Leveling Up through Eating

Chapter 1150

Minhyuk, who had chosen yeot from all of the choices that the Supreme Jar had given him, was happily sucking on the confectionery.

The yeot that was given to him was white, long and hard. But the charm of this confectionery was that it would become soft and malleable at one point once it entered his mouth and got coated with saliva. Once soft, he could bite, chew, and tear it with their teeth. This would make the sweetness of the yeot spread in the mouth. The more he chewed, the more chewy it would become. It was to the point that it could be mistaken for a tough gum.

“Yummy!”

Minhyuk was delighted when he received yeot from where the Ingredient Search guided him to find the ingredient to treat Leo’s eyes. The best part was that the yeot was not just a simple yeot.

[You have eaten Yeot.]

[All of your stats have increased by 0.7%.]

[Your attack and defensive power have increased by 0.5%.]

The yeot have special effects! But that was not all. When he chose yeot from the Supreme Jar, these notifications rang in his ears.

[You have triggered the Easter Egg: The True Value Hidden Beneath the Supreme Jar.]

[Please choose a reward.]

[You can obtain the divine power within the Supreme Jar. However, you must be at Level 900 before using it.]

[You can make a wish to the Supreme Jar.]

‘Is this why the Ingredient Search led me to this place?’

Minhyuk was again met with the greatness of the skill, Ingredient Search.

In the first place, he could not use the first reward. But the fact that he could make a wish to the Supreme Jar meant that he could do what he intended to do.

“Please give me a cooking ingredient to help the blind see.”

[The Supreme Jar says that your wish is impossible.]

[No ingredient exists in Athenae that can permanently fix a disability.]

“...?”

Minhyuk was confused. Was the wish on the Supreme Jar just like that? Could it not do something like that?

‘Are you just saying it’s impossible to make the effect permanent?’

Minhyuk had no other choice but to think that way. If that was indeed the case, then there was no other way but to use the other method.

“Please give me a cooking ingredient to help the blind see during the buff duration.”

[The Supreme Jar will grant your wish.]

[You have obtained the Wheat for the Pitiful.]

Minhyuk immediately checked the information on the Wheat for the Pitiful.

‘Oh! Thankfully, it will not matter how I cook it. The buff duration will be very long.’

After getting what he wanted, Minhyuk immediately ran to the smithy where Leo was working to cook for him. There were three things that Minhyuk stood to gain from cooking for Leo.

‘The pride of showing him the new world.’

‘Add the function of turning the form of the Sword of Aeon into any farming tool and making sure that the swing of the transformed Sword of Aeon could also be counted in the required number of swings.’

‘And the heart of the most outstanding master craftsman.’

Minhyuk’s steps were light as he headed on his way.

***

According to a survey by one of the media outlets, the average number of God-rank artifacts that the Athenae players standing at the 1st~100th place possessed was more than four. Most of the artifacts in their possession were also in the higher grade of the God-rank. As for the players at rank 101st~10,000th, they at least had more than two of this kind of artifact.

That was right. The rarity and mystery of God-rank artifacts were already starting to fade. Most well-known high-rankers could immediately equip around four or five God-rank artifacts as they pleased. Others covered their entire bodies with God-rank artifacts.

Players would always hunt and clear quests for better artifacts and higher levels. Of course, many wanted to find rare and higher-ranking artifacts. Some of them would struggle just to obtain quests from former Pillar Candidates, while others would try and search for artifacts that belonged to Absolute Gods.

Of course, this was only natural. After all, Athenae was still a game in the end. And as a game, it would eventually reach its limits in this aspect. Since there was a demand, Athenae had to release steady supplies. Nevertheless, they still could not quench the thirst of the players.

The average level of high-rankers was around Level 670. As these people started getting bored and tired of the same old thing, news came just yesterday. This news, which rang in the form of a World Message, was like a very welcome rain.

[Rumors about the ‘Eleven Greatest Weapons’ hidden worldwide by some kind of power had started circulating.]

[There were rumors about a true master craftsman putting a million times the effort into a single weapon.]

[If you follow that rumor, you might be able to get your hands on one of the greatest weapons.]

All of the players cheered.

The words ‘by some kind of power’ in the notifications meant that the Eleven Greatest Weapons would be revealed to the world if they fulfilled the conditions. The Greatest Weapon was a very famous title. It was the title of the sword in the hands of Supreme Minhyuk. Surprisingly enough, the people did not even think Minhyuk had fulfilled the conditions.

[Maybe the conditions have been fulfilled because many God-rank weapons have been released to the world?]

