NOVEL NEXT
Chapter 903
Special Players Management Team.
Team Leader Park Minggyu and Lee Minhwa looked at the monitor with grave expressions.
“Player Minhyuk was the one that obtained the Sun’s Salt.”
And just like they expected, Minhyuk would eat the Sun’s Salt. At this point, they no longer found it surprising that Minhyuk was willing to eat an item that could fetch 300,000 platinum, easily allowing someone to eat and play for the rest of their lives.
However, upon closer inspection, Minhyuk was the heir of the Ilhwa Group. It was not only that. The wealth that he had accumulated in Athenae was more than enough to catapult him into the top 20 of Korea’s business rankings. Furthermore, Minhyuk played Athenae for eating and treating his eating addiction. Something worth 300,000 platinum would not be able to shake this desire.
Ordinary players that obtained the Sun’s Salt would most likely suspect an easter egg or a hidden quest would be hidden in the item.
‘However, even if they suspected something hidden in it, they would still choose to sell the Sun’s Salt decisively.’
The reason was simple. Few could resist the allure of 300,000 platinum. It was too much of a reward for them to gamble on something they only suspected.
“This is a problem,” Team Leader Park said, with Lee Minhwa nodding.
“Yeah. This is a huge problem...” Lee Minhwa rubbed her chin in thought, a serious expression still plastered as she continued, “The beef will taste good if you dip it in the Sun’s Salt... this is truly a problem.”
‘Huh? Something is weird.’
Team Leader Park turned to look at Lee Minhwa, who was looking back at him with a puzzled expression on her face.
“???”
“???”
‘I see. She has completely been Minhyuk-ified.’
That was right. Lee Minhwa had completely become Minhyuk-ified. However, she would still pay attention to her job.
Team Leader Park asked, “What would happen if you eat the Salt’s Sun?”
Employee Lee Minhwa straightened up and answered, “You will probably be able to find the traces of the transcendentals.” Her eyes grew wider as she opened her mouth again and said with some hesitation, “And... it would taste very, very delicious.”
“...”
Team Leader Park could only sigh as he looked at the two “Food Gods” before him.
***
“A red salt?” Erwell mumbled, looking confused at the salt the man placed before his plate. The salt’s color looked quite intense like it contained the flames of the blazing sun.
“I specifically brought this here to eat beef. Fufu.”
Erwell turned to look at the sirloin placed on the heated grill.
Sizzle–
When the young man flipped it again, a loud sizzle rang as steam rose again. Erwell could not help but look at the young man in confusion as the young man smiled happily while grilling the meat that the bard had cut smaller to make it easier to eat.
‘What the hell? Why do I feel like I want to eat it?’
That was right. Erwell craved the beef when he looked at the young man before him. Why was this the case? Wasn’t he the owner of this beef restaurant?! He had long grown sick from the smell of meat! Erwell shook his head and focused his attention on the man.
The young man picked up a thick piece of sirloin. The outside was grilled perfectly, while the inside was still filled with juices and a bit of blood.
‘Yes. Beef doesn’t taste good if cooked fully.’
The young man did not dip the beef in any seasoning and just put it plainly in his mouth. The juices instantly burst and coated his mouth as he gently chewed the meat.
“Kghhk! Amazing! This is unbelievable!”
Erwell felt like he was going crazy when he saw the man gulp down the meat in his mouth. He wanted to eat the meat that the man was eating, too! A smile flashed on his face as saliva started to pool in his mouth.
This time, the man dipped the thick slice of beef sirloin in the red salt, some of the salt dissolving and seeping deep into the thick portion of beef. Then, the young man pushed the slice into his mouth.
Chew, chew–
The taste of the salt balanced out the greasy aftertaste of the meat, his mouth chewing faster as he finished eating the sirloin right away. The young man continued to grill the beef under Erwell’s dazzled gaze. He grilled the flat iron steak and the ribs right away.
Sizzle–
The flat iron steak turned golden brown. When the young man put it in his mouth, its savory flavor exploded as he took a bite of the chewy meat. Then, the young man placed a piece of lettuce on the palm of his hands, placing two pieces of flat iron steak, garlic dipped in ssamjang, and some Cheongyang red pepper on top of it.
“...S- scallions! Add some seasoned scallions, too!”
“Of course.”
The young man gently added some scallions covered in red pepper powder and sesame oil when he heard Erwell’s passionate cries. Then, he wrapped everything up and put it in his mouth. Erwell could already imagine the fantastic combination of flavors that would explode in one’s mouth from the combination of ingredients!
This time, the young man spread some wild garlic on his palms and placed two pieces of ribs on top of it. After placing a small dollop of wasabi, he rolled the wild garlic and put everything in his mouth. The slight sweetness of the wild garlic, the intense spiciness of the wasabi, and the savory juices of the meat met and created a beautiful harmony of flavors!
“...”
Slurp–
Erwell unknowingly started to wipe away the drool dripping down his chin.
Then, the young man turned and grabbed a thick piece of chuck flap tail, which he gently placed down on the grill.
