Leveling Up through Eating

Instructor Valen was the first person that the foreigners who entered the game would see. In other words, he was a person that would always be imprinted on the user’s mind. The reason why he stayed in the minds of the users even though he was an NPC was because of the cool aura that always emanated from him. Even though he was only wearing a simple leather armor with a sword on his waist and his arms folded languidly, his cold and elegant aura would still quietly flow out.

And this Instructor Valen came to such a starting village because the Athenean God had told him to do so. He also willingly followed such directives since he was also determined to live a normal life. But he was also the ‘Sword God’ who had once saved the world in the past.

Sword God Valen had a rare look of embarrassment on his face.

“…..Then, why are you here too?”

“Ah! Hello Instructor! Hehe, how have you been?”

There was a subtle smile on the face of Instructor, no, Sword God Valen. Without noticing it, the embarrassment and shock in Minhyuk’s voice was already gone and he was bowing politely to him just like he did in the past.

‘I didn’t expect that Minhyuk is the one who will challenge this trial……’

And he also knew that for Minhyuk to acquire the map to this place meant that he had already become quite strong. But still, the trial itself was extremely difficult.

“How are you and Instructor Roina?”

“We got married and already have a baby.”

“Congratulations!”

“Yeah. Thanks. From now on, let’s get down to business.”

“Yes! I understand!”

Valen was clear that the pleasant surprise that he experienced right now was still different from the trial that he needed to carry out. And Minhyuk quickly understood his intentions.

“I will first check your qualifications as the main host. The confirmation will be done in one step.”

Then, Valen began to explain.

“In addition, the power that you received from Athenae will be temporarily sealed. You must only fight with your pure strength.”

Minhyuk tilted his head in thought when he heard his words. After the words were spoken, the additional notifications rang in his ears.

[All of your stats have been temporarily changed to the most basic stats.]

[Please check the temporary status window.]

[All skills and artifacts are restricted.]

Without waiting any further, Minhyuk checked his temporarily modified status window.

(Minhyuk)

Level: 340

Class: Eccentric Food God

HP: 55 MP: 50

STR: 5 AGI: 5 STM: 5

WIS: 5 INT: 5

Fullness: 100%

Minhyuk could see that his stats had changed and was similar to the stats that he had when he first entered Athenae.

“You will be dealing with Orcs. Originally, the Orc Warriors should be stronger than you are now but right at this very moment, their abilities will be on par with yours.”

Abilities that were on par with himself. This meant that his abilities would play the decisive role and would determine whether he would win or lose.

Meanwhile, Valen thought……

‘It won’t be easy.’

He had heard that plenty of the foreigners did not exercise or practice any sport in their world. On the other hand, the Orc Warriors were very fond of hunting and were extremely ferocious when it came to killing. If these orcs were compared to ordinary people, then the Orc Warriors were comparable to a hundred of commanders that were systematically trained. In addition, the foreigners probably would have learned martial arts that could ‘defend’ themselves while the Orc Warriors had evolved and lived to kill.

‘You’re an extraordinary foreigner. But will you be able to make it?’

Valen felt quite sorry. He knew that the Orc Warriors were truly formidable foes that couldn’t easily be killed. And once he was defeated, Minhyuk would receive a quest failure penalty and he would be bounced out of this place.

Valen’s hands shook. At that same moment, the space in front of them was torn and two Orc Warriors appeared. It wasn’t just one, but two. Of course, their level of abilities were similar to Minhyuk but they were still Orc Warriors that were experienced in killing and were even given the title of a warrior. And Minhyuk had to hunt them using only his pure ‘skills’.

***

Diet manager Hyejin had a sullen expression on her face.

“Ah, I have to ask for a kimchi refrigerator……!”

“Just look at this!”

“Haha. Ms. Hyejin. Just look at this.”

Oh Changwook and Doctor Lee Jinhwan were both sitting on the sofa and hogging the TV watching UFC.

“That’s right! Let’s go Amba!”

“Hoho. But isn’t that friend really good?”

Hyejin glared at them as she muttered ‘Men.’ with a huff when she suddenly remembered a question that she wanted to ask.

“Ah, that’s right. I heard that Minhyuk was good at kendo and mixed martial arts before, was that true?”

And just at the right time, the show on the TV ended.

“Shit…… He lost.”

“Hoho. That’s too bad.”

Only after saying those words did they react to Hyejin’s question.

“I don’t know about that. I only met Minhyuk since he had bulimia.”

It was not Changwook but Lee Jinhwan who answered her question.

“He’s good at it. Not just kendo and mixed martial arts, even archery and boxing. There’s no sport that he couldn’t do.” 

Before he continued his words, Lee Jinhwan fell in deep thought for a moment.

“Do you know the kendo gold medalist, Lee Dawoul?” 

“Kgghk! Prof, who in the world does not know about Lee Dawoul, the gold medalist?” 

The gold medalist Lee Dawoul was the country’s joy and pride. He had won the gold medal in the Olympics two years ago with his overwhelming skills in kendo.

