Leveling Up Through Eating

Chapter 1002

Chapter 1002

Many people shared many regrets. One was letting the precious people by their side go without doing them any better. For some, it was not being able to eat another meal with them. For others, it was taking them for granted when they were still around. Because of that, they would often live their lives in regret.

Everyone would at least have regrets like that. Or if one did not have them yet, they would experience them one day. What would they always want to say if given the chance to meet the person who left their side?

“Thank you.”

That was what Rocado said. It was a shout of gratitude to her for choosing to stay by his side for the rest of her life.

Thank you for living your life as my wife.

Eirin held Rocado tightly. “Idiot. I can’t believe you ate four more Herb of Immortality so that you can meet me again. Do you know how stupid that was?”

She wept as she gently cradled Rocado in her arms.

A faint smile appeared on Minhyuk’s face when he saw how happy Rocado was in Eirin’s arms.

“And what’s this? What clothes are you wearing? I don’t think I ever bought you brown clothes…”

“Goodness? What is this messy hairstyle?”

Murmur, murmur–

“This is why you can’t live without me, Rocado…”

At this moment, Minhyuk realized that Eirin was a terrible nagger. Despite being nagged non-stop, Rocado looked genuinely(?) happy in her arms.

“It’s been a hundred years since I last received your nagging. I’m so happy to see you.” Rocado, who missed even her nagging, hugged Eirin tightly.

“He– Herakel wants to go too.”

Herakel seemed to want to be held by Eirin, too. Herakel immediately ran to her when he saw Eirin spread her arms wide. She patted Herakel gently.

“Urk…!” Rocado coughed another mouthful of blood.

Herakel and Eirin both looked at him in shock.

“Are you alright?”

“Ro– Rocado still hurts a lot!”

Despite their worries, Rocado ignored the blood and just turned to look at Minhyuk with a bitter look. He said, “I have another favor to ask you.”

Minhyuk nodded.

“Can I ask you to take care of Herakel for me?”

“...!”

Minhyuk was quite surprised. God of Strength Herakel was a strong and powerful man. Although he was a bit short in the intelligence department, his addition would certainly be of great help to the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

‘The Herakel of today only knows how to club his opponents indiscriminately. But what if he learns some swordsmanship or martial arts skills?’

He was already speechless at the thought. Perhaps his explosive power might be comparable to Brod’s power.

However, Rocado had many worries. Could Herakel get along with ordinary people? Eirin was also thinking about this.

Minhyuk nodded. “I see. Don’t worry too much. There is someone in Beyond the Heavens Empire who will get close to Herakel quickly.”

The one that he was talking about was none other than Conir. Minhyuk believed Conir and Herakel would hit it off and become best friends.

‘Maybe they’ll even sell ramyeon together?’

Eirin looked at Rocado sadly. “Is there any way for Rocado and me to stay together in Hell?”

She already knew that Rocado was on the brink of death.

“I’m sorry for asking you for a lot of favors.”

Minhyuk chuckled bitterly. Then, he remembered something. The confirmed quest rewards only stated, ‘Rocado will cook the Pillar Ingredient for you.’ The statues, portraits, sample artifacts, and the likes of Evangel were not noted. So, Minhyuk told Rocado about Evangel.

Then, Rocado said, “I’ll do it. No, I will give it my all when making it.”

Rocado was very grateful to Minhyuk. After all, he wouldn’t be able to meet Eirin again if it weren’t for him.

“Will the God of Death allow it?”

The God of Death was known as the world's gloomiest, dreariest, most vicious, and grumpy god. It was well-known that the God of Death’s relationship with the Battle God was not so good. The fact that the two gods had appeared in this situation was already very shocking.

Minhyuk said, “Don’t worry. I’m very close with the God of Death.”

It was just like how Herakel bragged to him before. He quietly approached the God of Death, who had been watching the scene silently.

“...”

But when he reached him, he could not open his mouth.

