146: Nnho ho ho Pada

Today's update features three chapters.

This is the second chapter.

"Seriously...?"

As I approached, I came to understand it.

Ah, so this is something so rare it's considered a genuine oddity.

The name of the star system hosting this booth is Nnho ho ho Pada System.

Even after checking with an information terminal, I couldn't find much data—apparently, this system isn't known for having a good reputation.

Not that there's a high crime rate, but rather that almost nothing edible is available in its normal state.

Though I could only gather information at the rumor level, nearly all food produced within the star system is toxic unless fermented for over a week.

"Even with the deodorizing mod, this smell...!?"

Yes, fermentation.

Not all fermentation produces odor, and even if it does, it doesn't necessarily mean it's unpleasant.

Yet from the booth in the Nho-hoho-pada system, a smell is drifting out—similar to typical fermentation, yet closer to decay, and unlike anything one has ever smelled before.

It's coming past the boundary of the odor-neutralizing mods installed around the booth.

The logic makes sense.

The odor molecules floating in the air are being stopped by the deodorant module, and the odors clinging to the surface of people's bodies as they exit are likely no different.

However, there is no odor-neutralizing mod that can stop the aroma rising from the stomach, even after tasting and swallowing it inside.

The scent seems to be spreading outward into the surrounding area.

Of course, there are mods available to eliminate bad breath, and everyone uses them... yet even the brief breath taken after exiting the booth, or the faint scent emitted by the rare few who choose not to use the breath freshener, is still noticeably strong.

"Fufu, isn't this delightful? If worst comes to worst, I can just discard my body entirely!"

What kind of overpowering stench could possibly produce such a terrible odor?

Though I felt a slight dampness on my back, I stepped into the booth.

Also, I should note once again that my sense of smell is sharper than that of an average human.

Thus, while people around me might recoil, they haven't outright rejected me—this is the reality here.

"Welcome~"

And as I stepped inside...

" "

My mind went utterly blank for a moment.

The smell was far too intense.

"...? Ah. Are you alright? I've heard people with sharp senses can experience things like their vision blurring or various other effects when exposed to strong scents..."

"Huh!? Ah, yes, I'm fine. I've gotten used to it."

Apparently, the doll had exceeded the threshold of what my senses could tolerate, causing my entire perception to go white-hot.

For now, I adjusted the doll's sensory input to a manageable level.

Made it bearable.

"So, um, what would you recommend?"

"Here's our recommendation: 'Nnho Nnho Nnho Pickle.' Ingredients and processing methods are listed here."

"Hmm, hmm."

Um, Nnho Nnho Nnho Pickle.

A pickle made from 36 different ingredients—meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and more—cut into dice, thoroughly mixed, placed in a special container, and fermented in outer space for about a month, according to the planet Nnho Nnho Nnho Pada 1 in the Nnho Nnho Nnho Pada star system.

It's a common pickle in the Nnho Nnho Nnho Pada star system, but due to the unique ingredients and fermentation environment, it seems to emit a distinctive odor.

Apparently, most of the smell coming from this booth is caused by this pickle.

Additionally, the 36 ingredients used are all toxic to some degree—eating any of them raw could easily cause stomach upset.

Maybe it's because there was nothing else to eat, but I'm amazed someone managed to create something like this.

"Sampling is available, you know."

"I see. Then, just a bite."

Well, I'll give it a try, I suppose.

The appearance... hmm, it's kind of gooey, yet some parts still retain their original shape, and the color is a pale yellow... some people might hesitate just looking at it.

"T-this... is..."

But I'm going through with it.

Because as someone who writes about food, I can't possibly talk about it without actually eating it!

I bring a single spoonful to my mouth, chew the slightly solid parts, let some of the aroma reach my nose, and savor the flavor with my tongue.

"Delicious!?!"

It was delicious.

The taste itself was an odd sensation, but it was delicious.

Beyond the scent that defies description lies a clear, undeniable umami, sweetness, and saltiness. On this foundation, the ingredients harmonize, sing, and dance with fervor.

Though it carries a vaguely cult-like festive atmosphere, there's no doubt that it delights the senses—pleasing both taste and smell in the most wonderful way.

"Yeah, it's delicious. The smell causes people to recoil, but I'm confident in its quality. It's extremely nutritious and highly absorbable too. It's really just the smell that's the problem."

"Ah, yeah. I think it's not just the smell—texture and appearance play a role too, personally."

"Huh?"

"Yeah."

"Really?"

"That's right. It probably depends on personal preference, but yes—the odor is definitely strong, as you've realized yourself."

Still, despite that, the evaluation inevitably falls into the "genuine oddity" category.

The intense smell, the oddly melted appearance, the unpleasantly squishy texture—even if the taste is good... well, people will still choose not to eat it.

I'm putting it as delicately as possible.

"Is that so...? Ah, what about the purchase?"

Is there something with a milder scent?

"Then, please enjoy the matured bacon made from the unique lifeform known as Nho-Hoho Feo-Feo-O, native to the Nho-Hoho-Pada star system."

Thank you

So, I decided to buy the aged bacon of that peculiar creature called "Nnho-hoho-foe-foe-oo" and leave.

And in a place unseen by others, they changed bodies.

Incidentally, this is just a side note.

Even with an odor-neutralizing mod applied directly to the Nnho-hoho-foe-foe-oo itself, it has no effect. The fermentation process has been adjusted to prevent odor production, but this results in poor taste, and the fermentation fails entirely unless cut into the specified dice size...

Though a testament to the efforts of the inhabitants of the Nnho-hoho-foe-foe-oo system, it remains a notably troublesome creation.

A pity, given how delicious it tastes.

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