Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 856

It had to be known that the reason why most of these talents came to the Beyond the Heavens Empire was because they all had something that they wanted to achieve. One was promised the first peek of all of Best Selling Author Aruvel’s new works, while another was tempted by the black hair that grew on their shiny and twinkling heads. However, after obtaining what they wanted from the Beyond the Heavens Empire, they were overcome with regret.

‘Was it that important enough for me to leave the place where I was born?’

‘Because of my greed, my daughter, who came here with me, is having a hard time adjusting to life in the Beyond the Heavens Empire.’

‘Because of my greed, I have brought pain to my family.’

‘Just this? Is this the only thing that I can receive when I come to the Beyond the Heavens Empire?’

That was just how a person was. Once they obtained what they had been craving for and wanting for a very long time, it would never be enough. That was not all, the families that these recruited talents brought with them were truly unable to adapt to life in the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

That was only natural. After all, they left the place that they had lived in for all their lives and were forced to adapt to living in a very unfamiliar place. In addition, the majority of the people who moved here came from places that had conditions that were far better than those the Beyond the Heavens Empire was offering them. After all, the empires where they came from had a stronger foundation and were much larger than the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

Of course, their distrust was completely directed to one person alone.

“Can His Majesty make such an outstanding dish?”

“His Majesty commands Sir Brod, Sir Amacar, and the Spear God. However, does he truly have the qualifications to hold that much power?”

“Is he truly someone who can lead us?”

The Beyond the Heavens Empire was just a kingdom not too long ago. Of course, they, the representatives of their respective empires and kingdoms, had heard of the majesty of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom before. The feats of how they had sealed Great Demon Verus, hunted the Six Monster Gods, as well as the Demigod Asura.

However, they were also fully aware that the legends and myths of every kingdom and empire often tended to be exaggerated. It was likely that the Beyond the Heavens Empire was no different.

“Sir Amacar, you haven’t seen His Majesty’s military might and power yet, right?”

“...That’s– that’s right.”

Amacar could only smile bitterly as he watched the newly recruited talents chat like that during their rest in between training. One of the reasons why Amacar had chosen Minhyuk was because he could see his potential to stand toe to toe with Consteinus, perhaps even higher. Also, he could see that he was an emperor that cared for his people.

However, that was not the case for the others. They had to be presented with a definite result and clear profits to prove that their choice to migrate to this empire was correct.

‘This is a situation that His Majesty will have to deal with and go through himself.’

Amacar’s favorability with Minhyuk increased when he talked with him. However, these people had not had a chance to have a proper conversation with His Majesty yet. For them, Minhyuk was just someone who recruited them after striking a deal with their previous rulers.

“It feels like we’re nothing but commodities. It’s as if those emperors had traded us, no?”

“Sir Brod and Spear God Ben had said that Emperor Minhyuk would be different. However, it remains to be seen.”

“We haven’t even seen the face of our new emperor.”

This was also true. Minhyuk had not met with them properly yet. In a way, this could be considered to be Minhyuk’s fault. However, it was mostly because he had a lot of work to deal with. Haze had been kidnapped by the other kings and emperors right after they had finished recruiting these talents, and he had only been able to return from rescuing her less than a day ago.

However, such an excuse would not work for these people.

“He’s strong and he can make outstanding dishes? It’s too exaggerated.”

They thought that this would be very difficult. How was it possible for someone to be strong, and also able to make divine and godly dishes? They thought that this was most likely a lie that God of Devotion Haze had concocted.

At that moment, Minhyuk appeared with Brod from afar. Minhyuk had expected this to happen sooner or later.

‘These talents were recruited so suddenly. It would be strange if they did not have a single complaint.’

They all stood awkwardly, greeting Minhyuk with half-hearted courtesy when they saw him approach.

“You’re here, Your Majesty.”

Minhyuk took a careful look at these talents. These people had all been considered as the pride of their kingdoms and empires previously.

“I know that it’s been a while since you came to my Beyond the Heavens Empire. Forgive me for not paying much attention to your situation during that time.”

“You must be very busy. However, it seems like it’s because you believe that things will turn out fine, no?”

The blunt and sarcastic response came from Spearman Keller, causing Minhyuk’s face to turn ugly.

‘I have to beat this bastard up first.’

