Thumbs Up, Level Up

Chapter 50

Ji-Cheok’s bike and Cheok-Liang started to set fires everywhere. Waste oil, gunpowder, and countless other things that were flammable exploded from the [Blaze Walk], and the explosions became stronger and stronger. The fire made the gnolls, which until then had been maintaining formation as commanded by the gnoll warriors, eventually lose their calm and scatter in all directions. Ji-Cheok wouldn’t miss this kind of opportunity.

Vroom!

Ji-Cheok stepped on the accelerator and rode into the middle of the crowd of gnolls, swinging his [Mono Blade]. The two swords shone brightly as they cut down the gnolls. The battlefield was filled with blood and screams, and the fire popping up everywhere also made it scorching hot. Somehow, this place full of chaos and destruction gave Ji-Cheok a strange sense of satisfaction.

‘This is actually pretty fun.’

Ji-Cheok drove his bike toward the gnoll warriors in a rather cheerful mood. He slid past the gnolls as he cut off their heads with his swords.

Slice!

The estimated level of a gnoll warrior alone was about 60, but the monster died without being able to withstand Ji-Cheok’s single blow.

‘Wow... I’m pretty strong.’

Or was it that the gnolls were weak? Ji-Cheok would never know.

Ji-Cheok paused his bike to look around. The gnolls were frantically running away, and Ji-Cheok’s surroundings were full of dead gnolls. As Ji-Cheok was thinking about how all these high-value gnoll corpses would go to waste, he heard something from behind.

Roar!

Growl!

Ji-Cheok heard two cries coming out simultaneously. When he turned his head, he saw a giant, nearly three meters tall, walking out of a building, smashing everything in its way. It was the two-headed gnoll!

[Two-headed gnoll used [Cry of Fury].]

[[Beginner’s Skill: Steady Heart] is activated to resist the low-level intimidation effect.]

[Resistance successful!]

Ji-Cheok had totally forgotten that he was still level 1, but right now, he was glad that he couldn’t level up. Ji-Cheok could only use his Likes to level up his abilities, which was different from what ordinary Hunters did. Since he was still at level 1, he could naturally take advantage of the Beginner’s Package.

‘But next time, I should create an item that can help me resist intimidation skills up to the intermediate level.’

The viewers, who had no idea that Ji-Cheok was still able to use Beginner’s Package skills, were astonished.

-Jesus, how did he withstand that?

-Resistance to intimidation is pretty rare, but it’s probably an item effect, right?

-No way it’s a skill. Umji doesn’t even have enough points. How could he buy that?

-Maybe his level is different from what the experts have guessed…?

-It hasn’t been that long since he cleared a dungeon with a level limit. How could he have leveled up so fast?

Even better, Cheok-Liang could also use the skill.

[Summoned beast Cheok-Liang has used the [Beginner’s Skill: Steady Heart] to resist the low-level intimidation effect.]

[Resistance successful!]

Bark! Bark!

Cheok-Liang was smart enough not to reveal the secret of the skill; he just barked to show he was fine. Ji-Cheok also realized that it was best if this particular cat stayed inside the bag.

“Let’s go!”

It was Cheok-Liang who ran to the two-headed gnoll first. The gnoll swung his two axes at Cheok-Liang, and he dodged them by a hair’s breadth.

Thud!

The massive axes left large gashes in the ground where Cheok-Liang had stood not one instant ago.

‘I knew it!’

The level 80 two-headed gnoll sure was living up to his name. Ji-Cheok used a debuff on it first.

“Activate [Shadow Stealer]!”

[You have stepped on the enemy’s shadow, stealing a portion of the enemy’s movement speed and defense.]

[Stolen movement speed and defense can be used for 10 minutes. Do you wish to use it?]

Ji-Cheok realized that the skill worked even if it was the [Mono Bike] that tread on the enemy’s shadow. He couldn’t believe how overpowered the [Mana Sync] was.

“Activate!”

As soon as Ji-Cheok shouted, the gnoll’s shadow was torn apart, and a chunk of it flowed right into Ji-Cheok. He could see that the enemy’s movement had slowed dramatically.

“Let’s see if it worked on the gnoll’s defense as well.”

Ji-Cheok struck the gnoll’s arm with his [Light Blade].

Slash!

It worked! The sword actually cut through the thick skin of the two-headed gnoll.

“Cheok-Liang! Use [Roar of the Wild]!”

