"What's all this about?"
Ye Chen looked utterly bewildered, unable to stop himself from muttering: "I was just casually saying things, could I really have scared it out of its wits?"
Then.
Staring at the Scare Apple in his hand.
Seeing it as if silently screaming, Ye Chen froze!
After a moment, he suddenly came to his senses, the corner of his mouth twitching uncontrollably, nearly laughing at the absurd scene.
"System, help me appraise this frightened Scare Apple—what level has it reached?"
As soon as he finished speaking.
A crisp electronic voice sounded in Ye Chen's mind:
"Ding dong!"
"After rigorous appraisal by this system, this Scare Apple has successfully reached level 15!"
"What? It's already level 15?"
Ye Chen's eyes widened in disbelief.
...
Generally speaking.
To make Scare Apples more delicious, people use various methods to frighten them, such as:
Throwing a bomb at it can raise its scare level to 3.
Machine gun and rocket launcher fire can reach level 4.
Hmm!
The maximum level for a Scare Apple is 100.
However, in the world of Toriko, no one has yet managed to max out a Scare Apple's level!
Now then, a Lv1 Scare Apple costs about 500,000 yen, and for each level increase, the value rises by 500,000 yen. That means:
Ye Chen's current Lv15 Scare Apple is worth...
7.5 million yen.
Considering that extreme violent methods like bombs can barely get a Scare Apple to level 3, while he only needed to say a few simple sentences to reach level 15.
This situation was indeed quite amusing.
But then.
In the original storyline.
There was the absurd scene where "Mr. Zombie" Zonga managed to produce a Lv80 apple just by using his foul stench.
So, thinking of that, Ye Chen felt relieved!
...
Bistrot
This is a type of restaurant originating from Paris, France.
Originally referring to small taverns offering affordable French home-style dishes, characterized by a casual, cozy atmosphere and the combination of food and wine, with core features including accessible prices, authentic cuisine, and a relaxed environment.
Nowadays.
With the passage of time.
Hundreds of bistrot-style restaurants are distributed throughout various neighborhoods in Paris.
These small establishments, rich in history and cultural heritage, represent the most popular aspect of French cuisine:
Without needing exorbitant prices, one can enjoy the finest parts of a French meal.
However.
Typical Parisian bistrots.
Are generally quite crowded, but that's not an issue when faced with delicious food.
If categorized by type, Ye Chen's small restaurant could barely be considered a Bistrot, but besides offering some home-style French dishes, he occasionally provides other foods to customers, such as:
Chinese roujiamo, mapo tofu, Japanese sushi, onigiri, Western hamburgers...
In short.
There aren't many rules here—eat whatever you want.
...
As night fell.
The Parisian night, adorned with neon lights, gained an added touch of romance and mystery.
On a street full of stories, Ye Chen's cozy little restaurant quietly welcomed its busiest hour.
Inside the shop.
Warm yellow light bathed every inch of the space.
The laughter of diners intertwined with the pleasant clinking of cutlery.
Just as the lively atmosphere reached its peak, the wooden door of the small restaurant gently swung open, letting in a breeze carrying a subtle chill.
Two elegant women stepped inside.
They instantly captured everyone's attention, including Ye Chen's!
One of them was Anne, the WGO executive who had approached Ye Chen at a banquet not long ago.
Now, Anne was deeply imprinted in Ye Chen's sight, wearing a well-tailored evening gown that couldn't conceal her noble grace, even in such a casual setting.
The other woman, carefully supported by Anne, was dressed in a traditional kimono.
Her presence.
Added a touch of classical charm to the modern urban night.
...
Upon closer look.
It was easy to notice.
This woman had a slender figure and a slightly pale complexion.
She gave Ye Chen a fragile, delicate impression, and even at this hour, an IV tube was connected to her hand, the drip bottle swaying gently with her steps, enhancing her vulnerable and pitiable aura.
Yet, despite her frail state, her bright eyes held a subtle resilience and determination!
Then.
Anne helped Nakiri Mana sit at the seat closest to the kitchen counter.
Next, Anne looked up and smiled at Ye Chen, saying, "Hi, Chef Ye, we meet again."
"Let me introduce you—this is Nakiri Mana, the sole special-class executive of our WGO Gourmet Organization. She heard about how you captivated all the guests with Jewel Meat at the Culinary Emperor International Gourmet Association headquarters banquet and couldn't help but feel admiration and curiosity."
"So… we made a special visit tonight."
"Hmm!"
"I've long heard of your reputation."
"Hello, I'm Ye Chen, the head chef of this small restaurant."
Hearing this, Ye Chen simply nodded, then proactively approached Nakiri Mana, slightly bowing and extending his hand to her.
Mana quickly reciprocated with a polite handshake and said, "So you're Ye Chen?"
"I heard that not long ago, you received the gold award in the Escoffier Junior Culinary Competition issued by the Culinary Emperor International Gourmet Association headquarters?"
"Heh, just an award—hardly worth mentioning!"
Ye Chen replied modestly.
"Auguste Escoffier, that olfactory and gustatory genius who started his culinary career at the age of 13, is hailed as the 'Culinary Emperor' in the gourmet nation of France."
"The award he established naturally carries immense prestige."
"So many prodigies consider it their life's greatest regret not to have won it!"
"Without a doubt."
"You… must now be a supernova across all of France."
"No, in the global culinary world."
Nakiri Mana smiled faintly, but her gaze never left Ye Chen, as if trying to uncover all his secrets.
"A supernova in the culinary world? You flatter me—I'm just a chef at a small restaurant."
Ye Chen replied with a smile.
He already understood clearly: this behind-the-scenes boss, possessing the God Tongue ability, had come with the sole purpose of coveting his Jewel Meat!
After all, the current Managi.
Her own anorexia has reached such a severe state...
That no delicacy prepared by any chef in the world can satisfy her anymore!
And the Fantasy Ingredients from another world, Toriko, undoubtedly made both Anne and her see hope for curing anorexia.