Leveling Up Through Eating

Chapter 993

Special Players Management Team.

President Kang Taehoon, along with the team members, all stared at the monitor. They saw the blood dripping down Minhyuk’s head after he received Herakel’s attack in Carrack’s place.

“How’s Herakel?”

“Looking at his HP, he will probably die if Player Minhyuk began to attack him right there and then.”

“Hmm…” President Kang Taehoon groaned.

Herakel was the one closest to Rocado. However, Herakel was also the one with the most straightforward and purest soul among all the gods.

“If Herakel dies here, no player can find a clue about Rocado’s whereabouts. Then, everything will just disappear.”

Indeed, it was just as Kang Taehoon said. Only Herakel knew the way to reach Rocado. If Minhyuk killed Herakel here, then that method would disappear. And Rocado was not a god. He would soon die.

‘This is his final opportunity.’

At that moment, Lee Minhwa said, “But don’t you think it’s a bit weird?”

President Kang and Team Leader Park turned to look at Lee Minhwa with doubts on their faces.

“I’m talking about Player Minhyuk. I don’t understand why he allowed the attack to land on him.”

“...?”

“...?”

Both Taehoon and Minggyu looked like they finally realized what Minhwa was trying to say. It was true. It would have been more efficient for Player Minhyuk to attack Herakel than to allow the gigantic man to attack him. But Minhyuk willingly allowed him to land an attack on his head.

“And he even said that he would endure all eight of his attacks.”

Player Minhyuk did not need to endure eight of Herakel’s attacks. But Player Minhyuk said that he would receive the attacks himself.

The puzzled Lee Minhwa made an assumption and said, “None of the gods or the Heavenly Captains have endured more than five of Herakel’s attacks. Do you think Player Minhyuk is trying to show off his strength to the other gods by enduring more than five of Herakel’s attacks?”

The assumption sounded credible. However, none of them knew if that was the correct answer.

‘Player Minhyuk will use that method to get the recognition of the gods?’

‘But the things that he would obtain from the gods would not be too big even if he got beaten up in front of them, no? Even if it were Player Minhyuk, he would be forced to log out if he tried to endure eight of those attacks,’ President Kang Taehoon thought while he looked at the monitor.

‘I don’t know what he’s trying to do or how he would solve this situation.’

From what President Kang could see, the only outcome for Herakel was death. After all, in the Battle God had already given his judgment and had given the order to kill.

‘We have to see how things will go.’ President Kang Taehoon stared at the monitor.

***

“Ba– Battle God!”

A commotion broke out among Carrack and the rest of the soldiers of the Heavenly Army. This was because the next generation Battle God allowed Herakel’s attack to land on his head on behalf of Carrack.

Minhyuk, who appeared in the middle of the battlefield, had been watching the situation before.

“Eight times. You, endure?” Herakel gasped as he looked at Minhyuk.

The God of Magic, the God of Shields, the God of Archery, and several other gods began to appear. They immediately rushed to the battlefield after hearing that Herakel was more ferocious and vicious than they had heard and that the next generation Battle God, Minhyuk, would participate in the battle himself. However, they could not help but be confused with the scene before them.

“That’s right. I’ll endure it. There’s seven left.”

That was what Minhyuk said when he blocked Herakel’s path.

But from what the Heavenly Captains and the newly arrived gods could see, Minhyuk could easily kill Herakel with his power alone. That was why they could not understand why he said that he would willingly allow the god to attack him seven more times.

“Battle God, if we launch a full-scale attack now, then…”

“All of you, back down.”

Carrack and the other gods looked doubtfully at Minhyuk when they heard the threat in his voice.

The God of Archery, watching everything from a distance, raised his eyebrows. “Is he trying to show off his strength by enduring all of Herakel’s beatings, something that no one has ever done before?”

The God of Shields looked at the scene in interest. “That would prove it. But has he never thought of losing?”

He might be able to prove his strength, but he would also show others how he got beaten up by Herakel.

“It seems like the next generation Battle God is much more reckless than we thought.” The God of Shields clicked his tongue.

There was no way that Minhyuk could win the hearts of the gods of the Land of the Gods with that method. However, Minhyuk was firm in his decision.

“Endure eight. After enduring… hit me eight times. If you knock me down, Rocado. Me, tell you where.” Herakel grabbed his club tightly and swung at Minhyuk with all his strength.

Thud–!

A loud sound rang with one swing of Herakel’s club. Minhyuk, who received the attack, was pushed back significantly.

