Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 29: Food God Becomes a Chef

The hint of sweetness in the pizza bread spread evenly in Minhyuk’s mouth. Even the flavor of the crispy onion complemented and gave balance to the greasy taste of the mayonnaise in every bite. The combination of the sweetness and sourness of the ketchup, as well as the savory sausage, completed the entire cacophony of flavor in the bread. It was enough to give Minhyuk a shock. The pizza bread in his hand was truly much more delicious than any other ordinary pizza bread.

'I…I want to grab it from him…'?Binz thought as he wiped the drool off of his mouth. It was as if his drool would always flow whenever he watched Minhyuk eating deliciously.

After Minhyuk finished the entire pizza bread…

[Food God's True Worth.]

[You have gained WIS+1 and INT+1.]

By this point in time, Minhyuk had already determined that the white light corresponded to WIS and INT. But, the most crucial information that he learned today was…

'The?Sun's Wheat…'

Flour was deeply ingrained in everyone’s daily lives, to the point that it could rival rice as a staple. There were even ramen shops, pizzerias, bakeries and other shops that dealt with flour, lining the streets everywhere. Right now, someone had just told him that these commonplace foods could become even more delicious.

It was truly groundbreaking.

"I knew you'd like it. Was it delicious?"

"Yes!" Minhyuk answered, his back straight and head nodding like a baby chick pecking on rice. Then, he asked, "Where can I get Sun's Wheat? Since it’s a specialty, does that mean that I can buy it?"

However, Binz smiled bitterly as he answered, "I'm sorry. I know it’s disappointing to hear this now, but the Sun's Wheat is no longer available."

"EH?!"

Binz’s words were completely out of the blue. Minyuk could not believe that he would not be able to buy it anymore! This meant that he would not be able to taste such delicious wheat ever again! At this point, Minhyuk looked like he had lost everything in the world.

“I bought the Sun’s Wheat that I used to make this bread from an NPC. From what he said, the reason why Sun’s Wheat is no longer available is because the goblins had taken over the Bordy Plains. And, the Bordy Plains is the only place where Sun’s Wheat grows.”

"Are you saying that some?damn?goblins?are blocking me from getting more delicious Sun's Wheat? How dare they…!" Minhyuk furiously roared out.

.

Hearing his furious words, Binz chuckled awkwardly and tried to soothe Minhyuk, "I did not expect that you would be this mad and upset… Anyway, that’s the main reason why Isbin Village is starting to form subjugation troops. They already have around seventy soldiers and are accepting thirty volunteer players. They will give you Sun’s Wheat as a reward.”

"Oh, so that’s the case. But, why didn't you volunteer, Binz?"

Minhyuk believed that Binz also liked food very much. That was why he was wondering why he did not volunteer himself.

"It's because of my level…"

"Ah..."

The reason was completely understandable. Since they were in a beginner’s village, the subjugation troops that would be sent to hunt for low-leveled goblins had to be low-leveled as well. It was natural that the game would impose a level limit. If that was the case, then Binz could not participate at all.

"They will only accept players between Lv15~20. This is what I heard from the front desk administrator at the subjugation troops’ training center."

‘As I thought!’

However, Minhyuk believed that this situation was the Sun’s Wheat trying to tell him,?‘Come, hurry and eat me, darling!’

"Thank you for this information!"

"Wait. Can we add each other as friends?”

"Of course!"

Binz was like a benefactor to Minhyuk since he had given him food, so Minhyuk willingly accepted his request!

[Binz is asking to add you as a friend.]

[Yes / No]

"Yes."

[Binz / Berserker / Lv397]

After accepting his friend request, Minhyuk bowed politely. Then, he turned around to leave. Binz was left behind, watching Minhyuk’s back until he disappeared into the distance.

***

Today was the day when the subjugation troops were set to depart. Minhyuk had directly gone to the training center and applied to volunteer the very same day Binz told him about the subjugation troops.

Currently, Minhyuk was still inside the pool and exercising, something that he had to do before accessing the game.

"I heard that volunteering with the Bordy Plains subjugation troops is not that good."

"Really?" Minhyuk tilted his head curiously at Changwook’s words. Then, he asked, "Why?"

“It’s because they only give you 10,000 gold and five kilograms of Sun’s Wheat as rewards. Who in their right mind would accept such meager items?”

“But… Isn’t receiving five kilograms of Sun’s Wheat a great deal?”

