Chapter 339

Haruto first unwrapped the lotus leaf from around the steak, releasing a rush of rich roasted meat mingled with the leaf’s clean fragrance.

After resting, the surface of the steak had cooled slightly, but the interior was still piping hot, with all of its juices perfectly retained.

Haruto took out a clean porcelain plate and began plating.

He spooned a portion of the pea purée his duplicate had prepared into the center of the plate, then swept the back of the spoon through it to create a smooth, natural curve.

The rested Red Nitro steak was placed just in front of the purée.

Its deep-brown seared crust stood in striking contrast to the vivid green peas, immediately making the dish look even more appetizing.

Haruto then spooned up some of the finished red-wine sauce and slowly poured it over the steak.

The thick, glossy sauce flowed down the sides of the meat in slow rivulets.

Finally, he arranged the chilled Water Radishes, crisp Finger Carrots, and fried arugula behind the steak.

Red, orange, and green came together in a vivid arrangement, making the finished dish look almost like a work of art.

The Red Wine Red Nitro Steak was complete.

A dazzling golden light flashed across the dish.

At the same moment, its aroma reached its peak.

The rich scent of meat, the mellow fragrance of red wine, the freshness of the vegetables, and the layered aromas of the various seasonings intertwined into something almost impossible to describe, a fragrance so enticing it seemed capable of reaching straight into the soul.

"Let’s eat."

Haruto pushed two plates toward Kagura and Kanna. Seeing the anticipation in their eyes, he smiled.

Then, unable to wait any longer himself, Haruto picked up his knife and fork and cut into his steak.

The blade passed through the crisp crust with a faint crackle.

Inside, the meat revealed a perfectly even pink center.

Rich, crystal-clear juices immediately welled from the cut surface, glistening temptingly beneath the light.

Haruto lifted the piece to his mouth.

The first flavor to bloom across his tongue was the deep richness of the red-wine sauce.

It was smooth and velvety, coating his palate as the intense savoriness of the Nitro meat blended perfectly with the wine’s fruitiness. Beneath that came the fragrance of Butter Grass and the concentrated aroma of the fried Crystal Garlic, every layer distinct yet perfectly harmonious.

Haruto bit down.

The crisp, deeply seared exterior contrasted beautifully with the tender, juicy meat within.

Juices burst across his tongue like a fountain, flooding his entire mouth with rich, sweet umami.

The Red Nitro meat was astonishingly tender. It barely needed to be chewed before melting away, leaving only an intense lingering savoriness behind.

A perfectly fried slice of Crystal Garlic shattered crisply between his teeth.

Its garlic aroma was rich without being harsh, carrying a faint natural sweetness that complemented the Nitro meat and added yet another layer to the dish.

Haruto followed it with a spoonful of pea purée.

The purée was delicate and creamy, almost dissolving the instant it touched his tongue. Its clean sweetness and faint milky richness perfectly cut through the steak’s heavier flavors, refreshing his palate for the next bite.

Then came a Water Radish.

It was crisp and juicy, with a faint peppery bite balanced by a clean sweetness that added another dimension to the meal.

The Finger Carrots were equally crisp, carrying a concentrated natural sweetness.

Finally, Haruto ate a leaf of fried arugula.

Its distinctive faint bitterness awakened his palate, making the next bite of steak taste even more vivid and impressive.

Bite after bite, different flavors and textures took turns unfolding across his tongue, contrasting and blending until they formed a perfect symphony of taste.

At last, Haruto’s knife cut through the final piece of Red Wine Red Nitro Steak with a pleasant, crisp sound.

Almost reluctantly, he lifted it into his mouth and chewed slowly.

After swallowing the last bite, Haruto set down his knife and fork and looked toward Kagura and Kanna across the table.

Both were now in an unusual state.

A healthy flush colored their cheeks, while visible white steam rose from their bodies as though they had just stepped out of a hot spring.

Their cells were clearly undergoing an intense transformation.

Haruto could distinctly sense the overwhelming appetite surging from within them like a tidal wave.

That pure, powerful hunger was one of the unmistakable signs of Gourmet Cells.

