Kevin rubbed his eyes and shuffled to the door, pulling it open to reveal two of the most energetic faces he'd seen in weeks. Menchi stood beaming, a massive travel bag slung over one shoulder, while Buhara loomed behind her with an equally massive grin and what appeared to be the remnants of a pre-dawn breakfast still clinging to his shirt.
"You're awake! Great!" Menchi pushed past him into the room, dropping her bag on the floor with a thud. "We've been traveling all night. Do you know how hard it is to find transportation in the Kakin countryside at midnight?"
"I can imagine." Kevin closed the door, still processing the fact that it was six in the morning. "Coffee?"
"No time for coffee! Show us the potions!" Menchi's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "You said you eliminated the side effects? All of them?"
Kevin sighed, accepting that sleep was no longer an option. He moved to his travel bag and withdrew a small case, opening it to reveal an array of vials in neat rows.
"The ones without side effects are marked with green caps," he explained. "Same formulas as before, just refined. The ones with red caps still have the original effects—faster, stronger, but with the usual drawbacks."
Buhara had already squeezed himself into the room's single armchair, which creaked alarmingly under his weight. "The healing ones? Still work on food poisoning?"
"Especially those." Kevin handed him a green-capped vial. "Try this. It'll cure any non-magical stomach issues within minutes."
Buhara didn't hesitate. He uncorked the vial and downed it in one gulp, then sat back with an expression of surprised delight. "Oh! It tingles! In a good way!"
Menchi was already examining the other vials, reading the tiny labels Kevin had affixed to each. "Strength enhancement, endurance, focus, detox—you've got a whole pharmacy here."
"A small one. The full product line is still in development." Kevin leaned against the wall, watching them. "I need suppliers. People who can find rare materials in exchange for priority access and discounted prices."
Menchi looked up sharply. "That's why you called us?"
"Partly. Also because you're Hunters I trust, and you have connections I need." Kevin met her gaze. "The Gourmet Hunters have networks all over the world. If anyone can find rare ingredients, it's you."
Buhara belched contentedly. "The stomach thing is gone. Completely. That's amazing." He looked at Kevin with new respect. "What do you need?"
Kevin pulled out a list—the same one he'd shown Rock, but with additional items marked. "These are the materials I'm currently sourcing. Some are common, some are rare. If you can find them, I'll pay market rate or trade in potions, whichever you prefer."
Menchi took the list, scanning it quickly. "Some of these I recognize. The Golden Ginseng—that grows in the mountains east of here. The Starlight Moss—caves in the northern territories. The..." She paused, frowning. "Wait, this one. Phantom Petal. That's not just rare. That's practically a myth."
Kevin's heart skipped. "You know it?"
"I've heard stories. Supposedly grows only in places touched by death—battlefields, mass graves, execution grounds. Blooms at midnight under a new moon, and only if certain conditions are met." Menchi looked up. "Why do you need that?"
"A promise." Kevin's voice was quiet. "To someone who died. I need to find it."
Menchi studied him for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "I'll ask around. No promises—that one's legendary for a reason. But if anyone's heard rumors, it'll be the old Gourmet Hunters who've been everywhere."
Buhara stood, the chair sighing with relief. "We should get started. The morning markets open soon—best time to find local traders who know the land."
"You're leaving already?" Kevin blinked. "You just got here."
"And we'll be back!" Menchi was already repacking her bag. "Think of this as a preliminary scouting mission. We'll find what we can, bring it to your... where is this forge of yours?"
"Lutto. Nostra estate. I'll send you the coordinates."
"Perfect!" Menchi headed for the door, then paused. "Oh, and Kevin? Congratulations on passing the exam. We knew you would."
She was gone before he could respond, Buhara's heavy footsteps echoing behind her.
Kevin stood in the suddenly quiet room, surrounded by scattered vials and the lingering scent of Buhara's pre-dawn breakfast. It was six-fifteen in the morning, and his day was already in full swing.
He looked at the Phantom Petal still marked on his list.
A promise, he thought. I'll keep it. No matter how long it takes.
He began packing his own belongings. Time to return to Lutto, to the forge, to the people waiting for him.
The work never stopped.
Kevin's eyes widened as he surveyed the contents of the box. This wasn't just a casual collection—it was a meticulously assembled catalog of possibilities. Each item was individually wrapped, labeled with coordinates and dates, and accompanied by notes about the environment where it was found.
"You two went all out," he said, genuinely impressed.
