Level Up Machine

Chapter 127 Machines and Weapons (4)

After receiving Yeong-sik’s items, the guild members’ skills showed a clear difference from before. First of all, the basic firepower itself increased to an unbelievable extent, allowing for much more strategic options in boss monster battles.

Ultimately, the only one who saw the effect of the level cap increase was Jeong So-rim, but the power of the weapons combined with the machinery was overwhelming.

The difference in level could be compared to a difference in weight class.

Basic strength, agility, and toughness itself varied depending on the level.

But why were tools and weapons created in the first place? Weren’t they made to hunt beasts that humans couldn’t deal with barehanded?

The reason it turned the entire history of mankind upside down was because even a ten-year-old child could easily kill a much larger adult if they knew how to handle a gun.

It was literally something possible only in movies to subdue dozens of people with guns barehanded.

Whether it was a martial artist who had trained for ten years or a lazy bum rolling around at home, they were all the same in front of a gun. After all, it was a one-shot deal.

Of course, it didn’t mean that the weapons Yeong-sik made could crush S-grade boss monsters.

But still, it was possible to catch boss monsters far more easily than before receiving his weapons.

If the previous hunts felt like Tiria was dragging the guild members along, now it felt like the guild members were pushing her from behind.

The one who changed remarkably compared to before was, of course, Jeong So-rim.

Based on her unique lightning-fast attacks, she targeted the weak spots of the boss monsters.

Sometimes, Jeong So-rim showed even more powerful performances in boss battles than Yu-na. It was the result of the stat increases due to level up combined with her own understanding of spear techniques.

“The Black Cubes are also being collected smoothly.”

The number of Black Cubes from S-grade boss monsters obtained through this expedition was eleven. If extracted immediately, it was enough to enhance two weapons other than Rocket Punch.

Yeong-sik considered extracting them right away, but soon dismissed the thought. S-grade metal cores were precious materials used in android manufacturing and synthesis. It was more efficient to use them later after assessing the situation rather than using them immediately.

“At this level, entering the central region shouldn’t be a problem.”

Specifically, the old Orichalcum mine of the Ingrim Empire located near the central region. If they could just acquire the Orichalcum there, it would be possible to create much more powerful machines than now.

Although the central region was dangerous, both the Leviathan Guild and the Abaddon Guild had advanced to the central region before.

There was no reason for the Salvator Guild, which had acquired comparable power, to be afraid.

“Tiria.”

“Ah, Yeong-sik.”

After the boss monster hunt was over, Yeong-sik approached Tiria, who was resting. He opened the map Han-seong had given him and spoke.

“The monster hunts have stabilized a lot now… I think we should advance a bit more towards the center.”

“Is this where the Orichalcum mine is located?”

“Yes. I think we can reach here without much difficulty with our current strength.”

**”O.”**

“W?”

Tiria nodded at Yeong-sik’s words. After receiving his weapons, the guild members had become unrecognizably strong. Entering the central region didn’t sound absurd anymore.

However, the fact remained that it was still dangerous.

The monsters inhabiting the central region were inherently powerful, boasting strength beyond the average ranker.

“Is Orichalcum absolutely necessary for you, Yeong-sik?”

“It’s not a must-have item. But if we have Orichalcum, we can manufacture machines of even higher grades than now. Maybe we can even enhance the items you have, Tiria.”

“……Certainly, it’s a necessary item for increasing our power.”

Through this expedition, they had realized how absurdly powerful the machines Yeong-sik created were.

‘Even now, they are this powerful…

It was hard to imagine how much more powerful the machines could become after acquiring Orichalcum.

“Alright. Let’s advance a bit more towards the central region.”

After pondering for a moment, Tiria decided to push towards the central region.

To conquer the north, they would eventually have to advance there. Going now to understand the level of danger wasn’t a bad idea.

“I’ll inform the guild members.”

“Ah, Yeong-sik. Before that, I have something to ask.”

“What is it?”

“You mentioned before that you could peek into the memories of boss monsters through the Black Cubes, right?”

“That’s right.”

Yeong-sik nodded.

“I’ve been curious while capturing the boss monsters here… what exactly are they guarding?”

At her question, Yeong-sik firmly closed his mouth.

The place where the war between the Ingrim Empire and the creators of the monsters took place, the Hero’s Tomb. The boss monsters spread out as if guarding that place.

What they were actually ‘guarding’ was also something Yeong-sik was curious about.

“……When I analyzed the Black Cubes we’ve collected so far, I couldn’t figure out what they were guarding.”

The videos were not much different from those of other Black Cubes he had analyzed.

Something appearing like it was surrounded by fog, subduing monsters, and using the Black Cubes to control them.

