Gourmet Gaming
Chapter 1376

Chapter 1376

Chapter 1376

[You have killed Anas.]

Anas’s ashes were scattered with the wind as he completely disappeared in front of everyone.

[You have gained 229,965 platinum.]

[You have gained 33,145,000,000 EXP.]

[You have leveled up.]

[You have leveled up.]

[You have leveled up.]

[...leveled up.]

[You need ten more level-ups to reach Level 800!]

Finally, Level 800 was just around the corner. It held a symbolic significance. Of course, the higher the level, the higher the total amount of EXP needed to level up. That was why anyone who could reach Level 800 could be said to have already reached the pinnacle.

President Kang Taehoon had once said...

–The number of high rankers who can reach Level 800 in the next five years can only be counted on one hand.

That was how difficult it was to reach Level 800. Kang Taehoon even added...

–I believe that there’s nothing impossible anymore for players who reach Level 800. That’s the best way to describe the level.

Speaking of things that players could or could not do in Athenae, there were many things that they could not do because of their low level. In fact, the players’ low level was the reason why the empire did not give them high positions in nobility. It was also the reason why it was difficult for players to become Pillars.

In Minhyuk’s case, he had experienced his qualifications being denied in the Land of the Gods just because of his low level. But once he achieved Level 800, all of the restrictions and limitations that he was facing would disappear.

He would become the true Supreme.

‘Once we reach Level 800, our characters will experience a lot of qualitative changes.’

The changes that players had experienced in Level 600 and Level 700 were huge. A single Level 699 player could easily take on three Level 600 players. In contrast, a single Level 700 player could easily deal with eight Level 600 players.

‘To be honest, this can be said to be the final destination that the players can reach in terms of level.’

Minhyuk smiled faintly as he continued to listen to the notifications ringing in his ears.

[You have acquired 300 grams of the Abyss’ Samgyeopsal.]

[You have acquired the ore Paganistium.]

[You have acquired the ore Argastein.]

[You have acquired the Abyss Elixir.]

[You have acquired the Abyss’ Shattered Noble Armor Set.]

[You have acquired a daily pass to the Abyss’ Bonus Hunting Ground.]

[You have acquired the Divine Power Devourer’s Stone.]

[...Abyss’ Skull...]

[...Abyss’ Brutal...]

‘Samgyeopsal?’ Minhyuk uttered, his interest immediately piqued by the food. He checked the information on the 300 grams of the Abyss’ Samgyeopsal that he acquired.

(Abyss’ Samgyeopsal)

Ingredient Grade: Abyss’ B-grade

Special Abilities: A permanent +1 increase in STR.

Description: This is a samygeopsal commonly found in the Abyss.

“...?”

Minhyuk was surprised. It was not because it was special or that it had something amazing.

‘There are no restrictions...?’

Usually, novice players were the ones who could get low-grade ingredients with a permanent stat increase. It was precisely because they were novices. Of course, there were restrictions and requirements in place for novice players to prevent overconsumption. Essentially, they could not purchase or consume such ingredients in large quantities.

As they progressed in the game, their level would increase. And the higher their level became, the less they could eat these kinds of ingredients. High-level players would often pay a huge price so that they could consume elixirs with no restrictions.

The Abyss’ Samgyeopsal was different. It had no restrictions or requirements.

‘It’s even commonly found in the Abyss?’

The Abyss was a place with no end in sight, a place in this world where no one knew its exact details. In fact, there were no records of what was inside the Abyss or where it ended. On the other hand, they could think of the Abyss like this: ‘A land that is overflowing with special and priceless items.’

Regardless, that was not important now. Minhyuk skimmed through the notifications that rang in his ears and began to check on other things.

When Minhyuk received the Supreme Blade, he was in the middle of a battle with Anas. Because of that, he was not able to look through its details completely. So, he checked the information of the Supreme Blade first.

(Supreme Blade)

Rank: ∞

Requirements: Minhyuk’s exclusive artifact. The second seal will be released once you reach Level 800.

Durability: ∞/∞

Attack Power: 3,854

Special Abilities:

•All of your stats will increase by 54%.

•All of your skills’ cooldown time will decrease by 50%.

•The level of all of your attack skills related to the sword will increase by +2.

•When fighting against a powerful opponent recognized by the Supreme Blade, there is a 3% chance of the Supreme Blade becoming 15% stronger.

•The Supreme Blade can be transformed into any cooking tool or utensil.

•When cooking using the transformed Supreme Blade, there is a 40% chance of creating a higher-grade dish.

