Chapter 234: Delicious Expedition

“…!”

“…!”

Lee Minhwa and Team Leader Park were both staring wide-eyed at the monitor. They were both shocked to hear the previous Food God share information he had with Minhyuk.

[Demon World?]

[Right. The Demon World. If you go there, you will be able to meet with the Four Heavenly Kings. The Four Heavenly Kings each have their own treasures. The Bronze Sword, the Pipa, etc. Rumor has it that if you collect all four treasures, you can create any type of artifact that you want.]

[Wow. Any type of artifact that I want…!]

[Yes. You can also get one ability that you want. I was actually trying to make an oven from their treasures. In the end, I gave up because it was not an easy feat. You must either do them a favor, or fight and win against them.]

[Oho. I see. An oven… It would be nice to have an oven that keeps the fat and the oils from escaping from the chicken or the pork when roasting…!]

[Oh. Me too! I want to try making one too…!]

[I’ll make sure to make an oven like that!]

[Yes. Boy, I believe you! It would be good if you can make what I couldn’t back then!]

Then, the two of them shook hands. Along with that, a quest window also appeared in Minhyuk’s head. However, for the Athenae operators, it was the worst handshake to have ever happened in the entire world.

“Show us the quest window.”

“Yes, Team Leader.”

[Linked Quest: Meet the Four Heavenly Kings in the Demon World.]

Rank: SSS

Requirements: Food God.

Rewards: Four Heavenly Kings’ Treasures.

Penalty for Failure: -20 to all stats.

Description: Rumor has it that you can produce any type of artifact that you want if you collect all four treasures of the Four Heavenly Kings in the Demon World. Go and gather their treasures. But before that, shouldn’t you go to the Demon World first?

The reason why the operators were astounded, was because most of the NPCs that gave any quest related to the Four Heavenly Kings Treasures would always say, ‘Rumor has it that they give the form of artifact that you want but we don’t know if it will be good,’ or something along those lines. With those vague words, most players would likely wonder about the probability of getting a good artifact, and hence would choose whether they would challenge or give up the quest.

The Four Heavenly Kings were the next most powerful beings, right after the three Great Demons. It was not easy to meet any of them, and to think that the player would still have to do quests for them or hunt them. However, right now…

“Right now, even Calauhel is struggling just to meet with the Four Heavenly Kings. Right?”

“Yes, Team Leader.”

Calauhel had arrived at the Demon World much earlier, and he was moving around trying to find their treasures.

Just like Beas Village, the Demon World was a meeting place for players all over the world. Currently, even though Minhyuk was a latecomer, it was likely that he would try to challenge the quest. To the operators, Minhyuk posed more of a problem than Calauhel.

“Despite the rumors, the artifacts that will appear hold significant power. They will definitely have power similar to those of the disaster rank.”

The name that Joy Co. Ltd. had given these artifacts were…

“Authority Artifact…” Lee Minhwa murmured to herself.

That was the artifact that would be created from whatever the player wanted. The artifact could also exert power similar to that of a disaster artifact.

‘What will happen if he collects the four treasures and uses the Demigod Artifact Production Method?’

Then, it would definitely become stronger than a disaster artifact.

“I hope that Player Minhyuk does not go to the Demon World.”

“Yes. Otherwise, it will be the first Authority Artifact to ever appear…”

After a brief pause, Team Leader Park sighed. He rubbed his chin and said, “I just hope that it’s not going to be an oven…”

***

Minhyuk checked the artifacts that he had received while waiting at the restaurant. Loyna was currently making him some rice cake dumpling soup so he had some free time. Sitting right next to him was his new vassal, Corr.

(Frightening Instrument)

Rank: Legendary

Requirements: 400 Holy Power or 400 Demonic Energy

Durability:?∞ / ∞

Attack Power: 714

Special Abilities:

Can be transformed into any instrument in the world.

?For those who possess Holy Power, you will perform a warm and divine performance overflowing with Holy Power. For those who possess Demonic Energy, you will perform a chilling performance overflowing with death and destruction.

?Active Skill: Kayageum’s Explosion

?Active Skill: Slow Violin

?Passive Skill: Recital Conductor

Description: The instrument bestowed by Verus, one of the three Great Demons, to one of his Demon Worshippers. It will perform differently depending on whether the player uses Holy Power or Demonic Energy.

