Gourmet Gaming

[Achieving an Easter Egg has made your buff abilities even more special!]

[You have completed the Braised Pork Ribs!]

[Extreme Trance. It is a dish that has your ‘Excitement’, ‘Will to Eat Something Delicious’, and ‘Realization to Return to Your Roots’ poured into it!]

[Due to the effects of Extreme Trance, the buff effect has improved greatly.]

[You have cooked using Ravier’s Bizarre Cauldron.]

[The buffed dish’s effects will increase by 15%.]

[Legendary Grade.]

[All stats…]

[All skills…]

[Physical Attack Power…]

[HP and MP…]

[Skill…]

The notifications rang constantly in Minhyuk’s ears. However, they were completely ignored, as his eyes were focused on the steaming braised pork ribs in front of him.

The steaming, well-seasoned braised pork ribs had been boiled down well in the Bizarre Cauldron. The meat looked extremely tender, and the potatoes right next to the meat looked like they had soaked up the sauce well. Minhyuk could not help but swallow back his saliva just by looking at it.

‘The most delicious braised pork ribs in the world.’

Yes, this was the braised pork ribs that he made, with only the thought of making it the most delicious. However, unlike Minhyuk’s happy and delighted smile, the troops of the Rothschilde Kingdom were very disappointed.

‘In the end, a God-grade dish did not appear.’

‘What could the dish’s grade be?’

When a God-grade item or dish was created, a pillar of light would fall down from the sky. Seeing that no pillar of light came to be, it was safe to say that Minhyuk failed to make a God-grade dish.

‘Even if he made a legendary-grade dish, will it even have effects that can reverse the tides of this challenge?’

Lesso believed that they needed at least a God-grade dish to survive safely inside the Tomb of the Kings. Right then, at that moment, they received worse news.

[All of the kings inside the Tomb of the Kings have awakened!]

[All of the kings inside the Tomb of the Kings have started to summon their armies!]

[All of the kings inside the Tomb of the Kings have started to charge and eliminate the intruders!]

[Challengers must survive for thirty minutes from the attacks of all of the kings.]

[You will be able to receive rewards after surviving for thirty minutes.]

[However, if you succeed in defeating all of the kings, you will receive a special reward!]

“…!”

The Rothschilde Kingdom’s troops became nervous about this unexpected turn of events. Based on what they had experienced so far, the Tomb of the Kings only allowed them to encounter the soldiers and knights of several outstanding kingdoms. They had not yet encountered and fought with a king directly. However, from the notifications, all of the kings were now charging toward them. They would even arrive with all their troops.

‘Shit…’ Lesso’s expression turned ugly. ‘If we succeed in defeating all of the kings, then we will receive a special reward?’

That was absolutely impossible. It was already a miracle if they could survive for thirty minutes, how would such a feat be possible? Amidst all that, Minhyuk activated his skill.

[Everyone’s Happiness.]

[One bowl of dish has turned into ten.]

Minhyuk’s Everyone’s Happiness could feed a total of ten people. One bowl was for himself, while the rest was for Calauhel, Lesso and the other high rankers.

“What is the grade of the dish?”

“Legendary grade,” Minhyuk answered Lesso’s question bluntly and briefly.

It was something that Lesso had expected, but he still felt the disappointment growing in him. Nevertheless, Lesso knew that he had to eat this meal quickly so he could increase the chances of their survival.

“Everyone, please hang in there while we eat this meal.”

“We understand.”

The royal army answered with firm determination when they heard Lesso’s orders.

Lesso, who was about to eat his food, suddenly thought of looking at Minhyuk.

“…”

He was left completely speechless. It was because Minhyuk was smiling happily at the braised pork ribs in front of him as though he had not a care in the world.

***

There was a bright smile blooming on Minhyuk’s face as he looked at the braised pork ribs served in an earthen pot in front of him. There was also a bowl of warm rice and a variety of side dishes placed around the earthen pot.

‘The braised pork ribs are enough for a meal. But it’s better to eat it like this. It’s more yummy this way.’

