Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 1165

[The AI’s control over your body will now be released.]

[The update is still in progress.]

[You are one of the players allowed to access the game during the update.]

[You are the first player on Gaia’s Continent.]

[You have gained 1,000 REP.]

[You have gained a 1% increase in CHA.]

[Those who have received the invitation to the Gaia Continent will be revived in the event of their death in the new continent.]

[You have acquired the Title: Pioneer of the New Continent.]

(Pioneer of the New Continent)

Unique Title

Requirements: The first one to step foot on the Gaia Continent.

Title Effects:

•Your physical and magical attack and defensive powers will increase by 4% when fighting against monsters from the Gaia Continent.

•Your gold and artifact drop rate will increase by 1%.

•Your EXP Acquisition Rate will increase by 1%.

‘It’s unexpectedly good?’ Minhyuk thought.

The reward that Minhyuk received from the advertisement video was quite generous.

A bitter smile flashed on his face as the AI’s control over his body was released.

‘This is definitely an advertisement above all advertisements.’

Of course, the advertisement was quite realistic. Minhyuk, the Dragon King, and the Absolute Gods had a close relationship, so they used this as an excuse to create a spectacular, stunning, and beautiful visual.

But the most surprising part was that Obren could fuse with Comrade again. Of course, there was a high chance that this was only made possible because it was a gimmick done for the advertisement video.

Advertisement videos were somewhat exaggerated. Minhyuk receiving help from the Absolute Gods was possible, but Obren fusing with Comrade again was already impossible.

Regardless, the feelings of everyone who arrived on the new continent differed. This was especially the case for the NPCs.

Emperor Cardin was looking at Minhyuk in surprise. ‘The rumors are true. He truly has a close and strong relationship with the Absolute Gods.’

Of course, he was also in awe of Minhyuk. After all, he was the one who cut down the guardian god with a single swing of his sword.

[All of your HP and MP have recovered to 100%.]

[Your skill cooldown has been reset.]

A bright light enveloped their bodies. And the NPCs? They breathed a sigh of relief when the exhaustion and fatigue dragging their bodies down were washed away.

“We must remain vigilant.”

Most of the NPCs and players gathered around Emperor Cardin. They were at the center of the advertisement video but were all quick-witted. They all knew that Minhyuk could cut through the guardian god with one swing of his sword only because his power was temporarily raised. Besides, most of the NPCs present were part of nations in alliance with the Great Luvien Empire.

Then, a notification rang in their ears.

[The Mission System is temporarily activated.]

‘Mission?’

The players heard it as a mission, while the NPCs heard it with a different name. Either way, the meaning remained the same. And this left both NPCs and players confused.

[The Mission System will be activated periodically. The rewards that you can obtain will depend on the Mission System.]

[The Exploration Team has to follow the arrow.]

[Only those who will survive the expedition can extend their visit to the continent.]

[The range where the players could explore and be active later will depend on how far the Exploration Team can advance.]

It was quite an exciting story.

‘So, this is why the update is not yet completed?’

The range where the players could operate and play in the new continent, Gaia Continent, would depend on how long and how far the players and NPCs of the Exploration Team could survive and advance. Simply put, where they could work would depend on the one with the strongest force in the Exploration Team.

‘Even if we can’t go further, no one will blame us.’

If they only reached so far in the Gaia Continent, it could be considered proof that the standards of the players and NPCs were only at such a level.

Immediately after that, another series of notifications rang.

[The Guardians of Gaia Continent have launched a surprise attack on the Exploration Team.]

[The members of the Exploration Team must keep a distance of more than five meters from each other.]

[If the members fail to maintain the required five-meter distance, the one who entered the five-meter area of another member will feel the deep pain of being cut down by a blade non-stop.]

[The closer you get to another member, the deeper and greater the pain you will feel.]

[However, this pain is nothing but an illusion.]

[Even if you feel the pain, your HP will not decrease.]

‘This system is set in place to minimize the chances of cooperation.’

In this place, the one who was superior to everybody else was Emperor Cardin. Why? The proof was all of the strong men standing around him. They were all strong people that were allied to him.

There was Pendragon, the greatest mage right after Ali, Prague, the one hailed as the Continental Sword, Duke Garonde, the Akademan Empire’s Dragon Armor, and many more. These people were all strong enough to rival the Swords of the Gods.

The truth was, this was a place where they had to compete. If all these strong men gathered around and followed Emperor Cardin, no competition would exist.

