Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 1066

Chapter 1066

When Helenia had her ores with her, she was unstoppable.

She had nothing to fear in the world, even if thousands of gods came after her and attacked her. Perhaps it was only natural. After all, she, who was already strong, would become twice as strong if she had the ores in her hands.

Minhyuk looked at her with a satisfied expression on his face and burped. “Burp~”

Dread flashed in Helenia’s already shocked face.

“E- even if you hid it, I will still be able to find it.”

That was right. Even if Minhyuk hid it somewhere, Helenia was confident that she would still be able to find it someday. But what if he chose to eat it? Helenia was left shocked and dumbfounded by Minhyuk’s meticulousness.

“Yes, you’re meticulous... But I don’t think you would be able to eat it. You will be very reluctant. After all, they should be very delicious.”

Minhyuk looked at her in confusion. “What bullshit are you spouting?”

Helenia was once again left in shock.

“They were delicious.”

Helenia looked like a dumbfounded fool before her death.

‘No!!! Why?! Did he eat it because it was delicious? Why? Why? Why?!’

She just could not understand.

“You fuc...!”

Unfortunately, she could not finish her words. Her head had already fallen on the ground.

Everyone looked tense as they watched Helenia’s head roll on the ground. The one who taught them how to kill Helenia was the Immortal Sorceress herself. There was a chance that it was a lie, right? Then, her head no longer moved.

[You have completed the Episode: Immortal Sorceress Helenia and Lord of the Monsters Barbarian’s Quest for Destruction.]

[Rewards will be given based on one’s contribution.]

[You have successfully killed one of the Eight Pillars, Immortal Sorceress Helenia.]

[All of the people who participated in killing Helenia will level up by five.]

All of the players were left stunned.

They had only participated, but they could level up by five. With the level-up they received during Barbarian’s successful hunt, their total level increase was seven.

Of course, this level-up would be applied equally to everyone who participated in the war, whether they were still here or had already been forced to log out.

[You have now received the rewards for your contribution.]

The Beyond the Heavens’ high rankers died an average of nine times. Because of that, most of them had leveled down by 20~30 levels. One of them was Ascar. She could not help but breathe a sigh of relief when she leveled up by eight after calculating her contributions.

‘I still have to fill in the remaining nine levels.’

If it were that much, then she would be able to recover them easily over time.

As the one who made the greatest contribution to Helenia’s hunt, Minhyuk also received nonstop reward notifications.

[You have gained 13,004,050 platinum.]

The amount of platinum he acquired was so high that one would not believe it only came from killing one Named NPC. Just like the rest, Minhyuk had also experienced repeated deaths during his fight with Helenia. Because of that, his level has dropped by nine.

[You have leveled up.]

[You have leveled up.]

[...leveled up.]

Minhyuk received twelve level-up notifications, with five for his participation in Helenia’s hunt and seven for his contribution. Minhyuk had made huge contributions that went far beyond those by Ascar and the rest. The reason why the number of levels that he acquired was low was because the total EXP needed to level up between them and Minhyuk had a vast difference.

‘The fact that I have recovered the damage I received and even leveled up further can already be considered a huge gain.’

With this, Minhyuk’s level increased to the point that he was just right around the corner of Level 700.

The notifications constantly rang in his ears.

[You have acquired the 4th Tier Magic Book: Explosion (1,405).]

[You have acquired the 2nd Tier Magic Book: Fireball (53,041).]

[You have acquired the 8th Tier Magic Book: Great Shield (1).]

[You have acquired the 6th Tier Magic Book: Mass Teleport (108).]

[...5th Tier Magic Book...]

[...9th Tier Magic Book...]

[You have acquired the Immortal Sorcerers’ Mana Heart.]

[You have acquired Parchment of Helenia’s Magic (3).]

[You have acquired the Pillar Tracker Parchment.]

[You have acquired the Immortal’s Robe.]

[You have acquired the Million Year Mana Staff.]

