Chapter 1042

Chapter 1042

Minhyuk was delighted when he heard the notifications ringing in his ears. He even obtained the Beef Galbi-jjim Across All Eras, a dish with ridiculously overpowered power.

The Absolute Gods, who had finished eating, nodded to the gods. Only then did the gods, whose eyes were already shining with impatience, begin to eat the spicy pork bibimbap in front of them.

“Isn’t this delicious?!”

“D– Delicious. It’s really delicious...!”

The gods shouted as they ate the dish with great relish. Some gods even closed their eyes and shed a few tears as they savoured its flavour.

Then, notifications constantly rang in Minhyuk’s ears.

[Nagan’s favour has increased.]

[Veimin’s favour has increased.]

[Uraghan’s favour has increased.]

There was a considerable boost in the gods’ favour. Minhyuk was sure that this would be of great help. Of course, Minhyuk did not forget the reason why he came here.

“I received a huge penalty for allowing thousands or tens of thousands of gods to eat the same dish. But it’s fine. I’m fine.” Minhyuk began to lie through his teeth. “You’ve eaten the most delicious dish in the world, so whatever damage I receive is alright. It’s really, really fine.”

The gods, who could taste the most delicious dish in the world, felt very moved.

“Are you saying that you receive harm in exchange for allowing us to eat the most delicious dish in the world?!”

“Well, there’s no way that he would not receive any harm for letting all of the gods have a taste of such delicious food, no?”

“But he said that it was fine(?). He’s a kind, generous and broad-minded person.”

“He said that it’s fine. Well, he will understand.”

When Minhyuk heard the words of one of the tactless gods, he spoke with great emphasis. “I’m reaaaaaally fine. You’ve all had a good meal, no?”

“See, I told you he understands.”

“...”

Minhyuk was rendered speechless by the slow-witted god.

“We have been treated to such a delicious meal. We just can’t accept it without giving anything back.”

“No. He clearly said that it was fine. So, why are you guys...”

“We have to pay for the meal that we ate. Even a small amount will do.”

“Yes. We have to show a bit of our sincerity.”

“He said that it was fine. But if you’ll give him some, I have no choice but to give it too.”

A happy smile flashed on Minhyuk’s face when he heard the gods’ conversation. These were the people standing at the peak of the world. Their small sincerity would help revitalise the Beyond the Heavens Empire in the long run.

After a while, all the gods and Absolute Gods were covered in light as they got transported out of the coliseum. When Minhyuk opened his eyes, he was already standing in the meeting hall where the Absolute Gods were meeting.

It was now time for him to tell them the most important thing, the thing that he came here for.

“It’s quite surprising that you have received recognition from all of us.”

The Battle God indeed found it incredible. He had believed that the Dish Across All Eras was something that Minhyuk would not be able to beat. But he chose to win by the taste and the flavour, not the cooking process or its abilities. And he had done it.

“So, what do you want from us?” the Battle God asked.

Arlene, who Minhyuk turned to look at when he heard the question, seemed utterly puzzled.

“Do you know about Athenae’s Frenzied Ingredients?”

Of course, they knew. There was not a single god here who did not know about it. After all, no one, not even the gods, has ever succeeded in cooking this ingredient.

“I want you, Arlene, to help me cook Athenae’s Frenzied Ingredient.”

“...!”

“...!”

“...!”

They were all shocked. In a way, what Minhyuk wanted from them was for the God of Cooking to cook with him. He could not understand why all of the Absolute Gods looked so shocked.

The God of Cooking and the Food God cooked together. This story would be recorded in history and told for a long time.

“I really want to do it, Minhyuk.”

Minhyuk could feel the firm will and determination of the God of Cooking. He knew that even if they did not do this now, the God of Cooking would somehow try to find a Frenzied Ingredient and do it on her own.

“Then, let’s do it together.”

Just like that, the two agreed to do it together.

***

Minhyuk began to prepare for their challenge.

Arlene mentioned that she had found ways to cook the Frenzied Ingredient after her master died trying to cook it. They were going to cook based on her ideas and hypothesis.

She proposed going to the Maze of the Unknown, a maze inside the Land of the Gods, where many gods wandered off for a long time without finding the exit.

‘But if we can pass through the maze, our chances of completing this dish well will increase.’

Everything in Athenae would be rewarded, especially when someone took the risk. For those who would be able to pass through the Maze of the Unknown, they would be granted three wishes inside the maze.

Of course, they could not make any ridiculous wishes. For example, they could not say, ‘Take this and complete this quickly!’ Arlene said she would like to use one of the three wishes to increase their chances of cooking the ingredient easily.

‘Even if we die, repeat the process.’

For the second wish, if they died inside the maze, they could be revived and repeat the process. However, they could only be revived ten times in total. For the third wish, they have not yet decided on what to wish for. Arlene had never cooked this ingredient before and could only come this far.

Since various parchments and potions could be used inside the maze, the gods prepared and packed the best things for them.

The entire Land of the Gods was buzzing. This was because the God of Cooking and the Food God were trying to cook an ingredient that killed the previous God of Cooking and seriously injured the Battle God. The Battle God also decided to join the two chefs, saying he wanted to wash away the disgrace of the past.

Minhyuk, who had finished all of the preparations, was just about to leave when the God of Magic came to find him.

“The gods were fully satisfied with the meal you presented to us. So, we gathered a bit to show you our sincerity. Here, use this to buy tea.”

[You have gained five million platinum.]

Minhyuk smiled at the development funds for the Beyond the Heavens Empire that he had easily acquired. Then, at that moment, another god approached him. This god was the same god who was utterly disrespectful and curtly said, ‘Didn’t he say that it’s fine?’ when Minhyuk said it was fine earlier.

“You said it was fine, so I did not give any money when they collected earlier.”

“...”

‘Huh? Why is this guy so tactless and slow-witted?’

The God of Magic leaned into Minhyuk and whispered, “We call him the God of Tactlessness, but he originally has another name.”

Minhyuk could tell that it was the case. He was truly like the God of Tactlessness. He thought that it was good that he was born a god. If he had been an average person and worked for a boss, he would have definitely been scolded every single time.

Minhyuk turned to leave.

“But it’s not as if I am completely tactless(?).”

“...?”

“I know I have to pay for the meal I enjoyed. Originally, that kind of dish would be worth around ten thousand gold in the human world. To show my sincerity, I will give you something more. You see, I also have tact.”

[You have gained 20,000 gold.]

“...?”

The god before Minhyuk smiled smugly as if he were saying his tact and wit were perfect. The corners of his mouth were even threatening to curl up high. He looked like he wanted to praise himself and say, ‘Wow. I did well this time.’

Only then did Minhyuk see the name floating above the god’s head. Even gods could not identify each other’s names when they were far away, like when someone was standing in the middle of the coliseum, and one was sitting in the stands. As it turned out, the actual name of this god was indeed something else.

[God of the Directionally Challenged]

“...?”

He was indeed a unique god.

Minhyuk smiled awkwardly and nodded at the god. Then, the God of the Directionally Challenged turned around and smiled happily.

“My sense is incredible. I even considered the cost of labour and the price of the ingredients. I don’t think anyone will be more quick-witted and tactful than me in the eyes of the next generation Battle God. Fufu.”

Minhyuk looked incredulously at his departing back. At this moment, he did not know that the God of the Directionally Challenged was the key to opening a locked door.