Translator: ChubbyCheeks

PR:MattForgenti

Ah. Yes. Hello, Father-nim!

Jihye gathered herself up and shook the hand that was stretched in front of her.

Kang Minhoo shook her hands with a bit of force. After letting go of her hands, he shook the hands of the other two in turn.

I wont wash this hand for the rest of my life

You dont wash them often to begin with.

Jisoo glared at Seoktae when he heard his words. And Kang Minhoo smiled softly at them as he watched them interact with each other.

You get along well, huh?

Yes, well.

Jihye smiled awkwardly. She didnt know what to do with herself since there was such a big man in front of them.

Shall we go?

Chairman Kang Minhoo turned around and led them away.

It was lunchtime right now and there were a lot of people going in and out of the Ilhwa Group building. All of them bowed their heads in greeting when they saw Chairman Kang Minhoo.

Secretary Park hurriedly opened the rear door of the limousine. This limousine was made by Benz and currently had only 10 of its kind in the world. Kang Minhoo first boarded the car and Jihye, Seoktae and Jisoo followed him inside.

Wow The inside is

They felt that they had boarded the first class seat on a plane when they entered the car. They were in awe from this rare experience.

Youre my Minhyukies middle school friends, right?

Yes, thats right. Father-nim.

I heard that you kept on sending my Minhyukie messages. Im truly grateful that you kept on thinking about him.

Kang Minhoo looked sincerely grateful. He was truly grateful that they had reached out to Minhyuk first.

You can let me know if you need anything.

The car rapidly moved towards Gapyeong. As the silence pervaded the car, Kang Minhoo suddenly spoke

I hope you take care of Minhyukie and show him plenty of love.

Wow

Uwaaaah

OMG?

The three people who arrived at Minhyuks residence in Gapyeong were all left speechless in awe.

Y, youll definitely get lost in this place.

It was a luxuriously large mansion that you could only see on TV!

As soon as the limousine entered the gate, they were able to see plenty of guards. The grounds were covered in grass and there was even a large fountain spewing water in the middle of the area.

The four of them all got off of the car together.

I hope to see you again next time.

Kang Minhoo smiled softly at them as he once again boarded his limousine and disappeared from their sights.

As soon as he disappeared, the three of them marveled at this palace-like place.

Then, a man came out from the inside. Just at a glance at this mans bulky body, they could tell that he always exercised a lot.

Are you Minhyukies friends? Im Oh Changwook.

Ah. Yes.

Lets go. This way.

He turned around and moved somewhere else. As they walked through the place, they could see another large mansion behind the large one up front.

Oh Changwook talked to them as he guided them inside the other mansion.

This is a building that used to cater guests and there are employees living here. This was supposed to be a place for Minhyuk to play but he doesnt use it often.

P, play?

Yes. We have arcades, theaters, karaoke rooms and even a disco pang pang[1].

Changwook kept on talking as he introduced the place. Meanwhile, Jisoo mumbled to himself.

So this is the diamond spoon that I have heard of

You guys are very popular and rich too, huh? Im also an Athenae user so I know.

When the three of them heard him, they all shook their heads. It might be true that they were rich and had a lot of money but it also cost a lot to keep their guild up and running. They needed to invest their money on artifacts, skill books and potions to keep themselves from falling from their rank. So there wasnt much for them left in real life.

Not long after, they arrived in front of a room.

Please take a deep breath.

Hooooooo. Huh? But why do we need to take a deep breath?

I thought that you needed to calm yourself down.

Changwook smiled awkwardly at them while they looked at him in confusion.

Minhyukie is inside. Well then, Ill be off.

Changwook turned around and left while Jihye stood in front of the door.

What the hell was that about?

First, they found out that Minhyuk was very rich. And they didnt know much about his story except that he had gone under the radar for 5 years and that it was inconvenient for him to get out of the house. All of them were full of questions.

Slowly, Jihye turned the doorknob.

When Changwook heard that Minhyuks friends were already outside, he immediately stepped outside to guide them, leaving Minhyuk sitting on a large chair in front of a round table waiting.

Then, he heard some sounds from outside.

Im nervous.

He breathed deeply to calm his erratic heart.

At that moment

The doorknob slowly turned. Minhyuk quickly stood up in trepidation.

Jihye, Jisoo and Seoktae came inside the room. As soon as they entered, they discovered Minhyuk.

Minhyuk had an embarrassed look on his face.

Youre here?

The three of them remained silent for a moment while Minhyuk fell down in a spiral of thoughts.

