Chapter 1276

Chapter 1276

A world message resonated all over Athenae.

[The Pillar Supporting All of the Gourmands in the world has been born.]

At the same time, the Pillar Wars were being transmitted all over the world. The impact of the outcome of the Pillar Wars was not as huge as Joy Co. Ltd. had expected at first.

This was mainly because many viewers watched the live broadcast of the war between the Luvien Empire and the Beyond the Heavens Empire. The more significant reason was that everyone decided that it was too early for Minhyuk to become a Pillar and he couldn't achieve it in one go.

However, with the miraculous turnaround during the first war, Brod became the emperor and appeared to protect Minhyuk. The viewership rating of ATV Broadcasting Station, which broadcasted the Pillar Wars, finally exceeded 32%.

[The Luvien Empire has declared a ceasefire with the Beyond the Heavens Empire.]

The troops of the Luvien Imperial Army, which had advanced to the vicinity of the Beyond the Heavens Empire, finally retreated and returned to their empire.

[The Beyond the Heavens Empire has declared a ceasefire with the Luvien Empire.]

The seemingly never-ending war between the Immortal Nation, the Luvien Empire, and the newly emerging nation, the Beyond the Heavens Empire, has finally ended.

Articles began to pour in from all over the world.

[Minhyuk’s vassal, Brod, has become the emperor of the Luvien Empire.]

[With this, the Luvien Empire will become the strongest ally of the Beyond the Heavens Empire.]

[The Luvien Empire and the Beyond the Heavens Empire... Aren’t both empires now under Minhyuk?]

[Minhyuk devours the Luvien Empire the moment he became a Pillar.]

As they read the flood of articles, the experts strongly suggested that the people stop making premature judgments and decisions.

[The war between the Luvien Empire and the Beyond the Heavens Empire has ended. Yes, that’s true. However, the Luvien Empire coming under the Beyond the Heavens Empire is entirely ridiculous.]

[Yes, their newly crowned emperor strongly supports the Beyond the Heavens Empire. But that does not mean Brod can recklessly share everything with them.]

[If he runs the Luvien Empire like that, it wouldn’t be strange if it crashes to the ground immediately.]

The players were all convinced. The experts had enough credibility and their words were quite reasonable.

One of the experts said...

[I think it will take fifteen years in Athenae for us to say that the Luvien Empire has genuinely become Minhyuk’s own.]

[Indeed. We must also consider that the Luvien Empire has always prided itself as an absolute nation. Their people had always been filled with pride. The pacifists who always advocated peace will support Brod. However, there will always be those who go against them. These people will reject Brod and even try to push back and belittle Beyond the Heavens’ Emperor Minhyuk.]

The experts argued that even though Brod had become the Luvien Empire’s emperor, the empire did not belong to Minhyuk.

Meanwhile, the viewers were all focused on another thing.

[I wonder what powers and skills he received as the Pillar of the Gourmands?]

***

[You are the first player to have become one of the Eight Pillars of the world.]

[You are the one who supports all of the gourmands and the chefs in the world.]

[You have gained 10,000 DEX.]

[You have gained 20,000 CHA.]

[You have leveled up.]

[You have leveled up.]

[...leveled up...]

[You have acquired the

Title

: Pillar of the Gourmands.]

[All of your skills related to cooking and eating will become 15% better.]

[You have acquired the Passive Skill: Pillar’s Affection.]

[You have acquired the Active Skill: Pillar’s Dish Distribution.]

[Your level is too low. You cannot open all of the powers and abilities of the Pillar yet.]

[You will receive additional powers and skills once you reach Level 800.]

[You can obtain your Eight Pillars’ Disaster once you visit Jack-of-all-Trades Rocado.]

(

Pillar of the Gourmands

)

Unique Title

Requirements

: Pillar of the Gourmands.

Title Effects

:

•Your chances of creating a higher grade dish will increase by 50%.

•Your chances of creating a God grade dish will increase by 80%.

