Leveling Up Through Eating

Chapter 615: Defensive War (1)

Chapter 615: Defensive War (1)

No one would deny that the best company in South Korea was the Ilhwa Group. Whether it was in construction, distribution, home appliances, cars, or many others, Ilhwa Group had always been ahead of others.

However, only the food sector ranked the lowest during the first half of the year. It was because of Food God Minhyuk, Chairman Kang Minhoo’s successor.

Why? Simple. Because even though Food God Minhyuk was good at mukbang, the products that they could sell was a completely different story. On top of that, despite Minhyuk’s fame, rumors still circulated. Rumors about eating food from Ilhwa Group would lead to an ‘eating addiction’.

It was a completely ridiculous story but there were still some people that believed in such superstitions. Using this ludicrous story as an excuse, the other companies used this to attack Ilhwa Group. They said that there were foreign substances found in the food that they sold and were quickly covered up by sending a box of snacks to others, that they sent hush money to cover up the ugly response. They were unfounded rumors, but the netizens believed them.

And three weeks ago…

“I know that the chairman already knows about this, but we believe that Minhyuk should already start running his own business, right?”

Ilhwa Group was a huge company and most of the employees and members of the board respected Chairman Kang Minhoo, but there were also some of them that coveted the position of the chairman and wanted to keep Kang Minhoo and his son, Minhyuk, in check. The prime example of this was Kim Deok-Hwa, Ilhwa Group’s vice chairman.

When Kim Deok-Hwa received the position of the vice chairman, he felt so moved, wondering if he was truly suitable for this position. However, his greed grew as time went by.

‘I want to be the chairman.’

This greed reached the peak when news about Minhyuk’s eating addiction was released to the world.

‘Are you telling me that a man with a rare disease will become the master and the owner of Ilhwa Group?!’

‘A person that might kick the bucket anytime is going to be the one leading Ilhwa?! After I have sacrificed so much for this company?!

Kim Deok-Hwa wanted to bring Minhyuk down. The perfect way to do that was to entrust the operation of the food sector to him.

“You’re absolutely right. Minhyuk should gradually start to participate in the company’s management.”

Kang Minhoo was positive that Minhyuk was born with the blood of a king. He had tried to groom him when he was a child to manage a large company and from what Minhoo had seen, Minhyuk had the qualities of becoming a good chairman. Besides, Chairman Kang Minhoo was getting on with age. He had to start teaching Minhyuk the ways to run a company while he still could.

“Then, how about leaving the ‘Food Sector’ to Minhyuk?”

“The Food Sector, huh…” Kang Minhoo nodded lightly. However, he was fully aware of what Kim Deok-Hwa intended to do.

‘The Food Sector has never seen an increase in sales in years. This means that he will use this as a pretext to raise his voice and ask for the deprivation of Minhyuk’s rights to being a successor…’

Unfortunately, the problem was…

‘There’s no other way.’

The chairman could not control everything in a company. Of course, he could force things through if he wanted, and postpone it to a later date. But Kang Minhoo was sure that Minhyuk was already ready.

“Hmmm. If we’re talking about the Food Sector, then it’s our section that has been in a slump for years, even though we have placed overseas advertising experts in them, right?”

“We’re sure that Kang Minhyuk, the chairman’s son, will be different! Besides, his class in Athenae is the Food God. Haha!”

“Well then, let’s do it this way,” Chairman Kang Minhoo said, as he proposed a deal, “I don’t think my son’s eating addiction is cured to the point that he can handle and manage the entire Food Sector yet.”

Kim Deok-Hwa was delighted. He knew that Kang Minhoo would have no choice but to fold. And from that point on, he was certain that he already had victory in his hands.

“So, let’s choose one thing that has the lowest performance and make him increase its sales.”

There were many kinds of food, from liquor to ramyeon to snacks or even franchises. But there is something in the food sector, the one with the lowest turnover, that Kim Deok-Hwa was certain that the Food God would not be able to increase the sales, even if he did a mukbang.

“How about increasing the sales of our new line, Royal Woof Woof?”

