Leveling Up through Eating

Chapter 1107

Minhyuk looked surprised after hearing the notifications.

The Clone Bird had already evolved and gained the unique ability to select and appoint temporary knights. And the first person he offered to appoint as a temporary knight was Ellie.

‘Why?’

Ellie had high self-esteem and pride, more so than any other. As an empress who worked desperately to hone her abilities and support herself and carried the title of the first empress of the continent, it did not make sense for her to become Minhyuk’s knight, even if it was temporary.

[Eivelis Empire’s Emperor Ellie refuses the offer to become one of your temporary knights.]

It was just as he expected. Minhyuk immediately summoned the Clone Bird.

Not long after, Clone Bird Dodo appeared in front of him in the form of a hawk. He then transformed into the form of a human. Perhaps it was because of Minhyuk’s warning, that Clone Bird Dodo did not take on his appearance and took on someone else’s appearance. However, there was an apparent red mark on the forehead of the Clone Bird.

“Thanks for summoning me. I was just forced to bury my head just now.”

“Oh, yeah…”

When Minhyuk heard the notifications earlier, he already had a hunch that the Clone Bird had received punishment from Ellie when he said, ‘You, can you be my friend?’ From what it looked like, she only punished Clone Bird Dodo lightly because she knew that he was under Minhyuk’s command.

Minhyuk asked Dodo bluntly, “Why did you try to make such a ridiculous offer to Ellie noona?”

Based on the Clone Bird’s description, Dodo would only make such an offer if he determined the other person could help Minhyuk. That was just how intelligent its system was. It was to the point that it could be called creepy.

“I don’t know either. I just felt this insane attraction.”

“Really? Are you sure there’s no other specific reason for this?”

God and Knight’s system was rather friendly. It would present various methods and guide the god to find and recruit excellent knights. However, apart from the fact that the Clone Bird was a power derived from the God and Knight, it seemed like there was no explanation or reason for choosing knights.

Minhyuk could only ponder the matter deeply. Thankfully, it did not take him too long to analyze their current situation.

‘D-don’t tell me…?’ Minhyuk’s eyes grew the size of saucers.

“Is the system telling me that gaining Ellie noona’s help can help me get first place in the Advanced Polls?”

This was the conclusion that Minhyuk had reached. The only thing that Minhyuk needed the most right now was a talent who would help him get first place in the Advanced Polls.

A grin bloomed on Minhyuk’s face after he finished organizing his thoughts.

‘Isn’t this amazing?’

The most interesting stories in the world usually featured underdogs clinching the first place.

Minhyuk went out to meet with Ellie.

***

The fourth day of the voting period for the Advanced Polls had started. The competition between the candidates had grown more intense as the days passed.

In just one night, King of Races Reikan had already taken over an entire kingdom.

Meanwhile, Master of Nature Verodun continued to travel the world and prevent all kinds of disasters from falling upon countless nations. Sometimes, he would even go to places infested with troublesome monsters and create storms to sweep them away.

Another set of videos showcasing the candidates’ performances was shared on this day.

At that moment, Master of Nature Verodun said, “I heard that a candidate lost several innocent soldiers while trying to subdue monsters not too long ago. Someone who is not even qualified as a candidate lets innocent people die. Don’t you think we should cast our doubts about her qualifications?”

Those were the words that Verodun said in his highlight video. Why did he say that? This was because after he met Minhyuk and left the Beyond the Heavens Empire, he went to meet with Ellie. The problem was he was kicked out of the gates. So, he wanted to pay her back for what she did.

The video continued to play and show the others’ highlight videos. Surprisingly enough, even Pillar of Death Boleyn reacted similarly to Verodun's.

“The reckless actions of someone unqualified has killed thousands of innocent people. Isn’t it weird that someone like that has been qualified as an emperor?”

Some of the candidates even openly mocked Ellie.

“Only 1% votes? That’s pitiful. And there’s even a candidate who only eats? Do they think that the Pillars who support the world are nothing but a joke?”

