Level Up Machine

Chapter 14 Growth Potential (4)

Extraction.

A skill used to gather materials for mechanical devices, extracting resources from minerals like iron.

Of course, it was better to use it on unprocessed iron ore or iron ingots rather than on weapons.

However, since both were quite expensive and Yeong-sik was short on money, he had no choice but to use extraction on the weapons after hunting the Orcs.

-Ding.

[Extraction was successful.]

[You have obtained 3 metal screws and 2 metal parts.]

As the extraction ended, all the Orcs’ weapons disintegrated into thin air, leaving

**3/32**

Yeong-sik with three screws, each about the size of a fingertip, and two metal parts that looked like gears in his hand.

“…Is this it?”

Yeong-sik looked down at the remaining handles of the Orcs’ weapons with a dumbfounded expression.

Despite extracting from a considerable number of weapons, he was left with only a handful of materials.

‘Is it because they’re scrap iron?’

Yeong-sik looked down at the materials in his hand with a dissatisfied expression.

The Orcs’ weapons weren’t made of pure iron but were mixed with other crude minerals, which resulted in this outcome.

‘It would be better to buy iron ingots separately later.’

As they continued hunting Orcs, gold would naturally accumulate.

Yeong-sik turned to Ara and Gil-soo and spoke.

“Then, let’s start hunting again.”

At his words, the two nodded.

Yeong-sik’s party continued their Orc hunting.

To avoid making the same mistake as before, Yeong-sik targeted Orcs that were separated in groups of three or four, without using rabbit meat.

Given that the party had shown they could handle over ten Orcs without hesitation, dealing with groups of three or four didn’t take much time.

By the end of the day, Yeong-sik’s party had killed nearly forty Orcs and returned to their lodgings, exhausted.

The profit they earned in a single day was 83 silver.

After spending a 50-silver potion to heal minor injuries, they had a net profit of 33 silver.

Deducting the cost of bandages, dried meat they ate along the way, rabbit meat used as bait, and other expenses, the profit decreased further.

‘Tsk. Though you can’t expect to get rich on the first try.’

Dividing the 33 silver profit among the three of them meant 11 silver each.

This meant the money earned from a whole day of monster hunting was only worth about 110,000 won.

The profitability of this endeavor was so poor that it was frustrating, but Yeong-sik shook his head.

After all, the main purpose of hunting right now was not to make money but to level up and strengthen the party’s overall power.

As the party’s strength grew, the money they earned would naturally increase as well.

“At least we managed to reach level 3 today, so that’s a relief.”

“Hmm. The amount of experience needed increases significantly with each level up.”

Gil-soo sighed as he checked his status window.

The required experience points increased drastically with each level, while the experience given by monsters decreased, making it difficult to level up.

“Still, at this rate, I think I can reach level 6. After that… I’ll need to hunt different monsters.”

“Different monsters…

“What do we usually hunt after Orcs?”

Ara asked Yeong-sik curiously.

Yeong-sik recalled the information he heard from the association and answered her question.

“Well, there are quite a few options after Orcs, but I think it’s best to hunt Lizardmen.”

“Lizardmen…those lizards?”

“Yeah. They move in smaller groups compared to Orcs, but each one is quite strong. We should reach level 6 first before hunting them.”

The group nodded in understanding at his words.

Since the Orc hunt was successful, the expressions of his party members were filled with a certain confidence.

“Then let’s head back and rest for today. We’ll go hunting again tomorrow.”

“That sounds good. We’re covered in Orc blood, and it’s uncomfortable. I want to go back and wash up quickly.”

At Gil-soo’s words, Ara nodded in agreement.

Upon returning to the inn, Yeong-sik paid for the accommodation with the money he had earned that day and enjoyed a hearty dinner. Though this left him nearly penniless, he did not regret it since having a full stomach and a good rest was crucial for the next day’s hunting.

The bathhouse in the inn could only accommodate one person at a time, so Gil-soo, who was covered in the most blood from close combat, decided to go first.

“Shall I try making something?”

Yeong-sik muttered to himself as he looked over the materials gathered from today’s hunt. The consistent use of extraction on the Orcs had accumulated a substantial amount of materials.

“What kind of device are you making?”

Ara looked at him curiously.

Yeong-sik clicked on his crafting skill to check the devices he could make.

[Crafting Level]

Basic Hair Dryer (Required materials: 5 metal parts, 10 metal screws, 1 metal plate)
Basic Mini Fan (Required materials: 2 metal parts, 7 metal screws, 1 metal plate)
Basic Electric Razor (Required materials: 4 metal parts, 8 metal screws, 1 small blade)
“What’s this, all these trivial household items?”

Seeing the list of items he could craft, Yeong-sik’s face showed disbelief. Each item listed was for everyday use and not suitable for combat.

Of course, since these items were not found in this world, they weren’t entirely useless, but from Yeong-sik’s perspective, who needed power to adapt to this world right now, they were not satisfactory.

“Hmm?”

Yeong-sik looked disappointedly at the list of items he could craft.

According to information he had gathered about this world, there were no machines here. Instead, magical devices called “magical tools” played a significant role in society. For example, communication crystals that functioned like telephones and magical bulbs that illuminated the night were widely distributed.

“These devices make life considerably easier for those of us accustomed to modern conveniences from Earth, although this inn doesn’t have them…”

The inn where Yeong-sik’s group was staying wasn’t one of the better ones and lacked such conveniences.

