Gourmet Gaming

Chapter 1159

‘There are around tens of thousands of high-leveled players.’

There were more than ten million high-level players at Level 610 worldwide. Considering that the level of the NPCs was also growing rapidly, the players were at least skilled enough to be on par with the imperial knights.

‘I wish I had applied the ability before the guards had their arms broken.’

Reports in the Beyond the Heavens Empire tended to be transmitted very quickly. Hanson and Logan immediately sent the falcon the moment their arms got broken. The first report was then submitted to the players and immediately reported to Minhyuk through the guild chat. When Minhyuk received the report, he immediately applied the Territory Reinforcement 3rd Stage.

But the effects of the skill did not end there.

[86,678 people have applied for migration to the Beyond the Heavens Empire.]

Back then, a huge number of viewers were watching BJ Kondo’s broadcast. They were shocked to see the Beyond the Heavens Empire protect its people and soldiers even if it did not have any more troops stationed in its territory.

The notification for migration applications rang constantly. If it were usual, Minhyuk would have put it on hold. The Beyond the Heavens Empire was already saturated, meaning they could no longer receive more players. Every restaurant in the Beyond the Heavens Empire’s capital had a one-hour waiting line. But now? They no longer had to hesitate.

[You have accepted all of the migration applications.]

This was all because the empire had Territory Reinforcement, an ability that allowed them to complete a territory in just an hour, even at Stage 1.

(Territory Reinforcement Final Stage)

Rank: Absolute God

Special Abilities:

•You can apply the Territory Reinforcement to fifty territories.

•It can turn any barren land into fertile land. The land will always be covered by sunlight, and the best season for growing grains and crops will always be maintained in each territory.

•The vitality of all people living within these territories will increase by 8%.

•Crops, including grains, will not only grow 1.3x faster but also taste better than ordinary crops.

•Territory Reinforcement can complete the buildings in less than an hour based on the designs you want immediately.

•However, the completed buildings and architecture will be very ordinary.

•The finished building would require an amount that is 1.5x its original value. The building will compute this.

•Territories where Territory Reinforcement has been applied will have ‘Bharal’s Various Weapons.’ Bharal’s Various Weapons can annihilate anyone recognized as the enemy.

•When the power of Bharal’s Various Weapons is completely consumed, it will take quite a long time to load.

•The loading time is the same for all territories.

•If one territory triggers the loading, the other territories cannot use Bharal’s Various Weapons.

Description: This is the final stage of Territory Reinforcement.

It was a shocking force. Various weapons would protect the territories of the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

‘Although it’s a pity that the loading period is shared throughout all territories.’

Without loading time, all fifty territories could continuously defend themselves. This would make those territories literal iron fortresses.

But even though the system had placed clear restrictions on it, it was apparent that this power was beneficial for the Beyond the Heavens Empire when it came to pioneering barren wastelands. After all, not only could it make the lands fertile, but it could also defend against the monsters in the vicinity.

But, of course, Minhyuk had run into a problem.

[The Beyond the Heavens Empire’s debt has reached 39,903,013 platinum.]

“...”

Minhyuk was speechless.

According to the description of the Territory Reinforcement, he would need 1.5x the original value of the buildings he intended to build. In other words, the cost of materials increased in lieu of the removal of labor costs. Nevertheless, it could still be considered to be pretty good. After all, an entire building would be built. The problem was that a considerable amount of money was taken out simultaneously.

Minhyuk was shocked to hear that his people were in danger and had recklessly applied the 3rd Stage of the Territory Reinforcement without considering how much it would cost him.

‘I’m dead.’

He could use the empire as collateral for the debt. Of course, since he had a debt, that meant he had to pay interest.

–Interest is a disgusting ploy of the wicked!

Minhyuk recalled how furious Haze was when she said those words. Of course, this debt would be paid once the migrants had moved. It wouldn’t take a year and even give them some profits. But Haze would not let Minhyuk acquire such a huge debt.

Minhyuk, currently resting in the house provided by Gardin, stood up with a sigh. He opened the door to go out and meet Gardin. That was when he saw an incredibly long line waiting for him.

The first one on the line was the girl, who knelt and called Minhyuk ‘benefactor’ first. She said, “Benefactor, this is a treasure handed down in my family for generations. Please accept this, benefactor.”

“???”

[You have acquired a Rustic But Shiny Ruby Necklace.]