Spearman Keller was at Level 610. Among the newly recruited talents, he was considered one of those top-quality warriors. The reason why he came to the Beyond the Heavens Empire was because Spear God Ben came to see him. He had never thought of bowing down to anyone other than Spear God Ben.

Unfortunately, it was not just Keller who was looking at Minhyuk with clear distrust. Most of the recruits were looking at him with the same look.

Then, Minhyuk said, “If, by any chance, there is something that you need, I will make sure to help you.”

“Help us? What do you mean by that?”

“Of course, I will help you with what this emperor does best.”

Everyone here knew that what Minhyuk did best was cooking.

“I have heard rumors about how excellent Your Majesty’s dishes are. However, I don’t know if your dishes will truly be able to give us what we want.”

This time, the one who replied was a man named Halsen. He was well-known for being a Culinary Researcher, a class that had the power to study any dish and, surprisingly, make its effects even better.

‘For me, he’s a necessary talent.’

Halsen might just be the talent that Food God Minhyuk needed to add more strength to his buffed dishes.

Of course, there were also quite a lot of people who spoke as sharply as Halsen.

“Who knows? What I want right now is to get a foundation that would allow me to grow stronger and develop further.”

“Hmmmm...”

“Hmm... Will Your Majesty even be able to help us achieve what we want...?”

Minhyuk took note of everyone who mocked and jeered like Keller in his head. Then, at that moment, a man carefully raised his hand.

“Your Majesty.”

He was the most cautious among all the talented men present. Unlike those who spoke before him, his gaze was filled with respect and admiration for Minhyuk.

‘Ride Kingdom’s Epaule.’

Ride Kingdom’s Epaule was the kingdom’s knight commander. Strangely enough, Epaule immediately migrated to the Beyond the Heavens Empire the moment the empire reached out to him.

“I want to gain strength and obtain a faster growth rate than what I have now.”

Epaule was the weakest among the newly recruited talents, his level being only around Level 530 or so.

“And I really, really want to taste the delicious dishes that Your Majesty makes.”

Epaule had heard about how the Beyond the Heavens’ Emperor declared that he would create an empire where no one would go hungry. From what he saw, the Beyond the Heavens Empire was truly making it happen. He had experienced what it was like to be hungry when he was younger. Because of that, he had developed a huge craving for food. He especially loved trying delicious dishes. He truly respected Minhyuk for creating an empire that was vastly different from the empire he came from, where there were many suffering from hunger.

“Good.” Minhyuk nodded. “I will give you a faster growth rate and a stronger body that will allow you to train harder and faster.”

Many people snorted when they heard Minhyuk’s words. As for Epaule, the respect in his eyes did not diminish at all.

‘He will give Epaule a faster growth rate? A stronger body?’

‘It’s true that one can gain a faster growth rate and strength. However, is that something that a buff dish could give?’

Despite their doubts, Minhyuk continued with what he wanted to do and used his Create a Recipe skill.

[Creating a recipe that the other party desires.]

[You can now check the recipe for Braised Chicken.]

[The amount of buff that can be used has been decreased due to creating a recipe.]

The dish that Epaule wanted the most right now was braised chicken, a dish with a sweet aftertaste.

“From what I know, those who can make pretty good buff dishes can only give others a 10% increase in their growth rate and power,” Halsen said, his words pouring cold water over everyone listening.

Although he said so, he had judged that it would be extremely difficult to increase the amount of buff by that much. A dish that could increase growth rate and power by 10% already had a value that was far beyond anyone’s imagination. Halsen said those words because he wanted to give Minhyuk an ultimatum. Minhyuk had to make a dish at that level to convince them.

However, Minhyuk paid him no mind and just started cooking.

‘Epaule, I quite like you.’

His eyes were bright and clear. When he checked the man’s status, he could see that Epaule would be able to develop and become a great asset for their empire as long as people like Amacar and Ben could support him well. Since he showed respect for Minhyuk right from the very beginning, Minhyuk would make sure to give him what he wanted.

‘I will cook the best dish for you.’

Epaule was considered the underdog. And this weak underdog hoped that one day he would have the power to overcome all of the people who stood above him. He knew that it would be a very tough fight. After all, everyone here was a genius. But Minhyuk would do his best to make it a possibility.

