Gourmet Gaming

Minhyuk was in possession of five God’s SP, three of which he had received due to his stellar performance as the Destruction Monarch during the recent War of Destruction. As for the remaining two, he acquired them after killing the Evil Incarnate.

One of the reasons for not utilizing them earlier was because he wanted to hide his power. The other reason was he wanted to save it and use it on the right skill in case of an emergency. On top of that, Athenae would always update its server once a week on Wednesdays from 8:00 in the morning to 12:00 noon. These were the items listed in the updates about a month ago:

[God’s SP Patch Guide: A partial patch has been made to amend the part where God’s SP can level up a skill beyond the MAX Level 9.]

[The contents of the patch are as follows:]

[If you use God’s SP to level up a MAX level skill, you will only be able to use the power of that skill at that level once.]

[If you use God’s SP to level up a MAX level skill, the system will measure the skill and evolve it.]

Minhyuk had been collecting his God’s SPs, using them to escape several crises so far. Because of that, Joy Co. Ltd. was left with no other choice but to limit the use of God’s SP. Many players were aware that this was a useless patch that was meant to nerf Minhyuk. In fact, there were not many cases where skills had been raised to the MAX level. Technically, people who could earn God’s SP were few and far in between.

Meanwhile, Minhyuk, who went all-in with his God’s SP on the Sword of Absolute Death, heard the following notifications.

[Sword of Absolute Death’s level has increased by +5!]

[You can only use the power of the Sword of Absolute Death+5 once!]

[God’s SP has increased the Sword of Absolute Death’s level by +5. The skill will now undergo evolution.]

[Sword of Absolute Death+5 will produce nine sword lights with 35,000% additional attack for every two seconds. The attacks will automatically target the strongest enemy.]

[The nine sword lights will inflict nine different abnormal statuses on the target.]

[Around 20,000 ordinary sword lights with an additional 1,000% attack power will cut down your enemies.]

The result of the combination of the buffed dish’s +4 skill level increase and the God’s SP’s +5 skill level increase was a stupendous increase in the basic effects and level of the skill.

None of the high rankers possessed a lethal skill with an additional 35,000% attack; that was how powerful the skill had become. It was not just that. The nine sword lights with additional power that would appear and target the strongest enemy was literally a overpowered skill. Thankfully, it could only be used once.

There was actually a reason why Minhyuk still chose to use his God’s SP despite knowing that its use would be restricted.

‘It will probably take days with the power of my attacks alone to deal with the God of Happiness.’

Minhyuk had realized this after the God of Happiness was left in an infinite cycle of stunned states from Destruction. There were as much as sixteen lightning strikes that fell upon the god with every swing of Minhyuk’s sword, but it did not deal much damage. Perhaps it was because the opponent had a godly special characteristic related to recovery that was comparable to the damage dealt by Destruction.

Besides, he thought that this was a very reasonable choice, especially since the thousands of troops of the Happiness’ Black Pig’s Army had already made an appearance by that time.

Minhyuk stretched his palms toward the now-dead God of Happiness. He had seen earlier that the God of Happiness was a monster that was shrouded in black light.

[You have acquired the God of Happiness’ Ogyeopsal.]

[You have acquired the God of Happiness’ Samgyeopsal.]

[You have acquired the God of Happiness’ Sirloin.]

[You have acquired the God of Happiness’ Blade Shoulder Meat…]

However, even when the notifications constantly rang in his ears, Minhyuk never took his eyes off of Effer. Effer had fallen into his eternal rest where he laid, a small smile forever immortalized in his face.

[The King loved and cherished his people dearly.]

This was the final gift that Minhyuk could give to Effer, having learnt a lot from watching him. Effer was a king that loved his people until his very last breath and only after he saw the God of Happiness and the Happiness’ Black Pig’s Army die, did he pass away in relief.

‘The residents of Happy Island must have been happy that he’s their king too.’

The residents of Happy Island that Minhyuk saw were not wealthy. However, he was sure that with Effer as their king, they would have been very happy.

Then, a notification rang in his ears.

[Easter Egg. The One that Gained New Enlightenment as a King.]

[The enlightenment that you gained is very beneficial for you as a king.]

[You have gained 500 CHA.]

[You have gained 500 REP.]

[Your love and affection for your people has grown deeper.]

[The love and trust of the people that follow a king like you will increase even more.]

[You have acquired the Map of the Dead King’s Tomb.]

This enlightenment made Minhyuk grow a step further.

