"Yes, there's only this big entrance here. I thought it would be dark after entering!"
Erina and Hisako were also stunned.
"This is because the interior of the Orichalclam can mimic the external environment," Zed explained. From here, the outside environment could be clearly seen. It wasn't due to transparency—rather, the Orichalclam sensed external changes and simulated them internally.
As a result, the sky was visible, and even sunlight shone down, allowing the animals and plants here to thrive.
"It's incredible that it can mimic the external environment."
After everyone marveled at it, they looked deeper into the Biotope, and what they saw next shocked them even more.
"There are actually different seasons? How is this done?"
Looking at areas divided into distinct seasonal zones, Erina's eyes widened.
"Not only that, look over there! A large group of Regal Mammoths—just like the ones we saw on the Regal Plateau!"
Mirajane recognized the familiar creatures. If there was one being that left a strong impression when she first arrived in this world, it was undoubtedly the Regal Mammoth. After all, she had appeared inside the belly of one upon her arrival.
Now, seeing so many of these gigantic beasts running in herds was overwhelming.
"And over there, look! It took less than three seconds for a tree to go from flowering to fruiting and dropping its harvest! That's insanely fast!"
Hisako pointed to a grove where trees constantly bloomed and bore fruit. Multicolored fruits covered the ground beneath them. Every few seconds, new fruits sprouted and dropped.
Monkey-like creatures swept in quickly, devouring the fallen fruit in a seamless ecosystem cycle.
"Let's go. We need to visit the guardian of this area first."
Zed glanced around and made the decision.
Although Ayame wasn't particularly strong, she was still the guardian of this Biotope—it was only right to pay her a visit.
As he spoke, Zed released his perception to search for her.
Using the power of his soul, locating people became much easier.
"Huh? Why is there one more person?!"
When Zed found Ayame, he noticed someone else was with her and grew curious. Logically, there shouldn't be outsiders here.
Still, he soon realized it might be someone in a similar situation as Mirajane and the others. In any case, he had to investigate.
Their arrival didn't alert Ayame, as she wouldn't notice unless they made a significant commotion.
Soon, Zed led everyone into a forest. As for Tatsu, he let him roam freely—but warned him not to damage the Corona Sunflowers nearby.
These sunflowers were valuable ingredients and were also used to power a sealing device. Since Zed wasn't yet strong enough to deal with the Flame Dragon Wolf, he needed to grow stronger first before unsealing it.
As for whether Ayame would approve of lifting the seal, Zed held leverage—he had information about Girim, something she would want to hear.
Speaking of Ayame, Zed couldn't help but reflect on time's cruelty. She had once been beautiful in her youth, but now she was a petite old lady. She wasn't unattractive, but the contrast from her younger days was clear.
Upon finding her, Zed finally saw who the other person was.
"Huh? Onion head?!"
The nickname escaped his mouth instinctively.
"You're so rude! How can you call someone that—Wait, who are you?!"
The girl opposite him instantly bristled at the insult. It was clear she didn't like the nickname one bit.
"Uh, sorry, I didn't mean it like that!"
Zed sighed, recognizing the newcomer. She wore a high school uniform, had a small frame, and—most notably—her distinct topknot.
This person had to be Rukia Kuchiki, likely from the time she had just met Ichigo Kurosaki. Otherwise, she'd be wearing a Shinigami uniform, not school clothes.
"Who are you?"
Unlike Rukia's angry glare, Ayame narrowed her eyes warily and drew her Knocking gun, ready for combat.
While Knocking helped rejuvenate her appearance, it also restored much of her physical capabilities—making her far more formidable than her elderly appearance suggested.
"Hello, Ayame-san. My name is Zed. I'm Yosaku's apprentice. I came to the Old 1st Biotope to gather ingredients."
He invoked Yosaku's name without hesitation.
Although she had lived in isolation, Ayame still recognized the names of strong individuals from the human world.
"You're Yosaku's apprentice?"
She relaxed slightly, though her gaze stayed firm.
"Yes. You can even contact the outside world. Check with the IGO if you need to confirm my identity."
