Leveling Up through Eating

The Luvien Empire was once under the rule and control of Nerva Sephiroth. But after the recent hunt for Helenia’s Fragment, Nerva gave up his throne and his position as the next-generation Battle God.

Because of that, many greedy people who had been holding their breath and hiding revealed themselves. Several factions in the empire began to argue, stating that the ones they supported should sit on the throne and become the new emperor.

Like that, silent and unseen battles were constantly fought in the Luvien Empire. The remnants of a particular faction died without anyone knowing, while others exposed their sins. After such fierce battles, Duke Balaman emerged as the most likely candidate to become the new emperor.

“Lord Nerva, you should hand over your throne to me now.”

Nerva, who had lost an arm, was now a paper tiger. Of course, it was not just because he had only one arm. The reason why he gained power, and was able to lead the Luvien Empire, was because he was set to become the next Battle God. But the one who became the next generation Battle God was someone else.

Nerva just drank his tea in silence.

“A week. I’m giving you that much time. You have to decide in a week.”

Nerva chuckled lightly. “What? Are you going to kill me if I do not appoint you by then?”

“How dare I bring harm upon you, Lord Nerva? But if you don’t, you might not be able to fulfill your wish to spend your life in peace until you become old and gray.”

It was obviously a threat. Even so, Nerva did not show any signs of being shaken. He just narrowed his eyes and stared at Balaman.

‘Balaman should not become the emperor of the Luvien Empire.’

It should never happen. Balaman was not fit to be a ruler. Why? Because he would definitely become a tyrant.

Balaman was certainly a duke who possessed immense and outstanding power. In fact, he was stronger than the dukes hailed as Stars. When it came to strength, it could be said that he could rival Duke Vlad before he got possessed by Helenia’s fragment Arumbe. However, the reason why he could not be hailed as a Star of the empire was because not only did he enjoy drinking and women, but he also enjoyed killing. Until this moment, the Luvien Empire had always dealt with the problems Balaman had stirred up.

Why did Nerva let him be and did not kill him?

‘Because there is a huge faction supporting him.’

Although the empire was ruled and dominated by a single emperor, several factions thrived within it.

At worst, Balaman could be considered a radical. At best, he could be regarded as hot-tempered. He was the type of person who distributed most of what he obtained to his followers.

‘It’s their nature and quality.’

Indeed. He and his followers were less than desirable.

“If I become the emperor, I will destroy the Beyond the Heavens Emperor. After all, they have always been a thorn in my eyes.”

This was by no means an exaggeration on his part. Balaman was a lunatic and warmonger.

‘You cannot start a war just because you’re strong. Besides, war is not something you can win just by killing the enemy.’

If Nerva had followed Balaman’s logic, he would have slaughtered and reaped the lives of many right when the Luvien Empire first emerged. But the Luvien Empire would not have made it this far if he did that. They had to navigate and find a way to force them into becoming their allies while ensuring they did not cross the line.

And Balaman? He did not know about these things. If he did that, then it would bring huge losses and damages to the Luvien Empire. Not only that, but the countless nations that supported the Beyond the Heavens Empire would not let their Luvien Empire go. Even the kingdoms and empires that maintained a friendly relationship with them would condemn the Luvien Empire for recklessly waging war and endangering their safety.

‘He should know that the Ardo Empire still exists.’

The Ardo Empire, which had the second-largest number of troops after the Luvien Empire, had been waiting for an opportunity. Balaman might be able to exert pressure on them through brute force with the Luvien’s power, but it was obvious that it would not take too long for the empire to lose its current majesty and power.

“One week. Whether Lord Nerva approves it or not, if you can’t bring forward another candidate during this week, then I will most definitely sit on the emperor’s throne,” Balaman said, smiling as he turned around. But then, he stopped walking and said, “Of course, even if you bring forward another candidate, they will just die in my hands.”

After Balaman left, an aide stepped forward and reported to Nerva.

“We have found clues of the whereabouts of His Highness, Prince Cardin.”

Prince Cardin was Nerva’s child from a concubine. Be that as it may, there was one thing that Nerva was sure about this child.

‘Cardin must have achieved tremendous growth by now.’

The child split up with him and left the empire when he was only twelve. Although they had separated for a long time, Nerva knew that Cardin had always been an unrivaled genius. He was a genius who could span the ages. Nerva knew this fact more than anybody else.

‘Cardin is very clever. Unlike Balaman, he could bend and lead the Luvien Empire well.’

If he were to be honest, he had to admit it.

‘He’s much better than me.’

Nerva, who had everything under the heavens, recognized Cardin’s talent. Not only that, the child also worked hard to overcome his status as a child of a concubine. Nerva was sure that this child would not fall short as an emperor.

“If we found a clue, then Balaman would also know about it to some extent.”

