Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 1148

He had criticized Leo and Minhyuk by saying, “Things in this world can never be achieved by efforts alone.”

After seeing the sword that had been hammered a million times and its owner swung it a million times, he realized that perhaps the one who was foolish was him.

“My successor.”

When Bharal first met him, he could not understand how Minhyuk became a Battle God, so he criticized him openly.

“The one who has obtained ownership of my crown, I, the 5th generation Battle God, am honored to have met you.”

He slowly bowed in front of Minhyuk. He, the greatest Battle God, said, “I acknowledge you as the Absolute Monarch.”

At the same time, unbelievable notifications rang in Minhyuk’s ears. The contents were simple.

‘A vote?’

In a place where he was nowhere present, the Battle Gods began to vote if he was worthy of the title of the Absolute Monarch. And when the votes were 6:6...

[The current generation Battle God has given his approval.]

[You have acquired the Title: Absolute Monarch.]

(Absolute Monarch)

Unique Title

Requirements: The one who received the approval of the Battle Gods.

Title Effects:

•The skill proficiency of all skills related to the Battle God will double.

•Those who have known the Battle Gods and have received their favor and mercy from the beginning of time up to the present will view you favorably.

•The moment those who have heard the myth of the Absolute Monarch meet you, they will immediately worship you.

•The Battle God’s Statue will share its wisdom whenever you need something.

•Passive Skill: Great Faith in the Absolute Monarch

Minhyuk immediately checked the Great Faith in the Absolute Monarch.

‘The words of the Absolute Monarch are proof itself. When the Absolute Monarch speaks in front of a gathering of people, his unrivaled majesty, dignity, and charisma will be felt by everyone.’

It was not a bad skill.

‘If I were to be honest, this title is a bit disappointing.’

Minhyuk could tell that the title of Absolute Monarch was more of a symbolic title. It was a title where the effects and abilities only matter a little. And the proof that it was such a title immediately showed itself to him.

[The Battle God’s Statue has taken on your appearance.]

“...!”

The Battle God’s Statue was a grand and majestic existence. This statue, which contained many possessions and wisdom of all the Battle Gods to have ever existed, could be said to be the Battle God himself. That was why it was surprising for him to know that the statue would take on his appearance.

“We have seen the Absolute Monarch.”

Bharal got down on one knee and showed courtesy toward Minhyuk. Of course, Bharal did not say anything about being his vassal or living for him. But the fact that he showed courtesy was enough to make Minhyuk’s heart pound.

What did the people say when Minhyuk became the next generation Battle God?

–He’ll be dismissed soon enough.

–A player as the Battle God? That’s bullshit.

–I think the gods will bring him down.

But at this moment, the previous Battle Gods had given him the approval and bestowed upon him the title of Absolute Monarch, which no other Battle God had ever obtained. Minhyuk’s heart thumped wildly.

The other prisoners looked at Bharal in confusion when they saw the man suddenly kneel in front of Minhyuk. But then, someone among them stepped out and knelt on one knee behind Bharal. With his appearance, the tens of thousands of prisoners knelt on one knee and showed courtesy to Minhyuk.

“You have our gratitude.”

“We will never forget this grace. Thank you for giving us our freedom.”

That was right. They knelt not because Minhyuk was the Absolute Monarch but because he was the one who released them from this horrendous prison.

And Minhyuk? He smiled faintly at this movie-like scene. Now, it was time to receive his rewards.

“Thank you for giving me and the rest of the prisoners our freedom.”

[You have completed the Class Quest: The Greatest Monarch.]

[You have acquired the Territory Reinforcement Stage 1.]

Minhyuk quickly checked the reward.

[You can turn three regular-sized barren lands into fertile land. Once fertile, trees, grasses, and flowers will bloom all over the territory.]

Minhyuk thought that it was still not enough. Of course, a fertile, open, and sunny territory was an excellent territory to have.

‘Regardless, that’s also a place where monsters will gather. Even the most barren land will be filled with monsters.’

That was why he needed the power that Bharal had mentioned, which could allow him to protect his people. So, Minhyuk wanted to go and listen to what they wanted again so that he could request that the reward strengthen this skill.

Before he could do so, Bharal smiled at him.

“Once again, I apologize for the disrespect I have shown you.”

After showing courtesy, Bharal began to speak politely toward him.

“Please accept this gift as an apology for my disrespect.”

[The Territory Reinforcement has evolved. It has now reached Stage 2.]

