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The entire Japanese Server was in a huge buzz after the release of the announcement that Food God Minhyuk was recruiting people.
“This is our chance to taste the Food God’s dishes.”
“I heard his dishes are crazy good!”
“Ah, more than that, I want to help him because of the Yuuta Incident.”
“I won’t go. The Food God is just an ugly human hiding in a thick coat of pretense.”
People were divided into different opinions. However, what was sure was that the entire Japanese Server was in a huge buzz.
Meanwhile, King Louvre of the Verax Kingdom, the kingdom that planted hidden gossip mongers and spread false rumors about Eto Kingdom’s Queen Aria being pregnant with the child of one of the Stars, trembled.
‘How dare these Five Stars…!’
He was trembling in anger at the audacity of the Five Stars, who were constructing a building to honor King Valex. He knew that Queen Aria had already given up on revealing the truth of the matter. After all, it was very difficult to reverse the public’s opinion and clear her name after something like that.
However, the story would be different once this building was finished. This was because all eyes of the people of Eto Kingdom would be focused on the building. What was more, the building that they were constructing was…
‘A building that’s grander and nobler than the Gods’ Temples?!’
What kind of bullshit was that?! If that building was successfully made, they would suffer from severe repercussions. Eto Kingdom would even be able to return to its peak.
‘Valex, you bastard! You’re still trying to drag me down even after your death!’
King Louvre had a tremendous inferiority complex. However, he thought he had been freed from that. After all, Valex was already dead and the Eto Kingdom was falling apart.
But now? King Louvre began to make correspondence with the other empires and kingdoms. And along with that…
[The Quest: Verax Kingdom’s Monster Expedition has been created.]
[The Quest: Vedna’s Child Quest has been created.]
[The Quest: Ruby’s Gathering Quest has been created.]
Each of the kingdoms and empires began to actively create quests. What was more, there was great disparity between the quests’ difficulty and rewards that the word ‘beneficial’ was stamped on them. This was because the other kingdoms and empires did not want to see the rise of the Eto Kingdom once again.
[Isn’t this quest too amazing? Ah, there’s a time limit. Oh no, what to do? I had already decided to go to the King’s Building’s site…]
[I also got a good quest. Compared to the quest’s difficulty, the reward is extremely good. I can even get a sword made by the Blacksmith Baro…]
The emperors and kings slyly put a ‘time limit’ on their quests. Doing so would sway the foreigners to choose their quests. If the foreigners headed for their quests first, by the time they finished, the quest for the King’s Building would already be over.
They were only able to do this because they believed that they would not incur any losses. After all, the original quests benefited both sides. Even if they generously amped up the rewards, the only loss that they would incur would be the benefits from the quest. Besides, to them, creating quests was but a simple task. The people’s mind began to sway from this move.
Still, they were not satisfied, and did some more petty tricks.
“Have you heard the rumors? I heard that King Louvre will send troops to wipe out those that have gone to the Eto Kingdom’s King’s Building’s site.”
“You’ll die if you go there! The empires and kingdoms do not want them to build a building in honor of King Valex!”
“Each of the empires and kingdoms have sent tens of thousands of assassins. If you go there, you’ll die without anyone knowing.”
“And that’s not all. From what I heard, Eto Kingdom’s Queen Aria is being pressured by her officials with regards to the creation of the building. If worse comes to worst, she’ll also send her troops to stop people from coming.”
Yes. That was what they did. Since these empires and kingdoms did not have a justification to stop the building’s construction, they went so far as to send their own troops and made ridiculous excuses that they were just subjugating monsters to snoop around.
Meanwhile, a masked woman, escorted by a select few knights, arrived in the vicinity of the construction site. This woman was none other than Queen Aria. Queen Aria looked around, ‘The kingdom is already done for. Why are the Stars going through all the trouble of doing something like this?’
Queen Aria had already lost all hope and will to stand up once again. This was because she had seen the collapse of Eto Kingdom, a growing and lively nation, in an instant. She did not have any confidence that her kingdom would be able to hold out and endure against the attacks of the other empires and kingdoms at this point in time.
‘It would be for the better if they stop this nonsense right now,’ She thought, as she hid near the construction site. As they settled down, her gaze drifted somewhere. And the place where she was looking was where Jarrod and Minhyuk were.
***
Jarrod immediately realized that the other empires and kingdoms were keeping them in check. So, with a somber expression on his face, he went to talk to Minhyuk.
“Unbelievable.”
What did it have to do with those people if they were making a building that would honor the king of Eto Kingdom?
‘We have to somehow finish this building on time.’
Minhyuk immediately checked the current Building Completion Rate, which was indicated on the blueprint that he had on him.
[Completion Rate: 11%]
Minhyuk sighed. Everyone worked hard for days on end but they only finished around this much. They needed to do more and they also needed to attract more people. Then, a thought suddenly flashed in his head, ‘There’s one other way.’
