Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 1139

They were receiving an unusual number of applications for migration from all over Athenae. Whenever an applicant was accepted, they would immediately go to the shop, find a quest, or visit their hunting grounds. As the emperor, Minhyuk also triggered empire quests that could reward players with the Food God’s Ingredients.

“They’ll pay taxes when buying Food God’s Ingredients from our shops. They’ll pay taxes to progress further with their empire quests. They’ll also pay taxes if they want to hunt in the dungeons and hunting fields owned by the Beyond the Heavens Empire. No matter what the migrants want to do, they’ll have to pay taxes.”

Haze’s eyes glowed brightly. It looked like shooting stars were passing her eyes with how much they twinkled.

“Haze, why are you counting money?”

With a ‘Ptew!’ Haze spat in her hands and proceeded to count bills. Then, she said, “If I do this, my mood will soar.”

Minhyuk watched her count the bills in her hands over and over again. Then, he told her that he would take a break for a while as he logged out. Once he logged out, he went on the internet and accessed the community sites to grasp the current flow of the situation.

Articles continued to pour in.

[Korean Athenae’s Experts Association’s president has been dismissed. He wrote a formal apology to Minhyuk. Minhyuk responds: ‘No mercy.’]

[Everyone turns their attention to the possibility of Minhyuk becoming a Pillar.]

[Minhyuk’s ability to create ingredients prompts complaints toward Joy Co. Ltd.]

[Minhyuk ends the controversy. He announces that he and the vassals and executives of the Beyond the Heavens Empire cannot abuse and take advantage of the ingredients he has created.]

[An unanswered question. Why is the Beyond the Heavens Empire still much smaller than the Luvien Empire despite growing rapidly?]

[The number of Level 650 players is rapidly increasing. NPCs are also growing along with the players.]

Minhyuk nodded when he saw the articles.

‘As expected, more and more people believe that I have a chance of becoming a Pillar.’

Like the other Pillar Candidates, his foundation as a Pillar had been firmly established. However, as the articles mentioned, there were still many unfinished and unresolved dilemmas that he had to tackle.

The land occupied by the Luvien Empire remained more than five times larger than the land occupied by the Beyond the Heavens Empire. If the two empires went to war, there was a 100% chance of the Beyond the Heavens Empire being defeated.

‘The problem is that while we’re growing, the Luvien Empire is also growing.’

The other players also worked hard to grow and follow their paths. Meanwhile, Minhyuk needed to grow not only as the Pillar of the Gourmands but also his powers, help the Beyond the Heavens Empire develop, and progress further as the Food God.

‘It’s time for me to focus on being the Battle God and the emperor of the Beyond the Heavens Empire.’

Luvien was once again working on increasing its powers and territories. Of course, the Beyond the Heavens Empire was doing the same, but their growth rate was technically similar.

Despiteproliferatingy, the Beyond the Heavens Empire lagged behind the Luvien Empire mainly because of its territories.

‘It doesn’t matter how many migrants move to our empire. Since our territory is small, they will leave again.’

The Beyond the Heavens Empire’s situation was similar to that of five people living in a space that was only good for three people. Because of that, their hunting grounds, fields, and dungeons fell short. There was also a lack of space for players to rest, eat, and have a drink, which meant that there were also fewer quests.

‘In the end, many migrants will leave because they know that ingredients are scarce and there’s a lot of competition to get it.’

Nevertheless, there was a reason why the Beyond the Heavens Empire could not forcefully expand its territories.

‘Because everyone wishes to stay and live in a good place.’

The place should have all four seasons, and the land must be fertile enough for farming. Something like a mine should also be nearby so that the people could make money.

On the other hand, what would happen if they tried to carve out and reclaim a territory in a wasteland?

‘No one will move to that territory.’

It would turn into an empty land to fill the number of lands under their empire.

At that moment, Chairman Kang Minhoo entered the house. When he saw his son sitting with a solemn expression on his face, he asked, “It seems like you have something that you’re worried about again.”

Minhyuk told his greatest supporter, his father, about his dilemma.

Kang Minhoo had already felt it. He said, “Many people were near the central plaza’s fountain area. I was starting to think that it’s becoming a problem, too.”

The people have been complaining about the long store lines and the inconvenience. They had to expand much more than what they initially planned. Just like Minhyuk had thought of before, he had to find suitable land or make good land.

‘There are many empty wastelands.’

“I think it will be better for you to go to the Battle God than to worry about it by yourself like this.”