Sizzle–
Chuck flap tail had a soft texture, making it a favorite for grilling. After cooking the slice, the young man cut it into smaller pieces, grabbed one, and dipped it in the red salt.
“Wow. This salt is really amazing!” The young man shouted in awe as he scooped a huge spoonful of white rice and put it in his mouth.
After that, he began to eat and sip the spicy soup of the doenjangjjigae, his spoon scooping out the various ingredients inside, like the tofu and zucchini that garnished it. Then, he quickly grabbed his rice bowl and began mixing it with the doenjangjjigae.
‘He really knows how to eat.’ Erwell admired the young man.
The young man scooped a huge mouthful of the mixed doenjangjjigae and white rice and pushed it into his mouth. Erwell watched as the eyes of the young man grew the size of saucers when he finished his meal. He looked at the young man in confusion and thought, ‘What’s the matter with him?’
Erwell looked at the man for a moment. However, he knew that it was time for the man to go. He had to let the man leave right away.
‘If they’re quick, they might arrive here by tomorrow.’
Erwell would have to greet them by himself. Of course, it was still uncertain if they would come for him. Bards would sing whatever they felt or heard. They were free to sing whatever songs they wanted, and it would usually be hard for nations to take away that right from them. However, after hearing what the Luvien Empire had done so far, Erwell expected they would come for him soon.
Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud–
Then, at that moment, several footsteps rang from outside the restaurant.
‘They’re truly acting within expectations.’ Erwell smiled bitterly. Then, he hurriedly said to the young man in front of him, “Go to the kitchen; there’s a backdoor there.”
However, there were still some things that went beyond Erwell’s expectations. He expected them to come for him tomorrow. But now that they were here, he assumed Nerva sent them here when he learned he sang for the Beyond the Heavens Empire. After all, this was quite far from the Luvien Empire.
Even so, nothing would change. Erwell was already prepared to die and no longer held fear for whatever was coming his way.
Baaaaaaaang–!
“Sinner Erwell! Get on your knees and surrender!”
Knights carrying the symbol of the Luvien Empire broke down the doors of Erwell’s restaurant and stormed inside. Erwell glanced at the young man sitting at the table not too far away from him.
‘No matter how much of a bastard the dogs of the Luvien Empire are, they wouldn’t kill someone that is not involved, right?’
Erwell smiled bitterly. “I’m glad that I was able to bring happiness to my last customer.”
He slowly stepped forward.
“Sinner Erwell. You are charged with the sin of singing a song that tarnished the name of the Great Luvien Empire!”
“Get out.”
Erwell had already let go of everything. After all, he was now just a weaker version of himself, plagued by an illness that was slowly killing him. Whether he died at their hands or because of his illness, it would still be death all the same.
No. If he died under the hands of these knights, then the Luvien Empire would be condemned by the masses. Erwell knew that his songs had already reached the ears of many people. This knowledge was more than enough for him.
However, the Luvien Empire exceeded Erwell’s low views of them. They were complete and absolute scum.
“His Majesty Nerva has ordered us to punish and kill Sinner Erwell and his family!”
“...?!!”
Erwell felt like he had been hit on the head. Executing the criminal and his family was a punishment that was given only to the traitors of the nation. However, Erwell did not belong to the Luvien Empire at all.
Sebastian, the commander of the Sixteenth Knight Order that convicted Erwell, laughed deeply. “This is the greatest punishment for an old man with little time to live. You should be grateful and humbly accept it.”
Erwell had a son who hoped to become a part of the royal knights and worked hard until he became one. He saw his son tied tightly by a rope behind the laughing Sebastian.
“Why? Whyyyyy?!!!!”
His fury reached the skies. He could tell that the Luvien Empire demanded this kingdom’s cooperation, and this kingdom willingly handed over his son. Hatred rose in Erwell when he realized this kingdom could not protect a single knight. There was also resentment toward the Luvien Empire for doing tyrannical acts and crossing all the bottom lines they should never have crossed.
“Father...”
Erwell’s child was only twenty years old. The child worked harder than anybody else and finally became a knight at a young age. Even though he would be the reason for this child’s death, his son said, “Father. I am very proud of you.”
“...Evan. Evaaaaaaaan!!!”
Sebastian felt like it was a pity, especially when he saw Evan telling his father that he was proud of him, knowing his father would be the cause of his death.
“Like father, like son. Both are rotten to the core.” Sebastian snickered.
“Keheok!” Erwell gasped, his breathing turning ragged. His body was already in a terrible condition. It could not bear any more agitation, which he had just been subjected to.
“Urk!” Bright red blood dripped down Erwell’s chin. He could hear the voice of the knight named Sebastian ringing above him as he fell to his knees.
“In the name of the Great Luvien Empire, allow me to tell you this. Sinner Erwell, you should never forget this, even if you die. Your sin killed your son. You are the reason for his death.”
“Stop...!” Erwell clutched his chest, crawling forward with his hand stretched out as they forced his son, Evan, to kneel on the ground. He watched as the knight’s cold blade hung over his beloved son’s neck.
