Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 441: Extreme Hardcore Fan’s Performance

After stabbing the neck of one of the centurions, Brad, just like a raging bull, went on a rampage and cut down the surrounding troops, including his previous allies.

“Wh, what the…?!”

“What the hell is that onion?!”

Loki could not help but rub his eyes in doubt. He wondered, ‘You’d rather take that onion instead of the treasures that Barras Kingdom offered?’

The nightmare did not end there, as Genie had talked about other ingredients like green onions and garlic. On top of that, she was not remotely satisfied with just tempting Brad, even calling out another ranker, “Arte.”

Arte was a magic swordsman, a class that players rarely choose when playing Athenae because of the difficulty of utilizing magic while wielding a sword. Most of the players that chose this class would exert lesser power when using magic and swordsmanship together, than when they used one or the other.

However, Arte was a genius with superb control and excellent gamer skills. He was able to master both magic and swordsmanship and use it at the same time. Despite being ranked at 301st for the local knight rankings and 601st for the local mage rankings, Arte could exert far more power than Brad.

Ever since the appearance of the onion, Arte had been looking at Brad incredulously. He was wondering if Brad had gone insane in that short period of time. How could he give up the rewards that they would receive for a single onion? After all, the rewards that they would receive from Barras Kingdom would increase the greater their contributions by hunting the Valhalla troops, breaking their walls, and so forth.

The worst part of this? Brad would be condemned and mocked for his actions.

‘Maybe Brad’s a spy that Let’s Eat Sect planted, right?’?Just as this thought flashed in Arte’s head, Genie threw an onion to him too.

‘What the hell? You’re also giving me an onion as a reward? That’s ridiculous,’?Arte thought as he grabbed the onion and checked its details.

(Ingredient Heaven’s Onion)

Ingredient Grade: Five Legendary Ingredients

Special Effects: An increase in STM +1~3 and STR +1~3

Description: One of the Five Legendary Ingredients. Ingredient Heaven's Onion is an ‘auxiliary’ ingredient. Auxiliary ingredients are one of the most important ingredients when cooking. Only ten of these onions can be eaten per person, any more than that and the effect will not be expressed. The effects of this onion can overlap with the effects of other ingredients. And with the help of the Land of Gods, the special effects of these onions have been reinforced.

“…???”

Arte, speechless beyond belief, looked between Genie and the onion alternately, as the abacus in his head started to clack at a furious speed. Each person could eat up to ten of this ingredient that could randomly increase the STM and STR from 1~3. If his luck was good, then he would be able to gain more than +15 in his stats in one go.

The higher the rankers’ level became, the more they clung desperately to even a single point increase in their stats. That was why the rankers would willingly trade more than hundreds of millions of cash, just for a single elixir. However, despite the growing demand, the elixirs remained scarce in the market, which made it all the more precious.

To think that the onion in Arte’s hand could raise his stats the moment he ate it? And permanently at that? At that moment, he could feel how great and amazing Minhyuk was.

‘I know that he loves to eat, but I did not expect him to develop such an amazing ingredient,’?Arte could not help but admire Minhyuk.

Just a few moments ago, Arte was cursing Genie and Brad. But now, the surrounding troops and players were looking at him incredulously when they saw his expression turn into that of admiration.

“Eyyyy~ Not Arte.”

“That’s right. He’s the one that told us that we should be nice to each other.”

They thought that it would definitely be impossible. But at that moment…

“Long live Let’s Eat Sect! Long live!!!”

…Arte also declared his overflowing love and affection for Let’s Eat Sect. And along with his declaration, his hands unfolded towards the horse that a centurion was riding on.

“Explosion.”

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaang—

The skill created a huge explosion that engulfed a thirty meter radius area and devoured more than thirty troops at one go.

Genie continued to throw onions towards the rankers in the vicinity, one after the other. And every time they received the onions…

“Long live Let’s Eat Sect! Long, long live!!!”