“Royal Woof Woof…”

Minhoo thought that Kim Deok-Hwa was too easy to see through. However, he knew that Kim Deok-Hwa’s followers would make a fuss and question Minhyuk’s qualifications to become a successor if Minhoo were to decline this. After much consideration, Kang Minhoo agreed.

Kang Minhoo stared out of the window once Kim Deok-Hwa went out. In the Food Sector, Ilhwa’s dog food was also ranked the lowest. The worst part? Minhyuk’s charm at the mukbang would not work out at all. The fact that Royal Woof Woof was a new product would also place a great burden on him. However, there was a smile painted on Kang Minhoo’s face as he continued to look out the window.

‘I believe in you.’

Kang Minhoo had complete trust in Minhyuk. After all, his son had the blood of a king. No, perhaps he had the blood of an emperor running through his veins, and he would be able to overcome this situation.

***

Minhyuk was given free access to the Abyss after clearing the trials of several of its gates. Right now, Eivelis Empire was embroiled in a fierce war against Luvien Empire, who declared that it was the end for the Eivelis Empire.

Ellie and Minhyuk’s friendship dated back to his early days in Athenae. For him, Ellie was a great noona, one that he was very grateful for and was someone that he could not see living without. Because of that, Minhyuk decided to help her by sending the members of Beyond the Heavens Kingdom under a secret ‘disguise’.

Minhyuk was currently with Bichor. He looked at the dog and thought, ‘I think it would be great if Bichor became the face of Royal Woof Woof.’

He was now thinking about the management task of the company that his father had given him three weeks ago. Of course, the thought was born because of Minhyuk’s greed. It might be outside of the game, but he truly wanted to make Bichor the face of Royal Woof Woof.

If Minhyuk wanted this to happen, then he would like to have a conversation with Joy Co. Ltd. and discuss copyrights. Of course, he also felt a bit sorry to Bichor since his face would be imprinted and be a part of the brand, and would be sold to people that he did not know of. So, to be safe, Minhyuk decided to ask Bichor himself.

And what was Bichor’s reaction to that?

“Fufufufufufu. As expected. Your Majesty must have been amazed by my great and handsome face, right? How is it? I’m pretty amazing, right? I’m very handsome too. Just look at my fluffy and abundant hair, my black nose, and my big eyes. Fufufufu. I’m already quite used to the fame. After all, there was a long line of people that wanted to follow me in the past. Make sure to write that down! Keuhahahahahahahaha!”

For some reason, Minhyuk suddenly did not feel sorry for Bichor anymore. Instead of feeling anxious, Bichor welcomed the opportunity with open arms.

Bichor glanced at Minhyuk sideways and said, “I like the fact that Your Majesty desperately wants to use my face for your brand. Tell you what, give me two jokbal and we have a deal. Fufufufu. Know that this is an honor for you.”

“…”

“Ah, ahhhh…! What are you still thinking about it? Fine. Just one jokbal. One jokbal and we have a deal. Do not refuse this deal anymore Your Majesty, just make sure to write that down!”

“…”

As the terms of the deal slowly decreased, Minhyuk was convinced, ‘There’s no doubt about it. Bichor is definitely an attention seeker.’

Since Bichor welcomed the opportunity with open arms, Minhyuk believed that he could use his face. But before that, Minhyuk asked Bichor, “Bichor, do me a favor.”

“Fufu. What is it? It seems like Your Majesty always keeps on asking me favors, huh? Why? Am I really that great?” Bichor said, an arrogant expression plastered on his face as he combed his pretty white fur.

Minhyuk, who was taking a bit of a break, said, “Bichor, I want you to install your God-rank Trap.”

“…”

Bichor’s face hardened at Minhyuk’s words. The arrogant expression on his face disappeared as he turned speechless. Bichor was the owner of an overpowered skill ‘Trap Creation’.

(Trap Creation)

Active Skill

Level: 9

Effects:

•Bichor can instantly make traps that he had created in the past.

