Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 1222

Chapter 1222

Minhyuk was utterly stunned to hear the extent of the vast dreams Haze had pictured for him. He could not help but smile awkwardly and helplessly as she pointed to the sky.

“It would be great if it’s possible. But think about it, Haze. Has a kingdom or an empire ever harbored such thoughts?”

Humanity could develop so rapidly because they were willing to face countless challenges.

“Many of those who call themselves great merchants must have also challenged the Land of the Gods. However, not a single one of them was able to sign a contract with the gods.”

There were many reasons why.

“The first reason is most likely because the gods and the Land of the Gods do not need the ores, weapons, materials or ingredients that the humans are willing to supply.”

Everything in the Land of the Gods was on an entirely different level and class from their counterparts on Earth. If someone picked a lettuce from a particular god’s garden, the lettuce they would get would be at God-grade and have the name ‘Some God’s Lettuce’ or something.

A saying talked about how the God-grade items on earth were gifts sent and spread by the gods for the poor and pitiful humans. Of course, there was also a saying that these things fell accidentally from the Land of the Gods.

“Second. Do you think those gods with high self-esteem and pride will willingly use something processed and made with human hands?”

The gods were arrogant beings. Even Minhyuk, the next generation Battle God, had to deal with their arrogance whenever he visited the Land of the Gods.

“Third. The God of Cooking is in that place. Would they even need food from a restaurant’s franchise store?”

Of course, Minhyuk understood what Haze was thinking. The increase in profits would happen if they could do such a thing. After all, the profits they would receive if they could set up a few franchises in the Land of the Gods would be equivalent to the profit of fifty franchise stores.

Regardless, it was also not necessarily an impossible story.

“Money is meaningless in the eyes of the gods; it is just something they have in abundance. So, if we sell food to them, we will sell it to them at a very high price.”

Minhyuk nodded. “Of course. That is if we can open it.”

The thought of it alone was enough to leave Minhyuk excited. A mere player was able to open a franchise store in the Land of the Gods. Exciting! Still, it seemed far too unrealistic, almost impossible.

“According to Your Majesty’s words, there’s no need to supply the Land of the Gods with weapons, ingredients, or materials, right? They also have the God of Cooking, so there was no need to eat food from franchise restaurants, right?” Haze spoke clearly. “Have you ever seen the God of Cooking cook for the other gods? She is an Absolute God. She would not do something so trivial like that. And! Most of the gods will be bad at cooking.”

‘Maybe? I think so?’

“A human could not supply anything to the Land of the Gods because no one was brave enough to act as the human beings’ representative and make a contract with them. Your Majesty, you’re the next generation Battle God, right?”

Well, yes. Of course.

“And even if they quibble about eating something made from the hands of a mere human... Your Majesty, you’re the Food God, no?”

That was also correct. @@novelbin@@

“Your Majesty. You are the only one who can act as the humans’ representative and push a contract to supply Athenae.”

It was because Minhyuk was both a human and a god.

“You should enjoy and take advantage of that privilege. Furthermore, aside from cooking ingredients, is there something that our Beyond the Heavens Empire exports with a much better quality than the Luvien Empire?”

There was none. Whether it was their weapons, armor, ores, sculptures, paintings, or any other items they produced, none surpassed the Luvien Empire’s own. This was why the Beyond the Heavens Empire found it difficult to chase after the Luvien Empire even if they were growing rapidly.

“Yes, they export hundreds of excellent items, and we only export one thing. Regardless, that one thing is what we’re best at. If we do this, then it will be a huge stepping stone for us. Because this is also an opportunity for us to get to know the gods.”

The words of Haze, the God of Devotion, all made sense. She took a few steps forward and continued, “Your Majesty, didn’t you say that the second condition given to you to become the Great Food God is to make an achievement that no other Food God has ever made?”

At this moment, Minhyuk finally realized what she was implying. At the same time, he felt astonished at the crazy thoughts that were running through her head.