As expected Ive changed too much

Was I too hideous to look at? Well, its really hard to see someone whos at 160kg outside. And even the shape of my face is completely covered with fleshy fat.

Minhyuk thought that he was really doomed and his face became dejected.

Then, Jisoo bluntly spoke.

Were here. Do you think well leave just like that?

He slid naturally and sat down in front of Minhyuk.

Hooo. You always wanted to be a fat man who could connect with the wild boars, have you turned your dreams into reality?

Jihye smiled slightly as she sat down together with Seoktae.

Hey. Arent I still handsome?

Wow. Just like what Jihye said, youre still a narcissistic jerk.

Hmph. What did you say about me?

He smiled awkwardly as Jihye changed the subject.

What happened to you?

Minhyuks appearance was completely different from the past.

As if on cue, Minhyuk described his bulimia to them. All of them were left shocked and speechless when they heard about him having such a disease.

And now, it seems like Im starting to get better.

Thats a relief.

Oh. So you will eventually come back to what you used to look, no, to what you look like in Athenae, right?

Jisoo and Seoktae did not see it but Jihye was able to see his face when he took off the helmet before. He was so handsome and cool that he couldnt help but just be amazed.

Ma, maybe?

Jihye suddenly opened her mobile phone as if she remembered something.

Ah, thats right. What time is it now?

She turned her gaze and looked at the clock. Right now, it was 4 minutes past 1 in the afternoon.

I heard that the Athenae update will open at 1 oclock today.

Jihye quickly clicked on the update. Then, she placed her phone on the center of the table.

It seemed to have been modified due to the countless complaints from the users.

Now, 100 million gold had become 1 platinum and it sounded good for them. Currently, they had tens of billions of gold. To be exact, around 57.2 billion gold. However, the 572 platinum instead of pouches of gold sounded much better. And the second update about having the nickname float above their head was also convenient. Of course, Minhyuk and the rest of the people here would always have it turned off.

Then, the next part of the update

Jihye nodded her head after checking all the contents of the update.

We have to keep up and increase our speed as the level of users increases.

Jisoo and Seoktae both nodded their heads in agreement.

The Epic and Legendary artifact materials are rare but with the increase in drop rates a lot of supply will be released. And since a lot of high-leveled users will go to the Northern Continent, then its only natural that there will be epic artifact drops.

All of them nodded their heads. As rankers, whether official or not, they had to move quickly and adapt to the changes.

A new class of medicine?

It was Minhyuk who reacted to these words.

I know right? What do you think is the new class of medicine?

Youll find out when you get it.

Minhyuk looked excited when he saw that update and there was only one thing that flashed through his mind as he grinned

I wonder if the new class of medicine is something delicious?

Yeah. As usual, Minhyuk always had his head in the clouds thinking if it was something delicious.

Then, he suddenly felt the pangs of hunger. Since he was talking with his friends, he held back from eating his salad and cherry tomatoes. However, his stomach was already complaining and cold sweat was dripping from his forehead.

Im sorry but I have to step out for a bit.

Huh? Where are you going?

The bathroom.

Minhyuk stood up and went out of the room. Just as he stepped out, he saw Changwook waiting for him with the sealed container filled with his salad and cherry tomatoes. He quickly opened the container and hurriedly ate it in a room beside where his friends were staying.

What did your friends think?

I dont know.

In fact, Minhyuk still did not know. He was not sure why he did not do this in front of them. Perhaps it was because he couldnt do so in front of them or perhaps it was because he was afraid that they wouldnt understand and that he would lose face? He did not know so he was still anxious and heartbroken right now.

This bloody hunger. Just for today, please.!

Minhyuk began to feel more anxious as his hunger continued to stay. He inhaled his food non-stop just to appease it. And without realizing it, 30 minutes had already gone by. His friends were waiting for him but his damned hunger was still keeping him from going there. He kept on eating until another 30 minutes passed by. When he felt that he had slowly calmed down and his hunger was not that much, he stood up and slowly went back towards the room where his friends were at.

Minhyuk-ah.

Yes?

Your friends look like theyre good people.

Changwook smiled softly at him.

It was like he was telling him to not be nervous and just be his usual self. He knew that that was what he meant but it was still hard for him to do so. He was curious and anxious about what his friends thought of him in their hearts.

Then, he heard the voices of his friends from inside.

Why isnt Minhyuk coming?

Yeah. I wonder whats wrong?

It was Jihye and Seoktaes voices of concern. Then

Bang!

He suddenly heard a loud noise. He looked at the door with confusion on his face.

Jisoo. Whats wrong with you?

Ah. I dont know. I suddenly feel so annoyed.

What?