Minhyuk believed that Kayageum’s Explosion was the skill that was used earlier. It was a skill that allowed explosions whenever the kayageum was played. Slow Violin was the skill that fired sword lights with every pluck of the string.

However, among the three skills attached to the artifacts, Minhyuk’s personal favorite was the Recital Conductor.

(Recital Conductor)

Passive Skill

Level: None

Effects:

?Performance done with Demonic Energy will continuously lower the HP of the listeners and give them constant pains.

?Performance done with Holy Power will restore the HP of the listeners and can help plants and animals grow faster and healthier.

“This one will be Corr’s from now on.”

“Oh! But this is such a precious thing… Thank you,” Corr said, both shocked and excited. He quickly checked the information of the item and saw that it was a very good item.

“From now on, I will give Corr a huge mission. Use this instrument to grow the Monarch’s Seeds,” Minhyuk said solemnly.

Corr knew about the existence of the Monarch’s Seeds. Those were the seeds made by the Ancient Monarch and the Former Pope! There might be enormous power hidden in these seeds. He was now responsible for awakening such power.

“I’ll definitely make it happen!”

“Yes.”

Corr did not know that Minhyuk just wanted to eat something delicious, all he knew was that Minhyuk looked serious while giving him this order.

‘Hmm… Food God Allen told me that I should just do what I normally do and someone will come to see me so that I can proceed with the Food God’s Bet quest. I wonder when they’ll come?’?Minhyuk thought.

For now, it seemed fine for him to just wait. Then, Loyna finally completed the rice cake dumpling soup. She placed it in front of Minhyuk with some kimchi and said, “Our Athenae Temple’s garden has more Holy Power than anywhere else. The kimchi made from the cabbage that’s grown there is different from regular kimchi.”

“Oh, I see.”

Minhyuk looked at the piping hot rice cake dumpling soup. He could see the seaweed flakes, egg garnish, and carrots that were sliced and placed on top of the soup. Even the dumplings that they used were authentic dumplings.

‘Looking at the shape of the dumplings, these are clearly?Hoobigo?gyoza dumplings.’

Just like he had expected, the dumplings were Hoobigo?gyoza dumplings. The sizes of the dumplings were all similar and the fillings were generously packed inside a sturdy and strong dumpling dough.

Minhyuk tried a sip of the soup first.

‘Wow…’

In just one sip, Minhyuk could tell that this was the taste of beef bone soup.

“We have a tree called the Beef Bone Tree. I made the dumpling soup using the broth from the tree,” Loyna said, grinning widely at Minhyk’s thumbs up.

This time, Minhyuk scooped up some joraengi rice cake and placed it in his mouth.

Chew, chew.

The texture of the chewy?joraengi?rice cake, the deep flavor of the beef bone broth, combined with the taste of the seaweed powder, danced in his mouth. Minhyuk smiled happily at the flavors that danced inside his mouth in every chew.

‘This flavor is enough to make me feel alive!’

As expected, delicious food was always best after doing hard work!

Then, Minhyuk picked up some dumplings from the soup. As soon as he raised his spoon, he could see a round, plump dumpling on top of it. There was a faint luster in the dumpling skin that made it look like it was shining. He quickly blew on it to cool the dumpling down, before eating the whole dumpling in one go. As soon as he chewed, the soup trapped inside the dumpling spread throughout his mouth. A variety of flavors danced wildly in his mouth, and somehow, the flavour truly tasted like meat.

Then, Minhyuk picked up some kimchi while he continued to eat the rice cake dumpling soup.

Crunch, crunch—

The sour and crunchy kimchi washed away the greasiness of the soup. He continued to eat like that. Towards the end, Minhyuk picked up the bowl and drank the beef bone broth directly from the bowl.

“Puhaa!?It’s really delicious!”

Minhyuk made sure to eat all of the joraengi rice cakes and dumplings. By the time he was done, there was not even a drop of soup left in his bowl. Then, he turned towards Loyna and said, “I have something important to say to Loyna.”

“…Yes?”

Minhyuk’s expression was grave and solemn, while his eyes glistened like he was longing for something.

‘I…is he going to confess…?’

Loyna’s heart suddenly beat faster without her noticing it.

***

𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

The Emperor of Collodis Empire, Asvon the Bright, looked at the two people sitting in front of him. The two people sitting in front of him were both God Classes.

