Leveling Up Through Eating

Chapter 742: God of Birth Gaerna

“Hello. Let’s get along well.”

Even though the boy was still a first-grade middle schooler, he was incredibly tall and handsome. It was as if the features of his face were sculpted. From the rumors that Jihye heard, he was often referred to as the ideal son.

Everyone was biased toward those that looked good. Jihye, who had always been bullied and teased a lot in elementary school, felt scared.

‘I’m supposed to partner with a boy like this…?’

She was hesitant back then.

“Shall we have Pikachu tonkatsu after school?”

“Y, yeah…”

“Want to go to a PC room after class?”

“Y, yeah.”

The boy was friendlier than anybody else. He approached Jihye warmly and was the first person to look at who she was inside, and not judge her for her outward appearance. But one day, the boy disappeared without a word. When that happened, all Jihye could do was grit her teeth.

‘Until we meet again.’

Jihye thought that they would meet again someday. And if they did, then they were meant to be. She went on a difficult diet and ended up hearing that she was the best and most good looking person when she entered high school. She became famous not only in her school but even in the schools in the vicinity.

A lot of boys rushed to declare their love for her, but she only waited for one person. After many years and plenty of difficulties, she was finally able to meet with him once again.

Jihye had become very pretty, whereas she heard that he had become very fat and was suffering from a disease. Nevertheless, her feelings did not change. She did not like him for his outward appearance. It was just like how he looked at her back then.

Right now, he was having a meal with her on Christmas day, her birthday. It was even a meal that he made with his own hands too.

Jihye waited for Minhyuk to finish cooking everything. She and Minhyuk were finally able to have a late meal after the white-haired foreigner gentleman and his daughter finished their own and left the restaurant.

“It’s really yummy.”

“Is that so? What a relief, then.” Minhyuk smiled softly, bringing a soft blush to Jihye’s face.

She quickly turned to look at the window to watch the snow falling outside, hoping that he did not notice the flush that appeared on her face.

‘Today’s my chance.’

There was no better time for her to confess to him. So, Jihye opened her mouth with great difficulty, “You know…”

“Minhyuk?” At that moment, Kim Hae-Ri, who had finished eating her meal, approached them.

Even Im Jihye could not deny Kim Hae-Ri’s beauty. On top of that, her background was overwhelming. After all, she was the only daughter of the Choego Group. She was also said to be talented enough to lead Choego Group herself.

Of course, Im Jihye was not lacking in terms of looks herself. However, in front of Kim Hae-Ri’s overwhelming background, she could only shrink back.

“Thank you very much for today’s meal.”

“Don’t mention it,” Minhyuk replied politely to her. The Choego Group and the Ilhwa Group were on close terms with each other.

“I was thinking of buying you a drink in gratitude. Do you have any other plans with Miss Jihye today?”

The truth was, Minhyuk and Jihye did not have any other appointment except for this meal. As the conversation progressed, Jihye felt herself shrink smaller and smaller. Perhaps, Minhyuk would choose to join hands with the Choego Group in the future. The best course of action was to take in Kim Hae-Ri as his wife. Besides, Kim Hae-Ri was perfect in everybody’s eyes.

“We don’t have plans, but I would still like to spend time with my friend.”

“What?”

“I’m pretty sure that you know that what you’re doing is rude. You can see that I’m with a woman but you came and talked to me so abruptly like this, no?”

“Aren’t the two of you just friends?” Kim Hae-Ri asked, her eyes shifting and glinting sharply like that of a sly fox.

That was right. The two of them were nothing but friends that had known each other for many years.

But then, Minhyuk spoke, “We might be just friends, but…” he grabbed a glass of water and continued, “…I like her a lot?”

“…Ah.” Kim Hae-Ri’s face turned bright red with those words. Even Jihye, who heard his words, looked at Minhyuk in surprise.

Minhyuk took a sip of water as he looked at Hae-Ri and said firmly, “Can you please leave us alone, now?”

Kim Hae-Ri, whose face had turned a bright shade of red from embarrassment, quickly turned around and left the place.

Both Minhyuk and Jihye were just twenty-one years old. They both went out of the restaurant and decided to walk around the streets and take in the Christmas atmosphere after the meals. There were carols ringing all over the place, with snow falling and turning the streets white.

This time, Jihye gathered her courage and held Minhyuk’s big warm hands. Minhyuk just looked back at her and smiled lightly as they both traversed the snowy streets of Seoul.

***

Elpis was the one hailed as the Lesser Demon and the shield of the Beyond the Heavens Kingdom. The gigantic man with black skin akin to that of a demon looked back at Beyond the Heavens Kingdom, while carrying a huge luggage on his back.

—Elpis, here. I thought you might need it.

Just a few days ago, His Majesty Minhyuk had visited him to hand over some items. They were none other than the ‘Map to Overcome One’s Limitations’ and a bottle of ‘Mandala’s Elixir’.

The Map to Overcome One’s Limitations would guide the person to find a way to overcome and break through their limits. Of course, the process would definitely be accompanied by huge risks, but it did not matter.

‘There’s Spear God Ben, Emperor Brod, One of the Six Monster God’s Elizabeth, Shadow Luo…’

Lately, Elpis was overcome with a sense of inferiority. All of these great and strong people were working for His Majesty. On the other hand, he had not experienced much growth. But he promised His Majesty that he would protect him and the kingdom many times over.

So, for Elpis, this map, which came to his hands at the perfect time, was very valuable. Although it would be dangerous, he still wanted to go. Of course, the map had the answer to his query.

