Gourmet Gaming

Ascar was able to grab onto the hilt of the bloody greatsword and inherit Asura’s power thanks to the help of her chosen helper, Minhyuk. She turned to look back at Minhyuk with a bright smile on her face. For some reason, she felt like she could tell him that she was Da-Sol, the girl that he helped in the past.

So, she slowly opened her mouth to say, “You know…”

However, when she turned around, Minhyuk was not there anymore. She could not even hide her disappointment.

“This…”

That was her chance. She thought that she might even be able to invite him to watch her walk in the fashion show. But it was all for naught. All she could do was stare blankly at the place where he disappeared from, for a long time.

***

A festive mood surrounded the entire Beyond the Heavens Kingdom because Ascar, the Ghost of the Battlefield, was able to successfully transfer to ‘God Class Asura’. Everyone congratulated her.

[Khan: Congratulations Ascar. It seems like the gap between us has widened again. ㅠㅠ]

[Vice Guild Master Genie: Congratulations dear ‘Scar~~ Your unnie loves you a lot~♥]

[Alicia: Ascar, congratulations.]

[Kaistra: Noona, congrats~ To congratulate you, I will wash your dishes for you if you have any.]

Ascar remained expressionless as she read her guild members’ congratulatory messages on her phone as she traveled the streets of New York.

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‘Thank you, everyone.’

She was definitely happy, but her face remained as expressionless as ever. It was strange, but Ascar kept on looking at her phone waiting for someone to send her a congratulatory message. And although it was just a little too late, she felt extremely nervous.

Then, the message came in.

[Guild Master Minhyuk: Congratulations Ascar!!! That was very, very cool! ^_^.]

Ascar looked at the message for a long time. It was definitely the same congratulatory message, just like the same message that others sent, but strangely enough, it could bring her mood up, and even bring it down at the same time.

‘What did I even expect?’

Ascar climbed the plane and sat on her first-class seat. Just before her plane to Paris took off, her phone rang. It was Genie.

“Hello.”

[‘Scar, are you not really going to tell the guild members?]

Genie was also invited to watch Designer Crystal’s Fashion Show, that was why Ascar told her in advance that she would be the one to walk the finale. Designer Crystal had always loved a very hot and secretive stage. That was the reason why the model that would walk the finale was not yet released to the media.

“It’s alright, unnie. Everyone’s busy.”

[That might be the case but… is that really alright?]

This was the problem of an introvert. Although it was definitely not okay, their mouth would always say something else.

“Yes.”

But deep inside, Ascar disagreed. Truth was, she really wanted everyone to watch her on stage and congratulate her. But she knew that everyone in Beyond the Heavens Kingdom was busy. She did not want to burden them at all. She was also afraid that they would not come, even if she extended her invitation because they were busy.

[Okay, I got it. I’ll see you later then.]

“Yes.”

Ascar looked at the window of the plane after the call ended.

‘But it’s not really okay at all…’

***

At Designer Crystal’s Fashion Show that was held every two years.

Crystal’s fashion shows created a lot of buzz and held as much weight as those luxury fashion shows like Gutti, Louis Vuittong and Channil[1]. After all, Crystal was one of the best designers that were recognized by the entire world. Those that participated in Crystal’s fashion show were world-class actors, singers, and models. Especially the finale, it was mostly done by the world’s top celebrities and had always exceeded everyone’s expectations.

Thousands of reporters from all over the world gathered at the fashion show’s venue. All of them were busy clicking their cameras and taking pictures of the world-class celebrities that were getting off of their luxurious sedans.

Click, click, click, click, click, click, click, click—

Countless cameras clicked away as the reporters talked among themselves.

“Do you know who will walk the finale this time?”

“I don’t, but Designer Crystal’s Fashion Show finale was always spectacular and beautiful. I can’t wait to see it, you know?”

Everyone, including the reporters, the celebrities invited to the fashion show and the viewers watching it on their screens, was curious about the person that would walk the fashion show’s finale.

“Huuuh? It’s, it’s Genie!!!”

“It’s Beyond the Heavens Kingdom’s Vice Guild Master Genie!!!”