“Why?”

Noticing Yeong-sik’s displeased expression, Ara tilted her head and asked him.

Yeong-sik then explained to her about the items he could craft.

“You can make a hairdryer?”

Ara’s eyes sparkled upon hearing this. As someone with long hair that reached her waist, a hairdryer was indeed a coveted item for her.

At her reaction, Yeong-sik nodded.

“Yeah. I’m not sure how good it will be, but I can at least make it.”

“…Could you make it for me?”

She asked with eyes full of anticipation.

Yeong-sik chuckled and nodded.

“Hold on a moment. Let me check the materials we have.”

Yeong-sik opened his inventory window to review the materials obtained today. From extracting materials from the Orcs’ weapons, he had gathered six metal parts, eleven metal screws, and two metal plates.

“I can make one hairdryer.”

Yeong-sik, with a satisfied smile, informed her.

“I think I can make one right now.”

At his words, Ara’s eyes sparkled as she looked at him expectantly. Yeong-sik nodded in response.

“I need to craft items anyway to level up my Structural Analysis skill.”

The most crucial task for him was to level up his Structural Analysis skill to unlock the security codes within his body. Raising the security level would grant him access to new weapons and increase the level cap all at once.

“And.”

Yeong-sik’s eyes darkened. Raising the security level also allowed him to recover his memories piece by piece. For him, knowing who he was was more important than adapting to this place.

“Craft.”

With that thought, Yeong-sik used the skill to craft the hairdryer without hesitation.

When the crafting skill activated, a blue message window appeared in front of him, prompting him to choose which of the three items to make. The electric razor was marked in red and unavailable because he lacked the small blade.

“Let’s make it.”

Yeong-sik selected the “Basic Hair Dryer.”

Blue barcodes emanated from his body, intertwining in the air.

Yeong-sik and Ara gasped in awe as they watched the mystical sight of the barcodes intertwining in the air.

– Ding.

[Using 5 metal parts, 10 metal screws, and 1 metal plate to craft a ‘Basic Hair Dryer.’]

[The crafting of the Basic Hair Dryer was successful.]

[Crafting skill proficiency has increased.]

The blue barcodes in the air formed a shape.

Yeong-sik’s eyes sparkled as he looked at the hairdryer that had materialized before him.

“Oh?”

Although the hairdryer was labeled as “basic,” he had been worried about how crude it might be. However, it turned out to be not bad at all in appearance. It resembled a cheap, palm-sized hairdryer one might find at a discount store.

While Yeong-sik thought it was decent, Ara seemed a bit disappointed as she looked at the hairdryer suspended in the air.

As a famous model who had earned quite a lot of money, a hairdryer that seemed worth only a few thousand won couldn’t fully satisfy her.

‘Still, being able to dry my hair with a hairdryer here is something.’

Thinking this, she smiled lightly.

“Is it done?”

“Ah. Just wait a moment.”

Yeong-sik said as he held the finished hairdryer in one hand and spoke.

“Structural Analysis.”

When Yeong-sik used the Structural Analysis skill, the internal structure of the hairdryer appeared in his mind. Not only could he see how it was built, but he could also identify any defects and envision how to upgrade it.

– Ding.

[Structural analysis of the Basic Hair Dryer was successful.]

[Proficiency in Structural Analysis has increased.]

Hoping the skill level would rise, Yeong-sik was slightly disappointed.

‘Still, increased proficiency means the level will rise eventually.’

Pushing aside his disappointment, Yeong-sik handed the hairdryer to Ara.

Ara smiled lightly as she accepted the hairdryer from him.

“Thanks. I’ll use it well.”

Yeong-sik nodded, smiling back at her.

Ara examined the hairdryer curiously.

“But it’s strange. The materials you used were all screws and small parts, right? This looks like it’s made of plastic. How did that happen?”

In reality, it was impossible to make a hairdryer with the materials he used. As she said, plastic and many other complex components were required, such as the fan to cool the interior and the power supply cord.

“Well, I guess it’s the power of the skill. If we had to gather all the actual materials needed, we wouldn’t be able to make even one.”

Yeong-sik said with a bitter smile.

While it might be possible to make the other metal parts, there was no way to produce plastic.

“…Skills are convenient.”

Ara nodded in agreement with his words.

Creating ice arrows out of thin air or instantly bulking up muscles—these skills were unbelievable to her, who had lived on Earth.

“Thanks, Yeong-sik. I’ll use it well.”

She left with a slightly excited expression, anticipating the rare opportunity to dry her hair with a hairdryer.

Since Gil-soo had just finished his bath and returned, Ara could use the bathhouse immediately.

‘If I start making and selling these, I could make a decent profit.’

Even though magical tools were widespread, they didn’t quite match the convenience of the modern appliances enjoyed on Earth. Yeong-sik thought he could make good money by selling these products to other Earthlings who had crossed over. He waited for Ara to finish her bath.

– Creak.

“Yeong-sik.”

After some time, while talking with Gil-soo, Ara finally returned, opening the door and stepping inside.

Contrary to his expectations, her hair was still wet.

“Why? Is it not working?”

Yeong-sik asked, wondering if the hairdryer had broken right after being made.

Ara gave an awkward smile and asked.

“Where’s the outlet?”

Ah.

The outlet.

Yeong-sik felt as if he had been struck on the back of the head with a hammer.