Leveling Up through Eating

PR: MattForgenti

Kongie and Corr knew this fact even though they were not explicitly told. If someone had asked Minhyuk for one bite, it was like he was being told ‘Can I punch your guts?’!

“……”

“……”

When everyone suddenly turned silent, Corr turned towards the coachman.

“Coachman, pull over for a bit.” 

Corr sighed deeply as he shook his head before leaving the carriage. Kongie also stood up as he looked at Conir’s spiritual body with pity. Then, he slowly walked out of the carriage with the chuchubar in his hands.

“Ooink.” 

Cheer up. Oink.

Then, he went away.

[Gu, guwoo……?]

When everyone else went out of the carriage, Conir suddenly felt terrified. It was because Minhyuk’s expression was changing every second!

“Hahahahaha! You want a bite? A bite?” 

[Gu, guwoo…… H, hungry……]

“But can a spiritual body eat?” 

Minhyuk suddenly became curious as he gave a piece of cabbage leaf towards Conir. Conir reached out to try and grab the food but he couldn’t touch it. And Minhyuk finally realized that spiritual bodies couldn’t eat. Conir also had a very sad and despondent look on his face when he realized this. 

“I’m so sorry about this.” 

Kongie and Corr went out without realizing that Minhyuk treated Conir differently. It was because Minhyuk knew how much Conir had suffered from his hunger. He knew this more than anybody else. Sometimes asking for one bite was a desperate plea.

Minhyuk had also experienced being too eager to eat his 5,000 pieces of cherry tomatoes just so he could appease his bulimia. He thought that it would be fine for him to die tomorrow if he would be allowed to eat all of the delicious food that he wanted to eat. He also wanted to go to a buffet just like a normal person and bring a plate filled with food as he continuously stacked his bowls. For others, those were just common routines. However, it was not the same for Minhyuk. For him, those were only a part of his dreams. And just like him, it was also not a routine for Conir.

Then, Minhyuk suddenly asked him a question.

“Conir, what kind of person were you?”

[I…… don’t….. remem…… ber……]

“Huh?”

Minhyuk tilted his head in thought.

You don’t remember? That’s strange.

He clearly told him about the girl named Haze and the other kids left behind as well as the atrocities that Count Peru had committed. However, Conir could not remember who he was. 

Minhyuk looked at Conir with a bit of regret. He shook his head as he continued to eat again.

***

The notifications in Minhyuk’s ears kept on ringing after he started eating the dishes that he bought using his contribution points.

[You have eaten the Fantastic Bossam & Tray Noodle Set.]

[One of your equipped artifacts will be randomly selected. The chosen artifact will have an increase in ranking.]

[Random selection has selected Hepas’ Legendary Frying Pan.]

[Hepas’ Legendary Frying Pan has certain limitations and can no longer be upgraded.]

[The ranking has not increased. Only the effects of the artifact had increased.]

(Hepas’ Legendary Artifact)

Rank: Legendary

Restrictions: 300 STR, 300 AGI, 500 DEX

Durability: ∞ / ∞

Attack Power: 845

Defensive Power: 1,045

Special Abilities: 

― All stats +20%

― Magical Defense +200

― Magical Defense Effectiveness x2

― Probability of Magical Reflection +50%

― Spirit Affinity +50%

― You can use magic until the 3rd class of all 5 elements without any casting. It can also be used to cook with the frying pan.

― Skill: Gryphon’s Cry

― Skill: Frying Pan Gigantification

Description: A legendary artifact produced by Hepas’ Descendant with all his attention and care. He especially gave his all on the cooking aspect of the artifact. When cooking with this frying pan, low-leveled spirits will appear to help with the cooking.

[You have eaten the Fantastic Chicken and Pizza Set.]

[The special abilities of one of your equipped artifacts will be upgraded.]

[Random selection has selected the Food God’s Kitchen Knife’s Skill: Food God’s Blessings. Skill has been upgraded.]

(Food God’s Blessings)

Artifact Skill

Level: None

Mana Required: 700 per hour of use

Cooldown: None

Effects:

― Three Food God’s Kitchen Knives with 817 attack power will appear to protect the owner or attack the enemy at any time.

― There is a 17% chance of the Food God’s Kitchen Knife’s having an additional 160% critical damage.

In the Frying Pan’s case, the attack power increased by 200 and the defensive power increased by 150. In addition, the +100 on the magic defense had now become +200 and the 2nd class magic had become 3rd class magic. The most important addition was the appearance of low-leveled spirits that could help with his cooking. In the Food God’s Kitchen Knife’s case, the initial two kitchen knives had become three.

At that moment, their carriage had finally entered the Cordis Empire. The area that they had entered was ‘Vanchester’. It was a territory under Count Peru.

“Can you show us proof of your identity?”

The guards looked at them suspiciously. Minhyuk showed them the invitation that Emperor Asvon had sent them.

“Sa, salute!!!”

“Please excuse us, you may enter.”

This just showed how much power the invitation of the Emperor possessed. Minhyuk had quickly passed through the guards. They had entered Vanchester smoothly. 

Vanchester was a holy ground. It was a territory famous for its riches. However, Minhyuk knew that all these dazzling displays, colorful marbles and stylish buildings were mostly due to the production of ‘chimeras’. The only thing he felt as he looked through these extravagances was disgust.

Now, this was their problem……

‘How can we infiltrate the Lord’s castle?’

According to Conir, the defenses in the castle were no less than that of the Imperial Palace. After getting his riches from conducting chimera experiments through the use of children, it was only natural for Count Peru to be more vigilant with his territory’s defense.

At that moment, something that Conir had mentioned before had flashed in his mind. 

