In the files of the Alliance Police Department, he is labeled as "Gourmet X" - the only cook who openly uses Pokémon as the main ingredient but can operate legally. Lin Chen's "Taotie Pavilion" is located deep in the dark alley of Jinhuang City. The neon sign at the door flashes with cruel elegance: "You provide the prey, I present the art."
"Today's special selection is the Gyarados sent by the trainer last week." Lin Chen put on white gloves and stroked the iridescent scales in the freezer with his fingertips. "The muscles in the reverse scales have been matured for three days and are best suited for thin cutting."
Among the visitors were gym leaders, corporate tycoons, and anonymous high-ranking investigators. They didn't care about the ethics committee's notice, but only wanted the legendary ultimate taste of that mouthful - it is said that the "life energy" contained in the Pokémon's body will be transformed into a supreme umami flavor at the moment of death, which is an experience unmatched by any ordinary meat.
The assistant trembled and handed over the prepared duck breast with green onions. Lin Chen glanced at him: "Sympathy is the biggest unprofessionalism of a cook. Remember, we are just porters of life - transforming from one form to another."
The oven dinged, and a white mist mixed with a mysterious aroma filled the kitchen. Lin Chen knew that a special operations team was already in place on the rooftop of the police station. But he just smiled and gently cut into the pink tender steak.
"After all," he whispered to the empty kitchen, "isn't the champion who is the first to taste the taste of 'Legend' also on our VIP list?"
The wind chime outside the door rang. New "prey", new diners, have arrived.
