Level Up Machine

Chapter 43 Explosive Level-Up (1)

“A-grade…”

Yeong-sik’s eyes gleamed sharply as he confirmed the item’s grade. If the grade concept here was the same as that of rare items, then A-grade was an extraordinary value.

Currently, Yeong-sik knew of only two A-grade rare items. One was the Twin Blades of Red Lotus that Yu-na held, and the other was the Shield of Radiance, which Gil-soo had inherited from Han Cheol-ho.

Both items were incredibly valuable, and it was said that even high-level summoners couldn’t easily obtain them.

“Good.”

A thrilling sensation spread through Yeong-sik’s entire body as the back of his neck heated up. He had a hunch that if he succeeded in deciphering the structure of the black cube, there would be something more.

“Analyze Structure.”

Yeong-sik used the Analyze Structure skill on the black cube once more. The blue light emanating from his hand flowed into the black cube.

– Ding.

[Failed to analyze the structure of the A-grade Memory Cube.]

[The level of the Analyze Structure skill is insufficient.]

“Failed again, huh?”

Yeong-sik swallowed a sigh of disappointment. He couldn’t gauge what level of the Analyze Structure skill was needed to decipher the A-grade Memory Cube.

“But.”

Yeong-sik turned his head to look at the remaining thirty or so black cubes. With this quantity, it wouldn’t be difficult to raise the level of his Analyze Structure skill.

Yeong-sik set aside the A-grade black cube for now and started analyzing the structures of the other black cubes. There were about two C-grade black cubes in the mix, but other than slightly increasing his stats compared to the D-grade black cubes, there wasn’t much difference.

– Ding.

[The level of the Analyze Structure skill has increased to 5.]

“Good.”

The level of the Analyze Structure skill, which had barely increased, jumped by two levels just by using it on the black cubes. For him, the level of Analyze Structure, which allowed him to decode security codes, was more important than anything else.

A broad smile spread across Yeong-sik’s face. He reached out towards the remaining ten or so black cubes.

– Ding.

[Successfully analyzed the structure of the □-grade Memory Cube.]

[The proficiency of the Analyze Structure skill has increased.]

[The stat boost contained in the Memory Cube has been inherited.]

[Intelligence stat has increased by +2.]

“Even if the level of Analyze Structure increases, the proficiency doesn’t rise drastically.”

Yeong-sik looked down at the black cube in his hand with a slight expression of regret. Just like summoner levels, as the skill level increased, the experience points required to level up also decreased.

“Can I reach level 6?”

Even though he had already risen by two levels, unlocking two security levels, experiencing such a “jackpot” made him feel like it was still insufficient.

“Human greed knows no bounds.”

Yeong-sik let out a chuckle at the thought that crossed his mind. It felt somewhat comedic for a being made entirely of mechanical parts to refer to itself as human.

“I’ll save the A-grade one for last.”

Muttering to himself, Yeong-sik used the Analyze Structure skill on the remaining black cubes. Although he wanted to raise the level of his Analyze Structure skill one more time before testing it on the A-grade black cube, the skill level did not increase further.

“Then…”

With a slightly tense expression, Yeong-sik looked at the last remaining black cube. This was the black cube he had failed to analyze when his skill level was at 4. It was an A-grade item, a grade so rare that even high-level summoners couldn’t easily obtain it.

Yeong-sik reached out and touched the A-grade black cube. The hard texture under his fingertips felt oddly familiar.

“Analyze Structure.”

Yeong-sik used the Analyze Structure skill on the last black cube. A much brighter blue light than before exploded from his hand.

“Ugh.”

Yeong-sik frowned as he felt his mana rapidly depleting. It was the first time he had experienced this sensation while using the Analyze Structure skill.

The skill itself consumed very little mana, and the rate of mana recovery was usually faster than the mana used by the skill.

However, this time, his entire body’s mana was being drained almost instantaneously. Yeong-sik squeezed out the remaining mana and directed it into the black cube.

– Ding.

[Successfully analyzed the structure of the A-grade Memory Cube.]

[The proficiency of the Analyze Structure skill has increased explosively.]

[The level of the Analyze Structure skill has increased to level 6.]

“Yes.”

Yeong-sik grinned as he looked at the message window in front of him. The notifications of successfully analyzing the A-grade Memory Cube and the increase in his Analyze Structure skill level made his heart race.

With a faint noise, an image appeared in his mind. Yeong-sik closed his eyes and focused on the vision.

A desolate desert, its land dried and withered as if dead, stretched out before him. In that desert lay a golem clad in white armor.

The golem in white armor lifted its head. Beyond its gaze, a massive “mountain of machinery” was visible.

“You have quite a sturdy body. I like it. I’ll take you.”

A low voice echoed. The golem looked up at the being that had knocked it down.

The figure was hazy, as if shrouded in mist.

“Roaaar!”

The golem in white armor leaped from the ground. In its hand was a shield emitting a pure white light.

Boom!

A tremendous shockwave spread out from the shield. The hazy figure let out a chuckle and waved its hand.

– Bang!

The shockwave from the shield burst as it touched the distortion in the space. The hazy figure walked slowly towards the golem that had collapsed after using all its strength.