Criticisms and mockery poured out of their mouths just like that. In the video released on the fourth day, everyone mocked Ellie. Why? They just wanted to undermine one of the candidates, perhaps bringing those voting for her to their side.

As for Ellie and Minhyuk’s highlight videos, they were edited out. They only showed the scene where Ellie and Minhyuk shook hands.

Many poured criticism upon the two. Even the community sites were in a huge buzz.

[Are Minhyuk and Ellie’s videos completely edited out? Does the fact that Minhyuk and Ellie shook hands mean that the two bottom feeders are cooperating?]

[Lmao. They’re cooperating? What? Their votes only total to 3%, right?]

[Tbh, many people had expected that Minhyuk would cooperate with Verodun when they saw the Master of Nature kneel before him. A lot of people must be disappointed by Minhyuk’s choice.]

[+22222]

[+3333333]

[He only thought for the sake of his empire. He did not even think about the expectations of the people.]

[I’m actually very disappointed with Player Minhyuk. The other candidates are working hard to promote themselves, but in his highlight videos, the only thing that he does is eat?]

[Actually, if Minhyuk had worked hard in cooking, his votes would have already exceeded 10% by now.]

[I don’t think so. Tbh, everyone already knows how great the Food God’s buffed dishes are, right? BUT. The most important thing to note is that the effects of the Food God’s buffed dishes have a limited time. Just think about it. The effects of a God-rank artifact made by the God of Blacksmiths will remain forever, but Minhyuk’s God-grade dishes will only last for a week.]

[Food God has no… advantages. Lol.]

[At this rate, we can assume that Minhyuk and Ellie had already given up on the Advanced Polls, right?]

[Yep. I think so, too. Lolol. I think they gave up because they know that the difference in votes will be highly overwhelming.]

Countless people began to think of the handshake between Ellie and Minhyuk as a promise for next time. This was also because the two did not show any movement to win votes even though it was almost the last day of the voting period.

***

At the same time.

Minhyuk had arrived at Vasgara, the site where Ellie lost her soldiers.

‘I haven’t given up.’

Ellie came to Vasgara to chase a myth. According to the myths, anyone who could subjugate and conquer Vasgara would become a god.

Minhyuk checked Chaos’ Store and bought one of the offered items.

[You have purchased a Yearning Tracker.]

[You have used 100 cash.]

Minhyuk felt an ache in his chest. Based on the meager cash accumulation rate, he needed to make a Supreme Dish to be able to obtain 100 cash. But if his assumption were correct, he would obtain something far more valuable. Perhaps something even worth more than 1,000 cash.

[The Yearning Tracker has started its search.]

This item had effects similar to Minhyuk’s skill: Ingredient tracking.

‘The only difference is that Ingredient Tracking is limited to tracking ingredients while this tracker can search and track everything.’

Not long after, a notification rang in Minhyuk’s ears.

[The search has succeeded.]

This notification informed Minhyuk that the myth that Ellie was chasing was true. This brought a faint smile to Minhyuk's face.

All of the preparations were now complete.

***

The voting period’s 6th day came to a close.

[Advanced Polls]

Current Voter Turnout: 26.1%

1st place: Master of Nature Verodun. Percentage: 24.1%

2nd place: Pillar of Death Boleyn. Percentage: 22.9%

…

9th place: Pillar of Gourmands Minhyuk. Percentage: 1.5%

10th place: Continental Emperor Ellie. Percentage. 0.8%

PD Kim Daeguk could only laugh bitterly when he saw Minhyuk and Ellie’s votes. It was truly disastrous.

“Well, it’s not unreasonable.”

Rumor had it that Minhyuk and Ellie had both given up. Compared to the others showing off and revealing their strength and powers in detail, the two had not done anything to showcase and promote themselves.

So, perhaps it was only right to say they had already given up. Because of that, many people began to criticize and mock Minhyuk and Ellie. Even so, the two remained silent.

“The voter turnout is much lower than expected.”