Menchi waved a hand dismissively, but her expression was pleased. "Of course! If we're going to be suppliers, we need to understand what you actually need. Words on paper only tell half the story."
Kevin began examining the items one by one. A claw from some large predator—he extended his Nen toward it, feeling the residual life energy. D-grade material, useful for basic enhancement potions. A dried flower with petals that seemed to shimmer faintly—C-grade, possibly usable in perception-enhancing formulas. A chunk of what looked like ordinary rock, but when he touched it, a jolt of energy ran up his arm.
"This one," he said, holding up the rock. "Where did you find it?"
Buhara leaned forward. "Cave system in the mountains east of here. There was a vein of it running through the walls, but most of it was ordinary. That piece came from deeper in, near a spring that glowed at night."
"Glowed?"
"Bioluminescent algae in the water, we thought. But maybe it was something else." Buhara's eyes were sharp. "Good material?"
Kevin nodded slowly. "B-grade, at least. Possibly higher if processed correctly." He looked at them. "This is exactly what I need. Not just the items themselves, but the documentation—where they came from, what conditions they grew in. That information is as valuable as the materials."
Menchi and Buhara exchanged pleased glances.
"We thought so," Menchi said. "That's why we kept such detailed records. If we know what environments produce good materials, we can target similar locations in the future."
Kevin spent the next hour examining each item, sorting them into categories based on his Nen's response. Some were useless—ordinary biological matter with no concentrated life energy. Others were promising. A few were exceptional.
By the time he finished, he had identified:
12 D-grade materials (useful for basic potions)
5 C-grade materials (valuable for mid-tier products)
2 B-grade materials (rare and powerful)
0 A-grade materials (as expected—those were legendary)
"This is incredible," Kevin said, leaning back. "Do you have any idea how long it would have taken me to find this many quality materials on my own?"
"Months, probably," Buhara said. "That's why we're here. We Hunters cover ground faster than anyone, and we're already looking for rare ingredients anyway. Adding your list to our searches costs us almost nothing."
Menchi nodded. "Exactly. We just need to know what to look for. The records we kept—if you can tell us what patterns to watch for, we'll be even more efficient."
Kevin considered this. His ability to sense material quality was unique—most Hunters couldn't just touch something and know its value. But there were external signs, indicators that correlated with material grade.
"Certain plants have visual markers," he said slowly. "Unusual coloration, patterns that don't match the species standard, growth in specific environments. Animal parts—the older the creature, generally the better the material. And anything found near places with high ambient Nen concentration—ancient ruins, mass graves, places where strong emotions have soaked into the ground."
Menchi was already taking notes. "So we look for anomalies. Things that don't quite fit."
"Exactly. And when you find something promising, collect it carefully and document everything. Location, conditions, associated phenomena. Even if it's not useful now, it might become useful later as my abilities grow."
They spent another hour discussing specifics—which creatures were most likely to yield quality materials, which plants had known medicinal properties, how to preserve samples during transport. By the time they finished, the morning sun was fully up, streaming through the hotel windows.
Menchi stretched. "This is going to be fun. A whole new category of rare ingredients to hunt."
Buhara patted his stomach. "And potions that cure food poisoning. I'm already a fan."
Kevin laughed. "I'll have a batch ready for you when you come back. Consider it a down payment on future materials."
They packed up the box—Kevin kept the materials, naturally—and headed for the door. Menchi paused at the threshold.
"Oh, and Kevin? Bisky's going to be proud. You're doing something real here, not just chasing strength for its own sake." She grinned. "Try not to mess it up."
They were gone before he could respond.
Kevin stood in the suddenly quiet room, surrounded by the remnants of their visit—scattered notes, empty coffee cups, the lingering energy of two Gourmet Hunters who had just become his first official suppliers.
The forge is growing, he thought. Piece by piece, person by person.
He began packing his own belongings. Time to return to Lutto, to the Kurta, to the next phase of his plan.
The work never stopped. But for the first time, it felt like the work was working.
Menchi waved her hand dismissively. "Of course we don't mind! We've been traveling for days anyway—what's a few more? Besides," she added with a grin, "this gives us a chance to see your operation. See if it's worth investing in long-term."
Buhara nodded agreement. "Smart to see the facility before committing fully. Shows confidence."
Kevin appreciated their pragmatism. They weren't just friends helping out—they were professionals evaluating a potential partnership. That was exactly the attitude he wanted in his suppliers.
"Then it's settled. I need another day here—there's something I need to check on before I leave. After that, we can head to Lutto together."
