Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 500: The One that Became a Demigod

“What?” Park Minggyu asked in doubt.

Then, Kang Taehoon started to tell his story in a somber manner, “Akhan is a brilliant developer. In fact, it is safe to say that it’s thanks to him that we have the Athenae of today.”

Team Leader Park trembled at his words. There were many things that he could not understand from Taehoon’s story.

“Honestly, Athenae was born from my friend’s and my hands. However, because of an accident, he left and ended up cursing me.”

“How, how… that… then why did you not suspend him permanently?!”

Park Minggyu could not understand it. Did it not mean that the player named ‘Akhan’ knew the entirety of the Athenae worldview?

Kang Taehoon just smiled and said, “I know what you’re trying to say. If someone that knows Athenae completely were to play the game, the balance will break.”

“If you know, then why…?!”

“First. Among the hundreds of thousands of employees of Joy Co. Ltd., is there anyone that does not play Athenae?”

“…”

Team Leader Park Minggyu was rendered silent at the question. There were countless Athenae operators and staff that played Athenae. Most of them knew about the scenes that would unfold in the future or what went on in what place.

But were there any of the players that revealed their special circumstances?

“Second. I had already anticipated something like this would happen before Athenae’s launch. That’s why I only left the frame of the game. Everything else is new. Everything that Akhan knew has already changed. The Athenae of today is completely different from the Athenae that he knew.”

Park Minggyu was once again speechless. That was right. Considering Kang Taehoon’s personality, doing something like that would check out. There was also one thing that he could tell after hearing the first and second points. Just because one knew about Athenae did not mean that they would awaken or anything.

Even if they knew the mechanics, it did not necessarily mean that they could do something about it. However, there were players that could do so. The greatest example of this was ‘Food God’ Minhyuk.

“Are you telling me that Akhan is also a genius gamer?”

“That’s right. His brain capacity is completely out of this world. As a gamer, he’s someone that is beyond the ones that we call geniuses. He was literally a brilliantly crazy gamer. He does not know anything about the current Athenae worldview, but he was still able to do all of that on his own. What else can I do?”

Everyone was free to do whatever they wanted in the world of Athenae. And Akhan did not break the mold of such a world. However, this time, he broke the balance. Originally, Joy Co. Ltd. would set up a meeting with the player once the balance collapsed and negotiate with them as much as they could.

Unfortunately, it was impossible in Akhan’s case.

Kang Taehoon stepped out and began to move.

“Team Leader Park Minggyu.”

“Yes, President?”

“This will be the first time I’ve brought someone in. Let me show you Athenae.”

“…?!”

Park Minggyu was very surprised to hear Taehoon say those words. Athenae, the Athenae worldview’s Origin God, was a supercomputer in reality. Only President Kang Taehoon has ever met with Athenae. The only reason why Kang Taehoon offered this was because he trusted Team Leader Park Minggyu and his skills.

‘If I went the wrong way, I hope that he can lead me back to the right path.’

Although Park Minggyu was given the position of a team leader, he was very similar to Kang Taehoon in terms of decision making and judgement abilities. With plenty of keys in hand, Kang Taehoon opened a door and entered with Park Minggyu.

There, inside was the gigantic supercomputer, Athenae.

“Athenae.”

[Speak.]

A woman’s voice, a voice that was neither rigid or mechanical, rang out in the room. The voice, in fact, sounded sublime and gentle to the ears. Team Leader Park Minggyu could not help but look at supercomputer Athenae in excitement.

“What’s the probability of Baroque Kingdom overcoming this crisis?”

[It’s estimated to be at 2%.]

Athenae did not spare President Kang Taehoon any manners or courtesy. She might be a supercomputer, but she was also the god of a worldview.

“So, just 2%…” Kang Taehoon mumbled, face turning ugly at the fact presented to him. If Baroque Kingdom fell, then Beyond the Heavens Kingdom would be next. Akhan was showing them that not only Baroque Kingdom, but even Beyond the Heavens Kingdom would be pushed back by him alone. And with the addition of the dragons, was there anything that they could say to that? But then, at that moment…

[The probability has gone up to 8%.]

“…?!”

