[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game":3,"chapter-how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-350":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1218742,1604,"Chapter 350  Party Interlude","how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-350",350,"\u003Cp>Inside Riley's room stood a large wooden rectangular table, its polished surface reflecting the soft glow of the chandelier above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Six seats were arranged neatly, three on each side, creating a balanced setup for the evening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center of the table, a grand assortment of dishes was carefully placed, the warm, inviting aroma filling the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wisps of steam rose from each plate, a clear indication of their freshly prepared warmth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Damn… I know we all decided to cook for each other, but who'd have thought we'd go all out like this?\" Kagami muttered, setting down the large tray he had been carrying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a quick motion, he removed the metal lids covering the plates, revealing an array of mouthwatering delicacies.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the center of his tray was a perfectly seared steak, its surface glistening under the light, the marbling promising a tender, melt-in-your-mouth experience.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rich scent of butter, garlic, and freshly ground pepper immediately filled the space, making it hard to resist taking a bite right then and there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn't just his dish that stood out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Across the table, a plate of golden-fried fish sparkled with a crispy, delicate crust, its brilliance making it almost too beautiful to eat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagami had a pretty good idea who had made that one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the opposite end of the table, a fresh batch of steaming dumplings sat neatly arranged on a large serving platter, the soft dough glistening with just the right amount of moisture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside it, a large pot of soup bubbled with rich, savory aroma, its piping-hot surface occasionally rippling as if teasing them to dig in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Next to the soup stood a beautifully roasted whole chicken, its skin golden brown and crispy, glistening with its own juices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small drizzle of sauce cascaded over the surface, further enhancing its mouthwatering appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagami couldn't help but take a step back and admire the spread before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each dish, in its own way, stood proudly—vivid, appetizing, and undoubtedly prepared with effort.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this was a competition, then it seemed like no one was willing to lose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear that the dishes in front of them were widely varied in both flavor and texture, each one distinct in its own right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, the most obvious part of it all was the sheer size of the portions—every dish was made in excess, almost as if they had unknowingly prepared a feast meant for twice their number.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, considering that most of them were knights with hearty appetites and high-caloric needs, eating large quantities of food wasn't exactly a problem. But still…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe they should've put a little more thought into planning this dinner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rose, who was already seated in one of the chairs, observed the assortment of dishes with her usual calm and collected gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her golden eyes swept across the table before landing on a specific dish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a brief pause, she turned her attention to Janica.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You made that?\" Rose asked, her eyes shifting toward the large pot Janica had just placed on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Janica tilted her head slightly before giving a simple, \"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I see…\" Rose murmured, her eyes gleaming for a fraction of a second.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A silent decision was made in her mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Janica blinked, feeling a small wave of uncertainty rise within her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wasn't sure why Rose had asked, nor did she understand the brief moment of contemplation that followed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a second, she wondered if she had made a mistake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did the dish look unappealing? Was there something wrong with it?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as quickly as the thought crossed her mind, she brushed it away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rose was naturally reserved, and she often reacted to things in an unreadable manner. This wasn't any different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, Janica turned her attention back to the abundance of food laid out in front of them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that, somewhere along the way, they had all become too focused on silently competing against one another—each person wanting to showcase their skills and put effort into their dishes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And that's how this situation happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in all fairness, none of them had actually taken the time to plan anything out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everything had been done on the go during the afternoon, and now, they were left with an unintentional culinary showdown\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Janica glanced around the room, silently marveling at its sheer size.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For context, they were currently inside Riley's room, which he shared with both Seo and Rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since it was the largest out of everyone's, they had all decided it would be the best place to host their first group dinner party.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Janica had known the room would be spacious, but this… This was on another level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room was at least a few times bigger than their already privileged dorm rooms back at the academy—and those weren't exactly small to begin with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Lucas, who was seated right next to her, was reacting in the same way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him subtly glance around, equally awestruck, made Janica feel a little better about her own reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still… she couldn't help but scold herself internally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She shouldn't be acting like some country bumpkin who had never seen a luxurious place before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, she had already experienced a certain level of comfort and privilege back at the academy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the end, she wasn't that different from Lucas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She might have been a noble, but only in name—a small-time noble, at that. Compared to those from true prestigious bloodlines, she was closer to a commoner in terms of status.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And so, just like Lucas, a place like this still felt completely unreal to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagami, who had just taken his seat next to Lucas after setting down his plates, glanced around the room and quickly noticed something missing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By the way, where's Riley?