Leveling Up Through Eating

Chapter 698: The Ten Plagues

(Ingredient Search)

Passive Skill

Level: None

Penalty on Use: You will be unable to use The Food God’s True Worth for the day.

Effects:

?Once the skill is triggered, the system will search for the ingredient that correspond to the type of effect and cuisine that you choose. The search will search within a ten kilometer radius. The skill will also suggest recipes according to the buff effect + ingredients + cuisine, and will also suggest alternative ingredients for the dish.

?There is no limit on the number of times that it can be used. However, the skill can only be used once a month.

?The Ingredient Search skill will guide you toward any ‘special’ or ‘gourmet’ cooking ingredients within a one kilometer radius.

?If you find the ingredient and have ‘read’ it, you will not be able to use the Ingredient Search for a month.

The Ingredient Tracking skill was a skill that Minhyuk often made use of. It allowed him to search for the perfect ingredient by choosing the type and effects that the dish should have. This skill had made it convenient for him to find ingredients with the effect that he needed whenever he was trying to make buffed dishes.

Right now, the Ingredient Tracking skill had changed into the ‘Ingredient Search’ skill. The original abilities that the Ingredient Tracking had were retained, and new abilities were added!

‘Now, I can search for ingredients even if I stay still in one place.’ Minhyuk smiled as he handed out the finished duck jumulleok.

“Tell the soldiers that I will cook for them if they come back from the war.”

The soldiers gulped back their saliva. It did not matter if Minhyuk was a great chef or not. There was no way that he would be able to feed tens of thousands of people.

‘It would be easier to kill them if I had fed them but…’ Minhyuk thought, a bitter smile hanging on his face.

However, Elainey and Rend completely misinterpreted the regret on his face. Because of this misinterpretation, Minhyuk was able to harvest interest, good will and favor from the two.

‘A king that feels pity for the hungry soldiers of another empire…’

‘Look at those sad eyes!’

The two suddenly thought that Minhyuk was truly a wonderful and splendid king. The duck jumulleok was only distributed to those at the legion commander-rank. This meant that only two hundred people would be able to taste the dish.

‘The main protagonists of all those fake rumors are finally in front of us!’

‘The Beyond the Heavens’ King is probably too sad because he could not give a strong boost in power to all of the people here. After all, there are just too many of us.’

Elainey and Rend both shook their heads.

Meanwhile, Minhyuk stared at the duck jumulleok in front of him. He was the type of person who was a sucker for the traditional way of eating dishes. Even if he had to eat it only once, he would make sure that he would eat it properly. That was also the reason why he had around 10,000 butane stoves and grilling plates in his inventory.

He took out the grilling plate and stove, before gently placing the already cooked duck jumulleok on it, keeping it warm by using the lowest heat setting on the stove.

Bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble—

Minhyuk grabbed a wooden spatula and began to stir the bubbling red sauce of the duck jumulleok, prompting a gush of white steam out in the open. Then, he hurriedly pulled off the lid of his rice bowl. After that, he quickly scooped a spoonful of the duck jumulleok, filled with plenty of red duck meat from the sauce, onions and perilla leaves.

“Fwoo! Fwoo! Chomp!” Minhyuk blew on the spoonful of duck jumulleok before pushing it in his mouth. The sweet and spicy flavor spread in his mouth the moment he took a bite.

“Ho~”

Because the meat was still very hot, he could not help but let out a breath as he rolled it around in his mouth. Still, it was a delight. Then, he took a spoonful of hot rice and placed it in his mouth.

‘The rice tastes sweet.’ Minhyuk thought that this was the perfect expression to describe the rice that he was eating. Perhaps it was because he used some good rice?

This time, Minhyuk grabbed a piece of perilla leaf. Then, he grabbed three pieces of duck meat dipped in ssamjang and placed it on top of the leaf along with some garlic and seasoned chives. Then, he made a wrap and placed everything in his mouth.

Munch, munch, munch—

The fragrant scent of perilla leaves immediately wafted through his nose as the savory and meaty flavor of the garlic and the duck meat spread in his mouth.