Minhyuk liked to eat his meals properly, even if he was only going to be able to eat them once. So, he pulled out a bowl of boiling doenjjang jjigae, seaweed, and a serving of japchae from his inventory and set it on the table.

After he finished the set up, he first grabbed a piece of braised pork ribs, bit on the meat and pulled the bone away. The braised pork ribs, which had been cooked well through varying heat inside the cauldron, easily gave way and separated from the bones.

Munch—

The moment he chewed the meat, the savory and sweet flavor of the meat spread gently in his mouth.

“Wow, it’s melting. It’s melting.”

These were the only words that Minhyuk could use to describe the sensation in his mouth. Minhyuk quickly grabbed a pork rib in each hand and tore it apart with his teeth.

After that, he grabbed his spoon and scooped up a mouthful of steaming rice in his mouth. The warm, well-cooked rice tasted sweet and delightful. Then, he immediately grabbed some braised pork meat and crammed it together with the rice in his mouth.

“Kghhk! This is amazing! Amazing!”

This time, he turned his attention to the potatoes. He placed the fluffy and well-seasoned potatoes on top of his rice and sprinkled a few spoonfuls of the braised pork ribs’ sauce on top. Then, he crushed the potatoes and mixed them together with the sauce and the rice. He felt nothing but awe when he placed the mix of rice, potatoes and sauce in his mouth.

Then, he took a sip of the spicy and savory doenjang jjigae.

“Wahahahaha!”

Shouts of awe and admiration came out of Minhyuk’s mouth. The braised pork ribs, which had achieved the Easter Egg: The World’s Most Delicious Dish, was truly the best braised pork ribs that Minhyuk had ever tasted in his life.

Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud—

Loud footsteps began to ring and resonate in the area as Minhyuk ate his meal happily.

***

Special Players Management Team.

Lee Minhwa immediately went to report to Team Leader Park Minggyu after she saw the notifications on the monitor. “Team Leader! All of the kings inside the Tomb of the Kings have awakened!”

“What?” Team Leader Park rushed to look at the monitor. “No way. Did Eight Pillars Aegaeon get temporarily awakened?”

Lee Minhwa nodded, which made Park Minggyu’s expression turn somber. The Tomb of the Kings was a place that should not have been explored yet. However, the players had always moved beyond the expectations of the operators of Joy Co. Ltd.

The release of the opponents inside the Tomb of the Kings should have been a sequential process. However, while that was the case, the current level of players could not handle the level of difficulty of the tomb, not to mention if only one or two kings and their troops appeared. But right now, all of them had appeared.

“Thirty minutes. To be honest… I think it’s impossible for them to survive there for thirty minutes.”

“But… If they can endure for that long, then they would be able to obtain huge rewards, no?”

That was right. Those who would be able to endure and hold on until the end of that half hour would be able to receive enormous rewards. Of course, there were conditions.

“Only those that have given up on the King Above Kings’ class will be able to receive a more special reward.”

“…Player Minhyuk has given up on the King Above Kings’ class.”

Team Leader Park’s worries had now turned into reality. Actually, Park Minggyu was aware that Minhyuk did not really need the King Above Kings. He already guessed that he would give it up because of that.

“The one that gives up on the King Above Kings and the one that destroys and tramples on all of the kings instead of just holding on and enduring will be able to receive the special power of one of the Eight Pillars.”

That was not all.

“They will also be able to get the special army of the God of All Kings Aegaeon.”

There was one important fact that one had to know.

“It will be impossible even if Player Minhyuk is present there.”

Lee Minhwa shook her head and said, “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

“Why?”

“Player Minhyuk has cooked a meal.”

“…”

Player Minhyuk’s dishes had always exceeded expectations, not to mention if it were a God-grade dish.

“Is it God-grade?”

“No. It's a Legendary grade.”

“So, it is.”

‘It’s just a legendary grade dish then?’

If so, its effects would not be enough to allow the Rothschilde Kingdom’s army to pull their foot off of the grave.

Lee Minhwa, who looked at the relief that flashed across Team Leader Park’s face, said, “But there’s a problem.”

“What is it again?”

“The legendary grade dish is somewhat special.”