•Number of possible Normal rank traps that can be recreated: 1,000

•Number of possible Unique rank traps that can be recreated: 500

•Number of possible Epic rank traps that can be recreated: 50

•Number of possible Legendary rank traps that can be recreated: 2

•Number of possible God rank traps that can be recreated: 1

No one would be able to wrap it around their heads if they saw how OP this skill was. Of course, it had to be known that the skill had a very long cooldown time once Bichor set a God rank or even a Legendary rank trap. However, the fact that the trap could be created instantly was what made it so broken.

However, Bichor was still wallowing in deep regret, over the lives that he had killed with his traps and explosives. After all, many had died under the explosions that he had set up. That was especially the case if it was a God-rank trap.

The question triggered a memory from Bichor’s past. Back then, Apiroth Empire promised Bichor countless amounts of gold and silver to set up a trap during their war against Fylou Empire. The number of people that lost their lives with his traps? It reached around 400,000.

Bichor went crazy back then. He was so drunk on the thought that he created an amazing trap that was able to kill almost 400,000 people all at once. Not once did he think about the people that died from the weapons that he created.

But now, after looking back, he realized that he willingly killed 400,000 people for ‘money’ and ‘fame’.

“Your Majesty…” Bichor mumbled, his eyes looking at the ground. The truth was, he did not want to set up traps anymore. All he wanted to do was get out of the Abyss and live for the people, while staying by Minhyuk’s side.

In fact, Minhyuk also found it very hard to request this of Bichor. But…

“Bichor. I am asking you this so we can protect people.”

“…”

Indeed. Minhyuk was asking this so he could protect others. One could not blame them for killing their opponents when they were in the middle of a war. He wanted to do this to protect himself, his family and his friends.

“From now on, the traps that you will set up will be to protect others.”

Bichor looked up at Minhyuk and thought, ‘People will get killed but we’re still protecting?’

“The Luvien Empire has devoured several empires and kingdoms in another continent. The casualties reached ten million alone. As they continue to spread their influence, more and more casualties will be recorded.”

Yes. This was a fact.

“In a year, they will most definitely kill tens of millions. In two years, hundreds of millions. In a few years, billions.”

“…”

Bichor’s eyes continued to stare at Minhyuk.

“We have to stop their advance. And protect our loved ones with our own hands. Eivelis Empire’s Ellie noona. Our kingdom. The people that placed their trust in me. Protect them. Protect your own family.”

A trap that was meant to protect. A trap that was not created for fame or money. However, Bichor was afraid of one thing.

“What will the people that I protect think of me?”

Would they be afraid of him? After all, Bichor was someone that created weapons that killed hundreds of thousands of people.

Minhyuk looked down at Bichor with a bright smile on his face and said, “A comrade.”

Those words made Bichor’s heart thump wildly. When he thought about it, he never had a comrade nor a friend in the past, when he was at the peak of his life.

“A cool and wonderful friend that they could trust with their backs in the battlefield.”

“…”

If one thought about it, a trap was indeed a weapon that was set up to protect those that were precious to the trap setter. And today…

“I’ll do it.”

The man that created a God-rank trap was born anew today. And this time, he would use his powers to protect others.

And…

“Let me cook something delicious for you.”

…his traps were also going to become more powerful.

***

Once Minhyuk and Bichor were done with their preparations, Minhyuk immediately sent notes to all of the broadcasting stations. Now, in a place that was not too far from Area BK-75, Bichor began to stealthily set up his trap.

What was surprising about Bichor was the fact that he was several times faster than ordinary trap specialists when it came to setting up traps. It also had to be known that when it came to traps, Bichor could rival a God.

Bichor was completely different from ordinary trap specialists. He only needed to tap on a few things on the hologram that appeared in front of him to set up his traps. Of course, God-rank traps were a bit different. Although he was using his skill to set up the God-rank trap, it was still very difficult. Also…

‘With this, Bichor will not be able to create another God-rank trap using his Trap Creation skill for one whole year.’

But even if Bichor could not make another trap like this due to the long cooldown, he was still a great talent to have with them.

Bichor’s traps were truly discreet. In fact, even Minhyuk, who knew of their existences, could not feel that there was a trap being laid out. On top of that, the traps could be made transparent so that no one would be able to see them. It was completely invisible. They were in a place not far from BK-75, yet none of the troops from the Luvien Empire realized that Minhyuk and Bichor were there and setting up traps.

