Chapter 11: Melk Cleaver

After chatting for a while, Zed led the two to his Saiseiya quarters within the Mother Tree.

"This is my regeneration center. Smaller than Master Yosaku's, but plenty of space. I don't take public commissions, so it stays empty."

Zed pushed open the polished oak door, revealing a pristine, sunlit room. Shelves lined with labeled vials of seeds and regeneration serums gleamed under crystal lamps. The air smelled faintly of antiseptic herbs, a stark contrast to Yosaku's chaotic workspace.

"Why's yours so… clean?" Hisako blurted, recalling Yosaku's blood-splattered walls and cluttered floors.

"Master's methods are… vigorous," Zed said diplomatically. "He prioritizes speed over finesse. Tosses patients, hurls tools—leaves marks. I prefer precision."

Erina eyed a surgical table spotless enough to eat from. "Vigorous is an understatement."

"Get settled first." Zed gestured to adjoining rooms. "Then we'll shop for essentials—and your Melk Knives."

Healing Country Market

The market buzzed with vendors hawking Healing Logs, Detox Berries, and live Scale Chickens. Zed navigated the crowd, Erina and Hisako trailing like wide-eyed tourists.

At the Melk Emporium, Erina gaped at knives displayed like weapons: serrated blades, cleavers longer than her arm, a jagged dagger glowing faintly blue.

"These are… kitchen knives?"

"Melk Knives," Zed said. "Forged from Star Metal and Galala Crocodile fangs. The low-tier ones"—he pointed to a modest 12-inch blade—"can slice boulders like tofu."

Hisako paled. "And the high-tier?"

Zed nodded to a three-meter monstrosity hung on the wall. "That? Split a mountain with a flick. Too dangerous for you now."

Erina gingerly touched a mid-tier knife's hilt. "Why such extremes?"

"Ingredients here aren't chickens and carrots," Zed said. "You'll face Shell Turtles with armor harder than steel. A blunt knife gets you killed."

Choosing Blades

Zed selected two compact Melk Cleavers—Capture Level 5, their edges humming with latent sharpness.

"Start with these. Grip like so—" He adjusted Erina's fingers. "—and never point the blade inward. One slip, and you'll lose a hand."

Hisako gulped. "Maybe we should stick to spoons…"

"You'll adapt," Zed said firmly. "As my partners, you'll handle Capture Level 30+ ingredients soon. These knives are your lifelines."

The shopkeeper, a wizened man with Gourmet Cell-enhanced eyes, chuckled. "Smart lad. Last week, a rookie chef tried a Level 20 cleaver. Sliced his workstation—and the floor—in half."

Erina's God Tongue tingled, not with flavor, but foreboding.

Return to the Regeneration Center

Back in Zed's immaculate quarters, Hisako stared at her cleaver like a live bomb. "What if I sneeze while chopping?"

"You'll decapitate a Rainbow Radish," Zed deadpanned. "Practice on soft ingredients first. Marshmelon, Jellyfish Cucumbers—anything that won't fight back."

Erina tested her blade on a practice log. It sank through the wood without resistance, leaving a paper-thin cut. "Incredible… and terrifying."

"Welcome to the Gourmet World," Zed said. "Where even a carrot can kill you."