Then, the next in line stepped up and said, “This is the sword that I made in hopes of using it to punish the king one day with my own hands.”

[You have acquired the Black Sword Filled with Resentment.]

Minhyuk then saw someone offer him a tasteless tree root. Minhyuk hated tasteless things like herbal medicine the most!

“This is good for your vigor, Benefactor.”

Wink~

One by one, they offered something to Minhyuk. And Minhyuk? Of course, he hid them away first. At this moment, he realized that the title of Happiest Country’s Savior was much more valuable than he thought. There were even several nobles and capable knights in the line.

“But I didn\'t do it because I want you to do something like this for me...”

Swoosh, swoosh–

“I’m telling the truth.”

Swoosh, swoosh–

“This is an ore that only exists here in the Happiest Country.”

“Eyyy! This guy~”

Swoosh, swoosh–

Minhyuk’s words were completely different from his actions. Some of them even gave him gold.

“Oho! You’re really making a big deal out of this!” Minhyuk gave a thumbs up to the noble who sneaked the money into his pocket.

Once in a while, people would think along these lines: ‘If each of the 60 million Koreans gave me 100 won, then I will get 6 billion won. I hope everyone gives me 100 won each.’

And right now, almost all of the citizens of the Happiest Country were lined up in front of Minhyuk. Even the big-shot nobles were sneaking hundreds of platinum into his pockets.

“I’m sorry, I can only give you this much. It’s because the Happiest Country has not yet found complete stability. When you visit us next time, I’ll take good care of you!”

“Hyung-nim!”

“H- hahahaha! Did you say hyung-nim? I’m thrilled to be seen as our benefactor’s big brother!”

On this day, Minhyuk had gained countless hyungs and noonas.

***

The air in the Beyond the Heavens Empire’s executive meeting room was very heavy.

Prime Minister Haze, sitting at the center, sighed as she stared at their debt. It was a debt of almost 40 million platinum. Of course, Haze knew that they had to spend this money one day, too.

But in the case of this debt, which had the empire as collateral, they would be in big trouble if they failed to pay the money back in time. What was the problem? The interest rate would increase to 20%!

It would just be a matter of time for the Beyond the Heavens Empire to raise 40 million platinum, but they could still repay it.

After the territories were completed, the people would migrate, and they would become new tourist destinations. Once that happened, they could generate a lot of profits. But the problem was right now.

“We’re in trouble. We have no money in the empire.”

Haze did a great job when she bought ten territories with just a million platinum in hand.

They had also purchased various things in bulk when migrants flocked to the Beyond the Heavens Empire after Minhyul’s Ingredient Creator skill was triggered. Why? Because it was cheap. But they could only recover the money they had spent on it in six months. Of course, this investment would yield five times the profits in two years.

But what would they do now? They were in a situation where they had no money in the empire.

“Lady Haze, we didn’t have any choice, right? His Majesty had heard that our people were in danger. And we all know that our troops stationed in that territory will be unable to stop them,” Commander Brod explained.

Nonetheless, Haze was the most rational, objective, cold, and calculative person in this room. After all, an empire would not be able to operate properly if all of them were angels. If they all acted like angels, then their empire would become a pushover, and they would quickly become beggars.

Haze was the God of Devotion. She was completely devoted to the empire and would do anything to protect it, even if it meant that she would be criticized for it.

“I understand what you’re saying. Of course, my heart would also break if our innocent citizens had been sacrificed. But if you calculate everything, you will realize it was not the right choice.”

“Then...”

However, Haze had already spoken over Brod.

“Would the other empires make the same choice?”

“...”

“...”

“How about the Great Luvien Empire?”

Everyone flinched at her words. Once their heads cooled down and they looked at the situation objectively, the answer easily came to them. Any empire, even small remote kingdoms, would not make that choice. Each nation would always lean to the side where they would gain more profits. They would even willingly sacrifice these small things to obtain something more significant.

“Furthermore, Sir Brod was in the vicinity of the territory. But when His Majesty Minhyuk heard the report, he immediately triggered his new power. Which, of course, led us to this debt. Just thinking about the number of years that it will take us to repay it and the interest that we will accrue, we will have to spend an additional eight million platinum just for this.”

Of course, Haze was not criticizing the fact that Minhyuk used it for the people.