Meanwhile, the people, who heard the Food God’s Voice, stirred from the relief that they felt after surviving, and saw their king that had fallen into eternal rest.

“Urk… Heuk… Sniff…”

Knight Commander Korro was a cold and frigid guy, to the point that he was called Cold-blooded Korro. However, that very stoic man trembled fiercely as he sobbed and knelt in front of Effer.

“Your Majesty… Your Majeeeeeesty… Your Majeeeeeesty!”

With Korro’s loud sobs as the trigger while he hugged Effer’s body, the cries of the people rang all over Happy Island.

“Your Majesty Effeeeeeeeer!”

“Heuk, heuk, heuk… Your Majeeeeeeeesty!”

Some sobbed as they grabbed their injured chest tightly, while others bowed and knelt on the ground. Hearing such cries, Minhyuk knew what he had to do. He walked toward Avendor, the culprit that had caused all of this. Avendor had tried to run away but failed to do so.

Having witnessed Minhyuk’s prowess personally, on top of losing most of his troops to the God of Happiness, Avendor immediately knelt down and cried out, “S, Spare me. Please spare me. I will serve you for the rest of my life.”

Avendor was a businessman. After all, that was how he had the royal family play into the palm of his hands with the Pluine Merchant Group that he just recently established. For a person like that, what he feared the most was death.

“I will give you everything I have. So, please spare me!”

[Avendor has sworn that he will hand over Pluine Merchant Group and everything that he owned to you.]

[Pluine Merchant Group’s Treasure Trove is hidden in the basement of Pluine Merchant Group’s headquarters.]

[You will be able to gain 56,413 platinum from Pluine Merchant Group’s headquarters.]

[You will be able to obtain two legendary artifacts.]

[You will be able to obtain a variety of ingredients from Happy Island.]

[You will be able to obtain 30 tons of various minerals and ores that can be smelted to make weapons and defensive equipment.]

[You will be able to obtain special spell incantations that you can only get in Happy Island.]

Minhyuk nodded as he listened to the notifications that rang constantly in his ears.

“Are, are you going to spare me?”

Avendor, who was crawling forward to cling on Minhyuk’s legs, felt relief. He was promising plenty of valuable things. He believed that Minhyuk must have found himself to be useful.

Staaaab—

Unfortunately for him, Minhyuk’s sword pierced through Avendor’s chest.

Shwaaaaaaa—

Then, he pulled out his sword without any hesitation and turned around. Minhyuk knew that only through Avendor’s death would these people have the driving force and motivation to get through their grief. And he will be at the center of it all.

“Today, I, the King of Beyond the Heavens Kingdom, will listen and heed King Effer’s will!”

Effer had already told Evelyn before that the chef from another continent would lead everyone that wanted to leave the island. Now, everyone knew that no one would be able to live on Happy Island anymore. Even if they stayed here and tried to rebuild this place, it would take them decades to restore everything. These people needed a new leader.

“King Effer wished for his people to live happily in peace. It was his utmost priority even until the moment of his death. I also wish to protect and carry out his will.”

The crying residents of Happy Island turned to look at Minhyuk. They had known him first as the Noble, before he revealed himself to be a god.

“My kingdom, the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom, might be lacking but I hope to create a bigger and stronger Beyond the Heavens with you. Will you come with me?!!!”

Minhyuk was from the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.

“We will be by your side!!!”

“Are you really willing to accept all of us, who have nowhere else to go?”

“Really?!”

Based on Minhyuk’s experience, there was something special about the residents of Happy Island. They all had outstanding dexterity. Their DEX was far superior to anyone living on the ordinary continents. They had the ability to make swords, armor and even clothes. They produced food, as well as paintings and sculptures. Minhyuk was sure that those abilities would be able to liven up and increase the value of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.

“We will welcome you with wide open arms.”

“We will go to Beyond the Heavens Kingdom!”

“We will serve you!”

“You are our king now!”

[The 153,456 residents of Happy Island will move to the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.]

[The 32,315 troops of Happy Island will move to the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.]

[The residents of Happy Island have exceptional ability when it comes to making things.]

[Beyond the Heaven’s Kingdom’s production capacity has increased by 10%.]

“We will hold King Effer’s funeral before we leave.”

Minhyuk demonstrated his capacity and virtue as a king. The people, who had now become the residents of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom, were very moved. After all, Minhyuk did not forget to pay courtesy to King Effer until the very end.

***

After the funeral and before they left Happy Island.