[The pain will appear in five seconds.]

Everyone present immediately jumped away and stood five meters apart.

‘Even though there are restrictions, we can arrange it so we can still be close to each other.’

Of course, the guardians were intelligent and could think of ways around this restriction. They could create a defensive line around Emperor Cardin and attack the opponents.

At that moment, Dragon Armor Duke Garonde chuckled. “Your Majesty Cardin, please don’t worry.”

Duke Garonde wore armor made of dragon bones. Though, that was not the reason why he was called Dragon Armor. It was because his body, reminiscent of an ogre, was covered with tough skin. Not only that, he also had high physical strength and stamina.

Although he was an ordinary human, his skin could regenerate just like any other named monster. He was a being among the myths for all of the tankers. He even made an achievement when he prevented the attacks of 100,000 enemies by himself during a war.

Even such a majestic hero of his empire was willing to fawn over Emperor Cardin.

“I have been cut by blades and been subjected to magical explosions hundreds of thousands of times, yet I have never backed down. As your ally, I will be your shield, Emperor Cardin.”

Cardin smiled faintly in response.

Duke Garonde deliberately narrowed the distance between him and Cardin as if to prove his words.

“Take it easy...”

“Haha. This little bit of pain is...”

Duke Garonde was confident, but the moment he entered Cardin’s five-meter radius, he immediately stifled a groan.

‘Wh-what the hell is this pain?’

Compared to the pain of being cut by an actual blade, the pain that he was feeling was burning. It was more like the pain of cutting and tearing apart by a dull knife. The worst part? The pain was not just in one area. It spread all over his body.

He tried to maintain his dignity and continued to walk, but by the time he reached the three-meter mark, he unknowingly released a groan.

“Keheok!”

The overwhelming pain that coursed through his veins made his eyes roll to the back of his head. He could only stand there covered with cold sweat, unable to move from the pain.

Great Mage Pendragon, who seemed to have taken pity on his pathetic display, fired a Magic Missile at him.

Bang–!

Duke Garonde, who was sent flying back, gasped. Now that he was free from the pain, he could finally breathe and move again.

“It–it’s not that I’m weak. It’s a pain that we can never endure. It’s like you’re being poured with hot lava...!”

“It’s alright. You don’t have to make excuses.”

Emperor Cardin was quite familiar with how powerful Duke Garonde was and how much pain he could endure.

“This shows how much they want to stop us from cooperating.”

The system was trying to stop anyone from throwing themselves in front of Emperor Cardin and protecting him.

[Please follow the arrow and move forward.]

An arrow appeared in front of them.

Just like that, the Exploration Team began their expedition.

***

[You can now check the new continent.]

The viewers were all left smacking their lips in regret when the advertisement video ended. Just then, white letters began to float on their screens, which had already turned dark.

[Exploration Team vs. Guardians of Gaia. The clash begins!]

[You can now view the live broadcast of the clash between the Exploration Team and the Guardians of Gaia on ATV Broadcasting Station’s channel!]

They immediately turned on the TV and clicked on the ATV Broadcasting Station’s channel, only to be greeted by the sight of one thousand Guardians of Gaia Continent emerging from the thickets. The guardians were all wearing shabby robes all over their bodies and rabbit masks that hid their identities.

The viewers’ eyes all grew wide when they caught sight of them.

“What the hell?! Isn’t that Locke?!”

“Heok! That’s Richard!”

The viewers were surprised because their nicknames flashed above their heads. Of course, the Exploration Team could not see those nicknames.

The guardians mainly were high-rankers in the top 1,000. Surprisingly, their physiques were different despite their familiar names. For example, Locke was originally 176 centimeters tall. Perhaps they were allowed to customize their physiques to hide their identities; his height was now 170 centimeters, and his large physique had become slender.

At this moment, all of the viewers realized something.

“This is a fight between the twenty strongest men and the top 1,000 rankers...?”

***

All the players, including those at the top 1,000 rankings, were curious about one thing. What was the gap between them and the strongest beings in Athenae?

Would they be able to win in a one-against-five battle? Or in a one-against-ten? If not that, then a one against a hundred? This was a question that they did not know the answer to. After all, no one would dare to come at the emperors of the Luvien Empire and the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

Of course, the same was true for those in the same empire. No matter their loyalty to their emperor, they were still curious. That was why most players in the top 1,000 rankings accepted the invitation.