President Kang Taehoon and Team Leader Park were both shocked. The 6% increase might be small, but the probability increasing like that definitely meant that a variable was involved. So, what caused that variable?

“Please explain in a way that makes it easier for us to understand.”

[Right now, Beyond the Heavens Kingdom’s Vice Guild Master Genie has arrived at Baroque Kingdom’s conference hall.]

“Show us the situation,” President Kang Taehoon said, his face filled with excitement. The appearance of one player had increased the chances of a kingdom winning this dire battle, albeit only slightly. Then, a hologram popped up in front of them showing the figure of Genie passing by the murmuring kingdom troops and entering the conference hall with her noble and elegant strides.

***

Baroque Kingdom’s King Lloyd slammed his fist on the table.

Thud—

“Are, are you kidding me right now? We need more troops. Did you not see those dragons with them?!”

“King Lloyd, calm down. It’s not like we’re saying that we won’t send you support troops, right?”

“Just like we promised, we will send you 10,000 support troops.”

“We’ll be sending you 15,000.”

“What could be the problem when you already have around 50,000 troops with you?”

King Lloyd trembled at the words of the other kings. The troops that they were going to send for support were not even the elites of their kingdom. In fact, most of the numbers that make up these troops were just conscripts. These support troops would not be able to overcome the dire situation that they were in.

In other words, the other kingdoms had no intention of joining forces and helping the Baroque Kingdom overcome this crisis.

According to the rumors, Akhan would target Beyond the Heavens Kingdom next after dealing with Baroque Kingdom. That was why most of the kings here were rejoicing deep inside. They even went so far as to use the guise of doing their utmost for the sake of Baroque Kingdom to send conscripts that would not be able to show enough power to change the situation around.

In truth, they were shaking with anticipation that they could not even attach a proper justification to their hideous actions.

But then, the knights suddenly entered the conference hall and whispered something to the kings.

“What? In an hour?!”

“We have to leave, quick.”

“King Lloyd, may the tides of war turn in your favor.”

“May the gods bless Baroque Kingdom…”

The kings hurriedly got up to leave. Baroque Kingdom’s King Lloyd could only shake and tremble in his seat. Regardless of the situation, they were kingdoms that were connected through an alliance! How come they were acting like this?! This was all because of the appearance of a madman that was threatening them with the downfall of Baroque Kingdom!

Just when King Lloyd was about to erupt in anger…

Creaaaaaak—

…the door to the conference hall opened and a woman with her own entourage walked inside.

“Who the hell are you?!” King Lloyd’s fierce glare turned to the woman. Even the kings that were in a hurry to leave all turned to look at her in doubt.

“I am Marquess Genie of Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.”

“Be… Beyond the Heavens Kingdom?!”

“A marquess from Beyond the Heavens Kingdom?!”

Her words brought shock to everyone present.

How could a foreigner from Beyond the Heavens Kingdom enter this place so rudely?!?

But Genie just sat down on one of the chairs and crossed her legs leisurely.

“It’s not the Food God, but a marquess that came here?!”

They’re a small kingdom, shouldn’t their king come here at least to show sincerity?!?

Genie just smiled and said, “Ah. His Majesty is quite busy, you see.”

The truth was, they could not reach him anymore. Minhyuk was probably already on his private plane on his way to America for his physical and medical check-up. And since they were in the middle of a flight, their phones were definitely either turned off or in airplane mode.

“What’s your business here?” King Lloyd asked. He did not want to pay any more attention to Genie. In fact, his head was already throbbing painfully at this sudden turn of events.

“From the information that our Beyond the Heavens Kingdom has gathered, we know that more than 50,000 troops have been conscripted and are heading for Baroque Kingdom’s capital. But your enemy is already right in front of your nose, right? Am I wrong to say that you need to buy some time?”

King Lloyd nodded at her words. Their biggest concern as of the moment was that they would be attacked even before the support troops arrived. Even if they arrived, it would be too late.

‘If only we can buy at least half a day then…’

They would be able to come up with something, anything. But no matter what they did, it would still take a long time for the kingdoms and the empires to send their troops. There was no way for them to stop the rushing enemies right now.

“What if we stop them for you?”

“…What?”

King Lloyd frowned.

“We can keep them entangled for more than half a day.”

