Thumbs Up, Level Up

Chapter 226

‘Okay. I have over 440 million Likes, so this should be fine.’

Ever since he had become a God, he did not have to check his Likes count anymore, he just knew instinctively how many he had.

?You are probably the only one who is happy about small things like this, after becoming a God.?

‘Is that so? But it’s true. There is nothing more convenient than the Likes, Cheok-Liang. Anyway, let’s buy all the skills for Alkahestry and Alchemy! I hope you don’t feel too bad, Mr. Scrooge!’

“Purchase them all!”

Flash!

A terrifying amount of knowledge was sucked into him. It was imprinted onto his soul, organized by the System connected to him, and directly infused into his memory.

As a result, the skills evolved.

[Divine Alkahestry and Alchemy]

[Class: Infinity

The ultimate state for those who have mastered all of the world’s Alchemy and Alkahestry. The user has partially touched the divine realm and can freely create even life.

All additional Alkahestry and Alchemy skills are added to this skill.]

Even Scrooge’s Alchemy skills had been merged into this skill.

A skill was like a fragment of a God’s power that they would replicate and sell. Conversely, when all of these skills were united by the power of the System within him, Ji-Cheok obtained a power that was comparable to a God.

It was only the lowest-level divine ability, but it was nonetheless within the realm of the Gods. If he had not become the [GodTube_superstar] already, he would have become the [One_who_merged_alkahestry_and_alchemy] right now.

‘Hm… It’s so easy to become a God… I had no idea this would be possible.’

?Oh!! Congratulations on your great feat, Master!?

‘I was just trying to find ways to make cheaper potions. I didn’t know this would happen. I think I can dominate the potion industry with this skill.’

?You can, and you will, Master.?

‘Yeah, you are right. I’ll just do it. I’ve got a lot of work to do to save the world anyway…’

“This feels amazing!”

The amount of power and knowledge he had accumulated was staggering. His current ability was so powerful that he could increase the output of his potion factory by more than a thousand times!

?According to my calculations, you can produce about half of the world’s potion supply.?

‘That’s crazy… Half of the world’s potion supply?’

?If you want, you can start mass-producing higher-grade potions. In addition, you can also diversify the portfolio to include potions for curing diseases, hair growth, stamina, rejuvenation, and so on.?

‘Wow… So this is what’s possible with the Divine Alkahestry and Alchemy? Hmm… Do you think I can do the same thing with my cultivation skills?’

?It is certainly possible, Master. If you learn all the cultivation skills…?

‘...Then I can obtain something like Divine Cultivation or whatever. I see. So this is what happens when you acquire a lot of skills. I have to talk to Ji-Han about it. But before that…’

“Activate Divine Alkahestry and Alchemy.”

Ji-Cheok activated his skill, and placing the ingredients that he had gathered in front of him, he also activated Bi-Ga’s alchemy contraptions.

Flash!

A golden orb formed in front of him.

[Low-Quality Elixir]

[Class: S-

Despite the inferior ingredients, the power of Divine Alkahestry and Alchemy has transformed this into a top-tier elixir.

Function: When consumed, it increases Qi power by 10 to 50 years’ worth of cultivation.

Function: When consumed, it cleanses the user’s body and aura.

Function: When consumed, it grants complete detoxification.

Function: When consumed, it permanently increases Stamina by one rank, up to A-rank.]

‘This is amazing…’

?That is indeed an amazing elixir, Master.?

‘What is the cost of the ingredients for this…’

?It cost you about five million won to make it.?

‘How much do you think this would sell for on the internet?’

?The Jaso Elixir that can increase six years' worth of Qi power goes for ten billion won online, so…?

‘Then, I don’t even have to sell potions. I would make a fortune selling elixirs.’

?That is not a good comparison, master. Your potions are being sold even without you, but this elixir is something you have to make yourself, isn’t it? Besides, I think you should use this to strengthen your allies, and not sell them. Speaking of which, why don’t you have the people from the Tama Clan learn cultivation??

