Leveling Up through Eating

Chapter 1237

Chapter 1237

After settling the unconscious Jenel inside the audience hall, Minhyuk looked bewildered at the upgraded Bender and the Attention Seekers.

“I was sure that crying bird said that that guy over there stepped on you with his shoes?”

“I heard that he stabbed you with a skewer?”

“I heard that he was preparing a coup d'état?”

“I heard that he stole Minhyuk’s food and was going to eat it?”

The Mythical Bird that Cries Sadly For You looked at them incredulously, ‘When did I ever say that?’

“Hoho. It seems like we heard wrong,” Beradon chuckled dryly, his face filled with embarrassment as he recalled Jenel’s shaking figure.

‘That bird said all those things?’

Minhyuk realized how the Mythical Bird that Cries Sadly For You gathered dozens of incredible powerhouses to come and save him in the past. It seemed like the bird cried and wept, exaggerating the degree of danger Minhyuk was in.

Minhyuk glanced at the Heavenly Army.

[The Heavenly Army’s trust and loyalty to you can pierce through the sky.]

They were all looking at Minhyuk with eyes filled with trust, faith, and loyalty.

‘Perhaps this is only natural.’

The Land of the Gods would most definitely become almost invincible at the level of the people who appeared at Minhyuk’s summons. No one would be able to threaten them anymore. However, Minhyuk knew that the reality was different.

‘Isn’t this too ridiculous?’

The Land of the Gods was under the control of Athenae. If Beradon, Athenae’s master, Bender, someone who could easily cut down the gods, and the countless Pillar Candidates became Minhyuk’s Heavenly Generals, then the balance would just literally break down.

And, of course, things developed as Minhyuk expected.

[God of Origin Athenae doesn’t wish any Pillars to become Heavenly Generals.]

“Oho. ‘Thena.”

[...]

Athenae remained silent. Beradon looked up at the sky and tried to speak to her, but she remained steadfast in her decision.

[God of Origin Athenae doesn’t wish for any of the Transcendentals, Pillars, and Pillar Candidates to become Heavenly Generals.]

In fact, these people ran here after hearing from the Mythical Bird that Cries Sadly For You that Minhyuk had been ignored and was suffering(?). Most of them genuinely wanted to become Minhyuk’s Heavenly General, but as someone who had stood at the Pinnacle, they also understood the reason for Athenae’s words. РäΝỖ฿ÊS̩

Beradon sighed and eventually cleared things up. Ultimately, Ellie, the Dragon King, Argon, Loyna, Raldo, Great Demon Gremory, and the others from Earth would become Minhyuk’s Heavenly Generals.

As they went back, they excitedly talked with each other.

“Well... When I felt their gazes on me, I felt like my blood was boiling. It’s quite thrilling... and very refreshing...” Bender grinned foolishly.

“I also had a lot of fun.” Beradon agreed with him.

“I’ll make sure to get a lot of attention next time, too,” Rocado said, firmly establishing him as a member of the attention seekers.

Once everyone went back and disappeared, the selection for the Heavenly Generals finally came to a close.

***

[You have completed the Class Quest: Heavenly General Selection.]

[The God of Cooking’s Pork Innards and Intestines are the best!]

[Jenel’s loyalty has reached a very high level.]

[You have released the seal on the Battle God’s true power.]

[Inside the Land of the Gods, your stats will increase by 22%.]

[Inside the Land of the Gods, your CHA will increase by 30%.]

[You have obtained skills that can only be used in the Land of the Gods.]

[You have acquired the Passive Skill: Battle God’s Voice.]

[You have acquired the Passive Skill: Battle God’s Command.]

[You have acquired the Active Skill: Gather.]

[Some of the skills that you possess will become more outstanding.]

[The Passive Skill: Double Skill has evolved to Triple Skill.]

[All of your stats have increased by 2%.]

[The level of Food God’s Swordsmanship has increased by 1.]

[The level of all skills related to the Battle God class you possess has increased by 1.]

[However, skills recognized by the system as excellent and outstanding will not be leveled up.]

[Example: Origin Authority - God and Knight.]

[You have acquired the Battle God’s Authority: Subordinate’s Path.]

[You have acquired the Passive Skill: Immortal Monarch.]

[You have released all of the seals of the Battle God’s power.]

[Your transfer to become the Absolute God is completed. Penalty will be applied.]

[The Absolute God’s Pockets will be filled for three days.]

[All of your stats will decrease by 30%. All of your skill levels will decrease by 2.]

[Your stats and skills will determine the weight of your filled pockets.]

[Because of the added weight in your pockets, your attack and movement speed will decrease by 9%.]

[The Absolute God’s Pockets will also be applied to subordinates recognized by the system with levels exceeding God's rank.]

‘I’m pathetic,’ He thought, rebuking himself.

