Culinary God in Wilderness

"Leave me alone!!!"

Robert was sound asleep when a violent shaking, like an earthquake, forced him awake.

He roared in frustration before he’d even opened his eyes, waving a hand dismissively as he turned to resume the pleasant dream he’d just started.

’Being woken up in the morning is bad enough, but now they’re bothering me again right after I’ve fallen asleep? These people have no class!’

Hei shot a helpless, pleading look at Ariana. The latter nodded expressionlessly, grabbed a stethoscope from beside the first-aid kit, and walked out. A few seconds later, she returned, clutching a handful of white snow.

Daniel and Hei’s expressions shifted. They silently plugged their ears, their faces full of pity.

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"

A bloodcurdling scream pierced the night sky.

Robert shot straight up, forgetting he was still tightly zipped in his sleeping bag. Just as he was about to lose his balance and tumble off the bed, the two men rushed forward and caught him.

Before Robert could start shouting, Daniel cut in with a single sentence.

"Andre withdrew."

"So he withdrew. What’s the big deal? It’s not like someone withdrawing is... Wait, who did you say??"

Robert’s eyes flew wide with disbelief.

"Andre?"

"That’s impossible. Why would he withdraw? He’s the number-two seed! With his skills, it wasn’t even out of the question for him to surpass Lin!"

"He said he’s a professional Hunter."

Daniel then recounted what Andre had muttered to the camera, connecting it to his series of unusual actions during the day.

"He was raised in the wild. Coexisting with nature is his moral baseline. He was so committed that his whole family lived in the forest, which led to his wife almost bleeding to death because she couldn’t get to a hospital in time."

"On top of that, his eldest daughter’s schooling is an issue. He probably feels responsible for all of it and is wracked with guilt."

"Furthermore, the promise he made to his late father is deeply ingrained in him. Indiscriminately killing wildlife for prize money would violate his principles as a Hunter, and I suspect it would also break that promise to his father."

"But if you’re asking for the exact reason he withdrew... you’ll have to ask him yourself."

Robert scrambled out of his sleeping bag and, in disbelief, snatched the tablet. Sure enough, he saw Andre sitting quietly in the pitch-black forest, the Hat Lamp on his head illuminating the ruins of his shelter behind him.

Seeing that Andre had even dismantled his shelter, Robert slapped his forehead with a SMACK and waved his hand limply.

"Let’s go. Time for a pickup."

They usually drove for medical checkups, but pickups for withdrawn contestants required a helicopter to ensure they reached the person’s location as quickly as possible.

Contestants who chose to withdraw were often at their physical or mental breaking point. Arriving late could be the last straw that pushed them into a complete breakdown.

The roar of the helicopter filled the night sky, its conspicuous red and green lights flashing in rotation.

The sudden, immense noise startled the remaining contestants scattered throughout the forest. They emerged from their shelters, one by one, to gaze in the direction of the sound.

"It’s been so long, someone’s finally cracked and withdrawn!"

"Awesome. One less competitor."

"I don’t recognize that direction. Who withdrew?"

The roar of the helicopter’s engine startled not only the contestants but also the animals foraging in the forest.

Some of the shrewder contestants grabbed their weapons, tools, and Hat Lamps and ventured into the forest, hoping the light might lead them to an unexpected prize.

"Andre, why the sudden withdrawal? What’s your reason?"

Every departing contestant gave a brief exit interview. It was an explanation for the audience and provided footage for post-production.

Even though the show was broadcast live, there were always viewers who missed it. The network’s post-production team was already working overtime editing the footage. In a few days, the edited version would go live, presented in the same condensed format as previous seasons.

"I’ve already explained. But if I have to give another reason..."

Andre gave the camera a calm smile. "Instead of wasting my time here and violating my principles, I’d rather leave now and find another way to pay for my wife’s medical bills."

"I support your decision. You’re a good man."

Before Robert could speak, Ariana stepped forward and offered her hand. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Andre. I wish your wife a speedy recovery."

"Thank you."

Andre extended his own hand, giving hers a gentle shake.

Seated in the helicopter, he watched the pitch-black forest speed by below.

For a moment, Lin Chen’s shelter came into view.

A bright fire burned in the yard. With his keen eyesight, he thought he could just make out a figure standing there, looking up at them.

He smiled faintly and shifted his gaze, trying to spot the locations of the other contestants.

What he hadn’t told the production crew was that his decision to withdraw had another, ulterior motive.

As the second-ranked contestant, his hunting score was far higher than that of the person in third place.

They were about to enter the final round. If he withdrew now, the announcement would inevitably be broadcast to all the remaining contestants.

’What would the remaining contestants think?’

Standing in his yard, Lin Chen watched the helicopter roar away. He silently said his goodbyes, then suited up and headed straight for the river.

Looting an abandoned camp was the single best way to get rich quick in the wilderness challenge. No contest.

He was the closest to Andre’s shelter and had seen this coming. If he didn’t take the opportunity to scavenge the place, that guy Connor might beat him to it.