“...”

To be honest, Minhyuk was also very scared. He clearly remembered what happened earlier. Hundreds of thousands of Death Corps surrounded him with overflowing killing intent!

Then, the God of Death suddenly moved.

Screech!

Minhyuk stopped in shock.

Rocado and Eirin, who saw the scene, thought simultaneously, ‘I don’t think they’re very close at all, though…?’

The God of Death said, “I have been promised a statue of my beloved lover, Hella. If you can make one that satisfies me, then I will send you to the same hell. If not…”

God of Death Louis turned to look at Minhyuk. His eyes, which were devoid of emotion, seemed to say, ‘I’m going to tear you apart and kill you.’

‘They don’t look that close?’

Rocado nodded as he slowly raised his body.

“About her features…”

“No. Please let me see her through you. Can you please reach out your hand to me?”

The God of Death nodded as he touched Rocado with his fingertip.

“I see. Your love is just as beautiful.”

[Rocado has understood the story between the God of Death and Hella.]

When making things related to DEX, the most important thing was how well one could capture the story about the subject. And Rocado was one of many who had outstanding dexterity. Several hands immediately appeared as Rocado triggered his Hand of Almighty. The hands held various tools for making sculptures, and they immediately started to carve.

Hella had spent a very long time alone just so Louis, the God of Death, could live in a place filled with warmth and vitality. And the God of Death? He loved Hella dearly.

The statue in front of Rocado slowly started to take shape. Hella and Louis shared the promise that they would be born as normal human beings in their next life. That was what took shape in front of him. The statue depicted the old and wrinkled figures of Louis and Hella. The two of them held hands tightly and looked at each other with small smiles.

[You have completed the statue: Ordinary Life.]

[It is a shocking statue that goes beyond God-grade.]

[You have an outstanding level of understanding about the protagonists of the statue, Louis and Hella.]

The God of Death was shocked that Rocado could create a full-sized version of his and Hella’s old selves. And the slight smile on their faces? He could see that it fully showed their promise to meet again.

“Not bad.”

However, this was the only review that Louis gave. However, contrary to his words, there was a tiny and faint smile on his face. In other words, he had fully permitted Eirin and Rocado to go together and enter the same place in hell.

Minhyuk trembled when he saw this.

‘A person like this–’ He gulped dryly ‘–will make my statue, portraits, and sample artifacts?’

He was already looking forward to it. Of course, Rocado immediately tried to fulfill his promise. He showed the ingredient that he promised to Minhyuk.

“This is the ingredient.”

(Pillar Snow Crab)

Ingredient Grade: Pillar

Special Abilities:

•All of your stats will increase by 3.5%.

•Your DEX will increase by 11%.

•When making items related to DEX, you will obtain a 5% increase in the item’s special effects.

•Your resistance to Water Attribute will increase by 22%.

•Your attack and defensive power will increase by 15% when fighting against water-attributed monsters.

•Cooking this ingredient will be much trickier and harder than God-grade ingredients.

Description: This snow crab, the Pillar of the Sea, is a challenging ingredient to cook. Even the slightest mistake during the cooking process will result in a lower yield and a decrease in all special abilities.

“...!”

It was an outstanding ingredient. When he saw the description, Minhyuk immediately knew, ‘It’s not an ingredient within my capabilities. I don’t think I will be able to cook it.’

According to the description, it was much trickier and more complex to cook than God-grade ingredients.

It had to be known that a snow crab’s yield was significant. If there were a poor yield, there would be little meat in the legs once the shell had been peeled off.

There was also one fact that stood out to Minhyuk.

‘Pillar of the Sea?’

Minhyuk turned to Rocado and asked, “By any chance, is this snow crab the cooking ingredient representing the sea?”

Rocado nodded. “That’s right. There are pillar ingredients that represent the land, the sea and the air. There might be many more. But I am not aware if they truly exist.”

