Chapter 51: Delicious
Menchi almost choken on air. She had only ever heard of Red Volcanic Salt—this was her first time seeing it in person. Even the small amount in Larry's bottle was worth a fortune. And he was acting like it wasn't enough?! She was speechless.
Meanwhile, the aroma from the roasting wild boar was intensifying. The rich, smoky fragrance spread through the entire venue, catching the attention of a particular someone Buhara. Still seated on the stage, instinctively wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth. His massive frame shifted forward slightly. He didn't even realize he was moving closer until he was standing right next to Larry, staring at the roasting boar with hungry eyes.
As the roast reached its final stage, Larry glanced at Menchi. She immediately understood. Spreading her hands, she materialized several plates. These weren't just ordinary plates. They were crafted with Aura, designed to preserve the flavor of high-quality dishes.
Normally, a simple roast wouldn't require this level of care. But this wasn't just any roast. With the addition of Red Volcanic Salt, this wild boar had transformed into an elite-level delicacy. A dish so refined, even most Gourmet Hunters had never tasted anything like it. Excellent food deserved excellent presentation.
As the dish was plated, Buhara finally spoke. "Mr. Larry, your cooking looks amazing. You turned a normal wild boar into something incredible." His words were filled with admiration. But his constant swallowing and the way he kept inching closer made it obvious, He was desperate to taste it.
Larry chuckled, noticing the struggle on Buhara's face. "Alright, Buhara. You can stop with the compliments," he said, smirking. "There's a portion for you, don't worry."
Buhara immediately lit up. "Hahaha! Thank you, Larry!" Rubbing his round belly, he laughed in pure joy.
Just as Buhara received his plate, the other candidates began returning. They had finally managed to hunt down the Rabid Pigs, having figured out their weak points. But the moment they stepped back into the venue, They were hit with an overwhelming scent.
A rich, intoxicating fragrance flooded their senses, stopping them in their tracks, all eyes instinctively turned toward Larry's roasted whole pig.
Even Bodoro, the wrestler who had been loudly complaining earlier, was now gulping down his saliva, his eyes locked onto the golden, glistening meat in front of Larry. He wasn't alone. Almost every single candidate in the venue had stopped paying attention to their own dishes. Instead, they were all staring at Larry's masterpiece.
For a moment, it was as if they were under the control of a powerful manipulator-type Nen user. Their expressions? A mix of hunger, longing, and pure despair. But Larry, Menchi, and Buhara paid them no mind. They simply focused on enjoying the meal.
The Great Stamp Boar that Gardevoir had retrieved was considered large even for its kind. Even after setting aside a generous portion for Buhara, there was still plenty left for Menchi and Larry. Buhara, his huge hands clutching his plate, was visibly struggling to control his overwhelming appetite. The wisps of meaty fragrance danced in the air like playful spirits, teasing him mercilessly. Finally, he snapped. Lifting the massive plate, he opened his mouth—much larger than an average person's—and devoured every last bite in a single go.
The moment the meat hit his tongue, Buhara's half-closed, sleepy-looking eyes suddenly widened. His entire body shuddered. Not out of fear, But because— It was TOO delicious!
Beneath the crispy golden skin was tender, juicy pork. The moment Buhara bit into it, the hot, fragrant juices exploded in his mouth. And with each bite, the power of Red Volcanic Salt activated, A wave of warmth surged through his body, as if he were soaking in the volcanic hot springs of Mount Kira'Zan.
Every single nerve in his body seemed to awaken, tingling with pure satisfaction. The unique properties of Red Volcanic Salt made it the perfect seasoning for roasted meat— And with the Great Stamp Boar's natural flavors, the combination had been elevated to an entirely new level. One bite. That was all it took for Buhara's body to break out in a delighted shiver. His every muscle, every cell, was celebrating the meal. "DELICIOUS!!!" His booming voice erupted across the entire venue like a war cry. It was so loud that even Satotz, who was secretly watching from the trees, nearly fell from his perch in shock.
For the candidates closest to Buhara, the sudden thunderous shout jolted them back to reality. 'Right. This was still the Hunter Exam!' They still needed to complete their own dishes! But for many of them, that realization came too late. They had spent so much time watching Larry's dish, captivated by its impossible aroma, that they had completely neglected their own cooking. Now, in a frantic panic, they rushed to finish But most of their dishes had already been ruined.
While the rest of the candidates scrambled, Larry and Menchi continued to savor their meal. Unlike Buhara's explosive reaction, the two were more subtle—but just as deeply affected. Each bite of the perfectly roasted meat sent a wave of warmth through their bodies. Their cheeks flushed slightly under the effects of the volcanic salt, and their Aura flow subtly accelerated—As if they were standing before an erupting volcano.
They ate piece after piece, savoring each bite. And before they even realized it Their plates were empty. Meanwhile, Buhara had already finished his share long ago. He sat stunned, his expression blank—as if he were still reliving the experience in his mind. Then, with absolute confidence, Menchi picked up her approval sign. "I officially declare—" she said, smirking, "You've passed."
Buhara, nodding enthusiastically, held up his own sign. "Perfect score!" he declared. He wished there were a higher rating he could give—because 'passing' didn't feel like enough to describe Larry's dish.
As time ticked by, more candidates rushed back with their own versions of roasted whole pigs. But the results were… disappointing. Leorio, who had been so eager to finish quickly, stared in horror at the charred-black mess sitting in front of him. His face was just as dark as the meat. "How?! HOW?!" Gripping his head in despair, he howled at the sky. "How the hell did it burn so fast?!"
His mistake? He had been too impatient. Wanting to finish quickly, he had blasted the fire at max heat, thinking it would cook faster. Instead, it completely incinerated the outside, while the inside was still raw and dripping blood. And he wasn't the only one. Dozens of other candidates made the same mistake, all of them standing over their ruined meals in silent devastation.