"The phantom of the Gourmet Demon? It must be those people from the human world, but why did they release the phantom here?"
The denizens of Hex Food World quickly guessed what was happening. Their own Gourmet Demons had long since merged with their bodies, so they could not summon a demon phantom themselves.
"Is it a conflict with our people?"
One individual, whose head occupied more than half of their body, asked aloud.
"No. The aura is growing stronger—much stronger, and very quickly. This aura isn't targeting anyone; it's the activation of Gourmet Cells. Once Gourmet Cells activate, the demon phantom appears."
A man with a single eye and a humanoid body spoke up. He was the Blue Oni Dinā, one of the new Hex Food Beast Knights in the Hex Food World and the premier Saiseiya in the Hex Food World. He deduced that someone's Gourmet Cells had been activated by observing the abrupt increase in aura.
"A situation like this can only occur with Gourmet Cell activation, but what ingredient did they eat? This aura is truly excessive!"
A short figure added. This person was Kappa Nosshu, another of the Hex Food Beast Knights. In the original lore, if he had not held the 'AIR' at the last moment and prevented it from touching the ground, Komatsu would have failed entirely. "The speed of growth is astonishing. Besides 'AIR', I can't think of any ingredient with this effect—but 'AIR' isn't mature yet."
Dinā shook his head. He, too, was at a loss to name an ingredient that could cause such a powerful reaction. "We'll know once we go over and take a look"
After Nosshu finished speaking, he headed toward Brunch's Tengu Castle. Dinā and the others promptly followed. After all, with such a commotion, they could not simply ignore it.
"The activation of Gourmet Cells has intensified so rapidly. Mappy, you're just in time. Please help me make the rounds and tell everyone not to disturb our guests. Also, gather everyone at the square tonight—I have an announcement."
At the side, the Daruma Hermit, Mappy—an elder of Hex Food World—received Brunch's request. Mappy spoke in frog language: "I know… Gero Gero." The Daruma Hermit was helpless; Mappy's ancestors had been assimilated by Gourmet Demons, so everyone in that family spoke like frogs.
After receiving the order, Mappy hurried to Tengu Castle at great speed.
"Everyone, please disperse. There are guests from the human world inside. The earlier disturbance was just an accident. The village chief has something to announce this evening. Remember to gather at the square!"
Once Mappy arrived and relayed the village chief's instructions, the residents of the food world gradually dispersed.
"Mappy, what is the village chief planning to announce tonight?" Nosshu and Dinā lingered behind, curious.
"You'll find out this evening. If you knew now, you wouldn't be excited… Gero." As Mappy spoke, he reverted to frog talk and left. Nuo Xiu and Dinā shrugged helplessly and returned to their duties.
Meanwhile, the Gourmet Cell activation for Zed and his companions had ended. Brunch noticed the fragrance in the box had vanished and entered the room.
"Zed, did you activate your Gourmet Cells just now?"
Upon entering, Brunch smelled a more pleasant aroma and saw Ougai meat placed on the table. Although he recognized the fragrance, he resisted asking about the meat and inquired instead about the earlier disturbance.
"Yes. We ate an ingredient we harvested in the swamp maze, so our Gourmet Cells activated. Sorry if the noise was too loud."
Zed acknowledged how many people had gathered outside. Despite not intending to release so much aura, they had still drawn attention. It was right to apologize.
"Actually, it didn't cause any harm, Zed. I didn't expect such a potent ingredient to be in that maze," Brunch admitted, eyeing the Ougai meat on the table with surprise. Zed and his friends had clearly improved considerably.
"Ougai meat is indeed very rare. Its effect rivals the Eight Ingredients, and it's even harder to find," Zed explained, taking a piece of the Ougai meat and offering it to Brunch. "This is a gift."
"How can I accept a gift? I promised the village chief I'd treat you well," Brunch replied quickly. Although he is interested in the Ougai meat, Zed and his friends were honored guests who had significantly helped the Hex Food World. He could not refuse their generosity. In the original lore, Brunch had been resentful of Midora. However, under Toriko's commission, he had not quarreled with Midora while delivering ingredients—knowing that Midora was one of the strongest beings alive. If he had picked a fight, he would have been the one to die.
Now, Brunch understood that he must not accept Zed's gift outright.
