Gourmet Gaming

‘How is this even possible?’

The effects of Minhyuk’s buffed dish were enough to give Level 500 players a strength that could rival those at Level 650. What was even more surprising was that a ‘legendary’ grade dish was exerting the power of a ‘god’ grade dish.

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang—!

Lesso triggered his special skill, ‘Crevice’s Sword.’ It was a skill that could normally engulf an area of a 15-meter radius and create a huge crevice on the ground where magma would come pouring out.

[Crevice’s Sword]

[Magma with an additional 6,500% damage will spurt out of the crevice within a 36-meter radius area.]

[The enemies’ armor that make contact with the magma will immediately corrode. An additional 600% damage per second will be dealt to the enemies.]

The skill was supposed to only deal an additional 4,000% damage from the initial spurt of magma and 150% damage per second once it corroded the enemies’ armor and defenses. On top of that, these additional % damages were usually related to one’s basic attack damage.

Lesso was currently the most excited out of everyone present in this tomb. This was because the level of his power had reached a point where his enemies were melting down.

“Ha… Hahahahahaha… Hahahahahahahaha!”

It was exhilarating. Lesso felt like he could go toe to toe with Alexander the way he was right now. In fact, he felt like he could become the best ranker in the world. However, Lesso immediately realized that it was nothing but useless arrogance.

***

[The first attack of the kings of the Tomb of the Kings will continue!]

[Remaining Time: 24 minutes 53 seconds.]

[You will receive special rewards if you can wipe out the kings of the Tomb of the Kings and their troops quickly.]

[You have wiped out the kings of the Tomb of the Kings and their troops!]

[Your EXP Acquisition Rate has increased by 1.5x.]

[A special reward will be given to the player with the highest contribution inside the Tomb of the Kings.]

[You have acquired 2,000 platinum.]

[You have gained +2 in all of your stats.]

[You are the player with the highest contribution.]

[You have wiped out the Magic Kingdom Abbanon’s Mages.]

[You are a king of a nation.]

[You have acquired 200 Nurturing Parchments that can help your kingdom’s mages to grow one class higher.]

[You have randomly acquired 137 of the 4th~6th Class Magic Books from the Abbanon’s Magic Kingdom.]

If they could wipe them out faster, then they would be able to receive greater rewards. Minhyuk was also aware that there were precious ingredients, which the kings had enjoyed in their lifetimes, hidden within the Tomb of the Kings.

Minhyuk jumped out and left Lesso behind. He had been saving his skills as much as possible ever since he entered the Tomb of the Kings. This was because he still did not know about what lay ahead of him inside this tomb. But now, all of the kings were now charging toward them at one go. There was no need for him to save his strength any longer.

“Summon Beanie.”

“Oiiiiink!”

Beanie held a black kitchen knife in his paws and wore a white cape carrying the ‘Beyond the Heavens’ symbol’, as he appeared in front of Minhyuk with a smirk on his face.

“Oink! Oink, oink. Oiiiiiiiiink! (It’s been a long time since you called for me, bastard master! Oiiiink!)”

Minhyuk smiled faintly as he stood with Beanie at the forefront, facing over 10,000 of the charging troops that marched with their kings. Their levels all exceeded Level 570. However, Minhyuk had become stronger after eating the ‘legendary’ grade dish that was comparable to a ‘god’ grade dish in terms of buff effects.

Minhyuk was currently at Level 602. At that level, he would be able to obtain strength that was at least at Level 700 if he ate a god-grade dish.

“Overlord’s Technique.”

Crackleeeee—!

A blazing black flame erupted and covered his sword.

“Oiiiiiiiiiiiiink!!!”

Beanie, who was now standing right next to him, immediately cast Overlord’s Technique and swung his sword which was also covered with blazing black flames, together with Minhyuk.

Crackleeeeeeee—!

After eating the buffed dish, the Overlord’s Technique’s level had increased by +2 and now covered an area with a 100-meter radius. On top of that, Beanie also released a similar Overlord’s Technique, which instantly doubled the area.

Crackleeeee—

The thousands of troops that were charging toward Minhyuk and Beanie and blocking their path were immediately sent flying back by the Overlord’s Technique that overturned the entire area of 200 meter radius.

[You have wiped out the kings in the Tomb of the Kings and their troops at an incredible speed!]

[The speed of the enemy troops’ advance cannot catch up with the speed of being wiped out!]

[You will be given a special reward.]

[You have gained 3,000 platinum.]

[You have acquired +5 to all of your stats…]

The Rothschilde Kingdom’s army and Calauhel were all very shocked, especially those that had eaten the same legendary grade dish that Minhyuk had eaten. They clearly felt their limits. They felt very frustrated after seeing Minhyuk and realizing that they could not even reach his ankles. Then, at that moment, a set of chilling notifications rang out.

[Eight Pillar Aegaeon’s power has been activated!]

