"Mr. Zed, what exactly is the Purple Thorn you mentioned earlier?"
After exchanging introductions, Erina and Hisako grew curious about Zed's earlier antidote.
"Purple Thorn—a carnivorous plant with no edible value. Its vines resemble barbed wire, blooming violet flowers. You were lucky. It had just digested prey and ignored you. Otherwise, it'd have entangled you both, injected paralytic toxins, and drained your nutrients over days." Zed explained casually. "Capture Level: 1."
"Carnivorous… plants?!" Hisako paled.
"You still don't grasp your situation," Zed said, tone hardening. "Based on your descriptions, you're not from this world. The places you've named—Totsuki, the Nakiri estate—they don't exist here."
"Not… our world?" Erina's voice wavered.
Zed summarized the Toriko universe: Gourmet Cells, ecological zones, organizations like Bishokukai and NEO. The girls' faces drained of color.
"Keep your origins secret. If Bishokukai or NEO learn of you…" He trailed off, withdrawing a palm-sized device.
A muffled thud echoed as Zed aimed it into the forest. Hundreds of meters away, a colossal tiger lay pinned by acupuncture darts.
"What is that?!" Hisako gasped.
"Portable acupuncture rifle. Saiseiya tool." Zed shrugged. "For pests like this."
The "pest" was a five-meter-long tiger with golden, noodle-like fur. Zed's calorie-chopsticks—condensed from Gourmet Cells—sliced its mane into ready-to-eat fried noodles.
"Chow Mein Tiger. Capture Level 3. Fur's the prize—tastes best fresh." He handed leaf-plates to the girls.
Erina's first bite triggered her God Tongue. Flavors exploded—umami, sweetness, texture perfection. No flaws. None.
"Impossible… My tongue can't detect a single imperfection!"
"Your 'God Tongue' evolved for your world's ingredients," Zed said. "Here, even Level 3 ingredients exceed its limits."
Hisako gaped at her plate. "Level 3… and you said that's low?!"
"In the Gourmet World, beasts exceed Level 100. But savor this—it's a good start."
As they ate, Zed detailed the hierarchy of ingredients. The girls listened, minds reeling, yet oddly… excited.