“…?!”

Lloyd and the other kings all stopped and turned to look at Genie. The beings that they had to deal with were dragons. The biggest reason why the other kingdoms were steering clear of this matter was because they risked the chances of being attacked too. But Beyond the Heavens Kingdom, a small country, would be able to block them for half a day? And…

“How many troops are you leading?”

“Right now, we have less than a hundred.”

“Keuhahahahahahahahahahahaha! Kahahahahahahahaha! Wahahahahahahahaha!”

“Beyond the Heavens Kingdom is really funny?! Huh?! Hahaha!”

“Crazy b*tch?! Do you think it’s the time to joke?!”

The kings guffawed while King Lloyd just stared at Genie. He wanted to cut her neck off but he did his best to hold himself back.

“If you’re going to spew nonsense, just leave,” King Lloyd spat coldly.

Just when he was about to turn around, Genie, with her crossed legs, said, “If we stopped them, then we will take 10% of Baroque’s Kingdom’s taxes this month and you will start your diplomatic talks with our Beyond the Heavens Kingdom. What do you think?”

“What?” King Lloyd looked at her incredulously. Ten percent of their taxes was a huge amount, especially when it included the taxes that millions of people would pay, as well as many other forms of taxes. They even wanted to start diplomatic talks? Doing so would mean that Baroque Kingdom was acknowledging the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.

The other kings just watched the scene with mirth. It was as if they found the situation fun. All Lloyd could do was speak nonchalantly and without any expectations, “Do it if you can. But if you don't, know that I will ask for your head to pay for your crimes.”

“Of course. Ah. These are the people that will stop their advance for half a day,” Genie said, standing up and looking at the people behind her.

.

“Them…?” Marquis Arna recognized the people behind Genie as the new tower masters, and uttered in shock. “Ar, aren’t they people with production classes?! How can they stop 20,000 troops including monsters, knights, and dragons for half a day?!”

In response, Genie just said, “Just watch.”

The kings were curious about their ridiculous statements while King Lloyd was fuming with anger.

“Let’s watch them for a moment.”

“We can just use mass teleport anyway.”

“How about taking a look?”

The kings looked like they were enjoying the spectacle. King Lloyd, on the other hand, did not like whatever was happening so he busied himself by arranging their military system and giving orders to his knights and soldiers. Just a bit later, King Lloyd heard the reports of one of his knights, “The 20,000 strong monster corps have reached the vicinity of the capital. They are only five kilometers away from us.”

“Everyone! Prepare for battle! Fortress guards, prepare your weapons, mages prepare your magic on the walls!” Lloyd urgently ordered his men.

An hour has passed since his talk with Genie. He already forgot her arrogant remarks and only remembered it after moving urgently like that. He could not help but burst into an outrageous laughter, “She’s the craziest out of all the crazy people out there. Only less than an hour had passed but the crazy bitch said that they would stop them for half a day?!”

King Lloyd sneered as he continued to move to the ramparts. However, the scene that greeted him brought him into great shock. This was because…

“Graaaaaaaaaa!!!”

…one existence was roaring loudly at the 20,000 strong troops in front of them. Genie, who was already standing on the ramparts, turned to look back at him and said, “Baroque Kingdom’s King Lloyd.”

“…!”

King Lloyd felt as if he was caught in a deathmatch, as his body started to tremble. He was speechless at the greatness of the existence in front of him.

“Do you know what kind of nation Beyond the Heavens Kingdom is now?” Genie scoffed at him as she said so. The huge creature roaring in front of the 20,000 strong troops was none other than…

“B, Black Dragon Vormon…?!”

…the greatest being on earth. Black Dragon Vormon had descended!

The 20,000 troops that were advancing suddenly stopped in their tracks. Then, suddenly, a huge force gathered at the mouth of Black Dragon Vormon high up in the sky. It was none other than his Dragon’s Breath.

Shwaaaaaaaaaaaaa—

A devastating disaster flew towards the 20,000 strong troops. Genie turned around and looked at the two people behind her. They were none other than the Painter Tower’s Tower Master Elise and the Tower of Knowledge’s Tower Master Jarrod. As it happened, Jarrod was the one that devised all of the strategies that they were enacting right now.