Thumbs Up, Level Up

Chapter 39

‘Now that I’ve figured out the teamwork, I think I’m ready to step in.’

Ji-Cheok had been thinking of sidelining three more battles just to get the feeling of the party, but with this kind of coordinated fight, he was confident that he could blend right in.

“First battle cleared! Let’s take a break!” Mu-Cheok shouted.

“Wow, you were amazing in that last fight! How do you do melee attacks so flawlessly when you are a ranged dealer?” Ha-Na asked.

“Oh, it’s nothing. My abilities did most of the work. Also, my brother is so much stronger than me.”

“Wait, how did you turn that conversation into something about me? Ji-Cheok said.

Ji-Cheok was curious if Ha-Na had a crush on his younger brother. However, he didn’t want to meddle in their relationship, so he jokingly asked Mu-Cheok.

The party sat near the dead monsters to take a break. Ji-Byeok pulled out a water bottle from her waist to drink while chewing on a piece of jerky.

“Ms. Jung…” Ji-Cheok said.

“Why are you talking as if we are two strangers? You can just call me Ji-Byeok, I am younger than you anyways. No need for formalities.” Ji-Byeok replied as she offered a piece of jerky to Ji-Cheok.

She smiled as Ji-Cheok accepted the jerky without hesitation.

“That’s good thinking. It would be better if there were no formalities between the team members.” Ji-Han interrupted.

‘If that’s the case I would like to see you talk more casually to me.’

“Oh? Is it okay if I call you Oppa then? I am younger than you.” Ji-Byeok asked.

“Oh, you don’t have to do that. We are still getting to know each other.” Ji-Cheok replied.

‘Why are they such extroverts? I feel emotionally drained.’

As Ji-Cheok was thinking of a nicer way to decline the offer, Mu-Cheok intervened.

“I think it’s good to be polite within the party.” Mu-Cheok said, humorlessly.

“You don’t need to be so serious about it…” Ji-Byeok replied.

“Okay, the break time is over. We will talk about this later on, but now, it’s time for a new battle.” Ji-Han announced.

Everyone got up and dusted off their gear. As Ji-Cheok got ready, he announced himself to the party.

“Wait, everyone. I’m going to be in the next battle with you guys.”

At first, all the eyes locked on to Ji-Cheok, then they moved to Ji-Byeok, as if they were asking permission. Since Ji-Byeok was the tank on the frontline, it made sense to listen to her opinion first.

“Hmm… I think it’s a good idea. I saw that you are a melee dealer from one of your GodTube clips. Just stand next to me and kill the monsters that I miss. I also heard that you had a crowd control ability, is that correct?” Ji-Byeok asked.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“You can only stun one monster per cast right?”

“For now, yes.”

“Even that alone is very helpful. We can consider different tactics with your abilities. With a skillful dealer like yourself, Mr. Ji-Cheok, I think we are ready to go further inside the dungeon.”

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Ji-Byeok had pulled out some more thick jerky from her pockets and handed a piece to Ji-Cheok. This highly concentrated jerky was made for tanks like Ji-Byeok. It was made from Goblin meat, and even a small amount could be considered a meal. This was essential for Hunters that consumed a lot of energy in battles.

“Does everyone agree? No backsies!” Ji-Byeok asked the party.

Everyone agreed with her. They knew better loot was waiting for them if they went further down into the dungeon.

“I also think it’s a good idea. The sooner you join, the more views you can get for your GodTube channel.” Mu-Cheok said.

“Ahh, right. I heard you did GodTube. They say it’s wildly popular. Since I’m appearing in the next video, I’ll have to watch it!”

As the members were having a conversation, Ji-Han was lost in thought. Finally, he asked Ji-Cheok.

“Mr. Um Ji-Cheok, I need you to promise something for me.”

“What?”

“You must never touch the boss monster.”

Ji-Han was talking about the boss monster in the middle of the dungeon. This monster was the only reason why no Hunter could finish this dungeon. It was said that it was as big as a thousand-year-old tree, with uncontrollable strength. Fortunately, the boss monster was in a hibernating state, and wouldn’t wake up if it wasn’t attacked. As such, Hunters could come out of the dungeon without ever approaching the boss monster.

