Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 256: Territorial Defence (Bottom)

[T…tentacles?!]

[No. Looking closely, it looks more like giant tree roots!]

Indeed. There were hundreds of gigantic roots that sprung up from the ground. The tip of the roots were all pointy and sharp, just like the tip of a wooden spear. These tree roots suddenly appeared and loomed over Philip Village.

Then, the notification rang for the people inside Philip Village.

[Following the Elven Heart’s activation, you will be able to inherit the power of a noble High Elf for an hour.]

At the exact same moment, the ears of the members of Legend Guild, as well as Black Dragon and the Boys, started to elongate and become pointy.

[All five of your basic stats have increased by 15%.]

[Your HP and MP recovery rate have increased dramatically.]

[AGI has increased by 15%.]

“Wow…”

“A 15% increase in all five of our basic stats? Plus a 15% increase in AGI? Isn’t this too ridiculous?”

For these rankers that stood above other players, increases in percentage were bound to have a tremendous effect on their strength and power.

Meanwhile, the viewers that were watching the tree roots growing all over Philip Village spoke in wonder.

[I…I think they will be defending against the demons with that?]

[Wow. So f*cking awesome…!]

[I can’t wait to see those tentacles move!]

On the other hand, PD Kim Dae00Guk of ATV broadcasting station was told that their ratings were already close to 60%.

“C…crazy… ! What the hell are those tree roots? Hahahahahaha!”

He was smiling happily. However, at that exact same moment, they heard the voice of Genie, the guild master of Legend Guild. Genie and ATV were connected since they were currently on air and doing a broadcast.

[PD. I am requesting you to stop broadcasting some of my guild members. The list of players that are requesting to not appear on broadcast are Player Minhyuk, Black Mage Ali and all of the masked players.]

PD Kim Dae-Guk was caught in shock.

‘What in the world does she mean by that?’

Right now, the viewers wanted to see the power of those tentacle-like tree roots. Yet, they were suddenly requesting interruptions in the broadcast?

“W…what do you mean?”

Genie calmly explained to PD Kim Dae-Guk after he had asked her to clarify her words.

[Legend Guild might have agreed to the broadcasting, but I was sure that I have put up a list as well. The players on that list had agreed to participate in the broadcast. Are there anyone on the list that are named Minhyuk, Black Dragon, General, Black Mage Ali, etc.?]

“…”

PD Kim Dae-Guk was left speechless. Yes. She was right. Minhyuk’s name was not written on that list. Even Genie and the rest of her guild members did not know that Minhyuk would appear, so she did not write his name on the list.

PD Kim Dae-Guk was now in a bind. The people that the viewers wanted to see the most were Black Mage Ali and the Frying Pan Killer.

‘But you want me to take them out from the broadcast?’

If he did that, then the biggest highlight of the scenes would be taken out and the rest of the scenes would naturally become dull videos. It was important for them to keep showing what the viewers wanted, if they wanted to maintain their high ratings.

PD Kim Dae-Guk could not let the chance slip away so he asked, “What do you want?”

He asked because he was not a fool. Genie fell silent for a while before answering.

[They’re asking for 2.5 billion won.]

“…!!”

His eyes widened in shock.

‘2.5 billion.’

***

“Will they give us 2.5 billion, Father?”

“They will have no choice but to give it to you.”

The person that requested Genie to negotiate and request more profits was none other than Black Dragon. Those were the words that he told her the moment he came inside the bunker. Black Dragon was an outstanding businessman. After all, he was the chairman of Ilhwa Group.

However, Black Dragon did not do this so they could get profits themselves, this was something that he knew would benefit everyone. ATV had currently signed with Legend Guild only, not with Black Dragon and the Boys. So, for their compensation, Black Dragon had to reap and induce profits.

In fact, the profits that he would reap from Black Dragon and the Boys would be given to the ‘Share a Love Lunchbox’ programme. This was so he could help the needy and hungry children, elderly, and boys and girls all over the country! To some, he would appear to be a ‘greedy’ man. However, he had no greed for money. He only believed that one should not live their life suffering losses.

By negotiating, Black Dragon and the Boys, as well as Legend Guild would only appear to look like people that were blinded by money on the ATV’s side. However, this was certainly not true. Since they were increasing the profits of the broadcasting station, it was only natural that they give them a fair price. This was the ‘Chairman’s Management Secret’. Of course, millions would be deducted from the 2.5 billion to be shared among Minhyuk, Black Mage Ali and Legend Guild. However, Genie had doubts about this plan. Would the broadcasting station be willing to fork out this much money?

