Thumbs Up, Level Up

Chapter 43

After praying, Seong Kwang said good night to the brothers.

“Good night, guys. You have to take breaks when you can, otherwise, you are going to burn out,” Seong Kwang said as he went to his bed.

Everybody on the limousine bus was asleep. The only sound was the vibration coming from underneath the bus.

“Shall we see what we got from the raid?” Ji-Cheok asked.

“Let’s open it together, hyung.” Mu-Cheok smiled.

From this raid, Ji-Cheok had received two [Random Unique Skill Book] and a [Random Unique Item Box]. Adding to that, every member of the party had also received an item as a reward for clearing the dungeon for the first time.

[Luminous Fairy Pendant]

[Class: A

Type: Accessory (Artifact)

The pendant is given to all members of a party that clears the [Glowing Mushroom Forest] or the [Glowing Fairy Dungeon]. It is made from gems cut into the shape of a fairy wing. When it is infused with mana, it glows dimly in the dark.

All stats +10 when equipped.

Mana recovery rate +10%

Mana storage +10%

Luck +5

*Additional skill available when all six pendants are gathered in one dungeon.

Fairy’s Step: Reduce enemy’s attack by 10%

Increase ally’s attack by 10%

*Non-tradable Item.]

Ji-Cheok could not believe how overpowered this item was. If this was in a game, people would call this an IMBA item. Additionally, this item was an accessory, not a weapon or a piece of armor. It could be worn on clothes, hung on a chain, or worn as a necklace.

“Do the ‘six pendants’ mean our party members?” Mu-Cheok asked.

“Yes, the pendants were given to the top six contributors, so I’m sure they all got it. Hunter Assistants also received items, but I think their items are weaker than the pendant. Still, +5 on all their stats is very good for Hunter Assistants,” Ji-Cheok replied.

It was a shame that the pendant couldn’t be traded. Ji-Cheok wondered how much he could get if he put the item on the market.

?I think the starting price would be three billion won on the auction, Master. The item has great stats, but most importantly, items that increase luck stats are extremely rare.?

‘The status window doesn’t even have a slot for luck, does it?’

Reading Ji-Cheok's thoughts, Cheok-Liang answered.

?Did you really think humans only had six abilities? The system only shows some of the abilities that are easy for humans to understand.?

‘Does that mean that luck actually exists?’

?Yes, it does. Luck is not just something from fortune-telling, but it is a stat hidden in the system. We call those ‘Hidden Stats’.?

‘Hidden Stats?’

?In Hidden Stats, there is not only [Luck] but also [Talent] and [Personality]. However, the system does not show it because there is no particular way to raise it with effort.?

‘I see…’

Ji-Cheok agreed with Cheok-Liang. It was impossible for someone to suddenly improve their luck, talent or their personality. However, just by carrying this pendant, it could make someone lucky. This item was amazing.

‘Then, shall we take a look at the [Random Unique Skill Book]?’

Ji-Cheok wore the [Luminous Fairly Clip] on his shirt, then he took a deep breath in prayer and opened the skill book.

[[Random Unique Skill Book] shines brightly.]

[[Random Unique Skill Book] has changed into one skill book.]

[Arcane Golem Creation]

[Class: Unique (Upgradable Rank F)

A skill from the world of Arcane Civilization. You can bring into existence a special type of golem and control it perfectly. The Golem summoned can be stored in another dimension and responds whenever the owner calls it.

‘Holy…Shit…’

Ji-Cheok repeatedly rubbed and opened his eyes. He could not believe he had received the [Arcane Golem Creation]. Any golem skill book was tremendously expensive, and it was the number one type of skill book that Hunters wanted to have, yet it was never available in the Hunter Store. The only possible way to obtain these skill books was as a reward for clearing dungeons. Additionally, it wasn’t just any dungeon either; these skill books were given randomly only in dungeons that were related to the [Arcane Civilization]. The possibility of getting this skill book was somewhere in the realm of winning the lottery.

‘Was [Glowing Mushroom Forest] related to the ruins of the [Arcane Civilization]?’

