124: Chapter 123

Just as the four members of Group A were gradually getting used to the daily rhythm of the ramen shop, enduring the shame of delivering bowls of "Rock-Grilled Rich Tonkotsu Ramen" and "Meteor Chashu Soft-Boiled Egg Ramen" to customers, the old-fashioned doorbell above the shop door suddenly rang out in an unusually urgent rhythm: "Ding-ling-ling-ling-ling—!"

It wasn't the crisp ring of being pushed open, but rather a clattering noise as if someone were shaking and slapping it forcefully.

Everyone in the shop was startled, including the few customers slurping noodles and the owner uncle wiping bowls behind the counter. An Yujin's hand holding an empty tray trembled, nearly dropping it on the floor.

The light at the entrance was blocked by a massive figure.

The figure slowly "shuffled" inside.

"Hiss—"

The air in the shop froze instantly, followed by several uncontrollable gasps and coughs.

Walking in was... no, "walking" couldn't describe it at all. It was a humanoid object, visually estimated to be over two meters tall and exceptionally "plump." This "plumpness" wasn't fat in the ordinary sense, but rather a very peculiar, layered, and undulating texture of... noodles and chashu pork!

This person (?) was covered head to toe in a milky-white "outer garment" that looked like solidified thick bone broth. Atop his head stood a high "peak." Looking closely, it was actually built from golden-brown, crispy fried garlic bits, like some strange crown. He wore round sunglasses with lenses shaped like two perfect soft-boiled eggs, through which a flowing yolk-like luster seemed visible. Large slices of marbled, glistening chashu pork "grew" on his arms and torso, trembling slightly as he moved and emitting an enticing roasted aroma. His lower body was even more exaggerated, resembling a "skirt" woven from countless springy ramen noodles that seemed to bounce slightly as he walked.

Most absurdly, with every step he took, tiny bits of green onion and sesame seeds would drift off him, accompanied by a rich, inseparable, and absolutely authentic aroma of tonkotsu ramen.

How was this a person? This was clearly a top-tier tonkotsu ramen that had gained consciousness and learned to walk!

"..." An Yujin's mouth hung open, and the tray in her hand fell to her feet with a "clatter." Yabuki Nako hid behind Lee Chaeyeon in fear. Kang Hye-won's eyes were wide and round, her hand unconsciously wiping a table that was already gleaming. Lee Chaeyeon had a dazed look of "Who am I, where am I, what am I looking at?"

The bowl in the owner uncle's hand slipped into the sink, splashing water. The customers were so stunned that their chopsticks dropped; one uncle even rubbed his eyes, wondering if he had eaten too much ramen and was hallucinating.

The "God of Tonkotsu Ramen" stood still in the shop. His "gaze" (if it could be called that), formed by the soft-boiled egg lenses, slowly swept over the four stunned girls before finally fixing precisely on An Yujin.

A deep, thick voice that sounded as if it had been simmered in rich broth rang out from his "face," which had no discernible features, carrying an unquestionable "divinity" (and a heavy sense of a production team script):

"I am the God of Tonkotsu Ramen."

The voice echoed in the small ramen shop, carrying a strange solemnity (and absurdity).

"I have sensed a sincere heart of service here, as well as... a deep yet clumsy love for tonkotsu ramen." The "God of Tonkotsu Ramen" raised a "chashu arm" and pointed at the still-petrified An Yujin, "Especially you, the 'Firm Rock Guardian'."

An Yujin: "...Me?" She felt her persona as the "Firm Rock Guardian" was undergoing a destructive chemical reaction with this bowl (?) of a deity before her.

"Indeed." The "God of Tonkotsu Ramen" nodded, his garlic bit crown clattering. "Your tenacity is like tonkotsu broth simmered for eighteen hours—deep and full of substance. Your protection is like the gentle soup base that envelops the noodles, silently supporting everything. Although your title of 'Rock-Grilled Rich Tonkotsu Ramen' is slightly flamboyant, I have felt the sincerity contained within it."

The expression on An Yujin's face could no longer be described as just "complex"; it was a mixture of shame, shock, absurdity, and a breakdown of "Is this script going too far?"

"Therefore," the "God of Tonkotsu Ramen" declared solemnly, "this God descends today to grant you—the true Ultimate Trial of Tonkotsu Ramen!"

