Leveling Up through Eating

Chapter 234: Delicious Expedition

Translator: ChubbyCheeks

PR: MattForgenti

“……!”

“……!”

Lee Minhwa and Team Leader Park’s eyes both widened in shock. They were in shock because of the information that the Food God was saying on the screen of the monitor right now.

[Demon World?]

[Right. The Demon World. If you go there, you will be able to meet with the Four Heavenly Kings. The Four Heavenly Kings each have their own treasures. The Bronze Sword, the Pipa, etc. Rumor has it that if you collect all four of their treasures then you can create the type of artifact that you want.]

[Wow. Any type or form of artifact that I want……!]

[Yes. You can also give one ability that you want. I was actually trying to make an oven from their treasures. But I gave up because it was not an easy feat. You must either do them a favor or fight and win against them.]

[Oho. I see. An oven…… It would be nice to have an oven that keeps the fat and the oils from escaping from the chicken or the pork when roasting……!]

[Oh. Me too! I want to try making one too……!]

[I’ll make sure to make an oven like that!]

[Yes. Boy, I believe you! It would be good if you can make what I couldn’t back then!]

Then, the two of them shook hands. Along with that, a quest window also appeared in Minhyuk’s head. However, for the Athenae operators, it was the worst handshake to have ever happened in the entire world.

“Show us the quest window.”

“Yes, Team Leader.”

[Linked Quest: Meet the Four Heavenly Kings in the Demon World.]

Rank: SSS

Restriction: Food God.

Rewards: Four Heavenly Kings’ Treasures.

Penalty for Failure: -20 to all stats.

Description: Rumor has it that you can produce any type of artifact that you want if you collect all four of the treasures of the Four Heavenly Kings in the Demon World. Go and gather their treasures. But before that, shouldn’t you go to the Demon World first?

The reason why all of them were astounded was because most of the NPCs who would give the quest related to the Four Heavenly Kings Treasures would always say ‘Rumor has it that they give the form of artifact that you want but we don’t know if it will be good.’ or something along those lines. With those vague words, users would most likely wonder about the probability of getting a good artifact and would choose whether they would challenge or give up the quest. The Four Heavenly Kings were the second most powerful beings right after the three Great Demons. It wasn’t easy to meet with any of them and they still had to do quests for them or hunt them.

But right now……

“Right now, Callauhel is struggling just to meet with the Four Heavenly Kings. Right?”

“Yes, Team Leader.”

Callauhel had arrived at the Demon World earlier and he was moving around trying to find their treasures. Just like Beas Village, the Demon World was a meeting place for users all over the world. And right now, even though he was a latecomer, Minhyuk might try to challenge the quest. To the operators, Minhyuk was more of a problem than Callauhel.

“Unlike the rumors, the power of the artifact that will come out is not insignificant. But artifacts with similar power to a disaster rank will definitely come out.”

And the name that Joy Co. Ltd. had given these artifacts were……

“Authority Artifact……”

Lee Minhwa murmured to herself.

That was the artifact that would be created from whatever the user wanted. And that artifact could also exert power similar to that of a disaster artifact.

But he will collect the four treasures and use a Half-God Artifact Production Method?

Then, it would definitely become stronger than a disaster artifact.

“I hope that User Minhyuk does not go to the Demon World.”

“Yes. Otherwise, it will be the first Authority Artifact to ever come out…..”

After a brief pause, Team Leader Park sighed as he rubbed his chin.

“I just hope that it’s not an oven……”

***

Minhyuk checked the artifacts that he had received while waiting at the restaurant. Rowena was currently making him some tteok dumpling soup so he had some free time. Sitting right next to him was his new vassal, Corr.

(Frightening Instrument)

Rank: Legendary

Restrictions: 400 holy power or 400 magi

Durability: ∞ / ∞

Attack Power: 714

Special Abilities:

— Can be transformed into any instrument in the world.

— For those who possess holy power, you will perform a warm and divine performance overflowing with holy power. For those who possess magi, you will perform a chilling performance overflowing with death and destruction.

— Active Skill: Kayagum’s Explosion.

— Active Skill: Slow Violin.

— Passive Skill: Recital Conductor.

Description: The instrument bestowed by Verus, one of the three Great Demons, to one of his Demon Worshippers. It will perform differently depending on whether the user uses holy power or magi.

