“Great-grandma.”

As the courtyard gate was pushed open, Ron immediately saw Linne seated in a wheelchair, with a middle-aged woman standing beside her.

“You’re here,” Linne greeted with a warm smile. “Sit.”

“Yes, Great-grandma.” Ron and Alice sat across from Linne at the table.

On the table was a pot of tea with a very distinctive aroma. As the scent flowed into their nostrils, it gave off a sense of clarity that seeped into the heart, refreshing and invigorating the senses.

After a brief round of small talk, Linne said, “Ron, stay here for a while. Alice, come with me to the kitchen and help out.”

“Okay, Great-grandma.” Alice followed behind Linne as the two entered the kitchen. The middle-aged woman walked to the entrance and stood watch.

Linne’s residence was similar to an estate, and Ron noticed that many of the surrounding objects were inscribed with divine characters—far more than what he had seen at the Zoldyck estate.

“Does this mean Linne has mastered more divine characters than the Zoldyck family? Or perhaps her control over them is simply superior?” Ron was quite interested in divine characters, as it essentially meant gaining another method of application—something all Nen users valued. The more tools at one’s disposal, the better.

…………….

“Alice, how have you been getting along with Ron?”

“Getting along?” Alice repeated.

“I mean, what do you think of Ron?”

“Ron is quite impressive,” Alice answered after thinking for a moment. “His strength is immense, and his talent is very high.”

She paused slightly.

“Back then, as you know, I was born and raised in Gourmet Paradise, growing up under your guidance, and among my peers, I rarely saw anyone who performed better than me—whether in culinary skill or in Nen training…”

“Ron is the first person I’ve met who’s stronger than I am.”

“Was it your suggestion to go after Barkslong, or Ron’s?”

“It was Ron’s.” Alice continued, “I know just how strong Barkslong is, but the gap between the strength I originally estimated for Ron and his actual ability was much wider than expected. When he defeated Barkslong, I had the distinct feeling that Ron wasn’t even using his full power.”

Linne raised her eyebrows slightly. “He beat Barkslong without going all out?”

“Yes. From beginning to end, Ron remained calm, confident in every move.”

“Looks like I also underestimated him,” Linne said, glancing back toward the courtyard. “My old friend truly has an exceptional junior. No wonder he could defeat part of the Fallen Ones—or perhaps even more than just part. It’s likely Ron has taken down additional members of the Fallen Ones without saying anything.”

“And the rest of the Fallen Ones certainly won’t sit by if their own are being killed by Ron.”

“Seems I can call back the team I sent to track the remaining ones.”

Linne looked toward Alice with a smile. “Alice, you don’t regret your contract with Ron, do you?”

“Not at all.” Alice shook her head. “Ron is probably the best contract partner I could ever hope to find.”

“And what about your future together? You know, most contracts between chefs and freelance Gourmet Hunters end up becoming marriages. Only a few are exceptions,” Linne said.

Alice’s cheeks flushed. “I don’t know yet… Grandma, why do you always tease me like this?”

“All right, all right, I’ll stop.” Linne waved her hand but then grew serious. “But Alice, seriously—given how outstanding Ron is, there will certainly be no shortage of women around him in the future. If you make your decision, you need to be proactive.”

“Grandma, you’re doing it again…”

Alice’s face reddened even more, though she hadn’t truly dismissed the thought. On the contrary, back in Secret Food Realm No. 4, during the fight against Barkslong, her relationship with Ron had already progressed. Barkslong had a powerful ability that released a thick wave of alcohol just before its death, instantly enveloping the entire area. Ron and Alice, caught inside it, couldn’t have avoided its effects. The alcohol carried Barkslong’s aura, and as she recalled the scene, Alice felt her body heating up involuntarily.

……………..

Ron looked at the crystal orb before him. After tasting dishes from the World Zone, fighting the Fallen Ones, observing the Moon Institute’s transfer exams and the Elite Ten challenge, dining at several restaurants in the Graduation Zone, and even participating in the council candidate trials—his progress had increased significantly.

Now, the progress had already reached ninety-six percent. Only a four-digit gap remained to full completion.

“Linne’s cooking will undoubtedly be extraordinary. The ingredients and the depth of flavor are incomparable. It will definitely provide a massive boost to my Gourmet Cells.”

“Once I taste her dishes, the progress of the Observer’s Intent will likely reach one hundred percent. I won’t even need to do anything else.”

“I wonder… what my eight Nen Beast will be.”

Before long, Alice returned from the kitchen, holding a tray with several covered dishes. After setting them down, she made two more trips until the table was fully laid out.

Linne rolled her wheelchair out. “Ron, sit.”

“Yes, Great-grandma.” Ron took his seat. Linne, propelled by aura, moved to the table as well. Alice sat beside her.

“Try my cooking. It’s been a while. I hope I won’t disappoint.”

Ron nodded. “With your skill, I’m sure it’ll be excellent.”

Saying that, he picked up his chopsticks. The moment the food entered his mouth, a warm current surged through his body. Ron couldn’t help but praise it in his heart—this truly was the most delicious food he had ever tasted. And the difference from all previous dishes he’d had was immense.

Even Alice’s cooking, which had used Barkslong as an ingredient, couldn’t compare. Linne’s culinary ability was certainly above Alice’s, and the ingredients she used were of a far higher grade than Barkslong.

Waves of warmth spread through Ron’s body as his Gourmet Cells received immense nourishment. Then, all of a sudden, Ron felt something change—as if some bottleneck had been broken through in his ability “Gourmet Cells.”

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

A wave of violent tremors surged through him.

————————————–

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