Gourmet Gaming

The words that the Battle God left at the end of the video related to the episode were more than enough to arouse the curiosity of all of the players of Athenae.

[What does the Battle God mean when he said that Player Minhyuk would have all of Edea?]

Comments quickly piled upon the silly and naive player’s question.

[Do you not know? Edea is the land under the Jade Emperor’s rule. However, the Jade Emperor is trying to kill and slaughter all of the forces in Edea that are against him by making use of us players. What do you think will happen if Minhyuk works hard and protects the four kingdoms of Edea?]

[Uhmm… He will be loved by the four kingdoms, right?]

[You crazy bastard. Will he only receive their love? The residents of Edea will be left devastated after receiving continuous pressure from the Jade Emperor. Even if they can defend themselves with the help of Minhyuk, there will be no place left for them in Edea, the land ruled by the Jade Emperor. So, what will happen next?]

[…Uh… They’ll go to a place where there’s someone that they can trust?]

[Good. Good. You’re doing good, punk. So, who is the person that they can trust?]

[…Minhyuk?]

[Yep, yep. That’s it. Hence, even if they survive this ordeal, the residents of Edea will be left with nowhere to go. So, they will rely on Minhyuk, the benefactor who protected Edea. If that truly happens, then Minhyuk will be able to absorb all of the forces in Edea.]

[Oh… Ah? Omg… Wait…! Will he be able to absorb four kingdoms? Then…!]

[What you’re thinking is correct. If the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom can absorb the four kingdoms then…]

[They will probably be able to reach 95% of the conditions needed to become the Beyond the Heavens Empire…!]

***

Minhyuk hurriedly called for a meeting.

At that time, Minhyuk was still unsure of what effects protecting the Great Sage, Heaven’s Equal and the kingdoms of Edea would bring. However, the words of the Battle God at the end completely shook his heart.

“Our Beyond the Heavens Kingdom should focus on protecting Edea, no?”

All of the guild members nodded in agreement.

“That’s right. Everyone should halt their hunting quests and put a pause on any other activities to defend Edea.”

Vice Guild Master Genie nodded in answer, finding the suggestion reasonable. Even Locke was shrugging his shoulders, expressing that he would go with whatever they decided.

“No matter how many players come, we will still be able to stop them as long as we have Spear God Ben and Brod with us. From what I heard, the Great Sage, Heaven’s Equal is also very strong, right?”

Minhyuk nodded. The players from all over the world viewed this battle as a confrontation between the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom and the rest of the world. Everyone knew that the opportunity for their Beyond the Heavens to become an empire was just right around the corner. In a situation like this, the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom had to give it their all.

However, amidst their excited chatter, Haze sat there calmly. She thought, ‘Aside from His Majesty Minhyuk, the rest would take quite a while to arrive at Edea.’

Shortly after the video was released, a passage to Edea had opened. The problem was the passage was very long. There were also countless traps and monsters along the way. Even outstanding rankers would need two weeks to completely break through this passage. In other words, even though a huge crowd would push forward and head to Edea, they would not arrive until two weeks later.

It would likely also take a long time for the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom to reach Edea, even if they departed right then and there.

However, the thing that Haze was most worried about was something else.

“…However.”

Those who were clamoring loudly turned to look at Haze and immediately quieted down when they saw the serious look on her face. Haze might be young but she was the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom’s prime minister and was the one in charge of the finances of the entire kingdom. Not only that, she was recognized for her brilliant and cunning mind.

“Do you think that the Luvien Empire will stay still?”

“…”

“…”

Everyone turned mute when they heard her words.

The news about how Minhyuk would be able to establish an empire if he could save Edea must have already reached the Luvien Empire. Besides, fully aware that the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom would be empty and defenseless, the Luvien Empire would not let them be.

Abel, who had gone to check what the Luvien Empire’s stance was at Haze’s request, arrived at this moment. He sat down, pulled his mask, and said, “It’s just like Haze said. The Luvien Empire is rallying their troops.”

