Infinite Disasters: I Hoarded My Way to Godhood novel Chapter 73

Chapter 73: Chapter 73: Growth Potatoes, Invitation to Cooperate

Seraphina Sullivan had survived yesterday thanks to the supplies in her Space, but she knew that excuse would only work once.

Constantly skipping the mess hall, in a place under such strict surveillance, was tantamount to telling the management, "I’m a problem."

So, when Ash called for her to go to the mess hall, she immediately followed.

Ash had found the mess hall on their own yesterday.

The mess hall was located in a remote corner of the slaughterhouse. A crooked, grease-stained wooden sign hung at the entrance, with the words "Feeding Zone" written in a red substance that looked like dried blood.

The moment she stepped into the mess hall, a complex, indescribable stench assaulted her nostrils.

The smells of sweat, blood, the sour tang of some spoiled food, and the unique, gamy odor of the Hogmen mingled together into a nauseating mixture. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

The lighting was extremely dim. Only a few faint, yellow pendant lamps swayed overhead, casting distorted, shifting shadows.

The enormous mess hall was a cacophony of noise, showcasing a bizarre polarization.

On one side were the human temporary workers, cowering in corners with ashen faces.

They kept their heads down, mechanically shoveling food into their mouths. Their eyes were vacant and numb, as if they weren’t eating a meal, but consuming fuel just to stay alive.

Their chewing was faint and restrained, punctuated by the occasional, desperately stifled sob.

The other side was a completely different scene.

The Hogmen gathered in small groups, occupying the spacious tables and chairs. They were shouting, roaring, and slapping the tables.

They gnawed on huge chunks of some unknown meat, their mouths glistening with grease. Bones were tossed carelessly onto the floor, making a CRACKING sound as they shattered.

Of course, some Hogmen stared at the frail temporary workers on the other side with eyes full of malice, as if the humans were the real delicacies.

Harsh laughter, curses, and chewing sounds blended together.

It was as if an invisible Wall stood between the two groups. The division was sharp and clear. They did not interact, yet they formed a suffocating contrast.

Ash was clearly still shaken by the scene and shrank back.

They whispered to Seraphina Sullivan, "Sullivan, you didn’t come yesterday, so you can’t afford to miss it today. The food here is terrible, but you have to eat it. Without enough stamina, there’s no way to handle the high-intensity work."

Seraphina Sullivan nodded.

Her gaze swept quickly over the mess hall’s layout and the Hogmen.

She followed Ash to the end of the food line on the human side.

The one serving the food was a bloated female Hogman, wearing an apron of an unrecognizable original color. Its thick arms were covered in all sorts of stains.

Its attitude was rough. When it saw Seraphina Sullivan swipe her identification card and hold out her bowl, it didn’t even look, simply scooping a large ladleful of a viscous, grayish-brown paste from a huge, steaming vat.

The food was dumped into the bowl with a SPLAT, splattering quite a bit onto the counter.

Seraphina Sullivan held the bowl of warm, extremely unappetizing "porridge" and frowned slightly.

"This is our food?" she asked Ash in a low voice.

"Yeah," Ash said, their expression a mix of helplessness and resignation. "Sullivan, don’t mind how awful it looks. It’s really filling. This is porridge made from ’Growth Potatoes’."

"Growth Potatoes?"

"They’re a kind of magical mutated potato. Eating just a little bit can keep you full for a very, very long time; they’re very high in Energy. Unfortunately, the seeds and cultivation methods for this crop are tightly controlled by the Hogmen. We can’t get our hands on them at all."

Ash’s tone held a hint of barely perceptible longing and anger.

Seraphina Sullivan had learned from Ash before.

One of the reasons humanity had been utterly defeated by these Demons was that their food supply was controlled.

Growth Potatoes were a strategic resource. The Hogmen used this efficient but monotonous food to Control the basic survival needs of their "labor force."

She didn’t let it go to waste. She picked up her spoon and took a bite.

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