Chapter 30 : 1st Irene Cup Large-scale Cooking Competition (1)

“Pris! Are you here?”

Deep in the forest, quite far from the city.

The door of a strangely massive treehouse suddenly swung open in a hurry.

A blonde woman entered with a worried look in her eyes.

It was none other than Elian.

“Wow… I thought it would be a garbage dump.”

Pris’ house was surprisingly clean—

Who would’ve thought a gambling addict’s house would be this tidy?

Thinking about her own house, which probably looked like it had been hit by a bomb right now,
Elian suddenly felt embarrassed.

“If you’re here, answer me!”

But whether she called or not, there was no response.

Elian began searching every corner of the house.

And then she realized something—

It wasn’t that the house was clean.

It was empty.

There were no bookshelves, no tables, not even a bed.

With the cold wind blowing in from outside, she suddenly felt a chill.

“… Do all elves live like this?”

Elian hesitated for a moment, but—

It was obviously not normal.

She had always wondered where Pris got her gold from after quitting her job as a hero.

So she had been selling her furniture and belongings?

Elian felt a pang of guilt.

If she had known this would happen, she should have dragged Pris out of here a long time ago.

Instead, she had been paying her to gamble.

Clenching her fists, she made a vow—

The next time she saw Pris, she was taking her home.

But fate was cruel.

Despite her resolve, Pris was nowhere to be found.

“Seriously, where did she go…?”

A bad feeling started creeping into Elian’s mind.

To understand why she was looking for Pris, one had to go back a bit in time—

Back to when Irene had taken Pris to the Demon King’s castle.

At that time, Elian had gone to the gambling den.

She had wanted to propose a new Demon King subjugation quest to Pris.

“Where is she?”

She searched the entire gambling den, but for some reason, Pris was nowhere to be found.

That was strange.

At this hour, she was supposed to be glued to the slot machines.

But no matter where she looked, Pris was gone.

Finally, Elian approached a man standing near the entrance.

The man grinned at her and said,

“It’s fascinating to see the top-ranked hero of the guild showing interest in a place like this.”

He seemed to think she was here to gamble.

Elian ignored him and asked, because this was urgent.

Pris not being in the gambling den at this hour was impossible.

It would be more realistic for Irene to join the Hero’s Guild than for this to be normal.

“Have you seen an elf around here? She’s a regular.”

“Of course. I remember because she brought a friend today.”

“A friend…?”

“Yes. The elf also called them a friend.”

Pris calling someone a friend?

Elian’s instincts screamed at her—

She had definitely gotten herself into something dangerous.

Otherwise, how could Pris have made a friend?

In the past, many people had been drawn to her mystical elven appearance.

But after seeing the gambling-addicted, ruined version of her, they had all left.

The only exception—her only real friend—was Elian.

And since Elian hadn’t come here with her…

“Did some kidnappers trick her by pretending to be friendly?”

It sounded crazy, but considering it was Pris, it actually made sense.

Aside from her gambling addiction, she was a genuinely pure-hearted person.

“I don’t know what’s going on, but I hope you find her.”

“Thanks!”

And that was how she had ended up at Pris’ house after running around all day.

But the elf was nowhere to be found.

“Sigh… Is there really no one else I can ask?”

Elian turned on her terminal.

At this point, she had no choice but to rely on collective intelligence.

And as soon as she turned it on—

As if it were fate, a notification popped up.

It was from Irene.

[Irene has started streaming!]

[Making Salad with a Broke, Gambling-Addicted Elf (Naturally Wild) I Picked Up Off the Street]

As if possessed, Elian clicked on the notification.

And inside the stream—there she was. Pris.

But instead of her usual ragged, grimy elf outfit—

She was dressed in a pristine white chef’s uniform.

“I’m Irene. This is my first time meeting you all through a live broadcast. Today’s content is exactly as the title says.”

“Uh… hi… I’m Pris…”

Ahaha

Irene, what kind of concept is an elf chef? LMAO

IRENE STARTED STREAMING! IRENE STARTED STREAMING! IRENE STARTED STREAMING!

LOL, what even is this?

So basically, a true villain from the Demon King’s castle is making a salad with a gambling-addicted, broke elf?

This concept is so chaotic LMAO

I’m losing my mind

Elian was so dumbfounded that she let out a hollow laugh.

“By ‘friend’… you meant Irene?”

Thank god. If she was with Irene, at least she wasn’t in danger.

Just as she was about to relax, Pris dropped a bombshell.

“I have to… stay here… until I pay off my gold debt…”

In hindsight, it was the most obvious thing ever.

Pris had never been part of Elian’s plans.

Their encounter, the entire situation—it had all been purely coincidental.

And yet, even if it was a coincidence, the fact that Pris was here now was ultimately Irene’s choice.

Streaming might look easy, but in reality, it was a high-difficulty job.

You always had to provide viewers with something new.

And in that sense, Pris was both the perfect content and the ideal employee.

How many gambling-addicted, broke elves existed in this world?

Probably just Pris.

To help ease Pris’ nerves, Irene threw out a lighthearted question.