But Lee Jinhwan just smiled at them.

“Lee Dawoulie and Minhyukie are the same age, right?” 

“Ah. Really?” 

“When they were 15 years old, the two of them had an unofficial kendo competition.” 

“Wow, for real?” 

Hyejin and Changwook’s eyes both widened. Their eyes were sparkling with interest.

The gold medalist and Minhyukie had a match?

“Yes. And he lost.” 

“……As expected.” 

“Kgghk. So there’s an opponent that Minhyuk couldn’t beat.” 

Jinhwan tilted his head at them as he opened his mouth again.

“No. Not Minhyukie but Lee Dawoulie.” 

“……Yes?” 

“OMG. For real?” 

“Lee Dawoulie felt that Minhyukie was his one and only rival but Minhyukie did not feel that way at all.” 

“Wow……” 

“OMG…… Amazing.” 

They had felt Minhyuk’s greatness once more. Then, Hyejin said……

“But he’ll probably lose to Lee Dawoul now, right?” 

But this time, it was both Oh Changwook and Lee Jinhwan who answered her question.

“Who knows.”

“Who knows.”

“…..Eh? Why? It has been quite a long time already.” 

This time, it was Oh Changwook who answered her with a bitter smile instead of Lee Jinhwan.

“Minhyukie has also been training repeatedly every day.” 

“But that’s just to lose weight, right?” 

“That’s right. But Minhyuk tries to lose weight by doing kendo, boxing and swimming. And Minhyuk keeps on doing them over and over again. His only reason is ‘Because I feel less hungry if I raise myself to the limit.’.” 

“Really?”

“Since Minhyukie’s body is a bit fat right now, his jabs, one-two combis, uppercuts and kendo swings might have looked dull and boring.” 

In fact, Hyejin, who was a woman who knew nothing of the sport, could only see dull and boring movements whenever she watched the 170kg Minhyuk move his body. But that wasn’t the case at all.

“Have you been punched by Minhyukie?”

And Changwook was sometimes his sparring partner so he knew how his body moved and how much strength he packed in each punch and strike.

“……It was colossal.” 

Then, Changwook continued to speak.

“For years, Minhyuk has been training as much as any athlete has been training just so he could lose some weight. So I……” 

Changwook stopped talking while Hyejin looked at him nervously.

“I think, if Minhyukie still has his body and power that he has back in the day he can do as much as Lee Dawoul if he went to the Olympics with his skills right now.” 

***

Once Minhyuk stepped forward, he was able to hear the notifications about the linked quest.

[You have completed the Linked Quest: Hidden Temple.]

[You have acquired 100,000 EXP.]

[You have leveled up.]

[Linked Quest: Gremory’s Trial.]

Then, another quest window popped out in front of him.

[Linked Quest: Into the Hidden Temple.]

Rank: SSS

Restrictions: Lv340

Rewards: Depends on the degree of clearing the trials.

Penalty for Failure: You will not be able to acquire an EXP for 1 week, all stats -10.

Description: You have now reached the Hidden Temple. Overcome Gremory’s Trial! Every time you overcome a trial, you will be given a chance to get out of the dungeon.

Minhyuk nodded his head as he continued to step forward. Then, the notifications rang once more.

[Gremory’s First Trial will now begin.]

[We wish for you victory against the two Orc Warriors up ahead.]

[If you successfully overcome the trial, you will be able to acquire the ingredient ‘Demon World’s Black Pork Samgyeopsal’.]

[If you successfully overcome the trial, you will be able to acquire 200,000 EXP.]

[However, please take note that if the trial fails then all of the rewards that have been listed will disappear.]

[You are required to either overcome the trial or reach the end of the hidden temple to receive the rewards that you have earned.]

‘……!’

Minhyuk’s body trembled in shock when he saw the reward that was listed in front of him.

‘Demon World’s Black Pork Samgyeopsal?!’

Doesn’t it sound like the Black Pork that can be found in Jeju Island?

The only thing that he felt disappointing was that he couldn’t get the rewards right away.

If he successfully overcomes the trial then he could go outside of the dungeon as it is and the rewards that he had accumulated from the point where he went out would only be given at that time. However, if he died while trying to challenge the trial then all of the rewards would disappear. Therefore, if he felt confident about himself then he could continuously challenge the trials but it was also wise to step out if he already overcame a trial so he wouldn’t lose anything.

Minhyuk quietly pulled out Barraca’s Sword from his waist. And the two Orc Warriors in front of him also pulled out the same Barraca’s Sword. They were equally matched with the same weapons too.

At that moment……

“Well, well. Let’s first have a cup of coffee before you start.” 

“Oh, thanks Old Man Ben!” 

When Ben handed the cup of coffee over to Minhyuk, he also called over Kaistra who was wearing his rubber gloves and clinked his cup with them.

“……” 

“……”

“……” 

For a moment, Valen and the two Orc Warriors were left stunned and speechless. Then, one of the Orc Warriors’ said……

“Chiiiiiik. He doesn’t feel nervous at all. Chiiiiik. There’s no mouse horns at all.”