“The Battle God?” Minhyuk looked at his father in confusion. He did not understand the Battle God’s connection to their land problem. Even if Minhyuk was a very clever young man, it did not mean he knew everything. There would still be things that he did not know of.

“The Battle God is the god ruling all of the armies. Looking at it from another perspective, he’s practically leading all of those armies like an emperor. Minhyuk, what do you think a good monarch is?”

“Strong, charismatic, and capable of providing his men in war a place where they can relax and recuperate...” Minhyuk trailed off. Indeed, a good monarch should be able to provide good land for his men to rest and recuperate.

“Among the powers you have received from the Battle God, none related to that, right?”

Minhyuk had only received powers that boosted his strength or skills that gave him more power. Of course, the Battle God would not continue to provide him with strong powers forever.

“Maybe the Battle God also possesses the world's most ‘outstanding land.’”

Minhyuk smiled faintly. His father was truly wise.

There was something that Minhyuk had not yet done. He had been busy trying to find the power of Jack-of-all-Trades Rocado and become the Pillar of the Gourmands. Now, he needed to unseal the power of the Battle God. He was now capable of unsealing the second level of the Battle God’s sealed powers since he had already reached Level 700. Of course, his HP, MP, CHA, and other stats have dramatically increased, but concerning his other powers, this notification was what greeted him:

[You need to undergo an additional unsealing. Please receive a Class Quest from the Battle God to unseal the power.]

“Thanks, Dad,” Minhyuk said. Then, he said goodbye to his father as he returned to his room and accessed Athenae.

***

The Battle God’s expression grew solemn after hearing the opinions of the other Absolute Gods on the next-generation Battle God.

“Of course, we know. Minhyuk is, without a doubt, an excellent next-generation Battle God.”

They could no longer deny that Minhyuk was the next-generation Battle God. However, they only wanted Minhyuk to receive something from the Battle God after crossing over the first wall. They also wanted to know whether he had the qualifications to receive it.

Of course, the Battle God understood what they were trying to say. The Battle God was not just one of the Absolute Gods. He was an existence who possessed the power to give orders to the Absolute Gods and command and lead the Land of the Gods in case of an emergency. That was why he understood their concerns.

“It’s tough for me to accept this. Especially because you want me to give him a mission that is much more difficult than the mission I was originally set to give him,” the Battle God said as he tapped the paper containing the mission that Minhyuk had to complete on top of crossing the first wall.

According to the paper, Minhyuk had to complete something much more complicated than what they intended to present to him. The Battle God would give the reward, so why were they going to set the mission's difficulty level?

The God of Judgment said, “Of course, we’re all aware that it is not right for us to intervene with matters related to the next generation Battle God. However, we want you to know that he will be the god that will lead us all. Six of the Absolute Gods had already agreed to this matter. In addition, since the gods have already accepted Minhyuk, they all want to see him make big achievements.”

The Battle God remained silent. But Guardian God Obren, who also attended today's meeting, made him furious. Even after looking at the paper they had presented, Obren said nothing about the higher difficulty level and just sipped his tea leisurely.

The Battle God stared at Obren as the Guardian God said, “Everything they said is correct.”

“...?”

The Battle God was furious not because he favored Minhyuk but because he was upset that they were pushing him to increase the level of difficulty that he had set. Nonetheless, after hearing Obren, a dear friend of Minhyuk's, say those words, he could not help but wonder if he should also face the cold and harsh reality.

‘Are you saying that he has to do this for him to lead the gods?’

Regardless, the Battle God had to have the final say, “Then, let’s do it like this.”

They were in a situation where they forcefully increased the difficulty level compared to before for Minhyuk to open up additional powers.

“If Minhyuk clears this, I will give him an additional mission. If he completes that, then his qualifications should no longer be questioned. Then, I will open up his powers. Of course, I will not unseal the seal of the final level of power for him.”

The other Absolute Gods nodded slowly in agreement. They were the ones who demanded a higher level of difficulty compared to before. The Battle God had stepped back; they must understand and agree to his demands.

Just in time, the Battle God felt Minhyuk’s power appear in the Land of the Gods.

“Minhyuk is coming.”

Their meeting finally came to a close.

***

Minhyuk visited the Land of the Gods to receive a class quest from the Battle God. He heard that the Battle God had just finished a meeting and had headed back to his castle. So, he headed to the Battle God’s castle and stopped right in front of the room where the Battle God’s throne was. Standing right in front of the room was the God of Cooking.

“You came here to inherit the Battle God’s next power, right?” The God of Cooking asked.

