Level Up Machine

Chapter 33 Liberation (1)

Ding.

[Successfully identified the structure.]

[Structure Identification skill level has risen to 3.]

“Ha?”

Yeong-sik breathed a sigh of relief as he looked at the message that appeared before his eyes.

If the skill level hadn’t increased despite using Structure Identification on such a massive machine, he would have felt completely at a loss. Fortunately, he managed to level up dramatically at the very last moment.

“Good.”

Confirming the increase in his Structure Identification skill level, Yeong-sik grinned. For him, leveling up this skill was of immense value, far beyond merely raising a skill level.

With the level increase came new abilities, an increase in the maximum level, and an overall enhancement of his physical capabilities.

Most importantly, it provided clues about his own identity.

To him, it was like a ray of light in a vast and desolate sea where he had been abandoned.

“Should I use it right away?”

Yeong-sik looked down at his body, lost in thought. Unlocking a security level gave him the thrilling sensation of unwrapping a present with unknown contents.

He was eager to see what new abilities he might gain, what he could do with them, and if he could find more clues about his identity. It was hard to resist the urge to use it immediately.

But.

“Hmm…”

Yeong-sik recalled when he had obtained the Boost ability. Back then, he had failed to control its power and had ended up bursting through a wall into Ara’s room.

Fortunately, he had ended up in Ara’s room, who knew his true identity. If he had accidentally entered another guild member’s room, his secret might have been exposed.

He didn’t know what kind of ability he would gain this time or what changes might occur in his body, so using Structure Identification right now could be dangerous.

‘I plan to tell them soon.’

Yeong-sik had gained a lot from the Salvator Guild. In fact, their support for his and Gil-soo’s and Ara’s growth was so generous it felt almost burdensome.

Considering their current status of being wanted by the kingdom, it wasn’t hard to imagine how burdensome it must be for them to provide such support. Saying he didn’t trust them after receiving so much would be ridiculous.

Yeong-sik planned to reveal his identity himself after living with them for a while longer.

‘But not right now.’

With that thought, Yeong-sik decided not to use Structure Identification on himself for the time being. He turned to tell the other guild members to head out of the dungeon.

At that moment, a clear chime echoed in his ears once again.

Ding.

[As your Structure Identification skill level has increased, you have acquired the skill ‘Enhancement.’]

[Skill Information – Enhancement Lv 1]

Description: Enhances machines using metal materials. Different metal materials are required for each target to be enhanced.

“Huh?”

Yeong-sik’s eyes sparkled as he looked at the sudden appearance of a blue window. A new skill had emerged in the Mechanical Engineer class.

‘Finally!’

Yeong-sik shouted inwardly as he read the description of the newly acquired skill. He had always wondered when he would get a new skill, especially as Gil-soo and Ara kept leveling up and continuously obtaining new skills.

‘When will it be my turn to get a new skill?’

Finally, a new skill had appeared.

“Let’s see…

Yeong-sik decided to test the idea that came to mind as soon as he heard the description of the skill, Reinforcement.

“Blade.”

Clank.

At his low murmuring, his left hand opened, and a sharp blade sprang out.

Until now, Yeong-sik had experienced many difficulties due to the blade’s low attack power. While he could push through to some extent with Boost or level, the blade’s low attack power remained a constant concern for him, especially since he lacked combat skills like Smash, which amplified attack power.

However, if he could strengthen the blade itself through Reinforcement, it would be a different story. Though he didn’t know the exact reason, for someone like Yeong-sik, who had excellent skills in handling the blade, it was an ideal situation.

“Great.”

With a wide grin, Yeong-sik used the Reinforcement skill on his blade.

[Do you want to reinforce this item? Reinforcement requires 5 C-grade metal cores.]

As soon as he used the Reinforcement skill, a blue message window appeared in front of his eyes. Without hesitation, Yeong-sik began the reinforcement process. A blue light started to seep into his blade.

Ding.

[The blade’s level has increased to 2.]

[Attack power has increased, and you can now use the ‘Flash Blade’ effect, which temporarily lengthens the blade.]

“Oh…

A short exclamation escaped Yeong-sik’s lips as he read the message window in front of him.

Yeong-sik swung his left arm while simultaneously using Flash Blade.

Clack!

When he used Flash Blade, the blade that had been only 30 centimeters long instantly extended to nearly 1 meter before retracting.

Yeong-sik slashed the blade towards the wall of the abandoned mine.

Slash.

The blade sliced cleanly through the hard rock of the abandoned mine wall as if cutting through tofu.

A broad smile spread across Yeong-sik’s face.

“Let’s see…”

Yeong-sik used the Reinforcement skill on his blade once again.

Ding.

[The level of the Reinforcement skill is too low to reinforce further.]

“As expected.”

After confirming that further reinforcement was not possible, Yeong-sik turned his gaze towards his right arm.

‘I wonder if this will work too.’

Yeong-sik, recalling the Rocket Punch he hadn’t used for a while, used the Reinforcement skill on his right arm.

