Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 1233

Chapter 1233

Joy Co. Ltd.

President Kang Taehoon jumped to his feet while everyone stared at the screen in shock.

The executive, who confidently and arrogantly declared that the Battle God would hold the succession ceremony to strengthen his position and boost his influence, blurted, “What the hell is wrong with him...?”

“...”

“...”

Everyone looked at the executive as if he was pathetic.

Meanwhile, President Kang Taehoon was expecting something to happen soon.

Knock, knock–

Right on cue, several employees burst into the meeting room.

“President, the American Branch is urgently requesting for a meeting.”

“The same goes for the Chinese Branch.”

“Branches from all over the world are requesting an emergency meeting.”

President Kang Taehoon’s expression grew serious. The tactful executives stepped out, leaving behind only a few of them along with the president and Team Leader Park Minggyu.

Technology has constantly advanced. Now, a video call is more like talking to other people in person—just like having a meeting. Once the managers of each branch appeared, the hologram projection created a circle of chairs and desks. They immediately started talking to President Kang Taehoon, sitting at the center of the circle.

“This is a crisis. A mere player has become a true Absolute God. And he became the Battle God to boot,” the American Branch’s manager said.

The Chinese Branch’s manager immediately agreed, saying, “We all knew this would happen one day. But this is too fast. President Kang Taehoon, please come up with a solution quickly!”

The Japanese Branch’s manager said, “What did you do to let this situation happen?! It’s not just any other Absolute God! This is the Battle God that we’re talking about! Do you even know the worth of that position?!”

President Kang Taehoon understood what they wanted to say. After all, the Battle God had all the power and could decide the fate of the entire Land of the Gods. He was basically the emperor of the Land of the Gods.

An emperor could eliminate or thoroughly purge someone because they tried to rebel against him. His words were law. Once he started purging the gods and changing the governing bodies of the Land of the Gods, Athenae was out of their control.

Of course, everyone expected Minhyuk to become the Battle God someday. But none of them imagined that it would happen this quickly. The Minhyuk who would be fit to become the true Battle God in the future and the Minhyuk now were two completely different individuals.

“Leaving the fate of Athenae, a place where billions of people play, to a twenty-one-year-old man is preposterous!”

“This time, we have to intervene!”

“We have to close the server right away!”

“How about claiming it to be a bug caused by a virus accidentally planted in the Battle God’s data?”

Team Leader Park Minggyu dared to step forward amidst their loud shouts and arguments. He said, “President, may I be allowed to speak?”

President Kang Taehoon nodded at Team Leader Park.

“Can I speak my mind freely?”

Team Leader Park was said to be the company’s next president. Although he was only a Team Leader, the managers and the remaining executives in the meeting room were trembling at his gaze. After all, he was known to be very blunt and straight to the point. On top of that, all of his words and reasoning were based on facts.

“If the one who became the Battle God is a Chinese player, would you say the same things? What if it’s an American player? Or an Indian? A Russian? A Japanese? Would you still say the same thing?”

Team Leader Park made eye contact with each branch manager, and their faces turned red simultaneously.

“Of course not. Each of your governments would have stepped forward and started promoting it saying, ‘Our proud citizen has become the Battle God!’”

Every single branch manager looked at him incredulously.

“So, are you saying that the Korean branch will promote it and nothing can change your mind?”

At this moment, they thought Team Leader Park had dug his grave. Then, President Kang Taehoon called out to Supercomputer Athenae and asked, “Athenae, do you see this situation as a crisis too?”

All eyes turned to Athenae as she replied.

[Yes. This is a crisis.]

The corners of the mouths of all of the branch managers curved up into a knowing smile.

[It is very appropriate to say that this situation is a crisis for Player Minhyuk.]

President Kang Taehoon and Team Leader Park were both dumbfounded. Minhyuk had become the Battle God yet he was in a crisis?

[I have predicted a number of scenarios after the Battle God had reported his intentions to me. Let us assume that Player Minhyuk makes a hasty decision. If he makes a wrong judgment based on that hasty decision, then all of the gods will impeach him, and he will be stripped of the Battle God's power.]

[Episode K-51 will be activated.]

[Episode K-51 will encourage all factions to aim for the Battle God position. Player Minhyuk has a 0% chance of stopping them.]

Only after hearing Athenae’s explanation did everyone understand. Minhyuk’s position would be in jeopardy if he made a single mistake. This was a side effect of sitting on the throne of the Battle God so quickly.

The branch managers, who had just been clamoring earlier, stifled their laughter.

“That’s right. The gods will never tolerate the mistakes of a player Battle God.”

“Besides, isn’t he young?”

“Perhaps he won’t be able to hold onto his position for a week. In a situation like that, if his qualifications and power as the Battle God are stripped away, Minhyuk’s position in Athenae will definitely suffer.”

They were delighted.

Then, the American Branch’s manager asked Athenae, “What happens if Minhyuk abuses his power?”

