Leveling Up Through Eating

Chapter 625: That Man’s Day

No one had believed that Eivelis Empire would pull through and gain victory against the Luvien in the war between these two empires. That was why many people began talking about it.

[The Eivelis Empire was only able to win this war because of the Food God, right?]

[I agree. We can’t deny that it was all because Food God Minhyuk gave Ellie a God-rank artifact that allowed them to win. After all, it was the main reason why Ellie gained a new power which allowed her to defeat the Luvien Imperial Army.]

[As far as I know, the executives of Beyond the Heavens also played a big role in this war.]

[The Food God is truly an amazing player.]

[Mad respect… haha.]

The people talked about how great and amazing Minhyuk was and how they admired him. Minhyuk’s feats and fame were enough for many people to regard him as their model and idol. Perhaps that was also the reason why people also began to discuss other things regarding his life.

[But is the Food God dating Genie or Ascar?]

[‘Course, it should be Genie, right? Hehehe. Genie is very pretty.]

[No, no, no. Have you seen Crystal’s fashion show? Ascar really looked like an angel when she walked that runway.]

[No, dear gentlemen…]

But then, one player fired a very painful shot.

[It doesn’t matter who he’s dating. Whoever it is, we will still feel jealous so… stop it…]

[…Yeah.]

[…]

[…]

That was right. Everyone believed that Minhyuk was dating one of the world’s most famous beauties. However, there was still no scandal about him that has erupted in media sources. There was that hug with Ascar after Crystal’s Fashion Show, an event that created issues. However, the issues quickly died down.

Then, another player piped in.

[He could be dating them both…]

[Stop. I’m already jealous enough.]

[Shit. I’m so freaking jealous…]

[The bastard’s really a thief…]

As always, Food God Minhyuk’s luck was still being hated by everyone.

Amidst all of these discussions, there was one middle-aged man that looked at all of their comments. The man’s name was Jung Jong-Seok, an entertainment reporter for Despatch. Jung Jong-Seok had exposed numerous celebrities and rankers and revealed their corruption and scandals to the world.

There was a time when celebrities and public figures were able to successfully cover up their scandals, even when they involved drug-dealing and the likes. However, there was no news that could be hidden, and Jung Jong-Seok exposing those scandals caused a huge stir in Korea. In fact, he was known for being able to dig up even the dirtiest and ugliest corner of a celebrity’s life. It was to the point that even political and business figures feared him.

Jung Jong-Seok was known by the nickname: ‘Scoop Manufacturer’. That was because he was someone that looked for famous people’s secret scandals; basically everything that was the exact opposite of the life that they were showing to the public. How many celebrities, political and business figures had he ruined? In any case, he had ripped off a considerable amount of masks that these public figures used to wear on TV.

One of his fellow reporters asked him, “I heard that you and Reporter Kim Ji-Hyeon are going to follow the Food God around today?”

“That’s right. This is so I can make Reporter Kim, who is a big fan of the Food God, wake up to reality.”

Reporter Kim Ji-Hyeon was the newest rookie that joined the entertainment department a few days ago.

Jong-Seok grinned as he looked back at her and said, “Reporter Kim, you will be witness to the Food God’s ugly side, a side that you weren’t aware of.”

“…”

Reporter Kim opted to remain silent. Food God Minhyuk was someone that many people adored and loved. Was it simply because of Athenae? That was not the case at all. It was also because he did admirable deeds and was living the life of a protagonist in his novel-like story by overcoming his rare disease, eating addiction.

Reporter Kim wanted to firmly believe that. However, just two days of working and she was already being forced to face the reality that celebrities, politicians, and even businessmen that looked nice and kind had their dirty little secrets, secrets that they were uncovering each and every single day.

“Today’s the day, the day Food God Minhyuk can go out on his once-a-month outing,” Jong-Seok grinned.

That was right. Jong-Seok was able to get information about Minhyuk’s outing once a month. And from what he heard, Minhyuk always moved alone without any bodyguards or secretaries on that day. If that was the case, then Jong-Seok believed that he was only doing one thing.

‘He’s definitely meeting a woman.’

Jong-Seok was 100% sure of this. Perhaps this was the day that he would be able to tear off that mask on Minhyuk’s face and show the world his ugly side.

“You should look forward to it, Reporter Kim. Today’s the day that we will be able to expose everything to the world.”

***

A black SUV was parked near the place where Food God Minhyuk lived, just as an unidentified bongo car drove out of the mansion. Entertainment Reporter Jung Jong-Seok looked at the driver’s seat on instinct. He could see Minhyuk driving the bongo car with the windows down toward the dark of the night, even through the dark tint of the SUV.