“But Pris, do you even know how to cook?”

“I… lived off grass.”

???

So elves really do just survive on dew and plants, huh?

I’m an elf, and that’s not true smh

If you’re an elf, then I’m Irene from the future lol

LMAO

Looking at her, she really does seem like she’s been living off grass

WAKYAPAHAK LOL

Who would’ve thought we’d be watching a stream about making salad with an elf?

Even Irene was caught off guard.

So Pris wasn’t just a petite character—she was malnourished?

Her usual dazed expression and small frame probably all stemmed from that.

That actually made sense.

“You don’t eat meat?”

Irene asked out of courtesy.

She knew elves were vegetarians, but obviously, the viewers wouldn’t know that.

“Mmm… I eat it just fine…”

Pris’ response was completely unexpected.

And it wasn’t just Irene who was shocked—

Other viewers who thought they knew about elves were just as stunned.

IMPOSSIBLE! AN ELF WHO DOESN’T FOLLOW A VEGETARIAN DIET?!

What’s so weird about elves eating meat?

But in all the fairy tales I read as a kid, elves only ate plants…

This is so satisfying to hear.

No wonder she’s malnourished if she only ate grass.

Then again, she really did say she only lived off grass…

(Dumbfounded Elian emote) (Dumbfounded Elian emote)

Irene was surprised too.

According to the Raios Fantasy Lorebook, elves were supposed to be strict vegetarians.

But more than that, she had something even bigger on her mind.

Pris’ life itself.

“If you eat meat just fine… then why have you been living off grass?”

“Gold… need to save it… So I can gamble….”

More questions followed, and the deeper they dug, the worse it got.

Pris wasn’t just addicted to gambling—

She was in serious trouble.

When asked where she slept, she said she didn’t have a bed or blankets and just slept on the floor.

And when asked what she did in her free time when she wasn’t gambling?

She said she slept.

So in short, Pris’ life was just grass, gambling, and sleep.

More than anything, Irene was amazed she was even still alive.

Anyway, if today’s elf wasn’t a vegetarian, the title needed to be changed.

Irene casually updated the stream title:

[Making a Meat Feast with a Broke, Gambling-Addicted Elf (Not a Vegetarian)]

The title just keeps getting longer lol

AHAHA

The fact that “broke, gambling-addicted, omnivorous elf” is a real thing is hilarious

Oh wait, I know that elf! I’ve seen her at the gambling den before.

Isn’t she the one who was with Elian during the last subjugation week?

Oh, you’re right!

Viewers started sharing stories about Pris, fascinated by her.

The actual cooking hadn’t even started yet, but already, over 3,000 viewers had flooded in just to discuss the elf.

Not wanting to be outdone, Irene decided to bring out another person—

Someone who had been hiding under the table this whole time: Luminil.

“Technically, this stream is about an elf making food… but the real content is a cooking battle.”

“Hi! I’m Luminil, the Great Demon King and a master chef!”

Luminil waved at the camera with a bright smile.

Irene had expected her to be nervous, given that this was her first live stream.

But strangely enough, Luminil was incredibly natural at engaging with the viewers.

“Luminil, are you really a Demon King?”

“Yup! I’m a real Demon King! Scary, right?”

Wow, I’m trembling in fear.

So scary I already started making merch for her.

Ohhh, so she’s the Demon King because she burns all her steaks, got it.

The chat kept up a constant stream of banter.

And before anyone realized it, Luminil had earned a new nickname:

“The Incompetent Demon King.”

“Who just called me incompetent?!”

Luminil glared at the chat, scanning for the culprit with fire in her eyes.

But… she didn’t actually seem to hate the nickname.

If anything, she was enjoying interacting with the viewers.

Not very Demon King-like behavior, to be honest.

What kind of Demon King enjoys chatting with humans like this?

Irene decided to step in before things escalated.

“If anyone goes too far, you’re getting banned.”

At her words, the chat instantly froze.

This was Irene’s first-ever live stream.

Obviously, the people here were fans who had been waiting for this moment.

So naturally, no one wanted to risk getting kicked out.

Once the chat had settled down, Irene continued.

“Alright then, let’s begin the First Annual No-Name Demon Castle Cooking Competition—”

Just as she was about to announce the competition, one particularly irritating comment caught her eye.

“-Why the hell are you streaming with someone like that?!”

A whiny, aggressive message, ruining the atmosphere.

Irene clicked on the user’s info, ready to hand out her first-ever ban.

And then—she saw the name.

[Elian] – [491K followers]

[“Do whatever you want. DM for inquiries.”]

…No way.

Her first toxic viewer was none other than Elian, the #1-ranked Hero in the Guild.

Irene paused the competition announcement.

“Elian has joined us, everyone.”

LMAO did she seriously show up just because Irene started streaming?

W O W

You two will bicker until the northern continent melts, huh?

(dusthoqhqlaak has been forcibly removed from the chat.)

LOL she just straight-up banned her.

Instaban, no hesitation LMAO

Whatever. Now tell me—why the hell did you take my elf?