Their excitement immediately died down. Everyone finally realized how complacent their thinking was. The Beyond the Heavens Kingdom’s greatest enemy was just right in front of them. Besides, there was already a high chance that Nerva viewed Minhyuk as a thorn in his eyes. The greatest reason was due to Minhyuk becoming the ‘Battle God’s Descendant.’

“Once our troops leave, this place will collapse.”

Haze’s words might be heartless and cold but they were the truth.

The only reason why the Luvien Empire did not recklessly touch the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom was because they had a large number of powerful people like Brod, Spear God Ben, Bichor, Elpis, and many more. So, what would happen if the Beyond the Heavens’ Army left the kingdom?

“We will fall in three days. The reason why he’s secretly gathering his troops is probably because they do not want any information leaked or to tip off their enemies.”

They all perked their ears up and listened intently to Haze.

“This time, Nerva will truly march with his real army. Of course, it will still not be his entire army. However…”

All of the people present gulped dryly.

“We would have to use all of our power just to be able to match them.”

The Luvien Empire had absorbed the power and military might of dozens of kingdoms. If the Beyond the Heavens wanted to survive this trial, they would have to give it their all in defense.

“From this point on, we have to gather all of our troops and prepare for this.”

“…”

The dream that they thought was almost within their reach suddenly flew away.

Minhyuk was left in a state of confusion. ‘Sun Wukong has come all the way here to help me.’

The same was true for the Kingdom of Eden which was once ruled by the Bull Demon King. Did he have to stand by and watch these people get slaughtered?

“We don’t know if we can win this war. That’s why we have to ensure that we will last as long as possible,” Haze said as she looked at the people around her. Then, her eyes landed on Minhyuk, who was already sporting a bitter look on his face. “However, there is only one solution for us to cinch our victory.”

“…”

Minhyuk looked at Haze.

“And that is His Majesty’s victorious return after protecting Edea.”

“…!”

Minhyuk’s eyes grew wide when he heard those words. Even the other guild members were very shocked to hear that.

“Are you saying that Minhyuk should go alone and protect Edea by himself, Haze?”

“No, no matter how strong he is…”

“The troops from Edea will catch the Luvien Empire off guard. Besides, even if His Majesty Minhyuk remains here, our chances of winning the battle against the Luvien Empire are only at 8%. But what if he comes back with Edea’s troops? That probability will rise.”

What Haze said was the cold and hard truth. Even though Beyond the Heavens was a very strong kingdom, they would still be hard-pressed when it came to fighting a battle against the Great Luvien Empire.

“We have to face reality. We are currently being pushed into a corner. We need Edea’s troops to protect our Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.”

Everyone turned to look at Minhyuk. After all, he was the one that had to go alone.

“And I…” Haze smiled lightly. “…I trust you, Your Majesty.”

Among everyone present, Haze was the most realistic and most rational. However, she had a firm and steadfast belief that Minhyuk would be able to do it. She was just showing her faith in her king.

Minhyuk pondered deeply for a moment. They did not have any other choice. The establishment of their empire was just right in front of them. However, reaching for that dream might mean the destruction of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.

“I never expected that these words would come out of my mouth.” Minhyuk smiled bitterly. “Everyone, do whatever it takes to protect the kingdom. I will also do whatever it takes to protect Edea and come back victorious.”

Beyond the Heavens had received the attention of many players. Because they had an image to uphold, there were countless things that they did not dare to challenge or do. But now, these people would not pay any more attention to the means and methods that they would employ. Winning this battle was more important than maintaining their image. It was alright even if their prestige dropped for a bit.

Then, Minhyuk declared, “I will go to Edea alone.”

The meeting ended with that. Minhyuk began to move with Haze immediately following right behind him.

“Haze, prepare all of Mandala’s potions. And bring me all of the dishes above legendary grade in the kingdom. Also, relay my orders to Bichor. Tell him to create the most dangerous bomb that he can make.”

