Chapter 1401: Side Story 10
Chapter 1401 - Side Story 10
Had there never been a patient who suffered from eating addiction in the past? That was not true. They existed. Eating addiction had existed for a very long time. However, it was called by a different name back then. Regardless, Minhyuk was the only patient in the world who had been completely cured of eating addiction. And as a patient finally free from this disease, there was only one thing that Minhyuk wanted in this world.
‘I wish for Philos to be cured.’
Philos was still young. Minhyuk did not want her to suffer through such a painful and harsh adolescence like he did. The sooner Philos got cured, the better.
It was not just Minhyuk. More people wished for Philos’s cure than anyone could expect. Among them were Joy Co. Ltd. and the World Rare Disease Research Institute.
Joy Co. Ltd. did it to advertise that Athenae could be a ray of hope for patients suffering from rare diseases. The World Rare Disease Research Institute aimed to give hope to patients suffering from rare diseases, believing that they would eventually find ways to heal and cure them. With these plans in mind, the two initiated a collaboration project. They found ways to work together to try to cure the second patient of eating addiction in the world.
‘The total and complete cure of eating addiction.’
They wanted to announce to the world that even if someone, for some reason, suddenly contracted eating addiction, then they could be treated with the help of Athenae. To that end, Minhyuk, Joy Co., Ltd., and the World Rare Disease Research Institute collaborated.
How was the process like? Joy Co. Ltd. had provided a special capsule with a connection that could monitor Philos’ emotional changes and her craving for food. Once they gathered the data, they would then send the information to the World Rare Disease Research Institute.
The World Rare Disease Research Institute, on the other hand, would ask Philos to fill out a questionnaire every day before she logged out.
As for Philos’ guardians, Minhyuk and Minhoo, they were in charge of leading Philos and guiding her on the right path.
“Philos…”
It had been a while since Philos decided to run away from home. However, she had never once shown any signs or intention of coming back.
Swoosh!
At that moment, Philos stepped out of the capsule. However, Philos just took a moment to drink some water before quickly re-entering the capsule.
“Our dear Philos… where are you…”
“You just saw her,” Kevin answered, a wry smile on his face. He was one of the researchers in the Rare Disease Institute who had monitored Minhyuk until his full recovery.
“But she’s not by my side.”
The two smiled bitterly at each other. Then, they finally got to the point.
“I have reviewed all of your data between you, Minhyuk, and Miss Philos. This is what I have concluded from all of that data.”
Now, it was much easier for Kevin to analyze and compile data and results. According to the data that Joy Co. Ltd. had sent over…
“There’s one thing that I found in common, which I believe is the reason why we were able to cure eating addiction.”
“What is it?”
“When you were first starting the game, Athenae was a huge help. Even though it’s not within the concept of being treated and cured, it was still a contributing factor. Why is that?”
Minhyuk pondered for a moment. “Because I got stronger and ate more delicious things?”
“That’s right. There is a limit to deliciousness when it comes to the food we eat.”
This was the truth. If it were measured on a scale of 1 to 10, an average delicious meal would be around 8. The world’s most delicious food would be scored 10, and anything beyond that score, the human tongue would not be able to feel any difference any longer.
“It’s different in Athenae. You can go beyond the limit of a person’s taste buds and can even make food that tastes more delicious than the most delicious food in reality.”
Minhyuk quickly caught on. He said, “So, to put it simply, the more delicious and greater the food Philos eats, the faster her treatment will progress?”
Kevin nodded. At that moment, a glint flashed in Minhyuk’s eyes as he said, “If that’s the case, then Philos will be able to improve faster than me, no?”
“Yes.”
Minhyuk trembled. From the beginning, his vassals had fed Philos all kinds of rare and precious ingredients that could not be found readily in the market. Minhyuk had once questioned why they were doing that and why they wanted to make the young girl so strong. However, this now gave him confidence.
‘The stronger Philos becomes, the greater the dishes and ingredients she can eat.’
Then, the faster her treatment would progress.
“According to the data that I received from Joy Co. Ltd. yesterday, she seemed to have eaten something amazing.”
“Something amazing?” Minhyuk did not know what it was yet, but it was the Golden Apple.
“Yes. I don’t know what it was, but it must have been very delicious. Although the decrease in her craving for food was minimal, it’s still there. It has gone down by a tiny bit.”
