Chapter 94

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Translated by Jinmu

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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“Uh?”

The surroundings completely stiffened at the shocking remark.

Because there was no one who could handle aged Kombu Mushrooms.

‘What are we supposed to do with this crazy ingredient!’

Eric’s resentment was not spat out as a voice.

Because if he breathes in even slightly wrong, the stench will enter his nose.

In a way, it was a reaction drawn out by survival instincts.

‘This… probably no one can do it right?’

He predicted the future looking at the competitors falling into a collapsing chaos.

If not even one person passes the screening, a variable arises.

Perhaps changing the ingredient and starting over…….

Chop- Chop-

At that time, the sound of a knife ringing the ears was heard.

Turning his gaze, those three people from earlier were continuing to cook.

An appearance without even the slightest hesitation or wavering.

‘These crazy…….’

Eric doubted his eyes.

They weren’t merely barely moving their bodies to force progression.

They are truly practicing ‘cooking’ in their own respective ways.

“Participant Avant-garde! He is mixing small fish and mushrooms together! The thing that went in together is… a medicinal herb!”

The host raised his voice around Avant-garde’s prep counter.

The judge who had been watching the cooking process also nodded his head and spoke.

“It is the Northern Region’s method. Depending on the type of medicinal herb, a great effect in reducing stench can be seen. It seems he used a strong medicinal herb to match the aged ingredient.”

Avant-garde, a streamer who travels to various places on the continent.

Even if it isn’t strange that he knows various recipes, he is responding flexibly even though the ingredient’s nature changed.

Fwooosh-!

While such a situation was occurring.

People shifted their gazes to Liwei’s prep counter where tremendous flames were spewing out.

“Wow…….”

“What, is he a real chef?”

“You said he’s the son of an incredibly huge traditional Chinese restaurant?”

Vanguard Liwei was using a large iron plate like a wok.

Just looking at the shape of the trimmed ingredients and the seasonings, it is a recipe fully preserving the characteristics of traditional Chinese food.

In particular, it could not even be guessed what went into the sauce he was making together with it.

“Participant Liwei utilizing outstanding techniques! This strong and spicy sauce’s scent seems to already stimulate the appetite! The mushroom’s stench doesn’t even come to mind!”

The host who smelled it raised his voice one level more excitedly.

That’s how violent the thick scent of the sauce drifting inside the competition venue was.

“The number of ingredients that went into the sauce is considerable. If not careful it becomes a messy taste, but it is a scent with very high completeness. The spicy spices used in some areas of the West were also used without being excessive. Coating it in a fire taste with strong firepower is also a good judgment.”

“…Ugh.”

The continuing good fights of the participants broke Eric’s heart.

However, an indignant emotion flared up greater than that broken heart.

Swoosh-

He, who wet a cloth with water, strongly blocked his nose.

He won’t taste it or anything.

Short but he shall entrust his body to the knowledge and senses he accumulated doing his best.

It’s truly nothing to lose.

Sizzle-!

The cooking match resumed along with determination.

What remained in the race were about 30 participants.

“Wow, what’s that again?”

“Isn’t that just an expert’s level?”

“He’s good at cooking too?”

People’s gazes headed to the main figure, Black Dragon.

A person possessing extraordinary knowledge thanks to reading RP’s original novel.

He wondered if that influenced cooking too, but his current appearance was completely outside expectations.

Chop- Chop-

Sizzle-

Eric naturally shifted his gaze even while focusing on his own work.

He was currently showing flowing movements just like an experienced chef.

‘Just what does that person do?’

The delicateness, speed, and strength handling the kitchen knife, not a single one was ordinary.

Even the moving paths were as natural as using the prep counter he used every single day.

The hand movements handling the utensils.

The ability to control the fire.

Everything drew Eric’s gaze.

“Uh? That is a Snow Mountain Wild Boar’s liver! I don’t know where he got that!”

The host watching Black Dragon discovered a very special ingredient.

A part possessing an intense texture and scent to the extent of swallowing up the taste of passing ingredients.

The vivid scarlet light and smooth surface were informing that it was top-grade quality even among them.

“He brought something precious. It is a considerably difficult food ingredient to handle, and tricky in both cooking and combining. The appearance of cooking seems like he has placed his body in it for a considerably long period of time though……. I’m getting curious what kind of food will be completed.”

The judge also seemed genuinely surprised.

Sizzle-

Black Dragon calmly focusing on cooking even amidst the surrounding gazes.

The drifting atmosphere felt like a master who truly went through all sorts of hardships.

‘Damn it.’

The gap felt increasingly bigger.

Even amidst such a vortex of emotions, Eric gritted his teeth tightly.

Right now, he has no choice but to continue cooking with all his might.

When 30 minutes passed like that.

“Now, it’s wrapped up! Participants please take your hands off!”

The given time concluded along with the host’s voice.

Everyone’s food was placed on their respective plates.

“Then let’s begin.”

The judge who had been watching the flow continuously rose from his seat.

He slowly shifted his steps to the prep counters.

The first was the participant who was closest.

“Is it a stir-fry.”

The judge holding the plate meticulously examined the food.

And after a moment.

Swish-!

He threw the plate he was holding in his hand to the side.

“It is 0 points.”

“No, why did my cooking……!”

