CH 81

«It is a shame that we could not get more Likes.»

“Yeah, I know.”

Even so, Ji-Cheok was already rich thanks to the large amount of [Tachi of Heaviness] that Ji-Han had bought. It would have been impossible to collect more than two hundred of these sabers in such a short period of time if it were not for Ji-Han’s personal connections.

‘If he said he was going to take a commission, I would’ve said yes.’

Rather, he had looked at Ji-Cheok and said that he could just pay him back the initial cost. He also didn’t forget to tell Ji-Cheok to become stronger with the money he saved, since Ji-Han had made enough money.

Ji-Han seemed like a weird guy, and Ji-Cheok wondered if his boss was trying to brainwash him with money. Ji-Cheok had already experienced an instance of money throwaway when [A/B] went back and forth with a five million won donation and a one hundred thousand one. He had never understood the rich.

In any case, Ji-Han had taken those criminals away, so he was sure he would get a pretty good reward.

“By the way, the reward for clearing the undead dungeon hasn’t come yet, has it?”

«It has only been a few days since we completed the undead dungeon, Master. I am sure the reward is still being calculated.»

“I know. I was just wondering.”

It was starting to get dark out. When Ji-Cheok opened the door to his house, he couldn’t find his brother anywhere. As he entered his house, he started his nightly routine. First, he went into the bathroom and let water fill the bathtub. Then, he took off the equipment and put it in a washing machine specially made for cleaning Hunter equipment. Lastly, he went to the kitchen, grabbed a can of ice-cold beer, and went straight into the warm bath.

“Whew, that hits the spot.”

Ji-Cheok opened the can and took a giant gulp.

“This is the very reason why I’m alive…”

Cold beer swept down his esophagus. This was a hobby that only adults could enjoy.

‘The pleasure of taking a sip of beer when you come home tired. This is THE THING.’

«It is still difficult for me to understand the phrase ‘hit the spot,’ Master. It seems like you are not hitting anything in particular…»

‘Don’t worry about it. Only Koreans will understand.’

«Then, let’s talk about your last battle. I think now you have a general idea of your fighting tactics for future battles.»

‘Yeah, I think so. First, I slam into whoever or whatever is in front of me with my Mono Bike, then I send the bike away to its dimension. Then, I draw my swords and start close combat. I boost my attacks by using Shadow Stealer, Telekinetic Arrow, and Soul Telekinesis. Done.’

«It is definitely powerful.»

That was all Ji-Cheok needed. While he was on a rampage like that, Ji-Byeok could pull aggro and tank all the enemy attacks, and other teammates could help him finish off the enemies.

“So what’s next?”

«Now it is time for you to buy items and skills with actual money and not Likes.»

The Likes Shop sold items as well as skills. The reason Ji-Cheok hardly ever bought items was that obtaining skills were more important. In fact, he thought it was a waste of his Likes to buy items with Likes because items could be purchased in real life as well. Of course, skills could also be obtained with money in real life, but the range of skills available was nothing to write home about, while their price was very high. Even in dungeons, the drop rate of skills was lower than that of items. In any case, Ji-Cheok was now planning to buy some items with money.

“Well, since there’s some time left… shall we go shopping for a bit? How much money do I have?”

«Your current balance is 12.6 billion won.»

“Wow… When did I get so much money? I haven’t even sold all the [Tachi of Heaviness] yet.”

«There was a ten billion won reward for subjugating the undead dungeon, and it was an advance payment. The remaining 2.6 billion won is the amount from the sale of your loot and rewards, which means that there is still more to come our way.»

“That means I can buy expensive items. And if I add the alchemy that I have… Wow.”

Ji-Cheok was very surprised. He now understood why everyone risked their lives to enter the dungeon and wanted to be Awakened. Korea was not the only country where the gap between the rich and the poor was wide. The same went for other countries as well. In places like Brazil, the cartels had tried to monopolize everything, but ordinary citizens had become Awakened and overturned the cartel. Unfortunately, those Awakened just became another cartel. In the United States, Hunters now made more money than rappers. The world had become a place where one Awakened had the power of a company.

‘If the price of my life was this much, then a commoner like me is very satisfied.’

However, Ji-Cheok couldn’t get too comfortable, not after he had heard the strange news of the future destruction of the world. Since there was no evidence of world destruction, nobody would believe Ji-Cheok, even if he told the news to the world. But he couldn’t just wait for the world to end. He had to do something, even if he had to do it alone.

«Do you want me to search the internet?»

“Yes, please.”

He already checked his skills, and the next step was items. The ultimate goal for him was to become stronger. As he was thinking about it, he still enjoyed his beer.

* * *

Ji-Cheok got out of the bath, changed into comfortable clothes, and headed to the training room. He loved this about his house. There was no need for him to go to the center, since there was a training room in the house, which meant that there was less chance of him exposing his skills. Well…minus the fact that the previous owner had been killed in the house. But considering the house price in Seoul, he couldn’t afford to be afraid of ghosts.

Even in apartments waiting for reconstruction, the monster defense facilities were all brand new. They were right next to the bloody banners saying [Mayor of Seoul needs to come to his senses!] and [Return our Riverview!].

There was a foreign reporter who had no information about the house price in Seoul and posted a picture of a wrecked apartment waiting for reconstruction and a luxurious apartment in the same area, trying to depict the harsh reality of the gap between the rich and the poor in Korea. However, in the eyes of Koreans, the only difference between those two apartments was that one was an already-scratched winning lottery ticket, while the other one was a winning ticket about to be scratched.

‘Eunma Apartment complex[1] is still not being reconstructed this year.’

It was always spectacular to see the elderly Awakened of the Residents Committee igniting dolls that looked like the Mayor of Seoul with flame skills. Of course, they also received donations from GodTube. The rich always wanted to get richer. To sum up, the house price in Seoul was scarier than ghosts.

