Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 860

Minhyuk knew it better than anybody else. ‘This is an opportunity.’

He had seen the current situation of the episode during the broadcast and knew that the Luvien Empire had turned a blind eye to the plight of the other kingdoms and empires. On top of that, no high-level rankers were helping the coalition army and fighting the Dark Elves on the battlefield. Why was that the case?

‘A lot of the high-level rankers are now almost at Level 600. If they go there and die, then they will just move further away from Level 600.’

Even the players who had already reached Level 600 had to consider their choices carefully. They had yet to verify what would happen to them once their levels decreased after reaching Level 600. Since the high-level rankers paid no heed to the kingdoms and empires, the ordinary players dared not go.

As for the Luvien Empire, they disregarded them because they were aware that these kingdoms and empires had made contact with the Beyond the Heavens Empire and even tried to recruit people from there. They intended to wipe out as many kingdoms and empires that made contact with the Beyond the Heavens Empire, who had defeated them, with this opportunity.

Minhyuk thought, ‘If the Beyond the Heavens Empire helps them, then...’

The Beyond the Heavens Empire, which was in a massive conflict with them, could rise to the top. They could take this opportunity to forge close relations with them. But to do that, Minhyuk needed to make many preparations.

The first was, of course, his dishes. Minhyuk intended to put those that Amacar had trained last month on the field, including the talented recruits. These recruits had come back much more powerful and would grow more potent with the various buff effects. Their performance was very essential to this plan. Why?

‘The kings and emperors will all be surprised by the stronger and more extraordinary performance of the people they once trusted and relied on.’

But that did not mean that Minhyuk should stop there with the preparations.

‘We must capture the hearts of the kings and emperors. And these talents would be the ones to do just that.’

-The Beyond the Heavens’ Emperor is extremely worried about all of you!-

This was what Minhyuk wanted them to say and do on the battlefield. They had to make it look like that was indeed the case.

Haze explained what the talented recruits needed to do to make that happen, and she was very good at it.

“Everyone, what you need to do is simple. You have to emphasize that the Beyond the Heavens’ Emperor was very worried about the situation and immediately began preparations to send troops right away the moment he heard the news. You must attract the attention of many kings and emperors upon your appearance. The plan works only when you attract their attention, and they have focused on you.”

“I’m quite interested in that...”

“Hmmmm...”

“Hmm...”

The talents looked flustered and embarrassed. How should they get attention? What kind of method was that? Minhyuk even went so far as to personally invite an instructor who would help them be proficient in gaining attention.

“Attention Seeker Emperor... No, Her Majesty, Sword Emperor Ellie has arrived.”

The instructor was none other than Attention Seeker Emperor Ellie. A buzz unfolded among the talents when they saw her appear. They were all aware of Ellie’s reputation and fame. She was the strongest sword master of the current era who abandoned the position of the Sword God to defend and protect her empire. Of course, her appearance alone forced all of the talents to focus.

“I would appreciate it if you could explain to them how to get the most attention possible.”

Ellie immediately ran when she heard Minhyuk’s request.

‘This is likely to gain attention from the talented recruits.’

It was as expected of Minhyuk’s Attention Seeker Emperor, Noona Ellie. She was already thinking about how to imprint her existence in their minds and how she could capture the hearts of the new legends that would emerge on the continent.

After pondering momentarily, Ellie swung her sword in the air. Her movements made them feel like she was fighting an enemy in front of her.

“After you cut down an enemy, look at them like this,” Ellie said, her expression majestic and noble as she lifted her chin. “Then say, The blood of my enemy will dye the entire battlefield red.”

“...”

“...”

“...”

“...”

Everyone, including Haze, was rendered speechless for a moment.

‘Ugh. I got goosebumps.’

The words were so cringy that goosebumps rose on their skin. However, Ellie thought differently. She had been researching ways to get the most attention as much as she was doing sword training.

“What do you think would happen if you appeared and cut the head of the enemy in a situation where tens of thousands of enemies surround you?”

Everyone imagined themselves standing alone, surrounded by tens of thousands of enemies. Then they would cut down their enemy’s head and say, ‘The blood of my enemies will dye the entire battlefield red.’

“...”

“...”

“...”

The thought alone made them shudder.

The enemies would lose their morale once they saw the killing intent in Ellie’s eyes and the enemy collapsing in front of her. Even the words that she spoke became a declaration to the enemies. It was as if she was telling them, I will soak this land with your blood.

“That- that’s amazing.”