“They considered the complete reversal that happened during the first and second day of the voting period. The players are just being cautious.”

Minhyuk, who displayed the power to stop disasters, quickly turned the tables. So, everyone was very cautious with their votes. After all, if the one they voted for were first place, then they would receive a 1-Level Level Up Potion.

“She’s an emperor I truly love and admire, too.” One of the staff looked bitter as she talked about Ellie.

Many people loved and cherished Ellie, even though she was an NPC. But everyone knew that she lacked the qualifications and abilities to become a Pillar that would stand at the center and lead the world.

In fact, the public was greatly shaken when they received news about the loss of 30,000 soldiers who went out with her for a subjugation. Even the people of the Eivelis Empire had started to criticize Ellie for not doing anything despite the loss of her soldiers.

“The Beyond the Heavens Empire is also in an uproar.”

Of course, the same was true for the Beyond the Heavens Empire. The voting period would end tomorrow yet all of Minhyuk’s highlight videos revolved around eating.

“Haaa…” PD Kim Daeguk sighed as he stood up to go to the bathroom.

At that moment, one of the employees rushed in and called out to him. “PD.”

“Huh?”

“Beyond the Heavens’ Emperor Minhyuk has requested collaboration and help with filming.”

“A collaboration?” Interest flashed in PD Kim Daeguk’s eyes.

This meant that Player Minhyuk had been waiting for the final day of the voting period.

‘The voter turnout is still very low. Most of the candidates had already shown almost everything that they could show now. But Minhyuk has not shown anything yet.’

The idea was very risky. But the fact that he requested a collaboration and asked for help with filming meant something.

“So, Player Minhyuk has not given up yet.”

It seemed like he planned to play it big and do something to gain a lot of votes on the last day of the voting period. It was a very difficult path, a path that would not allow them to turn back.

“Everyone here should know how outstanding and powerful Player Minhyuk is, no?”

That was why it was even more of a problem. Minhyuk had already shown quite a lot of things that he could do with his cooking. To monopolize most of the votes on the last day, he had to do something that would leave everyone’s jaw on the floor. But was that something that could be easily done?

Nevertheless, PD Kim Daeguk made a decision and said, “Send reporters and a camera team to the Beyond the Heavens Empire.”

“Yes? Ah, no. Although Player Minhyuk was the one who requested collaboration and asked us for help filming, he’s not the one we’re going to film. Minhyuk asked us to send the reporters and the camera team to another location.”

“Huh?”

“To be exact, he wants us to go to Ellie. Ellie wants to do a live broadcast on ZTube.”

“Did you say Ellie?”

Suddenly, the scene where Minhyuk and Ellie shook hands flashed in everyone’s heads. Even so, they still could not understand what the two were planning.

“Then, send the team to Ellie. Anyway, our ratings will be low once Minhyuk does a live broadcast.”

“Yes, sir.” The staff left promptly.

Then, PD Kim Daeguk immediately tuned in to Minhyuk’s live broadcast. The screen in front of them was broadcasting from Minhyuk's perspective.

‘The greatest advantage of a live broadcast is that all of the viewers can see the notifications that the broadcaster will see and hear.’

Of course, one could also choose to black out some of the notifications if they so wanted.

In the live broadcast, Minhyuk said.

[Shall we try to take on a new challenge in line with the Advanced Polls?]

The listening PD Kim Daeguk thought, ‘In the end, what kind of challenge can you do when cooking a consumable?’

Then, Minhyuk said.

[Today, we’ll challenge ourselves to make twenty God-grade dishes in a row.]

“...?”

PD Kim Daeguk was dumbfounded for a moment, then burst into a fit of laughter.

‘What kind of nonsense is he going on about?’

But the nonsensical words did not end there.

[Ah. I’ll also take on the challenge of making Epic-grade dishes for everyone in the Beyond the Heavens Empire without failing once.]

“...?!”

PD Kim Daeguk looked at the screen incredulously after hearing Minhyuk’s absurd words.