‘Those people can’t learn cultivation. Their bodies are no longer in human form. The cultivation that I have learned is only for humans. It would be easier if I asked the Gods to grant them cultivation skills.’

?That is a good idea, Master.?

‘Huh? Good idea? Hm… Now that I think about it, you’re right. I’ll have to ask the God of War for a favor later. For now, let’s continue making elixirs.’

Ji-Cheok’s goal was three Gapja. He wanted to prepare at least three Gapja worth of elixirs for each of his team members.

With that in mind, he continued to make [Low-Quality Elixirs]. He made them until he ran out of the ingredients he had purchased, and by that time, he found himself in possession of twenty-four.

? ? ?

“...Is this what you can do when you are a God?” Ji-Byeok asked, drenched in sweat.

“Sort of,” Ji-Cheok answered.

Actually, even if he hadn’t been a God, he could have probably done this with enough time. After all, all he needed was to master the skills. However, he couldn’t deny that becoming a God and having double the amount of Likes had drastically reduced his time.

Also, he had gotten better at using his skills because he’d become a God.By default, Upgradable skills started low, at the F rank. However, after becoming a God, he now instinctively understood the essence of the skills. Thanks to that, all the skills he learned after becoming a God started at C-rank.

“So… I guess we are all set then.”

Ji-Cheok returned to his team members who were training in cultivation. He fed them all [Low-Quality Elixirs] and helped them increase their Qi.

Ji-Cheok still did not have full knowledge of cultivation, but he knew vastly more than before, and his knowledge was what made everything possible.

He also learned something else. Different people had different physical talents, so the effectiveness of the elixir varied among his teammates. Surprisingly, the most efficient elixir drinker was Mu-Cheok, perhaps because he had become an Enhanced Human.

‘Well, Enhanced Humans are still humans. Fortunately, it seems they are more efficient than ordinary humans.’

Money was everything.

At any rate, with just four elixirs, Mu-Cheok succeeded in acquiring 200 years’ worth of Qi, which was over three Gapja! His physical abilities suddenly became as powerful as any top-ranked Tank or melee Damage Dealer over level 100.

Ji-Byeok gained 210 years' worth of Qi after consuming five elixirs. Seong Kwang and Ha-Na needed six each to get 200 years of Qi.

‘Wow~ What a difference.’

Everyone was supposed to be exuding confidence with the amount of Qi they had obtained, but in reality, they were all tired. It was understandable, since they had to stuff themselves with two hundred years’ worth of cultivation in such a short period.

Still, since they had this massive amount of Qi, Ji-Cheok was sure that they would regain their strength soon.

“Now, all of you have acquired enough Qi, and your bodies and auras have been cleansed. This means your combat power will skyrocket, as you will be more powerful even with just basic cultivation skills.”

“Ugh, This is tough as hell…”

Ha-Na seemed to be in pain.

“It’s not easy to deal with Qi worth two hundred years of training. Come to think of it, Seong Kwang, what about your kids?”

“They have all been Awakened to cultivation-related jobs, all thanks to you.”

Seong Kwang, who was lying on the floor, replied without moving.

The children in Seong Kwang’s orphanage were supposed to be too young to be Awakened. That was why Ji-Cheok decided to teach them cultivation. However, when he was in the Philippines, he heard that the children had Awakened… Thankfully, according to Seong Kwang, all the kids had Awakened with cultivation-related jobs.

“They are all related to your skill, the Heaven and Earth Chaotic Divine Art. I guess they were influenced by your teachings, Brother Ji-Cheok,” Seong Kwang said.

“That’s interesting.”

“And one of them is Dual Class.”

“Oh, you got a Dual Class?”

“Yes.”

Dual Class was what they called a Hunter with two jobs. It came up every once in a while. Ji-Cheok had been unaware of the reason before becoming a God, but now, he knew how things worked. This sometimes happened as the result of a Hunter being lucky enough to get a Fragment of a God in addition to the base power from the System rather than instead of it.