•Passive Skill: Skill Critical

•Passive Skill: Reflective Shot

•Active Skill: Simultaneous Activation

•Active Skill: Skill Convergence

•Sealed.

•Sealed.

•Sealed.

Description: This is a sword made solely for Minhyuk. It is made by the cooperation of four Pillars. Its final power will be unsealed once you reach Level 800 and will reveal its true form as the greatest sword in existence.

‘Wow. This is crazy...!’

Minhyuk stared at the sword’s description in utter disbelief. The power that it possessed was truly beyond common sense.

The God-rank swords used by the ordinary high rankers usually have around 2,500 in attack power. The Sword of Aeon had an attack power of 3,200 while the Supreme Blade had around 3,800. Of course, the Supreme Blade’s active skills were a bit lacking, but only the first seal had been released, and he was not sure about the rest of it yet.

‘I own the Sword of Aeon and the Supreme Blade. I can use both swords alternately.’

If he used the Dual Swordsmanship Technique attached to the Sword of Aeon, then he could use both swords at the same time. This meant that while others could only use a single sword with 2,500 attack power, Minhyuk could wipe out his enemies with two swords that had attack powers of 3,200 and 3,800, respectively.

He had fought against such a powerful enemy. Many times he felt as if his legs had turned to jelly and he would lose his strength, but he persisted. After checking everything, Minhyuk felt a weight lift off his shoulders.

Minhyuk scanned his surroundings.

When Minhyuk had apologized to the players for the unexpected situation and the hitch in his plans, the players lost their trust in him. But what was the result?

[The Battle God’s Quest: Following the Battle God’s Command has been completed.]

[As a reward, you will receive four level-ups.]

Many of the players had been forced to log out because of the archangels and the beings from Heaven when they appeared earlier than they had expected. Nonetheless, the rewards were much greater than they thought, as even those who had been forced to log out could receive the rewards.

During the quest, many of the players from all over the world criticized Minhyuk.

‘He’s trying to use the players as cannon fodder. This is not something that he cannot do.’

‘This is absolutely impossible.’

Yet, Minhyuk did it. He obtained the help of the gods of Olympus and finished it off on his own. Now, those who had criticized him were filled with admiration, respect, and awe toward him.

The same was true for the gods. Many of the gods did not trust Minhyuk. For one, he was still too young. Then, there was also the fact that he delegated most of the Battle God’s duties to his aide, Belson. But...

[The gods' respect for you is sky high! They will support you to the ends of the world.]

[They will jump into the pits of hell and go through a sea of fire as long as the Battle God commands it.]

Minhyuk had proven to them that he was a good lord and he could lead the Land of the Gods. Perhaps that was not enough to describe what they thought of him right now.

Athenae stepped out of the crowd. God of Origin Athenae smiled faintly as she looked at Minhyuk.

[The God of Origin says...]

“Child.”

[...that she had been watching over you since you were at your lowest point.]

She had been watching Minhyuk because she found it very fun to watch him eat. It was also because she was very interested in how he brought people together and was very impressed with how he overcame all of the hardships and adversities that came his way.

“Thank you.”

[The God of Origin bestows upon you the Title: Greatest Battle God.]

[Now, no one will doubt you and your qualifications as the Battle God.]

A small smile curled at the corners of his lips as the wind swept his black hair lightly. But Minhyuk still looked unsatisfied.

“Athenae.” His charisma as the Battle God spread out as he said, “Please stop calling me a child.”

Athenae’s eyes grew a tad bit bigger when she saw the firm determination on Minhyuk’s face. The same was true for the gods. The word “child” that Athenae used to refer to the people around her was a term of endearment. However, it was also a term that lowered someone’s status when compared to her.

Athenae completely understood what Minhyuk meant. She nodded her head in agreement and said, “The Great Monarch who leads the Land of the Gods and the earth.”

It was not just a mere change of title. Perhaps this change meant that Athenae and Minhyuk had become equals in the Land of the Gods.

“BATTLE GOD MINHYUK!!!”

“UWAAAAAAAAH!!!”

His name rang out in the Land of the Gods.

***

Joy Co. Ltd.’s conference room.

“Ha- Hahahahahahahahahaha!” President Kang Taehoon laughed wildly as he stared at the monitor.

God of Origin Athenae was the mother of all creations. Demanding equality from such a character might seem arrogant and preposterous to most. But that was not the case right now. Perhaps it was even more correct to say that they were truly equal.

He could not help but laugh when he saw Minhyuk weasel his way in and stand in the same position as Athenae. After laughing for a long time, President Kang Taehoon realized something.

