Gourmet Hunter (HxH Fanfic)

Law's reasons for participating in the Hunter Exam and subsequently withdrawing were tied to the Limitations and Vows of his Nen Ability, so Law did not want to reveal too much.

Instead, he briefly mentioned Buhara's situation and quickly used the excuse of preparing a meal to change the subject.

Sanbica and Meilin didn't know that the cloth bag Law carried around contained B-level ingredient. However, trusting in Law's culinary skills, they were genuinely looking forward to the meal.

Law walked into the kitchen, intending to prepare Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, a renowned dish from Fujian cuisine, using the Hand-Hand Bear's paw as the key ingredient. (T/N: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha_Jumps_Over_the_Wall)

Although there are some differences between the Hand-Hand Bear's paw and the bear's paws on Earth, Law feels that the Hand-Hand Bear's paw can be used as the unique centerpiece for the Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.

Buddha Jumps Over the Wall is famous in southern Fujian, often featured in banquet menus. It requires dozens of ingredients, with no strict hierarchy, and involves a complex cooking process. Its essence lies in the soup.

Due to time constraints, Law couldn't gather all the traditional ingredients and had to make do with what was available.

The dish is a combination of delicacies from land and sea, incorporating seafood, poultry, and more. Since Marvando was a coastal area, seafood was abundant.

In Meilin's kitchen, Law found dried scallops, shark fin, fish maw, and shiitake mushrooms. Along with the bear paw, he had five ingredients in total, enough to create a simplified version of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall.

Having tasted the bear paw itself, Law was confident that even with fewer ingredients, the dish would still turn out delicious. After all, no matter how many ingredients the pot contained, they couldn't overshadow the rich flavor of the bear paw.

Its unique essence alone was enough to produce a delectable soup.

With practiced efficiency, he prepared the ingredients, layered them in a ceramic pot, and poured in the broth he had carefully seasoned. Sealing the pot, he placed it in a steamer and set it to simmer for two hours.

Law initially planned to leave it to steam, but a sudden idea struck him and decided to stay.

Standing by the steamer, he released his Aura and enveloped the pot with a layer of Nen, ensuring an airtight seal for optimal flavor.

Two hours passed in the blink of an eye.

Law opened the steamer and white steam billowed out, but there was no fragrance at all.

"Good."

Law took out the clay pot, placed it on a tray with bowls and spoons, and carried it to the courtyard.

At this time, Sanbica and Meilin were still weaving fishing nets. When they saw Law coming out with the pot, they stopped what they were doing.

"What did you make?" Meilin looked at the pot with scrutiny.

"Something good."

Law replied vaguely and placed the tray on the small round table next to him.

Sanbica stared at the clay pot and blinked curiously.

Under their watchful gazes, Law dispelled the Aura enveloping the pot, untied the cloth wrapped around it, and opened the lid.

As soon as the lid came off, a rich fragrance filled the air, and the umami aroma spread from the pot, spreading throughout the courtyard in a blink of an eye and drifting to even farther places.

Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, which is also known as Fragrant Pot, is famed for its clear and flavorful soup. Its aroma is unparalleled, and the ingredients within are tender and savory without being greasy.

The intense aroma directly captured Sanbica and Meilin's attention, and their gazes were fixed on the pot's rich brown soup and its ingredients.

Law smiled slightly, ladling the soup and its contents into bowls for the two of them. He also served himself a bowl.

Although eating the bear paws will no longer increase his abilities, Law was still eager to savor the new flavor it brought to the dish.

Sanbica and Meilin each took a sip of the soup and squinted their eyes slightly. The delicious taste suddenly burst forth, and the hot soup warmed them from their throats to their stomachs, filling their bodies with comforting heat.

Ten minutes later, Law found himself sent back into the kitchen at the two's insistence to prepare another pot.

He brought a large amount of bear paw, so even if he created a few more bowls, the remaining amount will be enough for Machi and the others to eat when he takes it back to Meteor City.

Law has decided to set off back to Meteor City tomorrow. And before leaving, he planned to bring enough ingredients needed for Buddha Jumps Over the Wall so that he can make a complete version of Buddha Jumps Over the Wall for Machi and the others.

Another two hours passed, and another serving Buddha Jumps Over the Wall came out of the pot. It was given to Sanbica and Meilin, and they quickly finished it.