[Aegaeon is gathering all of the kings.]

[The gathered kings have become 20% stronger with Aegaeon’s blessings.]

[With Aegaeon’s blessings, the gathered kings have received a 30% increase in their physical and magical defenses.]

[There are a total of 300 kings gathered together.]

[The gathered kings have recognized the current era’s two strong kings.]

[They are pointing their swords only at the two kings.]

[The kings from the past want to test two great kings who have succeeded them.]

Flash, flash, flash, flash, flash, flash—

Hundreds of bright lights burst out in quick succession. At that moment, all of the troops were swept away while Minhyuk and Calauhel were dragged forward by Aegaeon’s power.

“Keheuuuuup!”

“Urk…!”

Hundreds of kings surrounded and stared at the two of them. These proud and majestic kings were all curious about the kings of the current era and their strength. The questions began.

“Our strength…”

“Do you have the qualifications?”

“Do you have them?”

Calauhel gulped dryly. Aegaeon had increased these kings’ level by a hundred. These kings were asking them such questions. At the same time, Calauhel felt thrilled.

‘If I… If I can take the test together with Food God Minhyuk…’

Calauhel realized that Food God Minhyuk stood at a higher place than him and was much greater than him. He was an insignificant existence when compared to Minhyuk.

But then, Minhyuk put his hands on his shoulder and said, “Become the King Above Kings.”

Today, Minhyuk noticed that the world’s richest man, Calauhel, would become Beyond the Heavens Kingdom’s strong and reliable ally. That was why he believed that it would be better if this new reliable ally would have the new class ‘King Above Kings.’

Calauhel looked at Minhyuk and thought, ‘Even though he might feel bad that he would have to be recognized together with someone like me…’

However, the man in front of him gave him strength and confidence.

“I love you, friend.”

“…”

Calauhel, who never had a real friend in his life, wanted to make a genuine friend. That was why he said those words. However, his method was a bit clumsy and cringy, to the point that it made Minhyuk feel this strange sense of discomfort.

Meanwhile, the kings opened their mouths again.

“Can you carry our powers?”

“This era’s strong kings.”

“We will test your qualifications.”

There was arrogance in the eyes of these kings, as well as some curiosity toward the strong kings of the current era.

Minhyuk’s lips twisted into a smirk. “Shut up and just come at us quickly.”

The arrogant and great king's faces turned ugly when they heard Minhyuk’s impudent remarks.

[One of the Eight Pillars, Agaeon, is looking at you with interest.]

The 500 kings started attacking the two at the same time. The Rothschilde Kingdom’s army was unable to intervene in this battle because Aegaeon’s power was preventing them from interfering with their battle.

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!

Minhyuk swiftly evaded the onslaught of attacks and the enemies that were chasing after him with his Like the Wind. Then, he kicked strongly and soared through the air, cutting down the kings that were blocking his path in the air.

Ping, ping, ping, ping, ping, ping—!

“Keuaaaaack!”

“Aaaaaack!”

He stepped on the bodies of the falling kings to catapult himself higher, all the while allowing the attacks to fall on his body. Thanks to the activation of the Steel Skin, his physical and magical defense had tripled.

“Sword of Absolute Death.”

Minhyuk, with his dark hair fluttering with the wind, glared sharply at the kings. He was very upset when he heard them talk about testing themselves over and over again.

[Hundreds of lightning swords with additional 7,000% attack will fall down from the sky and hit all of the enemies within a 20 meter radius with a 100% success rate.]

[Immediately after the first attack, the hundreds of lightning swords with 2,000% additional attack will strike down all of the enemies within a 30-meter radius.]

[Anyone who received a direct attack from the lightning sword will fall into a four-second stunned state.]

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!

All of the kings within the 20-meter radius area were struck with lightning swords that carried an additional 7,000% attack.

“Keuaaaaaaaaaack!”

Their screams rang rampant as hundreds of lightning swords fell from the sky one after another.

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!

Those who had been directly hit by the lightning sword also fell into a stunned state. Minhyuk did not stop there. He quickly dashed forward the moment his feet landed on the ground.

“Stormy.”

A sword made of storms was summoned right beside the running Minhyuk and shot toward the kings. Just like that, blood spurted out from the bodies of the kings.

‘Crazy. Food God Minhyuk is really crazy.’

‘Goodness…’

The royal army was left slack-jawed when they saw Minhyuk’s performance. Of course, they were also admiring Calauhel.

[The Destroyer’s Dance.]

Calauhel triggered his secret skill, the Destroyer’s Dance. It could create hundreds of Destruction Energy with every step that he made and stab his enemies, the kings, as they danced around him.

Stab, stab, stab, stab, stab—

Calauhel felt like he had nothing to fear now.

‘My precious friend is right here with me, what is there for me to fear?’

