Chapter 1348

Chapter 1348

Regarding position, the God of Cooking had always been in the middle of the rankings of all the Absolute Gods. Although she was not as outstanding as the Battle God and the God of Death, she was considered the mother of all chefs worldwide.

She was also the master of the previous generation's Food God and taught him how to make buffed dishes because he lacked the power to create dishes with permanent effects. Throughout several generations, the power to make buffed dishes changed, allowing the next generations to make buffed dishes that could be applied to more than a few thousand people.

Which was better between dishes that gave permanent effects and buffed dishes? The former was superior in every other way. After all, the “permanent dishes” effects would remain with them forever, while the buffed dishes would only be in effect for a week or so.

The problem was with the numbers. Buffed dishes could be produced at a large scale, while only a few of the permanent dishes could be produced. In terms of supply and demand, buffed dishes had a considerable advantage. Those who tried permanent dishes were few and far between, while many had tried buffed dishes.

Then, who deserved the praise? Of course, it should be those who made the dishes that many people ate. Because of this, the God of Cooking had always remained in the middle of the rankings. She would not fall short, but she would also not excel.

Alas, Minhyuk had become the Pillar of the Gourmands. Now that the Pillar of the Gourmands was born to the world, there was a high chance that she would no longer be needed in this position.

There was an even bigger problem: Minhyuk was also the Battle God. If the Battle God, the god who led the entire Land of the Gods, could play the role of the God of Cooking, what use would she have? Especially since he could create many buffed dishes, which completely overwhelmed the number of permanent dishes she could produce!

Of course, the God of Cooking did not blame or resent Minhyuk. Honestly, the only thing Arlene felt right now was overwhelming fear.

‘I have been here through countless generations.’

After many twists and turns, Arlene became the God of Cooking and had remained in this position ever since. Regardless, with the petition that Raker had submitted and the silent acknowledgment of the Absolute Gods, what else could she do?

‘The God of Cooking is no longer qualified to become an Absolute God.’

Arlene was terrified. Before she became a god, she was nothing but a god with an average intelligence. She was afraid that those who carried resentment and grudges toward her would retaliate once she fell from grace and became nothing but an ordinary god. She, who was standing humbly on this stage, was terrified of what would happen once she was forced to leave it behind.

At that moment, the god was in a similar situation to her. No. The God of Will, who was in a worse situation than her, suddenly stepped forward and said, “I have no intention of stepping down from this position.”

Thanks to Minhyuk's words, the God of Will regained his courage. The young man had asked what would happen to those working tirelessly with their firm will and determination if the God of Will disappeared today.

All of the Absolute Gods nodded as if to agree with the God of Will.

Minhyuk looked at Arlene and said, “Is there any existence in this world who can create the best and the greatest permanent dishes like her?”

The answer to that question was a big fat NO. It was something that even Minhyuk could not do. She was the only one who could.

‘I want to live.’

This was everyone’s wish. It was something that their primal instinct dictated. However, like the God of Will, Arlene had already given up. Just then, her conversation with the previous generation God of Cooking flashed in her head. This was the same God of Cooking who had died while attempting to create the Supreme Dish. The kind and considerate previous generation God of Cooking stroked her head with his palms filled with calluses from holding a knife daily.

–

Arlene. Become the greatest God of Cooking and make the most incredible dish.

She had not done that yet.

“I also have no intention of backing down.”

The Absolute Gods nodded. Raker, who saw this, was flustered. However, the panic only flashed on his face for a moment.

‘How dare you! You f*cking puppet bastard!’

Raker had heard that Minhyuk was just a puppet Battle God. The proof of this was right here in front of him. After all, the only one who had been sharing his opinion was Belson, the aide standing right next to him. Belson also looked quite surprised when Minhyuk made that remark earlier.

“Are you willing to let them continue to hold that authority even though you can put better gods in their positions?” Raker questioned, sending a glare toward Minhyuk.

‘Look at this guy?’

An arrogant smile slowly spread on Minhyuk’s face.

‘There aren’t many people who dare say something to the Battle God in the face.’

Finding someone like that in the Land of the Gods who was not among the Absolute Gods was difficult. No. Even the Absolute Gods would not recklessly question and challenge the Battle God.