Thinking about it, Ji-Cheok realized that he had indeed seen old pillars and tiles underneath the mushroom forest. No one in the party had any idea that those tiles and pillars were related to [Arcane Civilization].

The [Arcane Civilization] was a world where magic and mechanical innovation were fused together. The fragmented dungeons of this world were extremely rare. Henry Mercedes, who had been in the top ten in the Hunter rankings, used this summoning skill to break through countless dungeons that were thought to be impossible. There were no monsters that could stop Henry Mercedes. who was riding an Arcane Golem.

‘This skill is mine now? What are the chances?!’

Furthermore, the summoned golems could be reinforced by alchemy. Ji-Cheok could not imagine what kind of destructive power the golems would have if tweaked a bit with [Scrooge’s Alchemy]. Even the newest skill [Soul Driver] could be on the Arcane Golem.

?Master! I knew you were the chosen ooooooone!?

Cheok-Liang hugged Ji-Cheok and screamed in joy. As the two were celebrating, Mu-Cheok looked at his older brother.

“Hyung, what’s going on? What did you get?” Mu-Cheok asked.

“Hold on… Mu-Cheok. Let’s talk about it after we finish opening everything. I need to concentrate,” Ji-Cheok replied.

“Oh, alright.”

Mu-Cheok gulped down his saliva, and Ji-Cheok sat cross-legged and started to meditate. It was well-known that in gambling, winners win and losers lose and that more greed meant more failures.

‘I need to empty my mind…’

When Ji-Cheok opened his eyes after exhaling deeply, Cheok-Liang had shifted into his fennec form and was doing something on the floor.

?Oh, it's a prayer for good luck. Don’t mind me, Master.?

‘Does it really work?’

?That’s in your mind. Don’t you feel at ease, at least??

With that in mind, Ji-Cheok opened another skill book.

[[Random Unique Skill Book] shines brightly.]

[[Random Unique Skill Book] has changed into one skill book.]

[Mana Heart of the Ark Dragon]

Class: Unique (Upgradable, Rank F)

Dragons are a magical tribe, and their hearts are able to gather mana. Based on the special characteristics of the dragon heart, a mana-gathering skill has been developed for human use.

Caution: Skill unavailable if user has mastered any other mana skill. Skill unavailable if the user is above level 2. Skill unavailable if the user has trained any part of their body.

Mana recovery +100%.

Upon learning the skill, an additional Ring of Mana (1 circle/passive) skill will be acquired.

As the user becomes more familiar with the skill, the ability to recover will correspondingly improve.

Requirement: Level 1

*The System shall not be liable for any loss or damage whatsoever incurred by the User because of improper use and/or ignoring the warning label.

*Tradable

‘What? I already have this skill.’

It was a skill that Ji-Cheok had bought for 50,000 Likes from the Likes Shop.

‘Oh, I didn’t know there were duplicates. At least it’s from the dungeon, so it is tradable. Let’s just make some money off of it. Nobody can get a jackpot every time.’

?Master, press the skill book cover.?

‘What? I’m not even going to learn the skill anyway, why bother?’

?When it prompts you to learn the skill, you can cancel it. Just press it.?

Ji-Cheok knew that Cheok-Liang had some idea in his mind. Ji-Cheok pressed the skill book cover, then a message popped up that Ji-Cheok had never thought of.

[You already have this skill. If the skill is duplicate, it can be upgraded. Do you wish to upgrade this skill?]

‘What? An upgrade?’

?You can upgrade your skill when you get the same skill from a dungeon that you bought at the Like Shop or the Hunter Store. In our line of work, we call this the ‘duplicate compensation system.’?

‘Isn’t it almost impossible to get the same skill from a dungeon as the one that you already have?’

?Yes, you can call this a hidden reward the system has prepared for those kinds of people.?

‘I’ve never heard this from anywhere, even on the Internet.’

?You couldn’t find the tip about using cheap weapons to practice your alchemy either. The best life hacks are the ones that were not shared, Master.?

‘Hahaha. What a trick! But this kind of trick is hard to use anyways.’

