Leveling Up Through Eating

PR: MattForgenti

57 Hall of Kings

As soon as Valen and his team entered the other dungeon, Kaistra quickly pushed the bread in his mouth. Old Man Ben also moved to step inside after he had confirmed that Minhyuk had finished drinking his coffee. Both Kaistra and Old Man Ben entered the dungeon together. As soon as they entered, the same thought flashed through their minds.

‘Our Minhyuk-nim who loves food needs to clear this dungeon to become stronger.’

‘Maybe we can do it faster than them too.’

Kaistra and Old Man Ben saw through them at a glance. They knew that the two squad members who entered the dungeon with Valen were not that strong so his situation was similar to him going in alone. On the contrary, the three of them were all strong.

Minhyuk, Ben, Kaistra. These three people made up their party.

“The Largehead Hairtail sounds delicious!”

As for the next reward, Minhyuk had excitedly mentioned that it was a ‘Largehead Hairtail’. But in Kaistra and Old Man Ben’s case, they both received a different rewards list. For Old Man Ben, it was ‘Demon World’s Pork Ramyeon Ingredient’. And for Kaistra, it was ‘Demon World’s Mandarin Chocolate’.

It’s for Minhyuk! For him!

As soon as the three of them entered the dungeon, they had decided to do their very best. Along with their firm determination, the sound of the notification rang in their ears.

[All of your skills that are currently unavailable due to the cooldown will now be available. You can now use all of your skills.]

This meant that they could use their skills that were currently on cooldown. For example, the Lightning Millstone. It had a cooldown of 480 hours and could only be used after 20 days in the game. But inside this place, the cooldown of the Lightning Millstone had been lifted. Of course, this still did not mean that he could use his skills continuously. But he would still be able to use it once. And he believed that it was more than enough.

“Kaistra, can you kite the mobs?”

“Yes. Penrus has an ability among his special skills called ‘Temptation of Rich Blood’. With this ability, every monster will follow me wherever I go.”

Minhyuk nodded his head.

Then, the space in front of them tore apart as Penrus leaped down from the void. Kaistra gently climbed on top of Penrus.

[Temptation of Rich Blood.]

[The monsters are agitated by the smell of blood coming from Penrus.]

“I’ll go ahead and kite the mobs.”

Dash!

Penrus dashed forward while Minhyuk and Ben hurriedly followed along.

“Keuhaaack!”

“Kkiiieeeeck!”

“Groooooowl!”

The mob in front turned towards Penrus and followed the scent of blood that was coming from Penrus’ body. The monsters’ aggro was firmly grabbed by Kaistra. These monsters unknowingly followed Penrus in a circle as they began to gather in the middle of the open area.

Then, Minhyuk triggered Roves’ Ring.

[Roves’ Wave]

[A 7m high tidal wave will engulf and devour all of your enemies. This cannot be nullified.]

Since the dungeon had a high-ceiling, Minhyuk was quite confident that there would be no problem even if a seven meter high tidal wave appeared inside.

Shwaaaaak!

“Kiiiiiieeeeek!”

“Keuaaaaack!”

“Grrrrraaaaack!”

The monsters shrieked and floundered as they were swept away by the huge tidal wave. As soon as the tidal wave disappeared, Minhyuk turned the Lightning Millstone.

Turn, turn, turn!

[Lightning Hell (Hell’s Thunderbolt)]

[Powerful lightning strikes with an additional 120% damage will fall down within a 20-m radius for 1 minute.]

Lightning began to rain down from the clouds that formed on the air above them.

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

The monsters were unable to come back to their senses after being flooded and soaked by the huge wave. However, before they could even take a breather, they were already dying one by one.

To be honest, the dungeon in and on itself was not that high-leveled. It would probably be difficult for the normal Lv340 users. But for the Lv340 Minhyuk, who had almost the same strength as someone at Lv450, it was a piece of cake.

In the end, the monsters that were kited and were struck by lightning all died. Without taking a break, Penrus began to draw the mobs aggro once more. This time, once all of the mobs were gathered together, Old Man Ben activated his ‘Ghosts’ Dance’.

Stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab!

After easily dealing with more than 200 monsters all at once, they had reached the entrance to the boss’ room.

“Splitting Sword.”

“Penrus’ Breath.”

“Ghosts’ Blow.”

All three of them used their most powerful attack that they could invoke. And in just four seconds, the turtle-shaped boss monster had disappeared in smoke. After the three of them finished attacking the dungeon, they leisurely went out.

