Chapter 71: Gemini Lemons
"Elysia, you're not an ordinary person, are you?"
This trip consisted of three people. Atashino didn't know the extent of Elysia's strength, and many places in the Human World were no safer than the Gourmet World.
That depends on how you define "ordinary person," Atashino, Kenji thought.
"Don't worry, I have a little bit of strength♪"
Elysia smiled confidently. As a Herrscher, she could adapt to many environments. Her power as the Herrscher of Origin was greater than that of most other Herrschers. Even she didn't know how strong she could be if she went all out.
Cocoon of Finality?
Does the Herrscher of Origin even need that?
"Don't worry about Ely, Atashino. She's not that weak," Kenji said with a smile.
If Elysia were to gather all twelve Herrscher cores, who would be stronger, her or the Herrscher of the End? Fifty thousand years in the future, besides Sirin, the Honkai's beloved daughter with six cores, the Herrscher of Ice could even fuse with the Herrscher of Sentience to become the Herrscher of Rimestar. The authority of Origin could definitely accommodate the other Herrscher authorities. If she tried, Elysia might be both the Origin and the End.
North of the Baron Archipelago was a continent of moderate size. This was their destination.
"This is still within the boundaries of the Human World. A little further north, and it's the Gourmet World."
After entering the jungle, Kenji could feel eyes on them. The stronger ones had Capture Levels of around sixty or seventy, probably because they were close to the Gourmet World.
"Yes, the Gemini Lemons grow here. As for the cooking method, we'll have to see the ingredient first," Atashino said. She had never cooked it before. The IGO was always discovering strange ingredients and then commissioning Gourmet Hunters to deal with them.
"Is that a Devil Alligator?"
The group encountered a twenty-meter-long alligator with three pairs of demonic horns on its back. It was even larger than the Galala Gator Kenji had seen before.
Its Capture Level was 21, and it was said to possess a strength comparable to the Devil Serpent.
"Alligator Express, at your service."
Kenji immediately performed Knocking on it. If it had been the original species, they would have had no chance. But a creature with a Capture Level in the twenties was no match for them.
Devil Alligator: "This matchmaking is so unfair."
Other Beasts: "Farewell, little brother."
"Chomp, chomp..."
"A combination of chicken and fish flavor. Not too much fat, as tender as fresh shrimp meat, and very chewy. The salt from the seawater gives the meat a perfect saltiness and a primal sweetness."
"The taste of the Devil Alligator and the Galala Gator... each has its own merits."
Kenji chewed and evaluated the taste of the Devil Alligator. Atashino hadn't added much seasoning. She knew that this alligator's meat had a natural saltiness. Since it wasn't their main target, there was no need to go to great lengths.
"You two can really eat," Elysia said, watching their astonishing appetites. Their stomachs hadn't even bulged. She was no match for them. A ten-ton Devil Alligator had been easily devoured by the two of them. If they were in an eating contest, they would definitely win first place. If they went to an all-you-can-eat buffet, the owner would probably cry.
"Elysia, don't you know Food Immersion?" Atashino asked curiously. After learning Food Immersion, you could store a lot of energy.
"I don't♪"
As for energy, Elysia had plenty of Honkai energy in her body, even though this wasn't the Sea of Quanta. The special nature of the chat group allowed members to use their own energy in other worlds without worrying about shortages. It could be replenished at any time; the chat group maintained the energy connection between the members and their home worlds.
As for Kenji and Apollo, they didn't have to worry about this. They could absorb and replenish their energy anywhere.
After passing through the dense jungle, the view suddenly opened up. A cascading waterfall appeared before them.
The Gemini Waterfall, as its name suggested, had two streams. One was a milky white, flowing with smooth yogurt, and the other was blue, flowing with refreshing blueberry juice. The waterfall was filled with mineral candies that reflected the sunlight, sparkling like stars.
"This world... is truly magical♪."
Elysia didn't know what to say. Why was the waterfall flowing with drinks instead of water? She didn't understand.
"It's normal. There are islands where the entire island produces fine wine," Kenji said with a smile. But it was the first time he had seen a waterfall of this type.
In the lake below the waterfall, the yogurt and blueberry juice were clearly separated, not mixing together. It was quite magical, as if there was an invisible barrier between them.
"Kenji, those must be the Gemini Lemons," Atashino said, spotting their target on several small islands in the lake.
The lemon trees were about the height of a person, their trunks and leaves having a crystalline appearance. The fruits on them came in two forms: one with a very rough skin, like sandpaper, and one that was perfectly smooth, like a mirror.
The three of them went to one of the islands.
Kenji reached up and picked a rough lemon. After cutting it open, the flesh was a magma-like red.
"Hiss... so sour... hiss..."
Just by licking it, an extremely intense sourness shot straight to his scalp. Kenji's face contorted, and tears were uncontrollably squeezed from his eyes. Even his tongue felt a slight stinging sensation. He suspected it was concentrated acid; it was completely inedible.
"This one is so sweet, it's cloying♪."
Elysia picked a smooth lemon. The flesh was blue. She licked it, and it was as if a massive amount of sucrose had been concentrated into one point. The sweetness was so intense it disordered her sense of taste. This was different from the sweetness of the Rainbow Fruit. This sweetness was truly hard to swallow. Just by licking it, she felt her insulin levels skyrocket.
"These Gemini Lemons should be mixed in a 1:1 ratio to be edible," Atashino analyzed. Some ingredients were just that special. This should also be considered a special-preparation ingredient.
Atashino took out a scale and a measuring cup and mixed the juice of the two different lemons in a 1:1 ratio.
"Uh... are you sure this is drinkable?"
After mixing, the two lemon juices turned into a strange purplish-black color, with occasional flashes of red. It looked a little ominous and strange. Drinking this won't make my hair turn red, will it?
"It should be fine," Atashino nodded.
The three of them each took a cup and took a careful sip. This time, it was drinkable. The intense sourness and sweetness were gone.
"Ugh, this feeling... it's so... uninspiring..."
After drinking it, Kenji felt like all the joy had been sucked out of life. I might as well just lie flat.
Ah, praise the Void.
Elysia, on the other hand, felt her taste buds dancing and her cells rejoicing, as if she were in heaven. So blissful~
"I see. Even after being mixed, the Gemini Lemon can give people two different feelings. You can taste heaven, and you can taste the void."
Atashino took two sips and also experienced the two sensations. What a strange taste experience. The world was full of wonders.
"Pah! I felt like I almost saw the Great emptiness," Kenji said, slapping his cheeks. That feeling of emptiness really made him want to just relax. This ingredient was quite magical, but he wouldn't be adding it to his Full Course Menu. It didn't have a particularly strong power, nor did it give him a cell boost.
"It is♪ The taste is very strange, but not as good as the Puffer Whale or the Jewel Meat," Elysia said. The taste of the Gemini Lemon wasn't particularly delicious, but it had an interesting special effect.
Gemini Lemon (Capture Level 47): Two different lemons grow on the same tree. One is more sour than concentrated acid, and the other is sweeter than syrup. When mixed in a 1:1 ratio and tasted, it will make a person briefly experience two sensations: the void and heaven.
Kenji sent the taste experience of the ingredient to the IGO, then began to collect the lemons from the tree.
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We cross the 900 power stone goal and as promise here the bonus chapter
Next goal 1050 power stone, good luck guys.
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