Gourmet Gaming

Among the country’s Athenae rankers, there were three women that could slap any celebrities on their faces with their beauties. One was Genie, Beyond the Heavens Kingdom’s Vice Guild Master, a woman that looked like a gentle and lovable puppy, but had a hot personality that could sear anyone with the curses that she could spit out.

Another was the assassin Lucia, a woman that showcased her body with clothes that fit perfectly, shaking the hearts of men with her graceful and lithe movements, akin to that of a cat.

Finally, there was the magic swordsman Alicia, a woman that had a body that was in perfect complement with her innocent face. All three of them happened to be acquaintances of the Food God. Because of this, many men in Korea had turned to calling the Food God a thief that must have saved a country in his previous life or a beauty villain.

Meanwhile, there was a woman that could stand shoulder to shoulder with these three women, but had always gotten less of the spotlight. People did not think of her as a beauty that was on par with the trio, since her face had always been covered by her dark and gloomy hairstyle.

But anyone that had seen her face up close would always say…

‘You’re a beauty that will not lose against Genie, Lucia and Alicia.’

‘I feel like my breath stopped for a moment when I saw you up close.’

This woman was none other than Ascar, the Ghost of the Battlefield. She, a player that used two katanas, was also one of the well-known dealers, in Beyond the Heavens Kingdom. The people of Beyond the Heavens Kingdom had always raised their thumbs at her brilliant swordsmanship and relentless assaults. Ascar’s real name was Im Da-Sol.

And right now, she was riding on an elevator on the way to her room. Im Da-Sol had been living in and moving around several hotels in the country. Despite her beauty, her silver hair styled in a bob-cut gave off a gloomy and dreary aura to her body.

Once she reached the top floor, Da-Sol entered her hotel room and tied her hair up in a ponytail, completely revealing her face. Da-Sol’s blue eyes added a layer of light on her beauty. Even her straight nose, sharp jawline and striking western features were very impressive. Anyone who had seen Da-Sol’s face that was hidden beneath her hair would fall in love with her half-Korean, half-American features. In fact, even those from Beyond the Heavens Kingdom have rarely seen her smile.

But now, in her privacy, she was smiling a bit.

“Thank you… for the things back then and for the things now too.”

Da-Sol looked at the table where there was a picture showing a bunch of eleven year old kids in a class. In the picture, Da-Sol was standing by herself toward the far right corner with an awkward “V” sign on her hands.

As a mixed-race child, she was often bullied at school. Back then, the children, despite not knowing anything, hated her for her platinum hair and western features. The worst part? She was also an introverted child. But in this photo that involved the darkest memories of her childhood, stood her light. Behind Da-Sol’s awkward “V” was a boy with the same “V” sign raised by his side and a bright smile on his face.

And this child’s name was… Minhyuk.

However, Da-Sol knew that Minhyuk did not remember her since the boy transferred schools after just a year, barely completing their third year in school. Even though Minhyuk was still young back then, he had talked and helped Da-Sol a lot. There was one time when Minhyuk came inside the science room where Da-Sol was hiding and saw her crying her heart out after being bullied by her own ‘friends’.

‘Why do my friends hate me?’

‘I don’t think they hate you, I think it’s more of jealousy?’

‘Jealousy…?’

‘I think the other kids are jealous of you because you’re very tall and you have a pretty face. Yeah. They’re jealous because you’re pretty.’

‘Me?’

Da-Sol had always been called an ugly girl by her friends. But the truth was, ever since her childhood, she had boasted a doll-like appearance.

‘That’s right. So you should be confident. I think you’re going to be very famous, Da-Sol.’

A smile always curled at the corners of Da-Sol’s lips whenever that memory flashed in her mind. Just like other children, Da-Sol had written ‘model’, ‘Miss Korea’, ‘celebrity’ and even ‘announcer’ as her childhood dreams.

The young Da-Sol had asked Minhyuk back then, ‘Did you know that I wanted to be a model?’

‘Nope~? I totally did not have an idea, you know? I just thought that you would be famous when I saw you. It’s because you’re pretty. I can already imagine it. Ten years from now, you will be surrounded with friends and will be a subject of everyone’s envy as a very beautiful woman. You can definitely be a world-famous model. Once the time comes, I will go and see your fashion show. So, don’t pretend that you don’t know me and make sure to give me an autograph. Okay? It’s a promise!’

‘Y… yeah.’

One might think that being a model was just one of many girls’ dreams but right there on Da-Sol’s table was a contract with Designer Crystal’s Fashion Show, a contract for her participation. While she was taking her modeling classes, she took the time to send a video of her walk to one of the world-class designers, Crystal, and won the right to participate in said designer’s fashion show.

