"A method to improve Food Luck..."
After collecting the Sea of Thorns, Zed began contemplating ways to enhance their Food Luck.
Though everyone's Food Luck was already formidable, for a chef, it was absolutely crucial. Many high-level ingredients required precise timing and instinct to hear their "ingredient voice" at just the right moment during cooking.
"Wait... Takeover Magic!"
A flash of inspiration struck Zed—Takeover Magic. Due to Mirajane's unique version, the ability had already been transformed into a calorie-based variant compatible with their bodies. Since all of them now shared similar Gourmet Cells and calorie composition, it was theoretically possible.
Previously, Zed and the others hadn't attempted to Taking over wild beasts from the outside world, thinking it unnecessary. After all, why bother with ordinary beasts when one could absorb the power of a Gourmet Demon?
But now, a new idea emerged: Taking over Gourmet Creatures.
Gourmet Creatures were exceptionally rare beings imbued with potent Food Luck. Only those who already possessed strong Food Luck could even encounter them.
One such example from the original world was the Lightning Phoenix—a thunderbird that resided within dense storm clouds. Its feathers could withstand extreme cold, raging winds, and lightning. Rumor had it that a wedding dress made from its feathers would bless the couple with eternal happiness.
Most importantly, only individuals with immense Food Luck could even see such a creature—Toriko and Komatsu had encountered it precisely because of that.
A creature like the Lightning Phoenix wasn't magical because of myth, but because its body was inherently saturated with Food Luck. Any clothing made from its feathers was similarly infused and thus blessed. If they could encounter such beings in the Gourmet World, perhaps Erina and the others could use Takeover Magic to absorb that Food Luck directly.
The idea was too compelling to ignore. Zed promptly shared his hypothesis with everyone.
"Food Luck creatures...? Using Takeover Magic to absorb their essence might actually work. But where would we even find such creatures?" Mirajane asked, intrigued. As the one most familiar with Takeover Magic, she found the concept technically feasible, but the challenge lay in locating the creatures.
"We leave that to Food Luck itself. Don't forget what I told you before—about the nature of Food Luck."
Zed's reminder made everyone's eyes light up in realization.
During their earlier travels, especially while on vacation, Rukia had studied extensively about the Gourmet World. She knew well that Food Luck could guide individuals to what they subconsciously desired—even making wishes come true in strange, miraculous ways.
Just like how they found their current transportation beast—a camping whale—through Food Luck. If Zed focused hard enough on wanting to meet a Gourmet Creature, Food Luck would guide them.
And so, they continued their journey.
Before long, they entered a dense fog. Visibility dropped to near-zero, forcing everyone to rely on soul perception.
"There are so many sunken ships here. Why?" Hisako asked, puzzled.
"This is one of the true entrances to the Gourmet World," Zed explained. "The sea here connects with the seas in the Human World. While the beasts don't leave this region, ships sometimes drift here by mistake. Because of the thick fog, they lose all sense of direction."
Even advanced warships from the Human World couldn't navigate this zone; it wasn't even covered by satellites anymore. Those who stumbled into this area often met grim fates—wrecked on rocks or devoured by sea beasts.
Over time, the place became a haunting "Harbor of Evil Spirits."
"Look at the sky—skeleton ships are flying!" Nakiri exclaimed.
"Don't worry," Zed said calmly. "Those are special phantasms of the Gourmet World. They're like food spirits, but different. More of a local phenomenon than actual threats."
The group had officially entered Yuto Island.
As they pressed onward, bizarre creatures began to appear. In the sky floated monsters with human-like faces. Meanwhile, the whale under their feet grew agitated and suddenly surged forward.
"Stop!" Zed shouted, striking the whale's head gently. It calmed down immediately.
"The creature ahead is called the Soy Milk Road. Capture Level close to 500. Its power lies in the hallucinogenic mist it releases. If inhaled, you'll suffer intense illusions and could even die within them. But since we're using soul perception, its mist is useless against us."
This enemy, while fearsome to normal adventurers, was essentially helpless against their team. Zed formed a ring of golden chopsticks using his soul energy and launched them in every direction. In moments, the Soy Milk Road creatures dropped from the air—paralyzed by the Knocking.
"Let's chop these things up. Their faces are way too... adult," Erina muttered, clearly disturbed by the creatures' uncanny human features—especially their middle-aged man faces.
Reluctantly, they sliced them into chunks and Zed stored the meat in his Gourmet Space.
Suddenly, a streak of golden lightning shot toward them and struck the ground nearby.
A strange figure emerged from the light.
"You're faster than I expected! Old Man Daruma contacted me right after receiving word from the IGO. I rushed here thinking I'd catch you before Yuto Island... but you're already on the island. And you've taken down the Soy Milk Road too?"
"Tengu Brunch?!" Erina and Hisako exclaimed together.
Although Brunch hailed from the Gourmet World, He had participated in the Human World's Gourmet Festival and ranked third among all chefs. As top chefs themselves, Erina and Hisako recognized him instantly.
"No need to introduce myself then. I'm Brunch, the guide sent from the Hex Food World. I'll escort you there."
Brunch climbed onto the back of the whale casually. Zed materialized a chair for her.
"Thanks. I'm Zed. And these are—"
"My partners," he added after brief introductions.
"Partners? All four of them?" Brunch was taken aback. The report from Daruma Hermit only mentioned one person entering the Gourmet World. The sight of Zed traveling with four beautiful women as companions was... impressive.
"Yup. All of them."
Brunch gave him a thumbs-up. "You're something else. By the way, that chair—where'd it come from?"
"It's part of a storage space inside my Gourmet Cells, thanks to the Gourmet Demon's ability."
"Convenient ability. Let's get moving—no need to waste time."
Though slightly envious, Brunch knew some powers, like Zed's, were simply unattainable to others—much like his own lightning.
They had barely resumed their journey when Zed's expression changed.
"Brunch, what's over there?" he asked, pointing to the right.
"Hmm? That direction... Oh, I remember now. The Horse King once passed through there when it was happy. There might still be traces left."
Brunch explained that such places were relatively safe and often contained abundant ingredients. One such area was even inhabited by Gourmet World natives who had built entire towns.
The Hex Food World itself was founded on one such spot—blessed by the Horse King. These zones were the safest places for humans in the Gourmet World.
"I have a strong feeling that something I need is over there," Zed said.
Brunch paused. He understood. Only those with exceptional Food Luck experienced such hunches.
"In that case, let's go."
They veered off course and soon arrived at a stunning sight: a lake as smooth as glass, surrounded by flower fields and countless ingredients.
"This is one of the places where the Horse King was happy. No rare ingredients here—but lots of safe, high-quality ones," Brunch said.
"I think what I'm looking for is in the lake... Let me check."
Zed spread his soul power into the lake and detected over a dozen enormous fish—ten to twenty meters long, glittering with rainbow colors.
Oddly, there were no other large creatures in the lake. That alone was suspicious.
"Brunch, do you know...?"
Zed described the fish to her.
"Seven-Colored Fish? Are you serious?! There are Seven-Colored Fish here?!"
Brunch's voice rose in surprise.
"Seven-Colored Fish? That's a fitting name. What do they do?" Zed asked, eyes gleaming. He could already feel it—these creatures pulsed with pure, vibrant Food Luck.