The Red Wine Red Nitro Steak had successfully planted the seeds of Gourmet Cells within Kagura and Kanna.

Haruto did not give them any more Nitro meat.

Using Nitro flesh to obtain Gourmet Cells worked incredibly quickly, but it also carried considerable danger.

Nitro were organisms composed almost entirely of Gourmet Cells, even purer in that regard than Gourmet Jellyfish.

Eating a small amount would trigger changes that remained within a manageable range.

But consuming too much at once could cause the Gourmet Cells inside the body to multiply explosively in a very short period of time, potentially producing severe and unpredictable mutations.

To avoid that, it was safer to sustain the transformation by feeding them other ingredients instead.

Haruto moved their plates aside and began continuously bringing out rare ingredients collected throughout the Gourmet World.

There were sweet strawberries as large as washbasins, Honey Bread glowing with golden light, Bread Tree Fruits roasted until they sizzled, and all kinds of grilled beast meat.

Soon, food was piled before Kagura and Kanna like a small mountain, filling the room with enticing aromas.

The two reacted almost entirely on instinct.

Their eyes became slightly unfocused as their hands reached toward the food of their own accord, and they began devouring everything at an astonishing pace.

It was the instinctive response of Gourmet Cells.

Replacing and rebuilding the body’s cells required enormous amounts of energy.

As more and more food disappeared into Kagura and Kanna’s stomachs, visible changes began spreading through their bodies.

Kagura’s already well-proportioned figure became more defined and graceful, her curves noticeably fuller.

Her slightly loose kimono now fit much more closely against her body, emphasizing the changes in her physique.

Her skin became fairer and finer, developing a pearl-like luster, while her long hair grew smoother and more glossy.

Kanna’s transformation was even more dramatic.

Her silver-white hair, which had originally reached only to her shoulders, now flowed all the way down to her waist.

She had also grown noticeably taller. Where she had once barely reached Kagura’s chest, she now stood close to shoulder height.

Some of the childish softness faded from her face, replaced by the clear, delicate beauty of a young girl.

At the same time, her naturally cool and distant aura became even stronger, giving her an almost unapproachable presence.

Even so, beside Kagura, Kanna still retained a certain younger-sister-like softness in her appearance.

Their eating speed was extraordinary.

In barely half an hour, the mountain of food had disappeared completely.

When Kanna swallowed the final piece of Bread Tree Fruit, the haze in both girls’ eyes gradually faded, and their awareness returned.

They first looked at each other in confusion, then lowered their gazes to examine their own bodies.

Kagura lightly moved her arms and legs, feeling the tremendous power surging through her, and immediately broke into a smile.

A trace of surprise appeared in Kanna’s eyes as well.

Then she silently compared herself with Kagura beside her and became slightly dejected again.

She was supposed to be the older sister.

"How do you feel?"

Haruto asked with a smile.

"Strong!"

Kagura excitedly swung a fist through the air.

"I feel like I could beat my old self with one punch."

"I kind of want Naraku to try taking one of these now."

Haruto stared at her with a speechless expression.

Surely awakening Gourmet Cells was not going to turn Kagura into a muscle-brained brawler.

Beside her, Kanna said nothing and simply nodded.

Afterward, Kagura and Kanna went to an open area inside the Gourmet Restaurant and began testing their new strength.

Kagura’s wind had become several times more powerful.

With a casual wave of her hand, a razor-sharp wind blade tore through the air and cleanly split a boulder weighing several tons in half.

Kanna’s changes were even more astonishing.

Her mirror could now temporarily replicate another person’s abilities.

When she pointed its surface at Kagura, an identical wind blade shot from the mirror a moment later, carrying power no weaker than Kagura’s original attack.

Their physical abilities had also improved across the board.

Strength, speed, endurance, recovery—every aspect had undergone a qualitative leap.

Kagura and Kanna spent the rest of the afternoon adjusting to their dramatically increased power and only barely managed to gain reasonable control over it by evening.

The next day, Haruto brought them out of the Gourmet Restaurant and returned to the Gourmet World.

With their newfound strength, Kagura and Kanna became even more helpful during the journey that followed.

And Haruto found himself increasingly glad that the two of them had chosen to stay.