Then, at that moment…

[I just talked to the Director and he has approved. Also, please record this conversation in Miss Genie’s character. Well then, please continue the broadcast.]

His words sounded like he was telling her to?‘I beg you, don’t cut off the show!’. Genie turned back to look at Black Dragon in surprise.

‘Black Dragon. He is a Legendary Class in Athenae and he is also the chairman of Ilhwa Group.’

***

Prince Argon hurried back inside the village with the knights. With his return, the Royal Shop had opened!

“Wow. Th…this is crazy…!”

“What the hell? A 40% HP and MP recovery potion? It’s only 3,000 points!!!”

“Who the hell is this elf?”

“What the hell did Minhyuk do?”

The members of Legend Guild were all shocked at the things that the shop was selling. There were even the tentacle-like roots that surrounded Philip Village! The tree roots accurately flew straight as they stabbed through the bodies of the Silver Wolves.

Stab!

After stabbing the Silver Wolves, the tree roots wriggled and flung them far away.

“…!”

“…!”

“Aren’t the tentacles extremely strong?”

They had a hard time leaving some scars on those Silver Wolves, but just one stab from the roots had killed them. The members of the Legend Guild quickly began to buy goods from the shop. They each chose items that suited them and their fighting style. Together with Legend Guild, the Black Dragon and the Boys were also sent out to the battlefield.

Minhyuk also pulled out the Saint’s Sword.

“Saint’s Protection!”

[Saint’s Protection.]

[Your physical attack and defense, as well as magical attack and defense will increase by 30% of your Holy Power for 15 minutes.]

[Your guild members and allies’ physical attack and defense, as well as magical attack and defense will increase by 20% of their Holy Power for 15 minutes.]

“Uwooooooooo!”

“Kyaaaa!”

In just an instant, the tide of war had turned. In addition to the items that they had purchased from the Royal Shop, their stats had also risen sharply with their Holy Power stat. The members of Legend Guild literally flew around the battlefield. The demons and demonic beasts could not keep up with them anymore, and they fell one by one.

At that moment…

Vwoooooooooooooom—

[Commander-in-Chief Rufel has issued a retreat order.]

[Only a few of his troops remained as they fled towards the Elven Forest.]

[Members of Legend Guild, as well as Black Dragon and the Boys, have each earned 100,000 Contribution Points.]

[Guild Master Genie has earned 300,000 Contribution Points.]

The number that Legend Guild had successfully hunted was about half of the numbers of the marching enemy troops. However, if they kept on fighting? Legend Guild would have definitely been pushed back in the end.

Then, at that moment…

“Keu, keuaaaaaack!” Crow, a bounty hunter and the best dealer in Legend Guild, shrieked loudly.

His body was suddenly pierced through. The being that stood in front of him was none other than the Slayer of Frustration, Conir.

“Be careful. The Slayer of Frustration is much stronger than any of the mobs that I have ever seen. What’s worse is that Minhyuk’s Holy Power will not have much of an effect on him since he is a chimera.”

“…”

Minhyuk nodded.

The knights of Collodis Empire jumped in. However, something extraordinary happened next.

Pipipipipipipipi—

With Conir’s fast movements, more than five of the knights fell down.

“Get away!” Minhyuk shouted.

He wanted the knights of Collodis Empire to return to their empire as safe as they could.

The members of Legend Guild and Black Dragon and the Boys surrounded him. However, they were extremely nervous that their mouths had run dry.

Then, Conir muttered, “Hungry…”

“…”

Minhyuk tilted his head in confusion. When he looked at him closely, he felt like he was looking at himself. Conir’s expression, his eyes and his words, he looked exactly like Minhyuk from before. He knew that Conir was feeling an intense amount of hunger right now.

‘…What the hell.’?

***

Even though Commander Rufel had ordered for a retreat, he still had a deep smile hanging on his face.

Conir, the Slayer of Frustration, was his most powerful chimera among all of the troops that he had. He was someone that could never be killed. However, Conir only had half an hour to remain invincible. In that 30-minute time frame, Conir would slaughter as many as he could before returning back to him.

He was a weapon that was exclusively designed for slaughter. Interestingly, it was not the demons nor Rufel that created Conir. It was the humans. The power that created him was none other than ‘hunger’.

***

The Sun Guilds, the strongest after the four great guilds, had the wild ambition of sweeping the enemy with the troops that they had amassed once Legend Guild fell down. For that ambition, they did not lend a helping hand towards Legend Guild.

