Leveling Up Through Eating

Chapter 1195

Hephaestus felt warmth when Minhyuk hugged him. It was not as if there weren’t any people who approached him like Minhyuk did. At first, he believed they truly wanted to be friends with him. As time passed, he realized that they just made it seem like they wanted to be friends so they could use and take advantage of him. But Minhyuk was different. Hephaestus could tell that his warm voice and sincere gaze were authentic.

Hephaestus asked, “Are you not going to call me a monster?”

“Of course not. I wouldn’t call someone I treat a friend a monster.”

“Then, will you stay by my side when I’m sad or having a hard time?”

“I’ll lend you a shoulder to lean on and listen to you when you’re sad or having a hard time.”

Hephaestus choked on his tears. He did not even know who the man before him was yet. Nonetheless, this man before him turned him down when Hephaestus declared he would become his dog. If Hephaestus had become this man’s dog, it would be easier to manipulate him. Somehow, Minhyuk wanted to be his friend instead.

From this point on, Hephaestus decided to abandon the comfortable path. He tightened his hold on the hammer and said, “I am Hephaestus, the God of Blacksmiths. You?”

When Hephaestus saw Minhyuk smiling faintly, he gave a small smile despite the expression of disbelief still lingering on his face.

“I will make the most outstanding and most valuable item in the world for you, my dear friend.”

[Hephaestus vows to do his best for you!]

Minhyuk shook his head. “I will repeat it. I don’t need you to do something for me.”

[Minhyuk refuses your vow!]

Minhyuk knew he could obtain much more if he had Hephaestus as his friend. Of course, he did not want to be his friend just to get these things. Besides, doing something because someone else ordered them to do it and doing it because they wanted to do it for someone were two completely different things.

Then, at that moment…

Ring!

[Sudden Quest: The Twelve Gods of Olympus, Hephaestus.]

Rank: SSS

Requirements: Hephaestus’ friend.

Rewards: Hephaestus’ trust.

Penalty for Failure: Hephaestus will remain stuck in this place forever.

Description: You want to become true friends with Hephaestus. However, Hephaestus has a deep distrust of others in his heart. Furthermore, he had long lost his confidence and self-esteem. He is no longer aware of how great he is. On top of that, he is still not one of the Twelve Gods of Olympus. Help turn him into one of the Twelve Gods of Olympus.

In the past, Hera had locked Hephaestus in this prison. Now? Hephaestus had chosen to remain in this place. Hephaestus's confidence and self-esteem had long hit rock bottom. And just like in the Greco-Roman mythology, he was unaware of how great and excellent a god he was. The fact that he was a candidate to become one of the Twelve Gods of Olympus was a testament to how great of a god he was.

“Hephaestus. Come with me. Let’s get out of this place,” Minhyuk said.

However, these words left Hephaestus afraid. When Minhyuk readily handed him the Sword of Aeon and the Transcendental’s Armor, Hephaestus truly felt his sincerity.

“I… want to be recognized by others?”

“Well, I will be happy and proud if my friend receives the recognition he deserves.”

Minhyuk’s words encouraged Hephaestus greatly. Now that he had the Sword of Aeon and the Transcendental’s Armor, Hephaestus examined the artifacts closely.

As he examined the artifacts, Hephaestus could not help but be shocked. He thought, ‘I’m thrilled this sword and armor belongs to Minhyuk.’

As a blacksmith, Hephaestus could see through the essence of the artifacts, something that others could not even see. He could even feel the hard work and effort of the person who made the Sword of Aeon and the Transcendental’s Armor.

[Hephaestus’ understanding of the weapon creation process has increased significantly.]

[Hephaestus’ understanding of the armor creation process has increased significantly.]

[Hephaestus is trying to reach the next realm right now.]

A fragrant and delicious smell tickled the nose of Hephaestus, who had been examining the Sword of Aeon and the Transcendental’s Armor closely.

Since Hephaestus was a god, he would not die even if he did not eat. He had only been drinking water all this time. Still, every once in a while, he would crave a meal. And that meal was none other than curry rice.

When Hephaestus turned around, he saw Minhyuk making curry.

“I want my friend to eat something delicious.”

“Ah. Then, I will give you the artifact with the highest rank in all of Gaia…”

“Nope. Don’t make anything like that for me. I’m just making this meal because I want you to have a warm meal.”

