Gourmet Gaming

“Haa… haa… haa… haa…”

Elpis’ voice was like grating metal, as he stood there among the corpses of the hundreds of thousands of demonic beasts that he had slain, while trying to catch his breath.

‘The Trial of the Undying Warrior.’

It was a challenge where the warrior would not die. However, the Undying One could not rest until he had killed the hundreds of thousands of demonic beasts that would appear to surround him. The challenger had to continue to fight and surpass the limits of his strength and stamina. It was basically torture.

Once the muscles in the body were overloaded, pain would start to bloom in one’s body. However, Elpis ignored the pain tearing through his entire body, only focusing on cutting down all of the demonic beast around him. After doing all of that, he laughed.

“…Why are you laughing and smiling?”

Great Demon Gorac looked at Elpis in confusion. Elpis was smiling so brightly despite his ragged breathing.

‘Is he happy because he thinks he’s gone beyond the final gate and will finally become my successor?’

Gorac knew that it was unlikely.

“Now…” a watery smile hung at the corners of Elpis’ mouth. “I can now protect His Majesty.”

“…”

Great Demon Gorac was left speechless. Was that his only reason? Maybe that was all it was, but Gorac felt his heart shake.

‘I have no regrets.’

Even so, Gorac still did not regret choosing Elpis as his successor. In fact, he even thought that he had made the right choice.

“I want to go and see His Majesty as soon as possible.”

Hearing his words, Gorac pulled out a crystal ball that showed the scene in front of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom where the kings were shouting loudly. As Gorac liked fun and interesting things, he suggested something with a grin.

“Don’t you think that we should make the birth of the new Great Demon be a splendid affair?”

“I just want to see His Majesty quickly…”

“I’ll give around 500,000 of the Demonic Beast Army. And also my Blazing Red Carriage.”

“No. I’m just… His Majesty…”

“Ho? What do you think about this horned helmet?”

“…”

Gorac was very excited about how his successor would make his appearance to the world. Elpis could not help but tilt his head in confusion after seeing Gorac become more excited than him. However, Gorac was aware of something.

‘The humans will only believe what they see.’

This was both a small lesson and a reward for Elpis. Gorac knew what the 500,000 Demonic Beast Army and Elpis’ splendid and showy appearance represented.

Gorac grabbed Elpis by the chin and said, “With your eyes looking down on others, say this in your toughest voice, ‘Do. You. Want. To. Die?’”

“…”

Elpis was left speechless.

***

[The name of the newly awakened Great Demon is…]

[…none other than ‘Elpis.’]

A huge ripple spread out, affecting everyone present. The kings who were dripping in cold sweat and were trying to find a way to escape, the troops who had fainted and were foaming in the mouth, and the viewers, who were watching this scene from all over the world.

[Something unbelievable is happening right in front of us.]

[Elpis. The Beyond the Heavens’ Shield Elpis has come back as a Great Demon.]

[Elpis is the person that is hailed as the Beyond the Heavens’ Shield. Recently, his standing has been greatly reduced due to Spear God Ben, God of Snakes Elizabeth, Brod and many others.]

[Right now, he is standing in front of Minhyuk and is pledging his eternal allegiance and loyalty once again.]

[The biggest takeaway here is that Elpis is the Great Demon that inherited Gorac’s position. And he is the only one that can help others convert their race to ‘Demon.’]

[I can’t even imagine the impact and influence that this will bring going forward.]

[The Demons are well known for being well-versed in combat. The fact that players can now convert to the Demon race may open up new paths and avenues for the high rankers that find themselves unable to grow any further.]

[Have you seen the expression on the faces of the kings of Asgan Continent?]

[They look like they can’t believe the scene in front of them.]

That was right. The kings could not bring themselves to believe what was happening in front of them. A mere human king had a Great Demon serving as his vassal.

What kind of a being was a Great Demon? They were beings that had terrorized and brought fear to the human race for a very long time. Great Demon Gremory and Great Demon Gorac might not have invaded the human world, but every time Great Demon Verus made his appearance, a few kingdoms would disappear from the face of the earth.

Now, a Great Demon had become a vassal of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom. On top of that, he had brought a 500,000-strong Demonic Beast Army? Their momentum was enough to make everyone shake in their boots.

The kings, who had been clamoring for Minhyuk and the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom to apologize for their arrogant declaration of establishing an empire, were immediately put on the spot. Elpis just looked at Minhyuk while shedding tears, a small yet delighted smile adorning his face.

Elpis was once the container for demonic energy. He had lived every single day of his life filled with despair. While living like that, he met Minhyuk. Elpis recalled how Minhyuk cooked a very delicious meal for him. One day, while looking back on everything that he had been through, Elpis found himself standing by Minhyuk’s side. Elpis could not help but smile.

He had often wondered what to say, and how to repay the favor that he received from the man in front of him. Now that he had grown stronger and had taken another step further, he vowed to dedicate his life to his king.

Minhyuk looked at the crying Elpis and said, “Have you eaten, Elpis?”

“…”

Minhyuk was aware of the struggles and hardships that Elpis had gone through to become the Great Demon. Right now, the best thing that he could do was to welcome him warmly.

But then, at that moment, King Roath took a step forward. King Roath was the main instigator and the main pillar of the kings present here. He was also the one with the loudest voice, denouncing Minhyuk’s declaration. Among these kings, King Roath had the largest kingdom. The other kings, who watched him take a step forward and release his kingly charisma, gulped dryly.