Then, something very unexpected happened.

[Guardian Quest: Block the Exploration Team.]

Rank: SSS

Requirements: Guardian

Rewards: Your level will increase by 3.

Penalty for Failure

: Your level will decrease by 2.

Description: You have temporarily become a guardian of the Gaia Continent. As guardians, stop the Exploration Team from climbing over the Amber Cliffs.

If you kill a member of the Exploration Team, your level can increase by 2. If you eradicate the entire Exploration Team, your level will increase by 1.

The penalty was far too huge.

“This... I don’t think we can’t let anyone go?”

Many high-rankers from the Beyond the Heavens Empire also accepted the invitation and came as guardians. At first, they did not want to look for Minhyuk. But now? They couldn’t let any of them go any further.

Of course, their rewards would be substantial once they succeeded. If they failed, then all of them would experience a drop in their levels.

Everyone gathered around Absolute Monarch Richard.

“Our abilities have decreased by 10% compared to our normal powers. Keep in mind that this 10% is a huge difference. What we want to do here is to fight them for as long as possible and leave them exhausted.”

First, those specializing in defense would step forward and take the lead.

“Armored Weapon Pilot Ethan will be standing in the vanguard.”

Everyone present was in awe. Ethan was capable and skilled enough to operate a transcendental weapon. The most remarkable thing about him was that he trained and practiced his skills day after day. He could now summon eleven of the copies of the transcendent Titan with his power alone.

Of course, these titans had now changed into the form of a golem here.

“How long will you be able to hold on?”

“I will be able to last at least five minutes.”

This was the confident declaration of the tankers, which included Ethan, who would stand at their vanguard.

“In those five minutes, we will use our pinnacle skills and kill all twenty. Then, we will return to receive our rewards.”

Absolute Monarch Richard bestowed the Absolute Stigma on the twenty vanguards, and the effects of the stigma were just like those of a priest’s blessings. With this, they were at least 15% stronger and tougher than they were before.

The guardians moved swiftly. As for Ethan? His heart was thumping wildly as he ran with the twenty world-renowned tankers with their square shields at the forefront.

‘Minhyuk, thanks to your grace, I have grown and continue to grow.’

Ethan was now ranked 79th in the overall rankings. However, if the amount of damage dealt and the defensive power were considered, he could be ranked 10th overall. The only reason why he was ranked 79th was because of his level.

Ethan, who emerged from the thickets, finally caught sight of the Exploration Team. Then, eleven golems fell from the sky.

Thud, thud, thud–!

The transcendental’s weapon, which was in the form of a fire golem, landed on the center and released a roar.

“Roaaaaaaaaar!”

On the Exploration Team, Mage Alex tried to stop him by freezing him in cold air, but it was useless against the fire golem.

‘Stab me if you can.’

The defensive power of the transcendental’s weapon was beyond anyone’s imagination. It would be tough for them to deal with him.

The golems continued to advance until they reached the Exploration Team.

“...?”

Ethan was left flustered.

‘Wh-what the hell?’

The twenty members of the Exploration Team were staring at them blankly.

Bang–!

Smoke erupted, and the entire Exploration Team turned into logs. It was a clone technique.

So, where were the members of the Exploration Team? They were sitting atop the trees and finishing up the last spoonful of their meals. They looked leisurely as they waited for their ambush.

“Everyone’s Happiness...?” Ethan murmured. At this moment, he realized that it was not just the tankers at the forefront who grew stronger; the same was true for their opponents.

Then, Brod fell from the highest tree and swung his sword at the fire golem’s body. Instantly, a portion of the fire golem’s body was broken.

Bang–!

Immediately after that, Minhyuk fell while keeping a distance from Brod. And on his blade? The word Crazy was engraved.

“There’s a simple method for attacking this type of golem,” Minhyuk said, a glint in his eyes as the effects of Crazy began to explode.

Lightning strikes continued to explode all over the area. The most problematic effect of Crazy was the fact that it could leave Minhyuk’s opponent in an infinite stunned state.

The fire golem stopped in its tracks after being subjected to the infinite stunned state. Meanwhile, the other strong men had already begun dealing with the other golems.

Ethan had confidently declared before.

–I will be able to last at least five minutes.

Alas, the situation was very different now.

[The Fire Golem is destroyed.]

Rumble–!

‘It just... took fifty seconds...?!’

Ethan was left horrified.