Ji-Cheok kept thinking about why the system existed, then he remembered something Cheok-Liang had said before.

?The system exists to assist humans to reach beyond the sky.?

Sometimes the system was cruel, and sometimes it was gentle. However, there was one thing Ji-Cheok wholeheartedly agreed with: the system did everything in its power to assist humans.

‘Then… Why do humans have to reach beyond the sky? What is the purpose?’

Ji-Cheok looked up to see the sky, but the only thing he saw was the ceiling of the limousine.

‘So what does it mean when the system is talking about the [Sky]?’

Ji-Cheok had so many questions in his mind, but for now he wanted to concentrate on upgrading his skill.

“Let’s upgrade this skill,” Ji-Cheok said.

[[Mana Heart of the Ark Dragon] has been upgraded.]

[The skill name has been changed to [Double Core].]

[Double Core]

[Class: Unique (Upgradable, Rank F)

It uses two dragon hearts to gather mana more quickly. Combining human wisdom with the special characteristics of the Ark Dragon has resulted in a distinguished mana recovering skill. This skill can only be obtained through a special method, but even though it is difficult to acquire, its power makes the effort worthwhile.

Mana Recovery Rate +250%

[Mana Ring of the Ark Dragon] skill efficiency +250%

As the user proficiency level increases, the recovery rate will proportionally increase by 250%.

Requirements:

- Level 1 [Mana Heart of the Ark Dragon].

- Duplicate skill books from a dungeon.

‘250%... It’s not even 200%, but 250%...’

Ji-Cheok was at a loss for words.

‘I could go on a mana spending spree, and still have some left.’

Even Henry Mercedes, who could ride an arcane golem and use his sprint skill, wouldn’t have had such mana when he was at Ji-Cheok’s level. The synergy between Ji-Cheok’s skills was astounding, borderline scary.

?Did it upgrade to something good, Master??

Before Cheok-Liang could finish his sentence, Ji-Cheok hugged him.

Meow~

“You are the best Cheok-Liang, I love you!!”

Meow~

Ji-Cheok pulled on Cheok-Liang’s cheeks with both hands. The only thing left now was the [Random Unique Item Box].

[Troll’s Ring of Regeneration]

[Class: B

Type: Ring (Artifact)

This ring bestows upon the wearer the regenerative abilities of a troll. It quickly heals all wounds and provides unending stamina.

All stats +10 when equipped.

Stamina recovery speed +10%

Stamina +10%

Strength +10%

[Low-level regeneration] acquired.]

‘Oh, this one is pretty good too. It’s perfect for melee Hunters like me.’

Ji-Cheok contemplated for three seconds if he wanted to sell it, but decided to keep it in the end. There was no binding condition when equipped, which meant it could be sold at any time. In addition, this item was directly related to survival. As everyone knew, there was nothing more important to Hunter than surviving. When Ji-Cheok put the ring on his finger, it shrank automatically to fit his size.

It was Ji-Cheok’s lucky day. Mu-Cheok was amazed as he listened to all the items and skills Ji-Cheok had received.

“What did you get?” Ji-Cheok asked.

“I got some pretty good stuff as well.”

Mu-Cheok had received a B-Class necklace that created a shield around the user, though it could only be used five times a day. It was a perfect item for someone who mainly used firearms.

“I also got this skill called [Double Shot]. I can shoot two bullets at once,” Mu-Cheok said.

Ji-Cheok thought that it was his brother’s lucky day too. After some thinking, Mu-Cheok spoke to his brother.

“I was thinking of using dual handguns next time so that I can shoot four bullets at once.”

It sounded crazy at first, but if it worked, it would be deadly.

After the two brothers finished talking, they lay in bed together. However, thinking about all the extraordinary items and skills he had received made Ji-Cheok unable to fall asleep. It was the same for Mu-Cheok—Ji-Cheok could hear his brother tossing and turning.

‘Ah… My heart is racing.’

The thought of going home right away and summoning the arcane golem hindered Ji-Cheok from falling asleep.