“So what are the names of that kid’s jobs?”

“He says one is called the Practitioner of Heaven and Earth Chaotic Divine Art, and the other one is called the Shaman of Takran.”

‘Hm… That’s a weird combination… Shaman of Takran? It does sound like a special job, but I wonder how it would synergize with cultivation. Still, when it comes to power, the more the merrier I guess.’

“Well, that’s great. Congratulations,” Ji-Cheok said.

“Of course. It takes a lot of the worry out of my kids' future. Thank you, Brother Ji-Cheok.”

“You’re welcome. Now, then, since you have all gotten your Qi, I want you to train to get used to it for a while. The fastest way to do that is to clear a low-level dungeon. And if you can, I would like you to destroy the dungeon while you’re at it.”

“Destroy dungeons? I’m sure the government will have something to say about that,” Ji-Byeok said.

“That—”

“You can ignore that and just focus on destroying the dungeons.”

Ji-Cheok was about to say something, but just then, someone walked into the training room they were using. Ji-Cheok turned his head and saw Ji-Han.

“Director Ji-Han! I’ve been meaning to call you.”

“I was busy dealing with some things. I also had to see the Chairman.”

He was talking about the chairman of the Jungha Group, the man who essentially ran the country!

Ji-Han looked around at the team.

“You’ve all… reached a high level as Damage Dealers and Tanks. Ji-Byeok, in particular, might be able to compete for first or second place in the world as a Tank.”

Jung Ji-Byeok had the ability to create walls and the ability to taunt enemies. That was why she was a Tank. However, there was one more ability that Ji-Cheok had only now learned about—the ability to channel the power of the earth into her body. She used it to gain strong Defense and Stamina.

Unfortunately, it didn’t increase her agility or speed by any measurable amount. However, with the addition of Qi and cultivation skills, it was like attaching wings to a ferocious tiger. Not only did it make up for her flaws, but her overall physical abilities increased by leaps and bounds.

That was why Ji-Han considered that she could be ranked first or second in the world.

‘Oh… I didn’t even think of that synergistic effect. It’s a good thing I got her into cultivation.’

Ji-Cheok knew that if one mastered cultivation, one could obtain powers that transcended humans. It was something that the God of War had told him.

According to the God of War, once he went beyond the [Mind Sword Realm] and reached the [Mind Origin Sword Realm], he would have a truly divine ability, something that could be used directly even against Gods.

“Director Ji-Han, if you have some time, you should learn cultivation too.”

“I’m okay. I have my own reasons for not learning it already.”

‘Hm… That guy sure has a lot of secrets.’

“I think you guys should all get some rest for today. Ji-Cheok, come with me. We have some business to do.”

Ji-Cheok obediently followed.

? ? ?

In the backseat of a luxurious car, Ji-Cheok was listening to Ji-Han’s explanation.

“A new team?” Ji-Cheok asked.

“Yes. Right now, our team is called Team Alpha, and I have been trying to expand the company and put together a Team Beta, Gamma, Delta, and so on.”

“I see…”

“Actually, Team Beta is already up and running. It’s just that it’s been overshadowed by Team Alpha and hasn’t gotten much press. And now we are creating Team Gamma.”

“I see. So what does that have to do with me…?”

“I want you to pass on your cultivation skills to them as well. We need to bolster our power quickly.”

?I think that is a good plan, Master. Passing on your cultivation skills to them. Plus, using elixirs to raise their Qi will be effective for a quick power boost.?

‘I agree with you, Cheok-Liang.’

“And afterward, I am planning things so that you can pass on your cultivation skills to others as well.”

‘Hm… Am I part of some kind of cultivation pyramid scheme?’

?But it is efficient, Master. Besides, cultivation would only be an auxiliary ability anyway.?

‘That’s true. It’s definitely efficient.’

1. Just a reminder that a gapja is a 60-year cycle.