“Chiiiiik. Left us alone! That human!”

Minhyuk one-shotted 20 cups of iced americano as Kaistra showed him his quick dishwashing skills. It was the amazing power of the Craftsman’s Dishwashing skill that could let him wash dishes even without water!

When Valen saw the old man hand over the coffee to Minhyuk, he couldn’t help but ask him.

“Are you his vassal?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

‘……’

Valen was left speechless. After the trial that Minhyuk had to face alone, there was still a trial waiting for the three of them. However, Valen was unaware of the origins of the person in front of him. It was also only natural that he did not know of Ben. After all, even though he was deemed as the ‘Legend’ there were only a few people who knew of his face. It was also natural that Ben did not know of Valen after all, ‘Sword God Valen’ was a hidden character. 

“He’s quite good and he’s a legend too! Valen-nim should have a cup of coffee too!”

Minhyuk had offered Valen a drink since it had been a long time since they last saw each other. It was a hard feat for someone to be offered food by Minhyuk. This meant that he felt really happy seeing him after a long time. In addition, Minhyuk had used the utensils and gas burner that he had given him before so he was extremely grateful to him.

And Valen who tasted the coffee……

‘Is this coffee a ‘legend’……?’

Oh my god! I have never tasted such a delicious coffee in the world!

‘Minhyuk, the food lover, really deserves to have this type of vassal.’

But if he looked at it from a different perspective, he thought that it would be difficult to overcome Gremory’s Trial with just an old vassal and a short and skinny boy.

But what’s important is the current situation!

“Then, now that you have moistened(?) your throat… let’s get started!”

And the two Orc Warriors stepped forward. The first attack was launched from the Orc Warrior’s side.

“Chiiiiik! Cheeky human! Die!” 

Dash!

Vwoooooong!

The sword was stabbed at a speed that was not visible to the naked eye.

Clang!

As soon as Minhyuk blocked the incoming sword horizontally, the other Orc Warrior slashed at him at the side. Minhyuk dug his foot on the ground as he twisted his whole body to avoid the sword. Then, with the chest of the Orc Warrior who tried to stab him earlier as the target, he moved his arm as if he was going to stab the opponent.

Swoosh!

The Orc Warrior tried to defend his chest but at that exact same moment, a small smile could be seen hanging on Minhyuk’s lips.

Those who had fought for survival for a long time or those who had undergone systematic training were different from ordinary people. They might not see how the sword moved but they could see the movement of their opponent’s arms. And through the movement of their arms and body, they could predict their opponent’s next movements.

And just a moment ago, the Orc Warrior had seen Minhyuk’s arm move to stab its chest. However, in that exact same state, Minhyuk’s arm movements changed trajectory. In other words, the Orc Warrior fell for Minhyuk’s trap.

Puhaaaaa!

Minhyuk easily cut down the Orc Warrior.

“Chiiiiiik!”

The orc shrieked loudly while staggering back as blood spurted out from its chest. At that moment, a sword swung again towards Minhyuk.

Dash! Dash!

He moved fast and leapt high while maintaining his current state. He stepped on the chest of the staggering Orc Warrior and slashed at the incoming sword of the other orc that tried to attack him.

Slash!

“Chiiik! Hu, human. Fast……!”

The Orc Warrior was struck down and fell on the ground. Mihyuk took advantage of the gap as he approached the orc hurriedly. But the moment the punk tried to raise its sword again……

Kick!

Minhyuk kicked the hand of the Orc Warrior that was holding the sword.

Clatter!

The sword fell down with a loud noise. Then……

Stab!

Minhyuk stabbed the neck of the Orc Warrior with his sword.

“Chwiiiik……” 

The Orc Warrior grabbed his neck as if he couldn’t believe that his neck was stabbed. It fell down just like that.

When Valen saw this scene, his eyes couldn’t help but widen in surprise.

‘Just three times……’ 

That was the number of attacks that he used to deal with the Orc Warriors had initiated. During those three attacks, he was able to take advantage of the gap and make them successful. And those three attacks were only done within four seconds.

Valen couldn’t help but tremble.

‘……I knew that he was much better than other foreigners but I did not expect this at all.’ 

He was shivering in excitement when a thought passed through his mind.

‘Perhaps……’ 

Sword God. Perhaps he can learn my swordsmanship.

***

Footnotes

[쥐뿔도 없다] No mouse horns – means that something is non-existent or that something is so small that is insignificant and  or worthless. Back

TL’s note!

I wouldn’t put it past him to do so, I mean he has the money and resources to learn those sports… I would also learn them well if I have the money. Ah, my dreams of learning mixed martial arts. T-T 

BRUH I GOT A STATUS BUT IT’S AN ADJUSTED STATUS. I’m so sad.

PR’s note!

WHYYYYYYY!?!?!? Is it too much to ask that we see just how strong Minhyuk is?