“We need the Eternal Flames.”
“The Eternal Flames…?”
The rewards from the building creation quest clearly indicated that Minhyuk would be able to get the Eternal Flames. That was why he confidently said this, “Yes. Once I get my hands on the Eternal Flames, I will be able to cook better dishes and even make them faster.”
According to the expected effects of the trailer, Minhyuk’s cooking time would be reduced by as much as 40%. On top of that, the dishes that he would be able to make with a strong fire like the Eternal Flames would be tastier and have a stronger buff effect, despite its short duration.
“But from what I know, only His Majesty King Valex could get the flames of the Eternal Flames.”
“Only His Majesty King Valex?” Minhyuk asked in doubt. He was sure that the Eternal Flames was listed on the rewards, right? Then, he realized, ‘Ah…!’
In the first place, the quest said that the soul of the deceased king would descend upon the building upon its creation. He could tell that this soul would be the one to bring out the Eternal Flames.
“Is there another way?”
“There’s one way but it’s going to be very hard,” Jarrod said, face turning extremely serious. “You have to break the stone that covers the Eternal Flames and bring it out with your own power. In fact, the reason why it’s very hard to get the Eternal Flames is because of the rock shell that covered it. The true Eternal Flame inside does not bring harm to people.”
“What do you mean by hard…?”
“It’s because the rock shell is too hard. And it’s also too hot. On top of that, one has to slam it for at least eight hours a day, otherwise the shell will regenerate on its own.”
“…?!” Minhyuk’s face morphed into that of surprise. The stone shell will regenerate?! “To top it off, it’s extremely hot…”
The Eternal Flames were known to have enough force to blow away an entire city in one go. But there seemed to be no other way.
“It can’t be done by many people?”
“Yes. Only one person can challenge the Eternal Flames at a time.”
“Then, I’ll challenge it.”
“It would be better if we go a bit further away for that then,” Jarrod said, pointing his hands toward the hill that was a bit further away from them. Minhyuk and Jarrod immediately moved toward the hill. The hill was quite high, high enough to overlook the entire construction site.
“I will take it out now,” Jarrod, the man protecting the Eternal Flames, declared as he took out a rock emitting a dazzling red light. “The Eternal Flame will shoot out the moment you attack it. You can avoid the flames as long as you’re out of the five meter range.”
“…When did you get there?”
“Ordinary people will disappear the moment they touch that,” Jarrod said from ten meters away. Minhyuk took a deep breath in response as he pulled out his Continent Destroyer Sword. And the moment he attacked the rock…
[You are challenging the Eternal Flames!]
[The Eternal Flames will burn even brighter if you succeed in acquiring it with your own hands!]
[The items that will use the Eternal Flames, including artifacts, will have a stronger effect if you succeed in acquiring it with your own hands.]
[You have to attack and hit the Eternal Flames for at least eight hours a day.]
Shwaaaaaaaaa—
A huge blast of fire engulfed the area where Minhyuk was. And along with that…
[Your HP has decreased by 2%.]
[Your HP has decreased by 1%.]
[Your HP has decreased by 1%.]
[Severe burns have restricted your movements!]
It was only two seconds. Two seconds and Minhyuk’s HP has already plummeted by 4%.
“…Ugh?!” Minhyuk staggered back a few steps.
‘Shit…?’
The fire that licked Minhyuk’s skin was shockingly hot. If it was anyone other than him, someone with high fire attribute resistance, then they would have already been burnt to a crisp and turned into dust, scattering into the wind.
“Can you do it?” Jarrod asked, which only prompted silence from Minhyuk.
After a few moments, Minhyuk finally said, “There’s no other choice. Please gather the priests. I think I might need to get constant heals from them.”
Aside from the priests, Minhyuk also needed some buffs with regards to his fire attribute resistance. Minhyuk made and ate epic-grade ‘cold noodles’ on the spot.
[You have eaten Cold Noodles.]
[Your Fire Attribute Resistance has increased by 36%.]
By the time he was finished with his meal, more than a thousand priests had gathered around him already.
“You need to give me heals non-stop for eight hours straight so make sure to take turns.”
“Yes!”
“Just a slight mistake and everything will be for naught.”
The priests all nodded their heads as they watched Minhyuk reach his hands out toward the Eternal Flames once again. Then…
Slaaaaaash—
…he attacked it again.
[Your HP has decreased by 2%.]
[Your HP has decreased by 1%.]
[Your HP has decreased by 1%.]
The fire engulfed Minhyuk as the priests casted heal on him continuously. Then, the notifications rang in his ears.
[A warm and gentle power surrounds your body.]
[You have gained 600 HP.]
[A warm and gentle power surrounds your body.]
[You have gained 450 HP.]
[Your HP has decreased by 2%.]
[Your HP has decreased by 1%.]
