Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 876

Minhyuk was left in shock after facing the Ego Chain Sickle and Spear God Evoque and being forced to log out at the entrance of the Argalis Dungeon.

‘Spear God Evoque is stronger than I imagined, but the bigger problem is the Ego Chain Sickle.’

The Ego Chain Sickle was not only smart enough to know how to hold Minhyuk back but also fast enough to catch up to his speed. Minhyuk felt like he was not fighting a 1:1 battle but a 1:2 battle.

Thankfully, even though he was not allowed to check Evoque’s status, anyone who entered the Argalis Dungeon was allowed to view the details about the Ego Chain Sickle. Minhyuk recalled the information he had seen earlier.

(Ego Chain Sickle)

Rank: God

Level: 678

Attack: 8,784

Defense: 8,237

Special Abilities:

•With an ego comparable to an outstanding knight, it could intercept and hinder enemies in a variety of ways.

•The Ego Chain Sickle has a 15% chance of ignoring all defenses, including Absolute Defense when attacking.

•The Ego Chain Sickle has an 11% chance of dealing double the critical damage when attacking.

•The Ego Chain Sickle can use Speed Increase and double its speed for five seconds.

•The Ego Chain Sickle carries a buff effect. All recognized allies will have a 12% increase in their powers and abilities.

Description: Evas, the God of Dungeons, created the Argalis Dungeon with the help of several other gods.

The Ego Chain Sickle was created by the God of Blacksmiths at that time using all his might and power. You can obtain it if you tear it down.

The Ego Chain Sickle was genuinely crazy. Its attack and defense were already on par, even better, with Brod. Of course, considering Brod’s overwhelming ability and skills, the chain sickle’s ego would still be no match against him. However, if he were too reckless and allowed just a single attack from the Ego Chain Sickle, then he would suffer from a critical blow.

‘The only way to break through this situation is with the help of a buff dish.’

Of course, Minhyuk had the mushrooms and herbs he had harvested from the beginning that could produce various buff effects. However, he had to think of a strategy that would allow him to deal with the Ego Chain Sickle and Evoque at the same time before everything else.

And no matter how hard he thought about it, Minhyuk could only think of using buff dishes to break through the situation. But there was one thing that he was stuck in.

‘The Ego Chain Sickle has a 15% chance of ignoring all defenses, including Absolute Defense when attacking.’

In other words, the Ego Chain Sickle could ignore the barrier of Let’s Have a Meal. Minhyuk would always become defenseless whenever he started cooking or whenever he ate, making him very vulnerable. And the solution to that was using the barrier created by the skill Let’s Have a Meal.

‘I have to deal with the two of them.’

However, just because the barrier would be ineffective did not mean that there was no way for Minhyuk at all. If he had to deal with two opponents simultaneously, their side also had to be two.

Minhyuk looked at the screen with notifications floating in the darkness and responded, “I will rechallenge it.”

***

God of Dungeons Bentley was cackling. “As expected, the Food God is nothing but a trifling god. He lost without even being able to fight properly against Evoque.”

The successor of the Food God died without even being able to fight properly nor land a single blow on Spear God Evoque. He even died from just one strike of Evoque’s skill. Of course, the Ego Chain Sickle also played a considerable role, with its 12% increase in all abilities and skills buff effect.

The first God of Dungeons, Evas, believed that any strong god could endure and beat Evoque. So, he decided to add the Ego Chain Sickle. According to the records, Evas made the Argalis Dungeon to allow the gods to challenge something.

However, that was not the case at all. Evas was a greedy god, and he had ensured that Argalis Dungeon’s difficulty was extreme to the point that no one could break it. If Argalis Dungeon could not be broken or cleared, then his name would be remembered by the gods for a very long time. But that did not mean Evas’ personality was that twisted and ugly.

‘He made it so clearing the dungeon was close to impossible. However, if one could successfully clear it, God of Dungeons Evas vowed to acknowledge this god.’

Gaining the recognition and acknowledgment of the God of Dungeons Evas meant that one would also receive the acknowledgment of the other gods. But that was not all. They would also have the chance to obtain the power he had hidden in the dungeon. What exactly was it? Even his successor, Bentley, did not know about it.

At that moment, the voice of the Battle God rang.

[The God of Reputation has finished preparing the title.]

In hopes of looking out for his descendant, the Battle God ordered the God of Reputation to create a title that he would add to the rewards that the Food God would obtain if he could successfully break through the Argalis Dungeon. And that title was completed right now. Bentley giggled as he wondered about the name of the title.

[What is the name of the title?]

[God Above God.] ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ Novᴇ(l)Fɪre .ɴᴇt

“...!”

Bentley grew furious when he heard the name. Were they thinking of giving a title with the name God Above God to a trashy insect like the Food God?!

