New Function Unlocked
"Ding-dong!"
"Successfully signed in."
"Ding-dong!"
"Congratulations to the host for obtaining an opportunity to upgrade and renovate the tavern. Would you like to use it now?"
"Use it immediately."
Rewinding time a bit, after closing the tavern for the day, Zane followed his usual routine and checked in with the system. This time, the reward surprised him—a chance to upgrade and renovate the current tavern.
"Ding-dong!"
"According to the host's wishes, the tavern will now undergo an upgrade. This upgrade will take 24 hours, during which the tavern will be closed. Please halt operations for one day!"
"Ding-dong."
"Congratulations to the host for achieving the milestone of 10,000 orders since the tavern's opening."
"Ding-dong."
"The food store is now open, and the trading feature is unlocked."
"From now on, the host can use food coins to purchase anything you desire from the food store."
"Please note that there are two ways to obtain food coins: completing various tasks issued by the system or through the sign-in feature."
"Hmm?"
"A store? Trading feature?"
The system's announcement left Zane both puzzled and ecstatic. Since arriving in the world of *Shokugeki no Soma*, he had rapidly improved his overall skills with the system's help. However, he had accumulated food coins through the sign-in feature that he couldn't use until now.
These coins were a mystery until now, but it turns out they are a form of virtual currency used in the system's store for purchases.
...
Excited, Zane mentally accessed the food store. Currently, the store had only the "Ingredients" category, but it was further divided into dozens of subcategories, such as staples, meats, fish, beans, eggs, fruits, dairy, vegetables, oils, and more.
This meant Zane could now use his coins to purchase any ingredient from the food store. Considering the rapid growth of the tavern's business, the daily consumption of ingredients had become enormous. While he had briefly collaborated with Ikumi for beef supplies and occasionally received ingredients from the system, he often had to buy additional produce from the local markets.
Now, with the food store and trading feature, the supply problem seemed perfectly resolved.
...
Additionally, like the sign-in feature, there was a "Special" option under the ingredient category. Out of curiosity, Zane clicked on it, discovering that the special ingredients were from the world of *Toriko*, filled with fantastic and rare foods! Ingredients like bananas with a thick milk flavor, rainbow-glowing fruits, chocolate-flavored pinecones, and apples that tasted better the more frightened they were—all these bizarre ingredients from the original story could be purchased with food coins.
Of course, these special ingredients came with hefty price tags. However, one could also opt to buy seeds or young plants at a lower cost for cultivation.
"Interesting. Let's buy some..."
"Ding-dong, congratulations to the host for purchasing 10 Milk Banana seeds for 1,000 food coins. Remaining balance: 0!"
"Ding-dong, as this is the host's first time purchasing special ingredient seeds from the food store, the cultivation space feature is now unlocked. This space covers 50 square meters and can expand with more planting."
Milk Bananas, as the name suggests, are bananas with a milk flavor. They look like ordinary bananas from the outside, but once peeled, the inside is covered with rich, creamy milk, offering a dual taste of milk and banana. In the world of *Toriko*, these special ingredients sell for 50,000 yen each.
In short, Zane now had access to these fantasy ingredients from the *Toriko* universe, which would undoubtedly bring significant changes—possibly revolutionary ones—to this world.
"Ding-dong, the 10 Milk Banana seeds have been planted and will mature in 48 hours. Please remember to harvest them."
After planting the seeds in the cultivation space, Zane, exhausted, took a relaxing bath and went straight to bed.
...
As the stars twinkled in the galaxy, a unique light streaked across the sky—it was a comet, carrying mystery and the unknown. In a corner of this bustling city, a tavern housed a dish named "Comet Fried Rice," awaiting Mana's taste.
This fried rice was like a comet streaking across the night sky—brief yet unforgettable. Each grain of rice was enveloped in a rich sauce, shimmering like starlight. The minced shrimp and mushroom toppings on the rice resembled the comet's satellites, guarding the center of this delicious dish.
A single bite offered a rich and varied texture, much like the unexpected journey of a comet. The soft and elastic rice felt like it was dancing in the mouth, providing initial satisfaction. Then came the deep, aromatic flavors of spinach and bok choy, which permeated every grain of rice, adding a rich undertone. The carefully chosen toppings, such as the tender shrimp and rich mushrooms, combined with the fresh vegetables, created a layered taste experience!
"Mm~"
"It's just as I remembered," Mana said with a satisfied expression.
Perhaps it was her longing for Zane's cooking or the fact that Erina had been in Hokkaido recently, but Mana found herself visiting the tavern more frequently.
"Was it you who encouraged Tokiyama to come last night?" Zane asked softly, placing a cup of sake before Mana.
