Leveling Up Through Eating

Chapter 1177

Gorodis Kingdom’s King Anton had just received very unwelcome news.

‘The Gourmet and the Slaughter Squad will never be able to come to the Gorodis Kingdom again.’

They had been exploiting the Gorodis Kingdom for a very long time to satisfy their palates.

‘The problem is… will they just sit on the sidelines?’

In Anton’s opinion, this was utterly impossible. After all, they did not have any mercy for the continent's people.

‘Fortunately, they did not personally make a move against the Gourmet and the Slaughter Squad.’

Anton sighed deeply as he stood and walked toward a woman lying in a coffin. This woman was none other than Anton’s daughter and the princess of this nation.

He looked at the empty plate lying in front of the statue that was standing in front of him. This plate initially carried the Guardian Deity’s Dish, the most outstanding dish representing the entire Gaia Continent.

Shockingly enough, the beings currently ruling this land had sealed all of the guardian deities. Before they were sealed, the guardian deities used the last of their strength to leave their power in the land in different forms. One took the form of a dish, another of a sword, another of an ore, and another of a tree.

‘The guardian deities originally protected the Gaia Continent.’

Under the guardian deities' protection and care, the continent's people lived in peace and harmony. But when they appeared, everything changed. This had happened a very long time ago, and all that was known about it was what had been written in the legends.

According to the legends, to protect the people of the Gaia Continent, the guardian deities used the last of their strength to transform their powers into different forms before they could be sealed. Even after that, they were not satisfied. They then took whatever the guardians transformed into and kept them under control.

They ordered the Gorodis Kingdom to guard the dish that was once on that empty plate. Alas, that was not the case. Ten years after the Gorodis Kingdom started protecting the Guardian Deity’s Dish, it completely disappeared. However, this dish could not be controlled or taken away by any ordinary force. Anton knew that the only ones who could take it were them.

Then, they spoke.

–The Gorodis Kingdom has failed to protect the Guardian Deity’s Dish. You have to pay the price of your sins.

Then, they put his daughter in the coffin and made her sleep for ten years. In a few days, his cute, gentle, and adorable princess will again wake up to the world. 𝖗

Anton stroked the hair of his petite daughter, who had not aged a day since the day she fell asleep in the coffin.

At that moment, a raven suddenly flew in. This was the raven that they had sent. They had always given their orders through this raven.

There was a rolled-up parchment tied to the raven’s leg. Anton untied it and read its contents.

He could not help but groan. ‘In the end, things have come to this, huh?’

Anton chuckled sadly. In the letter, they once again asked him to pay the price for failing to protect the Guardian Deity’s Dish. They said that they would force his daughter, who was now on the verge of waking up, into another long and deep sleep.

That was not all. If they could not produce a dish rivaling the Guardian Deity’s Dish in five days, they would isolate the entire Gorodis Kingdom. Isolating them meant controlling everything from their food to their clothing and even their housing. In other words, they would destroy the whole Gorodis Kingdom and force them to either starve to death or be frozen to death.

‘They’re retaliating.’

They showed how furious they were after confirming the disappearance of the Gourmet and the Slaughter Squad. And with the disappearance of the Gourmet, they probably questioned the use and significance of the Gorodis Kingdom.

“Urk!” Anton coughed a mouthful of blood.

He only had around ten days left. His only wish was to see his daughter wake up before he died. But they were even trying to take that away from him.

However, there were some things that they did not even know about. Would the guardian deity who had taken on the form of a dish not expect they would also try to suppress it?

‘Of course, they had expected it.’

And because of that, Anton had the recipe of the Guardian Deity’s Dish, which had been handed down for generations, in his hands. As for the second fact that they were unaware of—well, that was related to Anton’s tiny and adorable daughter.

Anton patted his daughter’s head and turned to the soldier beside him. He said, “Gather the most outstanding chefs and knights of the Gorodis Kingdom.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

At that moment, Anton recalled something.

Just as the soldier was about to rush off, Anton told him, “Bring the Great Gourmand here too.”

***

Minhyuk frowned as he stared at the 12% Exploration Rate. This number meant he had only pioneered 12% of the Gorodis Kingdom since the map opened.

‘Driving the Gourmet away is a huge thing.’

Some high-rankers might not even be able to do anything about the Gourmet. Regardless, even after such a huge achievement, Minhyuk’s Exploration Rate remained at 12%. At this point, he believed that there was something that he had to do to increase the Exploration Rate again.

Shortly after, Minhyuk was brought along with the other chefs to seek an audience with the king. Then, he heard about the current situation.

‘Genocide?’

Minhyuk was shocked. The beings that Anton was talking about were like the gods of the Gaia Continent, and they were trying to eradicate an entire kingdom just because they did not like the people in it?

‘What the hell? What kind of continent is this?’

