Gourmet Gaming-Chapter 1264

Chapter 1264

[Miner’s Child Agu is finally with his parents. They are now together in eternal rest.]

Minhyuk gathered the bones of Agu’s parents and his small white bones from somewhere in the mine and took them out. Then, he made a tombstone right in front of the Pearl Mine and placed some of the flowers he had picked nearby.

The guild members, watching the silent Minhyuk, felt an unknown emotion wash over them.

‘We... we told him we only needed to stay still and the Pearl Mine would be ours.’

But if they had stayed still then, all of the effects of the pearls they could mine from the Pearl Mine would be gone. In other words, they would be unable to get what they wanted permanently.

‘Minhyuk saw through the sweet rewards that could be obtained for nothing.’

The guild members of the Beyond the Heavens Empires became rankers because they could make more rational and objective judgments than anybody else.

On the other hand, Minhyuk was different. His judgment was often clouded by his emotions. Even though he could calculate and see through many things instantly, he remained highly emotional. Somehow, his judgment, which everyone considered highly emotional and irrational, had always led to a positive situation.

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‘Maybe that’s why he’s standing at the top of all the high rankers.’

A bitter smile flashed on everyone’s faces.

Meanwhile, Minhyuk’s face brightened after he finished mourning Agu and his parents’ deaths and celebrating their reunion. He said, “The moment that I have dreamt of is finally here...”

Just like usual, Minhyuk could never hide his excitement in front of new and delicious food.

“The moment where I can drink Gung Cha until my stomach is full has arrived!”

Was that all? Of course not.

“Overlapping buffs is also possible! Kghhk!”

The guild members were also excited. This was the dessert buff! An extra buff could be added to the already existing buffed dishes!

[You have applied the power of the Supreme Authority: SSS to the Pearl Mine.]

With a pickaxe in his hand, Minhyuk immediately ran inside the Pearl Mine and began to dig with all his might.

Clang, clang, clang–!

Clang, clang–!

Because he had high DEX, it was easy for Minhyuk to dig and mine the pearls.

[Pickaxe’s True Worth.]

[The items you obtain inside the mine will be 10% better.]

Surprisingly, the pickaxe that Agu had left behind had a 20% chance of giving him an item that had effects that were 10% better than normal.

At that moment, something like a glittering ore fell in the middle of the broken stones and rocks. Minhyuk bent over and grabbed it. The moment he touched it, the ore split apart, revealing none other than tapioca pearls.

Tapioca pearls are black, sweet, and chewy. They are best suited for basic pearl drinks like milk or black sugar bubble tea.

‘Wow. I don’t even have to cook them?’

According to the tapioca pearls’ description, all Minhyuk needed to add them to an already prepared drink and they would become the tastiest and chewiest tapioca pearls.

Of course, Minhyuk did not stop there. He kept swinging his pickaxe and getting pearls, from coconut to aloe and white pearls. Only after he obtained all four types did Minhyuk leave the Pearl Mine. He immediately asked his guild members to eat their meals first.

“...Ah. Huh? Why are you suddenly asking all of us to eat our meals?”

“Locke. Are you asking Minhyuk why he suddenly wants to eat something?”

“Ah. That’s right.”

Anyway, all of them ate their meals. Of course, they ate their buffed dishes too! Minhyuk had already finished his meal and had a cup of “Gung Cha” in his hand.

“...Where the hell did you get that?”

It was because the cup holder wrapped around the disposable cup in Minhyuk’s hands bore the symbol of Gung Cha. Minhyuk ignored the question. He imagined a day where he had already eaten his fill and was already full. Despite being full, there were times when he would suddenly feel a craving for chewy and sweet pearls.

Just like those days, Minhyuk began drinking his milk tea. With one sip, the sweet and milky flavor spread in his mouth.

‘Actually, the milk tea part of the milk tea is usually not very delicious.’

Minhyuk sucked more strongly. This time, the tapioca pearls poured into the gap of the large straw and entered his mouth. Minhyuk could not help but sigh in admiration the moment he chewed the sweet and chewy tapioca pearls.

[SSS.]

[Your STR has increased by 4.7%.]

[The buff duration is four days.]

Minhyuk was shocked. ‘The overlapping buff increased my STR by 4.7%. This means we will get more power just by eating these pearls.’

First, making bubble tea was very easy. To be honest, they only needed to put the already processed drink in their inventory and add the pearls, which completed it. The value of such a convenient and delicious drink with an overlapping buff effect was astronomical.