\" he asked, realizing that Riley's dish was the only one yet to be placed on the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Riley is still cooking his pasta dish,\" Rose answered calmly. \"He said it might take a little while, and we should eat first if we're already hungry.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that so?\" Kagami muttered, leaning back slightly. \"Let's wait for him a bit, then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he was already feeling the hunger creeping in from his solo travels earlier that afternoon, eating without Riley—**the host of the room and essentially the one who brought them all together for this dinner—**just felt a little rude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rest of the group seemed to silently agree, none of them making a move toward their plates just yet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Janica, noticing the slight impatience settling in the air, suddenly clapped her hands together.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why don't we have some appetizers first before diving into this feast?\" she suggested with a bright smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Appetizer?\" Lucas blinked at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, hehe~!\" Janica giggled, picking up the ladle and giving the pot of soup a light stir. \"The soup I made is perfect to curb some of those hungry stomachs. I'm sure you already recognize it, Lucas, but it's your favorite soup!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes gleamed with excitement as she continued, \"I made it a little healthier than usual, so the taste might be a little different, but I'm sure you'll like it!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was a beat of silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A-ha…ha…\" Lucas let out a forced chuckle, shifting slightly in his seat. \"I'm… not sure.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His expression wavered slightly, and his posture grew subtly tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze landed on the brimming pot of hot soup, and though he tried to mask it, there was an undeniable look of hesitation in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I think… we should probably wait for Riley, no?\" he added, his voice uncertain as he carefully avoided Janica's expectant gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Janica tilted her head, a slight pout forming on her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you sure? It's Mountain Ox's Lung Soup, you know? Your favorite.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas let out a small sigh, his shoulders tensing. \"Yeah… but we should probably wait for Riley still.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Janica furrowed her brows in confusion, but before she could press further, Kagami suddenly cut in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you even going on about, bud?\" he muttered, shaking his head. \"Taking a few sips here and there wouldn't really be that bad, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, his gaze naturally drifted toward Seo and Rose, both of whom were seated across from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this point, considering that the two practically lived with Riley, they might as well have been the 'wives' of the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeking their approval before doing anything major had become something of an unconscious habit for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Kagami's expectant look, both Seo and Rose nodded at the same time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, actually—Riley said he wouldn't mind if all of us started eating first,\" Rose confirmed, her tone as calm as ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See?\" Kagami grinned, turning back to Lucas. \"Let's go ahead and dig in. Just a few sips!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave Lucas a firm pat on the shoulder, his grin widening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Janica did say it's your favorite soup, right? Can't say I'm not curious to finally see what you consider 'good' food, bud.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he casually draped an arm around Lucas's shoulders, his expression one of amused anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, but you really shouldn't—\" Lucas mumbled under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hm?\" Kagami tilted his head, not quite catching what Lucas had said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before either of them could say anything else, Janica's enthusiastic voice suddenly broke through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Here you go!\" she chirped, swiftly handing out two small bowls of steaming hot soup to the boys beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagami accepted his bowl with a satisfied grin, the rich aroma making his stomach rumble in anticipation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Lucas hesitated for a moment before reluctantly taking his own bowl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You're really not acting like your usual self, Lucas…\" Janica noted, her eyes narrowing slightly in concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah—no, it's nothing, really…\" Lucas muttered, shaking his head. Then, as if trying to get it over with, he closed his eyes, lifted the bowl, and swallowed the entire soup in one swift gulp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A deep silence settled in the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Janica blinked. Kagami stared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…I-it's good,\" Lucas forced out, his voice just a little strained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, are you crazy?!\" Janica immediately panicked, her voice rising. \"I know it's your favorite, but drinking something that hot all at once—you'll burn your throat!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas let out a strained chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck. \"I just like it so much, so… hahaha.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But instead of stopping there, he suddenly turned toward Kagami's bowl, eyes locking onto the remaining soup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagami immediately narrowed his eyes. \"Hey, what are you doing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without answering, Lucas reached out, hand moving toward Kagami's bowl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagami leaned back just in time, pulling his soup away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's my favorite soup, you see,\" Lucas said, his expression eerily serious. \"So, I wanted to take another sip.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagami scoffed. \"You can just ask Janica for seconds. There's no need to steal mine.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don't understand, Kagami. You really don't…\" Lucas said, his voice low and intense, as if he were revealing some profound secret.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagami blinked. \"Hah?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas clenched his fists, his eyes darkening with an almost unnerving level of conviction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I like her soup so much… to the point that I actually want to drink all of it on my own.\" He took a step closer, gaze locked onto Kagami's bowl with predatory intent. \"That's why—give me yours. Right now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire room fell into a strange silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone visibly tensed, a mixture of confusion and discomfort settling in the air. Something was definitely off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All except for Janica, at least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Lucas…\" Janica mumbled, her cheeks flushing pink at his passionate declaration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagami stared at them both, utterly bewildered. \"What the fuck is wrong with you two?