Chapter 887
Just like usual, discussions about the special players and the future direction of Athenae’s story took place inside Joy Co. Ltd.’s conference room.
“Then, let’s do it this way for that part.” Kang Taehoon gave his approval after silently listening to the discussions and suggestions of each team leader and director. However, as he sat calmly in his chair, he recalled one of the players.
So, he asked, “Player Minhyuk... he has received the recognition of quite a few gods, no?”
Kang Taehoon’s eyes turned to Team Leader Park Minggyu. He was confident that Team Leader Park had already checked and confirmed the situation from the beginning until the end.
“That’s right. Minhyuk has received the recognition of the gods that did not believe and trust in him after he successfully attacked Argalis Dungeon, a dungeon that not even the gods could clear in the Land of the Gods.”
“That’s amazing.” President Kang Taehoon was impressed.
What kind of beings were the gods? They were the most arrogant and prideful beings in Athenae. Ordinary players would probably never meet a God for the rest of their lives. But these very same gods had recognized the Food God as the rightful descendant of the Battle God.
Then, Minggyu suddenly said, “President, I have some additional things to report to you.”
President Kang Taehoon looked at him in doubt. Based on Team Leader Park Minggyu’s personality and nature, if he had something to report, he would have already said it right after the meeting commenced. But he only opened his mouth right when the meeting was about to end.
“I was hesitating if I should report this or not.”
“Huh? What is it?”
“We have confirmed that Player Minhyuk has obtained the authority to run a God-rank dungeon once.”
“The authority to run a God-rank dungeon...”
Some people, including President Kang Taehoon, were startled when they heard those words. However, even though they were pretty shocked, it was still debatable whether this topic was important enough to be discussed in the conference room.
The level of Athenae players had soared tremendously. God-rank artifacts? God-grade skills? Over a hundred players in the game had obtained those that carried the name of God now. That was even more so the case for cooking ingredients. Since this type of item was a consumable, more than 300 of them had been released in the game.
“It’s possible to obtain the authority to run a God-rank dungeon somewhere other than Argalis Dungeon, no?”
No authority to run a God-rank dungeon was listed among the rewards for Argalis Dungeon. This reward allowed those pursuing quests related to God of Dungeons Evas to proceed further, and it was not that uncommon.
Team Leader Park explained the exact details of the story to the rest of the people in the conference room.
“So, you’re saying that Evas’ soul gave the authority to run a God-rank dungeon once to the Food God as an apology?”
“That’s right.”
Evas would not consider it a waste to give this reward to Minhyuk. After all, Minhyuk was the one who cleared the extremely difficult Argalis Dungeon.
“If it’s a problem, then it would become a problem. But if it is not, then it wouldn’t matter at all.”
Hence, Team Leader Park Minggyu was conflicted and wondered if he should report the matter.
“Evas’ authority to rule a God-rank dungeon is better than ordinary authority to rule God-rank dungeons.”
Team Leader Park nodded.
“Even if an ordinary player obtained the authority to rule a God-rank dungeon, they would not be able to use it properly.”
Hearing what Kang Taehoon said, Park Minggyu added, “Ordinary players could use the mobs that are given in God-rank dungeons. However, for named monsters or Named NPCs that would become quasi-boss and boss-level beings, they had to be those tamed by the player themselves or those working under them.”
A collective groan rang out when they heard the word vassal.
“Hnggh... What would happen if Spear God Ben becomes the boss mob?” asked one of the team leaders, who belatedly realized the seriousness of the matter.
Minggyu’s face flashed with a bitter expression. “If that’s the only problem, then we should all be relieved. However, there is a high chance that the Spear God, the Fallen Wretched Emperor, the Great Demon, and many more will only become a quasi-boss mob.”
“...”
“...”
“Well... the boss mob will most likely be Player Minhyuk.”
“...”
“...”
Everyone in the conference room looked like they had been hit on the head.
President Kang Taehoon sighed lightly. “All we can hope for is Player Minyuk to run the dungeon normally.”
Everyone agreed with the president’s words. However, Team Leader Park, whose face had grown even more bitter, said, “President, I still have one more problem.”
“Another problem?”
“Yes.”
“Everyone here knows Player Minhyuk has obtained a ticket to allow him entry to the Field of the Gods, right?”
This was still within Kang Taehoon’s expectations. The Argalis Dungeon was a place that could make one’s dreams come true.
‘And Player Minhyuk’s dream is, without a doubt, related to eating.’
Because of that, he already expected the man to be able to reach the Field of the Gods. However, even if that were the case, the duration at which he could stay inside the Field of the Gods would be very short. Furthermore...
“Aren’t the crops growing in the Field of the Gods much harder to harvest than ordinary crops?”
That was right. In addition, the much harder-to-harvest part here did not mean that it was because the crops had a higher grade than normal. Assuming that the same God-grade ingredient was planted in the Field of the Gods and an ordinary field, the crops that grew in the Field of the Gods would be 1.5x harder to harvest.