***

The ten people, including Minhyuk, hurriedly ate their meals as the footsteps echoed louder and louder inside the Tomb of the Kings.

[The mages of the best Mage Kingdom, Abannon, have appeared!]

[Mage King Imperio has appeared!]

[Mage King Imperio. Level 595.]

[Mages. Level 497.]

[The knights of the Kenperoe Kingdom, the kingdom known for their outstanding sword masters, have appeared!]

[Sword King Carman has appeared!]

[Sword King Carman. Level 601.]

[Knights. Level 511.]

[The elite soldiers raised by the Tyrant have appeared…]

[The archers protected by the God of Archery have appeared…]

The notifications rang constantly in their ears. The surviving troops of the Rothschilde Kingdom immediately took a step forward and protected those that were eating behind them.

It sounded like there were a hundred people, maybe even a thousand people. Or perhaps there were five thousand or more? Powerful and strong enemies constantly appeared until their numbers could not be predicted anymore.

“Hold on for just a bit longer!!!” Calauhel ordered them. He hoped that they would be able to endure until they finished eating.

However, the morale of the players, NPC soldiers, and even the mercenaries had dropped to an all-time low after seeing the extremely high level of the opponents that appeared in front of them.

‘This is the true appearance of the Tomb of the Kings.’

‘Can we even last for thirty minutes?’

Thirty minutes? It looked like they would only last for five minutes.

“Until the end!!!” However, Ruman, the proud knight commander of the Rothschilde Kingdom, held his sword tightly and shouted. He would fight until his death.

There were only around 1,000 troops left in the Rothschilde Kingdom’s army. On the other hand, more than ten kings, whose levels averaged at Level 600, had made their appearance, together with 10,000 of their soldiers, whose levels averaged at Level 500.

Even so, Ruman charged forward. At that moment, Mage King Imperio’s staff burst into a bright light and triggered dozens of magic in quick succession.

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang—!

The mages immediately followed after him and sent attacks toward the soldiers of the Rothschilde Kingdom. The few remaining mages and tankers of the Rothschilde Kingdom hurriedly used their shield magic and physical shields to ward off the attacks.

Immediately after that, Sword King Carman jumped in the ranks of the Rothschilde Kingdom’s army.

Slash, slash, slash, slash—

One swing of his sword and several soldiers were cut down. That was not all. The archers protected by the God of Archery sent a rain of arrows in the sky that pierced the bodies of the soldiers accurately with their 100% accuracy rate.

Lesso watched the knights and soldiers charging forward despite the arrows that pierced through their bodies. He could tell that they were squeezing the last of their strength to fight. However, with just one swing from Sword King Carman’s sword, they succumbed to their deaths.

“…”

Lesso was also eating braised pork ribs. However, he just could not swallow it down.

‘Legendary grade…’

It was definitely an amazing dish. However, Food God Minhyuk had asked them for quite a lot of things earlier while declaring that he could save everyone here with great confidence. Of course, the situation took a turn for the worse, and the reality in front of them was terrifying. Their allies and comrades were fighting desperately and resisting with all their might, yet they could only die a helpless and vain death. Yet, Minhyuk merely brought forth a mere legendary dish?

‘Did he think that we could beat them with just a legendary-grade dish?’

It was absolutely impossible, ridiculous even. It would be better for them to put down their chopsticks, stop eating their meals, and fight fiercely alongside their comrades.

“Food God!!! What the hell is wrong with you, huh?! Looking so happy and delighted there?!!!”

“…”

“Are you telling us to eat this meal when the situation is already like this?!!!”

Just like Calahuel, Lesso had also realized the importance of NPCs. The man in front of him had spoken confidently as if he could save them. That was why he could not help but look at him in resentment when people kept on dying.

“Legendary? What the f*ck?! Yes, it’s a great dish, but do you think that a dish at that level can save us and give His Majesty Calauhel the power to overcome all of those kings, huh?!!!”

Lesso slowly stood up from his seat. He would rather fight beside them until the very end than put his bet on this dish. He was aware that he would not be able to defeat even a single of the kings over there even though he was among the top high rankers. However, he’d rather die fighting until the very end.

