Rebirth in HxH World With Gardevoir

Chapter 21 – Disbelief

Larry, looking completely unfazed, gave a nod. “Yep. Meet Gengar, my other Nen beast. It can store things inside its body without any issues.” Larry explained casually.“Ge-ngar! Gen-gar!” Gengar chimed in, sticking out its tongue playfully. It seemed every Gengar shared a love for pranks.

Menchi’s cheeks flushed slightly as she murmured under her breath, “So cute...” But soon, another thought struck her, and she pointed at Gengar in shock. “Wait! You’re telling me it can store things without any issues?!” Her sudden outburst startled a nearby sand tapir resting on a dune. It lazily scratched its round belly, glanced at them for a moment, then rolled over and went back to sleep.

Larry blinked, confused by Menchi’s continued surprise. “Uh... yeah?”

What followed was a masterclass in facial expressions. Menchi's face cycled rapidly through joy, envy, and finally frustration—reminding Larry of the time he watched Pies, the casino owner, pull the same stunt back in town. “What’s wrong?” Larry asked, curious about her reaction.

Menchi let out a long sigh and, with a faint smile, explained. As one of the top Gourmet Hunters, Menchi prided herself on her culinary expertise and Nen abilities. Her unique ability, "Menchi’s Kitchen," allowed her to materialize a full set of kitchen tools wherever she went, giving her a huge advantage over other Gourmet Hunters.

However, no matter how skilled she was, there was a universal challenge that all Gourmet Hunters faced—ingredient preservation. Freshness was everything. The quality of an ingredient deteriorated over time, and for someone with her refined tastes, using anything less than the freshest catch was unacceptable.

Unfortunately, most Gourmet Hunters had to work deep in the wilderness, far from civilization, and couldn’t exactly carry a massive refrigerator around. Space-based Nen abilities, which allowed the storage of items in a separate dimension, were incredibly rare. Most hunters, even seasoned ones, had never even encountered such an ability.

Larry listened attentively, and a particular Nen user from the Chimera Ant arc crossed his mind—Knov, with his ability "4th-Dimensional Apartment," which allowed him to store both people and objects with ease.

Menchi’s expression showed a mix of excitement and resignation. She was thrilled to have met someone with such an ability, but also frustrated that she didn't possess it herself. Realizing she had lost her composure, Menchi quickly regained her usual demeanor, though her eyes lingered on Gengar with a hint of longing.

"Gengar..." Gengar, sensing the intense gaze, retreated behind Larry, peeking out with only half of its face showing. It tugged on Larry’s sleeve, whispering softly, “Ge... Ge-Ngar?”

Larry burst out laughing, wiping tears from his eyes. “Hahaha! No, no, Gengar. She’s just amazed by your ability.”

Menchi, realizing the misunderstanding, gave Gengar a playful glare. “I wouldn’t eat you, you little prankster!”

Larry grinned. “Hey, if you ever need help with ingredient storage in the future, just let me know. But in return… you have to let me try whatever you make.”

Menchi’s eyes sparkled with gratitude, and she nodded eagerly. “Deal!”

At that moment, she felt like she had struck gold. Larry, with his unique abilities, felt like an endless treasure trove of surprises. As the night settled in, Menchi prepared a meal with rare desert ingredients she had collected throughout their journey. The dishes were extraordinary—crispy belly meat of the Sandworm King, the sweet juice of the once-a-year fruit from the Sand Tree, and an array of flavorful side dishes unique to Gordeau Desert.

However, what truly caught Larry’s attention wasn’t the exotic dishes themselves, but a small bowl of sauce placed in the center of the table. Curious, he picked up a piece of sandworm meat, dipped it lightly into the sauce, and took a bite.

The chewy texture of the meat combined with the sauce’s rich, umami-packed layers exploded in his mouth. The depth of flavor was on another level. Larry chewed thoughtfully. “This... this sauce is made from seafood, isn’t it? It’s incredibly complex—there are so many ingredients blended into it.”

Menchi’s eyes lit up with excitement. “Exactly! This sauce is made from the essence of five C-rank and four B-rank ocean ingredients. I call it ‘Ultimate Freshness.’”

Larry took another bite, savoring the incredible combination. The desert’s dry and somewhat bland ingredients were completely transformed with the sauce, turning them into a mouthwatering delicacy. It was a perfect harmony of flavors—the sandworm meat, which could become tiresome on its own, was elevated to an entirely new level when paired with the sauce.

Larry nodded in appreciation. “This... this is why you’re a Gourmet Hunter.”each you Nen?” Menchi asked, curiosity written all over her face.