“Well, considering Player Minhyuk’s high level of DEX, he would definitely be able to harvest quite a lot.”
“However, God of Dungeons Bentley broke the rules and stormed inside the dungeon. Because of that, the all-quest skip condition was added to the clearing conditions of the dungeon. For that same reason, the duration of his stay in the Field of the Gods has increased significantly.”
A solemn expression appeared on President Kang Taehoon’s face.
Just as its name suggested, the Field of the Gods was a land filled with God-grade ingredients. Of course, not all of them were categorized as God-grade ingredients, but there were quite a few low-quality ingredients that could only exert powers and abilities on par with legendary-grade ones in the field.
With cold sweat dripping down his back, Park Minggyu said, “What if... What if Player Minhyuk does something big by combining the ingredients that he will acquire from the Field of the Gods and the authority to rule a God-rank dungeon?” he gulped dryly and continued, “If that happened, then our overtime is as good as sealed.”
A dark and solemn expression flashed in the faces of everyone present. Some of the team leaders even started to shed tears at the thought.
***
(The One Carrying the Hero’s Pride)
Unique Title
Title Effects:
•Additional 2% for all stats.
•Additional 5% on CHA.
•The Hero’s Story.
The One Carrying the Hero’s Pride was the title that Minhyuk had received when the AI was controlling him to see off War God Veyron. If one looked at its description, one would say that The One Carrying the Hero’s Pride was not such a great title. However, there was something noteworthy in this title. And that was none other than The Hero’s Story.
[Whenever the system recognizes a hero, the Hero’s Story will be triggered. Once the Hero’s Story has been triggered, the title's effects will improve based on the recognized hero’s achievements.]
To put it simply, it was a growth-type title. At present, this title might seem insignificant compared to the God Above Gods title.
‘However, The One Carrying the Hero’s Pride has a much greater potential.’
To be exact, The One Carrying the Hero’s Pride was a title with infinite potential.
Rumble–
When the sky of Argalis Dungeon started to crumble, a bright light engulfed Minhyuk and warped him away from the place.
[You will now be sent out of Argalis Dungeon.]
Minhyuk opened his eyes and breathed a huge sigh of relief. ‘Thank goodness I did not show up there.’
Based on what Minhyuk had personally gathered, he assumed that many gods would gather in front of Argalis Dungeon. If he warped in that place, he would have to deal with them, which would be exhausting. Thankfully, that was not the case.
After sending the thought to the back of his head, excitement suddenly washed over him.
‘Kghhk! The Field of the Gods!’
The thought of the place, which must be filled with countless mouthwatering ingredients, alone was enough to delight him. However, before entering, he checked the ticket that would allow him entry to the Field of the Gods.
(Field of the Gods’ Entry Ticket)
Rank: God
Entry Details:
•The duration of your stay inside the Field of the Gods is six minutes.
•You can take away the ingredients if you can successfully harvest them.
•You can use all of the skills that you own inside.
•Even if the crops are of the same grade as those from the outside, harvesting the crops from the Field of the Gods is 1.5x more difficult than usual.
As he looked at the ticket’s description, Minhyuk thought, ‘Is there a way for me to take as many delicious ingredients as I want?’
If he could harvest for six minutes, he would take all the God-grade ingredients. However, he wanted more. At that moment, Minhyuk’s concentration reached a terrifying level. This was how tenacious he was when it came to food and eating. As he pondered deeply, Minhyuk recalled a method that would probably allow him to do what he wanted there.
“Ah...!”
This was none other than the skill combination. When his God Above Gods title was completed, Minhyuk acquired the chance to combine two skills and another chance to combine three skills. He quickly clicked on the detailed description of the skill combination.
[You have to choose the skills that you want to combine.]
[You have to explain in detail how the skills will be combined and how they will be used.]
[The system will determine if the skills are suitable and if they can be combined.]
[If it is determined to be suitable, the success of the combination of the skills would depend on their suitability.]
[The Two Skill Combination can only try to combine the two selected skills twenty times.]
[If the skill combination fails, you can no longer try any combination of the skill 1 + skill 2 varieties you have attempted.]
Just because Minhyuk combined two skills did not necessarily mean the combination would work. He had to determine if the skills would fit together. Also, based on what he could see with the combination success rate, a considerable portion depended on luck.
‘Of course, combining two or three attack skills will greatly help me.’
However, what would happen after that? Was everything about increasing his attack power? At this moment, Minhyuk thought he should at least use one chance to help him eat something delicious.
‘What combination will allow me to increase my harvest yield significantly?’ Minhyuk pondered.
In his head, Minhyuk began to combine various God-rank skills, the minimum requirement for the rank of the skills he could combine with his God Above Gods title.
‘It should be a skill that will help me harvest more crops from here on out.’
Various skill combinations popped up in Minhyuk’s head. However, the most crucial thing that popped up was...
“Can I combine artifact skills with the skills in my possession?”