•Your DEX will increase by 20%.

•Your cooking time will shorten by 50%.

•You will become the idol and the icon of all chefs.

•However, if they are hostile to you from the very beginning, there is a chance that they will not view you greatly.

• If the chefs, who harbor hostility toward you, recognize your abilities, strength, and power, their praises and respect for you will reach an all-time high.

•Regardless of the ingredients used, the grade of the dish you will make will at least be at Legendary grade. However, the effects of the dish are not guaranteed to reflect its grade.

‘The fact that any dish I make will be at Legendary grade is already very shocking.’

He previously obtained an ability that made all his dishes be at least at Epic grade. It had now been upgraded. This time, regardless of the ingredient, the dishes that he would make would be at Legendary grade at the very least. Why was this shocking? Because a Legendary grade dish was equivalent to at least twenty Epic grade dishes in terms of effects and power.

‘It’s a pity that the effects are not guaranteed.’

Regarding effects, the highest quality of Epic grade dishes was equivalent to the lowest quality of Legendary grade dishes. After looking at the detailed explanation, anyone would realize there would always be a limit to making a Legendary grade dish with lower grade ingredients.

(

Pillar’s Affection

)

Passive Skill

Level

: None

Effects

:

•Any chef who meets you might learn something just by being in your presence.

• Just by receiving one of your teachings, the chefs will be able to acquire new skills that will allow them to improve.

•You can create a new dish out of a failed dish made by someone else with your own hands.

•You can turn a failed dish created by someone else into something special with just a touch of your finger.

•As the Pillar of the Gourmands, you can enlighten them and help them open up new powers. You might be able to get something if you receive their respect and awe.

•The amount of what you will get will depend on how excellent or skilled those who have received your enlightenment or those who have received your help in opening their powers have become.

• If you have enjoyed sufficient benefits from the Pillar’s Affection, the skill might be temporarily sealed. This will be measured by the system.

Minhyuk rubbed his chin as he thought,

‘Hmmm. So this is the power that allows me to help teach others and help enlighten them.’

To be honest, Minhyuk found the skill’s description a bit vague. After all, he did not know how much they would improve or how great they would become once they received his help. It was also impossible for Minhyuk to know how much benefits and rewards he would receive from their enlightenment.

‘It’s so-so.’

This was Minhyuk’s honest review of the skill. He had thought that perhaps he would receive a skill that would give a dish some effects that transcended grades. Or maybe a skill that allowed him to create some Pillar grade ingredients every year. Or a skill that would make the effects of his buff dishes 60% better.

‘Maybe something like that will come out once I reach Level 800?’

There was a high chance of that happening.

‘Now that I have these skills, should I meet the Beyond the Heavens Empire chefs to try them out?’

It was disappointing, but he at least had to try them out. The problem was that the Beyond the Heavens Empire chefs had been raised and nurtured by Minhyuk and Twilight Chef Black. As a result, the Beyond the Heavens’ chefs had the highest level in Athenae. Around 90% of the chefs in the global rankings belonged to their empire. Even the most outstanding NPC chefs belonged to them too.

If that was the case, would they still achieve incredible growth and enlightenment in the presence of the Pillar’s Affection? The answer to that question was a big, fat NO. In the end, they would eventually reach the limit and would no longer be able to grow. Regardless, the Pillar’s Affection could enlighten them and help awaken their potential.

The Pillar’s Dish Distribution allowed him to send a dish to someone he knew.

At that moment...

“Your Majesty, Luvien Empire’s Lord Nerva came to visit you.”

From what Minhyuk had heard, Nerva wanted to go fishing with Cardin if they survived the ordeal before. Perhaps that was why he came here in a shabby and coarse attire. He also seemed quite uncomfortable and awkward.

Feeling Minhyuk’s gaze, Nerva said, “I was getting ready to go out with Cardin to fish. But Brod suddenly came and said,

‘You bastard. I can’t live knowing you can spend the rest of your life comfortably. Work as my aide. I’ll allow you to go fishing once a month.’

or something along those lines.”

