Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 598: Minhyuk’s Connections

[You have earned 4,188 cash.]

[You have earned 4,300 cash.]

Minhyuk heard these notifications every time someone new appeared. The MVP Shop had a system that allowed Minhyuk to gain cash every time someone was in awe of Minhyuk’s majesty and dignity as a king.

‘I already have 170,000 cash in total.’

It was one hell of a job! Each time a new NPC appeared, cash would flow and line his pockets. And just in time…

[You have completed a Homemade Burger.]

[Unique Grade.]

The dish that Minhyuk made for Richard was completed. However, the grade that came out was quite poor. On top of that, it only had a ‘one-level’ increase as a buff effect, something that was completely lower than the ‘3~5 level’ increase that he said to Richard earlier.

“…”

Well, Minhyuk was not perfect. There was no way that he could produce excellent dishes all the time.

‘It’s a relief that the situation right now is… Do I still really need to cook?’

The situation made him think like that. As he watched Leona get beaten to a pulp, he saw Ellie walking from afar.

‘... Why is noona walking so fast?’

“Do you know this great one’s name?”

But what was more shocking was the fact that Ellie was wearing a blindfold over her eyes. She looked like she came out of a movie as she walked like that.

“…?”

Yes, they hoped that whoever was participating in Leona’s hunt would be able to fight without making eye contact with Leona. But now, Ellie did not have any reason to fight with a ‘blindfold’.

But the players, commentators and viewers that saw her appear like that were all shocked.

[Crazy…! Is she going to fight with her eyes closed?!]

[Wow. Shit, that’s crazy…! The Sword Emperor will fight with her eyes closed…!]

[Isn’t she so damn cool?!]

[Ellie-unnie! Please take me!!! Huhu!!!]

“Crazy…”

“Wow…”

Then, Ellie began to run with her eyes covered. And the moment she sped up…

[Everyone is in awe at your friend’s performance.]

[You have earned 3,111 cash.]

[You have earned 2,680 cash.]

[You have earned 3,111 cash.]

“…???”

The hundreds of vipers that surrounded Leona’s body rushed at Ellie’s running figure. However, even with her eyes covered like that, Ellie was still able to gracefully maneuver and evade the snakes’ attacks. until she arrived in front of Leona with a graceful landing.

“This great one is…”

Slash, slash, slash, slash—

Stabbbb!

Then, she stabbed her sword in Leona’s chest and said, “…the Continental Emperor and the Sword Emperor, Ellie.”

As her words ended, hundreds of thousands of soldiers appeared from the hill behind her, waving flags bearing the symbol of Eivelis Empire.

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!”

“Wooooooooaaaaaaah!!!”

Then, she gave her order, “Annihilate all the enemies.”

Shwaaaaaaaa—

After that, Ellie pulled out her sword from Leona’s chest before turning around gracefully and started attacking the Snake Soldier army. With that, the hundreds of thousands of troops behind her charged forward.

Meanwhile, Ellie thought, ‘This should have the greatest impact among everyone.’

[You have earned 4,900 cash.]

[You have earned 4,300 cash.]

[You have earned 4,631 cash.]

Minhyuk did not know why they were trying to attract attention like this. However, he would not really stop them since it was also beneficial to him. After all, Minhyuk was quickly gaining cash with every splendid appearance that they made! On top of that…

[The total amount of accumulated cash has exceeded 200,000.]

[A new slot has been opened!]

[As a reward for obtaining 200,000 cash, you can choose a reward from God-rank artifacts, God-grade ingredients, and even God’s Elixir.]

“…?!”

Minhyuk was very shocked. He was shocked not because he would be able to receive a god-rank reward from the MVP Shop, but because he would be able to choose whatever god-rank reward he wanted due to the 200,000 cash collected.

‘It should be very difficult…’

Indeed. After thinking about it, Minhyuk knew that it was difficult. In fact, he had been having a hard time collecting cash just before. He was sure that he would not be able to collect 200,000 cash if Ellie or Valen did not make an appearance.

Minhyuk immediately looked at the newly opened slots in the MVP Shop.

“…”

After checking the MVP Shop, Minhyuk could only laugh blankly at what he saw.

‘This is crazy…’

The thing that Minhyuk paid attention to the most was the ‘Unconditionally Create God-Grade from these Ingredients’ slot that appeared in the MVP Shop. When he clicked on the detailed description, it said that Minhyuk would most definitely receive a God-grade dish if he cooked with the corresponding ingredients in the slot.

‘…F*cking awesome.’

Those words seemed to be the most appropriate to describe the amazing rewards listed in the MVP Shop.

***

Snake Temple was a temple dedicated to God of Snakes Elizabeth, and the place where all of her children were slumbering. In the middle of the temple stood the statue of a beautiful woman with the lower body of a snake.