He (it?) stepped aside, clearing the space at the door like Moses parting the Red Sea (if the sea were ramen soup).

Two sturdy men wearing black suits and sunglasses (the normal kind) walked in with steady steps, carrying a massive tray covered with golden silk. They carefully placed the tray on the empty table in front of An Yujin and then stood solemnly to the side.

The "God of Tonkotsu Ramen" waved a "chashu arm," and the golden silk moved without wind, fluttering down.

Revealing the item on the tray.

It was a giant ramen bowl, comparable to a washbasin. Inside, noodles were piled like a mountain, and the rich, milky-white tonkotsu broth was nearly overflowing. Three thick slices of chashu leaned against the side of the bowl like small hills, two perfect soft-boiled eggs were half-buried in the noodles, and seaweed, wood ear strips, green onions, and sesame seeds were garnished perfectly. The aroma was like a physical shockwave, instantly sweeping through the entire shop.

This bowl of ramen, from its visuals to its scent, could be called a work of art—the ultimate form that ramen lovers dream of.

"The contents of the Ultimate Trial," the voice of the "God of Tonkotsu Ramen" carried a sense of sacred mission, "First: Within ten minutes, finish this bowl of 'God's Blessing: Ultimate Tonkotsu Ramen'."

"Second: After finishing, perform one minute of continuous, sincere, and infectious praise. The subject can be this bowl of ramen or the Way of Tonkotsu Ramen. You must move this God's heart."

"If you can complete the trial and receive this God's approval..."

He paused, a golden light seemingly flashing through his soft-boiled egg lenses.

"Your status as a Star Envoy will receive preliminary recognition, and you will unlock the trial permission for the Capricorn 'Firm Rock Guardian's' junior constellation ultimate move!"

An Yujin: "!!!"

The other three: "!!!"

The owner and customers: "??? (I don't understand, but I'm greatly shocked)"

Unlock... a junior constellation ultimate move? That shame-inducing "Capricorn: Immovable Rock Fortress"? Although it still sounded incredibly embarrassing, this was... "power" after all! Besides, this bowl of ramen looked... really delicious!

An Yujin looked at the ultimate ramen emitting a sacred (delicious) glow before her, then at the shockingly designed "God of Tonkotsu Ramen," and finally exchanged glances with Kang Hye-won, Yabuki Nako, and Lee Chaeyeon, whose eyes had already lit up.

Let's do this! For power (and good food)! And for the show's effect (and salary)!

"I... accept the trial!" An Yujin took a deep breath, straightened her back, and showed the determination of a "Firm Rock Guardian" (and the resolve of a foodie).

"Very well!" The "God of Tonkotsu Ramen" seemed satisfied. "Then, let the trial... begin!"

An Yujin immediately grabbed her chopsticks and launched a charge at the jumbo bowl of ramen. She ate hard and fast, but her movements weren't crude; instead, they carried a strange sense of piety, as if she were truly completing a sacred ritual. The fragrant soup, the springy noodles, the melt-in-your-mouth chashu, the runny soft-boiled eggs... the deliciousness exploded in her mouth, making her temporarily forget her shame as she devoted herself entirely to the "battle" with the ramen.

Kang Hye-won watched from the side, her mouth watering and her eyes practically glued to the bowl of ramen. She suddenly tugged on the apron of the still-dazed owner uncle and asked in a low voice, unable to hide her excitement and anticipation:

"Uncle! Uncle! Um... since there's a God of Tonkotsu Ramen..."

Her eyes sparkled with eagerness.

"Is there... a God of Spicy Ramen?"

Her "Blazing Spicy Mouth Intense Ramen" soul was burning! "Where is my God of Spicy Ramen??"

Yabuki Nako was also stirred by this sudden "divine descent" and An Yujin's challenge, feeling competitive (and hungry). Her small face was flushed, and she clenched her fists, echoing softly but firmly, "If it's Miso Ramen... if there's a God of Miso Ramen, I... I can try..."

Lee Chaeyeon recovered from her initial shock. Watching An Yujin eat ramen with all her might and thinking of her own "Meteor Chashu Soft-Boiled Egg Ramen," she couldn't help but raise her hand with an uncertain yet eager expression: "Um... chashu and soft-boiled eggs... I think, if it's a challenge from a deity in that area... I... maybe I can too??"

