Leveling Up Through Eating

Chapter 986

A shudder ran through Minhyuk’s body. ‘Utopia’s God is the first knight of the army that I will lead.’

He could already imagine Rhoando fighting at the vanguard with Minhyuk as they fought against the threat to their lands.

‘Rhoando is my very reliable younger brother.’

One would not accept the request of the passive skill “Call” just because they were close to Minhyuk. After all, it wouldn’t matter what was happening in Utopia; they had to run whenever they heard Minhyuk’s call because the Land of the Gods was in danger.

So, Rhoando's immediate agreement was a testament to his relationship and favorability toward Minhyuk being much greater than anyone would have thought.

‘On top of that, Rhoando is the king and the god of the World of Hybrids, a place that houses beings far superior to ordinary humans.’

In a way, the death of most of the heroes who acted as the pillars of Utopia for the longest time might cause a great deal of confusion in this land.

‘Half-god, half-transcendental beings would continue to appear.’

This meant that their existence could threaten Rhoando’s position at any moment. However, there was a way to help Rhoando prepare for that.

Rhoando smiled brightly when he saw Minhyuk take a step forward. He greeted him and said, “Hyung-nim, please accept my gratitude. I will never forget the grace you have given us in my lifetime.”

The most crucial takeaway here was that Rhoando called Minhyuk “hyung-nim.” This alone had a significant impact on everyone present. The soldiers’ eyes grew wide while those who doubted Rhoando’s qualifications as a king and a god looked at him in a different light.

There might be people who knew of the Battle God and people who did not know of him. But if one takes the general consensus, most of the people present here were still aware of who and what kind of god the Battle God was. He was the greatest god. And this very same Battle God had a brotherly relationship with Rhoando?

“Are you saying that our new king and god, Sir Rhoando, treats the Battle God as his hyung-nim?”

“From what I heard, Sir Rhoando is over 600 years old this year. Maybe the Battle God is over a thousand years old?”

“...”

“...”

Rhoando bit his lips. He would never reveal Minhyuk’s age to his people in his entire lifetime.

However, what was more critical was Minhyuk’s response.

“My dear younger brother, I look forward to the world you will create.” Minhyuk raised his hand for a handshake and continued, “If you need my help, I will always come running to your side.”

“...!”

“...!”

The Battle God’s vow to come running whenever they needed help, that one single promise was more than enough. It was like saying to anyone that whoever dared to take Rhoando’s place as the king and the god would also have to deal with the Battle God. Minhyuk removed any dangers and threats that would come after Rhoando with just a few simple words.

Then, Rhoando said, “Me too, hyung-nim. I will also help you whenever you need me.”

Minhyuk nodded lightly, a faint smile on his face. There was something else that he needed to do. He did not only want to show them through his words; he wanted to prove that the Battle God was paying attention to this place by placing a “subordinate” here.

“I know a person who would love to stay in the World of Hybrids. He is a human, but he is with dragons.”

“Is he a half-human, half-dragon?”

“No. He just has dragons sealed in his left and right arms.”

Of course, the one that Minhyuk was talking about was his father. His father had told him about a dream.

–Fufu. Son.

–Yes, Dad.

–This father of yours has come up with a new goal.

–???

Minhyuk was quite surprised. His father was the chairman of Ilhwa Group and had everything in the world. He even succeeded in obtaining several dragons in Athenae. What were his father’s new goals and dreams?

–I’m going to become a real black dragon.

Minhyuk knew what his father truly meant. It was not just having dragons by his side but becoming an actual dragon. Because of that, Minhyuk had asked Informant Abel to find a way to let his father achieve his dreams in Athenae.

Unfortunately, they couldn’t find a way in the world where Minhyuk was in.

‘This place is where a half-god, half-elf Rhoando became a true and complete god.’

He thought perhaps his father could obtain his long-cherished dream in this place. The only problem was whether the people here could handle his father’s chuuni-tendencies.

“Goodness. Does he have dragons sealed in both of his arms? That’s so cool.”

“Huh…? Ah. That– that’s right. It’s cool.”

But it seemed like there was no need for such concerns. There was a bright shine in the eyes of Rhoando and the rest of the people when they heard that someone had dragons sealed in their arms.

Since they had given something, they should also receive something, right?

“Since I will leave my subordinate here with you, can I ask you for a favor? Rhoando?”

“Yes, hyung-nim. Please go on.”

“I want you to give me your finest cooking ingredients and your most fertile land.”

Now, everything related to food has been returned to this world. Restaurants and black beer houses would be built once again. This meant that the amazing specialties unique to Utopia, which had disappeared before, would make a comeback once again.

‘And I will make my own Divine Field here.’

It would be no good if the public knew that Minhyuk had a particular field. So, it would be good to set it up in this world. Besides, since they were about to start farming again, Minhyuk could just take this opportunity to find the best site among the available ones.

“I understand, hyung-nim.”

Minhyuk smiled happily. ‘Fufu… It seems like I will be able to get many delicious things soon.’

