Chapter 909_Leveling Up Through Eating

Chapter 909

 Bender and the other Transcendentals could not stop the drool that dripped down their chins when they saw Minhyuk eat the pork ribs through the crystal ball.

 It had been a long time since they hadst seen proper food! Just one look, and they could already imagine the sweet vor of the ribs that would spread and delight their taste buds the moment the well-seasoned and sizzling pork ribs entered their mouths.

 Although they allowed Conir to challenge the Second Gate, they could not allow this man to do so.

 First, there was a Level 700 level requirement before one could challenge the fortress''s gates. They only allowed the man to challenge the First Gate because Bender made the mistake of dragging him here.

 As for the Second Gate? It also had a Level 700 level requirement. Why was Conir allowed to challenge the Second Gate? It was mainly because Bender could not turn down a direct request from Sword God Valen but also because he could not ovee his desire to eat good food.

 Simply put, Minhyuk could no longer challenge any of the gates of the Fortress of the Transcendentals Fantasy.

 What a delicious smell.

 Kghhk This is the smell of meat.

 Smells good.

 Since the man in front of them had just finished eating, the smell of the pork ribs still lingered in the mans clothes and whetted the appetites of all of the Transcendentals present.

 Hello, everyone! The man called Food God greeted them politely. After Bender''s awkward greeting, the man stared at them for quite a while before he greeted them with a small smile.

 The five Transcendentals hesitated. They were Transcendentals, the proud beings that sealed the Immortal Sorceress Helenia! How could they ask someone that they had first met for something to eat, right?! But they had been hungry for far too long. It was an extremely unbearable pain that they had been carrying for a long time now.

 That uhm, you know? Bender chirped. After all, he was the most friendly of them all.

 Yes? Please go on ahead. Minhyuk shed a bright and lovely smile.

 Can you share some of your food with us?

 Food?

 Thats right, food. We cant leave this ce, and theres no way for us to obtain any cooking ingredients here. It has already been thousands of years.

 Hmm

 Minhyuk looked worried. At that moment, Bender recalled some of Conir''s stories about his hyung. He heard that Food God Minhyuks appetite was bigger than anybody else''s. He also heard that whoever wanted to take away his food would die right away. ording to Conir, he had a disease that made food very precious to him.

 The Transcendentals did not intend to just ask him for food. They wanted to give him something in return for the food. Of course, this would only be possible if Minhyuk agreed to their request.

 Im asking him gently, Bender thought.

 But then, Minhyuk smiled softly and said, Alright.

 Huh?

 Hmm?

 Minhyuk epted it way too readily than they had expected. The Transcendentals were aware of Minhyuks story. They knew that he had a disease that made him want to eat and eat and eat. But a man suffering from such a disease willingly agreed to share his food with them?

 I cant turn a blind eye to someone hungry. Minhyuk smiled faintly.

 A situation where everyone benefits. This was what Minhyuk thought as he looked at them. After all, he had experienced more deep-seated hunger than anybody else. That was why he knew better than anyone how horrible the feeling was. Of course, if he were his usual self, then he would have made sure that he squeezed them dry and got all of the benefits that he could from them.

 But I know how they feel better than anybody else.

 Minhyuk knew the joy and gratitude that one would feel once someone fed them. He was confident that doing this would increase his favor with the Transcendentals.

 It will be very beneficial and valuable for me to build favor and intimacy with the current strongest beings in Athenae.

 Besides, Minhyuk had reached a level where he could control his eating addiction to some extent.

 Its been a while since youst ate a proper meal, so Ill give it my all when cooking.

 The Transcendentals stared at Minhyuk, who was smiling softly at them. At this moment, Minhyuks actions create a synergistic effectpared to the words that Conir had told them before.

 I heard he has a disease that makes him hungry all the time.

 He has a huge appetite and was shouting for food when he saw the former leaders treasure chest earlier.

 But hes giving us food this easily?

 The Transcendentals felt both admiration and gratitude toward Minhyuk.

 [Transcendental Benders favor has increased!]

 [Your swords attack power has increased by 0.2%!]

 [Transcendental Nekks favor has increased.]

 [Your DEX has increased by 0.3%.]

 [Transcendental Bernies favor has increased.]

 [Your Total MP Volume has increased by 0.4%.]

 [Transcendental Cochnus favor has increased.]

 [Your DEX has increased by 0.2%.]