\" he muttered under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas, despite knowing he was being beyond rude, couldn't back down now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn't about manners anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was about Janica's dignity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a matter of sacrifice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He couldn't let anyone else suffer like he had. He couldn't let Janica be hurt by the painful truth—that her beloved soup was, in fact, absolutely awful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze flickered toward the large pot still brimming with the ominous broth, its sheer quantity enough to feed an entire battalion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas swallowed hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yeah. He should have monitored Janica more closely when she was making this…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his thoughts were too preoccupied with Riley—so much so that he had completely overlooked a crucial fact about his lovely childhood friend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Janica was utterly, irredeemably, catastrophically bad at cooking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only reason she had ever believed otherwise was because he had been silently suffering through her food alone for years.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ever since they were kids, Lucas had endured every single failed dish with a straight face—smiling, nodding, and forcing himself to swallow every charred, undercooked, or questionably textured meal she had ever made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And somehow, some way, she had convinced herself that she was an amazing cook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A part of him wondered—how had Janica never noticed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How had she never questioned why no one else ever ate her food?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas wasn't sure. But one thing was certain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could not find out now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not with all these people around.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Janica realized the truth here—if she saw the sheer horror in their faces and understood what she had done—she would never recover.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She would die of embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas cursed himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If only he had paid more attention to her this morning, he could have stopped this disaster before it happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was too late now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was only one course of action left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he had to act insane, even if they all thought he had completely lost his mind, he could not—would not—let anyone else suffer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not today.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kagami, return your soup to the pot,\" Lucas said, his voice calm but deadly serious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagami frowned. \"Dude, what is wrong with you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry.\" Lucas took a step closer, his determination unwavering. \"I'll drink all of it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagami's eyes narrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Okay… that's definitely not normal.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas lunged, trying to grab Kagami's bowl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Kagami was fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite he's bulking body he dodged every attempt with the reflexes of a seasoned fighter, holding onto his soup as if his life depended on it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, completely unnoticed in the midst of the chaos, a certain red-eyed girl had quietly approached the pot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing there with a ladle in hand, she scooped up a bowl of soup for herself, her expression calm yet curious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Is this really good?\" she murmured, lifting the steaming bowl toward her lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas's heart stopped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His stomach dropped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His entire existence flashed before his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"W-WAIT!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice ripped through the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was already too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thanks for the meal!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagami, right next him, also took his first spoonful with enthusiasm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas had no time to react.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he could do was brace for the inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He closed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And accepted his fate…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…..\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This sure took longer than expected…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let out a small sigh as I gazed down at the pasta dish I had just finished preparing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't exactly picture-perfect, but the taste should be on point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had adjusted the portion size at the last minute, meaning the ingredient ratios were slightly off, but… well, it should still taste great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that thought, I grabbed the plate and stepped out of the kitchen, making my way toward the dining area.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the plan, at least.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until I nearly bumped into someone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Janica?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Standing right in front of me was Janica, cradling a large pot in her hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her expression was strange—her eyes were red, her gaze slightly unfocused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had she been crying?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ah, Riley… Please go on inside,\" she said, her voice oddly soft as she tightened her grip on the pot. \"I'm just going to throw out this trash…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trash?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I blinked, glancing at the pot she was holding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, out of curiosity, I peeked behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And what I saw inside the dining area left me speechless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas was sitting at the table, his head down, shoulders slumped, looking like he had just suffered an existential crisis.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seo—who was usually so calm, so expressionless—had a slight twitch in her eye, her mouth foaming ever so faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then there was Kagami.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagami…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he die?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His face was so green, it looked like he had just swallowed the deadliest poison known to man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I stared at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then at Janica's pot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then back at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rose gave me a small, almost imperceptible look of worry—a hint of apology laced in her expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I was still confused as to what exactly had unfolded here, but as I turned my gaze back to Janica, her embarrassed expression spoke volumes. She avoided my eyes, her posture tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You can go inside now, Riley…\" she muttered, her voice softer than usual.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel, making a beeline for the door, her arms tightening around the pot she was carrying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before she could leave, I stopped her—my free hand reaching out and gently grasping onto her right hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wait…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I could feel her flinch slightly, but she didn't pull away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, my eyes moved back to the scene inside the dining room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lucas was still slumped over the table, his face drained of all hope.