"Please treat it as a gesture from friends visiting. I have another request: During our stay in the Hex Food World, could you teach my two partners?" Zed asked. Although Erina and Hisako were already skilled cooks, their level still lagged behind the locals. Moreover, the Hex Food World had unique culinary techniques that were worth learning.
"Of course!" Brunch agreed without hesitation. Even without the gift, he would have agreed—Zed and his friends were honored guests, and this was an important task.
"Thank you Brunch," Zed said, smiling. Brunch took the Ougai meat and returned to the kitchen to cook immediately. It was as if he had received a shot of red-hot motivation: he worked harder than ever, leaving the kitchen assistants bewildered by their boss's sudden zeal. Naturally, the assistants followed suit and soon dish after dish emerged and was sent to Zed's table.
"It seems Brunch noticed our behavior in the streets just now," Zed observed as he surveyed the dishes. "Although these dishes look somewhat strange compared to normal food, they're far better than what we had outside."
Indeed, Brunch had selected ingredients that, while still unique, were not inedible. The Hex Food World's cuisine was vastly different, and Brunch's skills were undeniable. One by one, Zed and his companions devoured the dishes. Sensing their appetite, Brunch prepared a vast quantity. After several hours, the meal concluded, and darkness had fallen outside.
"As expected of the third-ranked chef in the human world's chef rankings—these dishes are amazing," one guest praised. Even among the food captives, none had eaten any meal tastier than Brunch's. After all, few chefs could rival Brunch. Rukia, a newcomer, had never even tasted the food of Granny Setsuno. For them, Brunch's cooking was unparalleled.
"My cooking skills still hold up in the Hex Food World. After all, I am one of the Hex Food Beast Knights," Brunch said with a smile. Praise from guests was precious to any chef.
"Hex Food Beast Knights?" Mirajane and others looked puzzled.
"They are the three representatives selected from each generation in the Hex Food World, representing the professions of chef, Saiseiya, and gourmet hunter," Brunch explained. "Somewhat similar to the Gourmet Living Legends in the human world,"
He continued: "Although I haven't met them all, I once met Granny Setsuno. She was nonchalant during the Cooking Festival, yet whenever she competed, the championship always went to her. Perhaps only Zaus could challenge her. Even other National Treasures could not match her,"
"Still, you're ranked third in the human world chef rankings, right? Even if the rankings aren't perfect, anyone in the top ten is no simple cook," Zed replied with a smile. Brunch nodded in agreement. After all, the Cooking Festival rankings considered many factors. Granny Setsuno did not continue to compete, but she was still ranked first. While he wouldn't claim his skills could surpass King of Cooking, Zaus, he ranked third thanks to his combat strength as well.
"By the way, you must have heard what Mappy said. If nothing unexpected happens, the village chief summoned everyone tonight to talk about the Seven-Colored Fish. You are the protagonists of this matter," Brunch added with a grin.
"Then let's go!" Zed said. He knew he would be staying a while longer, so he headed for the square. Upon arrival, the square was filled with people—bizarre in appearance yet undeniably humanoid.
"Everyone, please sit down. I will announce today's events!" The Daruma Hermit spoke loudly once Zed and his companions took their seats. As soon as he opened his mouth, everyone else fell silent.
There were some issues with the Daruma Hermit's body that even Zed's sensory techniques detected, but not as exaggerated as when Toriko and others arrived. Still, Zed had no way to treat the Daruma Hermit's condition—his Saiseiya method could not handle it. Only his master, Yosaku might have a solution, as Saiseiya techniques did not depend on Gourmet Cells, nor could they be improved by eating good ingredients. They would have to study a cure in time. Since he could not help, Zed remained silent.
As the Daruma Hermit told the assembly about the Seven-Colored Fish and Zed's group, Nosshu and Dinā finally understood. Bringing the Seven-Colored Fish was crucial: it was extremely important to their Hex Food World. In the original lore, the Hex Food World was adjacent to the human world and had felt the effects of Midora's influence. For a time, food in the Hex Food World was scarce. Although the food available was just enough to eat, there was never excess. Finding new ingredients is vital. Heracle's blessing ensured they could live safely without attack, but it did not provide food. They still had to work hard to gather meals.
The arrival of the Seven-Colored Fish could eliminate the hidden threats to the Hex Food World. Thus, Zed and his companions had become heroes to every resident there. As the Daruma Hermit announced this, the eyes of the entire assembly changed. No longer merely curious; they were now grateful. Zed and his companions' status in the Hex Food World rose instantly