“As expected of the great Attention Seeker Emperor... no, Her Majesty, Sword Emperor Ellie!”

“Ho- Hohohoho. Fufu.”

Ellie looked pleased by the attention given to her by the talented people who would lead the continent in the future.

‘Noo- Noona...’ Minhyuk could not utter a word when he saw Ellie acting like that.

Of course, Haze did not forget to emphasize the talents needed to inform the kings and emperors that the Beyond the Heavens’ Emperor was worried for them while getting the attention of many.

‘If you can help them defeat the dark elves, the rewards will follow.’

Now, all that was left for Minhyuk was to finish cooking for those appearing on the battlefield. Minhyuk did his best in cooking and did not spare any ingredients. After all, he knew that the dish would greatly help the empire's future.

Meanwhile, Haze continued speaking passionately to the talents, telling them how to perform fully. But simultaneously, she thought, ‘Obren is probably doing his best, right?’

The one who received Haze’s passionate lecture before the talents was Guardian God Obren. Guardian God Obren was probably doing his best to express the worries of the Beyond the Heavens’ Emperor to the kings and emperors. Right?

***

[One of the Absolute Gods, the God that Lives for Someone, Leads Someone on the Right Path, and Protects Someone, is looking at you.]

This notification rang in the ears of Emperor Elise when he was in a crisis and was just about to order the evacuation of his people. It was not just Emperor Elise who heard this notification; all of the kings and emperors on the battlefield had heard it.

[One of the Absolute Gods, the Guardian Deity of the Beyond the Heavens Empire, looks at you sadly.]

The truth was, Obren was not making a sad face at all.

‘I can’t believe you're making me do this. I will not let this slide.’

However, Obren acted differently from what he thought.

[The Beyond the Heavens’ Emperor Minhyuk is worried about you.]

“...!”

“...!”

“...!”

The eyes of the kings and emperors, who stopped to listen to the voice, grew wide. Was the Beyond the Heavens’ Emperor worried about them?! That was bullshit. The guy they met and encountered was not that kind of guy. In their eyes, he was a shameless fraud, a thief who took everything from them.

[The Beyond the Heavens’ Emperor Minhyuk said he truly feels sorry for you.]

“God, how can you spout lies!”

“Ho! How– How can you tell us such lies!”

The kings and emperors jumped and shouted in anger. However, one of the kings said, “But would a god called a Guardian God

lie? He’s even one of the most dignified and noble gods, an Absolute God.”

“...”

“...”

When they heard those words, the kings and emperors looked at each other. That was right. The god was a Guardian God. What kind of an existence was a Guardian God? Was he not a god as clean and pure as white that would protect someone, live for someone, and lead someone toward the right path? Even though he was an Absolute God before, he now carried the name Guardian God.

The kings and emperors did not expect that they would break common sense. That was right. It did not even cross their minds that an emperor would dare to order an Absolute God, their Guardian God, to do something like this.

However, the kings and emperors remained suspicious.

“Beyond the Heavens Empire’s Guardian God, why are you looking at us?”

“You’re telling us lies again! Were you sent by the Beyond the Heavens’ Emperor?!”

[Guardian God Obren shakes his head.]

[The Beyond the Heavens’ Emperor sincerely wants to protect you.]

He wanted to protect them? The one that took from them, humiliated them, smiled coldly at them, was trying to protect them? That was bullshit.

[The Beyond the Heavens’ Emperor said he wanted to help you.]

“...!”

“...!”

The eyes of the kings and emperors grew even wider when they heard the notification. The first to react was Farrow, the Aplath Empire’s tactician. Farrow was a talent recognized by the other kingdoms and empires, so everyone immediately focused on him when he opened his mouth.

“Heroes and legends that can beat 10,000 knights by themselves are in the Beyond the Heavens Empire.”

The kings and emperors could not deny it. Spear God Ben and Brod would be able to handle not only 10,000 knights but also 100,000 dark elves.

“Perhaps the only one that can help us out of this predicament is the Beyond the Heavens Empire,” Farrow hurriedly said.

However, the kings and emperors still did not say anything. They could not bear to ask for help from the Beyond the Heavens Empire. Unfortunately, they were in a very urgent situation. Outside the walls, the werewolves and dark elves rammed on the gates like crazy. Their walls were about to collapse. Even if they ran away now, a third of the people of the Aplath Empire would die.

However, something far more shocking happened. The sky ripped apart in the space above the battlefield only to reveal a black hole. And from this black hole, dark elves equipped with black masks and black armor appeared.