[No god has ever broken through this place. If he can successfully overcome such a dangerous place, then this title would not be wasted.]

Bentley soon came to his senses. Anyway, that god named Minhyuk would not be able to win that title. He believed that the Battle God could speak arrogantly in support of Minhyuk because he did not know that his successor could not even endure the Ego Chain Sickle and Spear God Evoke just a few minutes ago.

[Do you approve?]

Then, the Battle God’s voice rang once again. The truth was, it would not matter if the title were created just like that. Bentley could only use it as a reward for successfully attacking the Argalis Dungeon.

[We are also currently getting the approval of the other gods.]

The words that the Battle God uttered made Bentley realize that the title was quite an unusual one.

‘It’s to the point that one would need the approval of the other gods?’ But Bentley just smirked. It would not matter even if he gave his approval here. After all, that Food God Minhyuk could not get past Spear God Evoque.

[I will come and see you in person.]

Bentley had decided that there was no point in watching over Minhyuk anymore. He thought it was better just to go where the Battle God and the other gods, who approved of the title, were and let them know how wrong the Battle God’s choice was.

***

When Minhyuk opened his eyes, he saw Spear God Evoque once again. When he turned his head, he saw that the Ego Chain Sickle was slowly pulling itself out of the wall.

“You’re going to rechallenge this place?” Evoque stared at Minhyuk, who came back and did not run away. “I thought you’d tuck your tail and run away in fear?”

He had deliberately used his Pinnacle skill to kill Minhyuk all at once. Only through that way would the god in front of Evoque realize how weak he was. And if he could recognize that, he would be forced to run away.

“It seems like you’re much better than that guy; what was his name again? Ravier?”

Minhyuk did not opt to answer the man in front of him. Ravier had never run away. He had spent a long time cooped up in his temple, cooking alone as he promised to return and show them his worth.

Clank, clank, clank, clank, clank, clank–

The Ego Chain Sickle swiftly moved, its sharp blade aiming for Minhyuk’s back.

Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang–!

Minhyuk turned around to evade the chain sickle, constantly attacking him rapidly. Before Evoque could aim for his back and stage another attack like before, Minhyuk used Like the Wind and narrowed the distance between them.

“Sword of Absolute Death.”

Baaaaaaaaaaang–!

A bolt of lightning fell and hit Evoque without fail.

“Kghk!” Evoque gritted his teeth, shock evident in his eyes when he saw the massive damage he received.

The damage that could shock and terrify a god was the result of the combination of Minhyuk’s cheat-like stats, his skills and powers that were beyond god-level, and his outstanding and mighty Sword of Aeon.

Then, hundreds of lightning bolts fell and struck everywhere around Evoque.

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang–!

Evoque, whose vision was blocked after being stuck in the middle of the rain of lightning bolts, moved to counter, offset, or evade the attacks. If all else failed, he would try to endure it with his sturdy body.

When the rain of lightning bolts disappeared, and the thick cloud of dust settled down, he turned to look at his opponent. And what did he see? He saw Minhyuk hiding inside a barrier and cooking as fast as he could.

The scorched and burnt Evoque cackled. “The Ego Chain Sickle can pierce through any defenses.”

Minhyuk was fully aware of that fact.

‘If all potions and parchments are rendered useless inside the Argalis Dungeon, then the buff effects of the dishes I have made in advance are probably also useless.’

If that were the case, then all he needed to do was cook and eat as fast as he could, and then fight. However, that plan was made impossible.

Clank, clank, clank, clank, clank–!

The sickle of the Ego Chain Sickle attacked the barrier around Minhyuk.

[The barrier has an absolute defense.]

However, it did not deter the Ego Chain Sickle. It continued to attack the barrier.

[...absolute...]

[...absolute...]

[...absolute...]

[The Ego Chain Sickle has ignored the barrier’s Absolute Defense!]

Screech–!

A scratch appeared on the surface of the barrier.

[The Let’s Have a Meal’s barrier’s durability has dropped by 1.6%!]

As if spurned by something, the Ego Chain Sickle doubled its efforts and attacked the barrier of Let’s Have a Meal non-stop.

Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang–!

Although the probability of ignoring defenses was only small, it was able to inflict several scratches from its continued efforts.

“Your barrier will collapse in two minutes.”

At the rate things were going, the Ego Chain Sickle could indeed force the barrier around Minhyuk to collapse. Yes, it was just like Evoque said.

“Did you think you’re the only one who tried to do that?”

However, Minhyuk, who was busy cooking, just sneered. Evoque was different from the other gods. He knew nothing about Minhyuk except that he was the Food God. The fact that he was the emperor of an empire, that he had the most talented people around him, that he was a player, and that he had the best and strongest weapon in his hand were all unknown to Evoque.