“This will be an achievement that no other Food God or God of Cooking has and will ever be able to create.”

A shudder ran down Minhyuk’s spine.

“This is something that only you can do, Your Majesty.”

If they could make this possible, Minhyuk would complete the condition and obtain many things.

“Haze, if we follow what you said earlier, then... wouldn’t we receive backlash someday for serving the same food that the humans eat to the gods and charging such a high price for it?”

Haze calmly answered. “From what I heard, we put around seven pieces of green onions in a bowl of ramyeon, right?”

“Yes, that’s about it.”

“Let’s add eleven pieces to theirs, and then we can call it Premium Ramyeon for the Gods.”

“...Then, what about the gimbap?”

“Let’s add another line of egg garnish.”

“How much will we charge for them?”

“If we’re selling a bowl of ramyeon for 3,000 gold, then shouldn’t we sell it to the gods for 300,000 gold?”

“...How about adding four more pieces of green onion?”

“Yes.”

“???”

If someone saw Haze right now, they would shout, ‘You’re a scammer!’ Still, the one standing in front of her was Minhyuk. He was even smiling widely and giving her a thumbs-up!

“Alright. I’ll go to the Land of the Gods.”

***

The God of Merchants was well-known for having the most money and wealth among the Athenae population, including the gods. Why? Many of the gods did not have any desire for material things like wealth. But the God of Merchants was different. He loved them.

The God of Merchants was not an Absolute God. However, he was someone who wielded a power comparable to an Absolute God in the land of the humans. Why? Because the God of Merchant possessed all of the unique skills that every merchant in the top 100 of the ranking list possessed.

Just like how he had the power to obtain an additional 20% from the already existing downpayment, a skill possessed by the seventh in the merchant rankings, Olden also had the power to receive 25% of every generated sales, a skill possessed by the fourth in the merchant rankings, Faebira. Of course, he also had the power of the rapidly emerging Liaison Merchant Brau.

Yes, the God of Merchants was originally the owner of all of those powers. And because he had a myriad of outstanding skills in his possession, he also possessed skills that could give penalties to others. This skill was none other than the Merchant of Greed. This skill would leave one forever unsatisfied and craving for more. In a way, it could be why the current God of Merchants was who he was.

The God of Merchants entered the Absolute Gods’ conference room. Nodding politely to the Absolute Gods, he glared sharply at the man sitting in the chair.

“Are you saying that you’re going to open a restaurant that serves food to humans in the Land of the Gods?!”

It was unbelievable that almighty, absolute beings like the gods had to eat dishes created by human hands. However, the main reason the God of Merchants was acting all crazy like this was that he was one of the most significant distributors of fresh ingredients in the Land of the Gods.

The God of Merchants saw the figure standing right behind Minhyuk.

Ha!

He almost laughed loudly. Why? Because the one standing behind Minhyuk was none other than Liaison Merchant Brau.

‘Are you saying you will do this with the power I gave you?!’

The God of Merchants suppressed his anger and immediately demanded answers. “Wouldn’t it be better to change your mindset? Don’t think of it as something that ‘mere humans’ eat but something that ‘even gods can eat.’ That’s how delicious it is.”

“What kind of ridiculous...!”

“God of Merchants. Next generation Battle God,” the Battle God spoke, his tone somber and low.

His words made the shouting God of Merchants shut up and eventually return to his seat.

Although they had all heard Minyuk’s calm explanation, they still viewed his proposal negatively. The gods did not feel the need to accept humans’ culture and ways.

On behalf of everyone present, the God of Merchants said, “So, what will the Land of the Gods gain through this proposal?”

“Being able to eat something delicious.”

“Is that all, next-generation Battle God?” He spoke calmly. “You should know that the gods do not have to eat, right?”

Aside from Minhyuk, the only other person who could bring supplies to the gods was the God of Merchants. The one thing that he had not even tried was selling food to the gods.

“Why will anyone who does not grow hungry want to eat food?”

