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 had last seen proper food! Just one look, and they could already imagine the sweet flavor 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 overcome his desire to eat good food.
Simply put, Minhyuk could no longer challenge any of the gates of the Fortress of the Transcendental’s 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 man’s 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 flashed a bright and lovely smile.
“Can you share some of your food with us?”
“Food?”
“That’s right, food. We can’t leave this place, and there’s 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 Minhyuk’s appetite was bigger than anybody else's. He also heard that whoever wanted to take away his food would die right away. According 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.
‘I’m asking him gently,’ Bender thought.
But then, Minhyuk smiled softly and said, “Alright.”
“Huh?”
“Hmm?”
Minhyuk accepted it way too readily than they had expected. The Transcendentals were aware of Minhyuk’s 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 can’t 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.
“It’s been a while since you last ate a proper meal, so I’ll give it my all when cooking.”
The Transcendentals stared at Minhyuk, who was smiling softly at them. At this moment, Minhyuk’s actions create a synergistic effect compared 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 leader’s treasure chest earlier.’
‘But he’s giving us food this easily?’
The Transcendentals felt both admiration and gratitude toward Minhyuk.
[Transcendental Bender’s favor has increased!]
[Your sword’s attack power has increased by 0.2%!]
[Transcendental Nekk’s favor has increased.]
[Your DEX has increased by 0.3%.]
[Transcendental Bernie’s 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 Minhyuk’s stats also increased—and considering Minhyuk’s high stats? Well, this would be a massive boost to his power.
‘It’s 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 Ellie’s 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.
‘They’re going to eat something after such a long time. If they eat something oily, they’ll 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 don’t be in a rush. Here, have some kimchi,” Minhyuk said as he placed 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 flavor spread in his mouth the moment he ate it. This was the result of the combination of various ingredients!
“Kghhk...!”
How long has it been since he last 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 sourness complemented the chicken porridge's bland and slightly greasy flavor.
Munch, munch, munch, munch–
The slight spiciness of the kimchi also brought delight to one’s 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 Nekk’s 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 Nekk’s head was glowing. No, it was flashing brightly, just like the sun.
Minhyuk cooked more chicken porridge so everyone could have enough. And everyone had their fill.
Clack–
Sweat pooled at the tip of Bender’s nose as he placed 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, I’ll pay you back. Here’s some money for your carriage.”
“Ah. It’s fine. Well, this...”
Bender pushed something crumpled inside Minhyuk’s pocket!
[You have obtained a crumpled bunch of money from Transcendental Bender!]
[You can sell this for 30,000 platinum in the Event Merch Store!]
“...?”
A flash of doubt appeared on Minhyuk’s face. Bender had just stuffed it in his pocket, saying it was money for his carriage.
‘Thirty thousand platinum 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 platinum in their hands. Then, Nekk approached and put something in Minhyuk’s hands.
“Here, some money for tea.”
[You have obtained a crumpled bunch of money from Transcendental Nekk!]
[You can sell this for 20,000 platinum in the Event Merch Store...]
‘Are you saying he’s giving me 20,000 platinum 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 platinum...]
‘If we’re talking about food money, 20,000 platinum is not enough, though?’
“Get some meat with this.”
[...Transcendental Cochnus!]
[...25,000 platinum...]
“Use this to buy your baby’s diapers.”
[...20,000 platinum...]
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 platinum? 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 can’t you eat? I think you can farm by yourselves, right?”
“The land is barren. We’ve tried for hundreds of years, but we realized that farming in these lands is impossible,” Nekk answered.
In the first place, this fortress was where people who realized they were Transcendentals entered. This land was filled with monsters and was utterly barren.
“You cannot use seeds from outside in this place.”
“We can’t use the seeds from the outside?”
“That’s right. This fortress does not accept anything that comes from the outside. The moment we plant the seeds, they will immediately rot. And even if we plant them, we won’t be able to eat any meat, right?”
“Hmm...”
When planting seeds, one would mostly expect vegetables and fruits to grow. But that was mostly the case for their standards, not Minhyuk’s.
‘If it’s not possible with seeds brought from the outside, then perhaps it’s possible if they’re seeds created inside.’
Minhyuk realized early on that he could gain significant rewards from the Transcendentals.
‘Maybe it’s going to be easy for me?’
A barren land? A fortress that rejects seeds from the outside? And people who give generous rewards?
“By any chance, if I can turn this barren land into fertile land 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.
“It’s impossible.”
“It’s not something that could be done in the first place.”
“We are a superior race. We’re different from you. But even we can’t 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 barren land 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 won’t 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 hadn’t seen him licking his lips earlier. Then, Nekk said, “I will make an armor for you. And if you don’t 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!]
“I’ll 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, they’re just like sheets of paper to me.”
[Transcendental Cochnus vows to give you 760,000 platinum!]
“I will bestow upon you our Race’s Blessings.”
[Transcendental Vaghan vows to bestow upon you the Transcendental’s 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: “There’s this one thing that I really want to get. Also, there’s something that I want to know. Can I request of you?”
Bender nodded readily.
“The Mountain Ore. Also, please tell me about Ruffiso’s birth.”
“...!”
“...!”
“...!”
“...!”
“...!”
The expression on the faces of all of the Transcendentals grew solemn when they heard Minhyuk’s 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 Helenia’s 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.
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