“I understand that His Majesty cared for the people. He must have been in a hurry when he heard the report, so he immediately triggered his skill. He did it so none of the people would be hurt.”

But there was one crucial thing to consider here.

“Our Beyond the Heavens Empire earns a lot of money. But do you know why we don’t have any money left?”

That was right. It was something that everyone was confused about. Where did all the money go?

“There is no hungry person in our Beyond the Heavens Empire.”

At that moment, everyone realized the reason.

Usually, people starved to death in every kingdom or empire, especially those living on the outskirts of their territory. This was normal. After all, Athenae was modeled after the Middle Ages. But there was no one like that in the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

But now that they had a debt, they had to tighten their belts.

“Now... we might have starving people soon.”

As prime minister, Haze always considered both sides of the coin. Her words forced everyone here to accept reality.

“Millions of people could suffer just because we wanted to save a little over a thousand people.”

Locke, who understood completely what she meant, nodded. He was usually immature, but this time, he was different.

“Alright. I’ll tell him his choice this time was not good. That’s what you want to say, right? Haze? You want him to at least go through the process after reading the report, no?”

“No, not at all. Let me be the one to tell...”

“No. I’ll tell him off.”

Locke was going to scold Minhyuk properly. Before they were citizens of the Beyond the Heavens Empire, they were Minhyuk’s friends. Wasn’t it only right for a long-time friend to point out his shortcomings?

“A person cannot be perfect in everything. This will be an opportunity for Minhyuk to grow even further.”

“O-oooh...”

“Sir Locke, you’re so cool.”

Everyone looked at Locke in awe after he made such a line that it would be fit for a famous saying.

Knock, knock–

Minhyuk came inside. When he entered, Locke looked at him angrily and shouted, “Minhyuk, you punk!”

“...?”

“Regardless of the situation, you should have consulted with Haze first, huh?! Ah?! Huh?!”

The air in the room was very heavy and solemn. When he heard those words, Minhyuk realized what they were talking about. Of course, he also sincerely reflected on himself.

“I know that what I did was wrong. Just to save hundreds of people, I acted impulsively and did something that could cause a huge amount of damage to millions of people. I’m sorry, Locke. As the Beyond the Heavens Empire emperor, and your friend, I’m ashamed.”

Locke softened down with a grunt. Minhyuk looked so remorseful that everyone present wondered if what Locke said was too much. But just as he said, no one was perfect. And with this, Minhyuk would be able to grow even further.

“Fortunately, I got a lot of money this time.” Minhyuk continued.

Immediately after that...

[The Beyond the Heavens Empire’s debt has been paid off.]

[You have paid within the deadline. No interest has been gained.]

“...?”

“...?”

“...?”

[The Beyond the Heavens Empire has a total fund of 86,655,000 platinum.]

[The empire has secured 4 God-rank artifacts.]

[The empire has secured 496 Legendary-rank artifacts.]

[...secured...]

[...secured...]

As the notifications rang non-stop in their ears, Minhyuk, with a sad and remorseful look, said, “Nevertheless, I’m very grateful. I’ll keep myself in check and report first before doing something. I’m truly sorry.”

Minhyuk even bowed deeply at them.

“...”

“...”

“...”

Haze looked at Minhyuk in a daze. She had seen that the Beyond the Heavens Empire still had more than 80 million platinum after paying off its debts.

Then, Minhyuk looked up at them with a very sad look and said, “I know that I’m lacking, but thank you for trusting me and following me...”

“No! Your Majesty, you did very well!”

It was a quick and complete change in attitude!

Brod said, “You made an excellent choice!”

Ben laughed, “Hoho. As expected of you, Your Majesty. You have already considered everything.”

Elpis said, “Your Majesty... so cool...”

Locke blinked blankly at the sudden turn of events.

‘Wait. This is... Did I become the only bad guy here?’

While everyone said it was fine, Minhyuk looked at the restless Locke and said, “I’ll work even harder... Please watch over me. I’ll ensure not to disappoint you as your emperor.”

Locke looked at the people around him. Everyone was looking at Minhyuk with hearts and even saying things like, ‘Hehe, Your Majesty is the best!’ and ‘As expected of you, Your Majesty!’

‘I’m the bad guy...’

Locke sighed. “I want to be alone. All of you, get out.”

“Sir Locke, you will be alone if you go out.”

“...”

Locke went outside to be alone.