At that moment, a huge uproar erupted among the reporters and the celebrities. The popularity of Athenae’s rankers had already reached the point where they exceeded most of the actors and top models. That was why there were many cases where popular world rankers even became actors or idols.

Among them, Genie or Im Jihye, the vice guild master of Beyond the Heavens Kingdom that was founded by a player, had an appearance that was on par, perhaps even greater than most actresses. Because of that, her appearance had created a huge buzz in the scene.

Click, click, click, click, click, click, click—

“M-maybe Genie’s a participant in this fashion show?”

“No way, are you telling me that she’s the finale?”

“Eyyy. No way.”

“If Genie’s here, does that then mean that the other guild members will also be here?”

“That’s crazy… Isn’t that going to be a huge scoop?”

The reporters talked with great fanfare and excitement. The Beyond the Heavens Kingdom’s guild members were all very influential people, both in their country and the world. It was not just Genie, someone that was famous for being a world-class fashionista; even the other members of the guild were well-known for their great fashion sense. In fact, most of them could create huge ripples with the items that they wore on their bodies.

What would happen if the Beyond the Heavens’ guild members gathered here?

“This will be the greatest fashion show among all of the fashion shows to have ever been held.”

But that was just something that was straight out of a fantasy. After all, all of their members were so busy with their own things that gathering in this place was almost impossible. But what if they really gathered here together?

“Can we even breathe if they are gathered here?”

None of them could deny what one of the reporters said.

***

Ascar, or Im Da-Sol, sat inside a special waiting room, quickly taking out some medicine from her handbag and gulping it down with some water. They were medications for the panic disorder that Da-Sol was suffering from. That was also one of the reasons why she was quiet even when in Beyond the Heavens Kingdom. Because she was suffering from such a disorder, she was trying to stay out of the public’s eye as much as possible. Thankfully, it was not that bad today.

Im Da-Sol hurriedly put away her pill box inside her handbag, just in time as a staff member came inside.

“Are the members of Beyond the Heavens not coming today?”

“…”

Da-Sol chewed on her lips. She had already heard that question from the staff at least thirty times today.

“Yes.”

“…Shit. I’m in trouble. The organizers were really looking forward to it.”

The staff member glanced at her and hurriedly went away. At this point, Da-Sol had started to notice something.

‘Don’t tell me…’

And in less than two minutes…

Knock, knock—

“Are the members of Beyond the Heavens not coming today?”

…Another staff member came in and asked. Only then did Da-Sol fully realize, ‘Maybe it’s not because of me but it’s because of Beyond the Heavens Kingdom…?’

“Why don’t you get out of here?!”

A man pulled the staff member’s arm and kicked them out of Da-Sol’s waiting room and entered the room himself. This man was the world-class designer, Crystal. Crystal, a middle-aged man dressed in a fancy white tuxedo and glamorous make-up, huffed as he stopped in front of Da-Sol.

“Nervous?”

“Yes, I’m nervous but…”

Crystal immediately noticed what was plaguing Da-Sol’s mind when he saw her hesitate. So, he shook his head and said, “That’s not it at all, Da-Sol. I never expected them to come at all. I chose you because I saw your video. Don’t even think about the nonsense that the others are saying.”

Crystal truly meant it. It was not him that wanted the members of Beyond the Heavens Kingdom, but the organizers. Crystal had chosen Da-Sol to walk his finale with utmost sincerity because he knew that she was a jewel that had yet to shine in the world. Still, despite Crystal’s recommendation, the organizers only accepted it in hopes that the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom would make their appearance.

“Just think about your walk and your performance. The whole world will definitely be surprised to see you on that stage.”

“…Alright,” Da-Sol nodded at Crystal’s sincerity. But after he left, Da-Sol could not hide how miserable she was feeling inside. Da-Sol stood up and went to the bathroom, letting out a trembling breath the moment she entered.

“Hoooo…”

While she was wiping her hands, a woman came inside accompanied by the loud clicks of her heels. The woman straightened her clothes and fixed her make-up before saying, “Everyone must be disappointed. After all, they set up Ascar as the finale only because of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom.”

“…?”

