Chapter 52 - Gourmet Hunter

Any reward suggestions? Something simple for now.

Also, any suggestions for new members?

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Within the dense jungle place where people would not even hope to venture was currently being explored by two people. One was an extremely muscular and exceptionally tall 25-year-old man with somewhat messy blue neck-length hair. He has three scars running from his left ear to just under his left eye which he was born with. He has strong, angular facial features and somewhat catlike eyes.

Another was a short, thin, and light-skinned young man with short black hair, large black eyes, and a rather wide nose with large nostrils. He wears khaki shirts and pants.

"Wait…I sense some people." The muscular man, Toriko, is a person who works as a Gourmet Hunter Gourmet Hunters where they are specialized in the acquisition of High-Level Ingredients.

Due to the difficulties inherent in securing certain ingredients, many have trained their abilities to superhuman levels, some of them even possessing Gourmet Cells to do so. Be it unusual displays of strength, phenomenal speed, or unrivaled endurance, these hunters are known for their capacity to surpass any normal, armed human being.

While brute force may be the status quo, there are some known for using Knocking and other peaceful methods of collecting their quarry. Many gourmet hunters have artificial immunities to poisons by injecting themselves with a solution made from poisonous plants and animal venom over a period of time: this creates various antibodies.

Most of these individuals are generally for hire, taking varying fees in exchange for the retrieval of ingredients that would be inaccessible to the contractor under common circumstances. Many of the world's most notable and influential individuals are or were Gourmet Hunters during their life.

"W-What do you mean!?" The other person, Komatsu, is the Head Chef working for a Five Star restaurant in Hotel Gourmet, a hotel owned by the prestigious IGO.

"People but…" Toriko tense sensing something dangerous unsure who could it be counting around 4 people with one exuding a horrifying and dangerous aura that he wondered if they are people or not.

He guarded Komatsu who was anxious wondering what could make him tense up and moments later saw four people come out of the trees with one man and three women. Komatsu was confused why Toriko was afraid when he couldn't tell anything dangerous from them looking at each of them and only saw that it was strange how good looking they were.

Toriko on the other hand felt that he would die if he fought them, especially the man who was staring at him almost like looking at an ant.

"Who are you? Are you here to capture some ingredients?"

He questioned them and despite how carefree he is, he is able to know when things could get out of hand or not. Toriko noticed that the woman with honey blonde hair was a chef based on the aroma coming off her hands but was confused since the ingredients were rather unique not because they were good but rather because it was basic almost below any ingredients that he had before.

"No need to be tense. We're simply here to hunt some Galala Gator." His tone was friendly but Toriko still held his guard up.

"Really!? We're also here to hunt a Galala Gator! Maybe we can help each other to make it easier!?" Komatsu is obviously aware of the danger that the man pose who smiled at his suggestion.

"That would be great. Right, let me introduce myself, I'm Erix Khan." He said walking towards Toriko holding out his hand and the latter took a moment before relaxing and shaking his hands.

"Toriko. You're quite strong yet why haven't I known about you?" Toriko was one of the Four Heavenly Kings, it is the name commonly given to the group formed by Toriko and his three other friends. They all are incredibly powerful Gourmet Hunters who were trained since childhood by the IGO president.

Despite the presence of stronger and more experienced individuals than the kings existing, what truly makes the Four Heavenly Kings the most idolized and recognized Gourmet Hunters of their generation is the countless achievements they have made in the field of gourmet hunting by discovering countless new ingredients, with just one of their members having discovered over 6,000 kinds of new ingredients.

In addition, Toriko has a lot of connections and people that can give him information going around the world yet he doesn't have a clue who this young man was which makes him feel tense.

"Hi, I'm Komatsu, it's nice to meet you."

"Same here, my name is Jean Grey."

"Just call me Raven."

"My name is Erina Nakiri." She was almost tempted to mention her family name but recalled that it doesn't have any meaning in another world where her reputation doesn't mean anything.

Erina had brought some spices and other ingredients as well as tools for cooking the food that Erix stored in his inventory. She was curious how her skill will fare with otherworldly ingredients since her experience with the dishes that she made using what Erix gave was enlightening.

"Hey, Komatsu, are you sure you want us to cooperate with them? It would mean we have to share what we captured with them." Toriko commented that it made Komatsu pale and realized that he might lose the chances of getting what they need.

"Oh god! You're right!" He panicked and was embarrassed that he suggested it while Erix simply smiled.

"No worries, we simply need to kill it then take a few pounds then we can go out of our way." Erix doesn't need a lot and needed enough to analyze, then recreated their cells and he also devoured some of the nutrients within Toriko's body when they shook hands.

[ Gourmet Cells had been added. All weaknesses had been removed. ] Arryn announced that made Erix smirk seeing that he can further his strength by simply eating even though the [ Gluttonous King, Beelzebuth ] already does it for him doesn't hurt to have more power.

"Is that so? Then welcome aboard!" Toriko already forgot his initial fear since his main focus is getting the food and having a taste of it if he has a chance. Erix nodded as the group headed deeper searching for what was going to hunt and Toriko captured some Snake Frog that surprised Erina, Raven, and Jean Grey that it was a delicacy.

"Why are you surprised? Aren't you a chef, little girl?" Toriko was a bit confused why Erina acted as if it was her first time to see a Snake Frog.

"Wait, you're a chef as well?" Komatsu was surprised to hear someone else was a chef and Erina looked at him.

"Yes, my family came from a long line of chefs. Also, how did you know I was a chef?" Erina wasn't wearing anything that indicated that she was a chef.

"The smell of your hands contains a fragrant of ingredients but…it's really strange." Toriko was a bit suspicious of them, especially how they were unknown people despite their powerful aura except Erina.

"Strange? In what way?" Erina asked, worried that they might expose their otherworldly status.

"I've tasted many dishes and ingredients but your hands smell too…basic? It doesn't have any unique property that I can't describe. Tell me honestly, who are you people?" Toriko bluntly asked while Erina couldn't answer but Erix stepped forward to speak.

"It's classified information but trust me when I say we don't have any hidden agenda." Erix obviously lied considering he wanted to devour the godly food that the gourmet gods have but he won't do it when they can't stay for long. However, he locked the space and could visit next time when he gets the chance.

"...Alright. I won't force you. Anyway, this means it will be your first time tasting this then? It's quite the delicacy, especially the liver!" Toriko gleefully said as he captured a few more to share with them and made some bonfire to cook it. Jean looked around them as the monsters weren't attacking and merely looking at them and was a bit anxious.

"Don't worry, they won't attack since they know none of them can beat us." Erix reassured her while Erina saw Toriko skewer the Snake Frog and cooked it in open flames.

"Wait! Why are you cooking it on open flames? Won't the outer skin be burnt?" Erina asked, slightly disgusted at the thought of the food getting burnt.

"Hahaha of course not! It would soften the meat and cook it perfectly. If it gets char then that's a bonus as it balances out the deep flavor of the meat." Toriko saw that the people lacked common sense and Erina was a bit annoyed at his laughter but understood that she was ignorant of the things in this world.

"This world is something, I can sense some kind of demon from him similar to the gluttonous demon I've seen before." Raven whispered to Jean and Erix while Erina sat next to them.

"Is it really edible?" Jean looked at the Snake frog appearing alien to her and unsure if it would taste good.

"True, I'm hesitant to taste a good that isn't seasoned and cooked properly."

Erina thought it was rather barbaric to cook it in open flames. Cooking on a grill is different because they are bars that separate the meat from the heat and much easier to regulate heat but putting it in open flames would result in burnt food but Erina didn't think too much considering the world has different ways than her world.