‘This means that this man called Raker thinks I’m a pushover.’

Minhyuk was not particularly angry. He just found it funny. He had been standing on a high place for a long time and had met many people who thought that way.

‘Should I wait and see first?’

Minhyuk wanted to see how far Raker would go after crossing this line. This was the confidence and ease that came with being the absolute existence in this land.

“It would be nice if we could bring in new and better people to fill the position of the Absolute Gods. However, change is never easy,” the God of Judgment said, unable to keep silent any longer.

At first, the God of Judgment agreed with Raker’s words. However, after listening to the Battle God’s words, he realized Minhyuk had a point.

Raker’s expression grew ugly. He started to feel a bit nervous after realizing that the Absolute Gods agreed with Minhyuk’s words.

‘I have to think of something right away!’

If the God of Will and the God of Cooking did not step down by themselves now, then his plans would be disrupted. Perhaps his plan to fill in the position of the Absolute Gods with people from his faction and devour the Battle God’s power and influence bit by bit might fall through.

“Let’s have the gods decide through a vote,” Raker said, smiling sincerely.

The word “vote” made a few of the Absolute Gods frown.

“The gods will always want to live in a better Land of the Gods. Of course, I don’t deny what the God of Judgment said. They might truly be afraid of change. However, I believe they will choose to have better leaders.”

Raker judged that the gods would side with him. After all, many gods believed they were better than the God of Will and the God of Cooking. A few of the Absolute Gods nodded along. That was something that they could do nothing about.

Just then, the God of Cooking said, “Then both the God of Will and I will prove ourselves.”

“What are you going to prove?”

“I’m going to prove myself before the voting period starts. I will make the greatest dish in existence.”

It was not a bad idea. The God of Will’s power was mainly focused on helping others. He could strengthen those with firm will and determination and worked tirelessly toward their goals. If the God of Cooking met the conditions, he could use his power on her.

If he used his power on the God of Cooking and she created the greatest dish in existence, they would be able to establish that they were needed.

“That’s not a bad idea,” The God of Judgement said, a smile of interest on his face. “Since the Pillar of the Gourmands and the God of Cooking’s powers are completely different, let’s have the Battle God assist in her cooking.”

“She’s going to make a dish that she has never made in the first place? Do you think that’s even possible?”

“There’s no need to rush. Let’s set the deadline to a week later,” Minhyuk said.

Raker’s face turned red. Not only that, his breathing had turned ragged, and his hands were clenched into fists—this puppet Battle God had contradicted and undermined his words for a while. What made Raker angrier was that all the Absolute Gods agreed with Minhyuk.

“If you’re a puppet, then remain a puppet,” Raker snapped, his fists banging on the table.

Raker was once considered for the position of Battle God. Although he did not shine because of Belson and Clad’s existence, his position as the God of Ingenuity was still solid and held considerable influence. It was to the point that he could become an Absolute God right away if he could. That was why he was downright arrogant.

Minhyuk just smiled at him, silently encouraging Raker’s behavior.

‘Go on. Stray further from that line.’

“What? A puppet?”

Raker grew angrier when he heard the mocking tone in Minhyuk’s laugh.

“That’s right. You bastard! You’re nothing but a puppet, Battle God. Belson had put you in that position, so you should stay put and quiet. How dare you express your opinions when you’re just a figurehead?”

‘Cross the line even more.’

“Wouldn’t it be better to shut your mouth and listen to us? Huh?”

“You say I’m a puppet, then you think I’m inferior to Belson.”

‘Go even further.’

“Do I even have to say it? You bastard, the only reason Belson put you in that place is because you’re easy to manipulate!”

“Well, I don’t consider myself a puppet.”

“Good for you. Huh? Idiot. You don’t even know that you’re a puppet?!”

‘That’s right. Almost there.’

“Then, how about you prove yourself, huh?! I know where Clad is hiding. Why don’t you go and kill Clad, huh?!”

“Ha...”

A deep sigh echoed in the conference room, leaving Raker confused. He immediately turned to look around him.

“Hey. I’ve been feeling this since earlier.”

