Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 428: Preparing for War

Hell’s Gatekeeper, Cerberus, became the leader of the puppy troops! In all honesty, the impact of this was no different from when Minhyuk named them ‘Love, Hope, and Happiness’. But Minhyuk did not see that fact.

‘Ignoring that, how can the livestock achieve something like that?’

This was beyond common sense! So, Minhyuk looked at Brod’s stats window.

(Brod)

Rank: Supreme NPC

Type: Vassal

Level: 682

Attack: 7,559

Defense: 4,683

Special Abilities:

?Passive Skill: The One with God

?Active Skill: Mercenary’s Pinnacle Swordsmanship

?Active Skill: Continent’s Tyrant

?Passive Skill: Livestock Training

?Passive Skill: Livestock Communication

Potential: 135

Experience Value: 18% / 100%

Minhyuk, whose pupils were shaking, could tell that there were changes in Brod’s stats with just one glance. The first thing that he noticed was…

‘His potential increased?’

Having a high potential meant that there was a chance that they would become strong. However, growing stronger did not mean that their potential would increase. After all, potential was, for most, a stat that could not grow nor develop further.

And yet, Brod’s potential had grown from 115 to 135. Simply put, raising the livestock had opened up a new path for Brod to become even stronger than he was before.

There was one more thing.

‘His passive skill Dreaming Talent has become the passive skill The One with God…’

The effects of his original passive ‘Dreaming Talent’ were as follows:

(Dreaming Talent)

Passive Skill

Level

: None

Effects: Dreaming Talent. As long as you have the passion for something, you will be able to reach the pinnacle.?

That was right. Dreaming Talent was the skill that could allow Brod to reach the pinnacle of something as long as he had the passion for it. He could be whatever he wanted. For example, if he had the passion for magic, then he would be able to become a great mage. Or if he chose to become a priest, he would be able to become a pope. But this skill changed and became ‘The One with God’.

(The One with God)

Passive Skill

Level: None

Effects:

? God came to watch over the one with the Dreaming Talent, after seeing him devote his efforts to one thing more than anybody else.

? God will build him a foothold to grow further and stronger.

? As he grows further and stronger in his field of choice, God will bestow him gifts.?

‘Hoo…?’

The description of the skill ‘The One with God’ had astonishing content. In fact, the contents of the skill gave Minhyuk a hint as to why the livestock was able to become special like that.

‘So God intervened?’

Brod also had two new skills, the ‘Livestock Training’ and ‘Livestock Communication’. Minhyuk immediately checked the information of the new skills.

(Livestock Training)

Passive Skill

Level: None

Effects:

? The animals, with every training, will be able to learn and grow like humans.

? Whenever the animals train, their EXP acquisition rate will increase by 100x until they reach a certain level.

? Whenever the animals train, their stat acquisition rate and skill proficiency acquisition rate will increase by 100x until they reach a certain level.?

? When they reach a certain point, the animals will ‘evolve’.

? Brod, the skill owner, will be able to see through the animals characteristics and attributes and create skills that will match them.

? The Livestock Training skill will ignore all of the animals’ ‘potential’.

‘By a hundred times…?’

Minhyuk finally understood. Generally, no matter how much an animal was trained, it would be difficult for them to raise their stats. There was also that skill that the chicken had with the beak before, it did not make sense for a normal chicken to have a skill like that! But if it was increased a ‘hundred times’, then the story would be different.

‘I feel like it’s a bit of a pity that it only works for the animals.’

If ordinary monsters were included in the scope of the skill, then they probably could raise a Level 1,000 goblin. Then, he moved on to the next skill.

(Livestock Communication)

Passive Skill

Level: None

Effects:

? The more Brod interacts and communicates with the animals, the more they will trust and devote themselves to him.

? The more Brod interacts and communicates with the animals, the more their ‘INT’ will increase, albeit little by little.

? The animals will be able to communicate and interact with other humans aside from Brod. There’s also a chance that they’ll be great friends.

Description: Mercenary King Brod was a man that had once received the attention of the God of Death. Now, he lives together with the livestock and has awakened new powers. The livestock, moved by Brod’s never-ending care and love as he tried to get others to recognize them and their skills, tried to reduce their sleep for him. One could say that this Communication skill was the skill acquired through their love and understanding for each other.