There were many instances where Minhyuk could abuse his power and authority as the Battle God. For example, he could exploit the God of Farming and ship countless God-grade ingredients to the Beyond the Heavens Empire. He could also exploit the God of Buffs and use their power to make him strong every time. He could also exploit the God of Experience and get more EXP through them.

[If he uses his power and authority to give himself unfair advantages and profit, the system will exercise its authority and remove his qualifications.]

The American Branch’s manager clapped twice. “I see, there was nothing to be concerned about.”

Why would players want to become the Battle God? Of course, it was because of the sweet rewards that they could reap from the power and authority that the position gave. If any of the people present here became the Battle God, what would they do? Of course, they would fill their stomachs first! After all, the worth of that position was astronomical.

“It seems like we don’t need to do anything. Minhyuk will destroy himself. He’s still young. He will definitely not be able to control himself,” the American Branch’s manager confidently declared.

Everyone agreed with his statement.

Team Leader Park responded, “You have been mentioning his young age since earlier. But you know, there’s this saying that’s gaining traction as a Korean slang.”

Everyone focused their attention on Team Leader Park.

“Act your age.”

The faces of all of the branch managers grew ugly. It was as if he was chiding them for blushing and giggling while they looked forward to someone else’s downfall.

Of course, Team Leader Park was also worried about Minhyuk. He looked at the screen and thought, ‘How will you break through this crisis, Minhyuk?’

***

[The name ‘Next-Generation Battle God’ has disappeared.]

[You have now become one of the Absolute Gods.]

[You have become the God who Leads and Rules Over All the Armies. You have become the true Battle God.]

Then, a world message rang out.

[Player Minhyuk has become the Great Monarch who Leads the Gods. He has risen to the throne of the Battle God.]

It let the world know that Minhyuk had become the ruler of the Land of the Gods.

Now that Minhyuk had thrown away his fear, it was time for him to look at reality with a calm and rational mind. But before he could do so, an overwhelming greed washed over him.

He thought, ‘What if I use the God of Farming to secure thousands of high-ranking God-grade ingredients and ship them to earth?

‘What if I use the God of Blacksmiths to supply our empire with infinite artifacts?

‘What if I use the God of Experience to help the soldiers of the Beyond the Heavens Empire grow rapidly?

‘If I set my mind, I can take over and beat the Luvien Empire right now.’

But was that all?

‘I am the Absolute being who rules this land! I can feast with God-grade ingredients every day!’

Greed colored Minhyuk’s eyes green. He was now an Absolute God. Although he was not a Pillar, he now wielded an influence comparable to one.

‘Now, this world is my...’

Then, he came to his senses.

‘I’m going to pay the price for whatever decision I make.’

The Athenae that Minhyuk knew was that the greater one gained, the greater the losses they would suffer from.

Minhyuk was the son of Kang Minhoo, the chairman of Ilhwa Group. From a young age, he knew that those who wielded a lot of power also had many responsibilities and issues to deal with.

When Minhyuk looked up, he caught sight of the Battle God turning around at the end of the red carpet with a bitter smile on his face.

***

The Battle God Belson had now become an ordinary god. He, with his shabby appearance, turned around to leave.

None of the gods showed him respect or courtesy even if their eyes met. He was even met with their cold and glaring eyes. This was something that Belson had been prepared for.

Belson knew full well what kind of end the previous generation Battle Gods had experienced.

Just think of the end of the Battle God before him.

When Belson succeeded his position, the previous Battle God withdrew from power. He just wanted to become an ordinary god who lived in a hidden corner of the Land of the Gods. But the gods did not leave him alone.

The factions against the previous Battle God were not satisfied. When he was no longer on the throne, they targeted him and did everything to kill him. The subordinates who followed Belson then cried, saying the previous Battle God had to be held accountable for his past crimes.

Belson knew a setting sun could no longer compete with a rising sun. He had also faced a similar situation back then, using the hundreds of wrong choices that the previous Battle God had made back then and gave absolute orders, orders that carried a weight that was beyond anyone’s imagination, to imprison him, even though he only wanted to live his life in seclusion.

He recalled the words the previous Battle God had told him in prison.

–Battle God Belson, would you like to take away my divine powers too?

Belson did as he said. He deprived him of his divine powers and sent him down to earth. And when he finally met his end, it was the most humble and shabby end.

This was the most common story among the various ends that the previous absolute ruler had met.

‘I’m glad that it’s you.’

Belson smiled bitterly. At the very least, the Minhyuk he knew was not the type of person who would do that. He was only afraid of those who would find and fight him.

But then, at that moment, the Battle God’s voice rang in his ears.

“Belson. Stop.”

“...”

Belson stopped in his tracks. Everyone turned to look at him. The gods no longer revered him and treated him the same way when he was still the great and mighty Battle God. There were even some who thought that it was finally time.

Belson was flustered. He thought, ‘You too...?’

Perhaps he already knew what he had to do and acted faster than Belson did when he took on the position. After all, Minhyuk was intelligent and wise. He was doing well and worthy of being the Battle God that Belson acknowledged.