“Oh…”
Philos running away from home was very heartbreaking for Minhyuk. His heart ached especially when he found out that Philos ran all the way to the Gaia Continent just to prevent him from coming to where she was.
‘There aren’t many rare and outstanding ingredients in the West.’
Minhyuk felt sorry for Philos because he was the one who ate most of it. Nonetheless, that was not the case for the Gaia Continent. The Gaia Continent was still overflowing with such ingredients.
‘I heard recently that her favorability with Hera had reached MAX level.’
Just as he expected, Philos was loved wherever she went. Still, was it fine to let her be? To just let things progress as they were?
‘There are many gods in Olympus. It might be impossible to win over all of their hearts.’
If, by any chance, she went against the Gods of Olympus, then he could not imagine what would happen to Philos. He could not leave her out and about, unattended, forever.
‘Did something special happen today?’
The only way for Minhyuk to check was to connect to Athenae. After all, he would be able to receive notifications with the guardian mode still on. So, Minhyuk connected to Athenae.
***
[Guardian Mode is still in progress.]
[Philos is currently in Olympus.]
[The special power in Olympus does not allow you to check Philos’ status through notifications.]
The guardian mode could reveal a great deal about the child to the guardian. It would send notifications to the guardians whenever their child was about to be forced to log out or when their child had built a relationship and gained favor with someone they were in contact with. It could also inform the guardian about the remarkable achievements that their child had made.
Of course, that was all. After all, the child was still a player, and they could not verify more detailed information about the child’s experience because of the player’s privacy protection. There were also special places where it was made impossible for a guardian to receive notifications about their child. It was not a big deal. This was because actions would be taken immediately, the moment the system deemed the place unsuitable for a child.
‘What is she doing in Olympus?’
For some reason, Minhyuk felt a sense of nervousness. Unfortunately, Minhyuk did not have much time to spare. He was too busy just to sit around and worry about Philos alone.
“Your Majesty, the kings and emperors have come.”
Minhyuk knew the reason for their visit.
Minhyuk was the Master of the Western Continents. Regardless of whether they were enemies or allies, many people would come to visit him whenever something went wrong in the West.
The problem was that many people wished to see Minhyuk’s downfall. Those who wanted to bring about his downfall and opposed him called themselves the Fallen. They protested and rallied against Minhyuk under the pretext that he had been monopolizing Athenae as the Supreme.
Many people called themselves the Fallen. Both NPCs and players alike had joined together to oppose him. They all believed that they would be able to enjoy more wealth if the Beyond the Heavens Empire fell.
Nearly fifty kings, including the emperor of the Carusso Empire, stormed inside the Beyond the Heavens Empire’s audience hall.
Emperor Ihran of the Carusso Empire was one of the Fallen.
Many people had argued that the Carusso Empire was losing their power and influence every day because of the presence of Minhyuk and the Beyond the Heavens Empire. However, the reality was that it was all due to the emperor’s incompetence. Now, he had obtained a good opportunity.
Although Minhyuk was said to be the Master of the Western Continents, this was still a meeting between two emperors. So, while the kings paid a silent courtesy to Minhyuk, Emperor Ihran raised his head stubbornly and stiffly.
“Master of the Western Continents! Please connect the passageway between the Gaia Continent and the West as soon as possible!”
Minhyuk felt his skull throb.
“Weren’t you, the Master of the Western Continents, the reason why the passage between the West and the Gaia Continent has been closed?!”
It was only half correct. Part of the reason was that the Gods of Olympus believed that they had been taken advantage of during the battle with Heaven. However, it was also because the Gods of Olympus no longer felt the need to coexist and interact with the West.
Regardless, the Fallen continued to incite the people, claiming that everything was all because of Minhyuk. At this moment, Minhyuk wanted just to sweep all of them away and be done with them. Alas, that was not possible.
‘If I deal with them right here and now, the image of the Beyond the Heavens Empire will suffer a huge blow.’
If he did that, then his problems would disappear right away. However, that would ultimately result in a massive increase in the Fallen.
“You have to approve the opening of the passageway today once the discussion between the West and the Gaia Continent starts.”
“If you can’t do that, then we will demand compensation for the damages caused by the suspension of the transactions between the West and the Gaia Continent.”
Now, they were trying to rip him off. Nonetheless, part of it was genuine. Many problems had arisen because transactions had actually been cut off.