It was the typical Brod. Minhyuk felt happy after knowing that Brod was doing well.

Nerva hesitated. Ultimately, he could only sigh helplessly and said, “Brod told me to relay something to you. He said,

‘Your Majesty, I miss you.’

”

Minhyuk immediately replied, “Please tell him I miss him too.”

“...F*cking b*tches,” Nerva, the Cupid of Love, murmured. His expression? It was filled with a sense of defeat.

“Do you have any other business with us?”

“The entire Luvien Empire is in an uproar. I’m sure you know the reason why.”

Of course. Minhyuk knew it well. They suddenly became friendly with the Beyond the Heavens Empire, which empire would not be in chaos because of that? Those who hated war would support it. The others would find it completely ridiculous.

That was why there was a need for an exchange.

“I believe both our empires need to make exchanges. We plan to send Duke Laghman and 20,000 excellent archers on our end. This is so we can help supplement the Beyond the Heavens Empire’s lack of archery skills and help you develop and nurture better archers.”

Duke Laghman was excellent at swordsmanship, and an expert in archery. Others said his skills were at the level of the God of Archery. According to others, the Sky Archery Division that he personally nurtured was also made up of the best archers in Athenae.

At this moment, Minhyuk realized that the sudden signing of a ceasefire and the sudden alliance agreement had confused both sides. Exchanging ideas and cultures like this to help gradually integrate and foster friendship between the two empires.

‘Ah. Come to think of it...’

“Rumor has it that the Luvien Empire is known for having gross and tasteless food. I heard that your dishes also look disgusting.”

“...” Nerva could not even bring himself to deny it.

Even though the Luvien Empire was a nation that excelled in countless fields, the skills of their chefs were unfortunately at the bottom of the food chain. The greatest impact on this was on their military forces.

The gears in Minhyuk’s head spun quickly. He thought,

‘Should I go and visit the Luvien Empire and use the Pillar’s Affection on them?’

They were no longer enemies. In fact, the Luvien Empire had become an existence with which the Beyond the Heavens Empire had to nurture a friendship and create a strong alliance.

“I will go by myself as a representative of our empire.”

“Alone?” Nerva muttered in confusion.

Minhyuk was just one chef. Even if he went to the Luvien Empire, he would not be able to guarantee the level of their chefs.

“Ah... Pillar of the Gourmands...” Nerva muttered in realization.

Minhyuk was the Pillar who supported all of the world's gourmands and chefs. He was the one who would lead them to the right path. Of course, most of the Pillars might not do so or be unable to do so. However, Nerva realized one thing when he heard Minhyuk’s words.

‘He has obtained the power to teach and guide others.’

Even so, Nerva still shook his head. He said, “I’m sure you have tried it already. Indeed, our Luvien Empire’s cuisine and dishes are generally tasteless. And this is largely because of the Chef of Flavors.”

The Chef of Flavors was the representative of all the Luvien Empire chefs.

“They prioritize the flavor and the taste of the dish. As long as it tastes good, they will serve any kind of dishes. It tastes good but... you will not want to eat it. Not too long ago, I was served a soup made using the essence of Gardia’s Tree... and... it looked like cow dung.”

“...”

“No, don’t get me wrong. It’s delicious. But who would want to eat something like that?” Nerva said, a genuine scowl on his face. “Anyway, you’ll know once you meet him. He has been living as the Chef of Flavors for ninety years. However, he is very stubborn. None of them could persuade him to change. Even if you’re the Pillar of Gourmands, I don’t think you can persuade him.”

“Let’s head there first.”

Just like that, Minhyuk set out for the Luvien Empire with Nerva.

𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

***

Anca was the most outstanding chef in the Luvien Empire. As a child, he had experienced true hunger.

