Gourmet Hunter - Chapter 324 (Patreon)

Chapter 324: Conditions

If Netero wanted, he could eliminate that enormous meatball in ten seconds, but the spreading toxic green smoke clearly didn't give him that chance.

Seeing the green smoke rolling in, Luo and Netero decisively avoided the danger.

It wasn't something that could be solved with brute force alone, nor did it have the designation of an "enemy."

Both moved swiftly, leaving the green smoke behind in an instant. But from afar, it was clear that the green smoke was spreading across the entire island.

Netero simply said, "Let's go back," and then moved swiftly in silence.

Several hours later, the two returned to the temporary camp and reunited with the others.

Looking toward the horizon, they could faintly see a green line. Although it wasn't very clear, Luo knew that the green smoke was devouring every inch of the island. If the smoke covered the entire island, the consequences would be dire.

"Is it resolved?" Linne asked, taking a few steps forward.

Netero scratched his cheek and said, "Sort of, the situation is a bit complicated." As he spoke, he glanced back at the green line on the horizon, his eyes serious. "In any case, let's leave the island first."

Reporting the island's situation and the limited information they had was all they could do. Although there was no evidence to confirm that the humanoid bandage creature was a product of the Dark Continent, Netero could only assume so for now.

It wouldn't be long before this place became a complete mess. Leaving it to the International Permit Bureau to handle was the best choice.

Netero didn't think for long before making his decision. Regardless of how far the toxic green smoke could spread, they had to leave the island immediately and report the situation. Then they could wash their hands of it.

Netero had come to Devil Island to deal with the Seiren Squad. Since that was resolved, everything else didn't matter.

Luo had come to Devil Island to rescue Sanbica, and that goal was achieved. Although they hadn't explored the underground ruins, the timing wasn't right, so they had to give up for now.

The group immediately prepared to leave.

Luo let the black cat return to the tattoo on his hand and then put True Master inside. Holding the Surprise Box, he and the others started their journey back.

They traveled in silence, and by the next evening, they returned to the port.

The previously seen bodies were now highly decomposed, emitting a piercing stench of rot.

They stepped over the corpses and headed towards the ship docked at the port. It was the one Netero had sailed alone, now their key transportation back.

Everyone boarded the ship, with Netero at the helm, and they slowly sailed away from the port.

Their decision to leave the island quickly was correct because the green smoke released by Void aimed to cover the entire island, turning it into a dead zone.

As for the giant meatball creature, if not for Dove's nen enhancing through death and changing its characteristics, it would have fallen to the green smoke immediately.

The number of creatures on the island was incalculable, a truly terrifying figure. However, in a few days, this rich ecosystem would completely disappear.

The ship sailed through the waves, moving further away from Devil Island.

Luo couldn't know what was happening on Devil Island at that moment. He sat on a bed in one of the ship's cabins, constantly tossing the Surprise Box in his hand.

Void had emerged from the underground ruins filled with corpses. Without a thorough exploration, the truth would never be known. However, going back would likely be very difficult.

Before heading to the bridge, Netero didn't mention the Surprise Box but told him that the island's situation would be handed over to the state for handling.

This meant that in the future, the biggest obstacle to returning to Devil Island wouldn't be Void but the state.

At that time, even without mentioning the impossibility of approval, the difficulty of sneaking onto the island would likely increase.

"As long as Sanbica is safe," Luo murmured to himself.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door.

Luo looked up at the door and said, "Come in."

The door opened, and Linne walked in, closing the door behind her.

"Linne."

Luo looked at Linne, placing the Surprise Box aside.

In terms of seniority, Luo's age was far below Linne's. He should have addressed her with respect, but at Linne's request, he called her by her name.

Linne walked over, grabbed a chair, placed it beside the bed, and sat down slowly.

She looked at Luo and got straight to the point, "At least five years, you have to stay by my side. That's the condition."

The condition that wasn't mentioned on Devil Island was now brought up.

"Stay by your side?" Luo asked, puzzled.

Linne nodded slightly and said, "I know you've already apprenticed under that little guy Biscuit, so I won't overstep. I just want you to stay with me because I don't want some things to just disappear."

"Do you understand? I won't take you as a disciple, but you can gain a lot from me. I can't say how precious it is, but it's my life's insights and achievements."

Her words distinguished between learning and gaining, clearly differentiating the relationship between master and disciple.

If Linne hadn't secretly entrusted something to Luo, it wouldn't be so easy for Luo. The formal master-disciple relationship should have been established, but not mentioning it now was to let Luo accept without any pressure.

Hearing Linne's words, Luo fell silent.

No formal master-disciple relationship, yet performing the duties of one. The key was that the elderly person in front of him was not a minor figure but one of the most experienced gourmet hunters in the Hunter Association, possibly one of the best in the world.

Rather than a condition, it was more like a great opportunity.

Not to mention anything else, just Linne's recipes alone were the most precious treasure for a gourmet hunter.

It was obvious, considering how long a lifetime is and the countless delicacies encountered, what would be the top-ranked delicacies in such a vast number?

Luo had no reason to refuse, but he didn't agree too quickly either.

"Can I bring someone along?"

After a moment, he asked.

He agreed to the condition but wanted to bring someone else too.

"Who?"

"Buhara."

...

The ship sailed on the sea for two days.

On this day, the sky was clear and cloudless. Luo and his companions gathered on the deck, preparing to fish for their meal.

They had all the necessary equipment: sunshades, deck chairs, and ice-cold drinks and beer on the table.

Luo held a simple-looking fishing rod. Instead of bait, he attached the black cat to the hook.

"Don't catch too small a fish," Luo reminded, holding the fishing rod.

"Got it, throw it already!" The black cat stared at the sea, very excited.

Hearing this, Luo swung the fishing rod hard, throwing the black cat into the sea. The black cat dived in and disappeared instantly.

Machi and the others watched with black lines on their heads.

Fishing with a cat?

"Luo, the rice is ready!"

Buhara walked out of the cabin, carrying an electric rice cooker with one hand.

Luo hadn't told Buhara about Linne's offer, so Buhara didn't know a great opportunity awaited him.

Learning from Linne was a dream come true for any gourmet hunter.

"Put it on the table."

Luo didn't look back, letting out the line to its full length, eyes fixed on the sea, hoping the black cat wouldn't catch some random fish.

Buhara placed the rice cooker down and then joined Luo and the others, watching Luo fish, eager to taste the "sushi" Luo mentioned.

In the captain's cabin, Netero watched the young people on the deck through the glass, sighing.

"Feeling old?" Linne glanced at him.

"Hoho, not at all, I'm still young," Netero said seriously.

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