“Our Carusso Empire has traded ores worth a hundred million platinum with the Gaia Continent,” Emperor Ihran complained. “We have handed over the goods, but we have not received any payments. This was caused by the Beyond the Heavens Empire. So, shouldn’t you pay for it?”
They were trying to rip him off.
‘The truth is, we have only traded ores worth ten million platinum. Still, there’s no way that Emperor Minhyuk can know that!’
The other kings also stepped forward and piped up.
“Your Majestyyyy~~~ We have traded weapons worth five million platinum. Unfortunately, we haven’t received any payment.”
“Your Majesty! Our kingdom will be ruined!”
“Master of the Western Continents! Please save us!!!”
Of course, the amount that they declared was false. Alas, Minhyuk had no way to check if it was true or not.
‘As long as the passageway connecting the West to the Gaia Continent opens, then everything’s fine.’
It was still unclear if Olympus would allow the people from the Beyond the Heavens Empire to pass through. And if he tried to check the actual ledger that logged the transactions with the empires and kingdoms… ‘What right do you have to do that?’ they would probably say that.
“I heard that Lady Philos is in the Gaia Continent. There’s no way that you sent her to mediate to connect the passageway, right?”
Minhyuk frowned. ‘Did they already obtain the information?’
The people from the West operating in the Gaia Continent had been expelled before the closing of the passageway. However, a few remained on the continent. Perhaps some of them had seen Philos there.
“I did not send Philos there.”
“Ah. I see.”
Emperor Ihran’s eyelids twitched. He was someone who wished not only for Minhyuk’s downfall but also Philos’ downfall. He just could not stand the siblings!
“If you had truly sent Lady Philos to try and reconnect the passageway!!!” Ihran shouted, deliberately attracting the attention of all the people present. “Then that is very disappointing!!!”
Things went as Ihran expected. The kings began to whisper.
“She’s just a child. How can a mere child be able to reconnect the passageways?”
“That’s impossible!”
“If that child can reconnect the passageways, then I’ll give up my throne!”
“What are you saying?”
“It seems like Emperor Minhyuk has made a foolish and impossible move.”
‘Should I just kill all of them?’ Minhyuk’s lips twisted into a nasty grin. For a moment, he considered wiping them out, the image of the Beyond the Heavens Empire be damned.
[The Guardian Mode is in progress.]
[Philos has exited Olympus.]
[You will now be able to listen to all of the notifications that accumulated during this period.]
[Philos’ favorability with Apollo has reached the MAX level.]
[Philos’ favorability with Aphrodite has reached the MAX level.]
[Philos’...]
[Philos’...]
[Philos’ favorability with Zeus has reached the MAX level.]
[Philos’ favorability with sixty-eight of the gods of the Gaia Continent has reached the MAX level.]
A glint flashed in Minhyuk’s eyes when he heard the notifications that rang nonstop in his ears.
‘For real…?’
Minhyuk thought that Philos was truly an outstanding child. Now, it was time to deal with the board.
“That’s right. If we fail to reconnect the passageway that connects to the Gaia Continent, then we will compensate you.” Minhyuk nodded generously as he stared at everyone present. “But are the amounts that you declared for the goods that you have traded true?”
Emperor Ihran and the kings all flinched. Ihran erupted. He shouted, “Of course! Are you seriously doubting us?!”
“Your Majesty Minhyuk, this is very disappointing! How can you accuse us of lying?!”
Minhyuk nodded at the secretary beside him. “Secretary. You have written down all of the transactions and the amount of goods that the kings claimed they had made, right?”
“Yes,” the secretary replied.
“Then, if even one of these amounts is false, you will have to pay me ten times the amount that you have claimed.”
They all flinched again when they heard Minhyuk’s words. Alas, there was no way off the tiger’s back.
Ihran stepped forward and declared, “O-of course! However, you must keep your word! If you fail to open up the passageway connecting the West and the Gaia Continent, and the transactions are cut off forever, then the Beyond the Heavens Empire has to compensate us!”
“Alright. I approve of this. Perfect timing. The discussion will start in thirty minutes. Would you like to join us?”
“That’s good!”
“We will go with you!”
‘Are you all ready to die?’ Minhyuk giggled to himself. ‘Alright! Let’s go and play on the board that Philos has set up for us!’