The only information gained from analyzing this Black Cube was that the hazy figure had a ‘red’ hue.

“Is that so…

“Well, wouldn’t we get a clue if we head towards the central region?”

“Yes. I think it’s best to check it out in person.”

Tiria nodded and stood up.

* * *

Once the destination was decided, the Salvator Guild immediately headed towards the Orichalcum mine marked on the map.

As they delved deeper into the central region, the seemingly endless forest gave way to a vast wilderness.

“What’s this place?”

Yu-na, who was walking at the front, let out a brief exclamation at the sight before her.

A vast wasteland stretched to the horizon, resembling a desert. Scattered across the wasteland were the remnants of buildings, broken and shattered.

“……This is the territory of the Ingrim Empire.”

Yoo Jin’s eyes gleamed sharply as he looked over the wasteland.

The Ingrim Empire had once ruled as the most powerful nation on the continent. Seeing the land, which had become a wasteland after the nation’s catastrophic fall, sent a chill down his spine.

The guild members paused for a moment, taking in the expanse of the wasteland.

Everyone knew that the Ingrim Empire had been utterly annihilated during the Great War.

However, seeing it in person made the word ‘annihilation’ weigh heavily on their shoulders.

“……What if,” Yu-na began, “what if we were defeated by the monsters? Would the Elnote Kingdom end up like this?”

“It would,” Yoo Jin replied in a heavy voice.

He understood why the Leviathan Guild was so desperate in their preparations for the northern conquest.

They, too, had seen this sight. The Ingrim Empire, once glorious, now completely and thoroughly destroyed.

‘……This isn’t just about returning to Earth.’

Killing the creators was no longer about whether they could return to Earth. It was a matter of survival.

Yoo Jin stood silently, staring at the endless wasteland. The sight of that dead land brought a distant memory to his mind.

– “Brother!”

The voice of a young girl echoed in his ears. Yoo Jin bit his lip harshly and clenched his fist.

Another reason he had to fight against the creators.

To avenge his younger sister, who was brutally murdered by monsters.

Even without using a skill, his heart ached. The emotions that had weathered with time began to surge again.

‘……Not yet.’

He didn’t know how powerful these creators were.

But one thing was certain: they were beings so powerful that their current strength couldn’t even reach them.

Yoo Jin turned to look at his guild members.

He felt that with them, he could someday stand before these creators. With eyes deep with determination, he walked towards his guild members.

“But didn’t they say there were powerful monsters in the central region? All I see now is a wasteland.”

Yu-na looked around and asked.

Han-seong adjusted his round glasses and answered.

“Strictly speaking, this isn’t the central region itself but the entrance to it. According to what I’ve heard from the Leviathan Guild, most of the monsters are hiding underground, so you can’t see them from the surface.”

“……It’s kind of scary. It means we could be attacked at any time, right?”

“Yes. That’s why we have to be extra cautious.”

“Grandpa Hwang-hyeon, do you see anything?”

Yu-na asked Hwang-hyeon, who had the best eyesight among the guild members.

“I don’t see anything with my eyes. But…”

Hwang-hyeon, with a tense expression, bent down and placed his hand on the ground.

“I feel like there’s something underground.”

“……Where exactly?”

“I don’t know. I don’t feel any vibrations or presences. It’s just… a simple hunch.”

At Hwang-hyeon’s words, the guild members’ expressions hardened.

An archer class’s intuition.

Dismissing it as a mere hunch carried a different weight because of his class.

“Yeong-sik, do you sense anything?”

Tiria turned her head toward Yeong-sik and asked.

Back when they were at the Forgotten Ones’ Tomb, Yeong-sik had used the ‘Scan’ skill to detect the presence of a Great Worm underground while he and Tiria were hiding in a tunnel they dug through the dungeon walls.

“Yeong-sik?”

“Yeong-sik? What’s wrong?”

At Tiria and Ara’s words, the guild members’ gazes turned to Yeong-sik.

Since arriving at this place, Yeong-sik had been staring blankly at the wasteland with a dazed expression.

“Ah…”

“Is something wrong, Yeong-sik?”

Ara approached Yeong-sik with a concerned expression. Her hand reached out and touched him.

-Bzzzzt!

“Kyah?!”

Ara recoiled, feeling a sharp electric shock from her hand. Her expression hardened.

It wasn’t the first time sparks had flown from Yeong-sik’s body. It was similar to when he had fallen into an ‘overload’ state after using an incomprehensibly powerful force.

“Yeong-sik…?”

*Thud.*

Yeong-sik’s knees buckled as he stared blankly at the wilderness. He clutched his head and bent over.

“Ugh, ah, ah…”

Fragments of forgotten memories tore through his body.