“Play, play Let’s Eat Sect! Play, play Let’s Eat Sect!”

“Praise be to Let’s Eat Sect!”

…the rankers, around thirty of them standing near the gates, immediately change sides.

“They’re out of their minds!”

“Crazy bastards!!!”

The Pinnacle Strong Men had no choice but to move urgently and deal with the rankers that suddenly changed sides. When the Pinnacle Strong Men launched their attacks, the rankers immediately gathered together to defend and block them. And when their HP reached 5%…

Flaaaaaaaash—

…they would hurriedly use their return spells. As they disappeared in a flash of light, these thoughts flashed in their heads:

‘We need to hurry up and refill our tanks so we can hunt again!’

‘We can get onions with every successful hunt!’

The rankers that changed sides and held hands with Let’s Eat Sect had killed more than four thousand Barras Kingdom Troops. This could be attributed to the fact that they were in the middle of the kingdom troops. They also had support in the form of magic bombs, arrows, and boulders that the members of Let’s Eat Sect kept on throwing down from the walls.

However, even though they shaved off a huge chunk out of the troops, the majesty of the surviving 40,000 troops did not decrease.

Baaaaaaaaaaang!

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaang!

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaaang!

A shocking tremor would shake the walls of the fortress with every hit that the 40,000 strong troops landed.

“Keuaaaaaaaack!”

“Kggggghhhhhk!”

“Urkkkkk!”

Of course, screams still rang rife among the kingdom troops with every hit, thanks to the reflection ability that covered the entire fortress’ walls. The Barras Kingdom troops and their allied players all abhorred this ability. However, they could not deny the fact that they had been left in awe by the amazing architecture and ability that these walls had.

“The reflection ability will soon disappear!” Loki said.

The truth was just like Loki had declared. The fortress truly did not have an infinite amount of reflection ability and would eventually run out.

Baaaaaaaaaang—

Just like that, the moment that they had been waiting for finally arrived. One of the soldiers that attacked the walls did not receive any more damage, proof that the fortress’ reflection ability was no longer in effect. As if lighting a beacon for victory, the 4,000 strong mage unit started to cast magic bombs before sending them to the fortress’ walls.

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!

Valhalla Fortress shook tremendously with every hit of the magic spells. It did not matter how tough and sturdy the walls of their fortress were, as long as these 4,000 mages continued to bomb the walls, it would prove difficult for their walls to remain unscathed. Genie watched as the durability of their walls decreased at a rapid pace. She hurriedly ran out and shouted, “Everyone, retreat!” before pushing a red button. Then, at that moment…

Whiiiiiiiiiiiir—

Clack!

Whiiiiiiiiiiiiir—

Clack!

Whiiiiiiiiiiiiir—

Clack!

The bricks, or what seemed to be bricks, of the walls suddenly started to move and change shapes. This fortress, one that could be considered as a magic fortress with its ability to reflect attacks, was the result of the collaboration of three people. They were Roadol, the president of Ilhwa Construction and a legend in the Korean construction industry; Olger, the descendant and genius disciple of Golden Hammer Dwarf Lant that had been acknowledged by his master as someone that had transcended him in abilities; and Ali, the world’s strongest mage and the heir to the Dragon’s Mana Heart.

But the truth was, the reflection ability was only one part of the fortress. The more shocking ability of these fortress’ walls was their ability to store and accumulate around 5,000 first to fourth tier magic.

Simply put, these walls, instead of using siege weapons, could launch magic attacks.

The transforming bricks finally opened up as they unleashed the first to fourth tier magical attacks that Ali had saved by the hundreds for days towards the tens of thousands of troops that had been gathered near the fortress. All hell broke loose as disaster exploded towards the troops.

Shwaaaaaaaa—

The first magic spell that burst out were huge flames. These flames, the Fireball, engulfed hundreds, perhaps more, of the enemy troops that loitered near the walls.