This was the most critical problem. Of course, even if it sounded harsh, the Absolute Gods still accepted these words. After all, it was the truth.

“Let me bring up another problem. If we’re talking about a restaurant, it should be a bustling place where many people sit around to eat, right?”

Minhyuk nodded.

“Would it make sense for the gods to sit down and eat in such a noisy place? Do you expect them to walk all the way there?”

His words were accurate.

“All of the gods had outstanding chefs by their sides. They can eat whatever they want with just a flick of their finger. But you want them to leave their dignity behind and go to that bustling restaurant to eat?”

The gods were arrogant and prideful. Yes, he knew that. But Minhyuk did not even think of this.

“I can do it. I can run a restaurant and satisfy all of the gods. Please approve it.”

Despite the sharp words of the God of Merchants, Minhyuk did not back down.

As for the Battle God, he understood both sides. The God of Merchant was in charge of the entire Land of the Gods economy. He could not tolerate anyone exploiting the economic gaps, even if that someone were the next generation Battle God. However, the Battle God also thought it would be good if this could bring changes to the Land of the Gods. However, Minhyuk had to think deeply about this matter.

‘If this matter dies down and fails, he will lose his position as the Battle God, a position he has worked so hard to build up.’

That was not all.

‘One of the reasons why he has received the others' recognition is because he has become the Pillar Candidate, the Pillar of Gourmands. If he fails here, then...’

The people of the Land of the Gods would most likely start to doubt him.

At that moment, with great determination and conviction, the God of Merchants said, “I move to punish the mere human who obtained the power of a god for his crime of wanting to intervene with the matters of the Land of the Gods.”

His eyes were looking at Brau.

“I will deprive you, the Liaison Merchant, of the power given to you.”

“...!”

“...!”

Everyone looked surprised at the God of Merchants' reckless actions. However, they could not directly intervene with his choices. After all, that power belonged to the God of Merchants.

“Isn’t this too much?”

“It’s the price that you have to pay for your arrogance. If you don’t want to do it now, I will consider holding off the punishment.”

Yes, the God of Merchants did not like Minhyuk. After all, he was trying to exploit the gaps and dig into his power over the Land of the Gods.

As for Minhyuk, he decided to put out some bait. He said, “If I achieve the number of sales you, the God of Merchants, specify in a week, I hope you won’t take away Brau’s skills.”

The God of Merchants was left dumbfounded. “Are you telling me that you can decide the life and death of this merchant named Brau? Is it because of your relationship as a vassal and an emperor?”

The threat of taking away a merchant’s divine skill was quite significant. It could even be considered a life-and-death situation. The God of Merchants looked at Brau. He wanted to embarrass Minhyuk through Brau.

“He can do as he pleases. Even if you remove that skill, I will still respect His Majesty Minhyuk.”

“...”

The God of Merchants bit his lip. Anyway, he was still the one who had to decide the sales target. Of course, it had to be fair and just since all of the Absolute Gods were present here.

“If you can earn 2,000 platinum in a week, then I will not say anything anymore. If you can do that, then I’ll even help you with the management and distribution.”

It was a considerable sum of money, but it was only natural. After all, the gods would come out and line up to eat in this restaurant, so they had to generate at least that much income.

“But if you fail, I will remove Brau’s special privileges. I will also demand 5,000 platinum as compensation.”

Ultimately, the God of Merchants considered everything a business deal. He would not make any transactions that did not yield profits or compensation.

“Alright. I will accept that. What will happen if I earn twice the amount of the sales target, the 2,000 platinum you have given?”

The God of Merchants looked at him incredulously. His words were so ridiculous to the point that he could only laugh. He said, “Next-generation Battle God, aren’t your bluffs too much?”

“Ah? Well, I believe I can do it.”

The Absolute Gods frowned at Minhyuk’s arrogant and reckless words. The Battle God, who had been watching Minhyuk for the longest time, noticed something.

‘Is he trying to bait him...?’

Minhyuk always had some specific plan in the works whenever he acted arrogantly and did something reckless.

