Leveling Up Through Eating

Chapter 663: The Land of the Forgotten Heroes

[You will receive a special reward if you can show the citizens of Edea your true worth and surprise them with a new culture.]

‘True worth and a new culture…’ Minhyuk pondered deeply as he strode inside the kingdom.

The Great Sage, Heaven’s Equal was hailed as the greatest king of Edea, the Land of the Forgotten Heroes. Minhyuk wondered if he could truly gain an audience and meet such a great king.

‘That would be impossible. I would already be thankful if they would not kick me out.’

Minhyuk pondered deeply on the method that would allow him to have an audience with the Great Sage, Heaven’s Equal.

“I heard that the queen’s condition has worsened.”

“His Majesty is probably very sad. What happened to the alchemist that made a potion using the Tears that God Shed for the Poor and the Pitiful?”

“From what I heard, his head had been cut off all at once. You know His Majesty’s character, right?”

“His Majesty is quite pitiful, no? He just wants to show the beauty of this world to Queen Ari before she dies.”

Minhyuk’s ears perked up as he paid attention to the conversation of the kingdom’s citizens. It seemed like the Great Sage, Heaven’s Equal wanted to show the world to his blind wife before she died. However, the task was not easy to do and they had failed several times already. From what he heard, the queen’s condition had worsened after drinking a potion not too long ago.

‘If I do this well, then…’

Minhyuk also found another fact after pondering about how to gain an audience with Sun Wukong. It was that Sun Wukong had collected several drops of the Tears that God Shed for the Poor and Pitiful. However, just a few days ago, his stock had dried up after the alchemist used it on the potion.

‘I have to make it so the Great Sage, Heaven’s Equal will be able to find me somehow.’

He began to think of the ways to make it happen.

‘Hmm. I can smell the scent of food somewhere…’

Minhyuk, who was thinking seriously, suddenly stopped in his thoughts.

“…”

And just as if he was possessed, he followed the scent until he stood in front of a stall.

Sniff— sniff, sniff—

***

‘What the… Is this guy crazy?’

Resu had used up all of his money to buy a store that was on the verge of collapse, in the capital of Kingdom of Rama, to do business in the food sector. He had been open for three months, but the number of customers that he served were only a pitiful amount.

Resu’s shop imitated the dishes of the other world. From what he heard, there was this dish called ‘rice ball’ that was made by mixing cooked rice and putting various ingredients in it. He imitated the said dish and cooked rice and sold it together with minced fish.

‘Why is this great combination not selling out?’

The people of the Kingdom of Rama enjoyed seafood. Resu could not understand why his rice balls with minced fish and shellfish were not selling like hotcakes. It was even a new world’s delicacy! Since he was out of business, Resu felt like he was already dying.

But then, an unknown man suddenly came in front of his store, his nose twitching as if he was sniffing around.

“…What is this smell? What the hell?” The man said, a frown adorning his face.

Minhyuk, who could follow the smell of food from a mile away, frowned the moment he entered the store. The name of the store was ‘Otherworld Rice Ball’. In other words, it was a store that sold rice balls from the world where Minhyuk came from. However, the store smelled bad.

Still, he did not rashly judge the store. He first ordered one, “Please give me one rice ball.”

“Yes, sir.”

Minhyuk carefully watched Resu’s process of making rice balls from start to finish. He could not help but be shocked.

‘What the hell? Isn’t the rice too sticky? The rice looks more like porridge?! You’re making rice balls with that kind of rice?!”

It was not ordinary rice, instead, it was very, very sticky and watery. The rice grains even looked like they had been crushed! When making rice balls, it was best to use firm rice. It would taste better that way.

Then, Resu placed his sticky rice in a bowl and started putting in other ingredients. He carefully removed the meat from the grilled fish and added it to the bowl before adding uncooked clam meat inside.

“…”

Minhyuk was rendered speechless at the sight. Of course, even in reality, a different country would have a different way of eating the same ingredients. However, Resu’s rice ball could not be even called an imitation.

