Leveling Up Through Eating

Chapter 774: Benevolent Ruler

Effer smiled bitterly. He might be the king of Happy Island, but his position had been shaken, and he was effectively controlled by the Pluine Merchant Group. They had the ‘God of Happiness’ backing them up. That was not all, the ‘God of Happiness’ Envoys’ that the God of Happiness had sent also had outstanding skills and abilities. Therefore, the God of Happiness’ Envoys were a part of the top brass of the Pluine Merchant Group.

‘God of Happiness, why have you abandoned us?’

Originally, the God of Happiness did not intervene with what was happening on the island. But one day, the God of Happiness suddenly started protecting the Pluine Merchant Group. Effer surmised that this must have started when the Pluine Merchant Group started making offerings and sacrifices to the god. The God of Happiness also bestowed upon them plenty of things.

The Pluine Merchant Group then took away the fertile lands, which originally belonged to the farmers, saying that it was under the command of the God of Happiness. Even the vast seas, which originally belonged to the fishermen, were taken away because of the God of Happiness’s revelation. As they laid claim to things one after the other, King Effer failed to stop them.

The God of Happiness was an insurmountable existence to the people of the island. The god was just far too strong. Unlike the other Continental Gods, the God of Happiness could descend directly upon their lands. In front of such a god, King Effer was nothing but weak.

“Urk…!”

Effer hurriedly covered his mouth with a handkerchief when he felt the cough bubble up in his throat. When he took it away, there was already blood smearing the cloth. This was Effer’s biggest worry. He knew that his days were already numbered. All he could do was smile bitterly as he tried to calm his trembling body.

“Hoo…” Effer sighed, his body calming down to some extent after quite some time.

“Your Majesty, the Noble has arrived.”

Effer was very curious about the man that his people hailed as the Noble. Even Evelyn had something to say about him. Evelyn’s father was both a knight and a chef who served the royal family in the past. Effer would always feel better whenever he ate the ‘gogi-guksu’ that her father had made. From what Evelyn had told him, the Noble was a very good person.

‘He punched several knights of the Pluine Merchant Group.’

However, Effer believed that even though they were just a few knights of the merchant group, that was still something that he should not have done. They were probably just the tip of the iceberg of the Pluine Merchant Group.

Not long after, the door opened wide, and the Noble entered the halls with a bright and pure smile on his face.

“Your Majesty. This servant of yours, Minhyuk, greets you.”

Minhyuk was also a king. However, he was displaying such courtesy and being polite because he was a king of the Asgan Continent, and did not have any influence on Happy Island. Even if he shouted, ‘I’m also a king!’ No one would believe him. If he used ‘God’s Voice’ for no reason at all, then he would only draw the ire of the people and would definitely strip him of whatever benefits he had accumulated.

“I can hear the laughter and joy of my people from all the way here. Because the Noble has visited us, I can hear my people enjoy themselves and let go of their worries. For that, I am very grateful.”

Minhyuk was quite surprised by these words. ‘Didn’t he call for me here because he was curious?’

Of course, the king was curious about Minhyuk. However, the main reason why King Effer asked to meet Minhyuk was because he brought smiles to the faces of his people.

The weight of a king’s gratitude was heavy. Even so, it was still said with great sincerity, and it was evident in the smile of King Effer.

“Thank you for your praise.”

“I heard that you came from another continent?”

“That’s right.”

“It seems like you’re a pretty good chef in that continent.”

That was true. Minhyuk was a pretty good chef.

“I have a favor to ask of you,” Effer said, smiling bitterly. “I heard that you have made a small connection with Evelyn.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“When you go back to your continent, please take Evelyn with you.”

“…Eh?”

Minhyuk looked at Effer in doubt. Evelyn was someone who could create dishes that could permanently increase one’s EXP acquisition rate. If Minhyuk could take her back with him, then he would be able to attract even the outstanding rankers to his kingdom. In other words, she would become Minhyuk’s shortcut to building an empire.