“Were you the guardian of an ancient relic?”

The hazy figure smirked. With the black cube in its hand, it reached out towards the golem.

“It’s not much different from what you’ve been doing so far.”

As it said this, it placed the black cube on the golem’s head.

The view distorted, and a horrible noise reverberated around.

“Ugh!”

The vision that had surfaced in Yeong-sik’s mind abruptly cut off. He placed a hand on his forehead, trying to ease the sensation of heat.

“Is this because it’s an A-grade Memory Cube? This vision contained slightly more information than the previous ones.”

Yeong-sik recalled the shield held by the golem clad in white armor. It was undoubtedly the Shield of Radiance that symbolized Han Cheol-ho of the Light Shield Guild.

“That shield was obtained from that golem, then.”

The most plausible possibility Yeong-sik could think of was that Han Cheol-ho had defeated the golem and obtained the Shield of Radiance.

Yeong-sik’s eyes gleamed sharply.

“That hazy figure in the vision.”

The hazy figure that appeared consistently in the Memory Cube visions.

Yeong-sik closed his eyes and recalled the visions from the forty or so black cubes in his mind.

“…It’s not just one person.”

His eyes slowly opened, and a cold light shone in them.

Though all the hazy figures were indistinguishable, their way of speaking was slightly different.

“Come to think of it, when I first used Analyze Structure on Ruderek’s Memory Cube, they were having a conversation.”

Yeong-sik remembered the first time he used Analyze Structure on a black cube, and his expression hardened.

“Does that mean there isn’t just one creator of the monsters?”

Given the current possibilities, that seemed the most likely explanation.

Yeong-sik swallowed hard.

The power of these “creators,” as revealed through the A-grade Memory Cube, was beyond common sense.

A single gesture from these creators could easily subdue an A-grade boss monster.

If there were multiple such creators, then the summoners’ ultimate goal of conquering the northern lands seemed even more distant.

“…It’s a useless worry for now.”

At the moment, the Salvator Guild was struggling to survive, let alone think about conquering the north. In their current dire situation, talk of northern conquest was pointless.

“But someday!”

Yeong-sik’s head burned with determination. Someday, he would elevate the Salvator Guild to the ranks of the top three guilds or beyond and head north with unyielding resolve.

“Hmm…”

Yeong-sik wore a puzzled expression as he felt a surge of determination. It was a sense of déjà vu he had experienced before.

Why was he so intent on gaining greater power and expanding his influence to head north?

Unlike other summoners, Yeong-sik had no desire to return to Earth. He harbored no longing for Earth whatsoever.

However, his resolve for the northern conquest was unwavering.

The conflicting thoughts in his mind made things complicated. Yeong-sik felt as though the specter of his forgotten memories clung to his body.

– Ding.

The unpleasant sensation vanished with the clear sound of a bell. Yeong-sik lifted his head.

[The stat boost contained in the Memory Cube has been inherited.]

[Your level limit has increased by 3. You have acquired the ‘Radiance Lv 1’ skill.]

Yeong-sik’s eyes widened in surprise, a rare reaction from him. The information displayed in the message was shocking.

“Radiance skill…”

He recalled the memory of his forced liberation. It was a skill that allowed him to summon three shields of light, each with enough defensive power to momentarily halt his own forced liberation.

The skill embedded in the A-grade rare item, the Shield of Radiance, had been directly inherited by him. And it wasn’t just about acquiring the skill. His level limit, a measure of power and significance among summoners, had also increased.

“Heh.”

A hollow laugh escaped Yeong-sik’s lips.

When he discovered the dozens of black cubes, he had a premonition of a jackpot. However, he had only expected to significantly raise his Analyze Structure skill level and unlock higher security levels.

But after deciphering the black cubes, he gained much more than just an increase in his skill level. He learned that there were multiple creators of the monsters. He received stats that could only be obtained by leveling up, an increase in his level limit, and new skills.

The black cubes had given him an absurd amount of benefits.

A twisted smile formed on Yeong-sik’s lips.

“The answer was the black cubes.”

This time, he realized what was most essential for his growth.

Raising the Analyze Structure skill level through manufacturing skills?

That seemed trivial compared to the immense rewards from the black cubes.

“But there are almost no boss monsters left.”

Yeong-sik clicked his tongue, a look of regret on his face.

The advantage of raising the Analyze Structure skill through manufacturing was that as long as there were enough materials and gold, it could be done indefinitely.

“And the manufacturing skill is becoming more useful.”

Rather than mastering the art of living, the manufacturing skill, which once only allowed him to create mundane household appliances, now enabled him to make increasingly useful items as its level rose.

One such item he planned to make was a drone.

“Still, if there’s a way to obtain them, I must prioritize getting black cubes.”

With that thought, Yeong-sik placed his left hand on his right arm.

The rewards he had received so far were just unexpected ‘bonuses.’ What he truly desired was not the increase in stats or new skills.

“Analyze Structure.”

Yeong-sik used the Analyze Structure skill on his own body.

A brilliant blue light spread across his entire body.

– Click.

The sound of gears meshing echoed within him.