This time, Law did not snatch it from them. After eating this serving, the two of them were full and did not ask Law to make more.

"What is that translucent meat?" Although Meilin is an ordinary person, she had sharp observation skills and immediately noticed the difference in the bear paw.

Law said: "The paws of a Hand-Hand Bear."

After hearing this, Meilin and Sanbica were both stunned.

"You actually managed to hunt down a B-level ingredient?" The one who spoke was not Sanbica, but Merlin, whose eyes widened with surprise. She knew about the Hand-Hand Bear, but she had never seen one before. But now, she had actually eaten it without realizing it.

"Yeah, it took some effort." Law nodded.

Hunting the Hand-Hand Bear was no easy task for Law, and without the unique properties of God Hand, he might not have even been able to pierce its defenses.

"This is a B-level ingredient, and you just gave it away like that?" Meilin glanced at the empty pot that didn't even have a drop of soup left. She was not an ordinary old woman who knew nothing. At least, she knew some information about B-level ingredients.

For Nen Users, B-grade ingredients are simply a delicacy worth pursuing, but for ordinary people, they are potent elixirs that could extend lifespan and vitality.

It is not an exaggeration to say this. The life energy contained in such ingredients is of unimaginable benefit to ordinary people. This is why the world's wealthiest people pursue high-level food ingredients so fervently.

"It's just a B-level ingredient." Law smiled and said casually, as if this B-level ingredient was something that could be bought anywhere in the vegetable market.

In fact, Law believed that given a few more years, not only B-level ingredients but even A-level ones would be easily within his reach.

'Just B-grade ingredients...?'

Meilin shook her head slightly. If such words had come from any other young person, they would have seemed arrogant. But from Law, they felt oddly fitting.

Even though Law seemed to regard B-level ingredients as not precious enough to keep for himself, his willingness to share them was far from something an average person could do.

Though their time together had been brief, Meilin found herself increasingly impressed by Law.

Meanwhile, Sanbica tidied up the bowls and utensils, carrying them to the kitchen. Once she finished cleaning up, she came back outside.

Law took the opportunity to ask about the beadwork. Before heading to the Amaromi Forest, he gave the purple pearl to Sanbica and asked her to help weave it.

When Law mentioned this matter, Sanbica silently retrieved out the woven purple pearl and handed it to Law.

Law took the pearl and examined it. It was now part of a necklace, and his eyes lit up slightly in admiration.

The necklace was woven with blue, white, and red threads into the shape of spread wings, with the purple pearl embedded in the center.

When Law gently pressed the pearl, it felt securely fastened.

"This is amazing, Sanbica." Law praised sincerely as he admired the uniquely styled necklace.

Sanbica gave a small nod, quietly accepting the compliment.

For a moment, she wondered who Law intended to give the pearl necklace to, but then she thought again and felt that this matter had little to do with her, so she gave up the idea of ​​asking.

Meilin watched the two quietly from the side. She understood that gifting beadwork symbolized blessings, but after thinking for some time, she decided not to tell Sanbica about it.

…

The next day, Law and Sanbica bid farewell to Meilin, left a portion of the bear paw behind, and left Marvando, setting out on the way back to Meteor City.

Without Law and Sanbica, the courtyard felt much quieter.

Meilin sat in her bamboo lounge chair, unusually idle, not working on her fishing nets. She gazed at the courtyard and sighed softly.

"I'm already so old, but I still feel lonely."

Meilin muttered to herself with a wry smile. If she could have a pair of grandchildren, they would be like Law and Sanbica, with the grandson being outspoken and confident, and the granddaughter being quiet and gentle.

"Linlin, I'm here to visit you!"

Suddenly, an old voice was heard outside the courtyard. Moments later, an old man with a full beard walked in.

If Law had been present, he would definitely recognize this person as the old captain of the Goddess.

The old captain was carrying a bottle of red wine, and he entered the house as if he owned the place.

However, Meilin seemed too lazy to pay attention to the old captain and didn't even bother to greet him.

"Linlin, there is a very capable candidate this year." The old captain was used to Meilin's attitude and didn't care, so he just found a topic to strike up a conversation.

Meilin looked at the old captain and suddenly said, "Unlimited potential."

"Huh?" The old captain was confused and couldn't understand.

"I know who the candidate you are talking about is. That comment is my evaluation of him."

"…"