Chapter 152: Returning to the Human World
Time began to accelerate.
Like a galloping horse, two years passed in a flash.
"It's about time, Atashino."
"We should head back to the Human World. Toriko and the others should be about to start capturing Acacia's Full Course Menu."
Kenji stretched lazily. For the past two years, he had spent most of his time in the Forest of Appetite, fighting beasts. His aura had been tempered to be exceptionally sharp, and he now radiated a deep, unfathomable pressure. He had grown stronger. Destroying the planet beneath his feet was no longer a major issue. Even without any buffs, below the level of the Eight Kings, he could call himself invincible and claim to be undefeated.
The sheer size of the Forest of Appetite on the Deer King's back was ridiculous. Even after two years, he hadn't achieved a 100% exploration rate. The highest-level beast he had encountered was an Original Species Devil Orochi, which had reached a level of over 5000. Kenji had fought it, but he hadn't killed it directly. All those beasts could be considered the subjects of the Deer King, Sky Deer. If he had killed them all, he probably would have had to face the Deer King directly at some point during these two years. They had no grudge against each other, so there was no need to fight the Deer King head-on.
The meat course, News, had already been captured by Kenji. However, without eating the fish course, Another, one could not taste the flavor of News, and the probability of comprehending the Back Channel ability was low. But that didn't stop him from capturing it in advance. As for the Back Channel itself, Kenji didn't need it. The Power of Ohma was much more useful.
"Two years have passed in a flash. It really went by fast," Atashino couldn't help but sigh. For the past two years, Kenji had been responsible for capturing beasts, and she had been responsible for cooking. Although it was simple, she never felt bored.
"Compared to Master Jiro and Grandmaster Setsuno, we're just little kids in terms of age," Kenji laughed.
Atashino nodded. They certainly couldn't compare their ages to those people.
"Lotta, you've grown so tall these past two years."
Kenji looked at his partner. Lotta's height was now approaching fifty meters. The Battle Wolf King Guinness was only fifty-five meters tall. Although strength wasn't related to height, Lotta's aura was not weak; it was probably around Level 5000. Only in the Gourmet World could a Battle Wolf's growth rate reach its peak.
AWOOO—
Lotta responded with a howl. By following Kenji, he always had meat to eat, which was why he had grown so quickly.
"I feel like Icy's aura is very close to the strength of the Eight Kings now," Atashino said, stroking the Cryophoenix's crystal-blue feathers.
"Perhaps that's the magic of Nirvana. It can return to its peak very quickly."
Kenji could also feel it. Icy's aura was even stronger than Lotta's. After all, there was only one Cryophoenix on Earth, whereas Lotta was not the only Battle Wolf.
At Kenji's house, Saber Alter was wrapped in a blanket, watching anime on TV, surrounded by a mountain of junk food. The "Comforter King" attribute had been retained by her Alter form. Over the past two years, Kenji had returned several times, and each time he was left speechless. Saber Alter had strayed further and further down the path of the shut-in.
"Kenji, you're back," Saber Alter said as a habitual greeting, then immediately went back to her business.
Iron Claw!
Kenji reached out his large hand and grabbed Saber Alter's head, instantly overpowering her.
"Ow, ow, ow! What are you doing?!" Saber Alter yelped in pain. This person's grip was so strong; was he even human?
She was lifted up like a prize from a claw machine.
"It's time to exercise. Otherwise, I'm cutting off your supply of fast food (junk food)!" Kenji decided he couldn't let Saber Alter continue like this. She had to start exercising.
"What is there to exercise for?" Saber Alter said, bored, letting Kenji hold her by the head.
"How about a passionate Excalibur clash with King Arthur?" Kenji asked.
"Oh? That, I can do." The corner of Saber Alter's mouth curved upwards into a cold, beautiful arc. No one wanted to have a clash with Artoria more than her.
[Star Forger]: @Ahoge King Lia, Saber Alter says she wants to have a 1v1 duel with you.
[Ahoge King]: Fine. Let her come. I also want to have a good spar with my other self.
Artoria's eyebrow rose. She hadn't expected this Saber Alter to have such an idea. Hmph, then let's see who the real King Arthur is.
[Gudako]: Lia, it's not because you're envious that Saber Alter gets to eat and drink well in Kenji's world, so you're going to be rough on her, right?
[Ahoge King]: It's not like that. That's slander.
[Galactic Baseballer]: Fighting yourself... feels so classic.
"Otouto, let's fight!" Stelle said, looking at Caelus. The battle between siblings was about to begin.
Caelus looked at Stelle, speechless. She was being weird again. Back on the Xianzhou, this girl had dived straight into Phantylia's massive chest, making the Nameless completely famous on the Luofu. Although, Phantylia was indeed very large.
[Miss Pink Elf♪]: @Lady Justice Fufu, how many walls have you built now?
[Furina]: Thirty-something, I think. I just build them when I have nothing else to do. Teyvat isn't too big, so it's not too tiring. I'll continue to build more later.
[Star Forger]: Aren't you being a little too cautious?
Furina was being insanely cautious. Even an Emanator would have to expend a great deal of effort and time to break through these multi-layered, non-temporary crystal walls. Anyone from the outside who wanted to enter Teyvat would probably be dumbfounded.
Kenji and Atashino arrived at Setsuno's Diner. Setsuno and Jiro were both there. For them, every day was retirement.
"You've grown a lot. It won't be long before we're surpassed," Jiro said with a gratified expression.
"Fighting with those beasts on the Deer King's back... you really do get stronger quickly." Jiro nodded, then said seriously, "You've come back this time to prepare to capture Acacia's Full Course Menu, right?"
"That's right. I've already captured the salad, AIR, and the meat course, News. The main dish, GOD, should be maturing and appearing soon," Kenji nodded.
"Hohoho, Toriko and the others have also spent the last two years adapting to the environment of the Gourmet World. I imagine they're ready to capture Acacia's Full Course," Setsuno said with a laugh.
"By the way, has Uncle Midora caught Joie yet?" Kenji asked.
"No. Unless Joie reveals himself, his Food Luck allows him to hide very well. But when GOD appears, Joie will definitely show up," Jiro shook his head. The power of Food Luck was magical. If one also knew how to use it, they would be invincible until their luck ran out. Joie's own strength was so-so; any one of the three brothers could easily thrash him. He was too weak. Joie, have you brought enough Life Orbs?
"Master, this is a gift for you," Kenji said, taking out a large piece of meat from his dimensional space.
"The meat of an Emperor Land Shark. It's been a while since I've had this," Jiro said with a laugh. This was an ingredient from his own Full Course Menu. He didn't usually eat from his own menu, except for the Doham Spring Sake.
"Setsu-chan, could you please cook this Emperor Land Shark?"
Setsuno nodded. This was also an ingredient from her Full Course Menu. The two of them shared their menus.
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