Zephyr stood at the edge of the forest, his gaze sweeping across the area that had abruptly appeared within the Dungeon, as if it were a world independent of the underground.
It was very familiar. However, compared to the place he had previously explored with Charles and the others, the forest area before him was clearly more vast, and it didn't have those ubiquitous Gourmet Creatures.
The forest before him—with its layered tree crowns and intricate thickets—was visibly more ecologically complete to the naked eye. Likewise, a more complex ecological environment meant that the dangers they would encounter would also increase.
'Hmm... At the very least, we'll be able to encounter Gourmet Creatures.' Zephyr calculated silently in his mind.
He then turned his head to look at the bewildered Anya and explained, "Anya, your luck is truly good."
Upon hearing this for a second time from Zephyr, the confusion in Lefiya's heart was finally confirmed.
It was definitely not the 18th floor, it was highly likely due to the unique nature of Zephyr's skill.
Was this the final result?
Moreover, as an elf, she was naturally more attuned to the natural environment.
She tilted her head slightly, her gaze fixed on the dense forest ahead that seemed to have no end. She could clearly feel that the surrounding vegetation lacked that peculiar, chilling aura of the Dungeon.
"Huh?"
Even with the answer, Anya remained confused. She looked around the strange environment, clearly still failing to fully grasp the meaning of Zephyr's words, "Your luck is truly good."
"Anya's luck is very good, nya?"
"That goes without saying. Does Anya think this is the 18th Floor?"
As for the specific reason, Zephyr had no intention of explaining it in detail. After all, the existence of the system and the concepts of the Toriko world would be very difficult to understand, even if he were willing to explain them.
He didn't dwell on it, instead changing the subject, "But here, Anya, you will definitely be able to see special Gourmet Creatures."
Gourmet Creature.
Anya's brain was a little muddled. She couldn't quite figure out exactly what a Gourmet Creature was, but she soon guessed that it was very likely the monster she had been searching for so desperately, yet had never seen before.
Her eyes sparkled, and her tone was filled with irrepressible anticipation. "Yay! Let's explore this area quickly, nya."
"No problem." Zephyr didn't refuse.
However, he maintained a vigilant attitude toward this area at all times. They had encountered an abnormal situation right during the Monster Rex respawn window—anyone who didn't have nerves as thick as Anya's would basically be able to realize there was a problem.
Zephyr stopped using the bone-chopping knife borrowed from Loki and immediately switched to a short sword, which was more convenient for combat in a dense forest.
Lefiya gripped her staff tightly, while Lili took out the crossbow hidden in her cloak.
"Don't worry. Anya is a very powerful Adventurer, nya."
Then, following in Anya's footsteps, the party began their exploration of the forest maze.
Anya walked at the very front. She was fully focused, using the unique traits of the Cat Person race to pick up the subtle sounds coming from all directions in the depths of the dense forest.
Although she was not good at thinking things through, as a retired Level 4 Adventurer, her combat experience and stats remained.
Zephyr walked in the middle. He didn't hesitate to decisively activate his [Dynamic Vision] talent. The details in his field of vision were stretched to the limit.
He could only say that the forest's ecosystem was even richer than he had imagined. The beetles resting on the leaves with their frosted-texture shells, the unknown birds that were startled by their footsteps and suddenly darted away—all of this further confirmed his inner suspicions.
The Gourmet Creatures appearing here matched the descriptions of the low-level ingredient ecological zones in the Toriko world almost perfectly. Yet the more they matched, the more his inner vigilance tightened rather than relaxed.
Even if it was similar to a low-level ingredient ecological zone, the difference in worldviews meant that, within Orario, it could be considered an absolutely overwhelming threat.
Immediately after—
Snap!
A wet, heavy object dropped from the canopy above, landing squarely on Anya's face.
"Nya!"
The surroundings were far too novel, and the sudden attack caused her to shriek aloud.
Anya froze in place, her hair standing on end. She wasn't actually afraid of the bizarre-looking monsters in the Dungeon. Mollusks, however, were the exception. Especially those slimy, pungent-smelling creatures—the sensation of it clinging to her face and the wave of sharp, spicy odor completely blew away her sanity in an instant.
"Help me, nya!"
Anya sprang up on the spot, waving her hands frantically in an attempt to pull the monster off her face, but the moment she touched it, she lost all control of her balance. Anya stumbled, lunging toward Zephyr.
"Anya feels like she can't breathe, nya."
She girl was quite timid, which was typical for the Cat People in this other world. But when Anya lunged forward, the sheer physical power she possessed as a Lv. 4 Adventurer still hit Zephyr hard.
Then, he saw the palm-sized octopus clinging to her face. Its entire body was a green color, with eight tentacles suctioned onto Anya's cheeks. The surface of the octopus's body was slowly wriggling, likely because it was startled.
A substance resembling Wasabi was being continuously squeezed out. The odor was pungent, spicy, and had an incredibly sharp, penetrating quality.
At that moment, Zephyr's Strongest Gourmet Hunter System timely displayed a notification.
[Wasabi Octopus]
[Capture Level: 1]
[A natural seasoning octopus that roams the forest. Much like a common cuttlefish sprays ink, it can spray various seasonings from its mouth.]
Hmm... If he recalled correctly, this type of seasoning octopus, provided it wasn't a mature specimen, posed virtually no threat to Adventurers.
Looking at Anya who had lunged over and was clutching his arm, Zephyr wore a helpless expression.
Anya was gripping his arm tightly. Due to her excessive force, he could even faintly feel the softness pressing against his arm. But now was clearly not the time to dwell on such things.
He grabbed the octopus by its body, and pulled it straight off Anya's face.
Upon noticing the bristling cat girl, he reached out to smooth her hair while explaining in a relaxed tone, "Anya, it's just a normal octopus. It's fine."
The removed octopus didn't struggle in Zephyr's hand. Its tentacles wrapped around his arm, continuously spitting out the green wasabi from within its body.
"?"
Anya's vision gradually cleared. However, remembering that she had just lunged over and hugged Zephyr's arm, a blush spread across her face.
She let go of Zephyr's arm. She stepped back half a pace, pursing her lips.
Looking at the green octopus in Zephyr's hand, she gave it a strange look. "If Anya remembers correctly, octopuses are supposed to be from the sea, nya."
"Only in Melen can you buy fresh ones caught by the fishermen there."
The restaurant did occasionally sell seafood. Anya was naturally aware of this. As for her current stubbornness, it was purely she was trying to save some face.
Then, she looked at the surrounding forest environment, then back at the octopus in Zephyr's hand, her pupils filled with curiosity.
Something was wrong!