Crackle, crackle, crackle—

The next one were spears made out of lightning. These electric spears pierced through the enemies and burned them into ashes in an instant.

Bang!

Baaaaaang!

Baaaaaaang!

Baaaaaang!!!

Then, huge explosions engulfed the enemy troops that continued to advance forward.

Shwaaaaaa—

Shwaaaaaaaaaaaa!

It was then followed by Wind Cutter, which unleashed blades of wind that tore the enemies into pieces.

Shockingly enough, even the elite knights could not stop the magic attacks. This could be attributed to the fact that it was Golden Mage Ali’s magic that was accumulated in the walls.

Golden Mage Ali, who was waiting for this opportune moment — the moment when all their enemies were swarming and were literally concentrated near the walls, the very same moment when AOE attack skills could exert their greatest powers — flew up to the skies with his Staff of Despair in hand and golden hair fluttering wildly, and unleashed despair upon the enemy troops.

Crack, crack, crack—

Crack, crack, crack—

Crack, crack, crack—

A space was torn open in the skies as seven gigantic meteors descended on the ground. The kingdom troops could only gape in horror as they watched the man-made ‘disaster’ cover the skies and cast a huge shadow upon them.

‘This is Meteor…?’?Loki thought, shock prevalent on his face.

No NPC mages could use Meteor as of the moment. However, Ali, who had continued to grow further, had reached the level where he could unleash Meteor without needing the support of Minhyuk’s dishes like in the past.

What did this mean? It meant that Ali was far more powerful than all the mages in existence currently.

Booooooooooooooom—

The first thing that engulfed the troops was the blazing fire that surrounded the falling meteor. Then, the moment the meteor made contact with the ground, the surrounding enemies disintegrated into nothingness. One meteor razed the ground and killed around two thousand troops. It was like a nuclear bomb going off, its power destructive. When the rest fell down on the ground…

Boooooooom—

Booooooooooom—

Boooooooooom—

…everything disappeared. The thousands of magic attacks that the fortress fired, together with Ali’s Meteor, completely devoured the 20,000 troops, causing them to disappear with no resistance at all.

Loki’s face turned ugly. He thought, ‘Are you telling me that they really have the power to become a kingdom?!’

He finally realized why King Grain was afraid. This was because they already had more power and force than an established kingdom.

[The morale of the Barras Kingdom Troops has dramatically decreased.]

[All stats decrease by 15%.]

Loki immediately looked around only to see plenty of their troops lose their will to fight as fear enveloped their beings. There were even a considerable number of soldiers that turned away from the fortress’ walls and ran away.

Crack—

But Loki believed that they would eventually win this fight.

Puhaaaaaa—

He cut off the head of one of the escaping soldiers. And the same was true for the other Pinnacle Strong Men. They brought judgment to the deserters.

“Keuaaaaaaack!”

“Euaaaaaaack!”

“Why, why us too?!”

“Those that decide to flee will be dealt with in accordance with King Grain’s orders!!!”

“Forward!!!”

They did not show any consideration or care for the survival of the kingdom’s army. All that was running in their heads was to occupy Valhalla.

‘Terrifying…’

‘They, they only think of us as shields…’

‘Is this truly what our kingdom thinks of us…?!’

The fleeing kingdom soldiers grabbed their weapons tightly as they looked up at the cheering troops standing above the walls.

“Waaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

“Uwoaaaaaaaaaaah!”

The commanding officers of the Valhalla Fortress were hugging and rejoicing with their soldiers.

‘They’re completely different from us.’

‘This means that Lord Minhyuk is a very nice person!’

For a moment, the kingdom troops felt envy. The leaders of the Valhalla Fortress were different from the slayers among their midst that were blinded by greed and willingly cut off the necks of their allies. To their own commanders, they were just their meat shields that had no choice but to advance forward.

In the end, Valhalla Fortress exhausted all of the magic that they had accumulated. The kingdom troops could only do their best to strike and break their walls, even if they did not want to anymore.