Bichor, with a black robe covering his body and standing not too far away from Minhyuk, finally finished setting up the trap. Then, Minhyuk said, “Bichor, you know it right? It would really be awesome if you could say that line.”

“Fufufufufu. Don’t worry, Your Majesty.”

Minhyuk had prepared some very important lines for Bichor.

Minhyuk, along with the rest of the world, watched the Luvien Imperial Army. There, he saw one of the Sword of the Gods, Ruven. As he looked at Ruven, Minhyuk wondered if he could win against him. After all, a Gods’ Sword was a being that could exert tremendous power. Just the thought of ‘Brod’, the first ranked Gods’ Sword, not being on their side during the Battle of the Thrones was horrifying.

Then, at that moment, Ruven’s shin touched the wire that Bichor had set up as the ‘trap trigger’.

“…?”

Ruven looked down at the ground.

It was a fact that Bichor could create 1,000 Normal rank traps, 500 Unique rank traps, 50 Epic rank traps, two Legendary rank traps, and one God rank trap. But what would be even more shocking than that?

‘After eating my dish, his Trap Creation skill’s level has increased by +2.’

Because of that, Bichor was able to instantly install 2,000 Normal rank traps, 700 Unique rank traps, 70 Epic rank traps, 5 Legendary rank traps and two God rank traps. In other words, two God rank traps, along with several others, were going to be triggered right this instant.

“…T, trap!!!”

Before Ruven could even finish his shout…

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang!

Tens of thousands of spears that could deal 2,000% damage popped out from the ground and exploded after piercing through the bodies of the enemies. Immediately after that, almost 100,000 arrows that were hidden in transparent mode rained down on them and stabbed their bodies.

Fwoosh, fwoosh, fwoosh, fwoosh, fwoosh—

Then, the arrows exploded. Just as Ruven and some quick-thinking soldiers jumped up to the skies to avoid all of the attacks…

Vwoooooooooooooong—

A huge meteorite that was hidden in the sky appeared and fell down on the ground. This meteorite was the God rank trap that Bichor had created and was called Meteorite Calamity. Just like that, dozens of Meteorite Calamities plummeted down the ground.

Thuuuuuuuuuuuuuuud—

Even Ruven could not withstand the tremendous power within each meteorite and was slammed down to the ground by the attack. As for the aftermath of the meteorite? It extinguished anything and everything that surrounded it. The traps had been set to kill them all and had forced the Luvien Empire to flee. Then…

Step, step—

Amidst the explosion, Bichor, with an arrogant and proud look on his face, stepped on the path that was left untouched by the aftermath of his trap.

The cameras from broadcasting stations all over the world zoomed in on the bichon with an arrogant smile on its face!

[Oh my god… A bichon with a vicious smile on its face.]

[I think it’s this bichon that set up this trap.]

[That’s amazing… I have never seen a trap like that in my life before.]

[It looks like a nuclear bomb fell down on the ground if you look at the aftermath.]

Then, the bichon laughed meanly, “Fufufufufu.”

Bichor’s tail wiggled from under his robes from the attention that the dozens of cameras had placed upon him. Then, he dutifully recited the lines that Minhyuk had asked him to say.

“Fufufufu. I have been eating Royal Woof Woof since I was young. And it gave me so much power. Why do you think so? Because Royal Woof Woof contains a lot of salmon, an ingredient that’s good for dogs. But is that all? Of course not. Royal Woof Woof is a brand that makes sure to lessen the artificial additives in your dog food as much as possible. On top of that, its taste is excellent. I was able to become this strong because of Royal Woof Woof. You uncivilized things, what do you feed your dogs? With Royal Woof Woof, your dogs can be like me.”

Within seconds, the dog lovers were able to clinch the top spot in the global portal site.

[Top 1. Royal Woof Woof.]

However, all of the viewers and the commentators had the same thoughts in their heads: ‘Promoting dog food? All of a sudden? In this situation?’