Chapter 408 - 407: What Did It Go to Do?

Chapter 408: Chapter 407: What Did It Go to Do?

’Is Squidward just making up a discount on the spot to get me to agree?’

Seraphina Sinclair shot back, "The Stardust Gallery is such a massive restaurant. Are you really hurting for my hundred thousand Black Fog Coins?"

Her tone was utterly sincere.

’The System is already working with the Stardust Gallery, handing out Advanced Meal Vouchers to survivors who clear instances. How could it not be giving the Stardust Gallery a huge cut?’

She had diligently saved up those hundred thousand Black Fog Coins over a long time. Although the chances of the deal falling through were slim, Seraphina Sinclair wouldn’t let anyone covet her Black Fog Coins.

Unfortunately, for some unknown reason, Squidward’s attitude was exceptionally firm.

After some fruitless haggling, Seraphina Sinclair decided to play along and push her luck. "In that case, I should be able to make a request too, right?"

’Isn’t that how deals work?’

’You make a demand, I make a demand!’

Since she had just agreed to Squidward’s request, he naturally had no reason to refuse when he heard this.

Seraphina Sinclair said, "I want you to appraise an item for me."

’Appraise an item?’

That was a request they certainly hadn’t expected.

’We were just talking about the flame, how did we get to this?’

But on second thought, what kind of mysterious item could a C-level human possibly possess?

As for an appraisal, the Stardust Gallery had so many well-traveled and knowledgeable chefs that they could probably even waive the appraisal fee.

"Certainly. When would you like to have it appraised?"

Squidward said it casually. Not only did he not try to haggle, but he even asked a question like that directly.

Seraphina Sinclair had originally planned to bring this up only if the negotiations truly failed. Hearing Squidward’s words, her eyes curved into a smile and she immediately took out the Door Key.

’A free appraisal!’

’With no restrictions on the item’s grade!’

’This is great.’

She was still feeling happy, but when she looked up and saw the state of Squidward and the other two chefs, her smile vanished instantly.

Behind the three long tables, three jaws dropped to the floor in unison.

Seraphina Sinclair: "..."

’What is this? Some old tradition among chefs?’

Seraphina Sinclair’s gaze was initially on Squidward; after all, she’d never seen an octopus’s jaw drop to the floor before. But when she caught a glimpse of the even stranger situation with Triangle Cone out of the corner of her eye, she immediately turned to look.

’Now this one is good. So neat!’

’The cut is incredibly smooth, much more aesthetically pleasing than Squidward’s or the Old Man’s.’

’So this Door Key...’

Having had her fill of the spectacle, Seraphina Sinclair now wanted answers.

Unfortunately, the three chefs didn’t snap out of it for a long while. Their eyes were glued to the Door Key in Seraphina Sinclair’s hand, each of them seemingly shocked in their own way.

"I’m not seeing things, am I?"

Squidward’s voice trembled, his tone completely different from before.

"You’re not. You’re not. It’s just one piece, though. Two more are missing."

The Old Man answered in a low voice, also looking terrified.

Seraphina Sinclair subconsciously glanced at Triangle Cone, thinking it would also make some comment. Instead, she saw it suddenly start spinning on the spot, faster and faster and faster.

And just like that, it spiraled up into the heavens.

Seraphina Sinclair was aghast. "What is it doing?!"

Faced with this, Squidward and the Old Man actually calmed down.

One of Squidward’s tentacles reached into the air, as if trying to stop the spiraling Triangle Cone, but it was a step too slow.

It simply retracted its tentacle, no longer bothering with Triangle Cone. It suddenly rose and gave Seraphina Sinclair an awkward-looking bow. "There’s no need to wait for a detailed discussion next week. It is our Stardust Gallery’s honor to store the flame for you."

Seraphina Sinclair froze for a moment before she realized why it felt so strange.

Squidward was called Squidward because he had the body of an octopus monster!

A body like that was now standing before Seraphina Sinclair, bowing to her.

The scene was utterly bizarre.

Slimy, thick tentacles supported Squidward’s round body. Its three huge, yellow eyes were nearly pressed against Seraphina Sinclair’s face due to its forward-leaning posture. A few of its smaller tentacles awkwardly mimicked the human gesture of clasping hands and bowing, twisting into knots in the air.

Seraphina Sinclair subconsciously took half a step back—not from fear, but from shock.

The same Squidward who, a moment ago, had been haggling over every last detail and trying to pry a hundred thousand Black Fog Coins from her pocket was now assuming such a low, subservient posture.

Beside them, the Old Man also stood up, trembling, and gave Seraphina Sinclair a deep bow. "We were rude just now. Please forgive us, esteemed guest."

’An esteemed guest, just like that?’

Seraphina Sinclair subconsciously glanced in the direction of Triangle Cone. After realizing that the bizarre chef was still flying around in the sky, her gaze fell upon the Door Key in her hand.

It was cold and heavy.

’Just a single piece, just an incomplete item, was enough to make these two top executives of the Stardust Gallery change their tune in an instant?’

Seraphina Sinclair’s throat felt a little dry. "Because of this?"

"Precisely." Squidward maintained his awkward bowing posture. "Ascending to godhood—"

"Do not say more."

The Old Man’s words were sharp and severe, but Seraphina Sinclair understood.

’This was related to what the waiter had said: "Forgive me, but I cannot explain further."’

Seraphina Sinclair said nothing, carefully observing Squidward’s expression.

Although they hadn’t interacted for long, Seraphina Sinclair could tell that he was an impatient, profit-driven character.

’For such a being to instantly adopt such a humble, even fearful, posture...’

Seraphina Sinclair tightened her grip on the fragment of the Door Key.

’It seemed the value of this thing far exceeded her imagination.’

’Squidward had also just mentioned it—ascending to godhood.’

’Perhaps...’

’This thing was the key.’

Seraphina Sinclair mulled it over in her mind, then raised an eyebrow after a moment. "So, how should we proceed with our deal now?"

The Old Man was the one who answered. "You jest, esteemed guest. For you to choose the Stardust Gallery as the repository for the Dragon Heart Golden Flame is already our honor. The last spot in the Undying Fire Lamp will be activated for you immediately. You need not pay any price."

’No price at all...’

Seraphina Sinclair knew this was a good thing, but she didn’t feel the slightest bit of joy.

She had come into contact with too many things tonight.

The Holy Flame, Demigods, godhood...

Each term sounded incredibly impressive, but Seraphina Sinclair’s understanding of what each one meant was so vague it was almost a complete blank.

It felt as if she were a toddler who had just learned to walk and was suddenly thrown into the cockpit of a massive vehicle. Although she now possessed this behemoth, she had no idea how it worked or how to operate it.

The only thing she knew for sure was that this vehicle could definitely crush any obstacle in its path, but also that a single wrong move could get her pulverized.

But no matter what, after so many twists and turns, the Dragon Heart Holy Flame was finally safe. Not only did she not have to pay any price, but she had also accidentally discovered the use of the SSS-level item, the Door Key of Yog-Sothoth.

Although it was just her own bit of speculation, it was far better than being completely in the dark like before.

The corners of Seraphina Sinclair’s mouth turned up slightly before immediately falling again. She took out the immensely thick book she had gotten from Triangle Cone and asked tentatively, "Then this book..."