Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 594: Minhyuk’s Connections

[Many people consider you as a true and genuine wise king.]

[You have earned 1,231 cash.]

[You have earned 1,131 cash.]

[You have earned 1,011 cash.]

The notifications of his cash acquisition for the MVP Shop rang in Minhyuk’s ears. He had already decided to fight Leona in the first place, but he was still able to earn a lot with just a few words.

First, Minhyuk was able to secure the loot from the Maserrati Guild. Second, by showing his majesty as a true king, he was able to gain both cash and respect from the people present. And third, by saying those words to Richard, he was able to create a situation where the Maserrati Guild was not their enemy, but an ally. Minhyuk had judged that it was not necessary for Beyond the Heavens Kingdom to recognize them as their enemy, just because they were an emerging kingdom.

Richard, who was looking at Leona’s slowly moving figure, asked, “What did you mean when you said that the Absolute Monarch’s power and the Food God’s power will combine?”

“What is your Absolute Monarch’s Stigma’s current level?”

Richard grimaced. Talking about one’s own class and special skills, especially since he was an Absolute God Class, was a very sensitive topic. However, Richard was also very much aware that this was not the time for him to care about such matters.

“It’s Level 1.”

It was to be expected. After all, only a few days had passed since he changed his class to the Absolute God’s Class, Absolute Monarch. However, the mere existence of a ‘level’ meant that growth was still possible for Richard.

“As expected,” Minhyuk said as he looked at Richard, barely containing the smile that was about to show on his lips.

‘It’s possible. It’s already crazy enough that it’s possible.’

Minhyuk, who saw Richard’s look that was begging him for an answer, said, “Will your Absolute Monarch’s Stigma increase the number of buff targets or will the buff become stronger if it levels up?”

Clever rankers would be able to predict the direction in which their skill would grow in the future. The way to predict it was simple. All they had to do was consider the balance of the game and think about what special privileges the operators of Joy Co. Ltd. would give them.

“I believe the number of people that will be able to receive the stigma will increase. There’s also around 3%~7% expected increase in the buff effect.”

That was right. That was the answer, the extent of what a player could predict.

Then, Minhyuk asked, “What are the conditions to level up the Absolute Monarch’s Stigma?”

Of course, Richard could not tell Minhyuk. For special skills, the concept of leveling up skills using ‘skill proficiency’ would often disappear. However, it would be possible to increase the level of these skills if they could satisfy the conditions that they needed to meet.

A prime example of this was Absolute Monarch’s Stigma. First, he had to have 30,000 guild members or more. Second, he had to have at least dozens of territories under their kingdom’s command. Third, he has to gain victory in a war against another kingdom. And fourth, building an empire. The conditions were completely ridiculous. Although the skill could really be leveled up, it was almost impossible to make it happen. But still, it was Richard’s skill.

“Well, you don’t have to tell me. I can already guess what it is.”

That was right. Minhyuk could already guess that those conditions were completely ridiculous.

“But answer me this, what if your ‘Absolute Monarch’s Stigma’ could temporarily increase by 3~5 levels?”

“…?!”

Richard felt his breath stagnate at the words. He could already tell that the effects of the skill would become strong enough that only the word ‘crazy’ could be used to describe it. Increasing the Absolute Monarch’s Stigma by 3~5 levels? Richard could already expect the effects to be at least 35% stronger than before.

‘If we’re being realistic then…’

Richard believed this to be impossible. However, he was still shocked. Who was the person in front of him? The person in front of him was the player that could make the best buff dishes in Athenae. Just the thought alone was enough to take his breath away.

In a blink of an eye, Leona had already recovered.

“I see what you mean.”

“Yes. Ah, do you have a lot of NPC friends? They have to be strong.”

A small smile curled at the corners of Richard’s lips at the question. One of Richard’s strengths was the fact that he had built a strong relationship with NPCs. In fact, Richard had been pushed back by Food God Minhyuk since earlier. However, this question had definitely brought back his lost pride.

“Of course. If I make the call now, a truck full of people will definitely come. But, why are you asking that?”

“I believe we need the support of the NPCs.”

“Do you want to use the Absolute Monarch Stigma on the NPCs?”

Minhyuk nodded. Because of Leona’s control over the system, the players had been temporarily banned from entering the Stars’ Path. Fortunately, that was not the case for NPCs. Also…

“Leona’s strongest weapon is turning whoever she made eye contact with into stone. Do you think it’s possible for ordinary players to keep their eyes closed while fighting?”

