Leveling Up Through Eating

But Minhyuk quickly grabbed him by the collar and interrupted his words.

Bang–!

“Keheok!”

Sima Qian was appalled. It was just a simple hit from Minhyuk’s bare fist, but it felt like he was being hit with a hammer. His HP also significantly decreased.

Sima Qian was the true power behind the Qingdao Kingdom, which was why the players left the Qingdao Kingdom faster when they saw Sima Qian being beaten up.

[Loemin has left the Qingdao Kingdom.]

[Beigon has left the Qingdao Kingdom.]

[Harn… Qingdao Kingdom.]

Around 3% of their players had abandoned and fled the Qingdao Kingdom. Seeing that these people ignored the considerable penalty that one would receive for leaving the kingdom they were associated with, the quick-witted ones realized, ‘The Qingdao Kingdom is done for.’

Sima Qian was beaten to death by Minhyuk. Xu Jiaqi, who watched everything unfold, instantly lost her will to fight. When Minhyuk turned toward her, he raised his sword and cut her down all at once.

“Keok!”

Minhyuk looked at Xu Jiaqi, who was falling to the ground, and said, “Just wait; I will be in your kingdom soon.”

Goosebumps rose all over Xu Jiaqi’s body when she saw the terrifying look on Minhyuk’s face.

Eventually, Xu Jiaqi, the king of the Qingdao Kingdom, died. After that, it was easy for Minhyuk to deal with the remaining survivors of the Qingdao Kingdom left in Dragon Land.

“...”

Black Dragon had a small smile on his face as he watched his son.

When he first heard his son say, ‘Let’s do this together,’ he felt like he had put down the considerable burden that had been weighing down on his shoulders. And when he saw the once-young child stand alone against millions of troops, he felt himself shudder.

At that moment, a question floated in Black Dragon’s mind. He thought, ‘How did Minhyuk come here?’

He did not know how and why Minhyuk came to Dragon Land. From what Black Dragon heard, Minhyuk had been as busy as a bee these days.

“How and why did you come here?”

Minhyuk flashed an embarrassed smile when he heard his father’s question. He said, “Dad, you wanted to be a dragon, right? So, I asked Abel for a favor. I came here after receiving the information. Hehe. I wanted to make my father’s wish come true.”

“...”

Black Dragon was speechless. When he went through the first method, he chose to get the cooking ingredient for his son over becoming a dragon. But his son? His son wanted to find a way to help him fulfill his dreams and become a dragon. At this moment, Black Dragon realized how lucky he was as a father and how happy he was to have Minhyuk as his son.

Then, Minhyuk, with admiration and determination flashing in his eyes, said, “Father.”

Minhyuk had already told Jinhwan the answer when the doctor asked him whether he wanted to become the Ilhwa Group’s chairman. This time, he wanted to tell his father.

“I want to lead the Ilhwa Group.”

“...!”

Black Dragon did not want to put a huge burden on his son. He thought it was because he was too greedy to want his son to protect the company that he had built with his own bare hands.

But Minhyuk thought differently. He said, “I have been yearning for it. I have always wanted to become like my father, who leads Ilhwa Group.”

Minhyuk did not see him as only his father. He also saw him as the chairman of the company. Watching his father, whom he cared for and loved dearly, like that since childhood had made him dream.

“I always wanted to become a chairman. One who’s just like you, Dad.”

Both Black Dragon and Minhyuk knew that it would not be easy. After all, Minhyuk could not quit Athenae.

“I can do it,” Minhyuk said with great confidence.

The only reason he could say this with confidence was that he was Minhyuk. And when Minhyuk said something, it would never become empty words and promises.

“So, don’t bear the burden alone anymore.”

Minhyuk had always wanted to tell his father this.

Please don’t carry it alone.

Black Dragon’s eyes grew red when he heard his son’s words.

Then, at that moment, the Dragon Emperor spoke.