[Dark Elf Assassin. Level 637.]

Their numbers exceeded fifty. These dark elf assassins drew their daggers and immediately charged toward the soldiers. Hundreds of soldiers died with every swing of their daggers.

[Guardian God Obren says that there’s no time!]

[Guardian God Obren says, ‘You’re all annoying. Ha...’]

[Guardian God Obren immediately corrects himself!]

[Guardian God Obren says he did not say anything!]

‘What kind of Guardian God is this?!’

Obren, who was overcome with his irritation, started to speak negatively. However, he immediately corrected himself.

“...?”

“...?”

The kings and emperors were all left in doubt. However, they no longer had the leisure to question him.

“Those guys are assassins. The reason why they showed up now is probably because...” One of the kings said, a noticeable tremor in his voice. However, an assassin appeared before he could even finish speaking, sitting leisurely on the walls.

When the assassin saw the soldiers and knights rush at him, he grabbed one of the kings by the collar and threw him off the walls.

“Aaaaaaaaaack!”

Fortunately, the mages could hurriedly use their telekinesis magic to deliver the king to the ground safely. To their horror, two assassins and ten dark werewolves were waiting. The king was none other than Arcas Kingdom’s King Bao.

“S-save King Bao!”

“Go and rescue King Bao right away!!!”

“Quick! Hurry up!!!”

The kings and emperors hurriedly gave out their orders. However, the knights and soldiers could not pierce through the dark elves’ defenses in the surrounding area. King Bao was born a nerd. He had only read books and did not know how to fight or protect himself.

“Woo- woooo... wooo, wooo...” King Bao cried, his body trembling from fear.

Werewolves, the size of a carriage, slowly crept toward him with drool dripping down their sharp canines. Left in tears from the fear, King Bao decided to grasp on straws. He knew there was only one thing he could do right now.

“I- I- I accept. Please help me! Help me! Beyond the Heavens Empire! If you do, then I will reevaluate my views of you! I will even aid the Beyond the Heavens Empire in your internal and external affairs!”

[Arcas Kingdom’s King Bao is requesting help from Beyond the Heavens Empire!]

[Beyond the Heavens Empire’s Guardian God Obren warps the people of the Beyond the Heavens Empire!]

The kings and emperors felt a bit of anticipation at that moment. Perhaps Spear God Ben or Brod would appear to save King Bao.

However, the one that appeared was a very unexpected person.

“Have you been well, Your Majesty?”

“Keller? You- how?!”

The man who appeared in a flash of light was neither Brod nor Spear God Ben. Instead, it was Keller, hailed as the Dragon Spear Man in the Arcas Empire. He had received a thorough education from Haze and Ellie before coming here.

He looked at King Bao and said, “His Majesty, the emperor of the Beyond the Heavens Empire, said with tears in his eyes...”

“T-tears?”

“Go and save the kings and emperors you have served before.”

“...!”

For King Bao, hearing those words from a subordinate he had cherished in the past was much more touching and convincing than hearing them from Minhyuk. However, King Bao knew that Keller would be unable to do anything about the two assassins and the pack of werewolves before him.

At that moment, a dark elf assassin and a werewolf charged toward them.

[Guardian God Obren has bestowed upon you his Duplicated Blessings!]

[The Duplicated Blessings can duplicate whatever buff effect is in effect!]

[All of your stats have increased by 12%!]

[Your Dragon Spearmanship has increased by 1 level!]

[Your resistance to abnormal status has increased by 12%!]

Of course, Keller remembered what Ellie had taught him: the Attention-seeking Method to get the attention of all the people present.

“I will break your arrogance and chop your head off with my Dragon Spear.”

‘...K-Keller. Y-you– What’s the matter with you?!’

King Bao could not understand how Keller and his terrible line would be able to stop these enemies alone.

The moment Keller swung his spear, blood spurted out from the bodies of the two charging dark elf assassins.

Stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab–!

“Heoooook!” King Bao shouted in surprise.

But Keller did not stop there. He immediately used the second chapter of Ellie’s Attention Seeking Method. Keller looked at his enemies with his noble, majestic, and cold eyes–which closely resembled the look Ellie had shown them before–as he raised his spear and slowly said, “Kneel before my Dragon Spear.”

Stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab–!

And once again, with his spear, he stabbed the necks of the dozens of dark werewolves that surrounded them and made them collapse on the ground.

King Bao could only watch with wide-open eyes.