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seo was leaning back in her chair, her usual expressionless face marred by faint traces of foam at the corners of her mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Kagami… well, he looked one step away from the afterlife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I turned back to the pot in Janica's hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then back to Lucas's haunted expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then back to the near-dead bodies of Seo and Kagami.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The puzzle pieces started clicking together in my mind, the truth unfolding like a cruel joke.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'It was her cooking, wasn't it?'\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I completely forgot about Janica's… unfortunate talent for making food that was more of a biological weapon than a meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the game, there had been a similar event, one where Janica finally found out that Lucas had been lying to her all this time about her cooking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a scripted event, something inevitable, no matter what choices were made.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I had expected it to happen at some point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But… I hadn't expected it to be now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When I suggested we cook for each other earlier, and Lucas didn't seem to oppose it, I had assumed that this particular event had already happened in the background.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, I was wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at Lucas in the distance, still slumped over in visible defeat, I sighed. This is going to take a while, huh…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the game, you had about three days to patch things up with Janica before completely ruining your romance route with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If you failed to make amends, her trust in you shattered beyond repair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn't afford for their relationship to fall apart now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, we had a dungeon to clear tomorrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or rather, they had a dungeon to clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the atmosphere between them stayed tense, if their teamwork crumbled because of some bad food… it could lead to real consequences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That's why, before she could walk away, I suddenly reached for the pot in her hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What are you doing?!\" Janica gasped in shock as I slowly lifted the lid.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ignoring her protests, I grabbed the ladle resting at the side of the pot, scooped up a portion of the infamous soup, and without hesitation—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I drank it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Stop, Riley! I already know it's bad—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It's good.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I said it honestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Janica froze, her red, wet eyes staring at me in disbelief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know you're just trying to make me feel better, and I appreciate that, Riley… but please… you don't have to lie.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She clutched the pot tighter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just wait while I throw this trash away— w-what are you doing?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She flinched as I took another sip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I told you, it's good, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"L-Liar!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Well… in all honesty—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It really wasn't great.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it wasn't so bad that it warranted Kagami's near-death reaction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was bad, sure. Really bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But compared to the god-awful MREs the empire had fed us back in my previous life?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was angelic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Placing the ladle back into the pot, I let out a small sigh before turning to Janica, who still stood frozen in place.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, without much thought, I gently took her hand and pulled her closer to me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You don't have to throw it away.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She flinched slightly at my words, but I continued, my voice steady.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I told you, it tastes great. And judging from the medicinal herbs I can pick up… you put in some real effort, didn't you? You tried to make it healthier while still keeping the flavor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her fingers tightened slightly around the pot's handle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…T-That's right…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She mumbled it quietly, her red-rimmed eyes looking up at me with an expression I couldn't quite decipher.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't push her to say more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, I gently pulled her along as I walked back toward the table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Come on, then…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn't resist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't worry. If no one else is going to have it, I'll make sure to drink all of it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Janica didn't reply, but she silently followed beside me, her grip on the pot still firm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I walked, I subtly glanced over my shoulder, catching a glimpse of her expression—though I still couldn't read it, her eyes landing across my hand that held her, while subtly avoiding my gaze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still… I knew Janica well enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was stubborn, yes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even someone as prideful as her… wanted to be understood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Needed to be reassured.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And being honest with her, instead of brushing her efforts aside…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I knew that meant something to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the table, Lucas looked up. His eyes flickered between me and Janica before settling on me with an apologetic expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I sighed internally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This guy…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I should probably tell him to pick up that flower for Janica later as an apology.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[Fruhling Flower]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the game it was the perfect apology item towards Janica to re-establish their broken trust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He owed her at least that much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>'Managing a party in real life is a lot harder than I thought….'\u003C\u002Fp>",3682,"2026-06-03T14:40:38.925Z",1,"novelbin.me","6075a357f3eeff3ceba3c15e79704771ba3723cd07eef1d8aafca86c3064201e","how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-251","how-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-chapter-349",727,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fhow-to-survive-in-the-romance-fantasy-game-cover.jpg"]