After that, Minhyuk picked up the bowl of bean sprout soup that he made along with the duck jumulleok and took a sip. The refreshing soup rinsed down the spiciness and greasiness that lingered in his mouth.

Just like that, Minhyuk ate four pieces of duck meat in a row. Minhyuk thought, ‘Wow. How can something like this taste this good…?’

Rend, who was eating his own duck jumulleok, paused in admiration as he watched Minhyuk eat, ‘Aaaah. What a very down-to-earth and humble king…!’

Rend was now completely blinded by affection after having a taste of Minhyuk’s dish.

Meanwhile, Minhyuk began to cut the remaining duck jumulleok on the grill with his scissors. Then, he covered his rice bowl with the lid and shook it, before pouring the contents over the grilling plate and sprinkling them with some chopped perilla leaves and lettuce. Of course, he did not forget to drizzle it with the savory and fragrant sesame oil.

Sizzlee—

Using his wooden spatula, Minhyuk skillfully tossed and turned the fried rice on his grilling plate. After stir-frying it well, he carefully spread it out on the grilling plate before sprinkling it with some seaweed flakes that curled and danced on top of it.

Minhyuk turned off the heat. Then, he grabbed his spoon and mixed the still-hot duck jumulleok fried rice.

“Fwooooo!”

He scooped a mouthful and blew on it gently before putting everything in his mouth. Heat spread in his mouth. However, Minhyuk found it very delightful as he continued to chew on the spoonful of the fried rice.

The sweet flavor of the rice, the various vegetables, and the spicy sauce created the perfect harmony in his mouth. It was like the icing on the cake for his duck jumulleok meal.

After eating everything, Minhyuk looked around him, ‘You’re all eating well, huh?’

They were all eating well, not knowing that this might probably be their last meal.

Elainey and Rend, who had both finished their meals, looked at each other.

‘Having a meal like this before going to the battlefield will definitely make you confident and at ease.’

‘I’ve never tasted anything like this before.’

They did not know how helpful this dish would be, but it was better to be full than hungry, although they were not expecting anything from this dish’s buffs.

[You have eaten Duck Jumulleok.]

[Legendary Dish.]

[Your STR will increase by 13%, STM will increase by 10%, and AGI will increase by 8%.]

[Your Physical and Magical Attack will increase by 20%.]

[Your Physical and Magical Defense will increase by 20%.]

[God’s Axe Technique’s level will increase by +1.]

[The buff will last for two days.]

“…!”

Rend’s eyes grew wide. It was crazy. The effects were truly freaking crazy. With this, he was confident that the fall of Masserati Kingdom, which they predicted to only happen after a week, would be finished in a day.

‘God’s Axe Technique has leveled up by one?’

This was all thanks to the description written in the ‘Black Duck’, where it would increase the level of whatever the person wanted to increase the most. In other words, the duck meat had the power to recognize what the other person wanted the most.

Rend practiced the God’s Axe Technique and he had always wanted to reach a higher level. With the +1 increase in level of the God’s Axe Technique, he was confident that had become 1.5x stronger.

“What, what a magnificent meal.”

“Amazing…”

They all developed a sense of respect for Minhyuk, the Beyond the Heavens’ King.

“If it’s a meal like this…”

“We will give you what we had promised you.”

Rend and Elainey each handed a book to Minhyuk.

[You have obtained the book about Sword of the Gods’ Rend’s Best Axe Technique.]

[You are the Beyond the Heavens’ King. The skills of the soldiers who use the axe will increase by at least one level after reading this book.]

[…book about Sword of the Gods’ Elainey’s Best Spearmanship…]

[You are the Beyond the Heavens’ King…]

The results were quite excellent. Rend and Elainey’s faces were filled with smiles.

“Once we return from the war, we will surely tell His Majesty about your contributions, Your Majesty Minhyuk.”

“Perhaps, His Majesty will view you in a positive light too.”

“Alright.”

Minhyuk nodded at them, watching as they marched to war. They could not help but admire Minhyuk, who sent them off from the entrance, as their march brought them further away from the empire.