“I understand.”

“How much of the kingdom’s funds can we use right now?”

“We have around 320,000 platinum.”

“I’ll take half of it. Hmmm, that might be a bit short. Uhel.”

Calauhel, who was keeping pace with Minhyuk, turned to look at him. The other executives that were walking along with them perked their ears up and listened intently.

“Lend me a hundred billion.”

“…!”

“…!”

“…!”

All of the executives were very shocked to hear those words.

‘A, h… hundred billion?!!!’

If one apartment in Seoul costs about a billion won, then a hundred billion won could very well buy a hundred units. Minhyuk wanted to borrow that much money?

Then, Calauhel replied, “A hundred billion? I don’t think that’s enough. Let me lend you two hundred billion.”

“Ah. Thank you.”

“…?”

“…?”

“…?”

Locke, who was sporting a blank look on his face, said, “Are we talking about the MXple game currency right now…?”

Minhyuk’s preparations had started at full steam.

***

Supreme’s Plains. It was a land where only the chosen supremes could walk on. Only a few players above Level 580 could enter this area. There was one powerhouse that stood above the rest in this place. And this powerhouse was none other than Alexander.

Alexander had recently achieved Level 600. The moment he reached that level, someone from the Supreme’s Plain called out to him.

[One of the Eight Pillars, the Master of All Weapons Fabro, has recognized your existence!]

[You are a man who has reached the peak of power with just an ordinary class.]

[If you can overcome the trials set by Eight Pillars Fabro, you will be able to change into one of the Eight Pillars’ classes, the ‘Weapon Master!’]

At first, Alexander was beyond thrilled. He knew that Food God Minhyuk was just a candidate for the Eight Pillars and not one of them yet. As for Alexander, he stood above all of the rankers in America despite only having the most common class. However, even though he reached the top of his country, the limits set by his class had forced him into a standstill. Because of that, he could only look at Minhyuk’s back.

But now, an opportunity appeared in front of him. He was given the chance to obtain an Eight Pillars’ Class, a class that perhaps might even be able to go beyond the power of an Absolute God Class.

[You have been forced to log out for the ninth time!]

[Because you are doing the Eight Pillars Class Change Quest, you will not receive any forced logout penalties!]

[You only have one chance left.]

[If you fail the Class Change Quest, you will lose -10 levels!]

Alexander felt very frustrated. The walls that blocked him in this trial were far too high.

The trial was divided into three parts. The first one was solving a trap. The second one was dealing with a monster army. And the third was successfully landing ten attacks on the Eight Pillars Weapon Master Fabro. However, he had always been stumped by the third part of the trial. The highest number of successful attacks that he landed was five.

It could be said that Fabro’s trial was extremely forgiving and merciful to Alexander. After all, the successful attacks that he needed to land were ridiculously few. On top of that, he could also use all of the potions and parchments in his possession. He could even switch his artifacts freely.

However, Alexander had run into the limits of his character and skills. And now, he only had one chance left.

‘I…’

If he failed this trial, he would not even be able to get a glimpse of Minhyuk’s back. After all, a -10 in level for a high ranker was extremely fatal. Alexander took a deep breath. Then, he closed his eyes and immersed himself in his thoughts. Perhaps, he already knew what the outcome of this battle was.

‘I will fail.’

However, Alexander was not someone who would give up that easily. Besides, the trial had a time limit so he had no other option. He could not back down. He clenched his fists as he moved to take his final chance at this trial.

“Alexander.”

At that moment, someone called out his name.

Alexander immediately turned to look in the direction where the voice came from. There, he saw the man that he was chasing desperately after with a faint smile on his face.

“You look like you’re having a hard time.”

“…You, why…” Alexander looked at the man in confusion.

It seemed like even Minhyuk had guessed that he would fail this trial. But then, Minhyuk said to him, “How about having a meal with me?”

“…?”

‘I don’t care. I will use whatever means is available to me.’

This was Minhyuk’s first step.