The executives and guild members of the Beyond the Heavens Empire were also very impressed by the notifications that rang in their ears.

While they were in awe, Minhyuk began to make a mango smoothie. Of course, the pearls that Minhyuk added in his mango smoothie were the Rainbow Pearls. The Rainbow Pearl was not a single pearl shining with seven different colors. Instead, they were dozens of pearls that came in seven different colors. The seven-colored pearls underneath the golden yellow mango smoothie gave a mysterious and awe-inspiring feeling.

Minhyuk took a huge sip of the drink. The first thing that greeted his mouth was the sweet taste of the mango. With another suck, a red pearl entered his mouth. The refreshing apple flavor spread in his mouth when he took a bite.

“Wow...”

It tasted incredibly sweet and delicious. Minhyuk sucked once more. This time, a yellow pearl entered his mouth. It tasted like banana. With this, Minhyuk realized that each color of the seven-colored pearls represented a different flavor. Despite having different flavors, they surprisingly created a perfect harmony when he chewed them in his mouth.

Slurrrrp–!

Minhyuk drank the mango smoothie in just a minute and felt delighted despite the sudden brain freeze.

[You have eaten the Rainbow Pearls.]

[All of your stats have increased by 2%.]

“Minhyuk. After looking at the production of the pearls in this mine, I think it’s best to follow our initial plan and supply only to the people of the Beyond the Heavens Empire,” Genie said.

In the first place, they had intended to only supply the pearls from this mine to the Beyond the Heavens Empire members. So, there were no complaints there.

Once the level of SSS increased, the number of areas they could choose and designate would increase. Nonetheless, for now, the only place where they could get items that would give them an overlapping buff effect was this Pearl Mine.

“Yes. Only the players and NPCs of our Beyond the Heavens Empire can enjoy the special privilege of an overlapping buff effect.”

With this, the Beyond the Heavens Empire had taken another step closer to the Luvien Empire.

***

His Majesty Minhyuk had returned from his trip to the Pearl Mine. He had been distributing milk tea to the soldiers and had even prepared a mango smoothie with coconut pearls added to eat especially for Brod.

“This is my favorite combination. I’m telling this to you because it’s you, Brod.”

After giving Brod his drink, His Majesty left.

“Woah, we’re getting this just when it was getting hot!”

“Wow. This pearl drink is really delicious!”

“Commander, it’s really delicious!”

Brod smiled faintly as he watched the delighted soldiers enjoy their refreshing cold drink.

“Huh?! I feel like my strength is surging?!”

“I feel like I’ve grown a bit faster!”

Although the pearl drinks were meant to be used as overlapping buffs, it could also work as regular buffs.

Brod watched them as he drank his mango smoothie. The coconut pearls that got sucked along with the sweet mango smoothie added a dash of texture and deepened the flavor of the fruit.

Brod had lived a very long life. He started as an ordinary soldier and became a knight. Then, he reigned as a commander in the human world. At one point, he caught the eye of the Battle God and he became the Absolute God’s Sword. After that, he aimed to become the emperor but was deposed and thrown away.

Then, he became the Mercenary King and wandered around the world aimlessly until he became Queen Iris’ escort. While protecting her, he met Minhyuk and followed him until he became the young man’s army commander.

Brod, whose age had far surpassed the age that an ordinary human could live, felt that this was the happiest moment of his life. However, it was also his life's saddest and most regrettable moment.

Recently, Brod had been meeting a lot of people. These people were all of the people who knew him from before. They were also those who had already expected his fate. And these people had told him a lot.

Chaos said...

–You’re going to die.

Nerva, who he did not want to face, said...

–It’s a miracle for you to have lived up until this point with this human body.

Belson, who had now become the Battle God’s Aide, said...

–You are already approaching your destined fate.

Indeed. Brod had lived for so long in this human body. A human body could only live for a hundred years and could no longer sustain him. After talking with these people, he came to one conclusion.

–Then, I will die.

Everyone looked at him in confusion.

–There is a way for you to survive.

Chaos said as he admired his firm will and determination.

Nerva grabbed his collar and cried out...

–There is a way for you to survive and live...! Are you telling me that you will choose death even though you have a method to survive?! Is it because of Minhyuk?! Are you saying you want to remain in his arms because you are his subordinate and vassal!?

Nerva, still holding onto Brod’s collar, slid to the ground.

And Belson? He praised Brod.

–You are a trustworthy and loyal subordinate and vassal.