However, they were bound to get flustered.

“Re…retreat…?”

“W…we’re in trouble…!”

The Sun Guilds had even hired talented mercenaries. Yet, the enemy was already retreating?

“Let’s hurry up and go now! Let’s hunt the rest of the troops!”

“Right.”

They urgently moved.

Elf King Gorn watched the scene and said, “I feel sorry for you.”

His expression looked solemn and sincere. Since he had that look on his face, it only meant one thing, right? His words came from the depths of his heart!

“…”

“…”

“…”

The heads of the Sun Guilds had nothing to say. Some guild leaders could not even raise their heads in shame. Some were even heartbroken.

With just one word, Gorn had given all of them a punch to the gut!

Gorn continued to watch the situation with his thousand-miles eyes. He watched the man that saved his son. The very same man that created a miracle in this desperate situation.

‘I’m willing to do whatever that man asks of me.’

***

The members of Legend Guild, and Black Dragon and the Boys stared at the advancing Conir vigilantly. Conir, who was covered with bandages all over and only had his eyes visible, could give goosebumps to anyone that saw him.

[Guild & Alliance | Genie: I think we all need to work together.]

[Guild & Alliance | Black Dragon: I agree. We can gain a lot of momentum in the air.]

Everyone held their breath as they focused on Conir’s each and every movement, preparing their best one-shot skill.

Genie’s whip was covered in fire. This was her most powerful skill that could give her a 170% additional attack power.

On the other side, Locke’s double-handed axe was also filled with curses. It was the power that would cause the opponent’s skin to rot as soon as it touches their body; it was the skill, Jeffrit’s Madness.

Abel also prepared his ‘Mortal’s Death’. The skill allowed him to stab his dagger straight into an enemy’s chest in a blink of an eye before exploding.

Minhyuk was also preparing his Splitting Sword.

“Right now!”

Genie sent the signal.

Dash—

The first one to move was Abel. He rushed straight at Conir who was standing in the middle. Since he was an assassin class, he was bound to be the fastest when launching an attack.

Shwaaaaaaaa!

Just as when he was about to stab the dagger straight into Conir’s chest… Conir’s sword moved. Abel’s dagger was easily blocked by his sword.

“…!”

Abel was shocked. He had confirmed Conir’s strength through his ‘Monster Analysis’, but the force was too much. It was almost nonsensical. Abel’s AGI had tripled so his speed was extremely fast. Nevertheless, Conir was still able to easily parry his attacks.

Shiiiiiiiing—

Conir’s sword moved smoothly and gently. Then…

Pipipipipipi—

…several cuts were drawn on Abel’s body.

Spurt!

Spurt!

Blood spurted out all over his body.

“Keoheok!”

“Goddamn! Jeffrit’s Madness!”

Locke slammed his double-handed axe straight down on the ground with all his might. At the same time, two powerful red lines stretched out from his axe before flying straight towards Conir. The moment these lines hit something, their body parts would immediately rot and would be unusable for the next 20 seconds.

However, Conir moved away swiftly, his movements as light as a feather.

Dash—

He had escaped from the attack with just a light leap. At that moment, Khan suddenly appeared behind him. He grinned as he struck out without missing a beat.

“Caught you. Giant’s Fury!”

This skill allowed him to hit his opponent from above. With both his arms crossed together, his attack could have as much as 200% additional attack power.

Right at that moment, Conir’s bandage loosened. The bandage wrapped around Genie’s neck.

“Urkk!”

Conir’s body was drawn from the bandage that he had wrapped around Genie’s neck. With this movement, Khan’s fist slammed into nothing but air.

Hundreds of afterimages of the soldiers’ swords, Black Mage Ali’s Fire Field, Minhyuk’s Splitting Sword, Ascar’s Hundred Weapons. All those attacks rained on Conir’s body. However, Conir held his sword as he danced around like a ghost.

“You crazy son of a bitch! Go to hell!” Locke could not help but scream out curses.

Conir’s movements were truly horrifying. He looked like a ghost as he moved his joints around. It was a creepy sight to behold.

Then, something more extraordinary happened.

[The Frustration’s Sword Dance.]

[All of the players who have seen the Slayer’s dance will have their attacks nullified as they fall into frustration and breakdown.]

“…!”

“…!”

“…!”

The guild members looked on in horror. This was a skill that could nullify and cancel a huge number of attacks in an instant. They already knew that he was strong, but they did not know it was to this extent.

They gulped as they watched Conir trudging along.