Leveling Up Through Eating

Chapter 1109

Almost everyone had heard many stories about Heaven and the angels from a young age.

‘Heaven is a place where the kind and gracious angels live. If you do good things, you will go to Heaven.’

Because of these stories, people were curious about the angels. That was the case even in Athenae. Yet, even though Athenae has been open for quite some time, the angels remained hidden behind a thin veil of mystery.

Even though the players were familiar with and used to the existence of gods, the existence of angels, not to mention the archangels, remained a mystery to them.

The number of players who had seen the archangels could be counted on one hand. It is said that some of the priests who served God could see the archangels in their dreams. But even those stories were regarded as nothing but bullshit.

While doubts arose among the crowd and the viewers, Minhyuk said, “I would like to ask for the help of the archangels.”

“...!”

Right now, the scene was being transmitted through Minhyuk’s live broadcast and several broadcasting stations worldwide. The commentators all lost their cool.

[A-angel?!]

[And it’s not just a mere angel; he’s talking about archangels?!]

Because of Aemira’s existence, everyone knew Minhyuk’s words were not a bluff. But was Minhyuk truly close enough with Heaven that he could get the help of the archangels?

Then, Minhyuk took something out. This something was none other than the Archangels’ Token of Friendship that he asked from Michael. The token was in the form of a star as small as a pebble.

When Minhyuk’s mana touched the star, it released overwhelming holy power as it slowly floated to the sky. The scene was just like a star rising from the world.

[The Archangels’ Token of Friendship is resonating!]

Everyone was struck dumb.

[The votes have increased significantly.]

[Pillar of Gourmands Minhyuk. Percentage: 10.3%.]

Minhyuk’s votes witnessed another significant increase.

That small star signified his friendly relationship with the archangels. What Minhyuk actually wanted from them was not the token but their help.

[You have used the Archangels’ Star.]

The Archangels’ Star was the item that Minhyuk received as a bribe in exchange for keeping their atrocities and their wrongful indictment and imprisonment of the innocent Aemira.

When he was discussing the compensations with Archangel Michael, he heard the notification about the Advanced Polls. It was precisely because of those notifications that he chose to obtain this compensation.

Minhyuk needed two things to obtain votes. One of them was an exaggerated show of his overwhelmingly strong powers to prove his abilities.

A tiny feather slowly landed in Minhyuk’s hands. Then, this feather slowly fluttered back to the sky. All of the cameras present followed the feather and pointed to the sky.

At the same time, four spheres the size of a meteor appeared covered in bright and pristine white light. These spheres tore through the sky and began to fall slowly before stopping at a certain distance from each other. These bright spheres of light looked just like the twinkling stars at night. This was precisely why this power was called Archangels’ Star.

[The Star of Distinguishing the Truth and the Lies has resonated with you.]

[The Star of Justice has resonated with you.]

[The Star of Honor has resonated with you.]

[The Star of Limits and Pinnacles has resonated with you.]

The Archangels’ Stars floated in the sky above them.

Minhyuk looked up at each of the stars and smiled kindly as if greeting an old friend. Then he said, “Long time no see, everyone.”

‘You f*cking bastards.’

This was the most exaggerated show that Minhyuk was performing for the world. Despite the kind and gentle smile on Minhyuk’s face, their relationship was more like an ill-fated relationship.

The Archangels’ Stars resonated when Minhyuk flashed them a smile. They were actually gritting their teeth at him. But in the eyes of the people, it was nothing short of beautiful.

[T-the archangels are responding to Minhyuk’s greeting.]

[The stars are actually emitting the most beautiful light in the world.]

What did the people have high expectations for when it came to angels and archangels? Of course, it was none other than their buff abilities. The name Angel’s Blessings alone made people’s hearts thump wildly.

And just like everyone expected, the Archangels’ Star was a consumable item that could give the one possessing it a unique buff ability.

“Please bestow upon me the power to make a better and more outstanding dish.”

[The Star of Distinguishing Truth and Lies has increased your chances of making higher-grade dishes by 30%.]

“Please bestow upon me the power to make a more exquisite and delicious dish.”

[The Star of Justice has increased your DEX by 16%.]

“Please bestow upon me the power to make a dish with a level that only I can reach.”

[The Star of Honor has increased all your cooking skills by +1 level.]

Minhyuk looked at the Star of Limits and Pinnacles. The star resonated loudly as if it wanted him to speak up and tell it what he wanted immediately, but it was not the time to use the star’s power yet. Minhyuk did not need the power of the last star just yet.

