[One hour has ended.]
[Guiding...]
[This is the Eighth Reincarnation. You have only one hour.]
As Elliot slowly opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was a world of sunny skies and gentle breezes, birdsong, blooming flowers, and people everywhere smiling with joy.
"Mommy! Mommy, come here! Look, there's a starfish!"
"Slow down, sweetie. Don't disturb others."
This was Yashiori Island.
Unlike the past—when it was a desolate island with only a single small village—it had completely transformed. The coastline had been beautifully developed. Along the beach, rows of sun umbrellas stretched across the sand. Tourists lay on lounge chairs wearing sunglasses, sunbathing with chilled drinks at their sides. Children played happily in the sand, collecting seashells. Out in the water, people floated on swim rings, splashing and drifting with carefree laughter.
Everything felt peaceful and full of life.
"What a dramatic change," Elliot murmured in awe.
It seemed Baal had truly taken his words to heart—not developing technology, but instead turning the island into a flourishing tourist destination. Beyond the beach, the inland area was filled with entertainment attractions: a children's playground, a large orchard, and, most popular of all, a bustling amusement park. The entire island was packed with people, overflowing with joy everywhere he looked.
Elliot sped up time, soon arriving at nightfall. Yashiori Island took on a completely different charm under the lights.
The coastline had been cordoned off—the sea was still dangerous at night. But the beach came alive with barbecues and beer. Warm string lights stretched across the sand, filling the night with a cozy, lively atmosphere.
"Come look! Fresh seafood! Delicious, juicy, and affordable!"
A young, beautiful pink-haired girl was shouting with enthusiasm, though not a single customer stood at her stall. Meanwhile, several uncles running nearby barbecue stands were swarmed with people.
Even so, the young lady didn't lose heart. Instead, she tried even harder to draw in nearby tourists.
At last, a family of three approached her stall.
"You have excellent taste, customers! Look here—my grilled goods are generously portioned, absolutely delicious, and won't break the bank!" she said confidently.
Hearing her pitch, the family seemed tempted and began considering it.
"You look new—first time visiting Yashiori Island?" she asked.
"Yes, we're here traveling," the woman replied.
"Wonderful! Yashiori Island is famous for tourism. Since it's your first time, I'll treat you to a free skewer."
With that, the pink-haired young lady handed them three meat skewers.
"Ah… is this really okay?"
The woman was startled by her enthusiasm, not expecting something free so suddenly. Nearby onlookers snickered quietly, their expressions suggesting they knew exactly what was about to happen.
"Of course it's okay! Don't worry and enjoy—it's delicious!" she urged.
The three exchanged glances, then each accepted a skewer.
The moment the father took a bite, the pink-haired young lady flashed a sly, triumphant smirk.
The next second, the man's face shifted violently—turning as green as seaweed.
"Uwaaaah!!!"
He opened his mouth wide and howled in agony. The people around him exchanged sympathetic looks.
"How many people has she tricked now?"
"Over a thousand, I think. Poor guy… but it's hilarious every time."
"There goes ten years of good karma."
"Don't worry—our Electro Archon is laughing with us."
"This is what happens when you visit Yashiori Island without doing your research."
The young lady—Yae Miko immediately handed him a huge bottle of water. Without a word, he gulped it down rapidly.
"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry! I grabbed the wrong one and gave you the spiciest skewer," Yae Miko said in flawless acting mode, bowing her head repeatedly in apology.
Just as the man was about to explode, her sincere apology cooled his anger considerably.
"How could you make a mistake like that? Look at what this did to my husband! What if a child had eaten it?" the woman scolded.
"I'm terribly sorry, truly! I didn't mean to. Please forgive me!"
She hurriedly pulled them toward an empty table.
"To show my apology, all your barbecue tonight is free. Please forgive my mistake."
Her earnestness caught them off guard. The man—his face still flushed red from the spice—finally calmed down.
"It's… it's fine, no need…" he said, waving his hand to decline.