“Fufufu. My friend, is this your son? Since I share the same heart and blood with my friend, your son also shares the same blood. Fufufu. I can feel the burning blood coursing through your veins like your father.”

Black Dragon immediately replied, “Fufufufu. Of course, my son takes after me. He’s brilliant and amazing.”

“...?”

Minhyuk was suddenly left wondering about the situation that he was in as he watched his father release the Dragon Emperor from the rope that bound him. Then, with a wave of the Dragon Emperor’s fingertips, the ropes that tied all the dragons were quickly cut off. After that…

“Fufufufufu.”

“Keuhuhuhuhuhu!”

“Humans, we won’t die so easily.”

And seeing Black Dragon laugh together with those dragons left Minhyuk speechless.

‘D– Dad…?’

Even so, his father looked delighted and at ease.

***

The Dragon Emperor could never and would never forget the sight of Black Dragon jumping amidst millions of humans to try and save them.

He had always thought there would be a massive backlash if he handed his throne to Black Dragon. But considering how Black Dragon felt for them, the Dragon Emperor realized that no dragon would go against his decision now.

“Fufufufu. The new ruler who will lead this land after my reign has been born today,” the Dragon Emperor declared in front of the countless dragons. The Dragon Emperor slowly walked toward Black Dragon, standing before him, and gently hung the necklace on the man’s neck.

Black Dragon felt completely overwhelmed with emotions when the necklace slowly absorbed into his body. This was the moment that he had been dreaming for a long time. It was something that he longed for so long.

Once the necklace got completely absorbed in his body, a series of notifications rang in Black Dragon’s ears.

[You can now turn into a dragon whenever you want.]

[Turning into a dragon will increase your attack and defense power by 60%. In exchange, you cannot equip weapons and armor.]

[You can now use Black Dragon’s Breath.]

Ring!

[The Dragon Emperor has entrusted all the authority to rule Dragon Land.]

[From this point on, you are now the new Dragon Emperor.]

[The dragons will fulfill and obey your orders.]

The notifications told Black Dragon he could turn into a dragon or back into a human whenever he wanted. Of course, Black Dragon did not delay any further. His body started to twitch as he slowly transformed into a dragon. He felt extremely delighted.

“The dragon in my body is going berserk!!!” Black Dragon roared as his body grew in size.

Black Dragon’s dragon form was covered with black scales that twinkled under the sunlight. His wings looked gorgeous, longer and bigger than other dragons. His eyes were yellow, and his pupils were black and narrow, just like a snake’s.

The four legendary dragons gathered around Black Dragon, who had already completely turned into a real dragon.

“Kihyeeeeeeeck!”

Black Dragon’s roar resonated in the vast Dragon Land. The moment his joyful roars echoed, the dragons of Dragon Land also burst out in huge roars. After the dragons finished roaring, they burst into maniacal laughter.

“Fufufufufu. The new Dragon Emperor’s shiny scales make my blood boil and my heart thump.”

“Ufufufufu. Our true leader. Kghhk. The stronger power hidden within my body is going berserk…!”

“Aaah. I’m going berserk!”

“We’re going berserk!”

Then, the dragons shouted in unison, “The power in our bodies is going berserk!!!”

After they shouted, they all turned to look at Minhyuk. Their eyes seemed to ask, ‘Why aren’t you doing it too?’

“...”

Minhyuk hesitated momentarily before saying, “Th– The blood of Black Dragon f- flowing in my veins is going berserk!!!”

Goosebumps covered every inch of Minhyuk’s skin.

***

Xu Jiaqi pondered deeply about how she could survive this ordeal.

Although they were completely defeated by Minhyuk alone, she intended to say that Minhyuk and Black Dragon attacked them and tried to take away Dragon Land, which they had occupied rightfully. It was true that the Qingdao Kingdom occupied Dragon Land before they arrived, so it should not be a problem to twist it that way. Now, they could say that not only they were trying to take away Dragon Land, but also everything from the Qingdao Kingdom.