Minhyuk slowly fell into a trance as he continued to cook for Epaule. Many people laughed at the sight. The one that stood out the most among the laughing and jeering men was none other than Keller.

***

Keller stared at Minhyuk, who was sweating profusely as he stood in front of a pot and continued to cook. He thought, ‘The one that I’m serving is Spear God Ben. Even if you’re the emperor, you do not have the qualifications to have me under your command.’

Keller was proud and arrogant. He was still in his twenties yet he was already over Level 600. He also became the first Spear Master in the empire that he belonged to before. When he came to the Beyond the Heavens Empire, it was out of respect for Spear God Ben, not Minhyuk.

‘To think His Majesty declared that he’s going to grant more strength to that guy named Epaule? Everyone has a limit.’

Epaule was the weakest among them. Even if he became 10% stronger, it would still be very hard for him to win against them.

Meanwhile, Minhyuk, who had finally finished cooking, smiled in satisfaction as he placed the dish in front of Epaule.

“Tha-thank you for the meal, Your Majesty!”

Keller looked at Epaule with contempt, as if he was pathetic for flattering Minhyuk. That was when his gaze drifted down to the braised chicken. He could see the glossy, flat potato noodles peeking from the steaming soy-based sauce of the braised chicken.

‘It looks delicious, at the very least.’

The dish was also filled with sweet potatoes, rice cakes, and chicken meat that were covered with the sauce. It looked mouth-watering.

The first thing that Epaule grabbed was a large chicken leg, bringing it to his mouth to take a huge bite. Immediately, his tongue could taste the amazing harmony of the sweetness and saltiness of the dish.

“...Wow.”

Epaule’s eyes opened wide. This was the first time that he tasted such a delicious chicken in his life. He had been looking around carefully, but he threw all caution to the wind and began to eat as fast as he could.

He grabbed a mouthful of the flat potato noodles and quickly slurped it up.

Sluuuuuuurp–!

The flat noodles that had soaked the sauces well tasted amazing. It tasted even better when he ate it with the rice that Minhyuk had served together with the dish. He scooped a few spoonfuls of the braised chicken sauce, crushed some potato in his rice bowl, and mixed everything before putting a huge mouthful in his mouth.

“Woaaaah.”

Epaule felt delighted by the cacophony of flavors that greeted his mouth the moment he put everything in.

As mentioned before, Epaule was a foodie. He loved food more than anything else. He was extremely grateful to Minhyuk for giving him such delicious food.

[Epaule’s favor has reached the MAX level.]

[Epaule is one of your newly recruited talents.]

[He will do anything for you!]

Epaule even began to cry as he continued to eat the dish in front of him.

‘No. Is it really that delicious?’

Keller found himself wondering. Was the dish so delicious to the point that one would be reduced to tears? What kind of bullshit was that?

After finishing the meal, Epaule shouted in shock, “A– aaaaaaaack!”

He even fell after taking a step back in surprise. The people all turned to look at him in confusion and doubt.

“Wh-what’s the matter with you?”

“Th-the speed of my growth and my strength...”

“Your strength...?”

Everyone perked their ears up. Meanwhile, Epaule stared at Minhyuk and the empty bowl of braised chicken alternately in disbelief. It was as if he could not believe what was presented in front of him.

Then, Epaule said, “It has increased by 35%.”

“...!”

“...!”

“...!”

While everyone was left reeling in shock, Keller stood up and shouted with veins popping on his neck, “What bullshit!”

It was completely ridiculous. He had never heard about something like this in his entire life.

Even the Culinary Researcher Halsen chimed in and said, “I have never heard of such a dish in my life! A dish like that would be God-grade. However, it’s obvious that the dish in front of you is not a God-grade dish!”

Because Halsen was a culinary researcher, his words carried the highest credibility. Keller’s eyes immediately narrowed when he heard that.

“I’m sorry if this offends you, Your Majesty. But you might have teamed up with Epaule to win our favor, no?” Keller said so to make sense of this nonsensical bullshit.

However, as one of the strongest, Keller’s words seemed to carry some credibility. After all, why would Minhyuk feed Epaule, the weakest among them, the first? How could Minhyuk cook such an incredible dish that could allow him to grow stronger by 35%?

“If you’re doubtful then...”

Minhyuk turned to look at Keller with a cold and sharp glare, “Go and spar with Epaule, you f*cking bastard.”