Rooooar!

Cheok-Liang let out a deafening roar as his fur bristled.

[Aggro successful!]

[The two-headed monster is aggroed by summoned beast Cheok-Liang!]

Thud! Thud!

‘It’s been a while since I’ve used the aggro skill. I bought it during the bus crisis and haven’t used it much since. I’m glad I bought it, after all.’

The two-headed gnoll swung his axes recklessly at Cheok-Liang.

‘I’m really low on mana right now.’

Ji-Cheok’s mana, which normally felt overflowing like the ocean, had now exposed its bottom like a river in a drought.

‘There is no point in using little tricks. I need to finish him in one blow.’

Ji-Cheok held out his dual swords and prepared his last skill.

“Black dragon of darkness that rules the shadows. Merge into my left arm! Hehe.”

[The Dark Spirit has answered your call.]

“Oh, darkness! Obscure its vision!”

The Dark Spirit summoned by Ji-Cheok’s command deprived the two-headed gnoll of its vision.

Gargh!

The agitated gnoll swung its axes wildly, but it wasn’t like Cheok-Liang would be hit by axes swung by a blind gnoll. Cheok-Liang avoided the axes much more easily than before. Ji-Cheok prepared to use the next skill.

“Heaven and Earth Divine Arts.”

Woong-

A faint light enveloped the blade of the sword. It was a little insufficient to be called ‘Sword Qi’, but even this alone could slice rocks in half.

“Activate Light Blade.”

[Heaven and Earth Divine Arts] and [Light Blade] were amplified. Ji-Cheok wanted to use the [Monoblade] that ignored the enemy’s defense, but he had to wait for the right timing.

At that moment, Ji-Cheok cranked the accelerator to the limit. Drawing upon Ji-Cheok’s mana, the bike circled around the two-headed gnoll.

“Maximum acceleration!”

[[Mono Bike] skill, [Acceleration] is activated.]

[The faster the speed, the greater the skill damage! (up to 300%)]

Ji-Cheok checked the speedometer, and when he saw the speed was high enough, he simply turned toward the wall and ran up it. Then, he turned the handlebars once more and dropped down toward the two-headed gnoll.

Bam!

As the gravitational acceleration brought the speed of the bike to the absolute peak, Ji-Cheok activated [Mono Blade].

[[Mono Blade] has been activated.]

[The blade now ignores the target’s defense.]

[Maximum speed has been reached!]

[300% additional skill damage is applied!]

[Mysterious Swords: White Night, Dark Night.]

The blade fell vertically, like a guillotine.

Shing!

Ji-Cheok could feel the back of the gnoll’s necks touching his fingertips. The sword cut through the thick epidermis layer, then through the dermis layer. It then cut through the thick fat, tore the muscle, and finally reached the cartilage.

Slice!

Ji-Cheok cut off both heads at the same time, like a butcher.

[You have defeated the Field Boss, Two-Headed Gnoll!]

[The Gods are impressed by your battle achievements!]

[You have received 1,000 Likes!]

[You have received 1,000 Likes!

[You have received 1,000 Likes!]

[You have received 1,000 Likes!]

[You have received 1,000 Likes!]

[You have received the title [The one who killed the Two-Headed Gnoll alone].]

[You have obtained special rewards!]

As Ji-Cheok shook off the blood of gnolls, he was happy to hear about the rewards. As the two-headed gnoll died, the other gnolls stepped back, starting to scream and run away.

“Oh no, my loot is running away. Excuse me while I’m going for a quick hunt.”

Ji-Cheok got back on the bike, without feeling exhausted. It was very easy hunting for Ji-Cheok as there was no need to use skills while on [Blaze Walk].

* * *

?Master, I am sensing something strange over there!?

After killing all the gnolls, Cheok-Liang found various medicinal herbs and treasures that they had hidden.

[Brown Mandragora]

[Class: B+

A rare alchemical herb that grows in gnoll habitats. Because it has an excellent strengthening effect, the gnolls consider it a treasure.]

“Wow, Cheok-Liang!” Ji-Cheok shouted.

When Ji-Cheok dug into the ground where Cheok-Liang indicated, Ji-Cheok found a sack of [Brown Mandragora].

“I’m gonna make you medicine with it.”

Ji-Cheok took all the [Brown Mandragora]. Gnolls were known to have a well-developed sense of smell, so they were able to find medicinal herbs better than any other monsters.