“Huh? I don’t think Instructor Valen is here yet. Let’s have some tea time first!”

Were they supposed to just sit around while waiting? So the three of them sat down and had some relaxing tea time. Then, the demon Gremory appeared. The three people were first wary and cautious of her but they soon realized that she was the master of this trial. She couldn’t help but stare at them quietly as they had their tea time.

Then, Valen came out. As soon as he saw their leisurely posture, Valen began to rage and shout at them. Gremory couldn’t help but speak to him shakily.

“......They really cleared the dungeon faster than you guys.”

“......!”

Valen’s eyes widened in shock. It was a ridiculously unbelievable story. The trial itself was a place where only Lv340 users could begin to challenge. Normally, the users at that level were only extremely lucky to receive a peerage. And even if they received a noble title, the level of their vassal would only be at most around Lv200~Lv300.

But you’re telling me that they cleared it quickly?

‘Crazy……’

This meant that the vassal as well as the foreigner boy were quite unusual.

Then, the notifications rang in Minhyuk’s head.

[You have completed the second trial.]

[Would you like to challenge more trials?]

One of the reasons why this trial was so frustrating was because of the system that proposes the challenge of another trial when they did not know what it was that they needed to challenge. But even this time, Minhyuk still nodded his head.

“Challenge more.”

[You have accumulated 400,000 EXP.]

[The ‘Demon King’s Largehead Hairtail’ will be saved.]

[Gremory’s Final Trial will now begin.]

[For the Final Trial, all the stats of the vassal, the user and yourself would be temporarily changed to the most basic stats.]

[Please check your temporary status window.]

[All of your skills will be restricted and your artifact’s special abilities will be unavailable.]

[The skills of Sword God Valen and his two squad members will be matched to the challenger.]

[A 1:1 PVP showdown will now take place.]

[If you successfully overcome the trial, you will be able to acquire the Demon World’s Cooking Ingredient ‘One of the Demon King’s Black Pigs’.]

[If you successfully overcome the trial, you will be able to gain 1,000,000 EXP.]

[However, please take note that if the trial fails then all of the rewards that have been listed and accumulated will disappear.]

[You are required to either overcome the trial or reach the end of the hidden temple to receive the rewards that you have earned.]

‘.......Demon King’s Black Pig?’

Minhyuk had a hunch that this was something that was extremely delicious.

Besides, this trial was similar to the first trial. The ability and skill of the opponents would change and would be equal to theirs. And in that state they would fight 1:1 against each other. And for them to win, they had to win the first two fights. In other words, Minhyuk would not be able to win just because he was good at it himself. Even if Minhyuk won his fight, it would still be a loss if Ben or Kaistra were defeated.

“Your opponent is me.”

And it was none other than Valen who was matched with Minhyuk. He was already notified earlier that he was the ‘Sword God’ so he knew that he would not be an easy opponent. Minhyuk nodded his head in agreement as Old Man Ben and Kaistra stood beside him. Their opponents did the same.

After standing in front of each other, Kaistra and Minhyuk were notified together.

[The trial will now begin.]

Slash!

At that moment, Valen’s sword swung straight at Minhyuk.

‘I’m sorry Minhyuk-ah, but this is going to be hard.’

Valen was the man who was hailed as the Sword God. Of course, it was a ridiculous sight for him when he saw Minhyuk hunt the two Orc Warriors easily during the first trial. But he was in a different class from them.

Meanwhile, Minhyuk, who saw the flood of incoming swords, thought…...

‘He’s fast. Then…… I’ll have to do my best.’

In fact, Minhyuk still hadn’t shown his everything. He had dealt with the Orc Warriors in just three attacks. He was quite lucky that he had killed them with just those three attacks. However, it was still a fact that Valen had only seen just a tiny part of his fighting skills and prowess.

Claaaaaaang!

Minhyuk blocked the sword with great strength. But at that exact same moment, Valen’s sword stopped trying to strike at Minhyuk head on.

“Keuaack!”

“......!”

Valen glanced to the side. There, he saw his squad member lying down in front of Old Man Ben. Then, he heard Old Man Ben say……

“This damn punk! With this kind of skill, were you just trying to carry your sword?!”

‘What?! It’s only been three seconds?!’

The rules of the game would allow Minhyuk, his vassal, and the African boy to win if they landed an attack on their opponents. And the same was true for Valen and his squad members. However, it seemed like his squad members were not even allowed the gap to attack and instead he was the one that was left lying down on the ground.

