Chapter 60: The Confused First Generation of Melk, Obtaining Melk Stardust

The Heavy Hole teemed with formidable beasts, the most infamous being Balbamoth and Scorpion Demon Cattle. Having thrived in the cave's harsh conditions for centuries, these creatures had fully adapted to its crushing gravitational forces. 

Balbamoth dominated the upper and middle layers, their Capture Level of 44 amplified by the environment. The air here shimmered faintly with residual energy from Gourmet Cells embedded in the cave walls, casting an eerie amber glow. 

Their territory ended abruptly at the lower layers, where even they faltered under intensified gravity. Intruders unprepared for this pressure would find their strength halved—a death sentence against Balbamoth' pack-hunting tactics. 

Deeper still lay the domain of the Scorpion Demon Cattle, boasting a Capture Level of 53, and that is just the cub's Capture Level. The lower depths groaned under gravitational forces that warped the very stone, veins of bioluminescent Skeleton Moss pulsing like fractured lightning across the walls. 

Here, even Balbamoth struggled, their power diminished below Level 40. Few could survive a clash with a Scorpion Demon Cattle in this hellscape—even warriors with Gourmet Cell levels exceeding 70 faced near-certain annihilation. 

Zed descended alone, carving through Balbamoth swarms with ease despite the mounting pressure. Soon, he reached the cave's nadir—20,000 meters below sea level. 

"Gravity's surpassed 100x," he muttered, muscles quivering as his Gourmet Cells flared in response. His breaths came labored, each inhale thick with metallic tang, while the stone beneath his boots crackled faintly under his weight. "This rivals the Regal Plateau's beast. The Eight Kings' domains must've warped beyond recognition too…" 

Though strained, Zed's Gourmet Cells adapted relentlessly. His Gourmet Demon, the Leader Slime, granted unparalleled environmental assimilation—a trait that now steadied his pounding heart and fortified his bones. 

Earlier, his heightened senses had pinpointed Melk Stardust, Ruby Crabs, and Scorpion Demon Cattle nests. Yet stealth proved futile against the First Generation Melk, a veteran of the Gourmet World. Sensing Zed's presence, the reclusive smith abandoned his forge to investigate. 

The two met in a cavern studded with crystalline growths. Frigid air prickled with static from nearby Electro Quartz, and distant drips echoed like timpani beats. 

"You're the First Generation Melk," Zed began, ignoring the smith's silent murmurs. "I'm Zed, Yosaku's apprentice. Melk II sent me." 

He relayed recent events and offered Melk II's letter. The smith's eyes widened, lips moving soundlessly until Zed snapped, "I can't hear you!" 

Melk gestured to a Scorpion Demon Cattle, which retrieved a fist-sized Amplifying Stone—a rare mineral harvested from Rock Condor vocal cords (Capture Level 27). The stone hummed faintly, its surface etched with spiral patterns that shimmered like liquid mercury. 

"Finally," Zed grumbled, "some volume." 

"Now you can hear me!" the First Generation Melk declared through the Amplifying Stone, his voice faint but discernible. 

Zed's eye twitched. The stone's power was legendary—Toriko himself had once used it to amplify a roar into a seismic shockwave. Yet here, it barely lifted the smith's whispers above a murmur. 

"Good enough," Zed nodded. 

"Thank you," the smith said, relief softening his stern features. "I hadn't realized… she couldn't hear me all this time…" His voice trailed off, heavy with regret. 

"Don't mention it. I'm getting a custom knife without a six-year wait. Fair trade." Zed grinned. 

"I'll prepare a reply letter. I'd return myself, but…" The First Generation Melk gestured to his forge, where half-formed blades glowed ominously. Sparks danced like fireflies around anvils forged from Regal Mammoth bone, their surfaces etched with Food Honor runes. 

"The 'air-cooking' knives can't wait. Without them, harvesting the legendary ingredients is impossible." 

"Understood. I also need Melk Stardust," Zed reminded him. 

"This way." 

They traversed a tunnel lined with Luminous Quartz, their footsteps echoing until they reached a cavern aglow with golden light. Melk Stardust clustered like crystalline constellations, their radiance piercing the gloom. The air hummed with mineral sweetness, each breath tingling like effervescent spice. 

"Take what you need," the smith offered. 

Zed's hand slashed vertically, unleashing a blade of compressed air that sheared off a dozen golden clusters. 

"Your Gourmet Cell level is exceptional," the smith observed. "And your Food Honor… It's unlike Shilin Temple's. You came to hone it here." 

"Master Jiro's suggestion," Zed confirmed. 

The smith's eyebrows rose. "His guidance is rare. Treasure it." 

As Zed stored the crystals via his Gourmet Demon's void-pocket ability, the smith gaped. "Where did they—?" 

"My Gourmet Demon's ability," Zed shrugged. The Gourmet Demon within him pulsed faintly, its amorphous form briefly visible as a shadowy ripple. 

"Remarkable! With that power in the Gourmet World…" The smith shook his head wistfully before leading Zed to his workshop. 

The cavernous space bristled with towering "kitchen knives"—gleaming monoliths taller than the Scorpion Demon Cattle, their edges sharp enough to split atoms. Though labeled failures for lacking air-cooking properties, each was a masterpiece. 

"Interested?" the smith asked, noticing Zed's scrutiny. 

"They're… excessive." Zed traced a blade's hilt, his fingers chilling against Frost Iron alloy. "But stunning." 

"Take some. They're useless here." The smith's tone turned grave. "But never wield them in battle. A Level 50 fool could slaughter Level 100 beasts with these. You'd learn nothing." 

Zed chuckled. "My fists suffice. These will be trophies." 

"Wise." The smith handed over a sealed letter. "Safe travels."