"What's the something?" Menchi asked curiously.
Kevin hesitated, then decided there was no harm in sharing. "A promise. Someone I knew—he died protecting others. Before he died, he mentioned a flower. Phantom Petal. It's supposed to grow somewhere in the Kakin Empire, and I want to at least try to find it."
Menchi's expression softened. "The one from the list. That's... that's a good reason to hunt." She glanced at Buhara. "We've got an extra day. Want to help?"
Buhara shrugged. "Why not? Three Hunters searching is better than one."
Kevin blinked, genuinely surprised. "You don't have to—"
"We know." Menchi cut him off. "But you're going to be our main potion supplier. If finding this flower makes you happy, that's good for business. Plus," she added with a wicked grin, "I want to see if the legends are true. A flower that only blooms under a new moon on ground soaked in death? That's the kind of ingredient Gourmet Hunters dream about."
Kevin laughed. "Alright then. Let's hunt a ghost flower."
The next day, the three of them set out before dawn. Menchi had spent the evening contacting local contacts, pulling in favors and information. By midnight, she'd narrowed down the possible locations to three—all sites of historical massacres or battles, all within a day's travel.
The first location was a valley where, two centuries ago, an entire army had been slaughtered. The ground was still fertile from the blood-soaked soil, locals said, and strange plants grew there that grew nowhere else.
They arrived mid-morning and spent hours searching. Kevin extended his Nen, feeling for anything that resonated with the description—a flower that pulsed with death energy, that drew strength from suffering.
Nothing.
The second location was an abandoned execution ground outside a small village. The locals avoided it, whispering stories of ghosts and curses. Kevin walked through it, his senses extended, but found only ordinary weeds and the silent weight of old sorrow.
By late afternoon, they reached the third location—a cliff overlooking the sea, where legend said rebels had been thrown to their deaths by the hundreds. The wind was sharp here, carrying salt spray and the cries of seabirds.
Kevin stood at the edge, looking down at the crashing waves. "If it's not here..."
"It's here." Menchi's voice was quiet, intense. She was kneeling at the base of the cliff, where the rock met the soil, staring at something. "Kevin. Come look."
He walked over, and his breath caught.
Growing from a crack in the rock, sheltered from the wind, was a single flower. Its petals were pale white, almost translucent, with veins of deep crimson running through them like frozen blood. It seemed to glow faintly in the fading light, an ethereal presence in that grim place.
Kevin knelt, extending his Nen toward it.
The response was immediate and overwhelming. This wasn't just a material—it was a relic. The death energy concentrated in those petals was immense, the accumulated sorrow of centuries given form.
"A-grade," he whispered. "At least."
Menchi's eyes widened. "That's—"
"Legendary. Mythical." Kevin carefully, reverently, began to extract the flower, using techniques Bisky had taught him for handling delicate materials. "Mito was right. It exists."
Buhara watched from a respectful distance. "What will you do with it?"
Kevin was silent for a moment, the flower cradled in his hands. It pulsed with dark energy, beautiful and terrible.
"I'll keep my promise," he said finally. "I'll find a way to use it to honor the dead. To protect the living." He looked up at them. "Thank you. Both of you. I couldn't have found this alone."
Menchi grinned, but her eyes were soft. "That's what suppliers do, right? Find the things their partners need?"
"That's exactly what suppliers do."
They left the cliff as the sun set, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. In Kevin's pack, carefully secured, the Phantom Petal rested—a promise kept, a future made possible.
The forge was growing. And now it had its first legendary material.
The evening air of the Kakin Empire's capital carried a crisp edge as the three Hunters made their way through the city's elegant streets. The architecture here spoke of old money and older power—stone buildings with intricate carvings, gas lamps converted to electric but retaining their antique charm, and everywhere the subtle but unmistakable presence of wealth.
"The Kakin Royal Auction House," Menchi announced, gesturing toward a massive structure that dominated the city's central square. "One of the oldest continuously operating auction houses in the world. They've been selling treasures here for over four hundred years."
Kevin studied the building. It was imposing without being ostentatious—the kind of place that didn't need to show off because everyone already knew its worth. Guards in discreet but clearly well-trained positions watched the entrances. The crowd filtering in wore everything from simple traveling clothes to elaborate formal wear, suggesting a wide range of clientele.
"Entry requirements?" Kevin asked.
"Gold or connections." Menchi grinned. "Lucky for us, we have both. Well, Buhara has gold. I have connections."