At the mention of Elian, Pris perked up.

She brightened instantly, waving at the camera with a soft smile.

Viewers lost their minds in the chat.

“Elian… you’re really there, right? It’s good to see you.”

Is this… a love triangle???

(qnrrmrrha has been forcibly removed from the chat.)

OH.

LMAO if you even try shipping them, she bans you on sight.

RIP couple theorists.

Well, obviously, Irene is mine.

Irene, thank you so much for streaming today. I just finished work, and watching this makes me so happy.

Oh god, he’s back.

Meanwhile, Elian kept sending more messages.

Thanks to all this, understanding the situation was easy.

As I kept listening to Elian’s messages, somehow, I had become the villainous employer who tricked the innocent Pris and turned her into a slave.

“…I mean, it’s true, though?”

?

Another hook added to the collection.

???

LOL

Wait, so she really does have to pay off 200 million gold?

(Elian emote with “WTF” written on it) (Elian emote with “WTF” written on it)

Elian: (WTF emote)

LMAOOOOOOO

The chat exploded.

No—more importantly, before Elian herself exploded—

I quickly started explaining.

“I hired Pris on purpose to save her from her gambling addiction.”

Ah, so from now on, your name is ‘Pris.’

Finally, this elf’s merciless gambling spree has ended.

Was she good at winning?

Nah, she lost way more than she won.

How much did she lose to end up like this?

“…Uh… about 80 million gold…”

Yeah.

Pris was the kind of elf who had practically built a whole new pillar in the gambling den.

Elian: WOW… You should just live in the Demon Castle now. You’re not Pris, you’re Priced (as in sold off).

Official declaration of abandoned elf LMAO

This Pris is fake! This Pris is fake! This Pris is fake! This Pris is fake!

At this point, isn’t Irene actually saving her?

[Demon Castle Executive’s Notorious Achievements]:

1) Subjugated other Demon Castles,

2) Rescued the #1 Hero,

3) Provides a gambling-addicted elf with free food, shelter, and clothing.

“Why does the conversation always take this turn? If it were Luminil, I’d understand, but I am a terrifying villain, you know.”

Yeah, sure.

Next up:

Villain who’s just misunderstood.

Tbh, Pris, who lost 80 million gold at the casino, feels way more like a villain than Irene.

Yeah, I just upvoted Pris, not gonna lie.

Pris wouldn’t talk like that.

Why does she keep trying to act like a villain, though?

Even Elian doesn’t know.

“I mean, I’m working Pris to the bone like a cruel employer— …Ugh, never mind.”

Originally, I had wanted to explain myself.

But somehow, everything I said just proved that I was a cruel employer.

At this point, maybe I should just stop talking.

I was about to move on and actually start the cooking battle when—

I suddenly got a great idea.

I turned to Elian.

“Oh! How about this, Elian?”

Back when we first met, Elian had eagerly accepted my proposals.

But this time—

She shut me down immediately.

…Had I really tricked her that many times?

Let’s hear her out first. (Elian: …Fine.)

Elian has been tricked way too many times by Irene at this point.

Wait, but wasn’t Irene defeated in the last subjugation? Why is she suddenly just… fine?

Shhh.

Ah ah, knowing too much will get you hurt.

Get rid of the newcomers!!!!!

This is a secret stream.

A secret stream with 4,000 viewers?

“Guys, calm down and just hear me out. What if we make Elian participate in the cooking battle too?”

WAKYAPA, THIS is the Irene I know.

Elian: I never agreed to that, though?

Nah.

You’re doomed.

Doomed.

Doomed.

If you don’t do this, you’re not a real streamer.

Was it because of me?

Or was it because the viewers kept pushing her?

Either way, Elian—who had been highly skeptical about the cooking battle—ended up accepting my proposal.

But then she added something in the chat.

Elian: If I’m joining, shouldn’t we make this a bigger event?

At first, I didn’t quite understand what she meant.

But then—

Elian: Oh, perfect timing! I know three other streamers who are free right now. I’ll bring them over! For you, Irene!

…She was plotting something.

I didn’t know what yet, but it was definitely not going to be normal.

Still, I smiled and answered.

If I couldn’t handle something like this, I had no future as a streamer.

“Alright. Bring whoever you want. There’s a huge prize waiting for the winner.”

And just 30 minutes later—

“THERE’S NO SPACE LEFT HERE!”

“What do you think of my connections? You gotta get this kind of push if you wanna make it as a streamer!”

Cooking Battle (Actually a Hero Civil War)

Wasn’t this supposed to be a stream about an elf making salad?

Not anymore.

Holy crap, I’m so hyped for this.

I never thought I’d see heroes battling with food instead of swords.

And the hosts are the Demon King and a Demon Castle executive.

LMAO.

Somehow, the place was packed with twenty people—including Elian.

Poor, timid Luminil had frozen completely and couldn’t say a word.

“…How did it turn into this?”

Well—

Might as well go all in now.

I updated the stream title once again.

[1st Annual IRENE CUP: No-Limits, Large-Scale Cooking Battle!]