133: Pat Pat Hot Dog

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Well then, the next game has begun.

Another battle between amateurs, but unlike before, there are no cosplay or themed groups this time.

Probably because it's a 50 vs 50 match-up.

"Jungle terrain. I suppose such environments can be created too. The free-form training field, after all."

"If we're only mimicking the appearance of plants, that shouldn't be a problem. That's probably the case."

The terrain is indeed as Joharis described—dense jungle.

Countless trees block visibility and line of sight, making it difficult to spot enemies.

Incidentally, from the spectator seats, the tree heights appear nearly uniform, but looking down toward the ground reveals noticeable elevation differences.

Specifically, cliffs about five meters high are commonly built... This would undoubtedly test not only the combat skills of frontline personnel but also the abilities of commanders and those responsible for reconnaissance.

"But the trees all being the same height... Could it be that someone deliberately trimmed them, or is that part of the setting?"

"No, I believe there must have been a star system within the empire where a certain S-w had set the forest limit extremely low. I think this landscape is likely inspired by that system's environment."

"Why would you go against such an S-w...?"

"Who knows? I only heard it secondhand."

Also, regarding this competition, members who receive a fatal injury can revive after returning to their own base and waiting a certain amount of time.

So, the condition for determining victory would be... I believe it was whoever knocks down more opponents within the one-hour match time.

"Setting up an odd Sw... No, I suppose Sws from outside the local area tend to look that way to us."

"I suppose so. If you dig into the reasons, they're usually well-grounded, though."

Anyway, that's beside the point.

Between the end of the previous game and the start of the current one, I bought today's lunch.

The shop is located within the training facility.

The menu offers drinks, sandwiches, or hot dogs.

The portion I'm giving to Virijianira and Joharis is just regular stuff... but for me, I've bought something a bit different, since I'm the one eating it.

"Satu. What's that?"

"It's called the famous Pachi Pachi Hot Dog from this training facility."

"Pachi Pachi Hot Dog, huh?"

Looks... just like a regular hot dog, really.

It's just a simple bun with a slit, stuffed with chopped cabbage and a special sausage, topped with ketchup and mustard—nothing particularly special at all.

So, the interesting part must be inside.

With that in mind, I take a bite.

"Hmm? Hm! This... is actually interesting."

What I first noticed was the familiar taste of sausage, the aroma and flavor of ketchup and mustard, the scent of cabbage, and the texture of the bread—very ordinary things.

What was unusual was the moment I chewed the sausage in my mouth.

The sausage, which seemed to have been made with plenty of spices to begin with, suddenly created a physical popping sensation in my mouth, as if reacting to the spice's intensity.

This... must be carbon dioxide.

There must have been a type of snack that trapped carbon dioxide inside candy, creating a fizzy sensation, but it seems this mod has applied that concept to sausages as well.

"Interesting, huh?"

"Isn't it delicious?"

"No, it's not delicious—it's interesting. The taste itself doesn't go beyond the range of a regular hot dog."

The fizzy, physical sensation in my mouth is what makes it intriguing.

The carbonation enhances the other aromas, and the taste isn't bad at all.

Still, the overall impression is inevitably intriguing.

Moreover, there's absolutely no sense of it being unpleasant, so I suppose it's valid in its own way.

"So, in other words, it's just another typical tourist-trap novelty food?"

"Yeah, I guess so. But from a practical standpoint, having something like this makes it easier to compare with regular food—so it's probably just right.

Exotic foods tend to go overboard, you know..."

Yeah, it's about the perfect amount for a souvenir from a trip somewhere—just enough to remember it by.

It feels like it could be eaten anywhere, even outside the Nelianipotts system, not just at this training facility.

"Speaking of it, in the Nelianipotts system, there aren't many foods you can only eat within this system, are there?"

"That's right. But since the Nelianipotts system treats sports as its spiritual capital and has built tourism and sports into its main industries, I think that's perfectly fine."

Since we're at it, let's look into it a bit further.

Foods that can only be eaten—or truly experienced—within the Nelianipotts system... The most famous of these is undoubtedly the ultra-high-luminosity Shining Coffee.

I really should try drinking it somewhere, somehow.

Others are mostly just artificially lit up with caffeine injections.

Then there are ones designed for athletes, formulated to absorb nutrients efficiently, and they’re usually sold in raw ingredient form rather than as prepared dishes.

I’ve already tried things like protein broilers, for example.

"By the way, Sata. Have you thought about what you’re having for dinner tonight?"

"Hmm? Let's see... boiled meat with chopped vegetables... maybe soba noodles would work well?"

"I see. That sounds like something to look forward to. Then we definitely need to keep an eye on what comes next."

"What next?"

"Next? What next?"

"Yes, I think it's coming soon."

It seemed something was approaching.

Vilijanila's gaze wasn't fixed on the survival game unfolding below, but instead directed toward some other place entirely.

12/23 Correction of typo