Finally, it was placed in front of Minhyuk.

“Crunch, crunch. The charm of this rice ball is the crunchy fish bones.”

Minhyuk could see sharp fish bones protruding from the rice ball.

‘Are the throats of the people of this land made of iron?’

However, Minhyuk still did not show his displeasure. This was because the chef did not know the correct recipe.

When Minhyuk looked around, he saw that the other dishes were in a similar state. So, he thought, ‘Is this land a place whose people are not good at cooking?’

Minhyuk pondered for a moment, unsure if he should criticize the chef harshly or not. However, he came to only one conclusion. He believed that it would be better to speak harshly to someone that did not know how to cook and lead them to a better path than to stay silent.

“I have never eaten a rice ball like this in my life…”

“Like this?” Resu asked, a strange sense of expectation on his face.

Minhyuk sighed and said, “This is the worst rice ball that I have tasted in my life.”

“…Yes?”

Nothing was more shocking to a chef than being told that the dishes that he cooked were the worst. Of course, Resu’s face grew red from anger after hearing those words.

“This is the first time I heard such nonsense!”

“Is this really the first time you’re hearing such criticism?”

“…”

Resu turned mute at his words. Who would say something like that to his face? However, it was a reality check, especially from the customers’ frown and his declining business.

“Who are you to say such words…”

“I’m a chef from another world.”

“…!”

Resu’s eyes grew wide from shock.

‘Someone, someone with good DEX came to Edea?!’

People from another world would only come to Edea every once in a while. However, all of these people only had one thing in common. It was the fact that they were strong.

No one with high DEX had ever arrived here before. One had to be strong or else they would not be able to arrive here. This was the reason why Resu was very shocked. There was also the chance that this chef from another world might know the real recipe of the rice ball that he had only ever heard of.

“S, so… how do you usually make rice balls?”

“If you add fish or raw shellfish, then the rice ball will become fishy and unpalatable. That’s why… uhm…” Minhyuk continued to talk as a notification rang in his ears.

[Resu is showing an interest in you, a person from a new world.]

That was when Minhyuk recalled the fact that he could receive special rewards and privileges if he spread new culture to these people.

‘Then, maybe…’

Minhyuk thought that he might be able to meet with Sun Wukong if he used this method.

“Very well. I’ll make one for you.”

Rice balls were truly very easy to make. It could be made with delicious stir-fried pork, ham, vegetables, and many more. However, the rice ball that Minhyuk was going to make for Resu was different.

‘Should I make a boneless chicken feet set?’

The taste of the spicy and chewy chicken feet and the small rolled rice balls. So, Minhyuk began cooking. He made sure to coat the boneless chicken feet evenly with the spicy sauce.

“Didn’t you say that you’ll make rice balls? So, why are you using boneless chicken feet…? Ah! By any chance, do you put boneless chicken feet in the rice balls in your world?!”

“No. Not at all.”

“Huh? So, why…”

“Because I want to eat chicken feet.”

“…?”

Resu was at a loss after hearing the brief response.

Then, Minhyuk began to set up a fire using charcoal to grill the chicken feet. This was so the chicken feet would be coated with the aromatic smell of fire. He also prepared some salty yet soft steamed eggs. Only after doing those did he prepare the rice balls.

“Rice balls can be made with whatever size you want. You can make it big or small. Everything is up to you. As for these rice balls, I’m going to make them small,” Minhyuk said as he drizzled some sesame oil on the well-cooked rice. Then, he added some seaweed powder, sesame seeds, thinly chopped pickled radish, and canned tuna.

After that, Minhyuk put on a plastic glove and placed enough rice for a bite and formed it into a rice ball.

“Can I try one…”

Thwack—!

“Have some respect. You will eat only after all of the dishes are ready.”

“…”

Resu’s face was flushed with embarrassment at the deadly glare that Minhyuk gave him.