Ah. That fatty!

!

Minhyuks body stiffened.

In the end, will they not accept me anymore since I have changed?

Minhyuk trembled in trepidation, he was so nervous that he gulped and gulped even though his mouth had run dry.

No. I mean, what does being a piggy have to do with being friends with us? Does he think were going to hate him since he became fat? Was that all there was to us?

Yeah. For us, I think he was the same Minhyuk as before but when we first came in he was very awkward.

But the fatty Minhyuk, dont you think he looks cute? I want to touch his fat tummy.

I want to put my head on his fat tummy and make it my pillow I wonder if its like a water pillow

Minhyuk finally understood.

He was the only one who was worried about his appearance. It didnt matter to his friends whether he was fat or not.

Hoo

He breathed a sigh of relief.

Yeah. I should be proud and confident now.

Then, he went inside and proudly spoke.

Lets go play now.

Play? Where? In Seoul?

No. In this building?

Ah!

The three of them recalled that this building itself was filled with things that could entertain guests.

Minhyuk first guided his friends to the movie theater. Even though it was just a movie theater, it was still unbelievable to them. Jisoo turned his head to look around.

Theres pop

Then

Step, step, step, step

A man popped inside it was Changwook.

Its absolutely forbidden to talk about popcorn here. Remember this. Octopus legs, caramel popcorn and cola are prohibited here.

Ah. Oh Yes.

After finishing his spiel, he quickly whisked himself away and disappeared with only the sound of his steps echoing in the corridor.

It had been a long time since Minhyuk had watched movies with his friends but instead of munching on popcorn, Minhyuk was munching on his cherry tomatoes.

Then, they went to karaoke.

Jihye searched for Spring Chicken Soup with the remote but it did not come up. She came out to ask but she saw Changwook standing by the door.

There arent that many songs in the karaoke machine. I think you need to update this with the latest songs. Theres no Spring Chicken Soup~

Spring Chicken Soup was a song that was released 5 years ago but it wasnt even in the list of songs. However, Changwook looked at her with a solemn expression.

Songs like Spring Chicken Soup, My teeth are so cold because of naengmyeon, Naengmyeon, Bingsu-yah and Patbingsu-yah[2] are strictly forbidden.

Huh. Ah I, is that so?

She nodded her head blankly.

When they finished singing, she also couldnt help but admire the building.

Wow. Theres even a cafe in this building!

It was a cafe on the terrace and the four of them stood together in front of it. The employee inside was also Changwook.

When Minhyuk, who was still munching on his cherry tomatoes, turned his head to look somewhere else, Changwook quickly signaled to the three of them and mouthed something.

You can only order tomato juice here! Tomato juice! Without any sugar! Its healthy!

What would you like to drink?

Minhyuk turned to them and asked them what drink they would like to order.

To, tomato juice The one without any sugar For all of us Ha, haha! I really like tomatoes

Me, me too I, I really love tomatoes!

Ha, hahahahaha! Tomatoes are the tastiest in the world!

Your taste buds are weird. Im even eating it reluctantly.

In fact, it was only Minhyuk who was unaware of the taboo and the rules in this place.

Jisoo, Jihye and Seoktae all thought the same thing.

Are we in a strange country where all of the food is controlled?

[1] (disco pang pang) : a circular ride that spins round and round. Sounds fun! Back

[2] (Spring Chicken Soup) : A song by Jeong Hyeong-don; (My teeth are so cold because of naengmyeon) : I dont know who sang this song or if there really is a song like this. (Naengmyeon) : A duet song by Park Myeongsu and Girls Gens Jessica during the Infinite Challenge Olympic Festival; , (Bingsu-yah, Patbingsu-yah) I dont know if these are two different songs, but there is a song by Yoon Jong Shin. Back

TLs corner!

Kek. Well. Its because the employees did not want to trigger Minhyuk. Theyre all so caring about him.

PRs corner!

It is nice to see how the employees love Minhyuk.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

As per requested Leveling Up Through Eating will now have premium/advanced chapters starting today. There will be 10 advanced chapters and you can buy them at 10 woopcoins per chapter.

For those who dont have enough to buy woopcoins, fret not! A chapter will always be unlocked every time theres a scheduled update! So you just have to wait for our normal update schedule for the chapters to be unlocked. Our update schedule will still be on Wednesdays-Saturdays (9:00AM GMT+8 or 1:00AM UTC) with 5 chapters in total every week.

I hope you continue to enjoy Minhyuk and his foodie journey. Thank you for your support in Leveling Up Through Eating.

I hope everyones having a delicious meal! And see you on our next update!