When Takumi came here this time, he actually planned to have some fun.
After all, he has just integrated Gourmet Cells and needs to eat some fantasy ingredients to increase the strength of the Gourmet Cells. Otherwise, the ability he has just awakened will not have any effect on increasing his combat power at all.
Originally, Takumi didn't plan to take the initiative to explore the Toriko world, but the plan couldn't keep up with the changes, and the dimensional terminal just gave him an excuse. Faced with such a good opportunity, Takumi would naturally not miss it.
As Takumi sat down, the atmosphere in the small store became harmonious. Seeing this, Granny Setsuno happily turned around and started working in the kitchen. She even took out a lot of high-end fantasy ingredients and prepared to treat Takumi to a feast.
Of course, she didn't know that Takumi came here just to get some food. All she knew was that Takumi was a very important guest, and that he came here specially just to give a gift to Komatsu.
It would be unjustified not to offer a meal. In addition, people in the Gourmet World like to make friends at the dinner table and enhance their relationships by sharing delicious food. Therefore, whether it is to express gratitude or to get closer, this meal is definitely a must.
Therefore, Granny Setsuno entertained Takumi with great enthusiasm. After a while, some side dishes were served.
"Cold seafood spinach, grilled cheese mushrooms, raw pickled squid, fried wine-flavored peanuts—you eat first and drink some wine, the main course will be here soon."
Jiro on the side also enthusiastically handed over the good wine he had stored here.
"These are all good dishes to go with wine. Come on, it will be even better if paired with my wine. Come on, come on, I'll fill it up for you."
Takumi naturally wouldn't refuse this. Although he didn't recognize the wine in Jiro's hand, it would definitely not be bad if it could be used by this old man to entertain people. Maybe it was even captured from the Gourmet World.
Because Takumi could feel that the Gourmet Cells in his body had an appetite for this wine, which made him involuntarily start to secrete more saliva. The strength of the Appetite Demon in his body reacting to this kind of wine was enough to prove its value.
Although the fantasy ingredients suitable for each Gourmet Cell will be different, it does not necessarily require high-end fantasy ingredients to strengthen the Gourmet Cells; sometimes low-level ingredients can also be used.
The main reason is that the level of fantasy ingredients is actually the Capture Level, that is, the difficulty of obtaining it, which does not completely represent whether the ingredients are delicious or not. Like some beasts, their Capture Levels are all very high, and dozens or even hundreds of levels are common in the later stages. But these beasts are actually not delicious. The high level is just because they are strong.
There are also some ingredients that do not even have strength themselves. However, they are rated as having a high Capture Level based on their rarity. For example, Star Abalone and Jewel Meat are all priceless ingredients.
The former is just a particularly delicious abalone, and it is actually difficult to find. It is the same as ordinary abalone, but because it is extremely rare and requires a lot of luck to encounter, it was rated Level 8.
You know, Capture Level 1 is equivalent to ten hunters who are fully armed. At Level 2, tanks even need to be deployed. Level 8 is already a very unattainable level for ordinary people.
The protagonist Toriko's first prey at the beginning of the plot is a Galala Gator, a beast that breaks through the upper limit of ordinary species and reaches Level 8. Toriko spent a lot of effort to capture it, which shows how strong this Level 8 creature is.
And the Jewel Meat is the same; it is a super rare item found inside the Regal Mammoth. It has no attack power itself and can be harvested like ordinary meat, but its Capture Level is extremely high!
But for high-end fantasy ingredients, as long as they are not unpalatable varieties, they are generally not bad, because the level determines the lower limit to a certain extent. The higher the level, the higher the quality floor.
Therefore, the strength of the Appetite Demon will actually affect the lower limit of suitable ingredients to a certain extent. After all, the more advanced the Appetite Demon is, the less likely he is to like eating low-level ingredients.
This is not a matter of preference, but a matter of status in the food chain. Low-level ingredients are less likely to be eaten in an ecosystem where powerful creatures live. Therefore, powerful Appetite Demons generally have no access to low-level ingredients during their lifetime, so naturally, they will not crave them.
"Then I won't be polite. I've heard from Komatsu before that there are all kinds of fantastic delicacies in this world. I'm very curious about this."
Thinking of this, Takumi said quickly, picked up the wine glass, and took a sip...
With just one mouthful, Takumi was so shocked that his eyes widened. To be honest, Takumi actually doesn't like drinking. First, I don't like the dizzy feeling after being drunk. Second, I don't really appreciate the taste of wine.
Takumi doesn't particularly like soy sauce aroma, mellow aroma, malt aroma, or sweet aftertaste. Some flavored wines are okay, at least you can taste them clearly. But Takumi couldn't understand the appeal of popular liquor, beer, red wine, and so on.
But the one Jiro took out was very different. The moment he drank it, a strong, familiar yet unfamiliar taste filled his mouth. Very delicious!
The taste is a bit stimulating, and the higher the alcohol content, the more spicy it is. However, this stimulation makes the taste buds more sensitive to the aroma of the wine, making the wine more delicious. Even after you have swallowed the wine, the strong aroma still lingers in your mouth, bringing you an endless aftertaste.
"Tsk~ delicious! This wine is great! It's countless times better than all the drinks I've had before."
Takumi smacked his lips and couldn't help but admire. This wine actually made him, a person who doesn't like drinking that much, unable to help but be fascinated by it. I have to say, these fantasy ingredients are really awesome.
"Haha, not bad, this is one of my treasures. I would never invite just anyone to drink it. I originally planned to keep this wine for myself to drink slowly. You are lucky. Come on, continue to drink. Let's have another one together."
Jiro is not too surprised by Takumi's reaction. After all, this is a collection he specially placed here with Setsuno. Although it is not part of his Full Course Menu, it is something he prepared to drink slowly or share with Setsuno. Its level is quite high. Anyone would know it is a good wine.
If you are not satisfied with such good things as a treat, then Jiro should wonder if the other party is deliberately looking for trouble. So he smiled happily and filled another cup for Takumi.
"Well, then I really need to drink more. Come on, cheers."
"Well, cheers."
Clink~!
Gulp~! X2
"Tsk~! Cool!"
"Come on, come on, keep filling up."
"Okay, but don't drink in such a hurry. Leave some for this old man. You can eat the side dishes and try Setsuno's cooking."