?Master, I can sense something stronger over there!?

Bark! Bark!

Cheok-Liang’s ears moved like radar antennas as he dragged Ji-Cheok along.

[Blue Mandragora]

[Class: B+

An even more rare alchemical herb that grows in gnoll habitats. Because it has an excellent regenerative effect, the gnolls consider it a treasure.]

“Wow! This one is rarer than the last one!”

The [Blue Mandragora] was very popular among Hunters, so much so that it was a seller’s market. Ji-Cheok kissed Cheok-Liang on the cheek and carefully gathered the herbs.

Bark!

?Master, I am sensing something dangerous over there!?

To Ji-Cheok’s surprise, Cheok-Liang pointed outside of the base this time.

Ji-Cheok had eliminated all the gnolls in the base and taken the expensive loot. The rest of the work could be finished by other people. Since Ji-Choek had nothing else to do, he drove his bike to the place where Cheok-Liang had pointed out. As he arrived, he saw a gate flashing in blue light.

“It’s a gate…”

Behind this gate was a dungeon. If this dungeon was cleared, this land could once more become inhabitable for people.

Cheok-Liang used his [Detection] skill to assess the dungeon.

Bark!

?I sense a very strong aura coming out of this gate! For now, I don't think it’s possible for you to clear it, Master.?

This gate was not the reason why Ji-Cheok had come here. As long as the goal had been achieved, there was no need for Ji-Cheok to enter the gate from here.

‘I think it’s better this way.’

“I’ll just report this gate to the authorities,” Ji-Cheok said to the viewers.

Having said that, Ji-Cheok and Cheok-Liang went down the mountain. Ji-Cheok had some free time while going down, so he looked at the chat, which was in complete chaos.

-Jesus… This live broadcast was just crazy…

-All the experts who said that Umji is irrelevant are eating their words right now.

-He got 120 million from his first stream. Is that even possible?

-Umji, who?are?you?

-I knew he could heal, deal damage, and tank at the same time, but it looks like he’s using alchemy also. He doesn’t seem to be job-restricted.

-I’ve never heard of a Hunter that could do that.

-乃All hail the strongest Umji!乃

-乃Umji is god!!! God Umji!!! I love you!!!乃

-乃!!!!!!!Umji is the best!!!!!!乃

Ji-Cheok realized he had finally come down from the mountain, as he saw the road ahead.

“Well, we’re here. It was a pleasant hike,” Ji-Cheok said to the viewers.

Suddenly, a red message appeared in the chat room. These red chats were only used by VIP Hunters.

-[Ssun_Ju_Ran] has deposited a special donation.

‘Special donation?’

This meant a donation with no fixed price.

‘[Ssun_Ju_Ran]…Could it be Shin Ju_Ran, the eldest daughter from the Shinsung Group?’

Ji-Cheok knew about the Shinsung Group. He remembered when the headhunter from Shinsung Group offered him an arranged marriage back in the day. Ji-Cheok didn't know who it was from, but he remembered his legs trembling at the thought that he might become someone’s son-in-law. That was one of the reasons why Ji-Cheok had declined.

[Ssun_Ju_Ran]: I enjoyed your stream, Hunter Umji. I will buy a cup of Starbucks coffee for every [Gumji] who cheered hard for Umji.^^

-All viewers that are [Gumji] who watched the stream will receive a Starbucks coffee voucher.

The donation didn’t state a fixed number of vouchers. It was for every [Gumji] that met the requirements, which meant everyone who was in Ji-Cheok’s fan club! It was a breathtaking donation with no strings attached.

-Is that really Ssun Ju Ran? She was watching the live broadcast?

-Unnie!! WOW!! I LOVE YOU UNNIE!!

-Doesn’t she rarely come to see rookie Hunters?

-I haven’t seen her in ages. On top of that, all the fans get a voucher…

-Gumjis are sooo lucky!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-She is on another level!!!

-Umji I love you!!!! Ssunju unnie, I love you too!!!!!

“Hahaha… Am I dreaming?” Ji-Cheok said.

1. What Ji-Cheok is actually afraid of is “marrying into” someone else’s family. Tradition has it that the bride leaves her home and becomes a member of the husband’s household. A man doing that is perceived as weak, useless, a mooch etc.

2. Unnie is an honorific used by females for older females. It is generally translated as “big sister”.