‘You might not remember but…’

Da-Sol remembered Minhyuk, but it seemed like the man did not remember her at all. Even if that were the case, Da-Sol just hoped that she could still protect Minhyuk silently. So, she accessed the game under the name Ascar. Once she entered the game, Ascar looked down at the red ring in her hands.

Asura’s Successor’s Ring, an item that contained a shocking, amazing power, that would allow the item user to inherit Asura’s powers.

‘Ascar, I believe you’re the best fit to become the owner of this ring.’

Minhyuk had received all of their guild members’ consent prior to giving her this ring. Then, he said, ‘If, by any chance, Asura’s Successor’s Ring imposes a ridiculous penalty, you can choose to disregard it. Make sure to not push yourself too hard.’

Minhyuk expressed his worries as he handed the ring to her. The price to pay to inherit such a strong power could definitely be ridiculous. However…

‘I want to stay silently by your side, Minhyuk.’

Ascar liked him, but she did not have the courage to be bold and appeal to him, in the ways Genie, Alicia and Lucia did and were still doing. So, she decided to just do it her own way and silently protect him.

[You will now inherit Asura’s power.]

[You have to undergo a trial to inherit Asura’s power.]

[If you fail the trial, your level will reset to Level 1.]

[Even if you succeed in the trial, your level will go down by half.]

[However, you will be able to completely get the Slaughterer God’s powers.]

It would be disadvantageous for Ascar in the short term, but would definitely bring her great benefits in the long run. Ascar did not hesitate.

“Start the trial.”

Today was the day when someone struggled and desperately fought to gain more power, in order to protect Minhyuk.

***

The Overlord. The Absolute Monarch. The One that surpassed the Sword Saint. However, no matter the words and expressions they used to describe Raldo, it was never enough. Raldo was such a king. Right now, this very same Raldo, whose eyes had turned pitch black, was staring at Minhyuk.

Minhyuk gulped dryly as he looked at Raldo warily.

Then, Raldo murmured, “I hate you. I hate you for succumbing to your lunacy, killing your retainers and putting the people of the kingdom in danger.”

Raldo was currently not in the right state of mind. It seemed like he was not looking at Minhyuk but at his father, Ravanberg.

“That’s why you should die.”

Vwoooooooong—

Raldo dashed toward Minhyuk. They were currently stuck inside this small and narrow space which made it more unfavorable for Minhyuk.

‘What the hell is this speed?! How can he be so fast?’

Minhyuk was beyond shocked when he saw Raldo’s speed. It was a speed that he could not avoid at all. Minhyuk quickly held his sword with both hands to block the incoming attack. Then…

Baaaaaaaaaaaaaang—

A huge shock traveled from Minhyuk’s arms and made him fly back and slam into the transparent barrier.

“Keuhaaaaaack!”

The immense power that traveled in Minhyuk’s body was astonishing. However, that was not the only shocking thing.

[You have received an attack from the Warrior God’s Sword.]

[Even if you did not receive the attack directly, the Warrior God’s Sword will still be able to inflict damage on you.]

“This is too ridiculous!!!”

He had already stopped the sword attack but he still received damage? As if to prove the truth of the matter, Minhyuk suddenly felt the pain from the damage caused by his sword colliding with Raldo’s sword, on his chest. However, Raldo did not give him any time to breathe. He immediately attacked Minhyuk once again.

‘Let’s try to avoid it this time.’

Minhyuk needed to test the waters with Raldo first. He immediately escaped Raldo’s greatsword with a slight twist of his body but…

[You have received an attack from the Warrior God’s Sword.]

[Even if you did not receive the attack directly, the Warrior God’s Sword will still be able to inflict damage on you.]

“…”

Minhyuk was speechless. He was able to avoid Warrior God’s Raldo’s sword attack by ten centimeters, but still received damage? On top of that, Raldo’s sword was swift and concise. Minhyuk could not even read the flow of his sword at all.

‘What the hell?!’

Minhyuk was obviously a figure that was on par with an Olympic Gold Medalist in terms of swordsmanship and kendo. But even though he was hailed as a genius in swordsmanship, he could not keep up with Raldo’s amazing sword skills and techniques.

‘This is the Warrior God…!’

Minhyuk immediately used ‘Like the Wind’ to escape the approaching Raldo. After widening the distance between them by a meter, Minhyuk immediately twisted his body to avoid the trajectory of the attack. But just like before…

[You have received an attack from the Warrior God’s Sword.]

[Even if you did not receive the attack directly, the Warrior God’s Sword will still be able to inflict damage on you.]

His body still received damage even though he avoided the attack.

‘I have to ignore the damage.’

If Minhyuk ignored the damage, then he would probably have a chance of winning. Of course, the amount of damage that Raldo could deal was so large that Minhyuk could not actually ignore it, but there was no other choice. After deciding to ignore the damage, Minhyuk looked at Raldo with a wide smile on his face as he stabbed his sword on the ground and sent an attack. But Raldo grabbed his sword.