“A bongo car? A second generation chaebol is driving a bongo car?”Jong-Seok said, a smile on his face. “Perhaps he wanted to hide himself? If not, then… is he going to make a deal?”

Drug dealing was an issue that always cropped up whenever there were talks about second generation chaebols. However, issues like these were often silenced using the resources of the chaebol’s company. Still, just one photo of them dealing on the spot and their company would not even be able to silence it, no matter how much they wanted to.

“Didn’t I tell you, Reporter Kim? That’s extremely suspicious, no?”

“Yes.”

Reporter Kim Ji-Hyeon was a long-time fan of Food God Minhyuk. But just as Jong-Seok said, the current situation that they were witnessing was truly suspicious.

‘In the end, even Minhyuk…’

Reporter Kim sighed.

“Look. It’s almost dawn. He’s probably going to a club or something to make a deal,” Jong-Seok laughed gleefully as he watched the scene which was proving to be a scene similar to that in the movies. Jong-Seok began to drive while saying, “See, where do people go with a bongo car, huh? I’m sure he’s going to a room or probably a hotel to call girls and play around. I’m a hundred percent sure of this.”

But twenty minutes later…

“…???”

“…???”

Jong-Seok and Ji-Hyeon looked blankly at the sign above them. The place where Food God Minhyuk parked his bongo car and ran excitedly inside was a place with a sign that said ‘Eat and Play PC Room’.

“…Is the Food God a game addict?”

“He’s a ranker so it’s safe to say that he’s pretty much an addict, right?”

“Even with ordinary PC games?”

“Who knows? That…”

“Ah… As expected!” Jong-Seok exclaimed.

Drug dealing and trafficking were done secretly these days and could be traded using various methods. Jong-Seok thought that perhaps Minhyuk was meeting with the other chaebols here. It had to be that case! However, it was still a ridiculous thing to imagine.

‘It doesn’t make sense… but it also makes sense.’

Most of the celebrities that he had seen and exposed so far had done many nonsensical things. Just like that, the two of them sneaked into the PC room. The moment they went inside they were greeted with a very ordinary PC room. Still…

“Just in case, but he might have left a message on the counter to get in touch with them.”

‘Is this some sort of intelligence…?’

For a moment, Kim Ji-Hyeon doubted Jong-Seok’s words. She wondered if they were truly on the same page.

“Check the counter and its surroundings carefully, Reporter Kim.”

“Yes, senior.”

Reporter Kim began to snoop around the counter.

The PC room was very free and spacious at dawn, especially because it was a Monday the next day.

‘It’s really quite suspicious,’ this thought flashed in both Reporter Kim and Jong-Seok’s heads. Why would he otherwise come to an almost empty PC Room at this late hour on his once-a-month outing?

When Jong-Seok reached the place near Minhyuk, he saw Reporter Kim panting to catch up with him.

“Se, senior!”

“What’s the matter?” Jong-Seok asked, eyes glowing in anticipation. Was it truly just like he expected? Perhaps he truly was meeting his girlfriend here?

Then, Kim Ji-Hyeon said, “Is this, is this really possible?”

“Reporter Kim, don’t get too excited. Calm down and breathe. What in the world is wrong with you? Did Ascar or Genie come?” Jong-Seok asked, sneaking a glance at the part-timer that was manning the counter. The part-timer’s eyes widened when they made eye contact before shifting away and moving around trying to make himself look busy.

“On Minhyuk’s counter…”

“Right, his counter…!”

“He ordered 250,000 won worth of food…?”

“…?”

“…???”

“…”

“…”

Jong-Seok was left speechless at that moment. A ramyeon sold in the PC room would cost between 3,000~4,000 won. From what he heard, the quality of the food that they serve here was so good that people would come just to eat. Their menu included ramyeon, hot bars, dumplings, homemade burgers, french fries, chicken, rice bowls and even kimchi fried rice. However, their price range was usually no more than 5,000 won.

“…Is he a person?”

“…”

The two looked blankly at Minhyuk, who was grinning widely at his table. The smile was so innocent and delighted that the two could not bring themselves to say anything.

***

Minhyuk was allowed to go out once a month. During these outings, he usually refrained from eating. However, after a brief discussion with his doctor, Jinhwan, he learned that restraining himself from eating during those outings might have negative effects on his body. Because of that, Minhyuk was allowed to eat as much as he wanted at least once every three months. However, Minhyuk had to do a higher-intensity work out for a few days after doing that.

Right now, Minhyuk was very excited. He had been curious about the PC rooms these days. He had heard quite a lot about these PC rooms. And from what he had gathered, the food that they served was as good as the food in Kimbap Heaven.

Also, when talking about PC rooms, the taste of the ramyeon that he ate whenever he played games with his friends in the past always surfaced in his memories. The ramyeon would cool down while they were focusing on the game and would be at the perfect temperature to slurp once the game was over. The thought alone brought a smile on Minhyuk’s face.

Yes. Today was a very meaningful day for Minhyuk. Today was the day that Minhyuk would do his very own mukbang and enjoy the food served in the PC room. After ordering his food, he turned on a movie, put a headset on his ears and waited for the food to be served. The first dishes to be served were some chapagetti, microwaved dumplings, and a cool can of soda together with a cup filled with ice.

“Well then, shall we get started?” Minhyuk said, a serious expression on his face. He looked so grave, as if he was going to war.

The first thing that he did was to pour the cold and refreshing Sprite into the cup of ice.

Fwiiiiiiiish—

The carbon trapped inside the can burst out and created a loud, yet very pleasant, sound. Then, he gulped down the Sprite.

“Kghhk~” Minhyuk gasped in admiration as he separated the chopsticks in front of him. Then, he looked down at the chapagetti in front of him. There was a fried egg, an add-on which he paid 500 won for, on top of the noodles.

‘The food they serve in PC rooms is truly well done,’ Minhyuk thought in awe as he poked the yolk. Just like that, the golden yolk slowly dripped down and covered the noodles beneath it. Then, he clamped a mouthful and put it in his mouth.

“Sluuuuuuuuuurp!”

‘Ah, this PC room is awesome.’

This thought flashed in Minhyuk’s head. He could tell that whoever prepared this was able to properly boil the noodles and even lifted it up to maintain its texture. Next, he added a piece of pickled radish in his mouth.

Crunch, crunch, crunch—

The crunch from the well-ripened pickled radish rang out loudly. This time, Minhyuk grabbed a piece of the egg and some chapagetti before placing everything in his mouth.

“Sluuuuuuuurp!”

‘Aaah. This is paradise.’

Of course, it was practically heaven. There was comedy playing in front of him and a table full of dinner! Next, Minhyuk picked up some dumplings. The dumplings were placed in the microwave as they were and served just like that. The moment he placed them in his mouth, the juices trapped in the skin spread in his mouth. The flavor was indescribable, and all Minhyuk could do was shout in admiration.

“Wow… wow… woaaaaah…”

As he shouted in awe like that, another set of dishes were served in front of him. The new dishes placed in front of him were warm hot bar, ramyeon, stir-fried kimchi, and cold rice.

“Please take these away.”

Minhyuk finished a tray of dishes in no time at all. This time, he started on some ‘Jjin Ramyeon’.

“It’s still firm and bouncy. They truly cooked it well,” Minhyuk praised, as he stabbed his chopsticks in the bowl and loosened the noodles inside before grabbing a huge mouthful.

“Sluuuuuuuuuurp!”

The chewy texture of the noodles instantly brought a smile to his face. Even the tingling sensation left behind by the spiciness was enough to make him happy.

“Fwaaaa…” Minhyuk breathed out, his smile growing wider as he picked up a piece of the ripe and delicious kimchi.

Crunch, crunch—

‘Ah. I’m so happy. I’m very happy!’

For Minhyuk, today was one of the happiest days on earth. Then, he picked up the hot bar.

“Wow…”

Minhyuk was rendered speechless at the sight of the hot bar. One glance and he could tell that it would be delicious. The chewy texture and the rich flavor of the hot bar was deserving of admiration.

After tasting the hot bar, Minhyuk added the leftover dumplings on top of the ramyeon before picking a piece with some noodles and placed everything in his mouth. The dumpling and ramyeon combination was just like Yooksam Naengmyeon[1].

At a table not too far from Minhyuk, a middle-aged man and a young woman finished ordering some ramyeon, dumplings and some drinks, just as Minhyuk finished his second tray of food. Seeing them, Minhyuk thought, ‘Oh, they know how to eat well too, huh?’

When Minhyuk made eye contact with them, he gave a thumbs-up and showed them his brightest smile. The smile that he showed them was very beautiful.

***

“…”

“…”

Both Kim Ji-Hyeon and Jung Jong-Seok were left speechless after they saw Minhyuk giving them a thumbs up while smiling so brightly.

Jong-Seok was someone that had a strong and steadfast spirit as a journalist. However, after seeing Minhyuk eat so happily like that… he could not help but order the same dish. Besides, the smell of ramyeon that wafted throughout the PC room was too tantalizing and appetizing. They just could not resist.

“Ha, haha…”

Jong-Seok and Ji-Hyeon looked back at Minhyuk and gave him a thumbs up of their own. For some reason, they felt like something strange would come out for today’s cover story.

1. A combination of cold buckwheat noodles and grilled meat. Can also be the restaurant. ?

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