What an enjoyable thing to look forward to, no?

Then, at that moment, a bright light flashed in the sky. A man appeared in front of them just as the light faded away.

[Retired Sky Arce. Level 784.]

The man was none other than Rhoando’s older brother, the man who stepped down from his position as god himself. He was also the same man who almost destroyed all of the food in this world. Although it turned out that Hero King Rakk had been manipulating him from behind the scenes, did that mean he could easily be forgiven for his sins?

‘His younger brother, Rhoando, fought bravely even though he knew that he would face death.’

Wouldn’t things be different if his older brother, Arce, had done the same?

At the same time, Minhyuk realized, ‘The Food God’s final quest. It seems like the end of this quest is coming, huh?’

Minhyuk was asked to help Rhoando hunt the half-god, half-dragon and was then asked to destroy the Heart of Oppression. After completing both quests, he received another linked quest called “For the New God.”

[Linked Quest: For the New God.]

Rank: Class

Requirements: The one who destroyed the Heart of Oppression.

Rewards: The right to create a skill related to the Food God. Food God’s Secret: For Everyone’s Joy

Penalty for Failure: Unable to unseal the final power of the Food God.

Description: Having obtained the power of god, Rhoando aims to become the true god of Utopia. However, it is not an easy path. Help him so he can become a true and complete god.

In this quest, the final reward was the most important part to note. Once written as “???,” the reward was now fully revealed. And this was none other than “For Everyone’s Joy.” However, there was no way for Minhyuk to learn what the skill could do until he acquired it.

Arce, who appeared in front of the glaring eyes of the masses, knelt before Minhyuk. There was noticeable relief on his face as he said, “Never once had I been happy since becoming a god.”

And the words that flowed out of his mouth next were also the words that Rhoando had told Minhyuk before.

“I have always resented the fact that I have inherited the blood of the Food God.”

However, Arce was aware that, at this point, he would not be free of his sins no matter what he said.

“Thank you, Food God… and Battle God.”

“...!”

“...!”

Another wave of shock spread among the soldiers and the people. The people only knew Minhyuk as the Battle God. But now that they knew he was the Food God of the current era, their preconceived notions about the Food God that the heroes had instilled in them were slowly disappearing.

Minhyuk did not say anything. He did not need to step forward and deal with it. The rest had to be left to Rhoando. And, of course, Rhoando also knew this. He said, “Arce will be bound with the Great Mountain Shackles for 300 years.”

The Great Mountain Shackles were shackles that weighed around 300 kilograms. Even a god could not easily remove them once they were bound with them. A long time ago, the Great Mountain Shackles were used to tie up and imprison the gods who caused friction and chaos when they came to Utopia.

“He will also be tasked to do anything and everything to reestablish everything related to food, which had disappeared from Utopia in that 300 years. Whether it’s fieldwork or construction of restaurants, he will have to do it.”

For a god, doing something so trivial was like being sentenced to death. However, Arce still looked completely relieved as the soldiers put the thick, heavy shackles on his feet. Now, he could no longer escape. Perhaps he would be stoned by the people as he walked down his path. But there was still a smile on his face.

Rhoando’s eyes grew wide when he saw Arce take something out. At this moment, Minhyuk understood what it symbolized.

‘This will signal the end of the quest.’

When Arce handed the item to Minhyuk, Rhoando said, “This is the ‘Food God’s Greatest Power’ and is the last thing that my father has left in this world.”

Minhyuk’s heart started to thump wildly. Just hearing the words “Food God’s greatest power” made his chest feel like it was about to burst.

“Regardless of one’s identity.” Arce smiled faintly. “Regardless of one’s gender and one’s age. I heard it’s a power that will allow everyone to eat and be happy.”

Minhyuk slowly received the item.

[You have completed the Linked Quest: For the New God.]

[You have acquired the Food God’s Final Secret: For Everyone’s Joy.]

Minhyuk, with this overwhelming feeling in his chest, thought, ‘What is the greatest power that the Food God left behind?’

As the question flashed, Arce said, “Now, this is to show my gratitude to you.”

The Food God’s final quest had a total of two rewards. One was marked as “???,” and the other was the right to create a skill related to the Food God, or in other words, a skill related to eating.

[Arce, once the Sky of Utopia, activates his authority.]

[With Arce’s authority, you are now given the right to create one skill related to the Food God.]

[However, if you try to create an extremely unreasonable skill, the rights to create one skill would disappear.]

[You have ten chances to create this skill.]

Not long after, Arce was taken away by the soldiers. Minhyuk watched his back as they escorted him out before checking out the new power that he received.

(For Everyone’s Joy)

Food God’s Secret

Level: None

Mana Required: 30,000

Cooldown: 240 days.

Effects:

•You can make tens of thousands, tens of millions, or hundreds of millions of dishes from a single dish.

•However, regardless of what ingredients are used, the dishes will have no special abilities. The taste will remain the same for every dish.