The death of Athenae, the event that they feared the most, and the Great Battle of Heaven that they were almost expecting to happen had been stopped by the Battle God. The problems that they feared would happen were all stopped thanks to Minhyuk.

Suddenly, a bitter smile flashed on Kang Taehoon’s face. He said, “Is there anything more that Player Minhyuk can show us?”

He felt that it was a shame. Minhyuk had become the Battle God and the Pillar of the Gourmands. He had already reached the players’ summit. In fact, he had reached the summit that even NPCs could not reach.

As the Supreme standing at the peak, he had to continue growing and moving forward to keep in check those who were chasing after him. But he was bound to grow bored as he sat in the summit. Even so, Kang Taehoon expected that Minhyuk would be able to remain in that position forever. After all, the young man was hardworking and would never slack off.

Team Leader Park comforted President Kang Taehoon, who was staring at the monitor bitterly. He said, “He has not reached the peak yet. He has more to show us.”

“...He hasn’t reached the peak?”

Kang Taehoon was confused. This incident had proven his qualifications and his strength not only to the gods, but to the entire world. He had also most likely proven himself to the Transcendentals. After all, he killed the Divine Transcendental Anas.

“Aren’t the Pillars still there?”

“Ah...!” Kang Taehoon shouted.

He completely forgot about it. This was something that he always overlooked because of Minhyuk’s close relationship with the Pillars. Indeed, the Pillars were still there.

“Say... who do you think is the best among the Pillars?”

“Ah, that’s right.”

It was a very interesting topic. No matter how strong Minhyuk was, there was still someone stronger than him. Not only was Obren there, but there was also Master of Life and Death Louis with his Book of Life and Death, The Maker Hephaestus, The Persistent, and even the Master of Weapons. Of course, the Master of Weapons was still in the middle of the succession ceremony, so he could not be considered a competitor.

Nonetheless, the other Pillars were all special and impressive individuals.

Each and every single Pillar was strong enough, whether as an ally or an enemy. At this moment, Kang Taehoon tried to think about who among them was the highest and most difficult mountain for Minhyuk to cross.

“It should be Evil God Obren. Also, there’s the fact that the Pillars’ skills are all at Level 9 while Minhyuk’s cooking skill is only at around Level 3.”

This power gap was inevitable. Take Hephaestus, for example, he had spent thousands of years hammering away at his smithy. Then, there was The Persistent, who had been working hard for thousands of years. The Master of Life and Death had also ruled over Hell for thousands of years, while Evil God Obren had slaughtered tens of millions of people thousands of years in the past.

In comparison, Minhyuk had lived as the Pillar of the Gourmands for half a year at most. It was only natural that his skill was at a low level.

Of course, Minhyuk’s situation was already beyond common sense. Regardless, the power gap remained.

“But Player Minhyuk is the Battle God, too. And he’s strong. So, he might be on par with them.”

“Overall, his level might be close to theirs. But he’s still a long way off.”

“So, that’s why there’s still a lot more that he can show us...” President Kang Taehoon trailed off. Then, a brilliant idea flashed in his head. “...shall we take this opportunity to confirm it?”

“Yes?”

“The Pillars should also be curious about each other’s strength and power, no?”

Of course! That was only natural. This was an inherent characteristic possessed by every intelligent creature. They always wanted to see who was better and who had the upper hand.

“Let’s do a Pillar Great War.”

“Oh?”

“A great war where the five Pillars will decide who’s the greatest of them all!”

It was a very exciting idea.

Team Leader Park’s eyes sparkled. “I think we can use that to attract more attention, especially now that Athenae’s Olympics is over. But, how should they fight? Not all of the Pillars are that strong.”

“We can use the players.”

“Ah! So, we will include the players in the great war!”

“That’s right. How about this? Each Pillar will have an army representing them. And these five armies will fight for them!”

A framework was slowly being made.

“One army will fight with their artifacts strengthened, while another will fight with the help of buffed dishes.”

“But it will be hard to make them fight against each other...”

“No, no. We will give them something they can fight, a target, in essence. We will create a virtual entity that can rival someone like Helenia and make them fight that.”

Just the thought alone was enough to make the two men laugh happily.

“Then, how about we do it like this? The one who kills this entity with their strongest attack at the fastest time will be the winner?”

“Oh! That’s good!”

“Haha. Then, how about we put this part as well?”

“What part?”

President Kang Taehoon and Team Leader Park continued to chat happily. The more they conversed, the more complete the Pillar Great War event became.