He hoped to combine Divine Will with the Dual Swordsmanship Technique. Minhyuk already imagined himself holding two pickaxes as he worked through the field!
‘I will be able to harvest more quickly.’
However, Minhyuk’s fantasy was instantly shattered.
[Artifact skills cannot be combined.]
Minhyuk sighed ruefully. He had been very excited when he imagined himself holding two pickaxes, but the dream was instantly shattered, and he was left sad and depressed.
‘Then, how should I combine my skills?’ Minhyuk thought, his eyes closing as he pondered about this matter deeply.
Suddenly, his eyes blinked open. “This is it! Two Skill Combination.”
At that moment, a hologram screen appeared right in front of Minhyuk.
[Please select the skills you want to combine.]
Minhyuk quickly clicked the two skills that he wanted to combine.
[Passive Skill Lightning: Destruction.]
[Passive Skill: Divine Will.]
[You have selected two skills.]
There was something significant to take note of about these two skills.
‘Both of these skills are Absolute God’s Secrets.’
If this combination succeeded, Minhyuk was confident he would have a jaw dropping harvesting skill.
[Please explain in detail how the combined skill will be cast and what it is used for.]
The hologram screen quickly filled with letters as he typed. How would the skill be used? Well, he intended to use it to harvest crops. How would it be cast or used once triggered?
‘The Destruction skill sends sixteen lightning strikes and inflicts additional damage once triggered.’
What if Minhyuk applied that to harvesting crops?
‘One harvest attempt would turn into sixteen harvest attempts. Then, the buff effects of Divine Will would be added.’
Minhyuk suddenly stopped typing.
‘Isn’t this going to be very crazy?’
If this skill could be combined, then it would definitely produce a very ridiculous and crazy skill. Finally, Minhyuk clicked the complete button.
[The suitability of the skill combination is being determined.]
[Determining... 6%... 15%... 25%... 38%...]
[The skills can be combined!]
[The combination success rate will now be determined!]
[The combination success rate is at 3%!]
[You have twenty attempts to combine the skills!]
[If the skill combination fails, you can no longer try any combination of the skill 1 + skill 2 varieties you have attempted.]
Minhyuk took a deep breath. It has been a while since he found something that he truly wanted to obtain. He stared at the hologram screen momentarily before clicking the attempt combination button.
[Attempting combination.]
Light engulfed the two skills flashing on the hologram screen. However, a red light suddenly covered the entire screen.
[Combination failed!]
However, it did not stop there.
[Attempting combination.]
[Combination failed...]
[Attempting combination.]
[Combination failed...]
[Attempting combination.]
[Combination failed...]
[Attempting combination.]
[Combination failed...]
“Keuaaaaaaack!”
Ten failed attempts in a row. Perhaps this was only the natural outcome. After all, the combination success rate was only 3%. Even so, the loss that wrapped around Minhyuk’s entire being was too great.
‘This skill will help me eat more delicious food!’
Minhyuk steeled his heart as he tried to calm himself. Then, he tried to combine the skills once again.
[Attempting combination.]
[Combination failed...]
[Attempting combination.]
[Combination failed...]
[Attempting combination.]
[Combination failed...]
[Attempting combination.]
[Combination failed...]
Minhyuk’s expression grew ugly as continuous failure rang in his ears.
At the same time, most people sitting inside the Joy Co. Ltd.’s conference room were tightly clasping their sweaty hands.
‘If Player Minhyuk can successfully combine those skills, he will be able to harvest more ingredients in the Field of the Gods.’
‘If that happens, our fate of doing overtime will be sealed.’
They never know what Minhyuk, who always did something new and unprecedented, would do if he obtained such a skill! That was why everyone was praying for the failure of the skill combination.
However, Minhyuk was roaring for the success of his skill combination. “Combiiiiiiiiiiiine!!!”
[Combination failed...]
“Combiiiiiiiiine!!!”
[Combination failed...]
“Combiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine!!!”
[Combination failed...]
“COMBINE!”
[Combination failed...]
Minhyuk’s face flashed with disappointment when his 19th attempt at combining the skills failed. On the other hand, the faces of all the team leaders present inside Joy Co. Ltd.’s conference room were smiling.
Team Leader Park said, “It seems like we’ll prevail this time.”
Hope bloomed in their hearts. It seemed like they would not work overtime for this.
Minhyuk sighed, his face dejected. ‘It would be more strange if everything went well for me.’
With a click of his tongue, Minhyuk pressed the attempt combination button one final time. He was thinking, ‘Let’s do this so I won’t have any regrets.’ but his eyes were closed tightly, his heart thumping wildly and even his breathing had turned almost non-existent. And finally, a very happy tune rang in his ears.
Ring!
[Combination successful!]
[The Passive Skill: Striking Will has been created!]
“Uwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!” Minhyuk cheered loudly.
“...”
“...”
“...”
The Joy Co. Ltd.’s conference room was plunged into deep silence.
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