If not for his limited time, the Luvien Empire would also go to recruit Erwell. They coveted his talents. That was how amazing Erwell was.
“Go on, let us hear you praise the Beyond the Heavens Empire, old man.”
However, this was where Sebastian was wrong. Erwell did not praise the Beyond the Heavens Empire. He praised their bravery.
The sword aiming for Evan’s neck slowly rose in the air. Erwell, with his dying voice, rasped, “Please... please. Someone- anyone... please...!”
At that moment, a warm hand held Erwell’s outstretched one. With a gentle smile, the man looked at Erwell and said, “This is the payment for the beef you gave me.”
Minhyuk knew that Erwell did not praise the Beyond the Heavens Empire. Perhaps Erwell sang that song because he was just trying to give hope to those tired and in pain from the Luvien Empire’s persecution. Or perhaps because he wanted to enlighten those blinded by their greed and self-interest, they could not see the truth behind his songs.
Minhyuk came here precisely because he expected that this would happen. Also, he wanted to show his gratitude to the man even if the song he sang was not for the sake of the Beyond the Heavens Empire.
“Please...!” Erwell cried, his voice hoarse as he grasped the hands of his last customer.
Roll–
A head then fell and rolled away.
“...”
Erwell’s eyes grew wide. The head that was on the floor, the neck that was spurting blood, the body that collapsed on the ground; it was not Evan. Instead, it was the knight who raised the sword on his son.
“You guys... you just act like I expected, huh?”
It seemed like this was done by the young man who smiled gently at Erwell. The same young man ate the beef he served with a pure and bright smile.
Sebastian led a total of thirty knights. Only after recalling this fact did Erwell come back to his senses. He knew that Evan and this young man had to run away. However, the young man’s appearance slowly changed as he took one step forward after another.
“Grandpa, I will remain the same as I am today.”
“...”
A bright light engulfed the young man’s body as he walked forward. One glance and Erwell could tell that the young man had grown taller. With the light slowly disappearing, the young man turned to Erwell and said, “Whatever Luvien tries to take away and plunder, I will stand there to stop them and protect them. Like the song you sang, I will bet everything on the line, Grandpa.”
Erwell could not take his eyes off of the man. When the light finally completely disappeared, he saw a white cape carrying the symbol of a fork and knife crossed together, fluttering behind the handsome young man holding a sword. Erwell had heard a lot about what the man looked like. He knew that the man before him was none other than the Beyond the Heavens’ emperor, Minhyuk.
“Why- why is the emperor here..?!” Sebastian shouted in a fluster. However, he could no longer finish his sentence, as his head was already flying away. Did the emperor who ruled the empire come here personally to save a trivial old man?! Who would believe that?!
Erwell, staring at Minhyuk, murmured, “Perhaps it’s because he cherishes every single life that he encounters.”
A faint smile appeared on Erwell’s face. When he sang the song praising the bravery and courage of the Beyond the Heavens’ emperor, he hoped he was a good man.
“An emperor that cares and cherishes even the life of a lone and ordinary man must be a good man.”
Shwaaaaaaa–!
Stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab–!
The heads of the Luvien Imperial Army knights fell one after the other. Erwell, who watched the emperor’s back, suddenly received enlightenment.
The last light of a setting sun. This phenomenon was when the sky would turn bright just before the sunset.
Erwell could tell, ‘I will die in less than an hour.’
However, before his death, he wanted to make his final artwork. His masterpiece. Erwell was the greatest bard of the continent. Although he did not become a god, he received the love and care of many.
Erwell stretched his wrinkled hand in the air, a music sheet accompanied by notes appearing above him. He stared at the sheet and notes and slowly waved his hand. And just like a conductor leading his orchestra, the notes followed the movements of his arms and slowly filled the music sheet until it created a score.
At the same time, notifications rang in Minhyuk’s ears.
[Erwell, the Greatest Bard of the current era, has begun writing and composing the Beyond the Heavens Empire’s National Anthem!]
[Erwell, nearing his death, is showing extreme concentration!]
[Erwell was ‘inspired’ by the Beyond the Heavens’ Emperor’s love and care for everyone he encounters!]
[Erwell thinks of you and your Beyond the Heavens Empire. His speed of composing the national anthem increases significantly!]
[The God of Bards has bestowed Erwell more power to allow him to finish this score at his final moment!]
[Erwell, with his final burst of talent, created a beautiful melody that shocked even the God of Bards!]
[Erwell...!]
[Erwell...!]
[Erwell...!]
[Erwell...!]
The beautiful melody slowly escaped Erwell’s lips as he hummed while he continued to compose his music. The God of Bards, listening to the old man’s final burst of talent, turned Erwell’s hums into a beautiful performance performed by musical instruments and relayed it to Minhyuk’s ears.
“...”
Thump–
Minhyuk stopped in his tracks.
Meanwhile, Erwell smiled happily as he drew the final note of his score.
[Bard Erwell has created a ‘masterpiece’ that exceeded his limits!]