"Since we're already here, how could we not give it a try?"
Alice preferred to play it safe. Even though she knew Ron was strong and had learned a few things about him, she still didn't know exactly how powerful he really was. A beast with a Capture Level of 12 would be extremely difficult for even an A-rank Nen user to subdue—normally requiring multiple Freelance Gourmet Hunters to take it on together.
But Ron had a clear understanding of his own strength. Even if this Barkslong turned out to be stronger than expected, he was confident in his ability to protect himself. In that case, how could he possibly settle for a lesser ingredient when he knew there was something better waiting ahead? This was, after all, a resource related to his Gourmet Cells.
"Don't worry. I won't do anything reckless. If it really doesn't work out, we'll withdraw and choose another target."
"Mhm." Alice lowered her head in response.
Ron led the way, Alice ollowing behind. Looking at Ron's back, she couldn't help but imagine.
"Why is Ron insisting on challenging the Barkslong?"
"This brings him no benefit."
"He doesn't care about status as a council member."
"So why take such a risk?"
"Is it... because of me?"
Ron didn't know exactly where the Barkslong was, but since it was said to be the most powerful presence in this secret zone, heading toward the central area seemed the most likely way to find a clue.
While Ron and Alice moved forward, other teams were also taking action. They first identified their targets and then considered capture strategies. The assignment Linne had given was to create three dishes. They could be made from a single ingredient, prepared in three different ways, or they could use three entirely different ingredients. Naturally, assuming ingredients of the same level, the latter option would be scored higher due to its greater difficulty.
Outside, others waited—Linne, the middle-aged woman, and others.
Misty and the rest didn't qualify for the competition, but once Ron and Alice signed their contract, Misty's group had become part of Gourmet Paradise by extension.
Time passed quickly. The entire Council Candidate Tournament had a time limit of three days, but that included cooking time as well, so the actual time available for hunting ingredients was even less than that.
"I wonder what kind of ingredients Big Brother will bring back," Misty said with anticipation.
Shizuku took out her notebook, glanced through what she'd already written, then added a line or two more. Sally remained silent. Her reason for coming along with Ron to Gourmet Paradise had been to clear her mind. During the Rosgell incident, she had been deeply dissatisfied with her own performance. But she also knew her own limits—getting significantly stronger wasn't realistic anymore.
She'd thought that coming to Gourmet Paradise would mean eating, drinking, and enjoying herself, not facing battles. Yet once again, they had been caught in conflict. And this time, she was even more disappointed with herself. Against the merfolk-like monsters, her bullets couldn't even break through their defenses; she could only provide support from the sidelines.
"I really am too weak."
"I can't keep up with Ron at all. But this is already my limit. A person like me no longer has the right to follow Ron."
"All I do is slow him down—I'm useless otherwise."
Sally made a decision in her heart: she would leave Ron's team. She would no longer participate in their affairs or enjoy their resources. Instead, she'd settle somewhere and live quietly. But if Ron ever needed help, she would still respond without hesitation.
"When we get back, I'll talk to Ron."
"To be honest, Ruco's talent isn't very strong either. Her abilities don't mean much to Ron."
"If she's willing, I could settle down with her near Heaven's Arena and open a small dojo."
"Take on a few students."
"Spend the rest of my life quietly like that."
If Sally had never seen opponents much stronger than herself, if she had never gone through such grueling battles, she might still have been passionate about adventuring. But having seen that world firsthand, her desire for it had vanished.
It was a simple truth: someone who has once stood atop the highest peak in the world—even if only by relying on others—will no longer find any joy in the view from smaller mountains.
Two figures returned. One was gasping for breath; the other was clutching their arm—no, to be precise, their severed arm. Clearly, this team had encountered danger while trying to capture ingredients. Not only had they failed, they had been seriously injured, and one had lost a limb.
"Go get treated," Linne said flatly.
For someone of Linne's age, life and death were things she had seen many times. Seeing someone injured didn't stir any emotion. And anyone entering this Council Candidate Tournament had to accept the risk of injury. The ingredients in Secret Zone No. 4 were all formidable beasts.
Soon, another team returned. This one performed better—making it back safely and even bringing ingredients with them. They immediately began cooking. In the process, ingredient capture was primarily the Gourmet Hunter's responsibility, while preparation and cooking were handled by the chef.
They used a single ingredient to make three different dishes. Once completed, the plates were placed before Linne.
She picked up her chopsticks and tasted the first dish before giving her score. The middle-aged woman beside her recorded the score.
Because the teams returned at different times, and many ingredients couldn't be stored for long without losing their peak flavor, the dishes had to be prepared and judged immediately. This competition didn't support simultaneous cooking sessions. But since Linne herself was scoring them, and her authority was absolute, no one questioned the fairness.
Time passed quickly. Menchi and Buhara had also returned, bringing three different ingredients and preparing three distinct dishes. Among the teams that had returned so far, theirs held the top score.
At this point, about half the teams had made it back.
There was still half a day left before the deadline.
--------------------------------------
You can read up to 120 Advanced chapters!
Patreon(.)com/IDKjust