Chapter 84
Haruto studied the Man-Eating Plant fruits he had gathered and considered what to make for breakfast.
After a moment, he decided to take inspiration from the Man-Eating Plant tart Senshi had once prepared.
He selected several bright-red fruits slightly larger than apples and steamed them in a pot until tender.
Once the flesh had softened, Haruto carefully cut around each stem with his knife.
He gripped the stem, twisted it gently, and pulled, removing the seeds along with it.
He scooped the flesh into a bowl, then carefully trimmed the intact peels into small tart molds.
Next, Haruto combined flour and butter and kneaded them into pastry dough before setting it aside.
He added water, flour, and a measured amount of digestive fluid from the Man-Eating Plant flower to the bowl of fruit pulp, stirring continuously until the mixture became thick and smooth.
Once the diced fruit was folded in, the filling was complete.
Haruto pressed the pastry firmly into the fruit-peel molds, poured in the filling, and placed them in a pan to cook.
When the bases began to set and tiny bubbles appeared across the surface, he scattered the remaining diced fruit and several smaller Man-Eating Plant fruits over the top, then continued baking them slowly over low heat.
Before long, the filling had completely set, and an irresistible fragrance filled the tree hollow.
Several Man-Eating Plant fruit tarts emerged from the pan in perfect condition.
After removing the peel molds, Haruto was left with soft, golden tarts faintly colored by the fruit.
Their sweet fragrance carried an unusual but refreshing note.
He eagerly took a bite and was immediately astonished by the flavor.
Despite being a fruit tart, it possessed a faint saltiness that contrasted beautifully with the fruit’s natural sweetness.
Far from feeling out of place, it brought out the ingredients’ richness and created a complex, lingering finish.
Each type of fruit also had its own distinctive qualities.
The fruits of soil-feeding Man-Eating Plants were bursting with juice, sweet and refreshing without becoming cloying.
Those produced by digestive species had firm flesh and a richer, deeper flavor accompanied by a subtle savory note.
The fruits of parasitic varieties were soft and creamy, with a gentle sweetness and an excellent texture.
The different flavors blended together in every bite—sweet and savory, rich yet refreshing—instantly awakening Haruto’s morning appetite.
Delighted with the result, he finished every last tart.
After breakfast, Haruto enthusiastically resumed his search, specifically targeting the most vigorous Man-Eating Plants and harvesting their fruit.
...
Perhaps because the plants were so dangerous, ordinary adventurers avoided them whenever possible. Almost no one deliberately approached them merely to gather their fruit.
As a result, every plant Haruto encountered was covered in plump, ripe produce.
Naturally, he accepted all of it without hesitation.
Since he searched for fruit along the way, his pace slowed considerably.
He repeatedly stopped while crossing the suspension bridges, sometimes leaving the path entirely to raid another cluster of plants.
Haruto did not mind.
These ingredients were the entire reason he had entered the dungeon.
After half a day, he had gathered nearly every Man-Eating Plant fruit he could locate on the second floor, leaving him with an abundant harvest.
Admittedly, that was partly because the second floor was not especially large.
It consisted primarily of the Golden Castle’s tower region.
The castle itself might have been enormous, but the area covered by a single tower was naturally limited.
Furthermore, the Man-Eating Plants grew almost exclusively in the uppermost vegetation zone. The environment changed completely farther below, making them increasingly difficult to find.
That was why Haruto needed only half a day to finish gathering them.
With the fruits collected, he stopped lingering and began descending.
Ordinary adventurers had to follow the winding network of suspension bridges, but Haruto’s physical abilities had already surpassed normal human limits.
After walking for a while, he simply began leaping between the bridges.
His body moved with the agility of an ape, carrying him downward several times faster than an ordinary party.
It did not take long for him to reach the region surrounding the Golden Castle tower itself.
Just as Haruto prepared to continue deeper, a scream rang out nearby.
He turned toward the sound and saw a Basilisk taller than a grown man relentlessly pursuing a party of adventurers.
Its chicken-like body moved with frightening agility, while the serpent portion twisted and lashed behind it.
Its sharp claws gleamed coldly as it attacked with terrifying ferocity.
The adventuring party had already fallen apart.
Three members lay motionless on the ground, while the remaining two fled in panic.
The Basilisk was rapidly closing the distance.
Haruto’s interest immediately rose.
The Basilisk, sometimes called the King of Serpents, was one of the second floor’s more dangerous monsters and possessed an extremely unusual anatomy.
It appeared to be a chicken with a snake for a tail, but the serpent was actually its true body. The chicken head and torso were merely its "tail."
Its fangs and claws were both highly venomous. A single bite or scratch could allow the toxin to spread rapidly through the victim’s body and kill them, making it an exceptionally dangerous opponent for many adventurers.
Haruto also knew that another monster called the Cockatrice lived deeper within the dungeon.
It resembled the Basilisk but was constructed in the opposite manner—the chicken body was the true creature, while the snake formed its tail.
Not only was the Cockatrice stronger, but it could also petrify its victims.
Still, whether it was a Basilisk or a Cockatrice, both looked extremely appetizing.
Haruto had even thought of the perfect dish for them.
[Dragon and Phoenix Soup.]
The snake represented the dragon, while the chicken represented the phoenix.
Snake meat was traditionally said to promote circulation and benefit the eyes, while chicken nourished and strengthened the body.
Slowly simmered together over a gentle flame, they would produce a clear yet deeply flavorful broth.
In both taste and nourishment, it should be exceptional.
Haruto was curious whether soup made from a Basilisk or one made from a Cockatrice would taste better.
He intended to find out personally when the opportunity arose.
Returning his attention to the present, Haruto prepared to capture the Basilisk.
Just before he moved, however, he noticed Marcille standing near the two fleeing adventurers, clutching a Basilisk egg with a panicked expression.
Haruto surveyed the nearby vegetation and soon spotted Laios, Senshi, and Chilchuck hiding in the grass.
After a brief hesitation, he decided not to interfere.
The Basilisk noticed Marcille at the same moment.
When it saw its egg in her arms, it immediately abandoned the two adventurers and fixed its attention on her before charging.
Laios and the others had originally planned to remain hidden and wait for the right moment to attack.
Unfortunately, Marcille had reacted too slowly and allowed the Basilisk to discover her.
With no other choice, they launched their ambush early.
Haruto watched as Laios and Senshi worked together to kill the monster, then turned and continued in another direction.
He might have missed this particular Basilisk, but there were certainly more nearby.
There was no need to worry about losing his chance to collect such an excellent ingredient.