“Viel.”

Creak, creak, creak, creak, creak–

Viel, whose joints were slowly twisting into place, appeared right in front of Minhyuk.

Click, click, click, click, click–

In a blink, all of the joints in Viel’s body twisted into place. Then, he slowly walked toward the barrier and kicked away the Ego Chain Sickle hitting the barrier like crazy.

Baaaaaaaaang–!

The Ego Chain Sickle, pushed back a few meters by the powerful force behind Viel’s kick, hurriedly charged toward the barrier again.

Baaaaaaaaaaang–!

However, the results remained the same. After all, Viel was on par with Brod in terms of power.

Clank, clank, clank, clank, clank–!

Viel was able to skillfully deflect all of the Ego Chain Sickle’s attack despite its rapid movements. In the end, Viel, as if losing his patience, grabbed the sickle part of the flying Ego Chain Sickle. This feat was only possible because Viel’s hands were not made of flesh and were more like hard and sturdy steel.

With the sickle tightly grasped in his hands, Viel slowly walked toward the pin that stuck the Ego Chain Sickle to the walls and struck it with all his might.

Boooooooom–!

Bang, bang, bang, bang, bang, bang–!

Evoque, who saw Viel attacking the pin of the Ego Chain Sickle, moved swiftly in annoyance as he stabbed his spear at Viel’s back.

Crack, crack, crack, crack–!

Evoque’s spear went through Viel’s abdomen accompanied by the sound of something breaking apart. However, Viel just took a short glance at him. He grabbed the spear using his left hand which was not holding onto the sickle.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

He continued to slam the pin and the chains like crazy.

“This moron...!”

But no matter how hard Evoque tried to pull the spear away from Viel’s abdomen, he could not just pull it out. If it were an average person, they would not have been able to hold the spear in their hands like that. Perhaps they would have already curled up in pain. However, Viel was a puppet doll, he no longer could feel pain.

Clank! Clank! Clank! Clank!

Slaaaaaaap–!

A loud noise echoed in the area as Evoque slapped the head of Viel, who ignored his strike earlier and continued to strike the chains and the pin with reckless abandon.

“...”

However, it continued just like before.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

Evoque continued to kick, slap and punch Viel.

Craaaack!

A loud and strong slap forced Viel’s head to turn to the side. However, he twisted his head back until it returned to its original position.

Slaaaaaaam–!

A powerful blow on his sides caused Viel to stagger, but he quickly returned to his original position.

Baaaaaaaaaang–

Several punches and hits landed on the back of Viel's head, but he continued to return to his original position.

Meanwhile, Minhyuk was cooking as fast as he could.

‘Viel’s recovery rate and durability are beyond anyone’s imagination.’

It was only natural. After all, he was a god, a high-level boss, and a monster-class individual. But that was not his only redeeming point; his moves were divine. The fact that he could restrict Evoke and the Ego Chain Sickle’s movements by holding onto their weapons was worthy of praise. Minhyuk knew he would never try something like that if he were in Viel’s position.

Minhyuk glanced at Viel while his hands continued to move swiftly.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!

“Argh! Argh! Argh!” Evoke shouted in fury as he smacked Viel on his head.

And Viel? He just kept on getting hit on the back of his head.

‘...’

For a moment, Minhyuk took pity on Viel. Viel was once the most powerful man to rule over Edea. He was so strong that he could openly covet the position of the Jade Emperor, the heavens, and the skies. But now? He was continuously getting hit on the back of his head.

Booooom–!

At that moment, a notification rang in Minhyuk’s ears.

[The Ego Chain Sickle’s durability has dropped to less than 50%!]

Minhyuk knew his opportunity to stage a counterattack was just around the corner. If Viel could destroy the Ego Chain Sickle, Minhyuk could clear this gate. Then, another dull sound reverberated in the area.

Thuuuuuuuuud–!

Viel, a god who once stood at the pinnacle of the world that suddenly became a tank, suddenly tilted forward. Minhyuk thought that Viel would once again raise the sickle in his hand and swing it down, just like he had done so far. But that was not the case at all.

‘T- tears...?!’

Viel only had a small fragment of his ego left in the puppet doll. Yet Viel's eyes were growing misty. What were they if they weren’t tears?

[Viel’s Puppet Doll is feeling sad.]

[Viel doesn’t want to move.]

At the same time, Viel’s legs grew slack, firmly stepping on the chains of the Ego Chain Sickle.

Clank, clank, clank, clank–!

Finding the opportunity to escape, the Ego Chain Sickle immediately got out of Viel’s feet and wrapped itself around its opponent’s body.

‘The moment Viel breaks, this barrier will collapse too.’

Minhyuk was now in a massive crisis.