“That would be impossible. However, NPCs that have fought battles since they were young are different. Ah, you want to get the help of Named NPCs at the very least?”

Minhyuk nodded once again. The reason why he wanted to enlist the help of the NPCs? It was because he had seen Ellie fight before. Ellie was a genius that could beat her enemies even with her eyes closed. If genius NPCs of her caliber could gather, then killing Leona would not be difficult. What more if they received the Absolute Monarch’s Stigma?

Richard declared confidently, “So, Named NPCs at the very least? Don’t worry, a huge number of those NPCs will come to my aid. Ah, you, the Beyond the Heavens’ King, will also call for them, right?”

“Of course.”

Richard finally felt better. Why? Although Beyond the Heavens’ King Minhyuk had helped him save his energy and power, it was still true that he suffered a huge humiliation today. However, he was now given the chance to make up for that humiliation. At the very least, Richard was confident that each of the empires, kingdoms and territories that he had connections with would send at least one of their lowest-leveled Named NPCs as reinforcements for him.

‘They will all be amazed.’

After all, dozens of Named NPCs would run to help a player. Richard was sure that the entire world would be in awe and admiration. Of course, he also knew that Minhyuk, as the king of Beyond the Heavens Kingdom, would be able to call for a lot of reinforcements. However, Richard had been working hard to promote friendly relationships with the other empires and kingdoms, even resorting to bribing some of them. From what Richard knew, the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom rarely resorted to such acts. This made Richard confident that he would receive far more support than them.

“I will kill you all. Especially you,” Leona growled, glaring at Minhyuk after she finished restoring her body and recovering from her wounds.

So, what did Minhyuk do?

“Let’s Have a Meal!”

He created a transparent barrier.

“…”

Well, Minhyuk had to cook, just like what he told Richard earlier, right? And the one that had to hold Leona back while they were waiting for reinforcements and for Minhyuk to cook, would be Richard.

“Fighting,” Minhyuk said, raising his fist at Richard in encouragement.

Richard trembled as he sent a whisper to his guild members still in the American Server.

[Richard: Kyle. Contact all of the kingdoms and empires, as well as the nobles that we have a close relationship with. Ask them for reinforcements at the Named NPC level.]

It was time for them to show the majesty of the Maserrati Guild.

***

Minhyuk, who was nestled safely inside his ‘Let’s Have a Meal’ barrier, did not intend to show off when he asked Richard to get the help of NPCs. In fact, it was contrary to what Richard was thinking. In fact, he truly wanted their help to win. After all, NPCs truly had stronger powers than them.

‘Come to think of it, there’s that item in the MVP Shop, right?’

Minhyuk saw a very unique item in the MVP Shop.

[A Mythical Bird that Cries Sadly For You. 30,000 cash.]

The price of the item was quite expensive. However, the Mythical Bird that Cries Sadly for You had a very unusual effect.

‘This bird will fly to the NPCs that have been recognized by the system to have a high degree of favor with me or to those that care about me deeply and will cry for their help.’

Of course, it was possible that some of those NPCs were busy or were in the middle of doing something very important. However, there would also be some that were resting and would choose to come. And Minhyuk did not want everyone that he knew to come. After all, they had their work too.

‘It would be nice if it also had a memo function. What a pity.’

There was also one more thing that Minhyuk found unusual.

‘Cry sadly? What does that mean?’

Nothing was written about that part. Minhyuk saw that the battle between Leona and the Maserrati Guild was about to start again. As he watched the players begin another round of battle, the ‘Mythical Bird that Cries Sadly For You’ flew into the skies.

Kihyeeeeeeeeeeeek—

A bird, enveloped in blinding light, soared in the skies and disappeared in a blink.

‘It would be nice if at least five of them came to help me.’

At that moment, Minhyuk was still unaware of the impact that the Mythical Bird that Cries Sadly For You would have.

***

Cali was the one in charge of the Maserrati Guild’s diplomatic relations. Although the Maserrati Guild has not yet been crowned a kingdom, he was already working hard on forging relationships and improving their friendly ties with other empires and kingdoms. He even spent a lot of money to achieve it.

Estio Empire’s emperor listened silently to Cali’s request for a reinforcement of their strongest NPC and soldiers. Richard had met a few times with this very same emperor, and even toasted quite a few glasses of wine together.

“I believe this is an ordeal that the Maserrati Guild must overcome to become a kingdom.”

“…?!”

Cali immediately understood what the emperor meant.