Da-Sol looked at the woman that was speaking sarcastically in confusion. When she turned around, she finally saw the face of the woman. She was a woman around 176 centimeters tall, with long wavy hair and a beautiful face. Her looks might not be as pretty as Da-Sol, but she was pretty enough. This woman was none other than Lee Ji-Hee, a Korean actress and a global star. She was also one of Da-Sol’s classmates back in elementary.

The most disgusting fact about her was the fact that she was the one that took the lead in bullying and isolating Da-Sol.

“In the first place, someone as unqualified as you will walk the finale? That’s ridiculous, even the people that would walk the same stage and the audience would find it ridiculous. They just gave it to you because of your background.”

Lee Ji-Hee’s voice was very aggressive. After all, she was expecting to be the very first Korean to walk Crystal’s finale. But Da-Sol? She was only known because she was Beyond the Heavens Kingdom’s Ascar. Also, she was someone that Lee Ji-Hee had easily bullied before. Since she could not say anything about it, Lee Ji-Hee was very furious. So, she took this opportunity to trample on Da-Sol and her confidence.

“What’s more, you’re just an ugly half-blood, you know?”

Half-blood. That was the word that Lee Ji-Hee used to bully Da-Sol in the past. Right now, Da-Sol’s beauty was dazzling, everyone who saw her would definitely find it to be indescribable. But every so often, there were people like Lee Ji-Hee who denied this fact and acted as if that was not the case, even going so far as to attack her.

Lee Ji-Hee caressed Da-Sol’s hair, making Da-Sol tremble.

“Oh my? Are you scared? Did you remember the past? Why don’t you cry like before and ask him to stop me? If you do that, then I’ll stop!”

Lee Ji-Hee cackled happily. She believed that she would be able to keep Da-Sol out of the stage if she could psych Da-Sol out. Then, she moved her index finger to poke Da-Sol’s forehead…

***

At the same time, at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.

A man in a suit led a group of thirty people, gaining the attention of everyone present.

“I, I have never seen an Asian like that before… He’s as tall as any European… even his features are very handsome…”

“What the hell? Is he a model?!”

Among them, someone looked at the rushing man and said, “The, the Food God…?”

“It’s, It’s Beyond the Heavens!!!”

Murmur, murmur—

The entire airport was in a buzz.

***

Just when Lee Ji-Hee’s index finger was about to touch Da-Sol’s forehead…

“Why are you shaking?”

“…?”

Lee Ji-Hee’s face changed rapidly after finally witnessing the sharp glare of Ascar, the woman hailed as the Ghost of the Battlefield. Her eyes were glinting sharply through the gaps of her silver hair. For a moment, chills ran down Lee Ji-Hee’s spine. Only then did she realize that something was wrong. But before it could fully settle in…

“I’m so glad that I can pay you back for everything back then.”

Da-Sol grabbed Ji-Hee’s finger and snapped it back.

Crack—

“Kyaaaack!!!” Lee Ji-Hee shrieked sharply. But Da-Sol did not stop. She raised her foot and kicked Lee Ji-Hee on the abdomen.

Kick—

“Ugh!”

Da-Sol watched Lee Ji-Hee roll on the floor while clutching her belly. Then, she grabbed one of the cups used for brushing teeth on the counter.

“D-do you think you’ll be fine after doing something like this?!”

Da-Sol’s face immediately turned cold after hearing Lee Ji-Hee’s words. She said, “No, not at all. In fact, I may not get out of this unscathed. But… what would happen to you? What would happen if what you did in the past gets out in the open?”

“…”

Lee Ji-Hee’s pupils started to shake. Da-Sol was not ashamed of her past. After all, Da-Sol had survived, got through her roughest patch, and came to this place. Then, Da-Sol tipped the filled cup in her hand over Lee Ji-Hee’s head.

Fwooooosh—

Clatter—

After throwing the plastic cup away, Da-Sol covered her mouth and said, “Oops. Sorry. It seems like you need to get your make-up done again.”

After doing all of that, Da-Sol turned around to leave the bathroom. Before she could do so, Lee Ji-Hee’s voice rang out, “You’re someone that can’t do anything without Beyond the Heavens Kingdom! Everyone will definitely laugh at you!!!”

“They can laugh all they want. I will still be the one to walk that stage.”

Da-Sol will soar brilliantly. That was about to start now.

1. With reference to luxury brands that we all know of. ☜