers, and similar sequences.

Although their combat prowess was not particularly formidable, they commanded considerable respect.

Extraordinaries of such sequences would be recruited as far as possible even by official authorities and churches.

Lying at the absolute bottom of the contempt chain.

Were common sequences such as pugilists, thieves, assassins, bards, and monks.

Naturally.

World-boss-template sequences like [Evil Spirit Warlocks] were not subject to such discussion.

No one would dare look down upon an [Evil Spirit Warlock] capable of bringing terror to the entire continent.

"Any Extraordinaries with needs may come to the stage to state their requirements, or sell their props and items."

"The usual rules apply: a fee of only 5 golden pounds is required."

Without pleasantries or formal courtesies, Mr. Shadow cut straight to the point. His voice was crisp and decisive, entirely devoid of hesitation.

Soon, several Extraordinaries ascended the podium.

Some sought items they required, others vied to sell treasures they deemed valuable, and some inquired after intelligence.

In the world of Extraordinaries, the value of information was often exceptionally high.

At times, it could even be deemed priceless.

Zorn, sitting among the crowd, quietly waited for an opportunity and for items of true worth.

However, valuable items arrived even faster than Zorn had anticipated.

A man wearing a brown thick-collared top and a pale gargoyle mask over his face walked onto the podium, carrying a pale-yellow monster briefcase.

"Does anyone know the correct method to use the [Giant's Gluttonous Stomach Bag]?"

His voice was slightly hoarse, clearly not his original tone.

"Oh?"

Zorn, who had been immersed in a state of languid relaxation within the crowd, felt a sharp gleam flash deep within his pupils the moment he heard the mention of the [Giant's Gluttonous Stomach Bag].

"The Giant's Gluttonous Stomach Bag, that is a wondrous and rare extraordinary item."

"An item far superior in effect to the ordinary Gluttonous Stomach Bag."

"Things that a regular Gluttonous Stomach Bag cannot digest can all be digested by the Giant's Gluttonous Stomach Bag."

Different world versions possessed their own distinct treasures.

Clearly, this world harbored resources such as the "Giant's Gluttonous Stomach Bag."

Yet such resources were exceedingly rare, and the methods for utilizing them had long been lost to history.

However, to [Players], this was no secret at all.

As Zorn meditated, the man on stage repeated his inquiry twice more.

Seeing that no one responded, the man in the gargoyle mask shook his head and prepared to pick up his monster briefcase and step down.

At that very moment, a languid, deep voice echoed from the crowd.

Kneeling or standing, Zorn spoke up.

"I happen to know the correct method to use the Giant's Gluttonous Stomach Bag, it's just that... you may not necessarily afford the price."

The man on the stage jerked upright, his gaze piercing as he accurately located the young man who had spoken within the crowd.

After studying the languid youth for a moment, the pale gargoyle-masked man paused briefly in thought before speaking.

"A Giant's Gluttonous Stomach Bag itself, would that suffice to pay your price?"

"He truly has one."

Zorn straightened his posture, turning slightly serious.

"How... shall we trade?"

"After all, you might not believe the method I provide."

The gargoyle-masked man pondered for a moment, then looked toward "Mr. Shadow" standing off to the side.

A leader who could host and initiate an Extraordinary gathering.

Must possess means and abilities such as "Words of Truth" or "True Appraisal."

Otherwise, this place would become a paradise for [Swindlers].

"I can host a 'Veritas Assembly' for the two of you."

Mr. Shadow stated in a flat, even tone.

Shortly after.

A modest "Veritas Assembly" was set up in the corner.

On either side of a square table, Zorn and the man in the pale gargoyle mask sat facing each other.

Beside the lit white candle.

Mr. Shadow stood quietly.

Yet the hazy candlelight passed straight through his semi-transparent shadow form.

"Very well, we may begin!"

Following Mr. Shadow's declaration, the gargoyle-masked man immediately applied pressure to Zorn.

From his pale-yellow monster briefcase.

He produced three semi-air-dried stomach bags, one by one.

The three semi-air-dried stomachs showed little difference in color, and their sizes were nearly identical.

"Which one is the Giant's Gluttonous Stomach Bag?"

The gaze beneath the pale gargoyle mask scrutinized Zorn, sharp lights flickering within.

Zorn pointed from left to right, identifying them in order.

"This one is the Greedy One's Stomach Bag, this one is the Glutton's Stomach Bag, and this one is the Giant Glutton's Stomach Bag."

"To think you actually possess so many good things."

Seeing that Zorn had guessed every single one correctly.

The gargoyle-masked man felt a slight sense of relief.

At the very least, the languid youth sitting before him possessed genuine extraordinary academic knowledge.

"Then what is the correct method to use the Giant's Gluttonous Stomach Bag?"

The gargoyle-masked man leaned his upper body slightly forward, preparing to listen intently.

"The Giant's Gluttonous Stomach Bag is a wondrous extraordinary organ with a much larger capacity and far stronger digestive capability than the Glutton's Stomach Bag and the Greedy One's Stomach Bag."

Zorn expounded in a soothing tone.

"If you wish to implant this stomach bag."

"First, you must continuously drink pure water, emptying your own stomach in advance so that no food residue remains, leaving yourself in a state of fasting and hunger."

"Water imbued with spirituality generally yields the best results."

"Simultaneously with emptying your stomach, you must thoroughly clean the Giant Glutton's stomach bag and place it into boiling water to simmer for at least twenty-four hours."

"The Giant's Gluttonous Stomach Bag possesses astonishing elasticity; twenty-four hours is generally sufficient to restore its vitality and shrink it down to the size of a fist."

"Even so, however, it remains difficult to swallow easily."

"Swallow?"

Zorn's words caused both the gargoyle-masked man and Mr. Shadow to pause slightly.

Clearly, Zorn's explanation was beginning to challenge their understanding.

"Yes, it needs to be swallowed."

"At this juncture, you will require 'Serpentine Potion' to assist in the swallowing process."

"Naturally, should you be willing to spend a few more golden pounds to purchase the more expensive and effective 'Serpent-Swallowing Potion,' the results will be even better."

"After drinking the Serpentine Potion, in about fifteen minutes or so, your esophagus will expand, allowing you to directly swallow the shrunken Giant's Gluttonous Stomach Bag."

"Then you simply wait for the Glutton's stomach bag to consume your own stomach and merge with it."

"Pain is entirely unavoidable."

"Additionally, keep a supply of food close at hand; the Giant's Gluttonous Stomach Bag is terrifyingly ravenous."

"If you fail to satiate it immediately, it will drive you mad with hunger, compelling you to devour your own arm."

"There you have it... that is the complete procedure for enjoying the delicacy of the Giant's Gluttonous Stomach Bag."

Zorn concluded this small Veritas Assembly with a humorous and engaging tone.

Mr. Shadow glanced at Zorn, sensing the situation carefully for a moment before turning to the gargoyle-masked man and nodding slightly.

"What he has said is entirely true."

"Such an absurd-sounding matter turns out to be real."

The gargoyle-masked man twitching at the corner of his eyes.

Fortunately, however, he had obtained the information he desperately needed.