With the system's chime, a vast repository of knowledge unfolded in Shun's mind. Much of it was still blurry, but the basics about the "Crimson Dire Tiger" before him snapped into razor focus.
[Crimson Dire Tiger] (mammalian beast)
Capture Level: 38
Habitat: forest biomes
Body length: 18 m
Shoulder height: 5 m
Weight: 6.5 t
Overview: A large apex predator mainly active in the "Sea of Trees." It resembles a tiger with dark-red fur that efficiently absorbs and stores solar energy, releasing it at night or when enraged as dark-red energy attacks.
Extremely ferocious, with astonishing defense; its claws and fangs can easily shred a Giant Iron Boar's armor.
Edibility: Flesh is energy-rich with a faint fire attribute; long-term consumption slightly improves stamina and resistances. Tiger bones greatly strengthen tendons and bones. The heart contains the beast's vital essence and the purest energy—an especially rare ingredient.
Handling: Must be snap-frozen at low temperature or sealed with special energy to preserve freshness; otherwise, the energy within the flesh rapidly dissipates.
...
Shun stared at the detailed entry rippling across his mind and felt a jolt.
This[Ingredient Codex]was ridiculously powerful—and ridiculously useful.
It didn't just provide biological stats and ecology; it even covered nutritional values and ideal handling. For future hunts and utilization, this was priceless.
"Capture Level thirty-eight…" Shun murmured, weighing his current strength.
Right now, he and Miyoko could take down a Level 38 beast together—that was enough to gain a foothold in this world.
Capture Level was a rough standard set by the IGO (International Gourmet Organization) to gauge how dangerous an ingredient (usually a beast or special plant) was and how difficult it was to obtain—often summarized as "how many fully armed professional hunters it would take to capture it."
Level 1 meant you needed ten rifle-armed pros. And so on.
But as levels rose, those numbers stopped meaning much; some beasts simply couldn't be measured by modern weapons or conventional force.
Even among professional Gourmet Hunters, not many could bag something at Level 38. That fact, in turn, highlighted just how potent Shokugi truly was.
"Miyoko, we landed a big one." Shun shared the Codex's essentials with her.
Having spent over two months in this world, Miyoko had heard plenty about Capture Levels. She drew a sharp breath. "Level thirty-eight… does that mean we've already reached pro Gourmet Hunter strength?" Surprise mingled with pride—her hard work hadn't been wasted.
"Yeah. But it's still far from enough."
Shun's aim wasn't just this one ingredient. His sights were set on the perilous Gourmet World itself.
His gaze returned to the tiger's carcass. "And now's not the time to get sentimental. An ingredient this precious shouldn't go to waste."
Thankfully, system storage would keep it perfect—no flavor loss.
Without hesitation, Shun stowed the entire Crimson Dire Tiger.
Only then did he exhale, quietly feeling the changes in his Food-Technique Weapon.
It was still a prototype, but the boost was obvious… After this hunt, his "Edge of Flavor" could now manifest physically—sharper and more lethal than before.
After slaying the tiger, everything went smoothly. They did run into a few more beasts, but nothing remarkable; each was dispatched with ease.
Even so, it took them two full days to clear the Sea of Trees.
By the time they reached the rail station for the "Bellyfull Gourmet Metropolis," five more days had passed.
The Central Railway Station of Gourmet Town—the beating heart of this world-class foodie capital—was so vast it beggared belief.
They said its average daily passenger flow exceeded 25,000,000. A super-station worthy of the city's name.
Hand in hand, Shun and Miyoko were squeezed off the train with the tidal crowd, immediately swallowed by a roar of noise and life.
Everywhere was shoulder-to-shoulder bustle. Travelers, chefs, and gourmet traders of every language and complexion hustled by with bulging bags. The place was electric.
"This flow of people is insane," Shun said, scanning the endless platforms and ceaseless river of humanity.
It was their first time here.
To two "world-hoppers," everything in the Toriko world still felt fresh. First times made everything new…
And then another force stole Shun's attention away—scent.
A thousand, ten thousand aromas braided together in the air—complex, irresistible, overwhelmingly delicious.
The char of roasted meat. The deep umami of rich broths. The velvety milk of pastries. The mystery of spices. The sparkling freshness of fruit.
They wove into a palpable temptation, making Shun's mouth water.
They'd already sampled plenty on the way, but…
"Heh, looks like we came at the perfect time—peak season for every kind of dish!" Shun wiped the corner of his mouth, eyes gleaming with a true foodie's light.
A flush of excitement colored Miyoko's pale cheeks as she took in the familiar-yet-foreign splendor. "It's so lively. Our world can't compare at all!"
"Miyoko, today we're going to play hard—and eat even harder!" Shun tugged her forward.
With great effort, they drifted with the current of bodies and finally squeezed out of the colossal station.
There was no helping it. There were just too many people.
"This crowd is like the great wildebeest migration across the African savanna—absolutely grand," Miyoko exhaled, smoothing her slightly rumpled outfit.
At last they stopped and took stock, the full splendor of the Bellyfull Gourmet Metropolis unfurling before their eyes.
On both sides of a boulevard wide enough to land aircraft, monumental buildings—each themed around "food"—rose in dazzling variety.
A dessert house shaped like a titanic layer cake. A restaurant designed as a bubbling hotpot. A hotel built like a towering barrel.
Most eye-catching of all were the two sleek, cloud-piercing "Gourmet Towers" at the city's heart, gleaming in the sunset.
Above, ornate airships and flyers crisscrossed the airspace between the towers, trailing long banners as they came and went without pause.
(End of Chapter)
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