‘It doesn’t matter when, as long as I say what I want within today.’

The Archangels’ Star could undoubtedly be seen as something that could tremendously boost one’s power. However, if one examined it closely, it was an item with the same effects as a God-grade dish Minhyuk had cooked.

Nevertheless, it also had its differences. This was because the effects of the Archangels’ Star would change depending on the circumstances. After all, it was an item whose power could be overlapped with other powers.

With this, the most incredible show was ready to be released.

The Beyond the Heavens’ chefs spread out the ingredients around Minhyuk. Each and every ingredient was of a different kind and was each of the God-grade rank. As the ingredients were laid out, Minhyuk began listing the dishes he would prepare.

“Stir-fried samgyeopsal and bean sprouts.

“Sushi.

“Samgyetang.

“Ox bone hangover soup.

“Spaghetti.”

At first glance, it sounded like Minhyuk was just listing the dishes he wanted to eat, but that was not the case at all. He was talking about the twenty God-grade dishes he would make with the ingredients he had already mastered and wholly understood in front of him.

Then, he finally started.

He grabbed the first ingredient, a juicy and tasty tomato. Even though it was just a simple tomato, it was a God-grade ingredient, and all God-grade ingredients were very tricky to deal with. Just like any God-grade ingredient, the tomato started to rebel when he tried to boil it in a pot to make the sauce for the spaghetti.

[The Tomato is looking forward to being cooked by you, someone who possesses remarkably outstanding dexterity.]

Even Minhyuk was surprised when he heard the notification. The ingredient itself wanted to be cooked by him. It seemed like the ingredient told him, ‘The only chef that will cook me is you. So, I leave myself in your caring hands.’

Shwaaaaaa–!

Blazing flames shot out as he put down the frying pan and began to make the spaghetti.

Then, just like that, Minhyuk completed a dish that left the entire world in shock.

[You have completed the Tomato Spaghetti.]

[The dish is God grade.]

Ding–!

The bell, which rang whenever a dish was finished and ready to be served in a restaurant, rang once and signified the completion of the first dish.

[The Samgyeopsal is looking forward to being cooked by you, someone with remarkably outstanding dexterity.]

The second dish was completed.

[You have completed the Stir-fried Samgyeopsal and Bean Sprouts.]

[The dish is God grade.]

Ding–!

The third dish was done.

[You have completed the Sushi.]

[The dish is God grade.]

Ding–!

The fourth dish was finished.

[You have completed the Samgyetang.]

[The dish is God grade.]

Ding–!

The fifth dish was done.

Ding–!

And so was the sixth dish.

Ding–!

And the seventh dish.

Ding–!

The beautiful ringing of the bell echoed every so often in the now-silent world.

Minhyuk, the one everyone ignored because he was ranked 9th in the Advanced Polls, continued to cook despite sweat dripping down his forehead. With every touch of his hand on the bell, he completed a dish. He was now on his ninth dish.

Ding–!

Everyone could not take their eyes off Minhyuk as the clear and crisp sound of the bell rang out again.

[Battle God’s Voice.]

As Minhyuk began to cook the tenth dish, the Battle God’s Voice was activated, a power that could paint a scene in the sky above them. Everyone turned to look at the scenes painted above them. Surprisingly, the scenes above them were screenshots of people criticizing him for being someone who merely “ate” and “cooked.”

[A God-rank artifact is better than ten God-grade dishes. Lmao.]

[That’s why it’s impossible for the Food God to become a Pillar.]

[Guys, if it were you, what would you choose? Ten dishes that would be gone after eating or an artifact that will permanently stay with you?]

[It’s better for Minhyuk to just push through the path of a Battle God.]

These comments and criticisms seemed to show the weight that Minhyuk was carrying on his shoulders.

Swoosh–

The hundreds of comments and criticisms scattered and filled the sky above them. As if to reply to their harsh words, Minhyuk answered them through the Battle God’s Voice.

[The God who Loves to Eat knows.]

[Like everyone else said, the value of a dish is infinitely lower than an artifact. He knows.]

[This is the truth. A dish will disappear once you eat it.]

[The god was forced to learn that fact the hard way.]

The fact that the one thing that he loved the most was not recognized or acknowledged by the people was something that left him sad.

[They asked if he ran away.]

Nevertheless, Minhyuk did not run away and give up like they said.

[They asked if he could not think of a way for his dishes to overcome artifacts.]

[But they were wrong.]

[The God who Loves to Eat has been thinking and pondering this matter for who knows how long.]

[How can he make a dish far surpassing an artifact?]