Nerva could tell that Balaman had already finished all of his preparations. Even if Nerva brought Cardin back, it was evident that Balaman would kill the child before he could arrive in the Luvien Empire.

So, Nerva needed someone to protect Cardin. He had several conditions for those who would protect his child.

‘They have to be someone from whom Balaman could not get any information.’

‘Someone comparable to Duke Vlad.’

No matter how hard Nerva thought about it, Nerva could only think of one person.

“Let’s depart,” Nerva said as he hurriedly got up and moved.

***

“Your Majesty, Locaden Kingdom, Kardan Empire, Agra Empire, and several other nations have sent gifts.”

Minhyuk, sitting in his office, listened to Haze’s report. He had just put Sima Qian and the other rankers in prison just yesterday.

“So far, fifteen kingdoms and empires have sent many things to us. They have expressed their desire to maintain a better relationship with us.”

“What gifts did they send?”

“We have received 27 million platinum, around three God-rank artifacts, and one God-grade ingredient.”

“Let’s have a better relationship with the king or emperor who sent the God-grade ingredient.”

Flinch–!

Haze was surprised for a moment. This man valued a God-grade cooking ingredient over three God-rank artifacts! Of course, she thought it was a joke after seeing Minhyuk chuckle lightly.

“More than that, what about what I told you?”

“It’s not that easy to find. I’m still looking for it.”

Minhyuk became the successor to the Eight Pillars recognized by Rocado. After being chosen as the successor, he grew curious about the other successors.

‘It seems like I’m the only Pillar Successor so far?’

According to Minhyuk’s hypothesis, this should not be the case. He expected that there were many successors aside from himself. So, he went ahead and talked with Obren. And he realized that it was just as he expected.

[There have been many candidates and successors to the Eight Pillars. Of course, most of them died shortly after being chosen as a successor or a candidate.]

It was quite a bloody and gruesome story.

[There were very few successors and candidates who had survived. There’s bound to be someone who wishes to become one of the Eight Pillars again. Of course, there’s also someone who just wants to live a normal life and someone who chooses to hide.]

Minhyuk was interested in the other successors and candidates because he might become one of the Eight Pillars once he reached Level 700.

Athenae was the Pillar of the Earth.

Kronad was the Pillar of the Holy Ones.

Obren was the Pillar of the Killers.

As for Minhyuk, he could become the Pillar of the Foodies.

‘The successors and candidates will probably be able to gain quite a lot of things during the process.’

It was not bad for Minhyuk to start preparing for Level 700.

Then, Obren said.

[You must remember that among the successors and candidates to become a Pillar, some can compare to the Eight Pillars. Their qualifications are not for nothing.]

Perhaps they had information about another Pillar Ingredient, too.

“Please keep on trying to find their traces.”

“I understand, Your Majesty.”

Minhyuk stood up and stretched his body the moment Haze stepped out.

“It’s that time already…”

He immediately left and headed toward one of the exits of the Beyond the Heavens Empire. Minhyuk’s eyes grew red as he looked at the young boy Conir and the young man Herakel standing side by side with their backs against a shabby ramyeon handcart. Herakel now had a headband tied to his head that read, “Kizchen Assistant.”

‘They still got the spelling wrong.’

Minhyuk felt his nose turn sour when he saw that. He felt like he was sending his children out into the rough and wild world.

“Conir! Conir will come back after reaching a higher level in ramyeon making!”

“Herakel! Herakel will learn Conir’s ramyeon secret and how to make delicious kimbap!”

Herakel had been learning how to make kimbap recently.

“Conir, you have to fasten your clothes well, alright? Herakel, aren’t you cold?”

“Herakel! Herakel not cold at all!”

Herakel, who threw off his top, was already covered with goosebumps. As expected, Herakel was the king of bragging. So, Minhyuk handed a jacket over to Herakel.

“Even when they give you something, don’t follow them. They’re bad guys, do you understand?”

The guards watching the scene nearby thought, ‘I think it should be the bad people who have to worry about themselves if Sir Conir and Sir Herakel decide to follow them…’

Whether Minhyuk knew this fact or not, it did not matter. He just felt like his nose had turned even more sour. He hugged the two tightly and emphasized, “And if they ate at your ramyeon shop and don’t want to pay money, you have to scold them. Alright? ‘I’ll pay you later,’ or ‘I’ll give you something else,’ you can’t believe those words. Do you understand?”

“Conir! Conir not an idiot!”

“Herakel! Herakel won’t let them go!”

The two looked gallant and imposing(?) as they answered Minhyuk.

The handcart carrying the banner with the words “Conir and Herakel’s Ramyeon and Kimbap” soon departed. Minhyuk watched them for a long time until they disappeared from his sight.