‘However, why would the king ask me for a favor like this?’

“You must have heard about it, right? That child will no longer be able to live in this land peacefully. There are just far too many people that want her and her ability.”

Minhyuk knew about this fact. However, there was still a point of doubt. ‘But she’s now staying by the king’s side? So, why?’

Evelyn was under the protection of the king. Why would he send her away?

Minhyuk did not have a complete grasp on the situation in Happy Island yet. In fact, he was only able to get a glimpse of the flow when he was running the hanchippang business. From what he understood, the benevolent ruler, King Effer, was being used as a puppet by the Pluine Merchant Group, who was being backed by the God of Happiness.

However, even if the Pluine Merchant Group was treating him like a puppet, why would he decide to send Evelyn with Minhyuk?

‘There’s a chance that they’re much more dirty and vulgar than I thought of.’

Anyway, there was no need for Minhyuk to reject such an offer. In fact, he would be an idiot if he refused this.

“I understand.”

“Keep that child safe and let her live happily for a very long time. Ah. If you don’t mind, then please take those that want to visit another continent with you, too.”

The bitter smile on King Effer’s face had morphed into that of relief. However, the sadness was still evident on his face. He looked like he was going somewhere far away.

“Ah. I heard that you can give others strength through your cooking in your continent?”

“Are you talking about buffed dishes, Your Majesty?”

“That’s right.”

Based on what Minhyuk has observed, there was no concept of buffed dishes in Happy Island.

“Can I try and have a taste of your buffed dish? I need to gain stronger power for a short period of time, you see.”

Why did King Effer need to gain strength? Even if he was curious, Minhyuk still held his tongue and did not ask. He just said, “Of course, you can. However, Your Majesty… I will need excellent ingredients to make an excellent buffed dish.”

The main reason why Minhyuk came here was so he could eat the Legendary Three Meter Great King Largehead Hairtail. It would be nice if he could get a special ability, but even without it, he would still be happy to taste such a delicacy.

“I’ll give you whatever ingredients you need. Just tell me.”

“The ingredients that only Your Majesty has, the very, very large Legendary Great King Largehead Hairtail, the Jeweled Sea Urchin Roe that can only be harvested once every two years, Silk Seaweed, Rocky Stone Radish…”

Minhyuk had already investigated the special ingredients that were in the hands of King Effer. To his shock, even though the ingredients were far more valuable than he initially thought, King Effer still readily agreed and gave him the ingredients.

‘I have to grow a bit stronger even if it’s only for a brief moment.’

Then, Minhyuk began to cook for King Effer. He began to grill the three-meter-long Legendary Great King Largehead Hairtail, until it was golden brown in color while he left the sea urchin and seaweed soup boiling by the side. Of course, he also did not forget to make some braised hairtail using the ordinary hairtail and radish.

“Hehe, looks delicious.”

Effer could not help but smile when he saw the pure, bright expression that adorned the face of the chef from another continent.

When he finished cooking all of the dishes, Minhyuk asked, “Your Majesty, would it be alright to share this meal with you?”

“Well, there’s quite a lot of dishes here. It would be nice if I had someone to dine with.”

“No. I have my own food,” Minhyuk said as he used the Joy of Eating Together and made the same set of dishes appear in front of him.

‘What a mysterious ability,’ Effer mumbled to himself as he looked at the table that was laid with plenty of dishes.

Minhyuk’s shoulders danced in happiness as he looked at the same set of dishes that appeared in front of him. Before he started eating, Minhyuk did what he had to do. He skillfully removed the bones of the three-meter-long Great King Largehead Hairtail with his chopsticks.

“Oh! What an amazing ability,” Effer said in admiration.

After removing all of the bones, all that was left was the plump and juicy meat of the largehead hairtail. Minhyuk stared at the hairtail, the sea urchin, and the seaweed soup right next to it.