Right now, there was a man standing in front of this very statue. The man, who was wearing a ragged and worn out robe, looked up at the enchanting statue of the woman. The man pulled his hood down to reveal a beautiful set of golden eyes and shiny silver hair. He looked so beautiful that the word itself was not enough to describe him. This man was none other than Nerva Sephiroth. Nerva Sephiroth was the key figure of Athenae’s second era. And as the heir to the Battle God, one of the Absolute Gods, he was privy to a lot of information about Athenae.

“From what I heard, the world’s strongest had gathered because of your daughter.” Nerva Sephiroth sneered as he caressed the arm of Elizabeth’s statue, “Many would fight back and many would protect.”

This was the perfect opportunity to wreak more havoc. Nerva Sephiroth took out a golden goblet from his robe. He was Nerva Sephiroth, it was a given that he knew how to awaken God of Snakes Elizabeth.

“What a pitiful woman.”

The Six Monsters Gods were kicked out just because they were born as ‘monsters’. But among them, this woman admired and loved Athenae the most.

Then, Nerva Sephiroth poked the tip of his finger with a dagger…

Drip— Drip, drip, drip—

His red blood dripped down on the goblet. Then, he poked the tip of the finger of Elizabeth’s statue. Something surprising happened. Green blood started to drip down from the finger! Nerva Sephiroth held the golden goblet under her finger and collected the green blood dripping down from it.

Drip—

Then…

Shwaaaaaaaaaaa—

A burst of green energy spread out and enveloped the entire temple.

“Go and kill everyone.”

With a swoosh—, Nerva Sephiroth disappeared.

***

Leona had already given up at this point.

“Do you know this great one’s name?”

“What?”

“This great one is Elf King Aragon.”

“Just hurry up and hit me.”

Fwoosh, fwoosh, fwoosh, fwoosh—

“Do you know this great one’s name?”

“Shut up.”

“This great one is the ruler of the seas, the Dragon King.”

“Wow, so great.”

Fwoosh, fwoosh, fwoosh, fwoosh—

“Do you know this great one’s name?”

“Who?”

“This great one is Great Pirate Gorfido.”

Stab, stab, stab, stab, stab—

“I heard that you wanted to kill His Majesty?”

She had grown tired of this line now. Even if Leona vehemently denied it, she knew that no one would believe it.

“That’s right! I tried to kill him! So, what?! What are you going to do? Keok!”

Stab, stab, stab, stab, stab—

“…”

The amount of times those lines had been uttered were the same amount of times that Leona had been beaten. At this point, Leona could not figure out what the identity of that human was. Leona was already at the point where she thought she lost her mind, with every appearance of another strong friend of the human. After getting beaten twenty times just like that, a tremendous amount of pressure began to weigh down on everyone present.

“…!”

“What…?”

Then, a shocking notification rang for everyone present.

[A sealed monster has awakened to the world.]

[Caution!]

[Danger!]

[Caution!]

[Danger!]

[God of Snakes Elizabeth has made her appearance!]

[The one that will be able to hunt God of Snakes Elizabeth will be able to get rewards.]

“…!”

“…!”

The expressions on the faces of both players and NPCs alike turned ugly while happiness bloomed on Leona’s face.

‘Mother!’

Leona’s mother, Elizabeth, was a pitiful woman that had been abandoned by the God of Origin Athenae. Her mother lived quietly and no differently from the snakes and the other ordinary gods. All she wanted to do was to win the heart of Athenae. However, the other gods kicked her out and sealed her in the Stars’ Path, just because she was born a ‘monster’.

‘My poor, unfortunate mother, who is great and strong.’

Swish, swish, swish—

Green air currents swarmed and covered the surrounding air. That was when ‘she’ appeared, a woman that looked exactly like Leona. However, the pressure that she was exerting was on a completely different level from Leona. Leona was able to receive the title of a marquis because the powers that she had was the one that was most similar to Elizabeth’s own power. Of course, the awakened God of Snakes Elizabeth was several times stronger than Leona.

Tingle, tingle—

Even the Named NPCs felt a tingle run down their spines when they felt the pressure weighing down on them. Then, Elizabeth said, “Catch these impudent bastards.”

Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud—

Heaven and earth began to shake, the pressure in the air getting heavier by the second and weighing down on both players and NPCs alike. And then…

[God of Snakes’ Curse.]

Shwaaaaaaaaaaaa—

A huge tidal wave made of poison appeared and devoured the players, who were trying to escape.

Swiiiiiiish—

Swiiiiiiiiiiiish—

[Your HP has reached zero. You will be forced to log-out!]

[Your HP has reached zero. You will be forced to log-out!]

[Your HP has reached zero…]

The scene was horrifying. The players that had been swept away by the poisonous tidal wave turned into dried up, twisted mummies that fell on the ground. Although the players tried to flee in the opposite direction of the tidal wave, it was still faster than them. The poisonous tidal wave devoured around ten meters of land area in just a mere 0.2 seconds.

“Shit, f*ck. Log out!!!”

“That’s freaking strong!!!”

“Rankers, do something!!!”

The fleeing players were appalled. As they continued to scream, a more horrifying scenario started to unfold in front of them.