“Hoo. The Beyond the Heavens’ King is a much better man than I thought.”

“You think so too?”

“I think it would be very nice if the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom and our Luvien Empire forges a close relationship.”

Then, they told one of the soldiers next to them, “Let His Majesty know that His Majesty Minhyuk’s cooking has brought no harm to us.”

“We have tried it ourselves, so we are sure.”

They all waved at Minhyuk, who was also waving at them.

Minhyuk smiled at their leaving backs. ‘You better look carefully, you f*ckers.’

He recalled the quest that he received when he faced Nerva Sephiroth. Back then, Nerva had scoffed at him when Minhyuk insinuated that Nerva would want to have a cup of tea with him soon.

[Quest: A Cup of Tea with Nerva Sephiroth.]

Rank: SSS

Requirements: Empire’s Honored Guest.

Rewards: ???

Description: Nerva Sephiroth, the emperor of the Luvien Empire, has slammed his door upon you. If he asks you for a cup of tea first, then that means that he has taken a step back and will allow concessions toward your kingdom.

The quest sounded easy. However, that was not the case at all. The rank, which was at SSS, was proof of how hard it was. This was the simplest show of how powerful and influential Nerva was.

‘Shall I speed things up a bit?’

Minhyuk started to make his move.

***

[The First Plague.]

[Blood will color the rivers red.]

A dark and dreary voice suddenly rang across the entire Luvien Empire as the rivers that ran across the empire slowly turned red with blood.

“B, blood… Kyaaaaaack!”

“Kyaaaaaaack!”

“H, Heok!!!”

“M, mom!!!”

In the wells used by the wives, in the valleys where the children ran around, even the water that they drank.

“Bleeeeeegh!!! What the hell is this?! Isn’t this blood?!”

“The entire world is covered with blood…”

Of course, the Luvien Empire was a very powerful nation. Their mages were able to create water and provide their people with the minimum amount of potable water. However, the problem was that they did not know the cause of this.

“Your Majesty, I have heard reports that Food God Minhyuk’s dishes were of great help to those that went to war.”

Nerva nodded and asked, “What about Food God Minhyuk?”

“He has only been looking around and eating at the accommodation that you have given him.”

“…”

It was very hard not to assume. After all, this crazy thing happened as soon as he came here. However, he did not do anything at all.

At that moment, dreaded notifications rang out.

[The Second Plague.]

[The Third Plague.]

[The Fourth Plague.]

[The fish will jump out of the water. Heads will be filled with lice. And flies will take over the sky.]

“…!”

Nerva Sephiroth frowned at that. However, he suddenly felt an itch in his head.

“…”

Several lice fell on his hands when he gently combed his hair with his hands.

“Kyaaaaaack!”

“Ugh, Aaaaaaaack!”

“Keuhaaaaaaack!”

“…”

Nerva immediately rushed with his retainers to the highest point in the castle to observe the situation of the capital. They were very shocked to see flies occupying the sky, turning it into a sea of black. They flew swiftly, clinging tightly on the bodies of everyone inside the capital. It was a terrible sight to see.

“Have you not found any solution to this?!”

Fortunately, they had not had any casualties yet. However, the people would be in fear, which would in turn shake their nation. If their capital was shaken, the other empires and kingdoms might see this as an opportunity. Perhaps they might even laugh at them and tell them that it was their punishment.

“We first need to figure out the cause…”

“Where’s the Beyond the Heavens’ King?!!!”

“We will check his whereabouts quickly.”

Nerva’s retainers moved, quickly returning to give their report.

“The ones we placed on his side to monitor him have said that he did not do anything.”

It was really driving him nuts. He firmly believed that the man was the cause of it all but he did not even have any physical evidence to prove his claims.

[The Fifth Plague.]

[The livestocks will die and an epidemic will spread.]

“Ugh… aaaaaaaack!”

“N, nooooo!!!”

“Urrrrrrrrk!!!”

In just a few hours, most of the livestock inside the Luvien Empire had died. The livestocks that died began to decompose in just a few hours, their carcasses rotting swiftly. The flies that covered the skies flocked and ate their dead bodies, carrying the virus in them and spreading the plague among the people. The people’s skin started to turn bloody red, a nasty stench reeking from deep within their bones.