•Can be applied to villages, territories, kingdoms, and empires.

“...?!”

Minhyuk immediately understood what kind of skill For Everyone’s Joy was.

‘Perhaps this is the greatest cooking skill among all the Food God skills I possess.’

It was a skill that allowed everyone to enjoy food regardless of their status, age, gender, race, and everything else. It was a way to cook and feed the hungry and everyone.

‘Perhaps this is the Food God’s greatest dish they had spoken of before?’

Minhyuk smiled faintly. Through this skill, he had felt the will and determination of the Food God. Not only that, even if the “power” and the “benefits” of the skill had to be taken into consideration, this skill would still have tremendous power. Why?

‘Let’s take our country for example. Our population is around 60 million. If a single dish is worth 10,000 won and every single member of the population was fed that same dish, then we would need around 600 billion won.”

The price of a single dish might be worth 600 billion won. That was crazy.

Of course, Minhyuk already had a plan in mind the moment he saw the details of the skill. He intended to use For Everyone’s Joy for the people of Utopia.

Minhyuk looked at Rhoando and said, “Rhoando, I’m going to give your people a delicious meal. It would take an hour. Wait for me.”

Rhoando had caught a glimpse of the power of the ability before. That was why he was highly grateful to Minhyuk, who chose to readily use this excellent ability for the sake of the people of Utopia. He could see in Minhyuk’s expression that he was very excited to see the joy and happiness that would flash in the faces of the people who had not seen food for hundreds of years.

Just like that, Minhyuk started cooking.

***

[For Everyone’s Joy.]

Minhyuk made pumpkin porridge for the people of Utopia.

The pumpkin porridge, which was light, warm, and slightly sweet, appeared in front of everyone. Everyone who tasted the warm pumpkin porridge could not help but shed tears.

Minhyuk, who had sat on the kingdom's walls, also admired the pumpkin porridge he had made. “Wahahahaha! It’s just a tad bit sweet. So good!”

Rhoando looked at Minhyuk in gratitude, watching the man eat happily. He felt warmth enveloping his heart when he saw the people crying while eating the pumpkin porridge in front of them.

‘We have only received help from him.’

Although Rhoando agreed to give Minhyuk their best ingredients and the most fertile land in Utopia, he still felt they needed to give back more to the man who helped them the most. He was sure that this thought had also flashed through the heads of everyone present.

After eating the pumpkin porridge, Minhyuk approached Rhoando and said, “Younger brother, I’m going to get some rest first.”

Then, Minhyuk promptly disappeared. After seeing him disappear, Rhoando stood before his people and said, “From this day forth, I am your king. And as you all know, I have received a lot of help from him just to become the king. I trust that you all feel the same way as me.”

After tasting the pumpkin porridge, the people finally realized the pain they had been suffering. That is why they were all very grateful to Minhyuk.

“So, even though it might sound rude. I ask you. Even one gold is fine. Let us all show our gratitude and thank him for the dish he fed us. Any amount is fine, even if you only put in one gold. Just give as much as you want to give.”

Rhoando did not want his people to feel burdened, so he did not set an amount. The people of the kingdom, with pleasant smiles, started to pay for the pumpkin porridge they had eaten.

***

Minhyuk, who returned after getting some rest, was plagued with worries. ‘The greatest talents of the Beyond the Heavens Empire had come here. We must have suffered quite a huge loss.’

The ones who came to Utopia were responsible for generating around 40% of the income and profits of the Beyond the Heavens Empire. That was just how important and valuable they were to the empire. The problem was that the profits they would gain from Utopia would not be readily available. It would even take them quite a while before they gain any income from this place.

‘But after three months, we can obtain an astronomical amount from here.’

Maintaining relationships and interacting with a new world was a precious opportunity. Minhyuk intended to take advantage of this, and this was part of his plan.

As he logged back inside the game, Minhyuk ran into Rhoando.

“Hyung-nim, you’re back?”

“That’s right. Ah, younger brother. I’m actually about to return.”

Minhyuk could not wait to go back and eat the Oppression’s Beef Grill Set. He had to eat it alone to relax and not worry about someone taking it away.

Rhoando looked a bit sullen when he heard those words. “I see. I hope that you will visit us more often. Ah. Here. The people and I have gathered a small sum to thank you.”

“Ehey! You didn’t have to do that~ It’s fine, it’s fine. You can use it, younger brother.”

Minhyuk felt like his younger brother was trying to pay for his taxi fare.

“Hyung-nim, please accept it. I collected money to ‘pay for the meal’ that hyung-nim made for us. Please don’t feel pressured and just accept it.”

“Hoho. Payment for the meal, huh? You should know that the dishes that I made are quite expensive, younger brother.”

Then, the notification rang in Minhyuk’s ears.

[You have received 939,100 platinum.]

“...?”

The price of the meal was quite excellent, wasn't it? Minhyuk could not help but be in awe.

‘It seems you know well how much a dish I made costs!’