One was Eclei, the God of War. Eclei was an outstanding monarch, and he did not belong in any guild. Even so, he was still someone that was responsible for three small cities. He truly deserved the name God of War. Even his level was at Level 470.

The man sitting next to him was wearing a mask. He was the guild master of the assassins’ guild?‘Secret Vessel’. Just like his guild, his God Class was the God of Death. The two of them, aside from the guild, had many troops and vassals under their command. Of course, it went without saying that their skills were superb.

“You received the Gods’ Bet?”

“Yes. We received them,” The two of them answered.

That was right, those were the two other gods who participated in the bet. Of course, God Classes were still not gods yet. After all, there were very few, especially among the foreigners, that could ascend and become gods. Those that could not exceed certain limits would stop growing and would eventually become relegated, never to reach the God Class.

“We still do not know who will be better, us or the opponent. In any case, you’ll have to join the subjugation force and stand out by rescuing ‘Prince Argon’.”

“Of course.”

The two of them were very confident. After all, the two of them were among the most prominent authorities in the Empire.

Asvon grinned wickedly as he continued to speak, “Use any means necessary.”

There was an armistice with the Eivelis Empire to make good the hundred-year promise with the elves. However, there was an unknown fact that was not disclosed to the public, which was the kingdoms would still be in constant competition.

If they were able to rescue Prince Argon, then they would be able to gain high favor with the elves and the Collodis Empire.

‘And isn’t there only one opponent?’

The two people went outside. Not long after Eclei said, “Use any means necessary…”

“It means that if things don't work out well, we can attack them.”

Unfortunately, it would cause things to become vague and ambiguous if they attacked openly. However, there were a lot of expedient means that they could resort to.

“We can bring the enemies towards them on purpose.”

“Or we can inform the enemy of their position.”

“We can also install traps and pretend to be the enemies.”

They grinned wickedly as they thought of plenty of wicked means to defeat the opponent.

***

Loyna’s heart was trembling. This was because Minhyuk, with his grave and serious expression, led her in a bedroom that was closed off to everybody else. With Minhyuk’s serious look, Loyna’s heart thumped violently. She was even chanting verses in her head to calm herself down.

‘You’re the Saintess.’

Even so, the Saintess was still a person. Her heart was still beating and she could still fall in love with someone else. However, she was the Saintess and she was supposed to have the finesse to handle situations like this.

The thought of Minhyuk fighting hard to save her from death suddenly flashed in her head. He was really cool and gallant.

With plenty of thoughts flying through her mind, she finally decided. She said, “This is my first time.”

“…Me too,” Minhyuk said seriously.

Then, Loyna placed her hands on her chest as she breathed deeply. She could see Minhyuk looking at her gently despite his solemn expression. She could also see the bed behind him. She had decided that she would go along with it. She would definitely feel his breath. After all, he must be in love with her.

“You’re going to be gentle, right?”

As she said that, Loyna closed her eyes and puckered her lips out. Then, she heard his voice.

“Wait. Why did you close your eyes?”

“Huh?”

Loyna opened her eyes gently and saw Minhyuk smiling gently. She also saw him holding two things that she did not know the use of.

“Hehe. Miss Loyna! Please have one! I felt sorry that I was sulking because you did not make me rice cake dumpling soup before, so I’ve been meaning to give you this. Hehe, this is the first time that I gave candy to someone else. I got some couple ring candies from an artifact called Magic Snack Box.”

“R…ring candy?” Loyna asked dumbfounded. The expression on Minhyuk’s face clearly told her that the ring candy was much more important than sleeping with her.

“Tadah!!!”

For a moment, Loyna wanted to give Minhyuk a beating. However, she could not do that since she realized that everything was a result of her own disillusion. Loyna’s face turned as red as a beetroot, unable to bear the shame. She covered her face with her palms and ran away in embarrassment!

“Huh? What’s wrong with her?”

Minhyuk was confused. He quietly took back the ring candy that Loyna did not take as he placed it on his fingers and ate it happily.

“Kgghk.?Ring candies! This is the taste in my memories!”

With that done, Minhyuk stepped outside, only to come face to face with the person who was waiting for him. It was none other than Ellie, her aide Ruth and the Phoenix Knight Order. All of them were waiting for him.

1. A parody of Bibigo