After sampling a mountain of treats, Shun and Miyoko arrived at the most famous department center in the Gourmet City.
On the lower floors, Shun stocked up on standard adventuring supplies and tucked them into his system storage. Then he headed straight to the 5th floor—the specialty zone for cooking tools.
This was what he truly wanted to bring back for everyone.
When the elevator doors slid open, the sight drew another gasp from both Shun and Miyoko.
The entire floor was an ocean of cookware. Twin aisles of towering shelves stretched forward, glittering with pots, pans, knives, ladles, and spatulas of every make—from basic models to cutting-edge tech. It was a chef's paradise.
"So many pots! It's like a dream!" Miyoko breathed, stopping at a row of austere, heavy-looking cauldrons. She lifted one and peered at the stamp. "Kuribo Pot—so that's the brand?"
Shun gave a quick explanation. "Kuribo is a person. This pot is one of his. He's widely recognized here as the world's number one pot-smith."
"Number one in the world? That's amazing!" Miyoko said, eyes wide.
"Yeah," Shun nodded, picking up a pot to inspect it. "They say it won't deform even after six months of constant boiling at a thousand degrees. I didn't expect to find them for sale here!"
He rapped a knuckle lightly against the iron. The deep, stable hum seemed to carry Kuribo's singular craftsmanship. Shun couldn't put it down.
"A fine pot—truly a fine pot." He couldn't help praising it. Even with his Food-Technique weapon "Edge of Flavor," top-class tools were still an irresistible temptation to any chef.
They carefully chose several Kuribo pots of different sizes for different cuisines, along with other highly practical, top-grade utensils, and finally left the store.
Worth noting: Shun paid with currency exchanged from the system shop—points converted to local money. The purchase cost him quite a few points.
He could have directly redeemed gear even better than the Kuribo series from the system, but the points required were beyond what he could spare now. For the moment, these were the best choice.
Shopping done, the two left the center completely satisfied.
They had barely reached the entrance when a surge of excited noise pulled their eyes to a massive plaza ahead. Flags snapped in the wind above a grand temporary stage, and a huge banner stretched across it:
The 21st "Gourmet Rising Star Cup" Amateur Culinary Tournament
A host's voice boomed with passion over the loudspeakers.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to our annual gourmet celebration! Whether you're a veteran chef or a rising talent, if you've got creativity, passion, and the confidence to conquer the judges' palates—step onto this stage!"
"This year's champion will win ¥20,000,000! You'll also receive an IGO Rare Ingredient Exploration Grant and a chance to train with head chefs at the Gourmet Towers! Opportunities like this don't come twice—sign up now!"
Dozens of fully equipped open-air kitchen stations ringed the plaza. Many chefs were already busy prepping, chopping, frying, and simmering. Aromas rose in waves, drawing more and more spectators and exclamations.
"Oh? A gourmet tournament?" Shun's interest sparked instantly. He pushed into the crowd to check the rules.
They were simple—three rounds:
Round One: Open Auditions
No theme, no ingredient constraints. Ninety minutes to create the dish that best showcases your skills. Five IGO pro judges do a blind tasting; the top sixteen advance.
Round Two: Theme Challenge
The organizers announce a special ingredient or theme to test adaptability and fundamentals. Four chefs remain.
Round Three: Final Showdown
A public head-to-head. The panel—featuring a mysterious special guest—scores on-site to decide the champion.
Shun's gaze landed at once on the diminutive elderly lady seated dead center on the judges' dais—small in stature, overwhelming in presence.
One of the living national treasures of the Gourmet Human World, partner to the "Pressure-Point Master" Jirō—Setsuno-baasan.
No doubt about it: Granny Setsuno was the "mysterious special guest."
As if sensing Shun's attention, Setsuno-baasan tilted her head slightly and offered him a kindly, meaningful smile.
Right then, the system chimed in Shun's mind.
Ding! Timed Challenge Unlocked: [Apex of the Rising Star]
Task: Register for the "Gourmet Rising Star" Cup and win the championship.
Reward: Large boost to Comprehensive Culinary Rating; Energy Points +800.
Special Reward: [Setsuno's Kitchen Notes] (fragment) ×1.
...
Another quest with a special reward.
"Setsuno-baasan's Kitchen Notes—fragments!" Shun's heart thudded. Priceless. Far more attractive than the cash prize.
He'd planned to just watch—but that plan needed changing.
"Miyoko, I'm entering," Shun said, battle-flame blazing in his eyes.
Miyoko didn't look surprised; she smiled and nodded. "Mm. Do your best, Shun—bring home the crown~~"
Shun quickly registered and received his station number.
Since this was the open audition, ingredients were BYO or purchased on-site.
He thought for a moment and had his plan.
As for ingredients—hadn't they hunted the perfect candidate a few days ago?
The round began. Timers started ticking!
All around, chefs sprang into motion. The plaza filled with the rhythms of steel and fire—the crack of knife-work, the roar of hot oil, the murmur of simmering pots.
Shun didn't rush. He took a minute to observe the others—their ingredients, their techniques. Most were premium but common finds.
A slight curve tugged his lips. To stand out, he'd need something truly shocking.
He feigned reaching into his bag but actually dipped into his system space—and brought out a cut of the Crimson Dire Tiger.
The moment that still-warm slab—its dark-red grain seething like living flame—landed on his board, every eye in the plaza snapped to his station.
The air itself seemed to hold its breath.
(End of Chapter)
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