[The map will show you the path to Great Demon Gorac’s Shelter.]

Elpis realized that perhaps he would become a ‘Great Demon’ once he pushed past his limits. He looked at Beyond the Heavens one last time as he placed his earphones to his ears and turned to leave.

“Yeah! One swallowtail butterfly~” Elpis expressed both his sadness and determination with a song.

***

In the Luvien Empire, Nerva was called the sun, while the two princes were called the moons. They also had three Luvien’s Stars, a title that corresponded to the three dukes of the empire. The power of the dukes was said to be above and beyond the powers of the Swords of the Gods.

One of the dukes, Duke Ruffiso, was said to be the one that cared the most about the Luvien Empire. The Luvien Empire used to exist in the Land of the Gods, and Duke Ruffiso, who was born and raised in that place, hoped that the Luvien Empire would unify the continents as soon as possible.

Duke Ruffiso approached Don, the Knight Commander of the Swords of the Gods, and said, “Mandala’s Prison. You must bring back Mandala and all of his legacies from that place.”

Who was Mandala?

According to the legends, Mandala, an eccentric and ill-tempered person, was a very talented alchemist to the point where the gods greatly coveted his talents. It was also said that he was imprisoned by the gods when he created a potion that could go beyond the principles of causality of the world. According to those records, his escape was prevented by a Great Spirit and he still remained in that prison.

The Luvien Empire had finally discovered the whereabouts of that prison.

“I understand.”

Those that were sent to Mandala’s Prison were Don, the Knight Commander, and several other Swords of the Gods. Duke Ruffiso wanted to personally go and retrieve Mandala and his legacies, but he was too busy to do so.

Ruffiso could only watch as Don turned around after giving a firm and determined answer.

‘I have no idea what’s going on in his mind.’

Knight Commander Don was a pure-blooded knight. He grew up in a family of knights, became a knight himself and swore to follow and serve a man as his master. However, his master was deposed and he was now serving Nerva.

That was right. Knight Commander Don was one of the few surviving members of the Red Sword Knights. Nerva had placed several mind-controlling black magic on him and forced him to stay by his side. Why did Nerva have to go so far to keep this man by his side? This was because Knight Commander Don was a very powerful man. He was so powerful that even the dukes had to tread carefully when dealing with him.

‘Knight Commander Don is capable of killing that Great Spirit. He will be able to bring back Mandala and his legacies.’

The Great Spirit was a very powerful monster that even the dukes could not easily fight against. However, its power should have waned as time went by.

Duke Ruffiso watched Knight Commander Don’s back for a very long time.

***

Twitch—

Minhyuk’s mouth broke into a small smile constantly as he worked in his office. This was the end of his twenty one years of being single! Truth was, his heart had already been set on Genie for a very long time. The very first reason was her good and kind heart. Of course, her appearance that was completely different from the past was also lovely. However, Minhyuk would love her even if she still looked the same in the past.

Meanwhile, he could not help but worry as he continued to deal with his work. There was something that he had not been able to check because he went on a date with Genie. That was none other than Mandala’s Treasure Hunting Map.

‘I can’t believe myself! I didn’t even try to use a way to get to eat delicious food…!’

It was good that he confirmed his feelings with Genie, but this was also important! Mandala’s Treasure Hunting Map was an item that would help him find whatever he wanted. Of course, there was a high chance that whatever item they wanted or hoped for was among the items in Mandala’s possession.

Minhyuk immediately used Mandala’s Treasure Hunting Map.

[You have used Mandala’s Treasure Hunting Map.]

[Mandala’s Treasure Hunting Map will find the item that you want.]

[However, a thought for consideration! If the item does not exist among the items that Mandala has hidden or possessed, the treasure hunting map will disappear on its own.]

Minhyuk was very curious about Mandala. Even the legendary informant Abel could not find anything about him. However, there was one thing that he was sure of. Mandala was a very special alchemist. After all, he was the genius behind the Life Elixir, an elixir that could save even the dead.

Immediately after, a very shocking notification rang in Minhyuk’s ears.

[The map is starting to draw the path to the Illusory Blue Liquid Salt.]

Accurate routes and drawings that represented the continents and the kingdoms and empires located in them started to get drawn on the otherwise empty parchment. Minhyuk could tell that the path was located in the American Server.

While the map was slowly being drawn, a special notification rang in Minhyuk’s ears.

[You can now check the item(s) on Mandala’s Treasure Hunting Map.]

Ring!

(Illusory Blue Liquid Salt)

Ingredient Grade: God

Special Effects:

•The buff effects will increase by 10% upon the addition of the Illusory Blue Liquid Salt to the buffed dish.

•An additional +1 in skill level will be added if the skill level increase effect is present upon the addition of the Illusory Blue Liquid Salt to the buffed dish.

•The buff duration will increase by 20% upon the addition of the Illusory Blue Liquid Salt to the buffed dish.

•The Blue Liquid Salt is in liquid form and is contained in a 2ℓ-bottle. However, it can be transformed into powdered form according to the user\'s wishes.

“…Unbelievable!” Minhyuk mouthed in shock.

Not long after, the map finished drawing and the notification rang in his ears.

Ring—!

[The map to Mandala’s Prison has been completed.]

Minhyuk looked at the map as he stood up from his seat. This was a crazy ingredient, something that he had never heard before in his life. But the most surprising thing about this item was the fact that it could be used many times. Most importantly, what if the man named Mandala was still in Mandala’s Prison?

“I shall depart immediately.”

Minhyuk moved to go to Mandala’s Prison.