[If we count Minhyuk’s weapon, does that make it twelve?]

[Bow, spear, axe, staff, gauntlet… just imagining them is really freaking great!]

[But guys… It’s not something that’s made by the God of Blacksmiths?]

[I think so? Well, lololol. The God of Blacksmiths is just a ‘god.’]

Of course, the players knew that gods were outstanding and omnipotent beings. But some geniuses, prodigies, and vassals could go beyond the gods.

Ridicule toward the God of Blacksmiths spread all over the world. Not long after, a notification rang in everyone’s ears.

[The God of Blacksmiths criticizes and condemns the one who’s hailed as “The Greatest.”]

[He declares that nothing can be named “The Greatest.” It is a name that came from mere arrogance.]

[The God of Blacksmiths is very suspicious of the Greatest Weapon.]

[He declares that giving a million times the effort is useless.]

[He declares that even if there truly is an artifact that can be hailed as the greatest, it will definitely be due to the materials used to make it.]

The players sat back and enjoyed the spectacle of the God of Blacksmiths criticizing someone through the World Messages. Of course, each god possessed God’s Voice. Nevertheless, they could only express their thoughts and speak to the world through such messages.

All of the quick-witted players noticed something.

[Joy Co. Ltd. already knows that the petty and small-minded God of Blacksmiths will attack that guy. So, they prepared it so that his words would be conveyed as world messages in advance.]

[Speaking of the Greatest Weapons, they are new artifacts. And the existence of new artifacts has never been announced this way. This is definitely a method that will attract the attention of many players.]

[Joy Co. Ltd. might have set his words as world messages but in the end, the fact that the God of Blacksmiths is petty and small-minded would not change, no?]

[That might not be the case. Honestly, have we ever seen detailed information on Player Minhyuk’s Greatest Sword?]

Of course, none of them had seen it. Which player would be foolish enough to show the details of their artifact?

[Maybe it’s an exaggerated story, just like the God of Blacksmiths said it is?]

[I’m pretty sure that it’s true. If you think like that, then the damage that Minhyuk’s sword can inflict will be unexplainable.]

[Well, that could just be Minhyuk being strong. Lmao.]

[Ah. That’s also true. Lololol.]

The players' opinions were divided. Some thought the God of Blacksmiths’ accusations were reasonable.

At that moment, something happened.

[The God of Blacksmiths demands proof from the self-proclaimed Master Craftsman who gave a million times the effort.]

The situation was becoming increasingly interesting. Everyone began to listen attentively to the messages coming from all over the world.

[If the mysterious and unknown Master Craftsman can prove it, the God of Blacksmiths must admit that his weapons are the Greatest Weapons.]

[The God of Blacksmiths vows to never release any part of the weapon’s information after checking its details.]

[The God of Blacksmiths demands an answer.]

[The God of Blacksmiths will summon the mysterious and unknown Master Craftsman to the Smithy Room once he receives the master craftsman’s approval.]

[The mysterious and unknown Master Craftsman says he will only send a single weapon to the Smithy Room for the God of Blacksmiths to check its information.]

[The God of Blacksmiths agrees.]

Then, another world message rang.

[You can watch the “Master Craftsman’s Proof” tomorrow in real time.]

Many people were left with huge expectations after hearing the notifications. This was because the world would know whether the information was the truth or a lie.

Meanwhile, President Kang Taehoon was busy checking the players’ real-time reactions on various community sites.

Department Head Kim Dae-Il said, “It’s a success.”

Joy Co. Ltd. had set to implement a huge update soon. With this update, they would introduce new artifacts, the Eleven Greatest Weapons. But before that, they wanted to ensure that people would know what fell under that category. The capabilities of such a weapon would soon be shown and proven to the world.

“I can’t believe Player Minhyuk had already completely unsealed the Sword of Aeon.”

That was right. They had to suddenly reveal the Eleven Greatest Weapons because Minhyuk had released the third and final seal of the Sword of Aeon. They had expected this to be only possible after a year or so, but Minhyuk was able to pull it off somehow.

‘He’s truly a player who creates many variables in many ways.’

Suddenly, President Kang Taehoon felt anxious.

‘Player Minhyuk has grown closer with Master Craftsman Leo. He wouldn’t disrupt any of our plans, right?’

The anxiety slowly started to creep in. President Kang knew what this was.

‘Whenever I think like this, something definitely happens. What do the kids these days call it? Planting a flag or something?’

***

The number of players who had accessed Athenae on this day had more than doubled compared to normal days. This was all because of the world message that they had heard yesterday.