The participant who opened his eyes wide shouted as if it was unfair.

The judge narrowed his eyes as if looking at a bug.

“Did you think the mushroom’s stench would be buried by pouring oil? It’d only taste like chewing rubber submerged in slop.”

Swish-

He moved prep counters along with his sharp evaluation.

However, the evaluation contents did not change much.

“Do you know how to distinguish between salt and sugar? It’s to the extent I wouldn’t even want to give it to my enemy. It is 0 points.”

“Thanks to the undercooked noodles it was an extra layer of disgusting. It’s trash that even a starving monster would turn away from. It is 0 points.”

“It’s not even funny. Did you mistake coming to a playing house competition venue? It is 0 points.”

Participants crashing down receiving string of 0 points.

That hell continued until 4 participants remained.

“Hmm.”

Next turn was Avant-garde.

The judge similarly holding the plate observed the food attentively.

“You certainly devised the usage of medicinal herbs well.”

He slowly nodded his head.

Then scooping a bit of food with a spoon, brought it to his mouth.

“Mmm.”

The judge closing his eyes and slowly savoring the taste.

After a moment, he put down the spoon and spoke.

“The attempt was good, but the excessively strong scent of the medicinal herb swallowed up the mushroom’s flavor. It would be better to agonize over the combination a little more. It is 5 points.”

“As expected, was that so. It is a shame.”

Avant-garde nodded his head and accepted the cold-hearted evaluation.

It was due to not properly responding to the aged ingredient.

Step-

The judge shifted his steps and stood in front of Eric.

“Hmm.”

A gaze examining the food looking down silently.

The judge holding a spoon rummaged through the plate and examined the contents.

“It seems you have the basics, but your mind was urgent.”

“……!”

Eric opened his eyes wide at the evaluation that seemed to pierce through him.

The feeling of being hit on the mark brought about more shame than expected.

“An excellent dish is not completed with just the basics. It seems an understanding of the ingredient is necessary. It is 2 points.”

Swish-

The judge who left a review moved to the prep counter next to it.

“Hmm.”

The judge held Liwei’s plate and examined the food.

If there was a different point it was time.

Unlike the previous two people, he was investing 3 times the long time.

“It certainly is different.”

Only then did the judge take his gaze away and nod his head.

He holding a spoon scooped the food and brought it to his mouth.

Slurp-

The judge savoring the taste while slightly munching.

He who closed his eyes for a moment and opened them slowly put down his plate.

“It was a dish where the goal could be clearly seen. The skill is also no less than an experienced chef. The sauce, spices, and fire taste were quite harmonious.”

The favorably started review was dealt with in detail.

However, the evaluation did not end there.

“Even with good harmony, what’s important in the end is what kind of feeling you give to the person eating it. The advantages of Kombu Mushroom are taste and texture. There was a need to revive this more. It would have been good if you changed the recipe slightly lighter. It is 8 points.”

“It’s a shame, but it’s my best. I have no regrets.”

Even at that evaluation, Liwei straightened his shoulders.

Because it was truly a result from doing his best.

The judge turned his body and headed to the last participant.

“Mmm?”

He who stopped in front of the prep counter looked down at the plate with a puzzled expression.

The judge who lowered his upper body asked Black Dragon.

“What did you make?”

“It’s a steak made with Kombu Mushroom and Snow Mountain Wild Boar’s liver. Because when the two food ingredients meet, they create a texture like soft meat.”

“…Hmm. Did you know that.”

He who nodded his head tilted his upper body close to the plate.

The scent savored while slowly bringing his face close.

It didn’t take as long as Liwei, but the reason was clear.

Because he wanted to taste it quickly.

Slice-

He holding a fork and knife carefully sliced the steak.

It was a soft yet bouncy touch.

Sssk-

The judge who picked up a large piece brought it into his mouth a little quickly.

And the moment the texture of the moist steak touched his tongue.

“……!”

Opening his eyes wide, he was dyed in astonishment.

Munch-

Every time he moved his mouth, the judge’s expression changed.

Happiness, surprise, shock.

The face changing too quickly evoked curiosity.

Gulp-

‘Just how delicious is it?’

Just watching the screening made one curious about the taste of that steak.

The judge who continued tasting with an ecstatic expression.

At some point, there was no food left on the plate.

“Ha.”

He smacked his lips as if it was a shame.

The judge who looked at the empty plate for a moment raised his gaze and looked at Black Dragon.

“It is excellent. It is to the extent I want to learn the recipe.”

A screening contained in a sincere voice.

He continued words close to admiration.

“The accurate roasting made to be able to supplement each other’s texture. From the chewed mushroom and liver, a savory taste exactly like meat juice flowed out. Not just perfect up to the unique sauce and roasted vegetables supporting it, it was a taste close to an ideal.”

“Thank you. What is the score?”

“Of course it is 10 points. I’m just sad that the score I can give is only that. If you come to the Royal Capital, by all means drop by my restaurant please.”

The judge detached a small brooch from his chest and handed it to Black Dragon.

And turning his body, left the competition venue.

“Uh…….”

The host who had been watching the situation looked at the judge’s back figure.

When he finally disappeared from the field of vision, he raised his voice again.

“The winner is Black Dragon! He is Black Dragon who received 10 out of 10 points!”