“Aren’t you too arrogant?”

“Alright, let’s say that I’m arrogant. How about we do it this way? If I can double the sales target, I want you to increase Brau’s power to achieve 90% of the flavor whenever he opens a new franchise store to 100%. And if I triple the amount, then I want you to give him another power.”

“...If you can’t do that, you must give me 200,000 platinum.”

The God of Merchants realized something. He thought, ‘If he can reproduce the taste to 100% and get one of my powers, then...’

The merchant named Brau will be able to become the most excellent merchant in Athenae in one single go. He would be so outstanding that no one would ever be able to chase after him. Even so, the God of Merchants thought that it was impossible.

[You have made a bet with the God of Merchants.]

The God of Merchants stepped out of the meeting room with a smile.

***

Once the bet was made, a store named Minhyuk’s Restaurant quietly opened in the Land of the Gods. And since he made a bet with Minhyuk, the God of Merchants could check the restaurant's sales in real-time. However, even after one, two, three days had passed, the recorded sales were still zero.

“A-ahahahahahahaha!”

The God of Merchant could only cackle wildly at the results.

He, who was walking with dozens of gods, passed by the location of Minhyuk’s restaurant today, too. He had been passing by the restaurant daily since it was established. And just as he expected, there wasn’t a single ant, let alone a person, standing in front of the restaurant. Perhaps this was only natural.

“Do you think it makes sense for gods to come and eat in a place like this?”

“I thought the next generation Battle God is competent. Alas, it seems like he’s just so-so.”

“You made a bet with the next generation Battle God? Well, it seems like you have already won.”

The God of Merchants’ grin almost reached his ears.

“I’m ashamed that I have made a bet with him. I am the God of Merchants. As for him? He’s the next-generation Battle God who only knows how to eat. Does he even know the word business?”

At that moment, a baby piggy stepped out of Minhyuk’s Restaurant. The arrogant baby piggy was holding something in his tiny little paws. He glanced at them and hung what seemed to be a banner before leaving the gossiping gods behind.

[Open today!]

[Minhyuk’s Restaurant’s Delivery.]

“...?”

The God of Merchants’ eyes snapped open. Open today? Then, the reason for having zero sales for the first three days was because they weren’t open yet? And there was also the word delivery written there, too. It was an unfamiliar word to the God of Merchants.

The God of Merchants approached the banner that the baby piggy left behind and checked its contents.

[Minhyuk’s Restaurant.]

[Menu Board:

Conir’s Ramyeon

Herakel’s Gimbap

Ben’s Cat-Poop Coffee

Luna’s Breath Gui

Minhyuk’s Chicken

Minhyuk’s Jokbal

Minhyuk’s Bossam

Minhyuk’s Chicken Feet

Beanie’s Braised Chicken

Beanie’s Grilled Pork Galbi]

The God of Merchants was stunned into silence. What? Did that mean that they would bring whatever was ordered from the menu to the gods? Leaving that aside, it was impossible to deliver something if there was no way to order it, right? How would they order? Were they supposed to write and send carrier pigeons to order?

Just when the questions flooded the God of Merchants’ head, he saw the order method written at the bottom of the banner. The words left him even more dumbfounded.

***

Blink, blink–

Team Leader Park and Lee Minhwa of the Special Players Management Team were blinking blankly at the screen before them.

[Please use God’s Voice to place your orders.]

“Oh my god...”

“He wants to use the God’s Voice to place an order...?”

‘No. Wait. What...?’

“How did he come up with such an ingenious idea?”

God’s Voice, a skill that only the gods possessed, could be heard by everyone or just by a single target. This was not the only shocking thing. There was something that was even more awesome.

Team Leader Park and Lee Minhwa both read the additional texts written on the bottom of the banner.

[Delivery fees will be charged based on the distance.]

[Delivery fee will range from 400,000 ~ 1,500,000 gold.]

‘I have never seen such an expensive delivery fee in the world...’