“You can treat me more rudely. If you want, you can just go and spit and swear at me.”

“...”

The reward for suffering a slight disrespect was quite huge! Minhyuk immediately checked the Territory Reinforcement Stage 2.

(Territory Reinforcement Stage 2)

Rank: Absolute God

Special Abilities:

•You can apply the Territory Reinforcement to ten regular-sized territories.

•It can turn any barren land into fertile land. The land will always be covered by sunlight, and the best season for growing grains and crops will always be maintained in each territory.

•The vitality of all people living within these territories will increase by 8%.

•Crops, including grains, will not only grow 1.3x faster but also taste better than ordinary crops.

•Upon applying Territory Reinforcement, the framework of the buildings you wish to build will be completed based on the designs you want right away.

Description: There is still a high chance of developing and evolving the Territory Reinforcement Stage 2.

Ten regular-sized territories would help the overcrowded and saturated population of the current Beyond the Heavens Empire. But it would be just a tiny drop in a bucket. Ten was still far from enough. Still, there was something quite surprising about the skill.

‘Will the framework of the buildings be completed right away?’

Even if Minhyuk had obtained those territories, they would still have needed at least half a year to complete all the buildings required. However, if the framework of the buildings had already been completed according to their blueprint, their building period would have been significantly reduced. After all, the only thing left for them was to do the finishings and complete the buildings. This was a very shocking boost to the skill.

Minhyuk asked, “Should I lie down so you can step on me comfortably?”

“...”

Minhyuk’s eyes were filled with the desperate desire to obtain the next evolution of this skill. Bharal’s expression screamed, ‘What’s with this guy? Wasn’t he looking all cool earlier?’.

Then, he chuckled.

“The next growth of this skill will depend on your contribution to the revolution. Will you give me the Temporary Revolutionary Token?”

He gave the Temporary Revolutionary Token that Gardin had given him before.

[The symbol of the Monarch Revolutionary has been engraved.]

This is the second symbol engraved after Gardin. Another symbol could be engraved on it once he returned to Leo.

“Leo is anxiously waiting for you.”

“I see. For now, the prisoners will hide in the shadows and prepare for the revolution.”

The Supreme Army will soon arrive.

“Are you going to the smithy right away?”

“Yes, of course.”

Minhyuk stepped out of the door with the rest of the prisoners. And the moment he left the prison, he immediately sent a whisper.

[Minhyuk: Genie. Tell Haze to buy ten barren lands near the Beyond the Heavens Empire. You can use up to ten million platinum.]

It was now time for him to prepare to expand the Beyond the Heavens Empire’s territories.

***

Haze’s expression was very somber. According to Lady Genie, His Majesty Minhyuk had told her to buy ten territories near the Beyond the Heavens Empire. Unfortunately, they only had a million platinum at most.

Ordinary territories were worth millions of platinum. Barren territories could be bought for a very low price, around 1.3 million platinum.

‘His Majesty has ordered me to buy ten territories for ten million platinum.’

Perhaps it was proof that he believed in Haze’s ability to trick (?) others. Of course, Haze could do it if she wanted to. After all, bargaining for an abandoned barren land and buying it cheaply was something that she could do while lying down and eating.

‘We only have a million platinum available in funds...’

Recently, His Majesty Minhyuk’s Ingredient Creator skill had attracted many migrants to their empire. To greet and welcome them, Beyond the Heavens Empire bought various ingredients and items they would sell in restaurants in advance. Of course, these would all be recovered, and profit would be made from them. Nonetheless, it would only be in around three weeks or so.

The only available fund was a million platinum, which was to be allocated elsewhere. Haze was left pondering this problem.

Then, with Lady Genie\'s help, Haze could hold a conversation with Minhyuk.

“Ho. So, you’re saying you have an ability like that now?”

Haze was in awe. Then, she asked, “By any chance, can you apply that ability and cancel it right away?”

Then, Genie replied, “It’s possible. However, only Stage 1 can be used. And if you apply it, then cancel it right away, it can only be applied to that one territory again after three months.”

Haze nodded. There was one more question, the most important question.

“Can it be applied right away?”

Genie nodded. The gears in Haze’s head immediately turned.

‘Perfect timing. The Continental Market opens today.’

The Continental Market was where all the kingdoms and empires in the continent traded. People often went there to buy or sell something.

Haze, who only had one million platinum, headed straight toward the Continental Market.