The owner uncle looked at these four girls who had suddenly become high-spirited (mainly regarding food and potential power) with glowing eyes, then at the earth-shatteringly designed "God of Tonkotsu Ramen," and noticed other "strange figures" seemingly swaying outside the door...

He wiped non-existent sweat from his forehead and showed a complex smile mixed with helplessness, amusement, and a thought of "You production team people really know how to play."

It seemed that today's business at "Brothers Ramen Shop" was destined to gallop toward an even more unpredictable and "divine" direction.

And Group A's "Ramen Shop Shameful Slogan Operation" had officially upgraded to a "Ramen Deity Trial Battle Royale"! The ultimate mixed challenge of appetite, power, shame, and variety show sense was about to explode!

Inside the apartment room, the atmosphere was so heavy it felt like water could be wrung out of it. The knitted mask printed with the "Detective Conan Black Shadow Man's Evil Grin" expression was currently lying quietly on the floor in the center of the room. The black yarn and the white lines of the evil grin were particularly eye-catching in the afternoon sunlight, as if silently mocking them.

Kim Chaewon and Honda Hitomi sat cross-legged opposite the mask with serious expressions, as if observing some rare treasure (or rather, a peerless weapon of destruction). Meanwhile, Jo Yuri was shrunk back in the corner of the room on a single sofa, her hands hugging her knees and her face buried in her arms, revealing only the tips of her slightly reddened ears. Her entire being radiated a strong aura of "resistance."

"Yuri-ah..." Kim Chaewon sighed, trying to persuade her with her most calm and rational voice. "Look, we've analyzed it. Producer Jiang's script... although shameful and logically bizarre, it indeed includes elements like chasing, dancing, slow motion, and brand exposure that easily attract attention. According to him, if we film it well, it really has the potential to go viral."

Hitomi also chimed in softly, her tone gentle but helpless: "Besides, we've thought for so long ourselves, and there really isn't a better idea to reach a hundred thousand views in one day... Time is running out, Yuri."

"I know..." Jo Yuri's muffled voice came from her arms, heavy with a nasal tone. "I understand the logic... but... but that mask!!"

She suddenly raised her head, her eyes indeed a bit red, and pointed a trembling finger at the black object on the floor. "That expression!! Look at that expression! An evil grin! And it's the Black Shadow Man! How can I ever face people again after wearing it?! TikTok will forever have footage of me wearing this mask stealing Snickers and being shot by a water gun with a 'biu biu biu' sound! Is my idol career going to end before it even officially starts?!"

Getting more agitated as she spoke, Jo Yuri even started to sound like she was crying: "That damn Producer Jiang Zhi Yu!! What on earth is in his head!! How did he come up with this kind of idea?! And a 'Black Shadow Man Evil Grin Mask'! Does he have some kind of problem with us?!"

Kim Chaewon and Hitomi looked at each other, both seeing the same thought in the other's eyes: they didn't know if Producer Jiang had a problem, but the lethality of this mask and the blow to an idol's self-esteem were indeed nuclear-level.

"Should... should I wear it?" Hitomi suggested weakly, though she also felt uneasy looking at the mask.

"No!" Kim Chaewon immediately refused. "Producer Jiang specifically named Yuri to wear it; he must have his 'reasons' (twisted humor). Besides, Yuri's image... er, has a bigger sense of contrast, so the effect might be better." She tried hard to swallow the words "easy to tease" and "will be funnier if she wears it."

Jo Yuri buried her face again, letting out a small animal-like whimper. Time passed minute by minute, and the sunlight outside the window gradually tilted westward. The time left for them to film and edit was truly running out. Anxiety flooded the three of them again like a tide.

After an unknown amount of time, Jo Yuri suddenly stood up abruptly. The movement was so large that it startled both Kim Chaewon and Hitomi.

She walked to the mask and stared at it intensely, her chest heaving as if she were fighting an internal battle. Her cheeks were flushed red from shame and struggle, and her lips were pressed white.

Kim Chaewon and Hitomi held their breath, not daring to speak.

Finally, as if using up all her strength, Jo Yuri squeezed a sentence through her teeth, her voice low and full of tragic heroism: "...For the team... for the views... for... dinner..."

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and then with lightning speed, bent down, grabbed that fuzzy, strange-feeling mask, and with a look of facing death—

Pulled it over her head.