He thought that Kayagum’s Explosion was the skill that was used earlier. It was a skill that allowed explosions whenever the kayagum was played. And Slow Violin was the skill that fired sword lights with every pluck of the string.

However, among the three skills attached to the artifacts, Minhyuk’s personal favorite was the Recital Conductor.

(Recital Conductor)

Passive Skill

Level: None

Effects:

— Performance done with magi will continuously lower the HP of the listeners and give them constant pains.

— Performance done with holy power will restore the HP of the listeners and can help plants and animals grow faster and healthier.

“This one will be Corr-nim’s from now one.”

“Oh. But this is such a precious thing…… Thank you.”

Corr looked excited. He checked the information on the item and saw that it was a very good item.

“From now on, I will give Corr-nim a huge mission. Use this instrument to grow the Monarch’s Seeds.”

Minhyuk’s expression was filled with determination.

Corr knew about the existence of the Monarch’s Seeds. Those were the seeds made by the Ancient Monarch and the Former Pope! There might be enormous power hidden in these seeds. And he was responsible for awakening such power.

“I’ll definitely make it happen!”

“Yes.”

Corr did not know that Minhyuk just wanted to eat something delicious, all he knew was that he looked serious while he gave him this order.

‘Hmm…… Food God-nim told me that I should just do what I normally do and someone will come to see me so that I can proceed with the Food God’s Bet quest. I wonder when they’ll come?’

Minhyuk tilted his head in thought.

For now, it’s fine if I wait.

At that moment, Rowena finally completed the tteok dumpling soup.

“Our Athenae Temple’s garden has more holy power than anywhere else. The kimchi made from the cabbage that’s grown there is different from regular kimchi.”

“Oh. I see.”

Minhyuk looked at the piping hot tteok dumpling soup. He could see the seaweed flakes, egg garnish, and carrots that were sliced and placed on top of the soup. Even the dumplings that they used were authentic dumplings.

‘Looking at the shape of the dumplings, these are clearly Hoobigo gyoza dumplings.’

Just like he had expected, the dumplings were Hoobigo gyoza dumplings. The sizes of the dumplings were all similar and the fillings were generously packed inside a sturdy and strong dumpling dough.

Minhyuk tried a sip of the soup first.

‘Wow……’

In just one sip, Minhyuk could tell that this was the taste of beef bone soup.

“We have a tree called the Beef Bone Tree. I made the dumpling soup using the broth from the tree.”

Rowena grinned widely as Minhyuk gave her a thumbs up.

This time, Minhyuk scooped up some joraengi tteok and placed it in his mouth.

Chew, chew.

The texture of the chewy joraengi tteok as well as the deep flavor of the beef bone broth together with the taste of the seaweed powder danced in his mouth. He smiled happily at the flavors that danced inside his mouth in every chew.

‘This flavor is making me feel alive!’

As expected, delicious food is best after doing hard work!

Then, he picked up some dumplings from the soup. As soon as he raised his spoon, he could see a round and plump dumpling on top of it. There was a faint luster in the dumpling skin that made it look like it was shining. He quickly blew on it to cool the dumpling down before eating the whole dumpling in one go. As soon as he chewed, the soup trapped inside the dumpling spread through his mouth. A variety of flavors danced wildly in his mouth. Gorad’s Meat Tree truly tasted like meat.

Then, he picked up some kimchi while he continued to eat the tteok dumpling soup.

Crunch, crunch—

The sour and crunchy kimchi washed away the greasiness of the soup. He continued to eat like that. Then, he picked up the bowl and drank the beef bone broth directly from the bowl.

“Puhaa! It’s really delicious!”

Minhyuk made sure to eat all of the joraengi tteok and dumplings. By the time he was done, there was not even a drop of soup left in his bowl. Then, he turned towards Rowena.

“I have something important to say to Rowena-nim.”

“……Yes?”

Minhyuk’s expression was grave and solemn while his eyes glistened like he was longing for something.

‘I, is he going to confess……?’

Rowena’s heart suddenly sank without her noticing it.

***

The Emperor of Cordis Empire, Asvon the Bright, looked at the two people sitting in front of him.

