Chapter 144: Finale.
Everyone was expected to go home and prepare for the final stage of the competition happening the next day—a cooking competition.
Each team was free to prepare anything they wanted. The winning criteria were simple and straightforward: the meal with the highest impact on the judges would automatically win.
And so each team prepared for the final showdown, deciding on the meal to prepare while also gathering the ingredients for the competition, which would take place in the afternoon of the next day.
Sunnie was deep in thought throughout that night. While others rested, she brainstormed what she would prepare for the competition.
She had options to choose from and carefully considered the best among them, taking into account the ingredients and preparation time.
After much thought, Sunnie finally decided what she would prepare—a meat pie.
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The next morning, Sunnie went through the necessary ingredients with her system while also figuring out which preparation method would work best for her.
When she had finalized the list of ingredients she would need, she approached her husbands.
"Are you ready for what you’re going to prepare today?" Eris asked.
"Make what you usually prepare for us, and I’m sure you’ll blow their minds! You’ll surely win with that!" Little Black encouraged.
Sunnie smiled. "Don’t worry about that. I already know what to prepare. And it’s going to be better than the previous ones I’ve made."
"...." Little Black and Luka blinked, curious. "Then we can’t wait for it!"
Sunnie handed them a list of needed ingredients. "Help me get these."
Eris looked through it as Luka nodded. "Don’t worry, we’ll make sure to get these as soon as possible! You can rest assured."
And so they set off to gather what Sunnie had requested for the cooking.
Sunnie had only written down the ingredients they could source locally. The rest, she would get from her system.
She had presented them with the following ingredients: meat, mushrooms, wild onions, root vegetables (turnip-like roots, yams, potatoes, or similar), garlic, animal fat or rendered lard, salt, fresh herbs, and animal bones, among others.
They set off immediately to gather what she had requested without hesitation. Sunnie stayed behind with Maren and Little Black.
---
The bear tribe leader had heard the rumors. He had heard about the magnificent scent that had come from Sunnie’s wooden house the night before. He heard about how Sunnie had miraculously turned a rotten, unpleasant meal into something that made everyone drool.
He heard people talking about it and how they were afraid that Sunnie’s team might actually stand a chance of winning this time.
The bear tribe leader was not at ease with this news at all. He couldn’t let it happen. He couldn’t let them even stand a chance of winning against him.
Even though he was sure they had the best chef around, he still needed to ensure they won. He couldn’t take any risk. So the tribe leader approached the boar tribe leader for a chat.
---
He started with casual exchanges of pleasantries and the like. After they had moved past that stage, the bear tribe leader proceeded to explain why he was there.
"You know we’ve known each other for a long time now. Our tribes have helped each other in every way possible. We’ve even provided you with materials and resources in your times of need," the bear tribe leader explained.
The boar tribe leader nodded as he said, "I know this well. It’s no secret that we’re close. So feel free to tell me whatever you want."
The bear tribe leader cleared his throat as he said, "The thing is, it’s an emergency. I have to make sure we win this competition—specifically this round. I don’t know how possible that will be, but I know you can make it happen."
He smiled as he continued, "Just do us this favor. We really need those resources this time, or else we’re doomed for good. So please make sure we win. I know you can do it. No matter what happens, just announce us as the winner, and everything will be set."
As they discussed further, the boar tribe leader nodded and said, "Okay, I see what you mean. And since we’ve been friends for ages, I’ll make sure you win, no matter what. Even if someone else makes a better meal that the judges prefer, you will still be the winner. So don’t worry at all."
The two exchanged smiles and a handshake as the bear tribe leader expressed, "Ah! I’m so grateful to you. Thanks for this assurance. Now I can rest assured that I’ll be getting the final win, no matter what that cursed, useless monster crew does!"
The boar tribe leader smiled. "I don’t even wish to hand them the winning reward! It would be like I’m supporting some cursed, jinxed monsters! Never! So I’m not supporting their win. Because no matter what they do, they won’t be winning those rewards at all. You can be certain of that!"
They both smiled while enjoying the drink the bear tribe leader had brought to bribe him. The two were perfectly in sync.
Everything was set. The winner had already been decided, even before the contest had begun.
---
That afternoon, the moment of the cooking competition arrived, and everyone in the tribe began gathering near the scene. They came in pairs or alone. Some came in groups with anticipation on their faces while they made their way to the scene where the competition is going to be help.
It was being held outside, at the assembly ground where the boar beastmen gathered for important announcements. Everyone had gathered for the final stage of the competition.
The cooking competition. The stage that determined everything and would lead up to the overall final moment of this contest.
They all stood at the side, waiting in anticipation to see who would take the final win—mainly between the bear tribe and the infamous jinxed, cursed beastmen of their land.