Ring!

[Those who possess the Immortal Sorcerer’s Mana Heart can take the Class Trial to become the Immortal Sorcerer.]

Minhyuk already had someone in mind to become the owner of this mana heart. Without hesitation, he handed Ali the mana heart, the Immortal’s Robe, and even the 9th Tier Magic Book.

“Having the 9th Tier Magic Book means that players will be able to reach an entirely new level of magic.”

Alex and some outstanding mages could only cast one magic at the 8th Tier. But Ali, as the number one in the global ranking for mages, was able to cast two or three 8th Tier magic.

At this point, Ali did not know how to approach the 9th Tier. His level has gone below Level 600 during this war. Although he was able to increase his level by 25, it was still impossible for him to recover what he had lost. Nonetheless, with the help of Helenia’s mana heart and all the other rewards given to him, he would definitely be able to approach and reach that new level quickly.

When everyone saw Minhyuk hand Ali the rewards, none objected. Why? Because they were all witness to the sacrifice that he had made.

During this time, the notifications did not stop at all.

“As long as we kill all these monsters, then I can return to my wife’s arms!”

“We’re alive. We’re alive!!! Ahahaha!”

Although countless giant monsters prowled and were ready to pounce at them, they seemed to have let go of their worries.

“Your Majesty, from what it looks like, we will be able to kill all of the monsters here if we detonate all of the bombs that Helenia gathered earlier.”

Minhyuk nodded when he heard the report. Then, he saw the three magic parchments that Helenia dropped. Just by tearing these three parchments, they would be able to cast magic at her level.

“Use this to Mass Teleport the troops. Then, we can detonate the bombs.”

It seemed like everything was finally over. Although cheers erupted all over the battlefield, Minhyuk did not feel happy. He knelt and cradled the Continent Destroyer Sword in his chest.

The people, who were bursting with joy, turned to look at Minhyuk.

***

The global number one company, Apel.

All of their executives cheered loudly.

“The moment they killed Helenia, our stock prices jumped by 20%. Our overall stock price had increased by 60% in just two weeks!”

“The Beyond the Heavens Empire version of our newest model, the APhone 23, with the armors and capes of the players and NPCs of the empire are receiving a huge advertisement effect.”

“The pre-orders were only launched this morning, but they are sold out worldwide! Sold! Out!”

“That’s not all. Even the previous model's sales, the APhone 22, have increased by more than 300%.”

“The monsters that the NPC named Barbarian has summoned are much more than we had expected. If we combine all the drops, we can also expect a return on investment and a high profit.”

The Beyond the Heavens Empire has asked for 10% per trillion of the excess profits if Apel records more than ten trillion won in profits. They could expect seven trillion won from the loot and platinum alone based on their estimates. And with the considerable advertising effects and rising stock prices, they could already expect the profits that they would generate to exceed ten trillion won.

However, a human’s greed knew no bounds.

“What a pity. If Player Minhyuk worked harder, the effects would be better.”

The executive who said those words was soon rendered speechless. Why? Because he saw Minhyuk cradling the sword named “Comrade” in the monitor.

“That man who became a sword to protect Minhyuk...”

Although the man was nothing but an artificial intelligence, they had to admit that he was a very calm and dashing man.

At this moment, the entire world agreed. In their hearts, the coolest NPC has switched from Brod and Ben to Obren. Alas, what happened next?

‘He became a sword.’

***

Minhyuk, cradling the cold and sharp sword in his arms, could not hide his sadness. Obren had become the Guardian God because of him. And now, he chose to fall into an eternal sleep and be trapped in frustration inside the sword forever.

“You told me you don’t want to get trapped anywhere anymore because it’s very frustrating.”

Obren often said.

–Being trapped in a world of darkness with no one beside me is like hell.

–I am really grateful that I could meet you and come out into the world once again.

–What would I feel if I were trapped again? Are you nuts? I won’t ever go back to that place.