Changwook’s mouth turned shut at Minhyuk’s words. If he based it on Minhyuk’s standards, this reward was definitely a good deal. However, even if it was just a low-leveled subjugation operation, the usual rewards handed out should be at least 80,000 gold. The subjugation troops would also provide the novice players with the proper gear and equipment needed for the subjugation quest.

However, the Bordy Plains’ subjugation troops did not do so.

“So, did you just eat meat inside Twilight Graveyard during this whole time?”

"Yes."

“How’re your stats right now? Did they increase?”

Changwook asked Minhyuk about his stats. However, Minhyuk had already started swimming again, so the answer took a while. Minhyuk swam a lap before stopping in front of Changwook to take a breather. Then, he said, "Puhaaa!?I don't remember. I'll check it later once I’m done with my exercise and let you know."

Once he finished his exercise, Minhyuk tried to bring himself up towards?Changwook. Seeing his wobbling figure, the people around hurriedly reached out to help him climb.

Swoosh!

Changwook immediately brought a towel and helped Minhyuk dry his huge body the moment he sat down on a chair. The chair that Minhyuk sat on was a very large chair. It was placed near the pool, something the caring staff did for Minhyuk. After catching his breath, Minhyuk grabbed his mobile phone and accessed his?Athenae?account and information, information that could also be accessed through the phone. Then, he clicked on his stats window before handing his phone over to Changwook.

(Minhyuk)

Level: 15

Class: Food God 17%

HP: 806?MP: 240

STR: 112+14??AGI: 78+32 ?STM: 56+12

WIS: 16+8 ?INT: 16+8 ?Rep: 26

Fullness: 100% 126

Bonus Point: 0

“...Are you sure that these are the stats of someone at Level 15? Why does it look like it’s almost the same as a Level 50 player’s stats?”

“If this piggy punches you, you’ll die.”

“But, you won’t kill me, right?”

“Argh! If only you weren’t my hyung…!” Minhyuk said, shaking his fists at Changwook.

Changwook smiled awkwardly as he said, “Sorry.”

Then, a thought suddenly flashed in Changwook’s mind,?‘If he continues to level up at this pace, then…’

It would be too broken, right? Minhyuk was practically an overpowered character among overpowered characters! However, even if he was a overpowered character, there was still one drawback.

'He doesn't seem to have any other special ability except eating?'

Changwook did not bother to raise the topic with Minhyuk. However, even if he did not do so, it would not change the fact that skills were very important in?Athenae.?Right now, most of the mages at the same level as Minhyuk had learned some first-tier magic, at the very least. Even the?knights?would have already learned skills related to their class.

'Well, it doesn't matter. Minhyuk went there to eat,’?Changwook thought, watching Minhyuk stand up.

"I’ll access the game again~" Minhyuk sang happily, a spring in his steps.

***

Belo was a Level 40 warrior player. However, he was still able to arrive in front of Isbin Village to join the subjugation troops with the guild members of Connection Guild. The reason why he and his guild members were?here?despite being fairly high-leveled players was because…

'We will be able to get the key to a hidden dungeon if one of us gets the highest contribution during this subjugation operation.'

Belo was able to complete a quest just recently. The reward that he received from the quest was a hint that pointed to the hidden dungeon. It clearly told him that they would be able to receive the key only if they achieved the highest place in terms of contributions as part of the subjugation operation in Bordy Plains.

In other words, the quest that he received was a link quest that revealed its rewards with each quest cleared. Hidden dungeons were extremely special existences. They were places where even low-leveled players could enter and challenge. The rewards were usually unknown but they were definitely good. That was the reason why Belo asked his real friends and guild members to come and join him in the Bordy Plains’ subjugation operation.

'I even ate the wings of a black pixie just so I can enter this hidden dungeon.'

The black pixie’s wings were categorized under cursed items. Once consumed, it would immediately bring a player’s level back to around Level 20~25. The player would remain in this state for two weeks straight. These items were usually only used and consumed by users out of necessity and convenience.

However, using cursed items would also result in other penalties. Since their levels would drop to Level 20, it meant that their stats would also fall to match the level. However, this much penalty was still manageable. After all, at Level 15~20, these experienced players were still much better than the complete novices who were unaware of anything. Right now, there were a total of five people, including Belo, who came to the subjugation troops.