‘Whew, I totally agree. I don’t want to die on live broadcasting.’?

Ji-Cheok thought about it and nodded his head.

“And always take care of your own life.”

Ji-Han reminded him about the first rule of the party: survive on your own. To put it in a fancier way, everyone had to have a plan for their own life.

‘Ji-Han seems to have misunderstood something about me. I am not a saint that sacrifices his life for others.’

Ji-Cheok thought that if that had been the case, he would’ve tried to join the fire department instead of becoming Hunter Assistant, although he wouldn’t have made it past the fitness test.

“You seem to have misunderstood something, but I am very selfish. Please don’t be disappointed when I am only caring about my life later.” Ji-Cheok said.

As soon as Ji-Han heard the words coming out of his mouth, he grabbed Ji-Cheok’s hands tightly and nodded.

“Yes, that is exactly what I wanted to hear. You need to act selfishly and only care about your life. Mr. Um Ji-Cheok, you must live a long life.”

Ji-Cheok felt like Ji-Han was treating him like a snowflake rather than a human being, like it wouldn’t be strange for him to die suddenly at any time.

‘Ha…Forget about it. I don’t know what Ji-Han is thinking of anyways.’

The party members finished eating and started to move toward the center of the dungeon. Ha-Na, who was our guide ranger, took the lead.

“We are on the most efficient way to the center, but be careful as monsters can jump out along the way. Oh, and the further you go into the forest, the stronger the mushroom spores are. So have your antidotes ready.” Ha-Na announced.

These mushroom spores would decrease stamina when inhaled. Although it was just mild toxicity and could be easily detoxified by an ordinary antidote, it was still one more thing the members had to think about. Fortunately, everyone had prepared for this event. Mu-Cheok had written [Detoxify] on his shoulder, and the others also prepared detoxification with their own skills and items. Ji-Cheok wasn’t worried about the poison, because his armor [Black Flaming Jacket] gave him poison resistance. As they were heading down the forest trail, a stone road suddenly appeared in front of them.

[You have been exposed to mushroom spore poison.]

[You have been detoxified from the mushroom spore poison.]

The effects of the jacket were already starting to show.

‘I hope others are doing the same.’

“From here on, it is an ancient ruin.” Ha-Na said.

[Glowing Mushroom Forest] was a dungeon created on top of an ancient ruin. Occasionally, treasures of ancient ruins were found here. Even with the dungeon’s level 20 limit, the mushroom spore poison, and the Shroom attacks, the treasures were worth the Hunters’ journey.

A giant mushroom obscured the sky, and the surroundings kept getting darker. True to the name Glowing Mushroom, the luminous mushrooms indeed kept the road somewhat visible, but it was not enough. Ji-Cheok realized he could use his [Silph’s Blessing] skill to buff other members.

Woong.

When the skill was activated, a barrier of green light lit up around the others. Everyone except Mu-Cheok gave Likes to Ji-Cheok.

[Party members are thankful for your Blessing skill.]

[You have received 5 Likes!]

Ji-Cheok knew that Likes could only come from a sincere heart, and since Mu-Cheok knew about the ability, his Likes didn’t register. Mu-Cheok’s ambition to grab more likes for Ji-Cheok had been disrupting his way to a sincere Like-giving heart.

“I’ve seen this skill from your video clips. It’s a very useful skill, not only is it healing, but it also improves visibility.” Ji-Byeok said.

Ji-Cheok hadn’t even realized that the skill could light up the path, he had just wanted to grab some Likes from his companions.

“Hold it! Enemy spotted ahead! Should we fight or go a different route?”

As Ha-Na informed the group, the silhouettes of the monsters appeared from afar.

Kiiik.

Ji-Cheok could never get used to the shrieks of the Shrooms. Even from far away, he could sense that there were many monsters ahead.

“Can I lure them here?” Ji-Cheok asked.

Everyone agreed with him and Ji-Cheok started to carefully walk toward the group of monsters. When he was about 10 meters away from the monsters, he kicked a pebble with his foot as he activated [Blaze Walk]. The pebble caught on fire and started to spin as it flew upward.