The reason why Valen’s squad member was weaker than him was because they lacked military discipline. They did not take care of their bodies and were only drinking and enjoying themselves. In addition, they also received less power from Gremory. But if you compared them with others, they would be as good and as strong as the knights of a kingdom.

Valen was still not over his shock at his squad member’s easy defeat when he was stunned once more. This time, his sight landed to his left.

Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang!

Kaistra was easily pushing back his squad member as he slashed at him with his scimitar.

‘His moves are sharp, it’s not superfluous and his every move is efficient!’

Valen’s eyes widened in shock. He might not know of this but the African boy Kaistra had been hunting to survive ever since he was a little boy. He was such an outstanding hunter that the people in his village even expected him to become ‘Africa’s Greatest Warrior’. In addition, he even had a pet leopard in his village. The sight of him hunting on top of a leopard with a wooden spear on his hand was so shocking even to the adults of his village.

Even though he’s young, he’s still outstanding. What will happen in this situation where my squad members and him are equal in abilities? This means that he will  not be pushed back with just strength alone.

‘It looks like they’re going to lose in a row…... ‘

Just as he was thinking about this……

Shwaaaaaaaa!

A sharp and glinting sword ripped the air and flew straight towards Valen’s vital point.

Clang!

Just as the attack was deflected, Minhyuk coldly said to him…..

“Instructor, are you really taking your eyes off of me in this situation?”

“......?!”

Valen felt a chill run down his spine. He had always seen Minhyuk as someone that was playful and with a bright and sunny smile on his face. But the eyes of such a bright and positive man were now different. When he thought about it, Valen remembered that more than anyone else, Minhyuk was the most serious when he was striking against the scarecrow. Because of that, Valen had grown fond of the foreigner named Minhyuk.

“I’ll do it properly.”

Shwaaa!

Valen stretched out his hand that was holding his sword. Then, he started to rush towards Minhyuk.

Clang, clang, clang, clang!

Minhyuk tried to find a gap while he was blocking his quick consecutive attacks. But he couldn’t see any gap at all.

‘Then, let’s just make one.’

Minhyuk moved his foot back.

Tap!

And Valen followed his steps closely. Seeing that Valen was still tightly following him, he attacked him on his waist on purpose.

Shwaaaaa!

Clang!

Valen skillfully twisted his sword to block the attack. But it did not end there. Minhyuk continuously attacked his sides.

Clang, clang, clang, clang!

‘Break the balance.’

If he tried to attack continuously then there would be a short gap when the balance was broken. That was the opportunity that he needed. So he continued with his fierce attack.

Stab!

Valen pierced Minhyuk’s shoulders with his sword. However, he only continued to attack his sides. Anyway, he would win this fight if he succeeded in attacking just once.

Shwaaaaa!

“Crazy……!”

Valen was left in shock when a sword stabbed through his shoulders. He moved urgently to dodge to his side.

Stumble.

At that moment, the precarious balance that they had maintained had broken. Valen staggered back and Minhyuk did not miss his chance. He twisted his wrist.

Shwaaaaa!

His sword followed his wrist’s movement as it fiercely moved towards Valen.

“......!”

Valen hurriedly moved his sword to defend but he was a step too late.

Stab!

Plop, plop, plop─

***

Lee Seokhoon, the Development Team’s Team Leader, was exhausted from drinking too much last night. He quickly pulled out a cup from the coffee machine as he tilted his head and savored the scent of the coffee.

That was when he saw some of the customer center staff running hurriedly.

“Huh? What’s going on?”

The place where they were running to was the ‘Special Users Management Team’. And not long after, someone that was running in the same direction caught sight of Lee Seokhoon.

“Quick!”

“If you miss this moment then you’ll regret it forever!”

“......?”

Team Leader Lee Seokhoon tilted his head in confusion. He felt that something strange was happening. Then, he roughly set aside his coffee cup before running towards the same direction.

When he saw Kang Taehoon urgently walking from beside him, he just gave him a silent greeting. President Kang Taehoon waved his hands at him roughly in response to his greeting as he opened the door and entered the room.

As soon as he entered the room, he could see countless teams’ team members gathered inside the Special Users Management Team. Just in time, Team Leader Park, who was sitting in front of a monitor, glanced at them and said.

“......President.”

“Y, yeah. What happened!”

Team Leader Park focused on the monitor again as he grinned widely.

“Our country’s first king has appeared.”

“......!”

“......!”

“.......!”

***

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