The gods of the existing continents in Athenae were arrogant. Even so, there was not a single one of them who would dare to kill people indiscriminately. Things seemed different in this land. From what Minhyuk could tell, the laws, rules, and discipline in this land were shaped based on the judgment and whims of their gods.

Minhyuk listened carefully to Anton’s story.

The chefs were all left in both shock and awe.

“This is the Guardian Deity’s Dish’s recipe.”

“The recipe of the Guardian Deity’s Dish!”

“If someone makes or eats this dish, they will be able to protect our kingdom!”

“Your Majesty, will we even be able to make this dish?”

That was not all.

“What are the ingredients needed?”

“We need four of the Continent’s Ten Treasured Ingredients.”

“Are you saying that we must gather four of the Continent’s Ten Treasured Ingredients within five days?”

“What the…”

The chefs were stunned.

Why were the ingredients hailed as the Ten Treasured Ingredients? They were precious and very hard to obtain. Yet, they had to be obtained within five days? That was impossible.

The elite knights of the Gorodis Kingdom, the Light Dragon Order, were also present in the hall. The Light Dragon Order was the knight order that protected the Gorodis Kingdom’s royal family for hundreds of years. Minhyuk was very shocked when he saw their average level.

[Light Dragon Order Commander Ancas. Level 804.]

‘What the hell? Their level is this high?’

Minhyuk recalled the Gourmet's level—around Level 900. After pondering it, he realized that it was just natural. After all, this was a new continent.

The contents of the new continent must be of higher level and quality. There would be stronger monsters, stronger NPCs, and people with higher levels than usual. Of course, that also meant that there would be higher rewards.

‘Even if he’s the best knight of the kingdom, it still doesn’t make sense. There’s an almost 100-level difference.’

The highest level of knights in a small border kingdom in the existing continents had just risen to around Level 680. Since they were knights of the frontier, they might be stronger than ordinary knights. Nonetheless, it was still infinitely lower compared to the people in front of Minhyuk.

Light Dragon Order Commander Ancas said, “It will be difficult to obtain the ingredients using the usual method.”

Anton nodded. That was right. It was just like they said. Using the usual method would have been nearly impossible, though it was not as if there was no way at all.

“Why is our Gorodis Kingdom hailed as the kingdom of chefs?” Anton looked at the people present. “It’s because many special items and ingredients here are meant for cooking. It’s probably also why the recipe for the Guardian Deity’s Dish is left in our hands.”

At that moment, Anton took out a stone carrying the lightning symbol. “Of course, that’s not the only thing the Guardian Deity has left us with. He also left us with this.”

“What is this?”

“Perhaps they have been expecting something like this to happen. That’s why they left this behind.”

Anton held up the stone and explained, “This stone has a special power that can be activated. Those qualified to use the stone will be able to obtain information about where the ingredients for the recipe are right away. In exceptional cases, it might even bring the ingredients here.”

“What… are the criteria for someone to be considered qualified?” the Light Dragon Order Commander asked, a look of interest flashing on his face.

“Anyone that the stone acknowledges is qualified. Of course, the criteria that the stone uses are based on a variety of things related to cooking. This is also the reason why I brought all of you here.”

Everyone present here was either those who had reached a specific grade of dish or those who had worked hard and struggled to maintain the level of their dishes.

Everyone’s faces flushed with excitement. If they could find the location of the ingredients, then it would be of great help to everyone. Of course, they were also curious if they could receive the recognition of the guardian deity.

“I believe Your Majesty Anton will receive the recognition of the Guardian Deity.”

Anton was not only a king but also a chef. Of all the chefs present, he was the one who had achieved the most tremendous success. He loved cooking, and it could even be said that the Gorodis Kingdom had been able to advance to its current state because of him.

Then Anton turned to Minhyuk. “I called for you to express my gratitude.”

Anton was a great and kind king. Although he had done nothing to stop the Gourmet's tyranny, he respected and cared for his people more than anyone else.

‘I will die regardless of the outcome.’

Regardless of whether their kingdom could survive this crisis, his ending was already decided. So, before everything else, he had at least wanted to greet Minhyuk.

[You have received King Anton’s heartfelt gratitude.]

[The Exploration Rate has increased by 5%.]

Minhyuk smiled faintly. “The only thing that I did was eat.”

Anton chuckled lightly at his words.

Then, the Light Dragon Order Commander said, “You should step back now. There’s no need for you here.”

In the end, Minhyuk was just an outsider. The commander did not want someone like him to witness the power of the Guardian Deity’s Stone.

“I would like to stay here. I believe I will be of help to you,” Minhyuk replied.

The Light Dragon Order Commander frowned. The commander was the prince of this kingdom. He could not help but sneer at the man in front of him.

From what he had heard, Minhyuk was just a very unusual Great Gourmand. Except for being a Great Gourmand, there was nothing special about him. He believed they would not be able to get any help from him from now on. He thought that Minhyuk’s words were part arrogance and part nosy.

The king had shown him kindness and courtesy. The prince thought that was already more than Minhyuk deserved.