The God of Cooking Arlene had decided to support and cooperate with Minhyuk as much as possible. But even she had decided that it was only suitable to give him a mission with a higher level of difficulty. After all, it was only fitting that someone qualified should receive that power.

“Yes, that’s right.” Minhyuk nodded.

With a bitter smile, Arlene said, “I think it’s still tough for you to complete. So, I hope that you don’t overdo it.”

Arlene genuinely cared for Minhyuk. She hoped he would let more time pass and grow stronger rather than do the mission now just because he received it.

“You should know that I’m not that reckless.”

“That’s right.”

Certainly, Minhyuk was not the type of person who would recklessly challenge something that he could not do.

When Minhyuk opened the door, he saw the Battle God sitting on the throne. The Absolute Gods stood on both sides of the red carpet leading to the throne.

Minhyuk looked at them in confusion. He turned to the Battle God and asked, “I came here to unseal the Battle God’s power once again.”

The Battle God did not say what kind of meeting he had attended. After all, there was no need for him to do so. This time, the Battle God’s mission was not given by the Battle God himself but by the statue behind him.

There was a dashing and imposing statue of the Battle God standing behind it. The statue wore a golden crown—the crown once worn by the greatest Battle God in history. Surprisingly enough, the great and mighty Battle God statue did not have a face. This was because the statue represented all the Battle Gods that have ever existed. It housed the collection of their souls.

The statue was going to give Minhyuk the mission and the reward.

The Battle God explained, “Once you complete the mission, the statue of the Battle God will raise the sword and tap your shoulders with it in acknowledgment. If your achievements are great, it will honor you by allowing you to kiss the back of its hands. And if you’re even more outstanding, it will smile at you.”

Just in time, the solemn and sonorous voice resonated from the statue of the Battle God.

[Pandemonium. This is where even the gods could not dare to enter carelessly.]

[Some call this place the Supreme.]

The hearts of the Absolute Gods thumped wildly. That was right; this was where Minhyuk had to do the mission. Pandemonium, or the Supreme hidden behind it. And it has to be known that none of the Battle Gods had ever entered Pandemonium.

[The next generation Battle God.]

A charismatic voice resonated from deep within the statue. And this voice said...

[Go to Pandemonium and wipe out 50 beings hailed as the Supreme.]

[If you do that, I will unseal your next power.]

[The deadline is one week.]

[Do you accept?]

Worried, the Battle God said, “I believe it’s still too early for you. I encourage you to go and gain more power first. Only by doing that will you have the power to fight in that place. If you don’t accept it now, I will make it so the Battle God’s Statue will do its duty again when you ask again.”

The God of Cooking smiled faintly. She believed that Minhyuk would not do it if he judged it impossible.

“I’ll accept it.”

[The next generation Battle God has accepted the quest to unseal the second Battle God’s power.]

“...Mi-Minhyuk!”

Minhyuk ignored his conversation with the God of Cooking and the Battle God's promise to allow him to take the mission later and immediately agreed.

As mentioned, the deadline was a week.

“What!” The God of Cooking almost leaped toward him. “Do you know that you’re being too arrogant right now?!”

At this moment, the God of Cooking could not help but wonder if he had become like everybody else and been overtaken by his arrogance and greed.

Standing at the end of the red carpet, Minhyuk took one step after another toward the statue. Then, something very shocking happened.

Creak, creak, creak–

The Battle God’s Statue began to move.

“Why is the Battle God’s Statue moving?” The Battle God asked in shock.

The Battle God’s Statue would only move and respond to those who have finished the trial that it had given. Yet the Battle God’s Statue moved and took considerable steps to meet Minhyuk.

When the Battle God’s Statue stood before him, Minhyuk asked, “Are you going to tap my shoulders with your sword?”

Minhyuk’s question was a response to the Battle God's words. According to the Battle God, the statue would react differently depending on how much they had achieved during the trial.

“Or will you make me kiss the back of your hand? If not that, then are you going to smile at me?”

At that moment, the golden crown worn by the greatest Battle God in history, sitting on the head of the statue, began to release the most brilliant golden light.

Flash–

So, what did the statue do? It slowly took off the golden crown on its head and put it on Minhyuk’s head with a smile. Then, it spoke.

[You have completed the mission...]

[...with a phenomenal outcome.]

[You have completed the Class Quest: Unsealing the Battle God’s Second Power.]

Then, the statue slowly knelt on one knee and showed courtesy toward Minhyuk.

Everyone on the spot was left frozen.