“You, you’ll stop it?”

Based on Minhyuk’s calculation the attack that he sent just now was something that could not be prevented but Raldo just grabbed the sword in his hand and twisted his body away. Then, Raldo immediately cut his body horizontally with his great sword!

Slash!

[You have received an attack from the Warrior God’s Sword.]

[You have received a direct attack from the Warrior God’s Sword. You will receive 300% more damage!]

“Keuhaaaaaaaack!”

Even if the attack failed, the receiver would receive 50% of the damage but if the attack succeeded then the attack would deal six times more damage than that. Minhyuk’s HP had fallen by 8% despite wearing a God-rank artifact, the Slaughterer’s Armor. Minhyuk immediately cast his Sword of Absolute Death, a skill that he saved with his ‘Save’ skill, to stop Raldo from approaching.

[Sword of Absolute Death]

[The first sword strike will hit your enemy with a 100% chance and an additional 700% damage as long as they are within four meters of you. The opponent that received the first sword strike will receive seven consecutive attacks with 500% additional damage and will fall into a stunned state for three seconds.]

[Hundreds of blades with 200% additional damage will shoot out and dance around to destroy and devour your enemies. A direct hit will cause a powerful explosion that will deal an additional 500% damage.]

The most ridiculous effect of the Sword of Absolute Death was that its first strike has a 100% chance of hitting the target.

Slash!

Raldo stumbled after receiving the attack directly. He was also put into a stunned state after seven consecutive hits with additional 500% damage struck him.

Slash, slash, slash, slash, slash, slash—

Raldo flinched from the damages caused by the seven consecutive hits. It was even accompanied by a three-second stunned state. Seeing this, Minhyuk immediately fired sword lights toward Raldo, bombarding the king with hundreds, if not thousands, of sword attacks. The problem was…

Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang—

Except for the first strike, none of the sword lights pierced through Raldo’s defense.

‘What the hell?! Is he a monster?’

Just when Minhyuk was about to send another attack, the stunned state was lifted and Raldo drew an arc with the tip of his sword as he pulled it out of the ground.

“Wave’s Rage.”

Shwaaaaaaaa—

Then, at that moment, a gigantic wave made of swordlights appeared in the narrow space and devoured Minhyuk.

[Your HP has decreased by 7%.]

[Your HP has decreased by 6%.]

[Your HP has decreased by 8%.]

[Your HP has...]

[He Who Overcomes.]

[Your HP has increased to 1. You are now invincible for 3 seconds.]

When you're just trying to make great content at bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

[All of your abilities will increase by 30% for 3 seconds.]

Minhyuk was forced to utilize the special effect and the most ridiculous skill of Ellie’s Kitchen Knife. It only took three minutes to happen. Then, Minhyuk thought, ‘I can’t beat him like this. What can I do against that tremendous attack damage as well as the damage that comes in even if I evade or block the attack?’

Then, Minhyuk saw Raldo approaching him once again.

‘He’s too fast…!’

No matter what he tried to do, the attack would be inevitable. He originally wanted to take the trailer out but he had to stop his body from incurring any more damage so he immediately cast a skill that would help him do so.

“Let’s Have a Meal!”

Then, a huge barrier appeared and protected his body. Meanwhile, Evan, who saw everything unfold, could not help but frown, “Let’s, let’s have a meal?”

“It’s one of His Majesty’s ultimate skills. He becomes stronger after eating something there.”

“…”

Kimaris gave such a brief explanation that Evan, who heard it, wondered what nonsense he was spouting.

‘How could someone grow stronger after just eating something? And even if he got a bit stronger, would it make any difference?’

“I’m helpless against His Majesty Raldo. He’s so strong that even if Sword Emperor Ellie and I worked together, we would still remain helpless against him.”

Raldo might not be an Absolute Supreme NPC, his skills and efforts were so fraudulent that his power could rival one. So what could Minhyuk do against His Majesty Raldo?

‘It would already be amazing if he could block His Majesty’s attacks.’

Evan was very thankful that the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom’s King was fighting for them but to say that he would get stronger after eating something? Did they think that he was a child that could be fooled like that? In fact, the Beyond the Heavens’ King, who looked like he was about to die a bit earlier, was now eating happily with a bright smile on his face.

When the Let’s Have a Meal’s barrier was released, Evan said, “This may be rude to the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom’s King but gaining strength after eating… uhm… even if he gains more strength, he would still be helpless against His Majesty Raldo…”

Just when Evan finished his words…

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang—

“…?!”

A strong blast of wind slammed into Raldo making him crash into the transparent wall, his body sliding down on the floor.

“Urk!”

Raldo even vomitted a mouthful of blood.

‘He, he really got stronger after having one meal?!’

It was not just a bit too. He became much stronger!