However, Minhyuk grabbed Lesso, who was about to jump into the fray, by the collar and said, “Hey, you bastard. You’ve been annoying me since earlier. “

“…?”

Lesso was taken aback when Minhyuk’s dignity and majesty as a king suddenly erupted violently. Just a few moments earlier, the man had been showing a pure and happy smile as he cooked and ate his dish. But now, he was met with an overwhelming charisma that exploded without warning. Then, Minhyuk slapped Lesso.

Smaaaaaack—

“Keok?!” Lesso groaned, his hand reaching out to cover his face as he was sent flying back from the force of the slap.

“I did not like your attitude from the very beginning.”

Minhyuk truly did not like Lesso, who had been arguing about a lot of things since earlier. Of course, Lesso also hated Minhyuk, thinking that he was trying to mislead them with his lies.

“F*cking bastard. Open those eyes and look carefully.”

“…?”

Lesso was confused. Then, he saw Calauhel step forward after eating his meal. There was also a warm and happy smile directed toward Minhyuk on his face. Then, an unbelievable set of notifications rang in his ears.

[Your King, Calauhel, has transcended the limits of a human being!]

[…Calauhel…limits of a human being!]

[…Calauhel…limits of a human being!]

While the notifications rang constantly in his ears, he saw a black stream of energy flow out of Calauhel’s body. This was obviously the effect of the dish that he ate. Then, Calauhel pointed his sword toward Sword King Carman.

“The One Who Yields.”

The One Who Yields was one of Calauhel’s skills that could send out a beam of light that would pierce through his opponents. The light would explode and devour an entire area with a radius of ten meters.

Lesso still shook his head. He knew that Calauhel’s ‘The One Who Yields’ would not work on the Sword King Carman.

Baaaaaaaaaaang—

However, a beam of light that was several times thicker than usual shot out from Calauhel’s sword toward Sword King Carman. The Sword King hurriedly swung his sword and tried to slash the attack apart. Alas, Calauhel’s skill was faster. It pierced through the Sword King’s body and exploded.

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

The explosion engulfed an area with a 50-meter radius and devoured around 500 enemy troops all at once.

“Gulp.”

Lesso could not understand what was happening for a moment. What did Calauhel do for him to become like that? The only thing that he did was to eat the dish given to them. But how could this happen after eating a mere dish? Lesso, who caught sight of Minhyuk’s gaze, hurriedly rushed to his braised pork ribs and began to cram the few remaining pieces of ribs in his mouth.

As he finished his meal, his guild members grew stronger one after another and even transcended the limits of a human being. Levar, the Rothschilde Kingdom’s greatest mage, flew to the sky after finishing his meal and began to shoot magic toward the Mage King.

“Urk…”

Surprisingly enough, the one that fell and collapsed on the ground was the Mage King. Mage Levar was only at Level 485 and had a hundred-level difference with the Mage King.

Seeing this, Lesso could not help but hurriedly cram the last piece of the braised pork ribs in his mouth. Then, the notifications rang in his ears.

[You have eaten the Braised Pork Ribs.]

[Legendary Grade.]

[Due to the effects of the Bizarre Cauldron, the buff effects have increased by 15%.]

[The Easter Egg ‘Most Delicious Dish in the World’ has increased the buff effects by 20%.]

[Due to the effects of Extreme Trance, the buff effects have increased by 15%.]

[All of your stats have increased by 34%.]

[All of your skills’ level has increased by +3.]

[Your physical and magical attack have increased by 22%.]

[Your physical and magical defenses have increased by 40%.]

[Your resistance against abnormal status has increased by 50%.]

[Your HP and MP has returned to 100%.]

[Your skill cooldown has been reset.]

[The effect ‘black stream of energy’ has been activated.]

Lesso had seen the power of a God-grade buffed dish once on the internet. This legendary-grade dish did not pale in comparison to the effects of that dish.

Then, Minhyuk stood in front of him and said, “You better fix that attitude. Understand?”

Only then did Lesso realize that whatever the dish may be, whether it was legendary grade or God-grade, as long as it passed by Minhyuk’s hands, its effects would be amazing.

Lesso answered politely, “…Yes. I understand.”