The two people sitting in front of him were both God Classes. One was Eclei, the God of War. Eclei was an outstanding monarch and he did not belong in any guild. But nevertheless, he was still someone who was responsible for three small cities. He truly deserved the name God of War. Even his level was at Lv470. The man sitting next to him was wearing a mask. He was the guild master of the assassins’ guild ‘Secret Vessel’. Just like his guild, his God Class was the God of Death. The two of them, aside from the guild, had many troops and vassals under their command. Of course, their skills were superb even without anyone saying anything.

“You received the Gods’ Bet?”

“Yes. We received them.”

The two of them answered.

That was right, those were the two other gods who participated in the bet. Of course, God Classes were still not gods yet. After all, there were very few, especially among the foreigners, who could ascend and become gods. And those who could not exceed certain limits would stop growing and would eventually become losers who could not even reach the God Class.

“We still do not know who will be better, us or the opponent. But you’ll have to join the subjugation force and stand out by rescuing ‘Prince Argon’.”

“Of course.”

The two of them were very confident. After all, the two of them were among the most prominent authorities in the Empire.

Asvon grinned wickedly as he continued to speak.

“Use any means necessary.”

There was an armistice with the Eivelis Empire to make good with the hundred year promise with the elves. However, this was not disclosed to the public. They would be in constant competition.

And if they were able to rescue Prince Argon then they would be able to gain a high level of favorability between the elves and the Cordis Empire.

And isn’t there only one opponent?

The two people went outside. Not long after Eclei spoke.

“Use any means necessary……”

“It means that if we don’t mind then we will attack them.”

But it would be very vague and ambiguous if they attacked openly. However, there were a lot of expedient means that they could resort to.

“We can bring the enemies towards them on purpose.”

“Or we can inform the enemy of their position.”

“We can also install tricks and pretend to be the enemies.”

They grinned wickedly as they thought of plenty of immoral means to defeat the opponent.

***

Rowena’s heart was trembling. This was because Minhyuk, with his grave and serious expression, led her in a bedroom that was closed off to everybody else. With Minhyuk’s ever so serious look, Rowena’s heart thumped violently. She was even chanting in her head to calm herself down.

‘You’re the Saintess.’

But the Saintess was still a person. Her heart was still beating and she could still fall in love with someone else. However, she was the Saintess and she should have the finesse to handle situations like this.

The thought of Minhyuk fighting hard to save her from death suddenly flashed in her head. He was really cool and gallant.

With plenty of thoughts flying through her mind, she finally decided.

“This is my first time.”

“……Me too.”

Minhyuk looked very serious.

Then, Rowena placed her hands on her chest as she breathed deeply. She could see Minhyuk looking at her gently despite his solemn expression. She could also see the bed behind him. She had decided that she would feel it. She would definitely feel his breath. After all, he must definitely be in love with her.

“You’re going to be gentle, right?”

As she said that, Rowena closed her eyes and pucked her lips out. Then, she heard his voice.

“But why did you close your eyes?”

“Yes?”

Rowena opened her eyes gently and saw Minhyuk smiling gently. She also saw him holding two things that she did not know the use of.

“Hehe. Rowena-nim! Please have one! I felt sorry that I was sulking because you did not make me tteok dumpling soup before so I wanted to give you this. Hehe, this is the first time that I gave candy to someone else. I got some couple ring candy from an artifact called Magic Snack Box.”

“R, ring candy?”

Rowena felt the absurdity of the situation. She could see that Minhyuk felt that giving and tasting the ring candy was much more important than sleeping with her.

“Tadah!!!”

She wanted to give him a beating. However, she couldn’t do that since everything was caused by her own disillusion. Rowena’s face turned as red as a beetroot. She couldn’t bear the shame as she covered her face with her palms! She even ran away in embarrassment.

“Huh? What’s wrong with her?”

Minhyuk was confused. He quietly took back the ring candy that Rowena did not take as he placed it on his fingers and ate it happily.

“Kgghk. Ring candies! This is the taste in my memories!”

Just as he stepped outside, Minhyuk met with the person that was waiting for him. It was none other than Ellie’s aide, Ruth, and the Phoenix Knights. All of them were waiting for him.

***

TL’s corner!

I wonder when Cordis Empire will learn? They’re going to use underhanded tricks again. Sigh.

PR’s corner!

Poor, poor, Rowena. Thousands upon thousands of admirers, yet she has to fall for a person who would rather eat dumplings.