[Your HP has fallen below 75%.]

[The impact from the attack has left you in a daze.]

[You will feel light-headed.]

When the club hit him, Minhyuk felt like all of his bones were about to break. The worst part? The attack on his head reduced his HP by 15%.

Of course, the damage was significant because Minhyuk was hit in the head. However, the most critical factor was that this was Herakel’s “basic attack.” However, one had to know that he received the second attack while still wearing the Transcendental’s Armor, which is defensive equipment with tremendous defensive power. The portion of the Transcendental’s Armor that received the second attack was dented, broken, and hollowed out.

“Three.”

Boom!!!

Minhyuk could no longer withstand the next swing of Herakel’s club. The attack had sent him flying away.

[Your HP has fallen below 66%.]

[The bones in your right arm have been fractured. Movement will be difficult.]

“Kghhk!”

“Battle God!”

“As expected, we have to…!”

“No matter what happens, don’t move!”

Carrack tried to order the other Heavenly Captains to attack, but Minhyuk stopped them once again. Carrack, the other Heavenly Captains, and the soldiers of the Heavenly Army truly could not understand what was going on, and they were also surprised.

‘He received three hits, but he’s still standing?’

‘That’s crazy. The other Heavenly Captains all fell on the ground screaming by the third hit.’

‘And that’s not all; they had all turned dizzy while they screamed in pain.’

Was this the person who would inherit the throne of the Battle God?

The Second Heavenly Captain, who had recovered after some time and was being supported by one of the soldiers of the Heavenly Army, looked at Carrack and said, “No one will be able to handle that from the fifth hit. By then, all of the bones in his body would be broken. But that’s not the problem; gut-wrenching pain would wrap around his body. And the worst part, the eight hits that Herakel was talking about? It does not include any of his special skills and attributes.”

“Hmm…” Carrack groaned.

The Second Heavenly Captain looked at them in confusion. “But the next generation Battle God… Doesn’t he have skills that allow him to ignore skills, attacks, or any other force do any damage to him for five seconds?”

He was referring to Minhyuk’s “Absolute Defense.” If he activated that power, the conditions for it to be triggered would be met once Herakel attacked him.

‘I have no idea what he’s thinking.’

Then, Herakel’s club landed on Minhyuk’s shoulder.

“Four.”

“Kghhk!”

Minhyuk’s feet dug deeper into the ground that he was standing on. One look and anyone could tell that the bones on his shoulder were broken. Not only that, his HP has fallen below 50%.

‘Fortunately, the total volume of my HP has increased greatly after eating the Oppression’s Beef Grilling Set.’

Minhyuk received a significant boost in his stats and HP after he ate the Oppression’s Beef Grilling Set. His HP would have fallen below 35% if it hadn't been for that.

At that moment, they saw Herakel tighten his grip on his club.

‘From now on, it’s the real deal.’

Cold sweat started to drip down Minhyuk’s back.

***

Herakel was in a hurry.

‘Gaerna’s Life Elixir… Rocado… Must save…’

That was why he went out into the world for the first time in his life. Herakel just needed help. But the person who handed over a bottle to him stopped him because of his greed. It was as if that person did not care whether Rocado died or not as long as he got what he needed.

So, Herakel beat him up just like she said. Then, he ran—to save Rocado. At that moment, unknown people appeared and blocked his path. Herakel ran toward them while thinking, ‘Help. Help Rocado.’

Herakel was just running, but they shot him in the chest with an arrow. But that was only the beginning. They even sent thousands of arrows and magical attacks at him.

‘If they hit me, then… Herakel should not put up with it. Rocado said, Herakel protect myself.’

So, Herakel did not endure and fought back. He did not have much time and had to rush, yet they hurt him for no reason at all.

He knocked down everyone blocking his path and continued to run. But others appeared to block his path again. This time, powerful gods joined the fray to stop him. He told them.

Gaerna’s Life Elixir.

Rocado.

He was crying out to them to save Rocado. But no one listened to Herakel. All they did was try to kill him. Herakel knew that he did not have much time left to dilly-dally. He had to get his hands on the life elixir somehow and save him. That was why he fought with everything that he had. Herakel knew that he was lacking when it came to his brain. The only thing that he had was his sturdy body. So, he fought with this strong and sturdy body of his.

His head was throbbing from being hit by the iron mace. The arrows lodged deeply all over his body were tormenting him. He even felt like he was going to topple over from the spear that was stabbed deeply in his chest. But he had to continue forward.