According to the world message, they could watch the “Master Craftsman’s Proof” in real time at this time. So, they all logged in and waited for the notifications for the Master Craftsman’s Proof to ring.

[You can now watch the Master Craftsman’s Proof in real time.]

[Would you like to watch?]

The eagerly waiting players immediately clicked “yes.” The scene in front of them changed.

Swoosh–

A heatwave greeted the players as they entered a vast and magnificent smithy—a place no other player had ever seen.

A man with bulging muscles and a fierce expression stepped out and placed a weapon he had just made to the side. With sweat dripping down his body, he looked at the hologram that appeared in the middle of the Smithy Room.

[Bow of Destruction.]

The bow was one of the Greatest Weapons, it was also the weapon that the God of Blacksmiths was sent to check for himself.

Everyone watching the scene gulped dryly.

When the God of Blacksmith saw the bow, he immediately recognized the materials used on it.

“Did you use the Branch of Vangorader?”

The Branch of Vangorader was a very elastic material that would not break easily. This was the material used for the bowstring, and the material used for the bow itself was also not bad.

“Isn’t this just making something with legendary and God-grade materials?”

The Branch of Vangorader was legendary, and the material used for the bow's body was also among the lower ranks of the God-grade materials.

From the outside, the weapon looked alright. The word “Destruction” engraved on one side of the black body of the bow was very impressive.

“With this material, I can also make an excellent God-rank bow. And it will be among the top-ranking God-rank artifacts,” Hepas said confidently.

The smug smile that painted his face was probably because the name “The Greatest” was nothing but a myth. If mysterious Master Craftsman was on the same level as him, then Hepas would be better. But if they were not, then they would definitely be punished.

But he only checked the materials. So, he began to check the detailed information on the Bow of Destruction. There was no expression on his face when he read the information. His face had nothing to show.

When the viewers saw this, they thought that perhaps the Master Craftsman was nothing but a liar. The only thing that was real was Minhyuk’s sword. As for the rest, they were just in name and nothing else.

Hepas finally concluded. “Trash.”

The viewers sighed when they heard his words. Was this the evaluation of the new artifacts that Joy Co. Ltd. had prepared? It was just that at best?

Then, Hepas walked back inside his smithy. He took out all the bows he had made and threw them on the ground. And with a slight tremble, he clenched his fists and said, “Trash. All of my bows are trash in front of the bow he has made.”

Only then did he allow his body to shake and tremble. He held the Bow of Destruction and looked at it as if he were staring at the world's most brilliant and precious jewel.

“The Branch of Vangorader might be highly elastic and durable. But it has a shortcoming. It is difficult to pull, but you pulled and twisted it gently nearly a million times.”

In the end, Hepas shed tears of shame. He was the one who said those words himself. And although he might sound petty and small-minded, he was a real god. And he knew when to admit the right or wrong.

[The God of Blacksmiths recognizes the mysterious and unknown Master Craftsman.]

[He puts his name on the line. He declares that the ‘Greatest Weapon’ of the mysterious and unknown Master Craftsman deserves its name and is by no means lacking.]

[He declares that anyone who gets their hands on his weapons will take a huge leap in power.]

[He holds a bit of respect for the unnamed Master Craftsman.]

[The Proof has been completed.]

The viewers trembled. They all felt a sense of regret that they did not know the man who made the God of Blacksmiths recognize him and his talents.

[The screen shows the mysterious and unknown Master Craftsman.]

[He is the one who does not mind hammering a million times.]

[He is the one who possesses a talent that goes beyond God.]

[He is the only one whose “The Greatest” title is not a lie.]

The scene in front of them changed once again.

The viewers trembled in excitement. The notifications ringing in their ears made them realize they would now see the unknown Master Craftsman. They all opened their eyes wide to capture his appearance perfectly.

In an unidentified hill or a place that they presumed was a hill. And in the dark background, a skinny middle-aged man emerged. When they saw the man, the viewers had a thought.

‘The true Master Craftsman.’

‘Although his appearance might be disappointing, he is still the Supreme who made the greatest weapon by hammering a million times.’

‘He’s the NPC that will be hailed as the greatest NPC in Athenae!’

Amidst the excited gazes of the viewers, the man who stood at the top of the hill cried. The viewers wondered if this was because he had received the recognition of the God of Blacksmiths. After all, could anyone not feel joy about it?

But then, something very shocking happened. The man suddenly knelt on both knees. With that, the dark background slowly began to clear up. The entire world watched as the man who created the greatest weapon looked up at someone.

And the one the genius, who even made the God of Blacksmiths cry and look up from his knees was none other than Minhyuk.

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