"The theme this time is curry? Guess that means we'll be buried in spices for a while."
As soon as they got the theme, everyone started talking. Curry was basically all about how you handled spices—everyone here had at least some experience with it.
"Curry reminds me of that place… Honestly, nothing on earth is scarier than their food."
The moment Kael saw the word "curry," he couldn't help thinking about that country. In his old world, that place produced… let's just say, some legendary horrors. No matter what ingredients they touched, it all turned into one big mush in the end.
"I seriously admire Joichiro–san. He actually dared to wander around there."
Even after ending up in the World of Food Wars, that country was still that country. If you went there, you guarded your wallet… and your dignity.
"Forget them. Since the theme's been announced, I'll need you to help take care of the animals for a few days."
Yuki Yoshino suddenly spoke up.
"Hm? Are you heading home?" Fumio Daimido asked.
"Yeah. We're almost on break anyway, and my hometown's Autumn Hunting Festival is starting. I have to go back to join the hunt—otherwise I won't get any good ingredients."
Every year, her hometown held a hunting festival. Whatever animal you caught could be traded if you didn't like it, or kept if you did.
"Oh, it's that time already? Then go." Fumio nodded.
But Kael perked up. Back in his old world, he'd always wanted to try fishing or hunting, but never found the time. Now that he heard Yuki's hometown had a hunting festival, he was instantly interested.
"Yoshino, can outsiders join the hunting festival?" Kael asked. If they allowed guests, he definitely wasn't missing it.
"Of course. The whole thing exists to attract people to come hunt—but you have to pay a fee…"
Yuki explained the details. The organizers sectioned off part of the forest, cleared out dangerous animals, and created a safe area. Because of that, there was an entrance fee.
"So everything is pre-arranged?"
Kael deflated a bit. If it was just a commercialized outdoor experience, the "hunt" was probably only small animals. Not very exciting.
"Well, that's how it is for visitors. But we locals form real hunting teams and head deeper into the mountains. That's why I'm going home. If you want, I can take you with me."
She grinned. Outsiders got the tourist version. Locals got the real thing.
"You can do that? Are you sure they won't mind someone like me tagging along?"
"Don't worry. My dad leads the hunting team. Nobody will complain if I bring a few people."
And it wasn't uncommon—everyone did it.
"Then what about me? Yuki, I want to come too!" Alice Nakiri leaned over.
She had nothing better to do—and Kael was going, so of course she wasn't staying behind.
"Sure! Anyone else?" Yuki looked around hopefully. She loved spending time with friends.
But Shun Ibusaki and Zenji Marui needed to go home. Soma Yukihira suddenly remembered that his dad once mentioned Jun Shiomi, so he wanted to visit her. Megumi Tadokoro planned to return to her hometown for inspiration.
In the end, only Kael and Alice would join Yuki.
They packed, and early next morning they set off.
"Almost forgot to ask—Kael, Alice, do you know how to use a bow?"
Yuki asked on the way. Hunting needed weapons. Their team did have guns, but mostly relied on bows. Guns were hard to get and had to be returned afterward.
"Never tried, but give me a little practice and I'll manage." Kael said.
Sure, he'd never used a bow, but he had the Four Divine Senses . Divine Touch would let him control the bow easily. Divine Sight, Divine Hearing, and Divine Smell would make him a natural-born hunter.
Give him a bit of time and he'd turn into a hunting king.
"I've never tried either!"
Alice admitted. Unlike Kael, she wasn't about to brag—she didn't have superhuman senses backing her up.
"Then Kael can try first. Alice, just stay with the group."
Yuki wasn't surprised.
"You don't need to worry about safety. My Special Ability isn't just for cooking."
Kael tapped his ear.
Yuki and Alice's eyes brightened.
"Oh, right! Your Divine Hearing! In the forest, that's basically a lifesaver—any danger will be obvious to you."
"And you can track game with it. It's perfect for hunting." Yuki nodded excitedly.
"I'm seriously jealous of your abilities…" Alice puffed her cheeks, sulking. Yuki and Kael laughed.
A few hours later, after multiple transfers, they arrived in Yuki's hometown. Her family welcomed them warmly—especially after hearing Kael and Alice were the visitors.
Her parents already knew about Kael being a Five-Star Chef and how he'd helped the Polar Star Dormitory. As for Alice, her financial help had allowed Yuki's "Polar Star Chicken" project to move smoothly.
So the moment these two stepped in, they were treated like VIPs.
After chatting a bit, Yuki suddenly asked:
"Dad, Kael and Alice came to join the hunting festival. Where are the bows? I want Kael to try them."
"Hah, I figured that's why you came. They're in the storeroom—come with me."
Her father led them to a warehouse filled with hunting gear. Kael's eyes immediately locked onto the biggest, most intimidating bow.
"You like that one? It's the best we've got—but it's a two-stone bow. Not easy to use." Her father laughed.
"Two-stone? What's that?" Alice asked.
"It means you need about one hundred twenty kilos of force to pull it."
Alice's eyes went round. "Who's supposed to use that?!"
"This bow was something my father bought from an old hunter years ago. But the force needed is too much for most people."
Only ancient warriors or monsters of strength could draw it.
"Uncle Yoshino, mind if I try?" Kael asked.
"Go ahead."
He handed it over. Kael grabbed the bowstring and pulled—
Drawing it to full without even shaking.
Yuki's father's pupils contracted. If Kael pulled that steadily, it meant his maximum strength was far beyond one hundred twenty kilos.
After watching Kael test it a few times, he finally clapped.
"Excellent strength and steady hands. Let's go to the range so you can try shooting."
"Kael, is it really that hard to pull? Let me try!"
Alice stepped forward. Kael handed her the bow.
She braced herself, face turning red, putting everything she had into it…
Not even close.
"Nope. I can't budge it. You really are a monster—not just in cooking but physically too."
She handed it back, defeated.
Yuki burst out laughing. "Alice, did you forget how heavy Kael's Seven-Star Knives are?"
Alice smacked her forehead. Right—if he could wield those, this bow was nothing.
The problem wasn't the bow.
It was Kael.
He was simply built different.