‘Help… Need…’

But they continued to attack Herakel for no reason.

Then, a strange man appeared in front of Herakel. He said that he would endure all eight of Herakel’s attacks. Until this moment, no one in the entire world could endure more than five of Herakel’s attacks.

Thud–! Thud–! Thud–!

Even though the man stumbled on his feet, was sent flying back, or received a huge shock, he did not fall.

‘Go away! No time!’

But the man was able to hold on and endure his fifth hit. Herakel was shocked. But he did not have any time to think. He just held his club tightly and hit the man on the leg.

Thud–!

Herakel sighed in relief when he saw the man collapse after he hit him on the leg. But just as he was about to move forward, the man stood up again.

“There’s only two left,” the man said as he munched on the chocolate bar he pulled out from his pockets. Then, the injuries on his body began to recover.

Two more.

Herakel gritted his teeth.

Please, go away. Me, need help! Me, need someone to listen! Me, don’t want others attacking without reason!

Herakel grabbed his club with both hands. Then, he swung it at the man with all of his strength.

Boom–!

The man was sent flying back. He landed among the Heavenly Army on standby. At this moment, Herakel thought that he would finally be able to move forward again, so he gathered his strength in his legs.

“Urk. One more.” The man gasped as he stumbled and struggled to return to his feet.

By now, Herakel was utterly startled. No one has ever been able to endure seven of his attacks.

Herakel clearly remembered what she said to him. He could even remember the laughter lacing her voice.

–Herakel, what should you do if someone can endure seven of your hits?

–Herakel will hit one more time! Herakel said to hit eight times!

—No, Herakel. If they can endure seven of your hits, then that means that they are terrifying and strong. If that happens, you have to run with all your might. Understand?

–Herakel will run after hitting seven times.

Herakel turned around to run. But he stopped in his tracks. If he ran away, then what about the life elixir? Then, he wouldn’t be able to get his hands on it.

Herakel’s lips quivered. Just like she said, anyone who could endure seven of Herakel’s hits was someone who could kill him.

Scared. So scared.

He was so scared of the man killing him after he survived his final attack. But even so, Herakel could not run. If he ran, then Rocado would die. In the end, Herakel chose to remain. Despite his lips quivering from the fear, Herakel still grabbed his club tightly and hit the man with all his might.

Boom–!

The man, who threw up blood, was sent flying back by the attack.

Please, no stand. Herakel prayed desperately. But the man, who looked like all of the bones in his body had been crushed, struggled to stand up. Then, he limped toward Herakel.

Herakel felt like his legs had become jelly when he saw the man walk toward him. He knew that he was going to die now.

“Herakel hit eight times. Herakel endures eight attacks,” Herakel declared, his club falling to the ground.

Herakel just wanted someone to help him. But everyone was the same. They all tried to kill him just because he was strong and his body was tough and sturdy.

“So, is it my turn now?” The man asked as he walked up to Herakel.

***

Many gods, including the Battle God, had arrived at the field where Herakel was rampaging.

‘Why did he let the attacks hit him?’

This was because the Battle God had received an utterly ridiculous report. The report said that Minhyuk willingly allowed Herakel to hit him.

‘He’s not stupid like that, though?’

Then, the Battle God watched as Minhyuk, who looked like every bone in his body had been crushed, limped toward Herakel.

‘It seems like he truly deserves the name Mad Dog?’

From what it looked like, Herakel was genuinely crazy enough to beat the gods. However, the Battle God had already brought judgment and ordered to kill Herakel. It seemed like Herakel finally realized this fact, as proven by his quivering lips.

“So, is it my turn now?”

The Battle God could not understand what Minhyuk was trying to do here as he watched the man walk toward Herakel.

Then, Minhyuk finally reached Herakel. He looked up at the two-meter-tall man, and just when the muscular god felt like it was finally his time to die… he hugged Herakel.

“...?!”

The Battle God’s eyes grew wide from the shocking turn of events. Even the other gods and all of the members of the Heavenly Army were all in shock.

But something far more surprising happened. Herakel, who had been running around like a mad dog, fell and began crying and wailing, just like a child voicing his grievances.

“Me, scared! Herakel just wanted help. But… they attacked Herakel. No reason! They attacked Herakel! They said they kill me if Herakel didn’t tell them. Rocado, where!”

Minhyuk gently hugged and shook Herakel, who was crying. He even patted him on the back to console him. And with a very warm and gentle voice, he said, “Let’s do it one by one, okay? Can you tell me what’s going on first?”