 [Transcendental]

 It was only their favor that increased, and quite a variety of Minhyuks stats also increasedand considering Minhyuks high stats? Well, this would be a massive boost to his power.

 Its like that time with Ellie noona.

 That was right. There were cases where some stats would increase along with the favor. The best example of this was Ellies case in the past. However, this was very rare. After all, for most people, increasing favor was close to impossible.

 The fact that I can increase my favor with them with just one meal is an excellent reward.

 Minhyuk began to prepare a meal for them. He boiled some chicken inside the Bizarre Cauldron and began to cook chicken porridge.

 Theyre going to eat something after such a long time. If they eat something oily, theyll probably get a bad stomach.

 The warm and soft chicken porridge soothed some of their hunger. Minhyuk did his best to cook the chicken porridge for these hungry Transcendentals.

 ***

 Bender and the other Transcendentals looked very emotional as they stared at the still-steaming chicken porridge before them. The thinly julienned carrots, chopped green onions, and onions created the perfect harmony of colors that decorated the light color of the chicken porridge.

 Please dont be in a rush. Here, have some kimchi, Minhyuk said as he ced a well-ripened kimchi in front of them.

 Thanks, Bender gave his heartfelt thanks to Minhyuk as he immediately scooped a huge spoonful of the warm chicken porridge. Steam rose from the spoon that he raised. Hoo! Hoo!

 No matter how hungry he was, Bender knew that eating the porridge just like that would burn the roof of his mouth. So, he blew on it as much as he could before taking a huge bite.

 Chew, chew

 The chicken porridge''s unique, rich, savory vor spread in his mouth the moment he ate it. This was the result of thebination of various ingredients!

 Kghhk!

 How long has it been since hest had a proper meal? It was just like what Conir said. His cooking skills were indeed the best.

 This time, Bender grabbed a piece of kimchi on a spoonful of chicken porridge and pushed it into his mouth.

 Wow

 The kimchi''s sweetness and sournessplemented the chicken porridge''s nd and slightly greasy vor.

 Munch, munch, munch, munch

 The slight spiciness of the kimchi also brought delight to ones mouth.

 Chomp, chomp, chomp, chomp!

 Not only was Bender frantically devouring the chicken porridge, but the others were also doing the same thing. Minhyuk watched the Transcendentals eat, moving to fill their bowls with more chicken porridge whenever he saw their bowls empty.

 Sparkle Sparkle

 A shine appeared on his smooth head when Nekks bowl was filled with chicken porridge. It seemed like his body was heating up from finally being able to eat a hot meal. Minhyuk gently wiped the sweat off of his head.

 It feels smooth

 The sweaty Nekks head was glowing. No, it was shing brightly, just like the sun.

 Minhyuk cooked more chicken porridge so everyone could have enough. And everyone had their fill.

 ck

 Sweat pooled at the tip of Benders nose as he ced his spoon down. He exhaled loudly before gulping down a few mouthfuls of cold water. When Minhyuk saw the smile on their faces, he realized that they were now full and satiated.

 Then, Bender approached Minhyuk. He said, I was finally able to eat something delicious. Here, Ill pay you back. Heres some money for your carriage.

 Ah. Its fine. Well, this

 Bender pushed something crumpled inside Minhyuks pocket!

 [You have obtained a crumpled bunch of money from Transcendental Bender!]

 [You can sell this for 30,000 tinum in the Event Merch Store!]

 ...?

 A sh of doubt appeared on Minhyuks face. Bender had just stuffed it in his pocket, saying it was money for his carriage.

 Thirty thousand tinum is enough to run a territory with a lot still left over.

 And that was not all. It was rare for high-rankers to have 30,000 tinum in their hands. Then, Nekk approached and put something in Minhyuks hands.

 Here, some money for tea.

 [You have obtained a crumpled bunch of money from Transcendental Nekk!]

 [You can sell this for 20,000 tinum in the Event Merch Store]

 Are you saying hes giving me 20,000 tinum for a cup of tea?

 Bernie shrugged her shoulders, sidled up to Minhyuk, and slipped something in his hands.

 Here you go. Food money.

 [...crumpled bunch of money from Transcendental Bernie!]

 [You can sell this for 20,000 tinum]

 If were talking about food money, 20,000 tinum is not enough, though?

 Get some meat with this.

 [...Transcendental Cochnus!]

 [...25,000 tinum]

 Use this to buy your babys diapers.