[The fortress’ walls’ durability has decreased and is only at 3/10.]

[That’s dangerous. Those walls might collapse anytime soon!]

Along with the commentators’ voices, the shouts that brought despair to the fortress troops began to ring loudly one after the other.

“The mana potions are all gone…”

“Is there anyone who can still use a skill?!”

“Is there anyone who can use an AOE skill?!”

“Soldiers, where are the arrows?! Are we out of arrows?!”

What about their supply routes? There was no way that Valhalla could use them with how surrounded they were. The soldiers’ arrows? Everything had been used up. Their weapons? Their swords and spears were broken from the continuous fight against the enemies that came up the ladders.

Then, what about the players? They could use their return spells, right? Unfortunately, the answer was no. Their returning point was set to Valhalla, and for them to get supplies or to transport anything, they still had to go through the thousands of enemy troops that surrounded their fortress. These series of frustrating events piled up and eventually put the entire Valhalla Fortress into the pits of despair.

Thuuuuuuuuuuuud—

A huge trunk with a pointed tip slammed against the fortress’ gates with the help of the enemies’ siege weapons. They targeted the gates because its durability was infinitely weaker than that of the walls. The soldiers of Let’s Eat Sect immediately descended and used their bodies to stop the gates from opening.

“Endure!!!”

“We can’t back down here!!!”

“We have to hold out here!!!”

Thuuuuuuuuuuuuuuud—

“Euaaaaaaaaaack!”

“Heupppp!”

“Stand, stand up!!!”

The soldiers’ screams began to engulf Valhalla.

“Keuaaaaaack!”

“Aaaaaack!”

However, despite doing their best, the enemies still continued to climb and enter the fortress using the ladders that they had successfully hung on the walls.

“Ugggghhh…”

“Shit…!”

The members of Let’s Eat Sect, who were blocking the gates with their own bodies, looked at the precarious condition of their walls. Although they were the best of the best and one of the country’s top rankers, they did not have any MP left. In fact, it was only thanks to Orgel’s continuous repair of their weapons that they were able to hold out this long.

Baaaaaaaaaaaang—

Genie watched in despair as their troops flew back with every hit of the siege weapon on their gates.

Shwaaaaaaa—

Then, rain suddenly started to pour down from the skies. This war could last for several days. However, they did not have any other opportunities to take advantage of. They had too many enemies and there would even be another 100,000 troops that would advance here sooner or later.

Baaaaaaang—

Another slam from the siege weapon and Genie was forced to let go of her tight hold on the gates. It was very frustrating. They all knew that Barras Kingdom would issue a ‘kill order’ to constantly kill off the members of Let’s Eat Sect the moment Valhalla got taken over. They could just run away and hide if that was the case but…

‘Thank you.’

…unlike them, the NPCs live in this world. This was their reality. Their troops devoted their lives, their entire beings, to protect this place for Minhyuk and for their loved ones, until the very end.

A sad expression lingered on Genie’s face as the cold rain poured down and soaked their bodies. But despite the cold rain, the soldiers still tried their best to cheer themselves up and increase their morale. On the other hand, the enemy troops rejoiced at the crumbling gates. They pulled back their siege weapon far as they rushed forward to make the final blow. But then…

Flaaaash—

…a woman descended down from the walls under the cold rain. One swing of her sword and the siege weapon cracked and fell into pieces.

Baaaaaaaang—

Shwaaaaaa—

With every swing of the woman’s sword, a siege weapon would crack and fall into pieces. This woman stood in front of the 20,000 strong troops and blocked them from the blood-stained walls and gates.

She was none other than Minhyuk’s Extreme Hardcore Fan, the Sword Emperor Ellie. And today, using the sharp tip of her sword, she wrote the epic tale of Minhyuk’s Extreme Hardcore Fan.

The battle between one and 20,000 troops was now starting.