Minhyuk cast Earth King’s Authority. King’s Eye, a power that he acquired from Queen Iris, and used it on one of the pigs.

(Oinky 31)

Rank: Growing Livestock

Level: 98

Attack: 451

Defense: 518

Special Abilities:

? Active Skill: Oinky 31’s Dash.

? Active Skill: Oinky 31’s Shield.

? Passive Skill: Oinky 31’s Pig-Out

Potential: 16

Experience Value: 18% / 100%

Description: Oinky 31 will undergo any kind of hellish training for Brod right now. Oinky 31 is very determined and adamant on repaying Brod’s care for them.

‘Hmm…’

Minhyuk thought that it would be worth the try, even if they only tried it once. First of all, the livestocks would be very useful to catch their enemies off guard.

‘They might be necessary to prevent the gusts of wind blowing our way.’

On top of that, there were a lot of livestock in Atlas Territory. There were more than 10,000 of them as of the moment. What would happen if all of them could fight?

‘They’ll be able to exert more power!’

Under Brod’s earnest eyes…

“I’ll give you permission.”

“Thank you, my lord! I will make sure to show you results in return for your grace!” Brod, after getting permission, immediately turned around to rejoice with the pigs, cows, and chickens. They even shed tears!

‘I … really can’t get used to scenes like this…’

Brod was genuinely pleased. This was because they would no longer be recognized as ‘livestock’, but as ‘soldiers’. They would no longer be regarded as the ‘livestock’ that was born to be eaten, but as precious soldiers! And these livestock also had no regrets even if they lost their lives. After all, they were all destined to die and get reborn!

Just like that, a wind of change blew in Atlas. Minhyuk began to dispatch his subordinates outside.

***

Arda Territory was a territory created by refugees, war orphans, prisoners of wars, and soldiers in the past, when a war broke out between Ethos Kingdom and Barras Kingdom. In fact, Arda Territory was not so much a territory, rather, it was a place located between the borders of Ethos and Barras Kingdoms, one where they went to hide during the war.

However, once the war ended and peace came, those that lost their homes and the places that they could return to chose to stay in Arda.

Barras Kingdom and Ethos Kingdom did not do anything to the territory as a ‘sign of peace’. This was because citizens of both Barras and Ethos kingdoms coexisted in Arda Territory. Even a fool would know that. So, the two kingdoms decided to leave those they considered traitors and double-crossers alone.

The truth was, the territory was no longer a part of any kingdom. However, the reason why they could withstand and survive the attacks from players and monsters was mainly because of Knight Lauvredo, an NPC over Level 480 with power comparable to a knight commander, a position he sought to become, as well as the strong troops that lived in the territory.

The people were flocking to Arda Territory because of a mysterious person.

“According to Lord Talmor’s testaments… Believe! If we believe it, then we’ll be able to grow black hair too!”

The mysterious man stood on top of a platform with a grave and solemn expression on his face, as he looked at the ‘sparkling heads’ of the bald people gathered together in front of him.

Paladin Corr opened a book titled ‘Talmor’s Testaments’ and read it as if he was reading the bible! Corr, with a solemn voice, spoke loudly, “A poor and pitiful soul, Ared, started to lose hair at the young age of five. After discovering Talmor, he devoted himself to serve the Lord and eventually started to grow hair each and every day. Aaaaaaaah! This is a very touching and astonishing deed!”

“Aaaaaaaaah!”

“Uwaaaaaaaa!”

“Uwooooooo! Lord Talmor!!!”

All of the religious fanatics present went wild as Corr continued to read ‘Talmor’s Testaments’. The crowd turned silent when they saw Corr lift his index finger to his mouth.

“Everyone has to put their trust in the Lord. If you put your faith in the Lord then your hair will grow. Now, do you believe in the Lord?”

“We believe!!!”

“Do you believe?!!!”

“We do!!!”

Then, a warmth covered their shiny and sparkling heads as Corr began to play his recorder. Among these believers stood Lauvredo, the man that once dreamed of becoming a Knight Commander. That was right! Lauvredo was also bald!

