"What arrogance!" the Blue Ogre Dorry snorted, two jets of white steam blasting from his massive nostrils. "Isn't human cooking just adding some salt and grilling it? How different can it be?"
In the simple worldview of an Elbaf warrior, food was a source of strength. As long as it was cooked and edible, that was enough. Flavor was not a major consideration.
"In that case, how about we make a bet?" It was Rocks who spoke up. Loving a good spectacle, he walked over to Ren's side with a grin and patted his small shoulder. "Let my Head Chef work his magic on that burnt piece of meat of yours. If you think it tastes better than your own grilling, we win."
"And what if we think there's no difference?" Brogy asked.
"Then we'll get off this island immediately and leave all the rum on our ship for you," Rocks declared magnanimously.
"And if you win?" Dorry pressed.
Rocks grinned, showing a mouth full of white teeth, his smile filled with a natural, wild arrogance. "Then you have to admit that everything you've eaten in the past has been garbage. And, for the duration of our hunt on this island, you two will be our guides."
The wager was dripping with provocation.
Dorry and Brogy looked at each other, seeing the same emotions in the other's eyes: absurdity, and a flicker of piqued curiosity.
"Fine! We have a deal!" Brogy slammed the huge, mostly uneaten piece of burnt Sea King meat into the ground with a dull thud. "Alright, little one, show us what you've got with this!"
Gatz and Dolum grew a little nervous; the stakes were high. Only Silver remained silent, leaning against a tree. He had faith in Ren.
Ren walked up to the piece of meat, which was taller than he was, and touched it with his small hand. The outside was completely carbonized, hard as rock, but there was still warmth inside. It was salvageable.
"Gatz, help me move this closer to the fire. Silver, find some large, clean leaves. Dolum, use your axe to shave me some thin, long wooden skewers." Ren began to issue commands methodically.
The three immediately sprang into action.
First, Ren directed Gatz to place the meat back over the fire, but at a distance, using the residual heat to let the inside continue to cook. Next, he took out his own kitchen knife. With a series of flashes, he precisely carved off the thick, fully carbonized outer layer, which came off with a crackling sound. This display of precise knife work made the two watching giants let out a surprised "Ooh."
After removing the charred exterior, the dark brown flesh underneath was revealed. While it still didn't look appetizing, at least it was no longer a lump of charcoal. Ren used the skewers Dolum had made to poke countless tiny holes in the meat. Then, with his back to the others, the jade-like Endless Spice Bottle appeared in his palm again.
Papaya enzyme to tenderize the meat, a high-proof alcohol essence to remove the fishy taste, sea salt crystals to awaken the umami of deep-sea fish, and... a hint of rosemary to rouse the dormant taste buds.
An almost transparent liquid, mixed with nearly invisible crystals and powders, was silently flicked from Ren's fingers, evenly coating the surface of the meat and seeping in through the small holes. After this, Ren used the giant leaves Silver had found to wrap the entire piece of meat tightly, like a giant green dumpling. He then pushed it back to the edge of the bonfire and buried it in hot ash for a final, slow bake.
The entire process was fluid and rhythmic, lending an artistic touch to what was once a crude, wild cooking session. The two giants watched, stunned. They had never imagined that preparing a piece of meat could be so complex.
About ten minutes later, Ren raked away the hot ash and unwrapped the leaves.
The moment the leaves were opened, an unprecedented and aggressive aroma exploded outwards!
It wasn't just the smell of meat, but a complex, multi-layered fragrance. The unique, powerful umami of the Sea King had been thoroughly awakened by some mysterious force and perfectly fused with a fresh, herbal aroma. Intertwined within was a faint hint of wine and spices that landed like a heavy punch on everyone's olfactory nerves.
"Wh-what is that smell?!" Brogy's eyes were as wide as bronze bells, his massive Adam's apple bobbing up and down.
Dorry's saliva was already streaming uncontrollably from the corner of his mouth, forming a small waterfall. Gatz was even more dramatic, clutching his stomach and looking like he was about to roll on the ground in ecstasy. "Ah! That's the Head Chef's smell! It's the smell of heaven!"
With a blank expression, Ren used his knife to cut the slow-baked meat into several thick slices. The meat was now completely transformed. Its surface was an alluring caramel color, while the inside was moist, plump, and pinkish-white. The muscle fibers were clearly visible, steaming and exuding a fatal temptation.
Ren handed the largest piece to Brogy and another to Dorry.
The two giants hesitantly took the slices of meat, which were barely a mouthful for them. Looking at the glistening sheen of oil and inhaling the aroma that made their very souls tremble, they finally couldn't resist. They opened their huge mouths and swallowed it in one bite.
The moment the meat entered their mouths, both giants froze completely. Their eyes shot open to their absolute limit.
It was a texture they had never experienced before. The meat, instead of becoming dry and tough from being reheated, was exceptionally tender and smooth. With the slightest pressure from their teeth, the rich juices burst forth, and the perfectly awakened, ultimate umami flavor washed over their taste buds like a tidal wave. The char, the wine, the herbal freshness—the flavors unfolded in layers, finally transforming into a warm current that slid down their throats and into their stomachs, like a bolt of lightning that shattered the world of taste that had been dormant for so many years.
"Ooooh..."
"Uuuungh..."
The two towering giants were now like two children who had just tasted candy for the first time, letting out incoherent moans. Two streams of tears rolled down Brogy's weathered face, each drop hitting the ground like a small stone.
"This taste... it reminds me of Elbaf... of the sea beast stew my mother used to make..." he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.
Dorry was in no better state. He kept his eyes tightly shut, his huge body trembling slightly as he savored the brief but ultimate delicacy. After a long moment, he opened his eyes and looked at Ren. His expression was a complex mixture of shock, shame, and a sliver of genuine... awe.
"We... lost," Dorry's voice was hoarse.
Brogy nodded heavily. He looked at his own hand, which had held the now-eaten slice, then at the mangled, charred remains they had been gnawing on before. For the first time, a look of disgust crossed his face.
"What we've been eating for the past hundred years... it really was all garbage!"
Rocks threw his head back and laughed, the sound echoing across the clearing. "Hahahaha! It seems my Head Chef has gained two more loyal fans."
Ren showed no hint of pride. He simply glanced at the remains of the Sea King and then turned his gaze toward the dangerous depths of the primeval jungle.
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