When Minhyuk stood up, he swung the Sword of Judgment and Blessings and split the table.

Thud!

A few strands of Raker’s hair fell out of place from the wind that blew from the blow.

“Aren’t you a bit too talkative?”

At the same time, a golden crown appeared on Minhyuk’s head. Raker, who had been aiming for the Battle God’s position, knew this item well.

‘Why is the crown that only the best Battle God acknowledged and recognized by all of the Battle Gods and the Battle God Statue on the head of this puppet?’

[Absolute Monarch.]

[No one can go against or resist the absolute monarch.]

Then, an overwhelming power forced Raker down on his knees.

“I have judged that all of the words that you have said to me are an insult,” Minhyuk said as he slung the sword on his shoulder and walked in the middle of the ruins of the split table. “Everyone here is a witness. By my authority, I can dispose of you right away.”

“Ugh.” Raker groaned under the immense pressure that was weighing down on him. Then, he cackled. “Do you think you can do that, you bastard? No one here will listen to you...”

No one would stand by and watch a puppet commit tyrannical acts. Unfortunately for Raker, all the Absolute Gods stared at him as if this was natural.

Finally, Belson clicked his tongue and said, “I’m sorry but... He’s the one who killed Clad.”

Raker doubted his ears for a moment.

“And that very same Clad has bestowed his Clad’s Swordsmanship to him and praised the Battle God standing before you.”

Raker had met Clad before. Back then, Clad told him...

–

If I give this swordsmanship to someone, then it’s because I think that person is greater than that guy Belson, or even me. If you meet someone like that, don’t treat them rudely or cross the line.

“

Hiccup!

”

Raker was so surprised that he ended up hiccuping.

Minhyuk, now standing before him, placed his hand on his shoulder and tightened his grip on him.

“Ugh!”

At the same time, an even heavier pressure weighed down on Raker.

“You must be more polite and courteous when talking to this emperor, hmm? Also, I’m sure you’re well aware of your sins.” Minhyuk bent down and whispered in his ears, “Let’s come to an agreement, hmm? The God of Cooking and the God of Will will challenge the greatest dish before the voting period, which will happen in a week. What do you think?”

Raker nodded frantically. If Minhyuk were such a powerful Battle God, he would die if he disagreed. After Minhyuk let go of him, the color on his face alternated between red and white.

‘Even if he’s such a powerful Battle God, does he have to humiliate me like this in front of all of the Absolute Gods? F*ck!’

“See you in a week!”

Alas, a mighty Battle God could do whatever he wanted in this place. In the end, the only thing that Raker could do was to run away from the conference room.

***

Each Absolute God had a temple in the Land of the Gods. Right now, Minhyuk, the God of Cooking and the God of Will had come to visit the God of Cooking’s temple.

The God of Cooking’s temple housed the most outstanding dish left by the greatest Go of Cooking. This dish, which would never spoil or rot for all eternity, was the one they had to surpass.

The key here was finding out the threshold that they had to surpass. Minhyuk was very worried.

‘No dish has ever surpassed this dish before. But now, we have to create something that will surpass it?’

It was a difficult task, but perhaps it was possible, especially because Arlene had his help and the help of the God of Will.

Minhyuk approached the dish and checked its information.

(

The God of Cooking’s Soup

)

Dish Grade

: ???

Requirements

: None

Shelf Life

: Infinite

Preservation Time

: Permanent

Special Abilities

:

•All of the consumer’s stats will increase by 4%.

•The level of all the skills in the consumer’s possession will increase by 4.

•All of the consumer’s attack and defensive power will increase by 20%.

•The consumer’s EXP acquisition rate will permanently increase by 15%.

•The consumer’s DEX stat will increase by 30%.

•The consumer’s DEX acquisition rate will increase by 20%.

•The consumer’s resistance against abnormal status will increase by 25%.

•The consumer’s resistance to all attributes will increase by 30%.

Description

: This is the best dish made by the God of Cooking.

Minhyuk was shocked. Why? Because they were not buff effects. They were all permanent effects. Furthermore, for permanent dishes, having just a 1% increase in all stats would already result in an overwhelming increase in power.

‘We have to surpass this?’

It seemed like the task was much harder than he had expected.