‘Is this really the case for the people from the other world?’

Resu tilted his head in confusion.

Not long after, the boneless chicken feet set was completed. At the same time, Minhyuk triggered his ‘Joy of Eating Together’ skill.

“Wow…” Resu uttered in pure admiration as the same dishes appeared in front of Minhyuk.

Minhyuk rubbed his hands excitedly. He did not really care about Resu at this moment. He looked at the soft and wobbling steamed eggs. Just one look at the spicy boneless chicken feet and he already wanted to put everything in his mouth.

The first thing that he grabbed was a piece of boneless chicken feet. Minhyuk made it a bit less spicy. Then, he placed it in his mouth. As he chewed, the wonderful texture spread in his mouth together with the spicy flavor.

Smiling happily at the taste, Minhyuk then picked a piece of lettuce. Placing three pieces of boneless chicken feet on top, he dipped everything in ssamjang and finally delivered it into his mouth.

“Wow…” A sigh of admiration naturally burst out of his mouth, followed by a ‘Ho~!’ from the spiciness that lingered.

Minhyuk grabbed his spoon and scooped up a mouthful of the vibrant yellow steamed egg and placed it in his mouth. The light and salty flavor of the steamed egg created the perfect harmony.

This time, Minhyuk picked a piece of boneless chicken feet, dipped it in white mayonnaise and ate it. The savory and greasy flavor of the mayonnaise complemented and mellowed down the sharp and tingling spiciness of the chicken feet.

After that, he placed the rice ball in his mouth. The salty taste of the seaweed immediately greeted his tongue. However, munching on one was not enough. So, Minhyuk consumed another one, a smile blooming on his face.

Minhyuk continued to eat the boneless chicken feet just like that, his mouth tingling and burning from the spiciness. Then, he quickly picked up a cold and refreshing julpis.

Gulp, gulp, gulp, gulp—

The cold and refreshing peach-flavored julpis instantly cleansed the mouth. After gulping down the drink, Minhyuk breathed, ‘Fwaaa!’ and smiled happily! It was only after eating everything did he think of looking at Resu.

“…?”

Resu was eating the boneless chicken feet, the steamed egg, and the rice balls with tears and snots dripping down his face.

“Sob. How can food taste like this…”

Minhyuk found the sight a little embarrassing.

As for Resu, he thought, ‘Is he a god?! How can food taste like this?!!!’

Resu was thrilled and moved by the dish that he tasted. He looked at Minhyuk with clear and sparkling eyes. There was even a hint of respect in his eyes.

“Are you a god? How can a dish taste like this…”

At that moment, a brilliant idea flashed in Minhyuk’s head. Just like the players, Minhyuk could also deliver God’s Voice to the NPCs.

[The God that Likes to Eat looks at you with a kind smile.]

[The God that Likes to Eat speaks.]

“Foolish one.”

“…!”

God’s Voice rang in Resu’s ears as the man sitting before him said, “Do you realize it now? I came here to save your poor and pitiful palates.”

[The God that Likes to Eat has complimented you.]

“Ah…! Aaaaaaah…!”

‘I was a poor and pitiful soul! That’s why God has personally come down to save me!’

“Wh, what is your name?”

“Minhyuk. I am Minhyuk of the Minhyuk Church!!!”

‘Huh?The name of the religion is a bit weird?’

But it did not matter to Resu.

“God… Aaaaaaaah!!! God!!! God Minhyuk!!!”

Minhyuk looked down at him and opened his arms kindly. Then, he said, “Do you have faith in me?!”

“I have faith!!!”

“Louder. Do you have faith in me?!”

“I have faiiiiiiiiiith!!!”

“Do not forget that I saved your poor and pitiful soul today!!!”

“Sob, sob, sob, sob! Long live the Minhyuk Church!!!”

[You have received the first believer of Minhyuk Church!]

[His faith in Minhyuk Church has reached the skies!]

Today, Minhyuk Church received its very first official believer.