 [...20,000 tinum]

 Minhyuk made diaper money for a baby that he did not have. He had spent around 100,000 gold to make chicken porridge. But turning that 100,000 million gold to 100,000 tinum? That was worthwhile!

 Minhyuk grinned widely. Fufu.

 However, after thinking about it, he realized that this money was a small change for them. Also, money was meaningless to them since they could not go outside. Before pondering all that, Minhyuk had one thing he was very curious about.

 But why cant you eat? I think you can farm by yourselves, right?

 Thend is barren. Weve tried for hundreds of years, but we realized that farming in thesends is impossible, Nekk answered.

 In the first ce, this fortress was where people who realized they were Transcendentals entered. Thisnd was filled with monsters and was utterly barren.

 You cannot use seeds from outside in this ce.

 We cant use the seeds from the outside?

 Thats right. This fortress does not ept anything thates from the outside. The moment we nt the seeds, they will immediately rot. And even if we nt them, we wont be able to eat any meat, right?

 Hmm

 When nting seeds, one would mostly expect vegetables and fruits to grow. But that was mostly the case for their standards, not Minhyuks.

 If its not possible with seeds brought from the outside, then perhaps its possible if theyre seeds created inside.

 Minhyuk realized early on that he could gain significant rewards from the Transcendentals.

 Maybe its going to be easy for me?

 A barrennd? A fortress that rejects seeds from the outside? And people who give generous rewards?

 By any chance, if I can turn this barrennd into fertilend and get meat to grow from seeds, what would you do?

 The Transcendentals were over the moon just by imagining those things happening. Even though they were talking with Minhyuk, they wanted to shove food down their throats even if they had to vomit it out right after. If Minhyuk had left now, there was a high chance they would have to endure hundreds of years of hunger again.

 But their expressions turned dark not long after.

 Its impossible.

 Its not something that could be done in the first ce.

 We are a superior race. Were different from you. But even we cant make it happen.

 They have tried thousands of times. However, even if the Transcendentals were from a superior race, that did not mean they were exceptional in all fields. Minhyuk licked his lips.

 Of course, it would be challenging for me too. I probably must sweat blood and tears to turn this barrennd into a fertile one. Minhyuk clenched his fists tightly. I might have to vomit blood just to ensure that these seeds, which this fortress rejects, would grow and prosper. However, I know what hunger feels like more than anybody else.

 Minhyuk looked at all of them with a serious expression on his face. Everyone was aware of that. They all knew that this young man in front of them suffered from a disease.

 Aaaah. One look at that expression, and you can tell he understands us.

 He understands us and cares about us.

 He looks serious. He definitely will do his best.

 Everyone, I will give it my all so you wont get hungry. But of course, I would need some driving force to help me do my best. So, please trust me for once.

 They all looked emotional as they stared at Minhyuk. It was as if they hadnt seen him licking his lips earlier. Then, Nekk said, I will make an armor for you. And if you dont like it, I will reinforce your current armor and improve it.

 [Transcendental Nekk vows to either make an entirely new armor for you or reinforce the armor that you currently own!]

 Ill give you a magic book that has never been seen before.

 [Transcendental Bernie vows to give you the magic book she created, the Transcendental Magic Book!]

 I will give you all of the money that I have. Anyway, theyre just like sheets of paper to me.

 [Transcendental Cochnus vows to give you 760,000 tinum!]

 I will bestow upon you our Races Blessings.

 [Transcendental Vaghan vows to bestow upon you the Transcendentals Blessing.]

 Finally, Minhyuk turned to look at Bender. Bender was thinking deeply. But before he could think of anything, Minhyuk stepped forward and opened his mouth: Theres this one thing that I really want to get. Also, theres something that I want to know. Can I request of you?

 Bender nodded readily.

 The Mountain Ore. Also, please tell me about Ruffisos birth.

 ...!

 ...!

 ...!

 ...!

 ...!

 The expression on the faces of all of the Transcendentals grew solemn when they heard Minhyuks words.

 The Mountain Ore and Ruffiso?

 He wants the Mountain Ore?

 The Mountain Ore was something that they vowed to keep for the rest of their lives and make sure to keep out of Helenias hands.

 Bender looked at Minhyuk sharply and said, What will you use it for?

 The other Transcendentals also turned to look at him, their gazes demanding answers from him.

 I- I want to make soybean paste with it?

 Minhyuk opened his mouth, but he could not get the words out.

21Novel

Chapter 909