From a very early age, he wanted to become someone who protected the Land of the Gods. He worked hard and continued to grow until he became the Grand General.

Someone once said that Grand General Jenel was the biggest rival to the Battle God. To be fair, Jenel never intended to go against the Battle God and take over. Unlike those power-hungry people, Jenel only wanted the Land of the Gods to remain safe and peaceful. That was why he was and would always be working hard. Everything was for the sake of the Land of the Gods.

‘I ignored and disregarded him.’

It would be a lie if he said he did not do that. Deep in his heart, Jenel had looked at the new Battle God in disdain.

He was confident that someone like him, a mere human emperor on earth, would never be able to summon someone powerful enough to become his Heavenly General. At the end of it all, the Heavenly General should be a powerful man who would willingly become the Battle God’s subordinate and obey his orders. There was no way someone would be willing to do that for a mere human, no?

Somehow, everything played out differently than he expected. He dared not scrutinize and evaluate the many people who loved, cared for, and respected Minhyuk.

When he saw those people appear, only one question popped into Jenel’s mind. Why? Why were there so many strong, great, and outstanding people around a mere human?

However, there was no time for his self-reflection. He had to get up quickly and admit that he had ignored the young man.

‘Now, I’m going to...’

“You’re awake?”

Perhaps because he was still disoriented, Jenel failed to detect someone else in the room. He hurriedly tried to stand up when the voice rang in his ears.

Meanwhile, Minhyuk was standing on the other side of the room. He looked like he was getting ready to cook the pig intestines. Jenel hastily stood up and tried to show courtesy.

‘I will no longer doubt you. I recognize you as the new Battle God and will follow you forever and serve as your Grand General. And I’m very sorry for ignoring...’

“Sorry.”

“...?” Jenel was left confused when he heard the apology.

‘Why is he apologizing to me?’

“They misunderstood the situation and made a mistake. The Mythical Bird that Cries Sadly For You is an eccentric bird.”

Jenel smiled bitterly as he shook his head. “No. That's nothing.”

“The Pillars, Transcendentals, and the Pillar Candidates have all gone home,” Minhyuk explained as he looked at the intestines he was preparing. Then, he said, “You must be satisfied with the people I have summoned, right?”

“...”

“The pig innards and intestines have reached the highest grade, you see?”

Jenel did not deny anything. Beyond satisfied, he was astonished. That was why he wanted to apologize. He tried to apologize for ignoring Minhyuk and would never dare to test him again. But Minhyuk spoke faster.

“I... wanted to live.”

‘So suddenly?’

Nevertheless, Jenel listened silently to the story that Minhyuk was telling.

“So, I ate. But as I continued to eat, people began to gather around me one by one. One day, it turned into a territory. Then, it became a kingdom and finally an empire.”

Jenel continued to listen to the Battle God’s story.

“I wanted to live and survive, but I also wanted to protect them.”

Minhyuk continued his story, telling him what they were to him and how much he cared about them.

“They are the light that illuminates the darkness that surrounds me.”

When Jenel saw Minhyuk’s calm, gentle smile, he realized why so many people had gathered around him.

“I’m still young.”

The man in front of Jenel could evaluate himself objectively.

“Although I have become the Battle God, I’m still lacking. I don’t even know what to do.”

Jenel, who listened to his words, acknowledged the man before him. At the same time, a special feeling washed over him.

“Grand General Jenel, I have a favor.”

His words spoke of a favor and not of an order.

“Please help me protect the people I hold dear.”

These words became what he wanted to follow through the most in the world.

“And I will do my best to protect your world, too.”

He was the greatest existence in the world, and the most modest at the same time.

“And I also want you to do your best to protect our worlds.”

Jenel remained silent after listening to his request. He was already satisfied with Minhyuk’s performance. In fact, he was already prepared to live for his sake. He vowed that if he could serve such a fantastic Battle God, he would stand firmly before any threat. Now, he wanted to make a different vow.

“I will advise you.”

This man said that he was young. Thus, he would guide him if he ever chose the wrong path and made the wrong decision.

“I will protect you.”

He would ensure that this man would always be standing behind him and the tens of millions of troops he was leading.

Jenel slowly stepped away from the bed and knelt on one knee. Then, he said, “I will be loyal to you.”

Jenel was called the Loyal Minister Jenel. He would embody this name for this man who did not want to lose the light that illuminated the darkness around him.

“I will risk my life for you,” Jenel said passionately.

Minhyuk smiled as he looked at Jenel.

[Jenel’s satisfaction toward you has reached the highest level.]

[He is already very loyal to you.]

[You start to feel a stronger and more immense loyalty from him. It is something that no words can ever describe.]

The era of the smooth sailing and worry-free Great Monarch and Grand General was about to unfold.