The dragon in the Dungeon of Sin must be killed after 30 cycles and hatched from the new egg. This had become a vicious cycle. In addition, they needed to find a sacrifice secretly for this cycle to continue.

That’s really strange though. He doesn’t remember anything about himself but he remembers the process clearly. 

‘Is it because he’s a chimera?’

Meanwhile, Minhyuk was able to meet an unexpected character. 

“Minhyuk-llujah! Pope…… No, Minhyuk-nim, what are you doing here?”

It was none other than the most fervent supporter of Minhyuk Religion, Priest Kenneth.

***

Priest Kenneth received a commission through the Athenae Temple to travel around Cordis Empire and pray for the people.

Based on Conir’s words, Count Peru’s racket was none other than ‘Kenneth’. It seemed like he was their target sacrifice this time. And right now, a very convenient method to infiltrate the lord’s castle had appeared in front of them.

Minhyuk pulled out one of the items that he had bought at the Royal Shop. He just bought it on a whim but he did not know that it would be used just like that. It was none other than the ‘Doppelganger Potion.’ 

The person who drank this potion could change into somebody else’s face and figure. Once Minhyuk drank the doppelganger potion, then he would be able to turn into Kenneth’s visage. Then, he also made sure to ask Kenneth for some change of clothes.

“I’m very honored! Minhyuk-nim will wear my clothes!” 

He looked like an excited girl fan with the way he reacted. He was also furious when he heard about their atrocious deeds from Minhyuk.

“Those despicable bastards!” 

Then, Minhyuk quickly turned into Kenneth’s figure before moving around wearing his priest robes. Kenneth told him that all he had to do was say some good words, pray once and walk around. 

“Good day, Priest-nim?” 

“Athellujah. Please let me pray for you, sisters.” 

Minhyuk stood in front of the women of the market as he clasped his hands together and prayed. The woman became excited. She hurriedly closed her eyes as she clasped her hands together. 

“God Athenae who is in heaven, please give us our daily bread once, twice, thrice four times. I hope that you can enrich the meat so that delicious side dishes are served every day. Ramen…… Ah, no. Amen.” 

‘Eh?’ 

The woman tilted her head in confusion while Minhyuk, who looked like Kenneth, just grinned widely at her.

“Athellujah. I hope you have something delicious every day.” 

The woman couldn’t help but twirl her fingers on the side of her head as she watched the priest walking away.

***

Minhyuk wandered around the market all day. 

As he walked around, he faintly felt someone trailing his movements. The stalker ambushed him silently.

Slam!

A powerful hand chop hit the back of his neck. However, it did not cause much damage to Minhyuk’s HP and defense. Regardless, he still pretended to sag and turn unconscious. 

Then, they started to put something mysterious on Minhyuk’s body. It seemed like it was an item that could determine his holy powers.

“He’s filled with holy power.” 

“He’s clearly a priest.” 

They quickly moved the ‘unconscious’ Minhyuk towards their destination. And with that, he easily infiltrated Count Peru’s domain. They continued to go down after entering Count Peru’s castle. 

“Save me!!!” 

“P, please give me something to eat!!!” 

Then, he heard the cries of the children that were trapped in the prison. When he opened his eyes, he could see more than 10 iron doors along the hallway. Each iron door had several children locked in them. In other words, they had captured dozens of children in this horrible place. Minhyuk’s fist clenched tightly. Of course they were still NPCs but nevertheless, this act in and of itself was extremely disgusting and infuriating.

Then, the people who brought Minhyuk along woke him up as he felt something being placed on their wrist. 

[You have worn the Devil’s Bracelet.]

[All of your Holy Powers have been restricted.]

Perhaps they were concerned about the priest’s holy power. After all, once an ordinary priest got his holy powers sealed then he was no different from an ordinary man.

Minhyuk begged and screamed for help. Then, he was stuffed in one of the iron doors. When he was left there, he began to shout and beg for help again.

[Ha…… z……. e……]

Conir opened his mouth. Minhyuk had heard about this child. This child was special. The child was stronger than anybody else in this place. It was said that a chimera could only be transformed inside after the ‘hunger’ had accumulated for years. Perhaps this was the reason why Haze was special. She had always been told that she needed to become a pillar for the other children. 

Minhyuk asked her in a trembling voice as she tried to console him.

“Wh, what is your name, child?”

“Haze.” 

“It, it’s a pretty name. May God Athenae be with you.” 

Minhyuk held her hands tightly as he prayed for her sincerely. 

May these children not experience hunger anymore. May the hunger of the people disappear from this world. And may there be no one who makes someone else go hungry. 

Haze looked down at him as she asked a question.

“What’s your name?” 

Minhyuk answered that question in his heart.

‘I’m here to save you, Haze.’ 

As he opened his mouth to answer her with his voice.

“Minhyuk.”

“Minhyuk…… Minhyuk…… I’ll remember that.” 

She smiled as she continued to ponder over the name over and over again. Minhyuk could see what she meant by remembering.

We’re about to die but I don’t want to forget everyone here.

Haze truly looked like a special girl so Minhyuk used his ‘Eye of the Abyss’ on her.

[Using Eye of the Abyss.]

[Observation is successful.]

(Haze)

Rank: A name that can become a legend.

Level: 5

Attack Power: 57

Defensive Power: 48

Special Abilities:

― Passive Skill: Clever Mind

― Passive Skill: Elaborate Language Skills

― Passive Skill: Legendary Aptitude

Potential: 134

Experience Value: 13% / 100%

Description: Haze. She was a girl born with a clever mind. She can become a legend whether she becomes a tactician, a strategist or a merchant.

***