Buhara patted his stomach contentedly. "The Kakin auction house has the best food of any auction house in the world. I never miss a chance to visit."
They approached the entrance, where a tall man in traditional Kakin robes examined their invitations—procured, Kevin gathered, through Menchi's network of Gourmet Hunter contacts. The man's eyes lingered on Kevin for a moment, assessing, then he nodded and waved them through.
Inside, the auction house was even more impressive. The main hall soared three stories high, with balconies overlooking a central stage where the auction would take place. Private boxes lined the upper levels, their curtains partially drawn to conceal the identities of the most wealthy bidders. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light over the crowd, and servants wove through the attendees offering drinks and small delicacies.
Buhara immediately gravitated toward a table laden with exotic foods. Menchi rolled her eyes but followed, grabbing a glass of something sparkling.
Kevin moved more slowly, his senses extended. Not in an obvious way—just a light En, enough to feel the crowd's energy without intruding. He catalogued the Nen users present (several, mostly in the private boxes), the security positions (well-placed, professional), and the general atmosphere (anticipatory, wealthy, slightly predatory).
A servant approached with a program. "Tonight's offerings, sir."
Kevin took it, scanning the list. Artwork, jewelry, ancient weapons, rare books—and then his eyes stopped.
Lot 47: Assorted Biological Specimens. Collected from the Eastern Reaches. Includes tissue samples, preserved organs, and skeletal fragments of unidentified creatures. Provenance available upon request.
His heart rate ticked up slightly. Unidentified creatures from the Eastern Reaches—that could mean anything. But anything from a region known for its biodiversity and unexplored territories was worth investigating.
"You found something?" Menchi appeared at his elbow, peering at the program.
"Maybe." Kevin pointed. "Lot 47."
Menchi's eyebrows rose. "Biological specimens at an art auction? Unusual."
"Unusual means interesting." Kevin tucked the program into his pocket. "Let's see what else is here before the bidding starts."
They separated to explore, agreeing to meet back at Buhara's food table when the auction began. Kevin drifted through the crowd, observing, listening, learning.
The Kakin elite were here in force—merchants, nobles, officials, all playing their subtle games of status and influence. Foreign buyers mixed with locals, their accents marking them as from the V5 countries or beyond. And in the private boxes above, hidden by curtains, the real power sat in judgment.
Kevin's En brushed against something—a familiar signature, faint but unmistakable. He turned, scanning the crowd, but saw nothing.
Strange, he thought. Felt like... no, couldn't be.
He shook it off and continued exploring.
Twenty minutes later, a gong sounded, and the crowd began moving toward the main hall. Kevin found Menchi and Buhara already seated in good mid-level seats, with a clear view of the stage.
"The boxes are for the really wealthy," Menchi explained. "We're comfortable here."
The auction began with a flurry of activity—a rare painting sold for a fortune, a set of ancient coins went to a bidder in Box 7, a necklace that once belonged to some long-dead queen drew gasps and escalating bids. Kevin watched with detached interest, learning the rhythm of the auction, the psychology of the bidders.
Finally, Lot 47 was announced.
"Assorted biological specimens from the Eastern Reaches," the auctioneer said, his voice carrying easily. "Collected by a licensed expedition, authenticated by the Kakin Academy of Sciences. Bidding starts at five hundred thousand jenny."
Kevin raised his paddle.
The bidding was surprisingly competitive. A pharmaceutical company representative, easily identified by his corporate attire, pushed hard. A private collector from the V5 showed interest. Someone in Box 3 made occasional bids.
Kevin stayed in, his expression calm, his raises steady. Menchi watched him with approval—he was bidding like a professional, not revealing his limits, not getting emotionally invested.
The price climbed to three million. The pharmaceutical rep dropped out. Four million. The private collector hesitated. Four point five. Box 3 went silent.
"Sold! To the gentleman in Section C, seat twelve."
Kevin lowered his paddle, his expression unchanged. Inside, he was already calculating—the cost was higher than expected, but if even one of those specimens proved to be quality material, it would be worth it.
"Nice bidding," Menchi murmured. "Very controlled."
"Thank you." Kevin glanced toward Box 3. "Who was that?"
"Not sure. But they wanted those specimens too." Menchi's eyes were sharp. "Watch your back tonight. People here don't always take losing gracefully."
Kevin nodded. He'd expected as much.
The auction continued, but Kevin's attention was elsewhere. He had what he came for. Now he just needed to collect it safely and figure out what he'd actually bought.
The night was young, and in the Kakin Empire, the real games were just beginning.