Minhyuk, aware of this fact, felt grateful and heartbroken for Obren and his choice. Tears flowed down his cheeks.

Genie immediately stopped Locke, who was trying to approach Minhyuk. She said, “It’s better to let him cry it out.”

Locke nodded. Suddenly, he stopped in confusion. “Eh?”

The sobbing Minhyuk did not hear Locke’s voice. The dignity of a monarch? He did not care one bit. After all, he had lost his precious and dear friend. Would something like that bring back his friend? No. Everyone understood it. That was why they were all looking at him with red eyes.

“Obren!!! Say something! Didn’t you ask me when Aruvel’s new work will be released? You even said that you would read it! I asked you why you, a Guardian God, would want to read that, and you said, ‘The Guardian God is a man too!’ right?!”

[Hey. Why are you...]

The grieving Minhyuk did not hear and could not hear anything.

“You even asked me to prepare a T-shirt for you so Aruvel can sign on it! You told me that you would sleep in that T-shirt. So, say something, Obren. You said that you dreamt that you became a wild stallion like the main character in the novel...”

[This punk! For real?!]

Someone grabbed Minhyuk. Shocked, Minhyuk turned to look at the guy pulling at him. That was when he realized it was Obren, the man he had been crying and calling out for.

[W- when did I say that?! You... you! Fine. I had that dream! Just once!]

“Obren?”

The confused Minhyuk wiped his tears. Beradon had said that Obren might fall into eternal slumber inside the sword after the fusion, but Obren was here, even standing calmly in front of him.

[I have long surpassed Master Beradon. Did you think I would fuse with the sword with little thought and preparation?]

Minhyuk felt extremely relieved when he heard that. Obren smiled as he looked at Minhyuk.

[I feel so mortified because of you, you idiot.]

“...”

Minhyuk felt sorry for making a mistake and exposing Obren’s private life.

Thump–!

Obren collapsed on the ground.

[I’m going to die from exhaustion.]

Minhyuk also laid down beside him.

The entire world cheered loudly at the sight of the two of them. Why? The scene of Minhyuk and Obren lying side by side and looking at the sky above them was just like a scene out of a movie.

Then, Minhyuk said something to Obren.

[I don’t want to. Don’t ask me to do something like that. Do you want me to go back to that sword, huh?]

“Eh~ Obren, just once. Please~ If we don’t do that, the Beyond the Heavens Empire will be shaken because of financial difficulties~.”

[I should get back in that sword. Let me repeat that. I won’t do it. Never.]

The others could not hear their bickering. Then, all the cameras focused on the two of them, filming the scene that would mark the end of this war. At that moment...

“Don’t you want to record this historical moment?” Minhyuk spoke first.

Obren glared at him, his face turning red. Minhyuk hurriedly avoided his gaze. With the blush high on his cheeks, Obren stammered.

[T- t- t- t- then...]

Everyone focused on Obren.

[It- it would be great to have something with a camera that has f- fifteen megapixels and can take photos from m- multiple angles. It would be better if it had a seven-inch OLED screen.]

Minhyuk followed up with another line. “Ah! Perfect timing! I got a new phone. It has a fifteen-megapixel camera, can shoot from multiple angles, and has a seven-inch OLED screen!”

Then, he took out a mobile phone that clearly had the words “APhone 23” written on it. Obren’s eyes grew wide.

[A- aaaaah! I really want to have one of these...]

Obren stopped speaking and sighed.

‘Shit. I don’t know anymore.’

[Isn’t that that phone?! The one that can take photos dozens of times in a row? If I have that, I can take a high-definition photo with Great Author Aruvel!]

“That’s right. It’s that phone.”

[Achoo! Achoo! Achoo! APhone! Achoo! Achoo! APhone 23! Achooooo!]

Obren thought, ‘I’d rather stay asleep inside the sword.’

But as everyone expected, Obren was a complete tsun-tsun.

At that moment, Apel’s PR team cheered loudly.