Zed added confidently. He had noticed the signal worked fine here, thanks to advanced technology. Within the Human World's boundaries, communication networks still functioned.
As the caretaker here, Ayame surely had a way to make contact.
Sure enough, she pulled out her phone and called the IGO. While watching them cautiously, she spoke to Mansam directly.
"What? That guy went to the Old 1st Biotope? Is he after the Secret Ingredient?!"
Startled, Mansam contacted Ichiryu. If it were any other Biotope, Mansam could handle it. But the Old 1st Biotope was said to hide Acacia's legendary Secret Ingredient.
That made it serious.
"I know. Tell Ayame not to worry about that kid. Even if he finds the Secret Ingredient, it's his."
Ichiryu responded quickly. Mansam was surprised. This was the Food God Acacia's Secret Ingredient, and yet Ichiryu didn't mind Zed claiming it.
Although Zed wasn't officially part of the IGO, his close ties to them made Ichiryu's acceptance even more noteworthy.
Mansam relayed the message to Ayame.
Elsewhere, at the Setsuno Dining Hall, Ichiryu and Jirō were deep in conversation. Ichiryu came to prepare a meal and had asked Setsuno for help. He also discussed Zed.
Hearing of his exploits, Jirō's first reaction was one of happiness.
A gifted newcomer like Zed, who stood on the IGO's side—even unofficially—was a boon to humanity.
"That kid went to the Old 1st Biotope? He must be trying to raise his Gourmet Cell level to 100 and head into the Gourmet World."
Jirō wasn't surprised. Zed's talent was clear, and the Old 1st Biotope contained rare ingredients vital for Gourmet Cell growth.
"I'm curious to see whether he finds the Secret Ingredient. We couldn't locate it, even after years of searching," Ichiryu added.
"And I doubt the Flame Dragon Wolf is the true prize."
"You still call him teacher?" Jirō frowned.
As they learned more about the past, it became clear that Froze's death wasn't due to Midora, but Acacia's hidden motives.
Jirō now refused to call him teacher—at least until the truth was fully revealed.
"Maybe Acacia had his reasons."
Ichiryu still believed Acacia had struggled with something deep. He never told the others what Acacia had asked of him—only Ichiryu himself knew the full weight of it.
After getting Mansam's confirmation, Ayame fully lowered her guard.
Mansam was IGO's third-in-command, and this message had come from Ichiryu himself. She wouldn't object.
"It looks like everything checks out. But Ayame-sab, would you mind introducing us?"
Zed looked toward Rukia Kuchiki.
"I don't know her full background. She calls herself Rukia Kuchiki. I found her in the forest yesterday."
Ayame explained that she initially thought Rukia was an intruder. But the girl didn't seem to know anything and was physically weak—clearly not a threat.
Anyone who could breach the outermost hurricane barrier wouldn't be so frail.
"Suddenly appeared?"
Mirajane, Hisako, and Erina all reacted instantly. They had also arrived in this world under mysterious circumstances—it was likely this girl had as well.
"Don't look at me like that. I don't know why I appeared in this dangerous place."
Rukia looked exhausted. She had been on a mission in the human world but was overwhelmed by a Hollow and had her Shinigami powers stolen.
While recovering in a 3.8-meter-tall cyborg body and heading toward a school, she had suddenly found herself in a strange forest.
She only survived because Ayame brought her back.
Even though only a day had passed, she already knew how dangerous this world was. A huge dragon had flown overhead at midnight.
With her powers gone, she was no different than a regular human. Any creature here could end her.
Even if her soul body survived a physical death, she didn't know whether this world would allow it.
"Mira, go talk to her. I'll chat with Ayame-san about the area."
Zed nodded. Mirajane and the others approached Rukia, who followed them cautiously, sensing their strength.
Meanwhile, Zed sought information from Ayame about the Old 1st Biotope.
Having lived there for so long, she knew its geography well.
"Do you know why I'm here?" Rukia asked, once alone with Mirajane and the others.
She suspected they had answers.
"We don't know either. But we're in the same situation."
Mirajane explained their own sudden arrival. Rukia was stunned—others like her?