[The Sixth Plague.]

[The skin that has grown red will fester and get inflamed.]

Large abscesses grew on the bodies of the people of the empire. These abscesses were so terribly inflamed that yellow pus started to come out of them. Boils grew on everyone, whether they were unmarried women or strong men.

Then, the unidentified voice gave them a warning.

[The final disaster, the Tenth Plague, will be the punishment for the greedy one.]

Nerva concentrated on the sound of the voice.

[You will lose the one that you cherish the most.]

“…!”

The one that Nerva cherished the most was his daughter, the princess. Although three princes had been born to him, the princess, who was born in his later years, was the apple of his eye.

That was when Nerva thought, ‘Didn’t my dear princess cough a lot a few days ago?’

Nerva hurriedly gave his orders to the knights, “Tell the Beyond the Heavens’ King that we shall have a cup of tea.”

Minhyuk had clearly told him a few days ago.

—I believe you will want to meet with me and drink a cup soon.

Back then, Nerva just scoffed at the man. But right now, he was the one that was giving the order to do so. This was a disgrace, a disgrace that would not be easily washed away.

Two hours passed by just like that.

[The Seventh Plague.]

[The skies will bring punishment upon the land.]

Hailstones that were as big as a fist began to fall from the sky, breaking the roofs over everyone’s heads and injuring the people. And that was not all, even balls of fire fell down from all over the place, burning those shattered houses and forcing the people to gather in the plaza.

“Your Majesty!!!”

“Your Majesty Nerva!!! Please save us from this disaster, we beg you!!!”

As he listened to the cries of his people, Nerva thought, ‘How the hell did he do this?’

He was both curious and doubtful.

‘Is it really possible for a person to have power like this?’

Nerva’s common sense dictated that it was impossible. How dare someone so trivial bring forth danger to the entire Luvien Empire, right? Just with this power alone, he knew that it was possible to destroy the empire.

‘What if… it’s an illusion…?’

Nerva Sephiroth was a very clever and crafty ruler. He was able to see right through the crux of the matter. However, there was this fear that was lingering in his head.

‘What if it is real? If so, then the princess will die.’

But everything would be over once he had a cup of tea with the Beyond the Heavens’ King. Anyway, the man would be greatly honored to have a cup of tea with him. Besides, Nerva was sure that the man would be happy to forge friendly relations with the Luvien Empire.

Then, Knight Commander Don arrived to meet him. The problem was there was no Beyond the Heavens’ King, the man that Nerva believed would come rushing once he called, in sight.

“Where is he?”

“…”

Don could not open his mouth. He could not bring himself to say what he wanted to say.

“Commander Don?!!! Where in the world is he?!!!”

Knight Commander Don carefully recalled the words that the man said as he slowly answered Nerva, “He said that he was afraid that he would not be able to meet with you right now since he is a bit busy.”

Nerva Sephiroth, the absolute being under the care of the Battle God, sprang to his feet. “W, what…?! That’s ridiculous…!”

How dare he refuse the emperor’s request? Was he truly a crazy bastard?! That was when Nerva realized that this was the man’s way of mocking him for trampling on his pride before.

‘What if the man truly has something urgent to deal with?’

Nerva had to calm his anger down first and ask, “What was the reason? Why did he say that he could not come?”

Donn stuttered, trying to spit out the words that the man had conveyed to him, “He said… Chi… e…”

No matter how hard Don tried, even if his face had already turned red, he still could not spit the words out properly.

The emperor asked him again, “What is it?”

Don still kept his mouth shut. He had always been cautious and careful with the things that he did. But now, he had no choice but to close his eyes and say those words loudly. “…I’m busy eating chicken. Your Majeeeeesty!!!”

“…”

Nerva Sephiroth was left speechless for a moment. And he, who had always presented himself with courtesy and manners ended up spitting out strings of curses.

“This f*cking!@##!$@#$%$!#$?#!#bastard!@#!#shi!@#!#.”

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