Gourmet Gaming

There was a man that became the most famous person in the world in just a few days. He was none other than Minhyuk from the virtual reality game, Athenae.

Donating 100 billion won, which was a huge amount of money, was enough to grab even the attention of those that were not interested in Athenae. Most would have clicked on his name at least once on the portal sites. Minhyuk’s current value was astronomical. Even the fact that he was able to overcome his eating addiction was stirring the hearts of the people. On top of that, he was known as a good man.

Such a promising man was currently in front of Kim Heung-Soo asking, “Got a problem with that?”

“…”

Kim Heung-Soo was the type of person that climbed to where he was because their company suddenly did well. Such a person usually believed that they were either the king or the god of this world.

That was why, Kim Heung-Soo, intimidated as he might be, stuttered, “How dare you speak informally?! You’re still young and immature! Do you think you can curse at your VIPs?!”

Indeed, Kim Heung-Soo was a VIP at the Royal Department Store and he had his own pride too.

“No, aren’t you the president of this department store? Does the president even have the right to tell your employees to curse at their VIPs?!!!”

This novel is available on bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

At that question, Minhyuk looked back at all of his employees and executives. “I’m a president but I can’t even protect my own people? What kind of president would I be if I can’t even do something like that?”

Minhyuk’s voice turned cold as he slowly exuded the charisma that a king in Athenae could show.

“What the hell? Just for one employee…”

“The Ilhwa Group is a group that got to where it is today because of each and every single one of our employees.”

Kim Heung-Soo gulped dryly at Minhyuk’s words.

“The only reason you have reached such a place and standing is also because of your employees. Offended? Then, go ahead and spread rumors,” Minhyuk said as he glanced at the CCTV. “I will make sure to respond accordingly with our legal team.”

“…”

Kim Heung-Soo was left speechless.

There was no one that could win against Ilhwa Group’s legal team in the country. When it came to matters regarding Minhyuk, each and every single member of the legal team would want to step up.

Kim Heung-Soo could only stand there in a daze, his mouth opening and closing without any sound coming out of it.

Seeing him hesitate, Minhyuk said, “Scram.”

“…!”

Kim Heung-Soo hurriedly packed his used shoes and scrambled away.

Im Yoon-ah could only stare at Minhyuk with an open mouth of her own, when she saw him step up for the employees.

‘Ah…’

She recalled the conversation that she had with her manager before.

—President Kang Minhyuk told us to speak informally when a customer speaks informally and curse when they curse at us. But do you think that will work in reality?

—It will all be over for us once we receive complaints.

—We will definitely become bums.

Then, Minhyuk looked back at the executives and said, “Are the VIPs of the department store all like this?”

“…”

“…”

His words made the proud and arrogant executives speechless.

“Make sure you investigate the customers’ complaints thoroughly. If it’s the customer’s fault and they call out and force my employees to apologize again then I won’t stay still.”

“We understand.”

The executives answered with their heads down. Then, Minhyuk turned his head again.

Im Yoon-Ah and Minhyuk were of the same age. However, even though they were the same age, the man in front of him showed a completely different demeanor. She watched as Minhyuk recalled the majestic and charismatic expression that he displayed earlier, before replacing it with a soft and gentle smile, one that enchanted Im Yoon-Ah.

Then, he spoke warmly, “It seems like it’s going to snow on Christmas.”

He smiled brightly as he pocketed his hands and led the executives out of the store. The scene left Im Yoon-Ah, who could not take her eyes off of him, in a daze for a very long time.

***

Ilhwa Group.

The executives of Ilhwa Group sitting inside the meeting room were flustered and at a loss. It was all because of the global company Aepel’s buyer, Michael.

“I’ll admit that Ilhwa is at the top of South Korea and is a company that produces excellent products. However, Aepel is looking for a company that will work with us for a long time to come.”

Everyone shut their mouths at the words of Michael, the white-haired American that sat in front of them with his legs crossed.