***

At first glance, Prince Cardin looked infinitely shabby. But he had learned a lot of things from his master, Beradon, over the past decade. He had done all the preparations during that time and was now ready to become an emperor.

After Emperor Nerva stepped down, the “rebel forces” who decided to join him became escorts who would guide him safely back to the Luvien Empire. Of course, these people had also reached a shocking level after learning various things over the years. Cardin decided to meet with them in Luando’s Hills.

Prince Cardin had ventured out into the world in the past ten years. Despite his unkempt hair and shabby clothes, his beauty still shone through. But he had one shortcoming. He was completely road blind. And this shortcoming has now become the problem.

He had been searching for Luando’s Hills for three days now. During that time, Prince Cardin had reached a place far beyond where a human could go and had met plenty of strong monsters along the way.

Thankfully, he had learned martial arts from his teacher, who was once a leading figure in the world, even though he was already a forgotten existence. Because of that, he did not have any problems fighting against the monsters.

The only problem that he had to face was hunger.

‘...I’m going to go crazy.’

His eyes had already started to spin, not from exhaustion but from hunger. At that moment, Cardin thought, ‘It would be nice if there’s a restaurant somewhere here.’

He found the thought to be quite funny. How could a restaurant be in a place like this? Was that even possible?

‘It’s not possible to see such a thing in a place far beyond humans' reach. There’s no way— huh? There is?’

Cardin’s eyes snapped open. Someone was running a small handcart in this damp and misty place. Cardin, who had already lost all his reason, immediately ran toward the handcart.

“The– The first customer!”

“This is our first customer after several days. Why are there no customers? Even Herakel doesn’t know!”

“Give– Give me the most delicious one on your menu!”

The rumble of Cardin’s stomach echoed loudly in the surroundings. It did not matter how strong one was; everything was equal in the face of hunger. Cardin’s eyes were already spinning.

“Conir is excited!”

“Herakel will make kimbap!”

Despite their loud conversation, nothing reached Cardin’s ears. Even though he had difficulty hearing and seeing things before him, he could see the unknown red soup and the rice wrapped in dried seaweed. This was Cardin’s first meal in a few days.

Cardin immediately followed what the kind young boy and young man told him and sipped the red soup.

“Sluuuuuuuurp!”

The moment the soup and the noodles entered his mouth, he was greeted with a chewy texture and a spicy yet refreshing flavor.

‘Th– This– This flavor…!’

Cardin could not help but marvel at the soup's meaty yet spicy flavor. Then, he turned his attention to the rice wrapped in seaweed, a dish called kimbap. When he took a bite, Cardin thought, ‘I can’t believe all these colorful ingredients could be combined to create such a fantastic harmony of flavors…!’

It was a noble food he had never tasted, even during his time with the imperial family. Just like that, Cardin began to gobble up everything before him.

“Conir! Conir will give you as service! Cold rice, service for the first customer!”

The bright and energetic young boy handed over the rice to Cardin. Cardin frowned when he received the cold rice. But when he mixed it with the hot soup and took a bite, his eyes could not help but grow wide. This was also incredibly delicious!

‘How can the soup paired with something made with flour go so well with rice?’

Cardin firmly believed that this ramyeon was a dish enjoyed by the nobles of this day. He sighed with relief after he finished eating the ramyeon and the rice.

“Phew.”

He felt like he was finally alive once again. Then, he realized something.

‘Now that I think about it… The money…’

But he felt like there was nothing for him to worry about. The young boy and the young man both looked kind and friendly.

The two looked at Cardin sparklingly, and the young man looked excited.

“Herakel did it! Herakel sold kimbap to the first customer! Herakel made money!”

“Wow!”

The young man excitedly extended his hand. The two looked at Cardin with flushed expressions.

When he saw this, Cardin tried to ask the two kind brothers for their understanding. He said, “I’m sorry. I don’t have any money.”

In an instant, Cardin saw how the corners of the mouths of the two brothers went down ever so slightly.

“I’ll pay you next time?”

The corners of their mouths went down even further.

“If– If that’s not possible, then I’ll pay with something else?”

Every word that came out of Cardin’s mouth made the frown on their faces grow deeper. In the end, they looked furious. The young man even pulled out a club(?) and patted his left hand with it as he glared furiously at Cardin.

Thump–!

“Ah! Then, how about you come with me!!!”

Cardin did not know but had just checked all three taboo words on their list.

I’ll give it to you later.

I’ll give you something else.

Come, let’s go with this uncle.

Cardin chuckled awkwardly and could see that the two brothers were smiling while looking at him coldly.

The young boy spoke up first. He said, “You. When cooking ramyeon, what do you put first? The soup or the noodles?”

This was the first killing notice.

Then, the young man said, “Herakel’s club. Endure it eight times.”

This was the second killing notice.

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