The poisonous green rain was weakening Alu and the others, steadily draining their strength. Yet, oddly enough, the same rain had no effect on the Four Beasts. Not even a reaction.
Faced with this disparity, Alu's team stood no chance. No matter how much effort they poured into their attacks, the Four Beasts effortlessly deflected the blows. Every strike would simply be diverted away from their bodies—no wounds, no damage. But when the Four Beasts counterattacked, the results were devastating.
Each attack from them landed like a thunderstorm, critically injuring Alu's team. Within minutes, all four fighters were lying on the ground, their bodies riddled with bruises, scratches, and bloodstains. They had almost reached their limits.
The situation looked dire.
"Damn... they're too strong," Sani gasped, his voice barely a whisper. "This might be the end for us."
"Hmph, they're not invincible," Zebra grunted weakly. "But the real problem is this rain... the poison has gotten into us deep."
If it weren't for the toxic downpour, the four of them might've been able to fight evenly with the Four Beasts. But under this rain—this venom from the food world—they were helpless.
"Coco, can't you make some antibodies?" Sani asked desperately.
"This poison... it's from the food world," Coco replied with frustration. "I've analyzed it, but it's beyond my capacity to neutralize. It's too foreign."
Despite his vast experience and his body containing countless types of antibodies, Coco was powerless here. The food world's poisons operated on a completely different level compared to the human world.
In the grand scope of things, creatures from the human world were ants in the food world—utterly insignificant. Only a select few with unimaginable power could even survive there.
"We... should mentally prepare ourselves," Sani said grimly.
He meant only one thing: prepare to die.
Then, out of nowhere, a loud stomach growl broke the silence.
Everyone turned their heads. It was Alu.
"Alu, you idiot!" the others yelled in unison. "How could you let your stomach rumble at a time like this?!"
"Ah... sorry," Alu scratched his head sheepishly. "But I suddenly remembered something Dad once said—through Ling."
He sat up slightly, eyes brightening despite his battered state.
"Dad mentioned something about the taste of the Four Beasts at the end. He said if their real bodies were severely damaged, they'd release certain fluids. These fluids would trigger the production of amino acids... making their meat much more delicious!"
"So you're saying... the more damage we do to them, the more savory they become?" Zebra raised an eyebrow.
"Exactly!"
It was an absurd notion—wanting to eat the very beasts that were about to kill them—but there was truth in it.
However, the idea of defeating the Four Beasts now was laughable. They could barely move.
Let alone eat them.
Suddenly, a mysterious voice echoed in Alu's ear.
"Do you need help?" the voice asked.
Alu blinked, startled. "Who's there?!"
"I'm someone who can help," the voice said calmly. "Do you want help defeating the Four Beasts?"
"Of course!" Alu responded. "But they're incredibly strong! They're not from this world. The rain is toxic. It's not something just anyone can deal with."
"You don't need to worry," the voice reassured. "Help is already on the way."
Ding! Thug Quest Generated!
Mission: Help Alu's team defeat the Four Beasts!
The voice belonged to Jack.
Jack: "Everyone, you know the mission's content and the current situation. The rain is toxic, and getting wet means getting poisoned—but I doubt that'll be a problem for you guys."
Beerus: "Poison? What poison could possibly harm a God of Destruction?"
Krillin: "Even if we do get poisoned, just a Senzu Bean will fix it. No big deal."
Goku: "But these Four Beasts... they're huge. I feel like they're even bigger than Diga!"
Vegeta scoffed: "What, Kakarot? Are you scared? Size means nothing. That big guy looks soft."
Jack: "If you're all ready, I'll release the mission."
Beerus: "Lord Jack, we're ready! Anyone who's not ready doesn't deserve to take the mission!"
Champa: "Same here, Lord Jack! This time, the Sixth Universe will grab it for sure!"
Krillin: "To be honest, I kind of want Goku to get it. If he completes the mission and grows stronger, Vegeta won't be able to keep up. That'll make things more fun."
Vegeta: "@Krillin, keep dreaming. That's just wishful thinking. The chances of that happening are extremely low."
Jack: "Alright, releasing the mission now."
Ding! Congratulations to the thug Son Goku for grabbing the mission!
Vegeta: "..."
Goku: "Wait—ME?! I got the mission?!"
Krillin: "You're not seeing things, Goku! You actually got it! You finally did it!"
Goku: "Awesome! I can finally complete a mission!"
Champa: "Tch... it's the Seventh Universe again. But things are getting interesting."
Champa: "@Vegeta, didn't you say Goku had a low chance of grabbing the mission? Well, he got it. Any comments?"
Caulifla: "Looks like what Krillin said might really happen. If Goku completes this and becomes stronger, will Vegeta still want to challenge him?"
Gabe: "Even if Goku finishes the mission, he'd still need to draw something that enhances his power. Otherwise, he can't surpass Mr. Vegeta."
Vegeta stood there, stunned. Everything he had previously considered improbable had just come true—every single one of them.
He had thought: There's no way a mission will show up while Kakarot and I are fighting.
Then it happened.
He also thought: Even if a mission does appear, the odds of Kakarot grabbing it are near zero.
Yet here they were.
Goku not only grabbed the mission, but did it while Vegeta was still in the middle of mocking the idea.
It was like fate was toying with him.
This world is full of malice... toward me! he thought angrily.
Both improbable events had happened. Not separately, but together.
It was enough to make him feel drunk—intoxicated with rage and disbelief.
But then, Gabe's comment brought him back to his senses. That Saiyan from Universe 6... he might not be so bad after all.
Vegeta gave a small nod. Gabe spoke wisely.
Yes, Goku grabbed the mission. So what?
As long as he didn't draw something ridiculous—like a direct combat power upgrade—he still wouldn't be able to defeat Vegeta.
And even if he did get an upgrade, unless it was enough to surpass Vegeta's current level, Vegeta would still have the upper hand.
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