"Foreigners, come this way! I'll determine which units you will be assigned to."

The players that volunteered for the subjugation started to line up in front of the soldier who had just called out. There were twenty volunteers participating in the subjugation operation this time. The volunteers might be a bit shabby and their numbers were small, but it was understandable. After all, it was a subjugation quest that closed in just an hour.

'Fufu, this must be why the hidden dungeon is here: to compensate for the meagre subjugation rewards.'

The players slowly formed a line in front of the soldier.

"Wow, isn't this the smell of novices?"

"Uwoooh, the smell of novices!"

Belo and his party laughed as if they were not currently low-leveled players too. Meanwhile, the NPC soldier standing in front of the line began to ask for the volunteers' special skills and abilities.

"Boy, what's your special skill?"

"I can shoot with the bow well."

"You?"

"I can use a spear!"

"You?"

"I eat well."

“I see, very good… huh?”

Belo turned to look curiously in front when he heard those words. The person that spoke was a tall man.

"You're good at eating?"

"Yes. I am not picky and I can eat a lot of things!"

That man was none other than Minhyuk. His eyes were already twinkling as he answered the soldier.

"Pfft, alright! You're a foreigner who eats well!"

"Hehe, that's right!" Minhyuk said, smiling brightly. Minhyuk had already noticed this fact after meeting NPCs like Valen, Roina, and Allon. And it was none other than special benefits. As long as he got close to them, he was sure that they would give him good benefits. Of course, the NPCs would definitely think that Minhyuk’s sudden approach was strange and inappropriate.

However, Minhyuk’s wish was not that grand. All he wanted was food, food, and food!

"To be honest, I only spoke in jest because you, my handsome soldier friend, look tired!"

Just like what Minhyuk said, the soldier looked extremely exhausted. The soldier had no other choice. His direct superior had scolded him earlier, at the fact that the number of volunteers for the subjugation quest was abysmal. It would definitely feel exhausting after being scolded for something that was not his fault. Even players would also scold the soldier, Rand.

'Can’t you just do it like this?'

The volunteers most definitely hated the rewards. Many volunteers that would willingly apply for subjugation quests usually came for the rewards. However, the rewards for the Bordy Plains were widely looked down upon.

“Really? Boy, I haven’t laughed like this in a long time. Thanks to you, I was able to laugh happily and relieve my exhaustion. Fufu. But, did you know?”

"What?"

"I'm good at receiving naggings and scoldings! Bwahahaha!" Rand laughed loudly, as he pounded his chest.

"Haha, that's very funny!"

"Hahahahahaha… haha… Uhm…"

However, despite laughing so loudly, Rand’s face slowly turned sullen once again. Seeing this, Minhyuk approached him and patted him gently. It was as if he was trying to tell him to cheer up and be positive.

[You have gained Rand's favor.]

Belo clicked his tongue after watching the scene. He thought,?'That guy's an idiot.'

What was the point of getting close to a measly soldier? Even the other players were looking strangely at Minhyuk. They all had the same reaction. After all, none of them would be able to receive a good quest or higher rewards just from getting close to a simple soldier.

Then, at that moment…

“Soldiers and volunteers! Have a meal first before we depart!” A man who was wearing impressive plate armor, something completely different from the ordinary soldiers, shouted out. The man was none other than the captain of the subjugation troops.

Minhyuk’s ears perked up. His body began moving restlessly like an excited puppy waiting for his treat. Then, he asked, "You’re feeding us too?"

"Of course. We shouldn’t starve you since we’re asking you to hunt for us."

"Wow! Wow!"

With the mealtime starting, Rand had no other choice but to suspend his interview.

"Our Isbin Village chefs have the best food."

"...Oh!" Minhyuk exclaimed lightly. Then, the chefs started to line up and distribute the food.

"Shit! Quick, we have to leave!"

"Ah, what's with this food?! Am I supposed to eat this the moment I log in?"

The players began to grumble and complain.

"It's been a long time since I last tasted a military meal like this."

Just like in reality, the military meals provided in?Athenae?were not delicious. It was meant to follow the truth of reality as closely as possible!

"Ah. Mister Soldier, I'll bring over your share too,” Minhyuk said as he jumped up and stood in line. He opened his eyes wide to have a better look at the breakfast menu.

Then, one of the soldiers shouted, "Hamburgers have been prepared for the foreigners. Come and get your meals!"