"Chow time, chow time."

Bullhorse excitedly shook its bull horns, drool dripping from both sides of its lips onto the floor.

Seeing this, Liu Zheng also walked toward his locker.

Upon opening it, he found a takeout-style container inside, though lacking the iris flower logo.

Just as he was about to open the box, he was suddenly shoved aside by a forceful impact.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Bullhorse glared at him with hostility.

"Getting my meal?"

Liu Zheng replied somewhat confusedly.

"Don't you know the rules? Newbies eat only after senior staff pick first."

Bullhorse shouted.

"Then please, after you."

He obediently handed over the meal box.

"At least you know your place."

Bullhorse arrogantly flipped open the lid with its horn and peered inside.

"Tch, lucky you. I don't like spicy food, you can have it."

It curled its lips in disdain.

Liu Zheng also looked inside - a curry-like mush covered with red chili powder.

"Name: Bloody Restaurant Staff Meal"

"Type: Item"

"Quality: Excellent"

"Effect: Restores stamina, repairs damage."

"Note: She lost everything, leaving only these scraps behind."

"Can be taken out of dungeon: No"

Reading the system's note, his expression darkened.

"What? You don't like spicy food either?"

Bullhorse asked with feigned curiosity.

"I don't like curry."

Liu Zheng said, suppressing his disgust.

"You'd better learn to. Staff meals of this quality don't come often."

Bullhorse shook its head.

"Aren't staff meals fixed?"

"Of course not. The staff meal changes daily. For a newbie like you to get this is hitting the jackpot."

Bullhorse extended its dark brown tongue to lick its upper lip.

Hitting the jackpot?

Maybe.

Just when he'd become damaged, he received an item that could repair damage.

Moreover, the note was vague - perhaps not what he imagined.

The aroma of spices and minced meat flooded Liu Zheng's nostrils, his empty stomach convulsing with anticipation.

"Just eat it. Nobody will know. One plate, no words."

A voice whispered in his ear.

"Eat shit."

Liu Zheng snapped the lid shut.

"Got a light, boss?"

He looked at the bull head.

"What for?"

"Need to burn something."

"If you're not eating it, don't waste it. Give it to me - I'll trade it for you, just taking a small commission."

Bullhorse suggested.

"No thanks."

Liu Zheng shook his head.

"You're one weird freak."

Bullhorse shook its large head and spat out a key.

"That locker over there. Help yourself."

Liu Zheng took the key and opened the indicated locker to find a lighter, solid alcohol, and an alcohol stove.

He tossed the solid alcohol directly into the meal box and lit it.

Blue flames erupted as the yellow meat paste gradually charred into blackened carbon.

Liu Zheng silently watched, something seemingly burning in his gaze too.

"You'll have to get used to it, kid. This world is all about eating or being eaten. If I ever become mush, I'd hope you'd clean your plate."

Bullhorse said casually.

He nodded without speaking.

Bullhorse ignored him too, settling down to eat its own meal.

Liu Zheng glimpsed its food - a large medium-rare steak of indeterminate origin, plus a huge beer with suspiciously thick foam.

"Oh right, drinks."

Returning to his locker, he indeed found a soda can.

"Name: Hell Rock Cola"

"Type: Item"

"Quality: Excellent"

"Effect: Restores stamina and sanity, may cause random rock music auditory hallucinations."

"Note: Life is rock, and fuck."

"Can be taken out of dungeon: No"

Liu Zheng licked his dry lips and pocketed the can.

With neither food nor drink, he moved his stool to a corner and leaned against the wall pretending to sleep.

Lulled by Bullhorse's rhythmic chewing, Liu Zheng drifted off.

"Wake up, wake up."

An indeterminate time later, violent shaking roused him.

Opening his eyes, Bullhorse's massive head loomed inches away, its nasal textures clearly visible.

"Uh, what?"

He suppressed the urge to punch it.

"Orders came in. Get to work."

Bullhorse stepped back, revealing two delivery slips impaled on its horns.

"Call me generous - pick first since you're new."

Bullhorse said with false magnanimity.

Liu Zheng examined them - both slips were upside down, contents illegible.

"Then I'll take your left..."

He deliberately drew out the words while watching Bullhorse's face.

When he said "left," Liu Zheng noticed Bullhorse's nostrils flaring.

No time to think - he had to trust his gut.

"...the one to the right of that."

"Dammit!"

Bullhorse's nostrils flared violently, emitting two hot gusts. ᴛʜɪs ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɪs ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ʙʏ novel_fіre.net

Its bloodshot eyes glared at Liu Zheng like an enraged fighting bull.

Liu Zheng only returned a calm expression.

"Hmph, tricky human brat. Take it then."

Ultimately, Bullhorse didn't flip out.

"Thanks boss."

He clasped his hands prayerfully with sincere tone.

Then plucked the delivery slip from Bullhorse's right horn.

"Order: Premium Black Goat Spawn Eyeball Sashimi (Large)"

"Address: Heavenly Villa 301"

"Customer: Mr. Li"

"Time limit: 30 minutes."

Checking the map, the destination was 3km from Bloody Restaurant.

"Why fight over this order?"

He said exasperatedly.

Named customer, tight deadline.

"What do you know? Mr. Li's a super VIP - tips big. Now look at mine."

Bullhorse shook its horn.

Liu Zheng reached for the other slip.

"Order: Hell Maggot Rice Bowl"

"Address: Splendid Residence Bldg 6 #1502"

"Time limit: 20 minutes"

Locating Splendid Residence on the map - 25km from Bloody Restaurant.

"Respect, boss."

Liu Zheng cupped his hands respectfully.

"Hmph, you'd better."

Bullhorse raised its head proudly.

"But if I'd picked that one, wouldn't I definitely fail?"

A thought occurred to him.

"Pathetic humans like you can request vehicles for deliveries over 10km - for a fee."

Bullhorse replied.

"That's harsh."

Liu Zheng said sincerely.

At least real-world delivery apps charged monthly rentals.

"And we don't even get that option."

Bullhorse grumbled.

Not that it could use one anyway, but having the option denied rankled.

"Enough chatter. Get moving."

It kicked Liu Zheng with a hoof.

"You're not coming with me?"

"Couriers can't depart together."

Bullhorse shook its head.

"That a rule too?"

"No, that's my principle."

Bullhorse said gravely.

"Walking with dead men like you is bad luck."