Leveling Up Through Eating

Chapter 770: Happy Island

Chapter 770: Happy Island

Great Demon Gorac was the eccentric demon that had created the ‘Disaster Artifacts.’ Minhyuk had met the Great Demon Gorac in the past.

At that time, Gorac had been standing at a very high place that he could not reach. But now, Minhyuk, who had turned his back on the burning forest, was making Gorac tremble in fear. It was barely noticeable, but Gorac’s legs were shaking.

Gorac tried to put up with it. After all, he was the Great Demon. However, he realized that the trembling in his legs would not stop no matter how much he wanted it to.

[You have completed the Sudden Quest: Gorac’s Test.]

[You have made Gorac, who has acknowledged you, experience an overwhelming fear.]

[Please tell Gorac the reward that you need.]

[If the reward is found to be unreasonable, your opportunity to receive the reward will disappear.]

Flash—

Flaaaaash—

Flaaaaash—

After sending all of his vassals back, Minhyuk checked the title that he received.

(The Only One that the Great Demon Fears)

Unique Title

Title Effects:

•Any member of the demon race below Level 400 will lose the will to fight against you.

•Your physical and magical attack will increase by 15% when fighting against demons and devils.

•Your physical and magical defense will increase by 15% when fighting against demons and devils.

It was a very useful title when fighting against demons and devils.

Minhyuk stared at the speechless Great Demon in front of him, who could not help but gulp dryly, despite being one of the Three Great Demons.

‘This man commands the Spear God, the Six Monster Gods, the Evil God and even the strongest of this era as his vassals?’

However, that was not important.

‘So, he’s really the Battle God? What an amazing power.’

The power of the Overlord’s Technique that Minhyuk displayed earlier seemed to be overwhelming enough, to the point that Gorac truly thought of him as the Battle God.

Then, Minhyuk asked, “It seems like you’re still caught up in your own delusions?”

“…”

“Whether you’re the one to decide if you’ll cooperate with me or not?”

“…”

“Huh? It seems like you’re still hesitating.”

“…”

“Even though my vassal can become your successor?”

That was right. It was just like what Minhyuk said. If Elpis passed the test, then he would become the Great Demon that would inherit his position. In fact, Gorac’s soul had been broken into pieces and scattered all over the world. In this state, it was accurate to say that Gorac was already dead. So, if Elpis passed the test, he would be born as the next Great Demon. And this new Great Demon would serve a powerful king like Minhyuk, alongside powerful comrades and companions.

‘Perhaps a Great Demon with a far greater name and influence than me will be born?’

Was Elpis qualified to become a Great Demon? Well, if Gorac was honest, Elpis’s strength and qualifications were still insufficient. However, even if that was the case, Gorac still hoped that Elpis would grow strong enough to become his successor.

Then, Great Demon Gorac said, “Fine. I will cooperate with you. I will allow Elpis to take the test.”

A faint smile curled at the corners of Minhyuk’s lips when he heard that. Minhyuk had seen Elpis struggle for the chance to take that test.

“And I hope that you can forgive me for the disrespect that I have shown you. Well, I’m not asking you to forgive me so simply. I will listen to two of your wishes.”

Originally, the reward for the quest: Gorac’s Test was just one wish. Granting him two wishes showed how much Gorac sought Minhyuk’s forgiveness.

Among the Three Great Demons, Eccentric Gorac was the one with the widest network of information. Thus, these two wishes that Minhyuk could ask Gorac were very, very important.

Minhyuk’s first wish was, “I want to build an empire in the human world. I wish to know a way to build an empire as quickly as possible.”

If Minhyuk told Gorac to build him an empire, then his opportunity would definitely go to waste.

As for his second wish, it was: “I am extremely hungry. I wish to know of a place where I can find something very special and delicious to eat that only you know of.”

As expected of Minhyuk, making such a wish.

Gorac did not take too long to answer. He said, “A place where there’s something delicious to eat and can help you build an empire quickly. I know of such a place.”

Gorac rubbed his chin. He knew quite a lot about Athenae. What about Aruvel, the Demon World’s Great Sage? He was no match for Gorac. That was how extensive Gorac’s information and knowledge was. He was even privy to what the Athenae production team would open later.

However, there was something that Gorac was wondering about. “Can I ask you why you used one of the opportunities to ask me for a wish to find some food?”

The high rankers could not buy any information from Gorac with money. But the person in front of him was using such a priceless opportunity to find some food. Other people would use this opportunity to find places with God-rank weapons or skills.

‘Of course, if you go there then you will be able to find special ingredients.’

However, Gorac found it quite a bit strange.

Then, Minhyuk smiled, his charisma exuding as he said, “Is there something that’s more important than eating in the world? Both gods and humans eat to live in the end, no?”

‘What’s this? Why does this sound so convincing?’

“You might have a good weapon or a strong power, but what good would it bring you if you’re hungry and weak?”

‘Strangely enough, it really sounds convincing.’

Gorac got caught up in Minhyuk’s logic.

“Happy Island,” Gorac said bluntly. “If you go there, you will find the special ingredients that you want. You will also find a way to build an empire as fast as possible.”

Then, Gorac continued, “Of course, you would only receive all of this if you do something there.”

There was no free meal in the world. Since Gorac had guided him on the path, then Minhyuk had to work hard to get what he wanted himself.

“Happy Island is still an unknown and undiscovered island. My power, which is still lingering on the island, will guide you to some extent.”

Minhyuk could feel that Gorac was more meticulous and caring than what he thought. With this, there was nothing more that Minhyuk could do for Elpis. He had to overcome the rest himself.

“Are you going straight to Happy Island?”

Minhyuk nodded in answer to Gorac’s question.

Swoosh—

A bright light flashed, and when it faded, Minhyuk had already disappeared.