‘A commoner like me is planning to leech off of Ji-Han and live in a penthouse like this forever! Haha.’

The training room was neatly cleaned.

Thud. Thud.

Ji-Cheok stomped on the floor, but there was almost no sound. He wondered if the floor was made with materials that absorbed the impact. Considering the status of the previous owner, it had to be very expensive. He thought about how much money he was receiving right now, and the fact that the previous owner had made that much money until he died. He had probably been super rich.

Ji-Cheok inhaled. He tried to calm his mind by taking a slow, deep breath and stretching his body slowly.

Cultivation took a lot of work. Just acquiring the skills was not enough—he had to acquire the essence of the skills. It was not just about using skills many times to raise the proficiency level, either. Modern people felt like putting effort into achieving ‘mastery’ of the skills was inefficient. Ji-Cheok had succeeded in cultivating the [Heaven and Earth Divine Art] and evolving it into [Heaven and Earth Chaotic Divine Art], but he had no idea how long it would take to truly make the skill his own.

‘Do I really have the talent to do that? I don’t know, but if I don’t do it, I’ll die anyway.’

That was life. Just like studying every day, or going to work every day, the life of the Hunter was more or less the same as every other person’s. The only difference was the work that Hunters did—and, consequently, the fact that they had to live with the shadow of death upon their hearts. The moment a Hunter forgot this was the start of their downfall. And Hunters like Ji-CHeok got to clean up their bodies later.

«Master, I have found the ‘item’.»

After the deep meditation session ended, Cheok-Liang approached Ji-Cheok.

“Already?”

«Yes, Master. Here it is.»

Ji-Cheok could access the internet by applying his broadcasting skill. He used it to summon up a screen in front of himself. This consumed his mana, and the screen was translucent enough to see what was behind it, which was hurting his eyes. He was going to turn it off as soon as he finished browsing.

Hunter Market was the largest global trading site frequently used by Hunters. There were auctions, but also simple sales and purchases were possible.

«Among the items that Master can buy with the money you have, these items are the most appropriate.»

Several items were on the list. As Ji-Cheok read the list, he figured out what Cheok-Liang was planning for him. These items dramatically increased physical abilities.

[Bracelet of the Strong Arm — 3.4 billion won]

[Class B+

Type: Accessories (Artifact)

A bracelet enchanted with magic that captures the power of an ogre.

Unconditionally increases Strength by 15%

(If Strength rank is S or higher, Strength will increase by 30%)]

[Necklace of Abundant Blood — 1.2 billion won]

[Class: A

Type: Accessories (Artifact)

Vampires once ruled a world in another dimension, but due to their insatiable appetite, they converted or exterminated every other life form. Because the vampires’ blood was so tasteless that it wouldn’t even whet their appetite, they made a necklace that produces blood.

When not worn, it continuously produces blood at a rate of 1 liter per hour.

When worn, it increases the amount of blood in the user.]

[Boots of Double Strike — 6.7 billion won]

[Class: B+

Type: Shoes (Artifact)

A pair of jeweled boots made by the bored Gods of time and space from another world.

When worn, the user has a 15% chance to hit the enemy twice.]

“I understand the Bracelet of the Strong Arm and the Boots of Double Strike, but why did you put the Necklace of Abundant Blood on the list?”

«Because of the recovery ability, Master.»

“Recovery ability?”

«Yes, Master. You already know that in the case of the Troll’s Body, it is an ability that allows you to gain a troll’s regenerative power along with other abilities, right?»

“Yes, I know.”

«Think about where the secret of that regeneration is.»

“The secret of trolls’ regenerative power is in the magical blood of the tro…oh.”

«That’s right, Master. Through their blood, trolls have powerful regenerative abilities. Master also obtained regenerative power through the skill, but there is a difference between you and the trolls.»

Theft is never good, try looking at bit.ly/3iBfjkV.

“That I don’t have much blood in my body.”

«Yes. Trolls are large, and their blood-storing organs are many times larger than those of humans. So, unlike humans, it does not consume much stamina during regeneration.»

Ji-Cheok understood. He had two troll-related items and skills.

[Troll’s Ring of Regeneration]

[Class: B

Type: Ring (Artifact)

The regenerating power of the troll is present to the user. It quickly recovers any wounds and provides tireless stamina.

All stats +3 when equipped.

Stamina recovery +10%

Stamina +10%

Strength +10%

[Troll’s Body — 30,000 Likes]

[Class: Epic (Non-upgradable, Rank B+)]

[The user gains the troll’s strength, stamina, and defense. The tough and hardened skin can even block a rifle bullet. The troll’s regenerative power also allows the user to heal wounds quickly.

Troll’s strength/power/defense = B

Regenerative power = Class A healing spell]

It was a pity that the Troll’s Skills were impossibly hard to evolve higher than an actual troll’s strength, power, and defense. However, just changing Ji-Cheok’s body into a troll’s body was good enough for him.

«The reason why you felt lethargic while your wounds healed was that the skill really consumed that much blood. Your body was forcibly healed in the same way that a troll heals itself.»

‘I see. And you are aiming for a synergistic effect by combining the [Necklace of Abundant Blood] with this skill.’

«Yes, Master. This item will increase the amount of blood and continuously generate it. Even if you keep healing and regenerating yourself, your stamina will not disappear!»

“So, I’ll be like a walking health potion.”

«Well… You would be an actual human troll.»

1. This is an apartment complex in the most expensive district in Korea. It was built in the 70s and is considered to be an old and shabby complex. Although the apartment looks bad, due to the fact that it was built in an expensive district, the price of the apartments is one of the highest in Korea. Now it has become a meme to depict the skyrocketing house price in Seoul. ☜