Chapter 16

Jin-woo was passionate about leveling up.

[Move while thinking about the sword’s trajectory.]

However, he wasn’t just concerned about leveling up.

More than hunting monsters, he was also practicing his swordsmanship.

[Imagine in your head first how the enemy will move. If you cut the sword sideways, the opponent will either fall back or jump in the air. Or it would block your weapon. If your mind is ready to attack, the body will prepare itself accordingly.]

Jin-woo swung horizontally according to the words of the sword, which was nagging above him.

Wow!

The sword slashed at his enemy’s stomach.

However, Ogre just yawned and scratched his belly with his rough nails.

‘He didn’t avoid it?’

[Well…]

The sword looked embarrassed. I shook my head.

The Ogre raised its arm and swung its club down heavily.

The club in his hand screamed over Jin-woo’s head with a threatening sound.

‘Solo Gogu.’

Jin-woo’s sword was turned into a golden color. He lowered his posture and lifted the sword to defend.

Kring!

As soon as the club touched the sword, it fell into two pieces as easily as cutting paper.

Ogre’s movement stopped for a moment, shocked.

Jin-woo did not miss the opportunity and wielded the sword once more, following his body’s instinct.

Worry!

“Great…”

Ogre was erased as a result of the Dokgogu sword.

“Whoo.”

Jin-woo looked back and sighed.

There were seven Ogre bodies scattered behind him.

[Cleared the 37th floor of Despair]

[Additional experience is paid as a clear reward.]

[A treasure chest appeared as a clear reward.]

[Level has risen.]

The notification window popped up one after another.

And the treasure chest came up as the floor opened.

[What came out?]

‘It’s a high-grade weapon.’

It was mace.

It was a higher grade than normal.

[Looking at it, your level has also increased.]

‘Yes, good.’

[Gang Jin-woo]

[Level: 99]

[Strength: 42(30) Agility: 32 Health: 20 Mana: 30]

[Holding Skills: Linguist, Dokgugu, Red Moon Sword]

Level was rising quickly.

It’s thanks to catching the top-rated monsters.

However, it was still only at Level 99.

He was not leveling up as fast as before, but it took him a short time, still.

[Don’t hurry. If you rush yourself, things may go wrong.]

‘Yes.’

At that time, Han Yu-ra’s voice was heard through the earphones.

-Jin-woo, shall we wrap up the broadcast today?

“Yes, I was just about to ask you for that.”

He had enough for today. He had hunted for a total of 7 hours and needed to rest.

-Notice posted. Say goodbye to the viewers, and don’t forget to thank them.

Jin-woo waved his hand while looking at the mini drone floating in the air.

“Thank you for watching the broadcast today. See you tomorrow!”

Soon, the light of the mini-drone turned red, meaning the streaming was over.

[Wow, that was hard. Aside from hunting, you have broadcasting to take care of.]

“Well, I will make money, thanks to them,” Jin-woo answered.

The sword nodded.

[Have you gotten used to the old sword?]

‘Yes, it would have been nice to have a longer duration because right now, it can only be used at the right timing, as you said.”

Dokgogu sword is a skill that continuously consumes mana.

Currently, Jin-woo can only use it for a short duration. The sword suggested activating the skill only when necessary.

It was a little uncomfortable at first.

However, as time passed, it became more and more familiar, and now it is possible to control it proficiently.

“Activate!”

The gate opened, and a wormhole appeared. Jin-woo passed through it.

It was Han Yu-ra who greeted Jin-woo.

“You look tired.”

“Yeah, thank you.”

He took the fruit juice that Yu-ra gave him as they headed to the break room.

“Would you like to take a rest first before having a meeting?”

“No. Let’s do it right away,” Jin-woo answered. It was easier for him to take care of everything that needs to be done before he rested.

He sat down.

“Today, the number of subscribers has exceeded 2 million.”

It’s only a month since Jin-woo started streaming.

It was very fast.

The name Kang Jin-woo is now well-known at home as well as abroad, so it was possible.

The merit of being a legendary skill holder was great.

In addition, the aggressive promotion of the Taewang Guild also helped a lot.

“The amount of the donations received is also quite high, but the offers for advertisement have more value. Also, a proposal came from PIC.”

Player Item Company is the world’s most famous player equipment maker.

There are two types of items that players can use.

First, they could use the items dropped from the dungeon.

The other option is using a hybrid item made by mixing materials from dungeons with modern materials.

PIC was the pioneer in developing this hybrid item.

Recently, there have been many companies trying to catch up; PIC dominates the market. It occupies more than 30% of the market.

However, as the competitors were growing rapidly, it needs to work hard on promotional activities.

One such activity was sponsoring famous players or putting out collaboration products.

So, on the community site, the popular players were classified according to whether or not they would be sponsored by PIC.

“In addition, many other companies have contacted me to provide sponsorship contracts or supplies.”

Han Yu-ra showed him the tablet PC.

There were lines of companies with familiar names.

In all, it was close to 50 companies.

“It’s amazing.”

“It’s just the beginning. When you reach a certain level, you will participate in a full-scale raid from then on.”

It is called a raid from dungeons above level 250.

Party play is taken for granted, as there are too many players to hunt alone.

The gap between the levels was large because Jinwoo could not participate there yet.

Han Yu-ra got up.

“Then rest well.”