Chef Anca’s buff abilities and buffed dishes were excellent. He was only second to the Food God. Perhaps that was the reason why he was able to establish himself as the best chef of the Luvien Empire.

The problem was that since he had experienced true hunger during his childhood, he was of the mind that it was enough as long as there was enough food and the dishes were delicious. Chef Anca’s dishes were truly delicious. Alas, as Nerva said, they looked disgusting.

Just this morning, he served a rat’s brain dish before Emperor Brod. The jiggling rat’s brain dish was a bit much for the eyes(?), but it was very rich and savory in terms of flavor.

Chef Anca did not touch the dishes to be served at the banquet to soothe the newly crowned emperor’s tired mind and body and help him regain his energy.

‘As long as the dish is filling and delicious, it doesn’t matter what it tastes.’

Anca’s thoughts had not changed even once in his decades of career. The problem was he was the best chef in the imperial palace. This meant that all the Luvien Empire chefs followed his thoughts and ideals.

“Will we have delicious food today?”

“The centipede exoskeleton soup we had not too long ago was the best.”

Those working in the imperial palace had long grown accustomed to the unique masterpieces of their chefs. They have been brainwashed and thought,

‘As long as it tastes good, it’s fine.’

To avoid learning cooking from them, all of the chefs of the Luvien Empire left for the Beyond the Heavens Empire. The only ones left were the weird chefs. Because of that, their dishes grew more grotesque by the day, but the taste got better and better.

“The Beyond the Heavens’ emperor is coming?” Anca said as he stood before the hundreds of the Luvien Imperial Palace chefs.

He wanted to show them that cooking only needed to produce delicious dishes. He was even caught in the idea that one could not be the Pillar of the Gourmands if he did not know this truth. If he did not know it, then he would inform him. That was how stubborn Anca was.

At that moment, Nerva entered the imperial kitchen. He said, “Please listen carefully and absorb the teachings of the Beyond the Heavens’ emperor. And please! Please make a dish that will make others want to eat it.”

Unfortunately, Nerva knew how stubborn Anca was. In fact, he had never changed his mindset even once in decades. When Nerva saw his sparkling eyes, he could tell that Anca wanted to drag the Pillar of the Gourmands into the same “cult” and make him believe that it did not matter what the dish looked like as long as it was delicious.

With Nerva’s nod, Minhyuk entered the kitchen. This was the first time Minhyuk met other chefs after becoming a pillar, and they likely held a considerable amount of hostility toward him.

[Pillar’s Affection.]

[The chefs have been bestowed with the Pillar’s Affection.]

When Anca saw Minhyuk walk in, an unknown feeling washed over him. He felt the man’s fair face went perfectly well and was in harmony with his beautiful silver armor.

[With the Pillar’s Affection, Chef Anca has been enlightened anew.]

[The enlightenment he received came from the enlightenment of harmony and balance.]

Everything about the man walking toward them was in harmony. With every little detail in harmony, the man looked utterly stunning. Anca’s stubborn ideal, which made him ignore the harmony and balance of appearance and taste that had never changed in decades, was completely and utterly broken in front of the man.

‘Harmony. There is a need for harmony and balance.’

[The Pillar’s Affection helps Anca break away from his stubborn ideals and teaches him the importance of decoration and plating and why it is needed.]

[Chef of Flavors Anca changes his class into a more excellent chef class, Chef of Euphoria.]

“...?”

Minhyuk and Nerva looked at each other in confusion when Anca burst into tears.

“I was ignorant. I never cared to learn how important decoration and plating was.”

[The Pillar’s Affection opens Anca’s eyes to a new realm.]

[You will receive special privileges based on his growth.]

[You have gained 39 DEX.]

[The proficiency level of your cooking skills will increase by 2%.]

“...?”

At this moment, Minhyuk realized something. He thought,

‘Affection that can turn one into a fool...?’

The Pillar’s Affection seemed to help others achieve enlightenment more easily than he had imagined. Not only that, it could also exert far greater power than he had expected.