Minhyuk’s HP constantly increased and decreased! Thankfully, Minhyuk’s fire attribute resistance was high enough that he could endure the attacks of the Eternal Flames with just the priests’ heals. If an ordinary player was standing here, they would have already died many times over even if they were receiving constant heals.
Clang, clang, clang—
Clang, clang, clang, clang—
A huge blast of flame devoured Minhyuk everytime his sword struck at the Eternal Flames. But despite the burning flames, Minhyuk still had enough leeway to make a game plan, ‘I’ll attack the Eternal Flames for eight hours and cook for 10 hours.’ Of course, he should not stop cooking so that those that were building would continue to do so.
Clang, clang, clang, clang—
Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang—
Just like that, three hours had gone by. However, the priests’ faces gradually turned ugly as time went by.
“Heok, heok. Shit. This is so hard…”
“I feel like I’m going to die.”
“Ugh…”
“I know that we’re just casting heals here but it’s still too hard.”
“Look at the Food God. He should be the one saying that.”
It was already crazy hard for them to cast heals for three hours straight. Of course, they had all the right to complain. But after seeing the Food God, they could only remain silent. Three hours have passed but the Food God was still going strong. Some declared that the Food God was just lucky that was why he became strong.
But that was not it. The Food God became strong through his own efforts and hard work.
Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang—
Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang—
Minhyuk was definitely exhausted and burning from the flames. But he never stopped his movements. ‘My dishes will taste better and become more outstanding if I get the strong firepower of the Eternal Flames!!!’ A dish cooked with a strong flame would become more delicious. This was the thought that was running in Minhyuk’s head and spurring him on.
Meanwhile, those that were gathered here… ‘We have to work hard to meet his expectations.’ Since Minhyuk put his faith in them, then they would step up to meet that expectation. After all, he was doing this for them.
Clang, clang, clang, clang—
When you're just trying to make great content at bit.ly/3iBfjkV.
[Due to the extreme pain that you are suffering, the DEX rewards have improved.]
[You have gained 2 DEX.]
[You have gained 1 Will.]
The notifications rang continuously in Minhyuk’s ears. Then, another two hours went by. Perhaps it was due to exhaustion that Minhyuk suddenly staggered.
“Huuuuh?!”
“Huuh?!”
Just when the priests were getting worried, Minhyuk slapped himself awake and started to attack the rock again.
Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang—
Shwaaaaaaaaaaaaa—
“Crazy…”
“Isn’t he cool?!”
He stood up once again in front of the huge fire and continued this lonely fight. Seeing this, the priests' admiration for him began to skyrocket. And eight hours later…
[You have successfully restricted the regenerative properties of the Eternal Flames.]
…Minhyuk finally stopped attacking.
“Fwaaaa. We’re going to logout for a bit.”
“It’s backbreaking.”
But then, Minhyuk said, “I should go and cook for them now.”
“…When will you rest?”
“Ah. Around ten hours later?”
The priests were all left speechless.
“Are you crazy?! You have to rest, even for a bit. It must definitely be harder for you. Us, priests, took turns to rest but you, Food God, you did not.”
“A lot of people came here and put their faith in me. So, I have to repay that.”
“…!”
“…!”
“…!”
“…!”
“Well then, I’m going to make food for everyone now.”
The priests all looked at him with genuine awe and admiration.
‘The Food God is truly a good person.’
‘Are you telling me that everything that he has now was all thanks to his effort and hardwork?’
‘Is he still a person?’
‘He’s really amazing.’
The injuries on Minhyuk’s body were stark on his skin. And since they were on top of the hill with the best view of the construction site below, everyone could see what happened. Right now, all eyes were looking at Minhyuk. Their eyes were all shining with awe and yearning to be with the Food God which spurred their enthusiasm on and made them work harder.
“Minhyuk.”
“Ah, yes?”
One of the priests called out to Minhyuk, who was on his way to cook, and said, “When the servers merge later, will you accept me as a citizen of Beyond the Heavens Kingdom?”
“Of course, you’re very welcome there.”
Some of these priests were Kentaro’s guild members. However, there were still quite a few unaffiliated priests among them. And these people were willing to go to Beyond the Heavens Kingdom as long as Minhyuk accepted them.
“Me, me too! Please accept me too!”
“Me too!!!”
“Include, include me too!”
Right now, it was a very foolish move for players to migrate to Beyond the Heavens Kingdom. After all, the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom was still in a precarious situation compared to other kingdoms. However, they clearly saw the kingdom’s potential right here and now.
‘If it’s that person then…’
‘He will definitely not stop at becoming king. He might even become an emperor!’
‘Everything will be possible if we’re with him!’
The priests that were present here saw a future with Minhyuk and his kingdom. And… they were not the only ones shocked right now.
[You have received Aria’s favor.]
[You have received Aria’s favor.]
[You have received Aria’s favor.]
“Eh?” Minhyuk looked around in doubt. After all, Aria was King Valex’s wife and the current ruler of Eto Kingdom.