‘I am not willing to sacrifice the lives of my precious soldiers just for you.’

Anger soared in Cali’s head. He had spent a ton of money on them for this?! The emperor even laughed with them and toasted them?! But everything was for naught. After that, Cali went on to several empires and kingdoms.

Airede Empire.

“But my soldiers are on vacation?”

Caina Kingdom.

“Leave! How dare you ask for my help already?!”

Vleid Kingdom.

“Our Archer of Light Riel suffered an injury on his index finger yesterday…”

Many kingdoms and empires turned a blind eye to Maserrati Guild’s plight. Cali’s anger grew with each rejection. He was sure that each empire would have at least fifty Named NPCs. For kingdoms? At least five. However, they did not even offer any support, even if they had that many men under their command?

Cali realized, ‘No matter what we do, in the end, the NPCs will not recognize foreigners like us…’

This was the reality of the matter. Just when Cali’s shoulders started to droop in disappointment, a thick and callused hand patted him on the shoulder. The man was none other than Sword Master Verr.

In the entire world, only two people could be called Sword Masters. One was Marquis Loumat, the one that tried to hold a ritual to summon Great Demon Verus with Crazy Tyrant Akhan. Marquis Loumat died under Minhyuk’s hands. The other one was none other than Verr. Of course, they were not true and complete Sword Masters. However, they were given that title because they have reached the highest level of the sword.

Verr might have the same title as Marquis Loumat but he was much stronger; a true master hiding in seclusion. He was going to be the next Absolute Supreme NPC to appear.

‘However, Richard won their hearts.’

Even though many kingdoms and empires turned their backs on Richard, he still had Verr on his side. Besides, not all of the kingdoms turned their backs on them. Behind Verr stood the Absolute NPCs that Richard had secretly met over the course of the year and made connections with. They had around 13 Named NPCs and one NPC that was set to become an Absolute Supreme NPC. There were also around 200,000 troops that had decided to help Maserrati Guild.

“Let’s depart.”

At Verr’s words, everyone kicked their horses and started running at high speed.

Cali thought, ‘The Beyond the Heavens’ King’s eyes will grow so wide that they would fall out.’

‘I believe Richard will be able to raise his head proudly.’

***

At the same time, in the Demon World.

After Great Demon Verus had been sealed, another Great Demon made their appearance and started to take control over the entirety of the Demon World. This Great Demon’s name was none other than ‘Gremory’.

Gremory had forged a connection with Minhyuk in the past. She had been in awe of the jjajangmyeon that he made for her back then. And this very same Gremory was now in control of half of the entire Demon World. She had become the master of more than tens of millions of Demon World Corps. And all of this…

‘It’s all because of that child, Minhyuk. It’s because he sealed the Great Demon Verus.’

Gremory had a huge crush, no gratitude, on Minhyuk. She wanted to repay him, but how could she ever do so? But then, at that moment, inside the dark and dull Demon World, a space suddenly opened up and a beautiful bird emitting a white light flew out of it.

“…What the hell?”

Gremory was flustered. How did a bird enter the Demon World? It was even a beautiful one to boot. But, the bird cried mournfully the moment it arrived.

“Kihyeeeeee! Kihyeeeeee!!!”

Then, a notification rang in Gremory’s ears.

[Minhyuk is requesting your help.]

“…?!”

Requesting her help? Gremory’s answer to that was of course a resounding yes. However, she had a lot of work to do right now.

“Kihyeeeee! Kihyeeeeee! Kihyeeeeeee!!!”

“…”

The bird enveloped in light cried loudly as it flew vigorously around before landing on the ground in front of Gremory and shaking its head sadly. Seeing the bird’s gestures and tears, Gremory realized, “He’s, he’s in great danger?!”

She could even see the urgency of the matter as the bird continued to cry. From what it looked like, the bird had been crying for a long time and would faint at any moment. It was showing her how dangerous the situation was on Minhyuk’s side since he sent this bird.

Then, at that moment, Great Demon Gremory rose from her throne and stood in front of the 150,000 Demon World Corps that were on standby. She ordered, “Prepare for war!!!”

The demon race were born with stronger physiques compared to humans. So, if one had to base them on the humans’ standard of Named NPCs, the number of Named NPCs that Gremory was leading was around 1,000. At this moment, the Demon World Corps was about to make their debut in the human world.

As for the Mythical Bird that Cries Sadly For You…

Grin—

There was a cunning twinkle in its eyes, as it disappeared in a flash of light and headed to another place.