"As expected, I couldn't hide it from you. Yes, I asked those two late-night chefs to come," Mana admitted, continuing to eat the Comet Fried Rice. She glanced at Zane with her eyes, saying, "A person who wants to die often shows signs of despair, helplessness, worthlessness, fatigue, sluggishness, and loss of appetite."
"And I wanted to prove something through you—that food has the power to heal, to comfort, to counsel, and even to give hope!"
"And?"
"You did it," Mana finally smiled.
...
Food truly can comfort the soul. If you take someone who wants to end their life to a fresh produce market, the sight of vibrant, fresh vegetables can inspire a sense of life's vitality, lifting their spirits and making them reconsider.
When someone feels lonely, they don't need much, just a well-stocked refrigerator. With enough food, they can keep themselves warm and comforted during cold and lonely times, evoking distant memories through the flavors they savor.
"Ding-dong."
"Congratulations to the host, the special ingredient Milk Bananas have matured and are ready for harvest."
"Ding-dong."
"Host, would you like to harvest the Milk Bananas?"
As the atmosphere settled, the system's voice suddenly sounded in Zane's mind.
"Matured already?"
"Let's harvest them right away!"
Zane clicked the virtual "Harvest" button, successfully collecting ten Milk Bananas.
...
In the world of *Toriko*, many master chefs possess gourmet cells. These cells, derived from Phantom Jellyfish, are more active than typical cells, allowing humans implanted with them to enhance their bodily functions. Consuming fantasy ingredients can even trigger evolution.
In other words, to taste fantasy ingredients, humans need gourmet cells, as some of these ingredients possess immense power or size. Without gourmet cells, consuming them might cause humans to burst apart!
However, according to Zane, the special ingredients sold in the system's store could be tasted by anyone without the need for gourmet cells.
...
Zane then took out a Milk Banana. As soon as he did, a strange phenomenon occurred in the tavern. The Milk Banana emitted a dazzling light, brightening the entire room as if it were daytime. The light quickly faded, but the phenomenon caught Mana, Sonoka, and Taki's attention.
Soon, a sweet aroma filled the tavern, making even Zane's mouth water!
"Gasp!"
"This... this is..."
...
At this moment, Mana, with her God's Tongue ability, sensed the unusual nature of the Milk Banana. It felt mysterious and extraordinary, surpassing any ingredient she had ever encountered in this world. Meanwhile, Sonoka and Taki couldn't help but inhale the enticing aroma.
The three women found themselves captivated by the fantasy ingredient, unable to resist its allure.
"Mana, this is a unique ingredient I cultivated myself," Zane explained, holding the Milk Banana in front of her. "As you've smelled, the inside of this banana is coated with rich, creamy milk. Just one bite, and I guarantee even your God's Tongue will be deeply impressed by this fantasy ingredient!"
"Ah..."
"Indeed, I can feel its amazing aroma!" Mana said, her eyes gleaming like jewels, fixated on the Milk Banana. She couldn't help but lick her lips, eager to taste it.
"Do you want it?"
"Yes!"
"Do you want it?"
"Yes!"
Finally, Mana couldn't resist any longer. She snatched the Milk Banana from Zane's hand and peeled it herself.
...
"Ah..."
She took a big bite, immediately feeling her tongue come alive with the complex flavors of the Milk Banana.
Boom.
With a burst of flavor, Mana felt her mind explode in awe. She hurriedly chewed, fearing the special ingredient would slip away from her mouth.
As she chewed, the rich flavors of the Milk Banana intensified, overwhelming her God's Tongue with their deliciousness.
"Oh my!"
"What... what kind of divine ingredient is this?"
"Milk?"
"Banana?"
"No, no, no, it's milk and banana?"
"No, that's not right either!"
"The milk flavor is so rich, it's like my entire being is melting away. And the banana's taste is just as strong. The combination is... I can't even describe it!"
Gradually, Mana found herself completely immersed in the delight of the Milk Banana. As the banana entered her mouth, she felt like she had been transported to a heavenly
realm.
The rich milk!
The sweet banana!
Even with her God's Tongue, Mana felt an indescribable sweetness, just a single bite enough to drive anyone wild.
"How is it?"
"What do you think of this ingredient?"
"Amazing!"
"Absolutely amazing!"
"I dare say, if this ingredient hits the market, it will revolutionize the entire culinary world," Mana praised, thoroughly captivated.
Hearing Mana's praise for the Milk Banana, Zane couldn't help but feel overjoyed. It seemed this special ingredient's impact was as potent and astounding as the dishes from the world of *Cooking Master Boy*, perhaps even greater!
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