Hephaestus was not used to receiving things. This alone left him restless. Minhyuk smiled softly at him before focusing on making curry rice. Of course, he made the curry rice using the Create a Recipe skill. This meant that this curry rice would make Hephaestus more powerful.

The curry rice was soon completed. In front of Hephaestus, Minhyuk poured the steaming golden curry on top of the rice, along with some well-ripened kimchi and pickled radish. As if ingrained in his body, Hephaestus tried to go somewhere else.

“Let’s eat together,” Minhyuk said as he sat before Hephaestus. The awkward Hephaestus and Minhyuk started eating curry rice.

Minhyuk grabbed his spoon and began mixing the curry and rice. Then, he scooped a spoonful filled with curry, rice, carrots, potatoes, zucchini, and meat. The curry's distinct scent and flavor spread when it entered his mouth.

The smile on Minhyuk’s face grew deeper the more he chewed. Then, he scooped up another spoonful of curry rice. This time, he added some kimchi to it. The taste of curry and kimchi filled his mouth. Minhyuk finished his curry rice just like that.

Then, he looked at Hephaestus. Hephaestus was eating his curry rice with tears streaming down his face. He said, “This is the first time I have eaten such a warm meal.”

This was a dish that someone had made for Hephaestus without them wanting something in return. And it was even the best dish that Hephaestus had ever tasted in his life.

Meanwhile, Minhyuk wondered if he should just call Hephaestus ‘Weep-haestus’ because of his crying.

After eating the curry rice, a series of notifications rang in Hephaestus’ ears. At this moment, Hephaestus realized that the dish he had eaten was not just a simple one.

Minhyuk looked at him and said, “Hephaestus, you can make it.”

***

The Olympus’ Guardian Spear was one Hephaestus was trying to make to protect Olympus. He dreamt of standing proudly in front of the gods of Olympus with the Olympus’ Guardian Spear in his hands once he completed it.

It was challenging to complete. The Olympus’ Guardian Spear was the greatest in the entire history of the Gaia Continent. Even if Hephaestus was the most excellent blacksmith, completing the spear was difficult. After looking at Minhyuk’s Sword of Aeon and Transcendental’s Armor, Hephaestus finally realized how he should complete the Olympus’ Guardian Spear.

Right now, the Olympus’ Guardian Spear was at 60% completion. Hephaestus held his hammer tightly as he pondered how to create the Sword of Aeon and the Transcendental’s Armor and entered his smithy.

Not long after, he began to hammer the Olympus’ Guardian Spear.

Clang–!

Clang–!

Clang–!

At this moment, Hephaestus’ blacksmithing skills had increased by 27% thanks to the curry rice that Minhyuk made for him. Finally, the stagnant completion rate of the Olympus’ Guardian Spear, which had remained in that state because of his lack of understanding, began to rise.

[The Olympus’ Guardian Spear is 62%.]

[The Olympus’ Guardian Spear is 64%.]

Hephaestus was pleased to have made a friend named Minhyuk today.

At first, Hephaestus wanted to make the Olympus’ Guardian Spear so that he could receive everyone’s recognition. Now? It was a little bit different.

‘Minhyuk, I want to show it to you.’

Since Minhyuk wanted to be his true friend, Hephaestus tried to show him who he was and what he was like.

Clang–!

Clang–!

Clang–!

Hephaestus’ heart fell into a deep trance.

[The Greatest Blacksmith’s Yearning has been triggered.]

[The Greatest Blacksmith’s Yearning has been triggered.]

[The Greatest Blacksmith’s Yearning…]

Hephaestus fell deeper and deeper into a trance. He had never triggered the Greatest Blacksmith’s Yearning when he was making the spear before. Perhaps it was because he was not making a spear for himself but for others. Or maybe it was because Hephaestus’ heart was not really into making it since he was in a situation where he was being trampled on and belittled.

The Greatest Blacksmith’s Yearning activation further boosted Hephaestus’ blacksmithing skills.

[The Olympus’ Guardian Spear is 81%.]

Bzzt, bzzt, bzzt–!

Sparks began to appear on the white body of the Olympus’ Guardian Spear. When Hephaestus first started making this spear, he used Zeus, Olympus’ greatest god, as the reference.

[The Olympus’ Guardian Spear is 85%.]