Shockingly enough, Corr’s abilities had improved to the point that he could grow hair in a day. Of course, Corr did not forget to add these words, “Lord Talmor does not wish for much. Talmor only hopes that you can give a little aid, when and only when Atlas Territory, the place where the power of Talmor originated and resides, is in danger.”

Then, a dark smile flashed on his lips.

In another place, somewhere in the wide expanse of Asgan Continent, a man with black skin and a pair of sunglasses nestled on the bridge of his nose appeared there! The moment this man sat down, a huge crowd gathered around him.

“That man is Aruvel, the author of the novel: ‘Why Did the Prince Go Out Tonight?’!!!”

“The unfortunate genius born from God! Sob, sob, sob. I did not expect to see him in person!!!”

“Mister Aruvel, please take me!!!”

Aruvel held a signing event. Surprisingly enough, among the dense crowd of his fans, there were also players! Then, he stood up from his seat and looked at the crowd. As soon as he stood up, the women fainted while the men stood in a daze.

“Aaaaaaaaah~!”

“Please give us some spoilers!”

Then, Aruvel said, “Well then, let me tell you a bit about my new work: ‘The Prince’s Magic Tools’.”

“Ooooooh!”

“Waaaaaah!”

More people gathered around him. Then, Aruvel opened his mouth, “The prince, even though he could hold any woman that he wanted, felt a deep sense of emptiness wrap around his very being every night. Growing tired of his promiscuous nightlife, he started to crave for something new. One day, the prince got his hands on an ancient book and learned about the existence of the magic tools that the ‘God of Night’ had left on earth! So, he started to look for them. These tools can help him seduce any woman. And once a man and a woman did it together then…”

“Once they did it together?”

Everyone gulped dryly as they listened intently to Aruvel’s words.

“They will feel immense pleasure.”

“Waaaaaaaah…”

“Uwoooooooo!”

Everyone burst into screams of admiration.

“In this book, the protagonist, the prince, travels around the world to acquire these magic tools and write down their uses, the best posture to use them, and much more information about them! This is my next work, the Prince’s Magic Tool!”

“I… I want to read it as soon as possible!”

“When will the book be published?!”

“I will definitely buy it!”

After hearing their warm response, Aruvel grinned and said, “I will distribute this work for free. However, in exchange, I hope that you can help me in times of need.”

“Of course!!!”

“Aaaah! Aruvel, you’re my idol!!!”

“I will drop everything and run if you call for me!!!”

Aruvel was very pleased.

At the same time, in another place.

Grandpa Ben, while combing his black hair, sat inside the lord’s castle in Eid’s Territory, a huge territory with powerful troops under Marquis Bard.

“Tsk, tsk. The lord is like a stick, so stubborn and inflexible.”

Grandpa Ben, as someone that personally taught them at one point in time, was regarded as the father of all of the spear masters.

“B… but… Cough…”

“Ho? Are you falling? Do you want me to make you stand on one arm for an entire day like in the past?!”

“N…No. Not at all, master!”

Eid Territory’s Marquis Bard felt his body, which was the epitome of ‘burying the head in the ground’, shake at the thought of everyone seeing him like this.

Then, Ghost Spear Ben said, “As a child, you did not have any talent for the spear. However, I did not give up on you. When you were a baronet, you grew until you were hailed as a ‘spear master’, a feat that allowed you to get promoted to the position of a marquis.

“I remember! I will never forget your grace and kindness!”

That was right. To others, Bard was a marquis. But in front of Ben, he was just a young and immature disciple.

“I don’t want you to help me officially. Secretly. You just need to help me secretly.”

“Then, then… even though our numbers are small, we will still come to help you!”

“Stand up.”

“Yes, sir!”

Marquis Bard’s face was flushed from the effort of maintaining his posture earlier. He was even sweating profusely. Ghost Spear Ben looked at him happily as he opened his notepad and crossed out the name ‘Bard’ on the list.

“I’ll drop by your territory sometime soon. I’ll make you a cup of cat luwak coffee.”

“Thank you, master!”

As he left the lord’s castle, Ghost Spear Ben thought, ‘Next will be Spear God Asveto’s territory.’

All of the people that Minhyuk dispatched were working hard on diplomatic activities, in their own special ways.