[Do you want to reinforce this item? Reinforcement requires 5 C-grade metal cores.]

‘It works.’

Yeong-sik felt strange that his body was referred to as an “item,” but he agreed to the reinforcement.

Ding.

[The level of Rocket Punch has increased to 2.]

[The speed and power of Rocket Punch have increased, and the ‘Screw’ effect, which causes it to spin while flying, has been applied.]

Yeong-sik confirmed the level up of Rocket Punch with a satisfied expression. Although he couldn’t use it now due to hiding his identity, he planned to use his right arm appropriately after revealing his identity.

In less than three hours since discovering the bodies of the Iron Golems, he had raised the Extraction level to 2, Manufacturing level to 2, and Structural Analysis skill to 1. Additionally, he had learned a new skill called Reinforcement.

Moreover, a new way to compensate for the low attack power of the blade, which had been a constant concern, was now available.

‘If this isn’t hitting the jackpot, then what is?’

Yeong-sik thought with a broad smile. It was an incredible achievement, so much so that even the word ‘jackpot’ seemed insufficient. Moreover, he had not yet achieved all possible results. The true ‘achievement’ of unlocking the security level was still pending.

“Are you done?”

Yu-na, who had been sitting with the guild members and waiting for Yeong-sik, asked him. Yeong-sik nodded in response.

“Yes, it’s all done.”

“Hehe. How was it? Were the results good?”

“Yes, I am very satisfied.”

“Ooh. What did you make?”

With a curious expression, she peeked into the wall where Yeong-sik had been working. Inside, there were various items piled up, including a recorder, a microwave, a stun gun, and a coffee pot.

“Wow… You really make all sorts of things.”

Yu-na marveled as she looked around at the items he had made. Ara, also curious about Yeong-sik’s creations, followed her inside.

Her eyes sparkled as she looked at the coffee pot. She picked it up along with a massager and put them in her inventory. Watching her, Yu-na tilted her head in confusion.

“Isn’t everything here unusable without an outlet? Why take it?”

“Um, well, it just feels nostalgic.”

Ara responded awkwardly, avoiding her gaze. Knowing that Yeong-sik’s right arm had a power outlet that could operate the devices, Ara planned to call him later and use the equipment.

‘It might be a bit much…’

The thought that it might be too much to ask him to power the coffee pot and massager momentarily crossed her mind, but Ara quickly shook her head.

‘Isn’t it better to use them this way instead of just throwing them away as useless?’

Ara decided to be shameless about it.

‘And… if I do that, I’ll be alone with Yeong-sik…’

The thought that crossed her mind made her startle herself, shivering momentarily. With a flushed face, she briskly walked outside.

“Let’s head out.”

Yeong-sik, gathering the relatively small items like the recorder and stun gun from the floor, spoke to Bae Han-seong. Han-seong nodded and turned around.

“I’m satisfied that we finished the first dungeon cleanly without any injuries. We earned a decent amount of gold from the first-clear bonus, so you should treat us when we get back to the guild house.”

Han-seong said playfully. Yeong-sik chuckled and nodded.

“Yes, I’ll treat you all when we get back.”

“Haha. It’s good to hear since you won’t have much time left to support us.”

“Hmm… Do you have other things to do?”

Yeong-sik asked, noting the tone of someone who might stop supporting. Han-seong shook his head and replied.

“Well, I have to manage the guild’s finances, and we can’t keep leveling up with support forever. Most summoners who grow while relying on support until they reach max level… end up dead.”

Han-seong said with a bitter smile. Yeong-sik nodded in agreement. Indeed, having a safety net that could save them from danger at any time could make a person complacent. It wasn’t hard to predict that when that safety net was gone, the complacency left behind would come back as a sharp blade.

“And our guild… needs to start preparing for a counterattack.”

Han-seong said, his eyes shining sharply. In his eyes burned a cold fury. The chilling sensation in his words made Yeong-sik’s expression stiffen.

“A counterattack…?”

“Haha. I’ll explain it to you later. Until then, please continue to build your strength as much as possible.”

Han-seong said, turning to leave the mine. Yeong-sik wanted to ask more about the ‘counterattack’ but decided to follow him for now.

“Ha! Let’s hurry back and take a bath.”

“Hehehe, can I join you, Yu-na unnie?”

“Ugh, what are you doing, you creep?”

Yu-na said, pulling on Chae-rin’s cheeks as she clung to her. The guild members laughed at their friendly interaction.

‘Someday…’

Yeong-sik thought as he watched them. Although he was still awkward with everyone except Ara, he felt a warm feeling at the thought of joining their family-like atmosphere in the future.

With a gentle smile, Yeong-sik stepped out of the dungeon.

“Ah, finally out.”

As they exited the dungeon, dozens of fully armed people surrounded them.

A man with a menacing look smiled and raised one hand as he looked at Yeong-sik’s group.

“Is it okay to litter?”

The man held up an empty juice cup they had discarded before entering the dungeon.