Minhyuk trembled when he heard Rocado’s words. Why? Because it meant that there were still Pillar Ingredients representing the land and the air that were available. Of course, Minhyuk first used the Seeds of Revolution on the Pillar Snow Crab before letting Rocado cook it. With this, he now had secured a total of two seeds.

Rocado no longer had anything urgent to do. He already had the assurance that he would be with Eirin in hell. All that was left was for him to repay Minhyuk. Not long after, Rocado started to deal with the snow crab.

[As you start to cook, the Sea Leech has begun to nibble and suck at the Pillar Ingredient.]

At that moment, dozens of unknown black leeches appeared and stuck to the snow crab.

[If you fail to remove the Sea Leech properly, the snow crab will receive bruises and scratches.]

“Look at these things.” Rocado looked at the leeches incredulously. However, the leeches had already attached their mouths to the hard shell of the snow crab.

‘Those leeches… Even if I can touch them, I don’t think I can take them off.’

No matter how Minhyuk looked at them, he could not see any semblance of an ordinary leech. However, Rocado, who had summoned his Hands of Almighty once again, began to remove the leeches accurately and adequately.

[You have removed the Sea Leeches with outstanding skills.]

[The snow crab is left in a pristine condition.]

Like that, the Pillar Ingredient presented various methods to stop Rocado from cooking it. However, Rocado’s skilled hands moved swiftly and easily removed every obstacle. Finally, he finished washing the crabs clean. After cleaning, he placed the crab in the steamer and made steamed snow crab. He even made some snow crab ramyeon, which was only made with regular snow crab.

And while doing all this, Rocado’s real hands remained still. The only ones moving were the hands created by his Hand of Almighty.

As he waited, Rocado looked at Minhyuk and thought, ‘I no longer have any regrets in this world.’

And it was all thanks to Minhyuk. Even his worries about Herakel had been taken care of by this man. When he thought about it, he realized something.

‘I have received a lot from him.’

Of course, he had already promised to help Minhyuk to complete his temple. After pondering the matter, he thought, ‘That would be good.’

Nodding, he walked before Minhyuk and said, “Here, this is my gift to you.”

Something appeared on the palm of Rocado’s hand. It was a symbol of a hand holding a gem. This exact symbol appeared on Minhyuk’s ankle.

[You have received the blessings of one of the Eight Pillars, Jack-of-all-Trades Rocado.]

[Your DEX has increased by 5%.]

[You have gained 2,000 REP.]

[You have obtained the Automatic Skill Creation Right for a skill related to DEX.]

[The Automatic Skill Creation Right will observe you and create a suitable skill.]

[Rocado’s power is observing you.]

There was also the reward that Rocado had promised Minhyuk before.

“What artifact do you want me to reinforce?”

“The Sword of Aeon.”

Rocado’s absolute power, which could reinforce an artifact once without fail, was now showing itself.

Minhyuk placed the Sword of Aeon, the greatest sword in the world, in Rocado’s hands.

[The Sword of Aeon has been successfully reinforced!]

Rocado, who had observed Minhyuk, was able to confirm something.

‘He…’

He’s an Eight Pillar Candidate? It was a shocking fact. Why? Because the Eight Pillars was a title that not even the gods wanted to become.

Rocado stared at Minhyuk. Then, with a solemn look, he mentioned the most crucial fact. “The Eight Pillars are those who support the world.”

Of course, Minhyuk knew this already.

Then, Rocado chuckled bitterly and said, “And… my seat will soon become vacant.”

[One of the Eight Pillars, Rocado, would soon die. He has chosen you as the successor to the Eight Pillar.]

[A commotion has broken out among the Eight Pillars.]

[The Eight Pillars are trying to find a new successor to the Eight Pillars.]

“And you…”

[Rocado’s power protects the new successor to the Eight Pillars from the other Eight Pillars.]

“...will become one of the pillars of the world.”