Of course, he had also served plenty of side dishes like kimchi and fresh vegetables. Minhyuk gulped as he scooped a huge spoonful of rice. Then, he placed a huge piece of the largehead hairtail on top before placing everything in his mouth.

“Kghhhk…”

A burst of the salty and savory flavor of the hairtail that was sprinkled amply with salt spread in his mouth, perfectly complementing the sweetness of the rice.

After admiring the wonders of the grilled hairtail, Minhyuk turned his attention to the braised hairtail and deboned the hairtail in one swift move. Then, he grabbed his spoon scooped a spoonful of the braised dish and poured it on top of his bowl of rice before taking a big bite. The combination of the sweetness and spiciness of the braised hairtail made Minhyuk’s mouth tingle with delight. The charm of the hairtail laid with its seasoning.

Then, Minhyuk cut off a piece of the radish that was completely red, added it to his rice and placed everything in his mouth. The radish that had been coated perfectly with the sauce was very rich in flavor.

Next, Minhyuk added some rice to his sea urchin and seaweed soup. One spoonful and he could taste the savory seaweed and the deep flavor of the sea urchin in the soup.

“I was the one that asked you to cook for me, but you seem to be eating better than me, huh? Hahahaha!” Effer burst into laughter.

Actually, it was not just Minhyuk who was acting like that, even Effer could not stop his spoon from moving. That was just how delicious the meal in front of him was.

Then, a series of notifications rang in Effer’s ears after he finished eating his meal.

[You have eaten Grilled Hairtail and Seaweed Soup.]

[All of your stats have increased by 22%.]

[Beoned’s Swordsmanship’s level has increased by +2.]

Effer was very shocked to feel a surge of power run through his veins after finishing his meal.

‘Unbelievable! Is this power that came from a dish?’

It was at this moment that Effer realized that the chef in front of him was a far greater man than he initially thought he was. He was satisfied enough with the results that he bestowed the best blessings that he could.

[Effer’s Blessings.]

[All of your stats have increased by +11.]

[All of your skills’ skill proficiency has increased.]

[You have acquired Effer’s Treasure Box.]

[You have acquired a Return Spell Scroll filled with Effer’s Power.]

[The Return Spell Scroll will allow you to return to Asgan Continent at any given time and take with you those that wish to join you.]

Then, Effer told Minhyuk with a small smile on his face, “You can go now. Don’t forget the promise that you made with me.”

“I understand, Your Majesty,” Minhyuk answered. He could tell that Effer’s favor toward him was higher than what he expected. He could also tell that he was a king who truly loved his people. As he looked at Effer, he realized that he had quite a lot to learn from him.

Since he had achieved what he wanted, Minhyuk immediately logged out. After confirming that the man had disappeared, Effer allowed the sadness to come back to his face.

“Go, go and leave this place.”

He wanted Minhyuk to leave Happy Island as soon as possible.

“Get rid of the king!!!”

“Take down the incompetent tyrant, King Effer!!!”

Not long after Minhyuk left, a loud voice rang loudly throughout Happy Island. This was the coup d’état that the Pluine Merchant Group had organized. As the puppet king of Happy Island, Effer had already guessed that this would happen. With a bitter smile on his face, he held his sword tightly and stood up from his throne.

“The Noble and chef from another continent.” He erased the bitter smile on his face as he glared sharply at the doors. “Take as many people as you can and get out of Happy Island.”

Clack—

The doors opened, and the God of Happiness’s envoys came barging inside with their swords pointing at Effer.

“Listen, Happy Island’s King!!!”

“Pay the price for your crimes. You have killed hundreds of innocent lives in Happy Island!”

“Happy Island is no longer yours, Effer!”

What a joke. It was just yesterday that they found more than a hundred people dead. It was obvious that these people were killed by the Pluine Merchant Group. And they most likely did it to put the blame on Effer.

However, this was the king’s final flight. Effer leaped to the skies and flew like a butterfly with the sword in his hands.