And as the spear neared its completion…

[The Twelve Gods of Olympus are cheering Hephaestus, who is creating the most excellent spear in Olympus, on.]

When Hephaestus heard the voice in his ears, he fell into an illusion of more than ten gods watching him.

[Zeus looks at you with a smile on his face.]

[Hera gives you her recognition.]

[Hades says that you are the true God of Blacksmiths.]

Hephaestus wanted to become a god recognized by everyone, someone people looked up to, and not someone to be belittled and trampled on.

At the unexpected appearance of the gods, Hephaestus’ heart was shaken.

[The Greatest Blacksmith’s Yearning’s effects have been terminated.]

When the Greatest Blacksmith’s Yearning was terminated, Hephaestus fell into confusion.

‘What I had longed for is now happening, right? So why was the Yearning terminated?’

At that moment, Minhyuk said, “Hephaestus, do whatever you want.”

Minhyuk’s words meant that if Hephaestus chose to stay in their arms, it was okay for him to do so. These words made Hephaestus’ heart tremble. At this moment, Hephaestus realized that the smiles the Twelve Gods of Olympus’ directed at him were their desire and greed to hold this spear.

Unlike them, his dear friend Minhyuk was sincerely rooting for him. He did not have any greed for what he was making and only had the heart for him.

[Zeus wants to name you one of the Twelve Gods of Olympus!]

[The Gods of Olympus have given unanimous approval for this decision!]

Hephaestus just smiled when he heard their voices. Once again, he began to fall back into a trance.

[The Greatest Blacksmith’s Yearning has been triggered.]

This time, Hephaestus was not doing it for them—he was doing it for himself. He was no longer doing it to receive their recognition. He just wanted to stand with his dear friend, his head held high.

Clang–!

Sparks flew as Hephaestus’ hammer collided with the spear engulfed with the blazing flames.

[The Olympus’ Guardian Spear is 91%.]

[Hephaestus rejects the position of the Twelve Gods of Olympus!]

“I will no longer be trampled under your feet.”

Clang–!

“I will no longer give you the artifacts I have made.”

Clang–!

“I will no longer clamor for your recognition.”

Clang–!

[The Twelve Gods of Olympus are furious at you.]

They finally showed their true colors.

[Zeus is furious at you for refusing the favor he is showing you!]

It was not a favor. It was just his greed.

[Hera curses you for choosing to abandon your mother!]

Yet it was she who abandoned him first.

[Hades frowned at the ugliest god in the world.]

“...”

Hephaestus paused for a moment. But then…

“What are you talking about?”

“...”

Hephaestus’ eyes made contact with Minhyuk’s own.

“Right now, Hephaestus is the coolest and strongest god.”

A smile bloomed on Hephaestus’ face.

Clang–!

Clang, clang, clang!

Hephaestus, who decided to no longer care how others saw him, worked on completing the spear.

[The Olympus’ Guardian Spear is 94%.]

[The Olympus’ Guardian Spear is 95%.]

[Hera warns you.]

[If you leave without receiving the approval of the Gods of Olympus, then all of your abilities will decrease by 15%.]

Regardless, it no longer mattered to Hephaestus. At the same time, he realized one interesting fact. It was not only Hera who had locked him up in this place. It seemed like the gods of Olympus, who had appeared in droves, just pretended that they did not know what was done to him.

And because of that…

Clang–!

[The Olympus’ Guardian Spear is 99%.]

Hephaestus now knew what he had to do.

Clang–!

Hephaestus’ hammer collided one last time with the Olympus’ Guardian Spear. At the same time…

[The God of Blacksmiths Hephaestus has successfully created the most outstanding weapon in the Gaia Continent.]

[Zeus declares that he will give you one last chance.]

[Hera says you should show how filial you are and keep your obligations as her child.]

[Hades expresses his doubt about why you had to create an unnecessary weapon.]

An unnecessary weapon. Yes, that was right. It was not needed unless it was made for someone. But that was where they were wrong.

[The creator changes the name of the Olympus’ Guardian Spear.]

[The Olympus’ Guardian Spear has now been renamed the Battle God’s Guardian Spear.]

Hephaestus recalled the warm smile that the man had first shown him. Mirroring that warm and gentle smile, Hephaestus handed the spear to the same man. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

He held out the spear to his dear and only friend, Minhyuk.