***

The Kingdom of Lubia’s Marquis Breynon was currently in the Continental Market. In the players’ terms, he was a “corrupt official.” He held several territories in his kingdom under his name and had made a fortune by sucking the blood of the people dry.

There was just one problem.

‘Damn it! That golden land in the past has now turned into a barren land!’

The golden land was where Mangella Grass, an ingredient well-known for making top-grade potions, grew abundant in the past. At one point, this land was the best environment for growing Mangella Grass. So, after sucking the blood of his people dry, Marquis Breynon bought this territory.

Alas, what happened now? “Sun Monsters” suddenly appeared and flocked into the territory. The flock of monsters burned the moisture in the territory and turned the once fertile and abundant land into barren land. No Mangella Grass grew anymore.

The marquis had spent almost ten million platinum to revive the land and make Mangella Grass grow again. Even so, Marquis Breynon believed it to be worth it. After all, if the territory could produce Mangella Grass once again, he could rack up to 30 million platinum in profits a year.

He could only give up now. The territory had turned into trash. It was only a third of the size of an ordinary territory. He offered to sell the territory for 800,000 platinum.

‘Please. I hope there’s an idiot who will buy this land.’

The territory was smaller than ordinary territories, and it was even hotter and drier than others. It had basically become a trash territory.

“The territory has been sold for 800,000 platinum! The winning bidder is Haze of the Beyond the Heavens Empire!”

“...!”

Marquis Breynon was delighted. He had finally disposed of that rubbish territory! He could not help laughing at them. The remote territory was worth at most 500,000 platinum, yet they willingly bought it for 800,000.

‘I heard that Beyond the Heavens Empire’s Haze was capable. It seems like that’s a lie. She’s an idiot!’

Marquis Breynon laughed at her. He believed that she was thinking the same as him. That they could revive the land. He, who had spent ten million platinum on the land, knew better than anybody else that it was all futile.

When the Continental Market had closed, one of the territory managers rushed up to Marquis Breynon in delight. He said, “Marquis! Sprouts have finally appeared in the Bagrach Territory!”

“Wh-what?!”

It seemed like they hadn\'t heard that the ownership of the territory had already been handed over to someone else.

He had been waiting for sprouts to grow in the land. This was because sprouts were proof that the territory was fertile once again. Marquis Breynon hurried. The ownership might have been transferred, but that 800,000 platinum land would now be worth 20 million platinum annually!

He rushed to meet the Beyond the Heavens Empire’s Prime Minister. “Excuse me!”

“...What’s the matter?” Haze looked at him in confusion.

“I’ve changed my mind. I will return your 800,000 platinum. I no longer want to continue this deal.”

“That’s not possible.” Haze refused without any hesitation.

“Why? It’s a barren and scorching hot territory. Don’t you know that the Sun Monsters are roaming all over that place?”

“How can I sell the land that His Majesty had purchased just like that?”

“I’ll pay you 11 million platinum!”

Haze turned around and made to leave.

“How much do you want?”

“His Majesty has been dreaming of purchasing this land for a very long(?) time.”

“Why does the Beyond the Heavens Emperor...”

“He was looking forward to it. He said that he would like to put a sauna there. And that it would be more delicious to eat naengmyeon and egg while drinking sikhye in such a place.”

“...?”

What was funny was that Minhyuk had said something like that in the past. He even said, ‘I really like that!’

“So, how dare I...”

“How much do you want?! Just say it!”

“Fifteen million platinum.”

At that moment...

[The God who is Good at Lying says you have surpassed himself.]

[He’s scolding and complaining about how you’re trying to earn 17 times the profit in less than an hour.]

[He asks. ‘Where’s your conscience...?’]

[He asks if this is the true meaning of Creative Economy.]

With a blank expression, Haze said, “If you don’t want to, then don’t do it.”

Marquis Breynon thought it would be okay since he would collect 20 million platinum in a year anyway.

“Alright! Take it!”

Haze, who had inflated the price by 18 times in just an hour, smiled deeply. She immediately handed over the ownership and bought ten territories from other kingdoms and empires.

Meanwhile, Marquis Breynon ran to the territory that he brought back himself. Soon, he saw the territory manager who approached him before. The territory manager said, “It was there earlier... but now it’s gone?”

The countless sprouts that had grown earlier had now withered.

“MY MONEEEEEEEEY!!!”

This was the end of the corrupt official.