Ting!

The spinning fiery pebble bounced up in front of Ji-Cheok and he swung his sword at it like a baseball bat.

Tang!

The blade hit the pebble, which zoomed through the air and pierced one of the Shrooms’ tentacles like a bullet. Ji-Cheok’s strength was B-Class and his abilities had been strengthened by the [Heaven and Earth Divine Arts], which further accelerated the pebble. As a bonus, because Ji-Cheok had activated [Blaze Walk], the monster that was hit caught fire.

Kiiieeek.

As if they were taunted, the group of Shrooms started to run toward Ji-Cheok. Ji-Cheok started to run in a zig-zag with [Blaze Walk] activated. He was fascinated by the string of flames following in his footsteps. The monsters ran to catch him and continuously took fire damage from the flames.

Kiiiaak.

As the Shrooms came running with their bodies on fire, Ji-Cheok could smell the grilling mushrooms.

“Wow… Exactly five monsters,” Ji-Byeok said while she wiped the drool off her mouth.

As she was getting ready for the battle, she was amazed at Ji-Cheok’s abilities.

“Those cooked mushrooms are mine when we are finished with the battle!” Ji-Byeok shouted.

[Party members are amazed at your skills.]

[You have received 8 Likes!]

This many Likes surely meant that Mu-Cheok was also truly amazed at his older brother’s performance—so much so that he had tossed the thought of helping Ji-Cheok increase the number of Likes in the back of his mind. Instead, he had given his brother some Likes himself, from his own sincere heart.

Ji-Byeok’s brass knuckles clanged together as she used her taunt skill.

Kaang!

“Come at me!” Ji-Byeok shouted.

All the mushroom monsters rushed toward the wall, ignoring Ji-Cheok in the process.

“Guys, this is how scary taunt skills are. Five seconds ago, these monsters were chasing after me. But now, they don’t even realize I exist.”

As Ji-Cheok was talking to himself—well, to the camera, he extended his sword toward the closest monster.

“Light Blade.”

Wooong.

The sword lit up, and its glowing blade pierced through the back of the Shroom.

Slice!.

Ji-Cheok swung his sword, still skewering the monster. As he was slicing down, he realized how soft these monsters actually were.

Slash!

The Shroom’s body was split in half. Ji-Cheok was surprised at how weak they were.

‘If the cutting force of the [Light Blade] is this strong, then… How much stronger is the [Mono Blade]?’

As he was admiring his sword ability, the voice of Cheok-Liang was heard in his head.

?It’s amazing how fluidly you move with that sword, Master! I’ll give you a Like too!?

‘It’s still a shame that he can’t give me Likes.’

Ta-ta-tang!

Pi-pi-ping!

As Ji-Cheok looked around, he saw his brother and Hana shooting projectiles at the enemy. Their ranged attacks were so fierce that they killed two monsters in an instant. The Shrooms were collapsing as if they were melting.

“Wow, It’s so easy to kill them when they’re already half roasted.” Ha-Na said.

While listening to Ha-Na, Ji-Cheok looked at the two monsters that had now reached Ji-Byeok’s wall. With the [Light Blade] glowing, Ji-Cheok used another skill to help out Ji-Byeok.

“Wind and Cloud Steps.”

[Your speed has increased.]

“Dark Blade.”

Ji-Cheok quickly rushed forward. With the luminous [Light Blade] in his left hand, and gloomy [Dark Blade] in his right hand, he crossed the two swords.

“Mono Blade.”

As the two skills fused together and the [Mono Blade] emitted a brilliant light, Ji-Cheok jumped behind the two mushroom monsters. He swung his two swords like lightning at the back of the monsters, as they were busy dealing with Ji-Byeok’s wall.

Schwing!

Swish!

The two Shrooms were cut cleanly in half.

1. The raws use the word “sunfish”, which is apparently a terribly fragile creature. In Korea, people who are too sensitive or fragile are sometimes described as sunfish. Could be a reference to the the game ‘Survive! Mola mola!’ a game where you try to keep a sunfish alive but it dies to basically everything (thanks Chara08).