***

[You have entered Happy Island.]

[Only those that come from Asgan Continent can access Happy Island.]

[You are the very first player to enter Happy Island.]

[Happy Island is a special island with a population of 470,000.]

[Happy Island has a land area of 1,359.02?.]

[You have gained 300 REP.]

Minhyuk was greeted with a wide expanse of nature the moment he opened his eyes. It felt like he was standing in the middle of a very beautiful paradise. Perhaps it was because it was called Happy Island; the beautiful and glimmering sea made him feel happy and refreshed. It went without saying that such a beautiful place would make him hungry.

“There’s even a saying that goes, ‘Even the sights of Diamond Mountain must wait after a meal!’”

After all, the only thing that one would do was to take pictures and eat good food. Of course, Minhyuk was trying to find things that would help him build an empire and acquire delicious ingredients.

“But… how do I get around this place?” Minhyuk looked around in confusion.

Minhyuk had to meet with the residents of this island first. However, there was no mode of transportation available to him at all. On top of that, he also did not know the way.

But then, at that moment, notifications rang out.

[Upon your arrival in Happy Island, Gorac’s power will guide you.]

[Gorac’s power will guide you, who wants something special and delicious. You will be guided in order.]

Immediately after that, the figure of a dish appeared in front of Minhyuk. A happy smile settled on Minhyuk’s lips when he saw the dish.

According to the notifications that he heard when he entered Happy Island, only those that came from Asgan Continent could enter this place. In other words, it was a special place for those that lived in the Korean server. With the beautiful sea surrounding this island and the dish that was projected in front of him earlier, Minhyuk could easily tell what the motif and the inspiration for this island was.

The special dish that Gorac will guide him to was none other than ‘Gogi-guksu’, which was considered a Jeju Island’s local specialty. In the past, it was difficult to travel to and from Jeju Island, thus, the island developed their own dishes. Among those dishes was gogi-guksu.

It was a special dish made by boiling black pork both for the soup and the topping. Its soup was renowned to be clean and refreshing. In fact, Minhyuk still had memories of going to Jeju Island and eating gogi-guksu back when his mother was still alive.

“Gulp.”

He could not forget that light, clean, and refreshing soup, as well as the taste of the soft and tender boiled pork. He was already excited just by thinking about it.

‘What if I eat the noodles and drink the soup with some crispy kimchi?’

“Kghhk!”

Minhyuk could not help but squeal in anticipation as he clicked on the word ‘gogi-guksu’ that was glittering brightly in front of him. Then, at the same time, Gorac’s power began to guide him.

[Please go and find Evelyn.]

A map unfolded in front of Minhyuk and began to show him Evelyn’s location. It was located much nearer than he thought. So, he began to walk toward his destination.

***

Special Players Management Team.

Team Leader Park Minggyu and Lee Minhwa both groaned.

“He noticed it, right?”

“I think so too.”

They knew Player Minhyuk to be a quick-witted person. And just like what he had noticed, Happy Island was indeed made using Jeju Island as the motif and inspiration. Of course, not everything was the same. However, it was true that there were a lot of references from Jeju Island. For someone like Minhyuk, who had the Food God class, he would be able to gain a lot from this place.

“This island was supposed to open and be used for an event next year.”

“Will this change a lot of things?”

If there was only one player involved, the story would continue without many changes, unless that player did something special. However, Player Minhyuk was capable of exerting too much influence in the Athenae worldview.

To be specific, there was one thing that Park Minggyu and Lee Minhwa were monitoring closely. Inside Happy Island, the residents there worship a god. The god was ferocious and had always terrorized the residents of the island. However, therein laid the issue.

“Happy Island’s God is…”

“A black pig.”

The two looked at each other as they sighed despondently at the same time.

***

Evelyn was someone that ran a small restaurant in Happy Island. Her small restaurant was currently on the brink of falling apart. Her family had been making gogi-guksu for decades. Her father, who originally owned the place, died not too long ago. On top of that, she just could not get her hands on any black pork.

Black pigs could be hunted on Happy Island, usually done by hunters. In Evelyn’s case, it was her father, a former knight, that used to hunt the black pigs for their restaurant. When her father died, she tried to ask other hunters to hunt some black pig for her and sign a distribution contract with her. However, all of them refused.

‘Pluine Merchant Group must have already gotten their hands on those hunters.’

Evelyn’s shop might be small, but many customers visited them to the point that there was no room for others to step inside during their rush hour. Because of that, those merchants that were now in power were trying to destroy her.

One might wonder why she could not just go and hunt for the black pig herself? Unfortunately, the black pigs on this island were very strong. A single black pig could smash a big rock into pieces. That was why most of the hunters here were former knights.

‘Even so, I can’t use white pork to make gogi-guksu.’

Black pigs and white pigs were different from each other. The meat of black pigs tasted much better than the meat of ordinary pigs because their fat and meat content were much better. So, if Evelyn used white pork, the taste of her gogi-guksu would definitely change.

‘Is there really no way at all?’

Evelyn wanted to protect this restaurant that her father had left her.

Knock, knock—

Then, at that moment, someone knocked on the door of her shop. Evelyn had currently closed her shop because she could not operate without any ingredients at all. However, she still stepped out with a confused expression on her face.

There, she saw a man smiling happily while eating omegi-tteok[1], a specialty of Happy Island.

“Omegi-tteok is really delicious…!”

Evelyn stared at the man in doubt when she saw the man shed a tear while smiling brightly. She could see that the man purchased the omegi-tteok from the store right next to her restaurant.

Then, she heard Mrs. Halsen, who ran the omegi-tteok restaurant next door, said, “I can’t believe that he ate 827 omegi-tteok…”

“…”

A strange man had suddenly appeared.

1. a type of tteok(rice cake) in Jeju Island. ?