‘What is he trying to do?’

‘No way. Is he still going to insist on that with the Great Demon in front of him?’

Then, King Roath, who was now laying on the charisma without holding back, chuckled as he looked around and said, “Beyond the Heavens’ King!”

With the loudest voice that he could muster, he said, “Congratulations and celebrations! Congratulations on receiving Great Demon Elpis as your vassal once again!”

“???”

“???”

“???”

The kings all tilted their heads in confusion. They were all thinking the same thing.

‘What the hell is that bastard doing?’

“I, King Roath of the Vladi Kingdom, wholeheartedly support the establishment of the Beyond the Heavens Empire.”

“…”

“…”

“Is there anything that I and my kingdom can do to be of help to the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom?”

“…”

“…”

The other kings, the commentators, and the viewers watching the broadcast from all over the world, looked at King Roath incredulously. Even if he was considered shameless, Roath would always prioritize his kingdom.

The Vladi Kingdom might be considered the most powerful kingdom on the continent, but its position and influence were being reduced by the day. In fact, he had seen the prospects of the Luvien Empire and thought that he had to do what he did to gain benefits for himself and his kingdom.

But now, King Roath had finally seen the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom’s potential. If the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom truly succeeded in becoming an empire that could rival and fight against the Luvien Empire, King Roath believed that they would not forget the Vladi Kingdom, which helped establish the foundations of their empire. Even if his pride and dignity took a hit for shamelessly changing his words, he might still be able to gain more benefits.

However, the other kings stood still.

‘It doesn’t mean that it will be a good thing just because the Great Demon is in the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.’

‘Since the Great Demon is in the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom, there must be quite a significant number of people that are reluctant to go there.’

‘Does he think that this will immediately open up a possibility for the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom to become an empire?’

But then, at that moment, they saw around 200,000 people of unknown origins approach the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom. All of the kings and their troops grew nervous and vigilant. They thought, ‘Which kingdom sent another troop?’

However, they had not heard about another kingdom joining them like that. On top of that, these people were not staring at the kings and their troops but at Minhyuk, who was standing on the walls behind them.

“Your Majesty Minhyuk, we have finally arrived.”

“Forgive us for being late.”

“Noble, you have our heartfelt gratitude!”

“We’re very grateful to you!!!”

“Uwaaaaaaaaaah!”

“This is the place where we will live from now on, right?”

“I wonder if we’ll be able to live well in this place?”

“Is that even important? Just becoming the subject of His Majesty Minhyuk is worthy of celebration, no?”

“…!”

“…!”

“…!”

As it turned out, the more than 200,000 people who appeared were the residents of Happy Island. They were about to establish their new homes in the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom and would be of tremendous help to the growth and development of the kingdom.

‘N, no. How the hell were they able to get this many migrants?’

‘How can this be…’

An ordinary kingdom would usually have only around thirty migrants per day. This was because most people would not want to leave the places where they had lived. But 200,000 people at one go?

Meanwhile, the residents of Happy Island were quick-witted. They had already grasped the situation. Knight Commander Korro turned to look at Evelyn and, with his loudest voice, said, “Evelyn!!! How about paying back His Majesty Minhyuk’s grace by using your special power?!”

Of course, Evelyn answered back in a jolly manner, “Aha! Are you talking about my power that will allow those who will eat the dishes that I made grow faster permanently?”

She looked around and continued loudly, as if she wanted them to clearly hear her words, “But I will only use my S. P. E. C. I. A. L. ability for the people of Beyond. The. Heavens. If they aren’t residents of Beyond the Heavens, then I will absolutely. Not. Serve them!”

“…!”

“…!”

“…!”

The kings and the viewers that heard those words were left stunned.

[Did she just say what I think she said?]

[Basically, what that NPC said is that she can permanently increase one’s EXP Acquisition Rate permanently with her dishes.]

[Unbelievable. I can’t believe that an NPC with such a unique ability exists.]

[Even if there’s only a 2%~5% increase in EXP Acquisition Rate, there will definitely be many people that will come to see her.]

[However, the most important thing to note in what she said is the fact that she will only serve her dishes to the residents of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.]

“…”

“…”

The kings’ brains rolled for a brief moment. Then, King Fernon rushed to join King Roath and shouted, “Congratulations! Congratulations!!! You will definitely become the ruler of an empire! I have believed it for a very long time!!!”

Then, another king rushed forward. “I can allow your 200,000 new residents to stay in Arvatto Kingdom temporarily until they have fully settled in your kingdom!”

“Hahahahaha! I have believed in you for a very long time?!”

“Isn’t it the same for King Roath? Of course, I think the same. Hahahahaha!!!”

“Ha, hahahahahahahahaha!”

The soldiers could only laugh awkwardly when they heard their kings laugh like that.

Then, Minhyuk looked at the kings and the soldiers with a small smile on his face. He said, “Kings of the Asgan Continent.”

“Please feel free to speak your mind.”

“How long are you going to let us wait outside like this? Huh? Please treat us to a cup of tea.”

“I also want to try the food that you make.”

“I’ll only say this once, so you all better listen carefully.”

All of the kings perked their ears up and listened carefully. It went without saying that the rest of the world was equally curious. Minhyuk, with a faint smile on his face, opened his mouth and said, “Everyone…”

The kings gulped dryly as the cameras from all over the world zoomed in on Minhyuk’s face. The smile on Minhyuk’s face grew wide as he finished his words, “…you’re all m*therf*ckers.”