Belson smiled bitterly as he slowly turned around and bowed.

Minhyuk could now do whatever he wanted with the Land of the Gods. Everyone looked at him with expectations. It seemed like the first thing he would do as the new Battle God was purging the gods.

“Where are you going?”

Belson understood the meaning of Minhyuk’s question.

“I have created a residence in the Land of the Gods. I hoped to go there. But it seemed like I was stupid enough to entertain the idea of living a comfortable life in that place.”

Battle God Belson had made countless wrong choices, losing hundreds of thousands of soldiers because of it. He had also implemented numerous wrong policies that troubled the people of the Land of the Gods.

“That’s right. I never gave you the permission to live a comfortable life.”

Belson looked up at Minhyuk in confusion, his bitter smile still hanging. Minhyuk stood up from his throne and approached him.

“I don’t understand,” Battle God Minhyuk said as he drew the Sword of Judgment and Blessings, a sword bestowed to the Battle God alone.

The Absolute Gods could not hide their surprise when they saw this scene. What Minhyuk was doing right now was extremely reckless. He seemed to be moving to eliminate Belson during his succession ceremony. He could just swing that sword once and cut down the neck of any god in front of him in one breath. After all, he had the power to bring judgment upon everyone in this land.

Belson looked at the sword's sharp blade and said, “What do you not understand?”

Minhyuk stood in front of Belson, the sword still in his hands. Then, he replied, “Why are you leaving me behind?”

For a moment, Belson wondered if Minhyuk could not understand their situation. The regime had changed, and now that he had been stripped of his power, he had to leave. It was only proper of him.

Belson confessed, “I have committed many sins. I have made countless mistakes in my judgment and lost so many of my allies. My wrong decisions have also made my people suffer.”

He had no choice but to admit everything. He had participated in thousands of battles and made decisions he should not have made. His pride and arrogance had also cost him the lives of his allies and friends, and his wrong policies had almost strangled the people to their deaths.

“I do not deny those sins.”

Belson was afraid of appearing pathetic, but he had made up his mind and prepared for everything.

He relinquished his position and gave it to Minhyuk mainly because he was exhausted and wanted to rest. He wanted to escape the pressure of the position.

But it seemed like things were going to turn out better. The blade of the sword glinted under the light of the sun. When he saw Minhyuk raising the sword, Belson understood what Minhyuk wanted to do.

‘Is this because you don’t want me to look shabby and poor?’

Perhaps this young man before him knew the desolate path he would walk from here, that it was better for Belson to end his life right here and now instead of forcing himself to live such a poor life.

The Great Monarch and Absolute Ruler who Leads all of the Gods swung his sword.

[The Battle God has given an absolute order.]

The sword rested lightly on Belson’s left shoulder.

“You said that I could call you my uncle. So, why are you making such a face? Why do you look like you’re about to face your death when you’re in front of me? Why do you want to leave me behind and live a comfortable life? I don’t understand at all.”

Then, the sword landed on Belson’s right shoulder.

“Don’t live comfortably.”

Finally, the sword landed gently on Belson’s head.

“If two suns cannot rise together, then become the sky that will embrace the sun.”

[You have been appointed as the Battle God’s Aide.]

[The Battle God’s Aide is the only being who can act on behalf of the Battle God.]

Belson’s pupils shook.

‘Everything’s fine.’ He had comforted himself with these words and told himself that he was satisfied even if he had to pay the price for his sins and fall into eternal rest. But that was not the case at all. After all, everybody wanted to live and survive.

Minhyuk’s decision made it impossible for anyone to incite him, the Battle God, to bring harm or imprison Belson. It also allowed Minhyuk to gain something very valuable. Belson would prove to be his most outstanding and powerful helper for him, who was still lacking in many areas.

[Belson vows eternal loyalty to you.]

At the same time, the hologram meeting with the managers of each branch of Joy Co. Ltd. was still in progress in one of the company's meeting rooms.

All the branch managers present were rendered mute as they listened to the notification ringing on the screen.

[Player Minhyuk has appointed Belson as his Aide.]

Then, Supercomputer Athenae said.

[With his aide by his side, Player Minhyuk will no longer be able to make any hasty decisions.]

[All of his decisions, which are subject to the inspection and approval of his aide, will be cleared of any mistakes or dangers.]

[Belson is the one who walked the path of the most outstanding Battle God. With him as the sky embracing the sun, Minhyuk can walk the path of the wisest Battle God in history.]

The branch managers, who had been discussing Minhyuk’s age, were silent for a long time after they witnessed Minhyuk overcome the unknown crisis he was facing.

Amidst their silence, someone said, “No. Don’t you think it’s still too much for a single player to become the Battle God...”

“President Kang Taehoon. How can we let such a young player be the Battle God...” @@novelbin@@

After hearing their words, Team Leader Park opened his mouth and said, “Let me repeat what I said earlier.”

He looked at every single branch manager with contempt.

“Did you remember about ‘Act your age’? Well, there’s another way to say it.”

Team Leader Park sneered.

“Grow up.”