[The God of Snakes has started to control the system!]

[You will not be able to log-out whenever, wherever you want!]

[You need to be five kilometers away from the God of Snakes before you can log out.]

[The only way for you to log out is to get five kilometers away from the God of Snakes!!!]

“…”

“…”

The players were all left speechless. One of the players, who was running away from the tidal wave, looked back but…

“F*ck…”

Swoosh—

…he turned into a mummy and fell flat on the ground.

Meanwhile, Leona was feeling delighted.

“Uncivilized and foolish ones! Receive your judgment and die in front of my eyes!!!”

She was extremely excited and happy.

Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud—

The ground shook once again, sending the players into another wave of shock and fear.

[The God of Snakes’ Wrath has covered the world!]

[The God of Snakes’ Deadly Poison has started to circulate in the air. The range that it covers has reached thirty kilometers!]

[Your HP is falling at a rapid rate!]

Shwaaaaaaaaa—

The poisonous green gas overturned the entire world.

“Uuuuuuurrrrk!”

The first player that inhaled the poisonous gas fell down, blood spilling from his mouth. Since it was airborne, it could travel swiftly and freely. Just a weak breeze and the entire surrounding was covered with the poisonous green gas, covering the entire view of the situation.

Minhyuk, who was inside the barrier, saw Ellie accidentally breathe in the poison.

“Urk!”

His strong noona whose mental strength was incredible, easily fell on one knee and vomited a mouthful of blood. Even Sword God Valen and Elpis were brought down to their knees. The elves and the seafolk also brandished their weapons and protected the Dragon King and Elf King Argon from the poison with their bodies . But everything was useless.

“Uweeeeeeeck!”

“Urrrrrrrrrk!”

Their throats started to constrict, their trembling bodies falling down to their knees. Among them…

Thuuud—

Spear God Ben stabbed his spear on the ground in front of Minhyuk’s transparent barrier. Then, Ben looked back at Minhyuk…

Drip, drip, drip, drip—

Blood was already dripping from the corners of Ben’s mouth as he said, “Your Majesty, don’t even think of taking one step forward from where you are.”

“No…”

Minhyuk felt frustrated and helpless. He could tell that he would lose everyone that he cherished and loved in this place. And everything was his fault. Minhyuk’s body began to tremble and shake. If he had not used the Mythical Bird that Cries Sadly For You, then everyone here would not be in danger.

To be honest, it was not really Minhyuk’s fault. No one expected that this would happen. Besides, it was their choice to come here. But Minhyuk still blamed himself. Weak. In the end, humans were weak. Even those that looked strong would eventually show their true nature once they witnessed their loved ones die.

However, there was still one woman that had not made her appearance yet.

Diiiiiiiing—

The toll of a mysterious bell spread all over the world. Then, a bright light burst out from the tolling bell, expelling the poisonous green gas that covered the entire world.

“I ask in the name of Athenae...”

Diiiiiiiiiing—

With every ring of the bell, a light would burst out. And every time the poisonous green gas met with the light, they would start to dissipate and disappear into nothingness.

“God of Snakes, why are you here?”

Diiiiiiiing—

Then, a bright light burst out and engulfed anything and everything in sight. At the same time, people wearing a silver cloak and silver armor bearing the symbol of ‘Athenae Religion’ began to appear one after another. Tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, no, millions of them appeared. When all of these people raised their swords to the skies, a notification rang in everyone’s ears.

[Athenae’s Great Child is about going to bring judgment to those that are ‘evil’.]

[Millions of paladins aim their sword toward those that are ‘evil’.]

Flash—

Flaaaaaash—

Flaaaaash—

Bright light burst out from each and every single one of the swords in the hands of the millions of paladins. This light completely engulfed the world. Among them, a woman wearing white priestly robes walked out with ‘God Athenae’s Bell’ on her hand.

Elizabeth looked a bit perplexed and confused at first. But not long after, her lips twisted into a gruesome smirk, “Filthy followers of Athenae, she was the one that abandoned me.”

Her voice sounded gloomy and wicked. And the woman wearing the white priestly robe?

Shiiiiing—

She walked with the bell in one hand and a sword in the other while saying, “Fury. Despair. Sadness… and lust. You are someone stained with those things.”

[Athenae’s Saintess Loyna aims her sword at God of Snakes Elizabeth!]

[She is following Athenae’s commands and is wielding her sword to punish the foolish ‘evil’.]

[Saintess’ Authority has been triggered.]

The swords in the hands of the paladins glowed brighter. Then, a sword made of light flew out of their blades and soared to the skies. Millions of swords made of light floated in the skies, like stars on a dark night.

“Disappear.”

Fwooooooooom—

Stab—

Loyna’s sword was the first to move. It flew swiftly and pierced through Elizabeth’s heart. Right after that, the millions of swords in the skies began to rain down on Elizabeth. The falling swords looked quite similar to a ‘meteor rain’. And this meteor rain of swords were falling down to judge the God of Snakes.

Stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab—