Leveling Up Through Eating

Chapter 313: The Sword and Shield’s Trial

Level: 2

Penalty for Use: -2 to all stats.

Effects:

•You can create a recipe that the opponent wants to eat. There is a possibility of taming your opponent once they eat your food. The probability of taming will increase or decrease depending on various conditions.

•Current number of available uses: 3/3

The Allurer’s Cooking skill was a skill that Minhyuk had received after feeding Riche, Kaistra’s younger brother, and completing the Food God’s class quest ‘To Have a Feast with Other People’. Minhyuk had only used this skill once before, when he tamed Baphomet Rune. After that one time, he accidentally increased its level by one. Thanks to the increase in level, the number of available uses had refreshed and even the restriction regarding monsters and beings with a 100-level gap with him had also disappeared. Minhyuk only had one reason why he never used this amazing skill.

‘Why would I even want to add more mouths to feed?’

That was right. It did not matter how strong the monsters or the troops were, Minhyuk still did not like the idea of having more mouths to feed. So, he never used it. But…

‘I may gain more mouths to feed but if the result of taming them will allow me to get that Heavenly Beef, then…’

Minhyuk would willingly take a step back just to take two steps forward! That was exactly what he wanted to do. However, Park just looked at him strangely, not knowing his thoughts. Minhyuk smiled as he watched the man leave. It did not matter if he did not know right now, they would find out soon enough.

“Since the food is ready, it’s time for us to welcome the almighty chicken.”

***

Park and the rest of the troops had no other choice but to change their evaluation of Minhyuk in their hearts.

‘Our strength and abilities really increased by 14% just because of the power of the almighty chicken…?’

‘How can this be…?’

‘From what I heard, the almighty chicken is an existence like a god. Maybe that’s the reason why our powers increased?’

All of them were in admiration after tasting the dish that Minhyuk had cooked for them. Minhyuk was even sharpening and polishing their armor and weapons, which increased their defense by 4% and their attack by 3%. But, was that all of it?

‘I feel like my swordsmanship skill has increased by a level…’

‘My archery skills too…’

Even a simple level increase in skills would be able to bring about tremendous effects in combat and would be able to help them survive better. After all, the battlefield was a place where survival or death could be determined in just a split second. Then, Park looked at the other team’s progress.

[Crusoe. Hunting the first boss monster. Expired troops: 1. Injured troops: 5. Achievement: 23%]

‘Sir Crusoe is already trying to kill the first boss…’

On the other hand…

[Minhyuk. Located in the safe zone. Expired troops: 0. Injured troops: 0. Achievement: 0%]

…they had not even started yet. This trial generally would give higher achievement to the team that could hunt the monsters faster. Just then, Minhyuk shouted, “We’re moving out!!!”

***

The troops under Crusoe were still very energetic, despite finishing the hunt and killing the first boss monster. The soldiers could not help but look at Crusoe in admiration.

‘As expected of Sir Crusoe…!’

‘Hundreds of years might have passed, but to still achieve minimal damage with only one dead and five injured…’

The troops had deep faith in Crusoe. After all, the name Sword and the Shield

was not wasted on him. Meanwhile, Crusoe was checking on Minhyuk’s progress. The trial had a system that allowed each of the teams to check in and see what the other was doing every thirty minutes.

“Eh?” A dull voice somewhat came out of the majestic and dashing Crusoe. He could not understand what he was seeing.

“What’s happening here?”

[Minhyuk. Shoveling. Expired troops: 0. Injured troops: 0. Achievement: 0%]

“Shoveling…?” Crusoe asked. He was left confused after reading that Minhyuk was doing his best to shovel.

***

Park and the other soldiers were a bit excited after hearing that they would move out. They might have been disappointed in Minhyuk the first time they saw him, but after being fed such an amazing dish, their views changed. However, after walking forward quite a bit, they saw Minhyuk suddenly take something out. The item was none other than a shovel.

Dig, dig, dig, dig―

Then, he quickly started shoveling.

“You guys should dig too!”

“Ah. Yes, yessir!”

The soldiers immediately started digging after hearing Minhyuk’s orders. This happened while Crusoe was hunting his first boss monster. However, the soldiers were shocked to see how Minhyuk worked.

‘Gasp… He just tapped his shovel on the ground, but the ground was easily dug just like that? And it’s even deep?!!!’

‘Is he the Sh…Shoveling God?!’

Whenever Minhyuk brought his shovel down, the ground would be easily dug up. It seemed like the ground was much softer wherever he struck his shovel. His shoveling skills were so good that the troops were all shocked.