Brod calmly received their hot and burning gazes.

–Do you think I’m a fool to die just like that?

Confusion flashed on everyone’s faces. The Brod they knew was stubborn enough that he would willingly give up his own life for Minhyuk’s sake. Regardless, living with Minhyuk for so many years had changed his perspective.

–I want to live.

Brod wanted to live as Minhyuk’s vassal. He knew how much grief and guilt Minhyuk would feel if he truly died.

–I want to live. That’s why I’m going to die. Nerva, if what you say is going to happen soon, then... Let’s talk.

This was the first time Brod had asked Nerva for help and cooperation. After their discussion, the two finalized their plans and began implementing them.

***

“Urk...” Brod groaned, blood dripping down his chin as he continued to drink the mango smoothie that Minhyuk had given him.

He slowly walked somewhere. He could tell that his life as a human was finally approaching the end. Everyone should remain unaware of this fact except for one. Only one person had to know.

This person appeared behind Brod, who was still vomiting blood. This person was none other than the Beyond the Heavens Empire’s Guardian God, Obren. Even if Brod had not told him, Obren would still have found out. After all, he lived for the people of the Beyond the Heavens Empire. He knew what was happening to everyone inside the empire.

That was why Brod knew that he could not hide it from him. Since he could not hide it, he decided to confide in him.

[You can no longer live under the name of the Beyond the Heavens Empire’s Commander in the outside world.]

[Perhaps the soldiers who grew up under your tutelage and care will even come to despise you.]

[Although you’re taking this path for the Beyond the Heavens Empire's sake, the path you have chosen is leading somewhere else.]

[But is that still alright with you?]

Brod wiped the blood dripping down his chin and answered, “There’s nothing else I can do.”

He looked back at the Beyond the Heavens Empire. If this empire could maintain its peace, it was fine, even if it meant he would receive their hate.

Obren looked at Brod with pure admiration. He was in awe of Brod’s pure and noble heart, which only desired to protect everyone even if it meant he had to sacrifice himself. At the same time, he was looking forward to it.

Only after hearing Brod’s plans did Obren realize that he was enlisting the help of Nerva, a person that Brod despised and hated to the core. According to their plan, Brod would hide in the Luvien Empire under a complete disguise.

[‘It is hard even for me to watch over you in the Luvien Empire.’]

Brod would be under a disguise and would be given enough status and identity through Nerva’s help. Perhaps he would become the commander of the Great Luvien Empire’s army or temporarily fill the position of a duke.

At that moment, a Ten Thousand Li Falcon flew in. The Ten Thousand Li Falcon could fly anywhere and was the only falcon that could fly in the Luvien Empire. Surprisingly enough, only the recipient of the letter it was carrying could view its contents.

Brod took the letter tied to the Ten Thousand Li Falcon’s leg.

[What position are you taking?]

Obren asked, his eyes filled with anticipation as he looked at him. Brod just smiled bitterly in answer. When Obren saw his reaction, he realized that the post that Brod was taking in his disguise was not easy.

Then, Brod said, “Guardian God, do you know what neutering is?”

[...?]

“Animals all look good when they live peacefully in nature. However, there are times when an animal needs to be neutered.”

‘Why is he suddenly spouting all of this nonsense?’

“When unneutered, these animals would often succumb to and suffer from diseases like pyometra and mammary gland tumors. There’s also the unimaginable stress they would suffer once their rutting or heat period comes. That is why it is necessary to neuter these animals...”

[So, what do you want to say?]

“Anyway, the process of neutering is necessary...”

[Just get to the point, Brod.]

Brod looked up at the sky. It was clear and blue and just as beautiful as any other day.

When Obren saw Brod’s eyes grow misty, he realized something.

[Are you saying that you were given the position of an eunuch...?]

That was right. That was the post that Brod was going to take.

“...”

Of course, Obren did not forget to comfort the man.

[Don’t worry too much. I heard that they do chemical castration these days. It hurts...]

Wait, could this even be called comfort?

“I’m not going to do anything like that.”

[Then, it seems like you’re going for the ‘Eunuch with Vocal Cord Nodules’ to achieve your perfect disguise?][1]

Brod did not take his gaze away from the sky as he pondered over the Eunuch with Vocal Cord Nodules that Obren was talking about. Then, he said, “You... you really are the worst.”

[...]

Obren, who talked about Eunuch with Vocal Cord Nodules, turned silent.

1. this might be a meme or reference to a way of calling an uncastrated eunuch. ☜