They could easily deduce the meaning of Michael’s words. ‘Do you think the future of Ilhwa is bright?’

Ilhwa Group’s future was yet to be determined. Right now, Minhyuk was left in charge of their best and biggest department store in Korea to prepare him as the successor. However, that alone was not enough for them.

A rare disease was like a ticking time bomb. Even more so in cases where there had been no precedent of someone making a full and complete recovery.

Because of that, Michael judged that a contract with Ilhwa Group with Minhyuk as its successor would be impossible. After all, their future would be unstable. Besides, companies located in Japan could easily produce products of the same quality as those produced by Ilhwa Group.

“If something happens and he’s the one sitting on top of Ilhwa Group, then you will all be left in shambles.” Michael stood up and buttoned his coat. “I’ll be on my way then.”

The executives of Ilhwa Group clicked their tongues when they heard his firm refusal. Among them was Park Munsoo.

“This is a big deal. Ilhwa Group will be able to build a more solid and sturdy foundation if we can sign a contract with Aepel.”

No company was permanent. In fact, there were plenty of companies that had collapsed during the IMF crisis. However, it would be different if Ilhwa could sign a contract with Aepel.

Park Munsoo sighed, a bitter smile flashing on his face. ‘Minhyuk, things aren’t going smoothly.’

***

Michael, a major executive of Aepel, climbed inside a black sedan. Even though he was in a high position, there was only one car that accompanied him. Michael usually acted from the shadows. He might be an executive of a global leading company but his face was unknown to many.

“We will go back to America right away after having our meal.”

“…In the end, you won’t be signing a contract with Ilhwa Group?”

Ilhwa Group was the best company in Korea. The quality of their products was excellent and their staff performed well.

“We cannot invest in a company, whose future we cannot ascertain.”

Michael was very firm in this decision when it came to the contract. In fact, there was actually one more reason why he turned them down instantly.

“Daddy, are we going to meet the Food God?”

“…Isn’t the Food God playing his game right now? Don’t you think so too, princess?”

There was a little girl, who was wearing a beanie on her head, sitting next to Michael. Even though she was already nine years old, the girl was much shorter than her peers. In fact, even the size of her head and her hands were quite small.

Progeria. This was a very rare disease, and people often said, ‘A child that ages quickly and becomes old.’

Michael was a pragmatic person. As someone whose daughter had a rare disease, he knew better than anyone how hard it was to find treatment and cure such diseases.

Even so, Michael still loved his dear daughter Amy wholeheartedly. Amy was born in his later years. However, after they found out that Amy was plagued with progeria, his wife grew unwell from various stress factors. Eventually, she succumbed to her death after being exposed to another disease.

The child, thinner as she may be when compared to others, was the apple of his eyes. Michael knew that she would not be with him for a long time. And due to his realist nature, such thoughts made his heart break.

Patients diagnosed with progeria were said to have an average life expectancy of around thirteen years.

“Aha! Is he really in the middle of a game now? Daddy, I also want to taste the dishes that the Food God makes!”

“…So do I, my lovely daughter.” Michael smiled bitterly as he kissed his daughter on her forehead. “How about eating a delicious meal with daddy in the highest place in the country today?”

“Hmm… It’s a pity. But I’ll do it if daddy wants to do it!”

Michael smiled at the ever considerate Amy, who did not even complain once, and said, “Please go to Ilhwa Tower.”

Ilhwa Tower was the tallest building in Korea and it was constructed by Ilhwa Group. From what Michael knew, it had around 140 floors.

As their black car headed for Ilhwa Tower, Amy said, “Will it snow in Korea today?”

***

There was a special restaurant located on the 135th floor of Ilhwa Tower. The restaurant was created using a very small space on the 135th floor and only served three tables.

Even though the space was small, its view was the best. In fact, people from all over the world came to visit this place to taste the delicious Korean food made by the country’s best chefs. This restaurant was actually opened by Ilhwa Group.