This was Minhyuk’s long awaited moment. The God of Happiness was considered a Named Monster. Of course, his rank was ‘God’ and not only that, he was also glowing in black light. This would be Minhyuk’s first time eating a black light God-rank monster.

“And it’s even a black pig…”

Minhyuk was very thrilled. Right now, there was a steaming grilling plate and some salted anchovies placed right beside, ready for him to dip his black pork ogyeopsal in. On a table laid open beside him, there was a spread of lettuce leaves, perilla leaves, kimchi, ssamjang, chopped garlic, spicy doenjang jjigae, and a bowl of rice.

When the grilling plate in front of him had heated up to some extent, Minhyuk placed down a thick slice of ogyeopsal.

Sizzleeee—!

A loud and cheerful sound rang in Minhyuk’s ears. It sounded like the black pork was singing a beautiful serenade and calling out to him. Steam rose to the air as another thick slice of ogyeopsal was placed on the grill. Then, Minhyuk placed some well-ripened kimchi on top of the grill to cook it together with the ogyeopsal.

Sizzleeeeeeeee—

When the top of the ogyeopsal turned golden brown, he flipped it over once.

Sizzleeeeeeeee—

Oil bubbled and sizzled on the surface of the ogyeopsal that was being cooked well. Then, Minhyuk grabbed a pair of scissors and cut them up into pieces, letting them cook perfectly.

Once the meat was cooked, Minhyuk clamped a piece and placed it in his mouth. The juices of the meat of the black pork, along with its savory flavor, slowly spread in his mouth with every bite.

“Kghhk. This is amazing!”

This time, Minhyuk clamped a piece of the ogyeopsal and dipped it in salt before placing it in his mouth.

“Wow…”

The flavor was worthy of admiration. Minhyuk’s chopsticks moved swiftly, spreading some pickled wild garlic on his plate and placing two pieces of the thick black pork ogyeopsal on top of it. Then, he added a small amount of wasabi before rolling the pickled wild garlic and placed it in his mouth. The sweet and refreshing flavor of the pickled wild garlic and the strong flavor of the wasabi that could tickle one’s nose met with the oily and savory flavor of the ogyeopsal, creating a fantastic harmony of flavor.

Snip—

Sniiiiiip—

This time, Minhyuk cut the well-ripened kimchi that he cooked on the grill. Then, he placed two pieces of ogyeopsal on top of a lettuce leaf while adding some chopped garlic, a heaping of ssamjang, some well-cooked kimchi, and some pickled green onion. After that, he placed the huge wrap in his mouth.

“Wow…”

It was a combination that would automatically make one explode in admiration. After that, he grabbed some black pork ogyeopsal and simply dipped it in the salted anchovies.

“As expected, Jeju’s black pork tastes the best.” Minhyuk smiled happily as he grabbed the big bowl of rice and scooped some into his mouth. Then, Minhyuk ladled some of the spicy doenjang jjigae in another bowl. Of course, he did not forget to use his chopsticks to pick out enough tofu, beef brisket, and zucchini in the bowl.

Minhyuk did not dilly-dally. This was the icing on top of his cake. He scooped a spoonful of the spicy doenjang jjigae that was filled with various ingredients and placed it in his mouth. He then ladled more of the spicy doenjang jjigae and poured it over his rice. Then, he crushed the tofu and zucchini and mixed it with the rice that had been soaked well with the soup, before scooping a mouthful and placing it in his mouth.

“Woah…”

‘The king’s meal’s poison tester? Go away! Everything is for me!’

Minhyuk, who made sure to leave some black pork ogyeopsal, quickly prepared some cold noodles and began wolfing them down.

Sluuuuuuuuuuurp—

The cold, sweet and sour broth that he inhaled from the bowl seemed to easily wash away the greasiness of the pork. Then, he placed a piece of the black pork ogyeopsal on top of the noodles.

“Sluuuuuuuuurp.”

A bright smile was displayed on Minhyuk’s face as he continued to eat huge mouthfuls of noodles one after another.

Before he knew it, he had already finished all of the food on the table. Then, the notifications rang in his ears.

[Food God’s True Worth.]

[You can acquire the God of Happiness’ Passive Skill ‘Steel Skin’.]

[Would you like to acquire it?]

The Food God’s True Worth was a skill that could allow him to acquire some of the skills of the Named Monster that he had eaten. However, even if he chose to, there was still a chance that the skill acquisition would fail.

Minhyuk looked at the notifications window nervously. Then, not long after, an additional notification window popped out in front of him.