It was not that difficult.

[If it does not work after making ten God-grade dishes, then…]

[He’ll just have to make twenty God-grade dishes.]

[If that still does not work, he’ll just have to make thirty God-grade dishes.]

[He will never give up until he makes it happen.]

The tenth dish was slowly reaching its completion.

[It’s okay even if the road is difficult.]

The reason why Minhyuk wanted to become the Pillar of the Gourmands was simple.

[The God who Loves to Eat will be able to do it because this is what he loves the most.]

[He is a crazy god, and that’s why he will be able to do it.]

[He is a god who enjoys what he’s doing; that’s why he will be able to do it.]

[He is a god who does not give up; that’s why he will be able to do it.]

Finally, Minhyuk turned off the heat. The tenth dish was completed.

Ding–!

The clear and crisp sound of the bell echoed in the world once again. Those who believed it was impossible for Minhyuk to make twenty God-grade dishes in a row could not take their eyes off him.

Minhyuk prepared to make the eleventh dish.

[The Eight Pillars have started to pay attention to the Pillar Candidate who ‘is crazy, enjoys what he does, and never gives up’ on what he loves.]

[The Eight Pillars are looking at the candidate who wants to become the Pillar of the Gourmands!]

The gazes of the Pillars standing at the center of the world turned toward Minhyuk. Nonetheless, that was not the end of the shocking notifications. World messages rang one after another.

[Anonymous has created ten God-grade dishes in a row. He has achieved something that only Jack-of-all-Trades Rocado could do before!]

[The soul of the deceased Jack-of-all-Trades Rocado approaches the new Pillar and the Dexterity Successor and cheers for him.]

[Your DEX has increased by 15%.]

The man once hailed as the Pillar of Dexterity has already disappeared from the world. However, he still showed his support and recognition for the man who would become the successor to his throne.

The notification itself brought forth a massive boost to Mihyuk.

[The votes have increased significantly.]

[Pillar of Gourmands Minhyuk. Percentage: 13.1%.]

[The votes have increased significantly.]

[Pillar of Gourmands Minhyuk. Percentage: 15.8%.]

[Pillar of Gourmands Minhyuk. Percentage: 17.6%.]

[Pillar of Gourmands Minhyuk. Percentage: 18.8%.]

The notifications that announced the changes in Minhyuk’s votes signified the recognition of the masses. Then, at that moment, another notification rang.

[The God who Loves to Cook shows her support for you.]

On the day that Minhyuk and the Battle God killed the Supreme Monarch, the God of Cooking had knelt in front of Minhyuk and vowed that she would follow the Battle God regardless of the path that he would take. The support that Arlene showed gave Minhyuk the strength to keep on going.

Ding–!

The thirteenth God-grade dish was born to the world.

Ding–!

The fourteenth dish.

Ding–!

The fifteenth dish.

Ding–!

The eighteenth dish.

[Pillar of Gourmands Minhyuk. Percentage: 23.8%.]

The nineteenth dish.

[Pillar of Gourmands Minhyuk. Percentage: 24.1%.]

Nineteen God-grade dishes were laid out around Minhyuk. Right now, all the viewers were paying close attention to Minhyuk and his cooking despite only half a day left for the Advanced Polls’ voting period.

Minhyuk carefully and cautiously began to prepare the final dish.

[You have completed the Spicy Stir-fried Pork.]

[The dish is God grade.]

As expected, it was also a God-grade dish.

[Advanced Polls]

Current Voter Turnout: 70.2%

1st place: Pillar of Death Boleyn. Percentage: 34.1%

2nd place: Pillar of Gourmands Minhyuk. Percentage: 27.9%

Minhyuk’s votes rose rapidly and catapulted him to second place. But things were not yet over.

Minhyuk had promised to make twenty God-grade dishes in a row. Unfortunately, there was still a massive gap between his and the votes in the first place.

‘As expected.’

However, there was still a way to turn things around. And that was to show the world the effects of this shocking and amazing God-grade dish. How would he do that? Well, it was surprisingly simple.

“Archangel of Limits and Pinnacles.”

Minhyuk, who had not yet borrowed the strength of the last archangel, looked up at the sky. The power that Archangel of Limits and Pinnacles Raphael possessed was to change an item's grade and increase it by one level.

“Please bestow your power upon this dish.”

[The Star of Limits and Pinnacles has raised the grade of your chosen dish.]

[The Samgyetang’s grade has changed.]

[The grade of the Samgyetang has changed from God-grade to Absolute God-grade.]