“Shovel over there!”

“Yes, sir!”

The soldiers felt that what they were doing was strange, but they still followed orders well and shoveled hard. Then, Park asked, “Why are we shoveling? If we continue doing this, we will definitely lose to Sir Crusoe.”

Park knew that they would be as good as dead if they did not proceed with the trial. They did not need to fight, but Minhyuk would not be able to pass the trial. In the first place, did he even want to pass the trial? Then, Minhyuk said, “We’re going to lure them.”

“What?” Park asked, still not understanding. Meanwhile, Minhyuk was already moving on to another topic.

“Are there any soldiers who’s worked in reconnaissance here?”

“Me!”

“I did!”

“Me too!”

The soldiers that worked in that position answered one after the other.

“You guys come with me. The rest of the troops continue shoveling here.”

“Yes, sir!”

Ten quick-footed soldiers went forward and approached Minhyuk.

“We will quickly check what monsters are in the vicinity and retreat without being noticed.”

“We understand.”

Minhyuk and the soldiers moved together to scout. The first monster that they saw was…

‘Iron Armored Orc Warrior.’

The Iron Armored Orc Warrior was gigantic, with its entire body made with iron and they looked much scarier than ordinary orc warriors. Catching sight of the monster, Minhyuk immediately used his ‘Create a Recipe’ skill.

[Creating a recipe that the other party desires.]

[You can now check the recipe for raw meat.]

[The amount of buff that can be used has been decreased due to creating a recipe.]

Then, he said, “Let’s fall back before that guy notices our presence!”

“Yes!”

Just like that, Minhyuk used his ‘Create a Recipe’ skill whenever they passed by a monster. Minhyuk willingly used it after he found a very familiar plant in the area.

(Scent Flower)

Material Grade: D

Special Abilities: The smell of the food will be amplified and spread widely once sprinkled on top of any dish.

Description: The scent flower is a common flower in Athenae. You can use it to bully and harass other monsters and users by sprinkling it on top of stinky food.

The flower was abundant and common, but it was something that the users had usually neglected. However, it would be useful for his plan. The moment Minhyuk returned with the reconnaissance team, he began cooking according to the recipes that he created. His plan was something simple. After cooking, he threw the food into the deep and wide pit that they dug earlier. Then, he sprinkled a lot of scent flower on top of the food before quickly retreating with his troops. Minhyuk and his troops hid behind the bushes and waited. Then…

Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud, thud―

The ground trembled as the sounds of loud thuds of feet running got closer to where they were. More than fifty iron armored orc warriors appeared, alongside Lv450 monsters that looked like eagles which could not fly, only walking on two feet. These monsters jumped into the pit one after the other, enticed by the smell wafting from deep inside.

“Chwiiik. I’ll eat those!!!”

“Chwiiik!”

“Ppiii! No, I will!!!”

The monsters pushed each other away trying to get into the pit somehow. However, there were a few exceptions. They were one of the monsters that Minhyuk was watching out for, the Steel Owlbears! Despite smelling the enticing and tantalizing scent, the steel owlbears still did not move.

‘So, they’re the exception.’

So, what would happen after most of the iron armored orc warriors and the eagles had already jumped inside the pit? Minhyuk loved cooking and eating and he always kept tons of ingredients in his inventory. He always bought ingredients to the point that the stores would run out of ingredients once he went to shop. And, Minhyuk also always kept a lot of oil in his inventory.

“Charge forward! Throw the oil into the pit and set it on fire!!! Take care of those trying to climb over!!!”

“Yes, sir!” The soldiers answered loudly and moved quickly.

Stab!

The soldiers wielding spears skillfully stabbed the monsters that had not entered yet, while the archers shot their bows from behind.

‘I’ve definitely become stronger…’

‘My arrow’s hit rate went up by a lot!’

They clearly knew that this was because of Minhyuk’s cooking. Then, the troops threw oil into the pit…

Drip, drip, drip, drip!

…before setting fire on it.

Crackle―

“Chwiiik!”

“Heuaaack!”

The soldiers continued to stab and shoot the monsters trying to come out of the pit with their spears and arrows. Meanwhile, Minhyuk took out Diablo’s Sword and changed it into ‘Diablo’s Scythe’, altering the shape of the sword into that of a scythe with chains.

Rattle!

His scythe moved quickly. At that moment, an iron armored orc was trying to jump out with its ax after one of the soldiers, Lerode, set it on fire.

Rattle!

Stab!

[Intangible Sword.]

[Your sword strike has ignored all of the enemy’s defenses.]

Then, the scythe moving freely around flew straight towards the neck of the iron armored orc, immediately killing it in one blow. Minhyuk took care of the monsters running around and trying to attack the soldiers. However, it did not end there. He also shot arrows with the bow on his back like a godly archer.

“Wow…”

“This…this is shocking…” One of the soldiers said while the rest of the soldiers looked at him in shock.

‘We have also gotten stronger but…’

‘The Commander’s skills are jaw dropping…’

‘He appeared silently like a ghost and saved me when I was in danger!!!’

Park shuddered when he saw Minhyuk fight. He thought, ‘M…mother… Per…perhaps I will be able to see my mother again.’

Minhyuk was someone who knew how to deal with people. So, he deliberately turned to Park and asked, “Centurion, how about our men? Are there any injuries?”

“Th…there’s none so far.”

“Yeah. Just as I’ve expected.”

“...!”

His words were filled with confidence. The troops trembled at his words. Just as expected. In other words, he was certain that this would happen.

‘Sir Crusoe’s troops had one dead and five injured, but…’

‘He has excellent buffed dishes and can make tactics based on the terrain! He also has outstanding individual skills and abilities. Even his ability to handle the troops is surprising!!!’

‘And when he was cooking earlier, he did not even order us to help. He just believed that we would take the initiative and help him!!’

All of the soldiers were in awe as their bodies continued to tremble.

[The soldiers’ morale has increased dramatically.]

[The soldiers have put their trust in you and will follow you.]

[You have gained the trust of the unit hailed as the best unit in the continent, the Atlas’ ‘Death Corps’.]

[You have gained 50 CHA.]

[You have gained 100 REP.]

[You have gained 7,000,000 EXP.]

[You have leveled up.]

Minhyuk received unexpected, but welcomed, rewards. It was at this moment that Minhyuk gained the full trust of the soldiers. Then, Minhyuk said, “After hunting the steel owlbears, we will move forward and tame the boss monster!!!”

“Yes, sir!!!”

“Yes, sir!!!”

“Yes, sir!!!”

Minhyuk and his troops finally began to advance.

***

“Oh?”

Crusoe’s interest was piqued when he saw Minhyuk’s achievement jump up to a very high level from when he just saw him shoveling earlier.

‘26%.’

Despite them being the one to move out first, Minhyuk and his troops were still able to take the lead on them. This was because they did not incur any death or injuries.

‘There are no deaths or injuries among them. That’s a bit surprising, huh? But they’re a little slow.’

Their progress was definitely slow when compared to Crusoe and his troops’ progress. After all, they were already in the middle of the second stage while Minhyuk and his troops were still trying to hunt their first boss monster. Crusoe moved carefully and cautiously with his troops. They already had one dead and five injured soldiers, so they needed to move cautiously to make up for that loss! Then, Crusoe thought, ‘Hunting the first boss is not easy.’

It was the monster that made him lose one soldier and caused his men to incur injuries. The first boss monster was none other than a Twin Headed Ogre. The biggest problem in dealing with this monster was the fact that it had completely different abilities compared to the regular twin headed ogres. In fact, there were two things that made it differ from the other twin headed ogres. First, it had the skill ‘Summon Ogres’ which allowed it to summon other ogres. And, its second skill was ‘Cure’, which could help the summoned ogres and allies recover and heal their wounds rapidly just by being near the twin headed ogre. Then, at that moment…

“Huh?” Crusoe tilted his head in confusion at the strange words that appeared in front of him.

[Minhyuk. Taming the First Boss Monster. Expired troops: 0. Injured troops: 0. Achievement: 26%]

Crusoe’s eyes widened in shock after understanding the situation of his opponent.

“Gasp!!!” He let out a loud gasp at the unexpected situation that unfolded in front of him.

‘He’s taming it?!!!’

That was impossible.

‘Isn’t he a chef?!! So, why does he have the monster taming ability?’

Crusoe’s pupils shook at the thought that flashed in his head.

‘If… what if… what if he succeeds in taming the twin headed ogre?’

He was sure that something more incredulous would happen by then. The twin headed ogre’s special ability allowed it to heal its allies nearby. What would happen if this very same twin headed ogre was successfully tamed?

‘It will definitely heal the wounds and injuries that Minhyuk and his troops will incur. In other words, they will be able to move forward quickly without sustaining any damages, right?’

Something really ridiculous would definitely happen once he succeeded.