“Enough with the useless—”

“Enough.” Anton stopped the commander. “The fact that he can eat that much means that he loves food dearly. Perhaps he will be able to truly help us.”

“But Your Majesty—”

“Are you saying we should throw out someone who wants to sincerely help us?”

“Hoo…”

The Light Dragon Order Commander was not pleased with this, but he kept his mouth shut.

Amidst everyone’s nervous stare, King Anton held the stone tightly in both hands as if he were praying. Then, a bright light slowly spread from within the stone. The bright white light turned yellow as the stone floated above them.

[The Guardian Deity’s Cooking Stone has been activated.]

[The Guardian Deity’s Cooking Stone’s reaction will depend on the person’s special cooking powers, the path they walked, and various other things.]

[The ones who will receive the recognition of the Guardian Deity’s Cooking Stone will be able to learn about the location of the Continent’s Ten Treasured Ingredients.]

The one who approached and stood before the floating yellow light was Balvark, who had received Anton’s signal.

Balvark had been running the Azure Leaf Restaurant for a very long time. He was a kind chef who gave food to the hungry and needy, but he had also reached a shocking level after dedicating all of his attention to cooking.

However, the stone resonated weakly with him.

[The Guardian Deity’s Cooking Stone resonates with the chef, who has achieved a pretty impressive level.]

[He is a fantastic chef who has satisfied the ordinary people and even the Gourmet.]

[However, the Guardian Deity’s Cooking Stone only partially acknowledges him.]

“...”

Balvark smiled bitterly. When Andrej stepped forward, the stone just reacted the same way. Even the chefs, who stood in front of it one after another, received a similar reaction.

Finally, King Anton stepped in front of the floating light. Then, something very unexpected happened.

[Someone has injected an unknown power inside the Guardian Deity’s Cooking Stone.]

“...!”

“...!”

“...!”

Everyone present was appalled.

[The power of ‘Lightning’ slumbering inside the Guardian Deity’s Cooking Stone will run rampant soon.]

“H-how?!”

Anton realized that they had given them a glimmer of hope just so they could trample on them once again. Perhaps they had already broken this stone. Maybe even the recipe had been included in their sinister plans. Yes, in the first place, these things were already in the palm of their hands.

[The power of Lightning is about to go berserk.]

[Lightning strikes will fall upon everyone associated with cooking in the kingdom.]

[The being sealed within the Guardian Deity’s Cooking Stone will also be extinguished once all of the people related to cooking in the kingdom have been eradicated!]

Crackle, crackle, crackle!

Sparks appeared and made the entire castle shake and tremble.

At that moment, a voice rang from within the stone.

[Everyone… run…!]

It was the voice of the Guardian Deity. It seemed like the deity was desperately trying to stop the berserk power. The deity did not want to see the people of the kingdom disappear just like that.

[In three seconds, the power of the Ten Thousand Lightning will fall upon you!]

[The only way to stop the descent of the Ten Thousand Lightning is for someone to be acknowledged by the stone.]

[Be acknowledged and calm the Guardian Deity’s Cooking Stone.]

Rumble!n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

The sky darkened above the entire Gorodis Kingdom. If the Ten Thousand Lightning fell, its power alone would instantly kill the hundreds of thousands of people who worked in the kingdom's kitchens.

“Ah-aaaaaaah! Damn you, God!!!”

This was the first time that Anton had cursed them. At the same time, thunder rumbled in the sky above them.

Rumble.

[In one second…]

Everyone present felt lightheaded from the sudden turn of events.

Thump.

Then, at that moment, someone stepped forward.

Thump, thump, thump.

He walked swiftly and placed his hand on the stone emitting countless sparks. Even though the ferocious sparks of lightning were ravaging his hands, the man did not seem to be in pain. He even patted and stroked the struggling Guardian Deity’s Cooking Stone, like a mother would coax and hold a child.

“You fool!” the Light Dragon Order Commander shouted, his eyes wide open in surprise.

According to the sound that they had heard earlier, nothing would change if the stone did not acknowledge anyone.

[An overwhelming power of cooking has started to drive away the dirty power injected in the Guardian Deity’s Cooking Stone.]

[This overwhelming power comes solely from his cooking. Their power could not dare to fight against it.]

[Those who dared to inject the dirty power to stain the Guardian Deity’s Cooking Stone tried to use the human’s greed to seduce him.]

[Despite the temptation and seduction, he remained steadfast. He did not even waver or shake!]

[The power of those who dared to inject dirty power to stain the Guardian Deity’s Cooking Stone could not show its presence before him!]

Shwaaaaaa!

The power that was running rampant in the hall was sucked back inside the stone.

[The Guardian Deity’s Cooking Stone has calmed down.]

A shocking sound echoed in the hall.

Meanwhile, Minhyuk continued to stroke the Guardian Deity’s Cooking Stone. Then, with a slight smile, he said, “Thank you for holding on.”