“Yeah.”

When she left, Jin-woo lay in the cot.

[Why do you have a serious expression that doesn’t suit you?]

‘Nothing.’

A moment of silence.

[Why?]

“Why aren’t you teaching me how to do it? In martial arts novels, most of them learn the methods quickly and get strong instantly.”

[We started too late.]

‘Yeah?’

[In Moorim, most of them learn the internal method around the age of five. The reason is that as humans grow older, impure energy naturally accumulates in the body.]

“Impure energy?”

[A human being is full of pure energy at birth, but as he goes on in life, he is exposed to impure energy, and it builds up inside him.]

‘Ah…’

[When such energy accumulates, the blood path through which the power flows is gradually blocked. Human bones also lose flexibility and shape as they age.]

‘The technique needs younger bones? Maybe I’m too…’

[Rubbish. If you can’t make it, don’t you think I’ll know immediately?]

Ah, the words of the sword hurt.

[Anyway, it’s rather dangerous for you to learn it all at once. That’s why I don’t teach you too quickly.]

‘Well…’

[Fortunately, mana exists in your world. Its nature is similar to that of the inner air, so if you make the most of it, you will be able to mimic the Red Moon technique.]

Imitation, Jin-woo thought.

A level 300 Giant Snake has been sliced in one hit.

If it was just an imitation, what would the real thing be like?

[Did I not tell you? The Red Moon technique was made to cut the moon.]

‘What?!’ Jin-woo was shocked. “Can it really do that?”

[Yes.] The sword’s answer was quick to answer.

Jin-woo shook his head in disbelief. He didn’t know if that was true or not.

[Ah! Why did you ask if you wouldn’t believe me?]

“Honestly, how can anyone cut the moon?”

[You’ll know if you learn the essence of the technique later.]

“Hmm… Anyway, I have to sleep.”

Jin-woo turned over.

He imagined himself cutting the moon using his sword.

He thought about that image over and over, until sleep finally came to his tired body.

* * *

Woosh-!

“Koureoooo-!”

The Stone Golem disintegrated with a painful scream.

[Cleared the 50th floor of the Wizard.]

Several notification windows popped up.

And to the last notification window.

[Level has risen.]

The level has risen.

“At last.”

Jin-woo’s eyes turned to the most important detail in the notification window in front of him.

[Level: 130]

Finally reached level 130.

He succeeded in leveling up to double in six months.

It was very fast.

“Inventory.”

The item window was opened.

There was a piece of paper in it.

[Admission ticket]

[Cool time: 1 day]

The admission ticket’s cool time was running out.

After returning here, for two months, he trained intensely and focused on leveling up.

He can go back there tomorrow.

“Yu-ra, I’m going to finish hunting here today.”

-Already?

“Yes, I want to rest.”

-Um, okay.

“You guys, see you tomorrow.”

Now, he has gotten used to the broadcasting routine.

When the drone’s light went out, he ran the gate and went out.

As usual, Yu-ra met him immediately.

“Jin-woo, are you not feeling well?”

“Yeah? No. I just have something else to do today.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, and I want to take a day or two to rest, but is it okay?”

“Yes, of course, it’s okay. But where are you really not sick?”

“No. Thank you. You did a good job today.”

As she watched Jin-woo running, Han Yu-ra had a puzzled look.

“Why did he look so excited?”

She could not understand.

* * *

Next day.

The admission ticket’s cool time was approaching.

“I’m going to leave the house for a while.” Jin-woo told his companion, Sun-woo.

“Huh? Why? Where?”

“I think I have to go and stay at the guild for a day or two.”

“Yea, I got it.” Sun-woo thought that its about a dungeon attack.

Jin-woo entered his room and took the admission ticket from the inventory.

“Swordman.”

[Why?]

“When I enter this time, I have less time to stay. So…”

[Do not worry. I’m only going to say hello. You only have to stay there for a little time to get a good deal with him, anyway.]

[The admission ticket’s cool time is over.]

Soon an alarm went off.

Jin-woo held the admission ticket with both hands.

“Let’s go.”

[OK.]

Chiik-!

He tore the ticket in two.

* * *

He immediately saw the snow mountain that he saw before.

“Hoo-!”

[It’s been a long time.]

“I will go in.”

[OK.]

Jin-woo walked to the entrance where the giant guards stood.

[A long time. Goblins.]

As they approached the guards, the sword smiled.

Unlike the previous two times, the faces of the guards called goblins are distorted.

“Damn it!”

“You came again! You’re supposed to be dead!”

They seem to know the sword.

Jin-woo was only slightly curious.

‘What have you been doing here?’

[You see the snow mountain over there?]

‘Yes.’

[Originally, there were more mountains on the right.]

‘Yeah?’

[Yes, I’ve blown them up.]

Jin-woo didn’t ask any more about it, as he thought the sword was kidding him. How can anyone blow up mountains?

They soon arrived at Mr. Octopus’ shop.

“Mister!” Jin-woo greeted him.

Mr. Octopus turned. “What the-“

At that time, the swordsman disappeared from Jin-woo’s side.

Mr. Octopus took out his Muramasa.

The swordsman also grabbed the red sword, and they rushed at each other in an instant.

BANG!

The moment the swords clashed, a huge explosion occurred.

[It’s been a long time, Octopus baby!]