‘This is tyranny! The strong are bullying the weak!’

They started twisting the story this way. Xu Jiaqi immediately ordered those who had filmed the videos to edit the videos and hide the fact that they had lashed and flogged the dragons just so they could forcefully obtain dragon tears from them. Then, they released the video.

The people of China grew furious.

[The Beyond the Heavens Empire is going too far. Just because Minhyuk can take down an entire kingdom alone does not mean he can take everything away from the Qingdao Kingdom. It’s time to show them the power of the Chinese people.]

[This is tyranny! The strong are bullying the weak! I will never let the Beyond the Heavens Empire go!]

The Chinese people began to criticize the Beyond the Heavens Empire after the fabricated videos were released, but their criticisms immediately died down. Why?

[Qingdao Kingdom: The Truth of the Incident.]

It was all because of one video. The uploader identified himself as an executive of the Qingdao Kingdom.

The scene shown in the video was the scene of the Qingdao Kingdom exploiting the dragons to harvest the dragon tears from them. Black Dragon stormed in during the process and fought against them to protect the dragons. Minhyuk appeared only in the middle.

The video spread rapidly, acting as a signal for the other players. Soon, more and more players uploaded videos showing the entire world the atrocities the Qingdao Kingdom committed.

In just an instant, the people of China turned around.

[Qingdao Kingdom. What era are we in now? Why would you even do something like that…?]

[Even though this is just a game, don’t you think it’s too much?]

[That’s not all. The Qingdao Kingdom used and exploited the NPCs and many players. This is a fact.]

“A– Aaaaaaaaack…!” Xu Jiaqi screamed. She felt like she was going crazy.

The embers created a spark that spread like wildfire. The public’s opinion about the Qingdao Kingdom was deteriorating by the second.

It had to be known that the Qingdao Kingdom had received the support of countless Chinese companies.

[Prepare to pay for the penalty fees.]

[Our deal with you is now over.]

And now, Xu Jiaqi received several calls from these companies. Nevertheless, she still held onto a thin thread of hope. She immediately connected to Athenae.

“Kihyeeeeeeeeck!”

“Kihyaaaaaaaack!”

“Kiyeeeeeeeee!”

The moment she entered Athenae, she was greeted by tens of thousands of dragons. These dragons who lived in Dragon Land, the land that they had wanted to take and exploit, were currently flying above the Qingdao Kingdom and created a sea of fire. At the center of them all was Black Dragon. He rose to the skies and roared.

–I declare the destruction of the Qingdao Kingdom.

That was what Minhyuk had told them before.

The number of players who left the Qingdao Kingdom in a single day reached almost 40% of its population. This number would grow until they had all left.

Amidst all these, Minhyuk declared that he would continue attacking the Qingdao Kingdom until it was destroyed. Of course, Minhyuk was not truly alone. But the one who accompanied him was restricted to Black Dragon alone. There was no one else.

“I will not kill those who will surrender.”

Furthermore, Minhyuk gained the support of the people of China when he declared that he would spare the lives of the innocent as long as they surrendered.

The Chinese people completely understood where Minhyuk’s anger was coming from. They understood it a hundred, no, a thousand times over since they had watched the video of Black Dragon being beaten and forced to the ground like that. They praised him for not releasing his anger toward ordinary and innocent people.

Just like that, Minhyuk absorbed everything in the Qingdao Kingdom. Now, everything, including its territories and resources, would belong to the Beyond the Heavens Empire.

Xu Jiaqi hurriedly sent a whisper to Minhyuk.

[Xu Jiaqi: I’ll– I’ll live as your slave for the rest of my life! Please, please, I beg you. Forgive me just this once! I can be of great help to you, too!]

Wasn’t Minhyuk kind? Didn’t he save Valentino? Didn’t he forgive and embrace many of his enemies?

Then, Minhyuk’s answer came.

[Minhyuk: Ho.]

Two days later, the Qingdao Kingdom declared its destruction.