The remote ecological zone Menchi selected is called Melin, a natural reserve that requires a 'permit' to enter.
However, it is not easy to apply for a pass in such restricted areas.
One either has to spend a lot of money or invest a significant amount of time and effort.
But the Hunter License itself is the most useful pass, which can help Moses and Menchi avoid these troubles.
On the way to the Melin Ecological Zone, Menchi began to cram and read and memorize some information and regulations about the Melin Ecological Zone.
Such man-made protected ecological zones usually have a list of prohibited items, specifying which plants and animals cannot be collected or hunted.
Because of these protections and regulations, some poachers still risk entering the Melin Ecological Zone to hunt valuable animals.
According to Menchi, this kind of phenomenon tied to interests is absolutely impossible to eradicate.
Therefore, every Gourmet Hunter exploring new ingredients in the wild will eventually encounter poachers and fight with them.
Moses always listened quietly to Menchi's lessons about the common knowledge of gourmet hunters.
In fact, it doesn't matter to him, as he was just there for the food.
Five days later, the airship landed in a country called Terbi.
Moses and Menchi, who held Hunter Licenses, entered the country visa-free. They did not rush to the Melin Ecological Zone immediately, but instead wandered around a local town called Rubilu.
Besides preparing some essential survival supplies for the wilderness in this town, they also wanted to taste the local specialties.
Anyway, Moses just went with the flow and left the decision-making power to Menchi throughout the process.
As long as Menchi decided what to do, he would enthusiastically agree.
"Master, here, here..."
"Master, there's something wrong with the spices at that barbecue stall. Don't buy it."
"Master, come quickly. This is maple sugar, a rare natural candy. I didn't expect to see it here."
"Master…"
Throughout the journey, the smile on Menchi's face never faded.
She seemed to be unaware of fatigue, taking Moses from morning till night, visiting all the food-related shops and stalls on the local streets.
Fortunately, Moses was a good eater and cooperated very well, eating from the beginning of the street to the end of the street, and then from the end of the other street to the beginning of the street, which greatly satisfied Menchi's desire to share.
However, Menchi's vast knowledge still amazed Moses once again.
Menchi can always give a general idea of anything related to food, making people feel as if she has been here before.
But in fact, this was Menchi's first time in Rubilu.
Some of the delicacies she introduced today were partly things she had encountered elsewhere and partly learned from information.
'No wonder she became the youngest Single-Star Gourmet Hunter.'
After finishing today's food tour, Moses once again marveled at Menchi's abilities.
In comparison, the path of Blacklist Hunter he chose, which allows one to accumulate achievements solely through strength, seems much simpler.
Since the two of them were roaming from morning till night, their trip to the Melin Ecological Zone had to be postponed for a day, deciding to stay overnight in town instead.
However-
There weren't many inns in the town, and each one was very small.
Moses and Menchi searched along the street but couldn't find an inn with any vacancies.
"This is the last inn in town."
Finally, Moses and Menchi arrived at the inn farthest from the town center.
If this inn also had no rooms, they would have to find another way.
When they pushed open the inn's door, the bell hanging on the top of the door immediately made a pleasant and crisp chime.
"Welcome."
Standing at the counter opposite the door was a young girl with a white scarf on her head, freckles on her cheeks and a smile on her face.
Inside the inn, there is a restaurant-like layout.
There are three dining tables in the not very large space.
Two dining tables are near the window, and one is against the corner, next to a pillar.
Moses and Menchi walked into the inn. The first thing they saw was the smiling freckled girl, and then they looked at the dining table next to a pillar.
Sitting at the dining table was a petite girl with short black hair, whose figure outlined a curvy shape.
Because she was side-facing the entrance, they couldn't see her face clearly.
Moses and Menchi's eyes fell on the black-haired girl at the dining table.
There are no other reasons.
It's because the short-haired black girl was wrapped in soft Nen. There is no doubt that she is a Nen User.
This is also the reason why Moses and Menchi looked over immediately.
Menchi quickly withdrew her gaze and turned her head to look at Moses.
After all, seeing a Nen User in such a remote town can be considered a rare event.
Moses used his eyes to signal Menchi not to worry too much, and then walked straight to the counter, looked at the freckled girl, and asked with a smile: "Excuse me, are there any rooms available?"
"Yes, we do."
The freckled girl replied with a smile. She glanced at Menchi behind and said softly, "But there is only one room left."
"Is it a single..."
"One room is enough."
Moses wanted to ask whether it was a single room or a double room, but before he could finish his words, Menchi interjected first, and even took a step forward and took out a large bill and placed it on the counter.
Such swift and decisive actions are in line with her usual style of doing things.
Given there were no other options, Moses didn't mind and proceeded with the check-in.
"Please follow me."
The freckled girl took the money, then walked towards the stairs. She bowed slightly, signaling Moses and Menchi to follow.
Menchi walked over first.
Moses followed behind, and before climbing the stairs, he glanced back at the black-haired girl sitting at the dining table in the corner.
From his current angle, he could clearly see her slightly youthful face, covered by a pair of fine-framed glasses that almost obscured half of it. She also wore a cross necklace around her neck.
'No way…'
Moses withdrew his gaze subtly and walked up the stairs.
After having a clearer view of the girl's appearance and attire, a name flashed through his mind.
'Shizuku?'
'Could it be such a coincidence?'
Moses was surprised.
However, based on those common traits alone, it cannot be directly confirmed that the other party is Shizuku, the No. 8 of the Phantom Troupe in the original work.
And even if the other party is really Shizuku, she shouldn't have joined the Phantom Troupe at this point.
'Could it be her?'
Moses's thoughts were spinning.
He was contemplating whether to try to get in touch with that girl.
After all, for him, every character that appeared in the original work signified some potential reward for him.
If the other party is really Shizuku, then regardless of his subsequent actions, he could at least obtain a reward from Perception.
"Master?"
Menchi's voice snapped Moses out of his thoughts.
Moses came to his senses and found that they had reached their room.
The freckled girl, who was leading the way, looked surprised when she heard Menchi call Moses 'Master', but she quickly adjusted herself, smiling as she explained the room's features and regulations.
After explaining the necessary things, the freckled girl left the key and turned away.
"Master, what were you thinking about just now? You looked so engrossed in your thoughts."
After the freckled girl left, Menchi put down her luggage and stared at Moses with a scrutinizing gaze.
"Nothing."
Moses casually deflected.
"Oh~~~!"
Menchi naturally didn't believe it and deliberately stretched out her tone.
She really wanted to ask if it was because of the black-haired Nen User, but in the end, she kept the question to herself.