Currently, there was a beautiful young woman and a striking young man sitting by the window of the restaurant. The Beyond the Heavens’ Vice Guild Master Genie, or Im Jihye, glanced at the beautiful view of Seoul through the window. Strangely enough, her face was flushed red.

‘It’s cozy.’

Im Jihye’s birthday was on Christmas and Minhyuk had prepared this for her birthday. For someone like her, who had Minhyuk in her heart, it was a very exciting and pleasant experience.

“I heard that their Korean food here is delicious. I really wanted to try it.”

Today was a special day for Minhyuk too.

Minhyuk and Genie had been friends for a long time now. Ever since they met again, he had only been on the receiving end of his friend’s generosity. She had looked past his eating addiction and treated him without any discrimination. He had always been grateful to her. That was why he wanted to treat her to a meal here and give her a gift.

Then, at that moment, a customer was seated on another table. The guests were very familiar faces.

‘Choego Group’s Kim Hae-Ri…?’

Kim Hae-Ri was a third generation chaebol and was the granddaughter of the Choego Group’s chairman. She was actually accompanying Choego Group’s Chairman Kim Tae-Seong.

“Hello, Chairman.”

“Oh, Minhyuk. Did you come here for a meal?”

“Yes, Chairman. Please enjoy your meal.”

Since world-renowned figures often came here, there was no fuss or commotion. However, Kim Hae-Ri had recently shown a great interest in Minhyuk. In fact, Kim Hae-Ri was actually really pretty. It was to the point that even Jihye felt inferior to her.

‘She’s even taller than me. Tch.’

Kim Hae-Ri was 173 centimeters tall. She was also not hiding her goodwill and interest toward Minhyuk, evident from her gaze.

At that moment, another customer came in. He was an American gentleman carrying a young girl wearing a beanie, in his arms. The man looked surprised when he made eye contact with Minhyuk, an expression that he immediately schooled back to indifference.

Then, the girl in his arms said, “It’s the Food God!!!”

“Hello, little lady.” Minhyuk responded, a small smile on his face.

They also sat down on their table. Everyone was amicable.

However, unlike the peaceful and friendly atmosphere outside, the kitchen was in complete chaos.

“Chef, are you alright?”

“…I made a blunder.” The chef groaned as he stared at his hands that had already turned red. He had accidentally spilled boiling oil on his hands. He could have screamed from the burning pain but he knew that there was a much bigger problem than that.

“I can’t cook with this hand…”

The manager could tell. It was urgent that the chef received treatment now. Furthermore, cooking with that hand was impossible at the moment.

“But outside…” The manager looked awkward and flustered.

There were the heads and successors of two companies, as well as an unidentified gentleman with a little kid. They all came here to enjoy Christmas. So, the manager hurriedly tried to explain the situation.

“The chef has injured his hand and needs to get treated immediately. I will show you to the VIP section of the omakase on the floor below. Of course, we won’t take your money. We’re truly sorry.”

“Cough. Do tell him to go and see a doctor right away.”

Of course, their faces were filled with disappointment. The one that felt very disappointed was the American gentleman.

“…The chef injured his hand?”

“Yes, and we have only one chef. I’m truly sorry.”

Michael truly could not hide his disappointment. Amy was the one that really wanted to come to Korea. The biggest reason why she wanted to come here was because she wanted to try Korean food.

That was also the reason why they came to this place, so they could eat the best Korean food. There was a chance that Amy did not have much time left. That was why Michael could not hide his discomfort and disappointment.

“Amy, the chef is not feeling well so we can’t eat here today.”

“Will the chef be okay?”

She was understanding, showing more concern for the chef’s well-being even though she wanted to try Korean food so much. Michael could only sigh as he hugged his daughter.

Then, the young man sitting at one of the tables said, “Would it be alright if I cook?”