He completely entrusted his back to Minhyuk. Then, he thought, ‘A way for my Rothschilde Kingdom to get back up on its feet and become stronger…’

It had seemed like it was impossible.

‘I should just stay with him.’

Stab— Stab, stab, stab—

Calauhel dashed forward and cut down the kings one after another.

The pace at which they cut down the number of kings had become faster. Then, Minhyuk ran away from the kings. Of course, the kings started to chase after him. However, he took this opportunity to jump into the middle of their ranks.

Minhyuk grinned. He had the skill ‘Save’, which allowed him to save a skill and use it once without it being affected by the cooldown time.

“Sword of Absolute Death.”

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang—

Once again, he triggered the Sword of Absolute Death and sent hundreds of lightning swords with an additional 7,000% attack, raining down on the kings, and wiping them out easily.

At the same time, Calauhel cut down the last king.

Blink—

[You have wiped out all of the kings of the Tomb of the Kings!]

[The two kings have received the recognition and acknowledgement of the Tomb of the Kings.]

[The owner of the Tomb of the Kings, Aegaeon, has appeared.]

A bright light flashed as a strange, powerful force wrapped around Minhyuk’s body. Then, the space that he was standing on suddenly changed.

***

The Eight Pillars. They were legendary characters who supported and maintained the world of Athenae. They were beings that even the Absolute Gods would not dare fight against.

Aegaeon, one of the Eight Pillars, was an existence that was comparable to a king above kings. The Tomb of the Kings was just one among the many possessions that he had.

If Goddess Athenae was the existence that maintained and kept the balance of the world, then Aegaeon was the existence that wanted the world to ‘not exist.’ Among Aegaeon’s power, there existed a power called ‘gluttony.’ It allowed him to devour his opponents which made him, who harbored such thoughts and ideals, extremely dangerous.

That was why Athenae used all of her powers to seal Aegaeon. However, Aegaeon was a vicious and shrewd being. Knowing that he would be sealed, he separated himself into fragments and scattered them all over the world. Then, he waited.

Right now, Aegaeon wanted one man. The same man who overcame the hurdles presented by the hundreds of kings in the Tomb of the Kings. He sat on his black throne and watched as the man appeared in front of him in a flash of light.

The man had many faces. He showed a bright and innocent smile when eating, and a wild, ferocious face, fiercer than any wild beast, when he was fighting.

[Aegaeon’s Dignity has been triggered.]

[Aegaeon’s Dignity can force anyone to their knees and take away their will to fight!]

Aegaeon, with his black hair strewn all over his face, looked at the man with an expressionless face and said, “Kneel.”

The power that he used was something that even the gods could not fight against. There was no god that would be able to stand in front of his dignity.

Rumbleeeeeeeeeee—

The heavens and the earth shook as the word ‘Kneel’ rang in the area, and a tremendous amount of pressure weighed down on the human king in front of Aegaeon.

“Who the f*ck are you to tell me to kneel?”

[The Unyielding One has been triggered.]

[The Candidate for the Eight Pillars does not give in to anyone!]

The knees of the man in front of Aegaeon did not fold.

Meanwhile, contrary to his confident and arrogant words, Minhyuk was actually very nervous. This was his first time encountering such a strong pressure in Athenae. The pressure was leagues beyond the one that he felt when he faced the Corrupted God, one of the Six Monster Gods Gaerna, and the other powerful beings that he had faced before.

Even so, Minhyuk did not kneel. In fact, he even took a step towards Aegaeon.

Thud, thud—

“You kneel.”

“…”

“Worship.”

The Earth King’s Authority, ‘Worship’ was triggered. After the battle against over 300 kings, the Earth King’s Mana had reached 100%. According to the description of the Earth King’s Authority ‘Worship’, it could force anyone to kneel once the Earth King’s Mana had been filled to 100%.

At that moment, Aegaeon’s expression changed.

Thuuuuuuuuud—

Something invisible that felt like they were tree roots began to wrap around Aegaeon’s body as a powerful pressure began to press down on himself and drag him down from his throne.

‘What…?!’

Aegaeon was very shocked. He had never knelt down before, even in the presence of Athenae.

Thud, thud—

A drop of sweat fell down Aegaeon’s forehead as the man continued to take huge strides forward.

Flaaaaaaaaash—

Aegaeon could ignore the forced kneel status.

Swoosh—

The power of Worship slowly disappeared. However, Minhyuk was already running with his sword. Minhyuk was quick-witted. He could tell that Aegaeon was not looking at him favorably and would try to kill him.

Dash, dash, dash—

Aegaeon immediately jumped from his seat when he saw Minhyuk dash forward. The moment Minhyuk swung his sword, Aegaeon triggered a skill that no one could resist and forced Minhyuk’s consciousness to turn black.

“…”

Only after that did Aegaeon realize that the sword that Minhyuk swung stopped just right next to his neck.