Leveling Up By Surviving Alone - L.U.B.S.A Chapter 79

Soon, one of the root vines trembled violently and then split.

One became two, two became four, and four became eight—eventually forming roots as thick as legs.

The tips of the roots were as sharp as awls.

Suddenly, one of them shot toward Ji Yeonwoo.

Kkok-kkok…!?

The speed was so fast that even Kim Kkokko jumped in surprise.

However, the target wasn’t Ji Yeonwoo—it was another root vine right beside him.

Stab!

“Huh? Root Octopus, what are you doing?”

Its self-harm naturally drew a bewildered reaction. The pierced root vine’s pupils twisted in pain, and so did the Root Octopus’s own eyes—proof that it shared the suffering with its vines.

Gift… I can… give you…!

Soon, a viscous fluid began oozing from the punctured spot.

A thick, sticky liquid, white as milk and with the consistency of honey, was scooped up by the smaller root vines and applied like ointment onto the tattered left sleeve of Ji Yeonwoo’s hunting suit.

“You’re… applying this for me?”

Nod nod.

It was already happening. Sensing the creature’s intent, Ji Yeonwoo didn’t stop it. At this point, the only way to minimize its suffering was to spread the substance evenly.

Swish, swish, swish. The white fluid coated the shredded suit.

Not long after application, the white substance began hardening rapidly, soon taking on the elasticity of rubber.

*– The Watcher exclaims that this is practically natural rubber from a rubber tree!*

“Ru… rubber?”

Ji Yeonwoo stroked the applied fluid.

The layer covering the damaged part blended so seamlessly that it felt as if it had always been there—smooth to the touch.

He tugged at the repaired section. The already stretchy spandex material now seemed even more elastic.

He pressed a multi-tool knife, sharpened into a sickle shape, against it.

With enough force, it might cut, but until then, it seemed durable. A slight indentation appeared but gradually bounced back—an impressive self-repairing ability.

“Ooh… Not bad…?”

Exactly. That’s it. In that case…

While Ji Yeonwoo was marveling, countless vines swirled around him.

Shell… wounded.

Heal… perfect healing…!

The vines wrapping around Ji Yeonwoo were already dripping with white mucus.

They began sliding over his body, licking his wounds like a salve.

“Eugh…?”

This feels weird…?

Slick, slick.

Damp. Damp!

Dampdampdamp!

The bizarre sensation of being licked head to toe forced a scream out of Ji Yeonwoo.

“Ugh, AAAAH!”

Dampdampdampdamp!

“Eek… Hey!”

The tiny vines relentlessly gliding over his body made him deeply uncomfortable.

It was a primal discomfort, hard to describe.

But this time, the Root Octopus was resolute.

Please stay still… Healing.

Perfect healing…!

To the Root Octopus, Ji Yeonwoo’s hunting suit was his shell.

A tattered shell.

And reinforcing that shell with its own fluid was its duty—its way of protecting its master!

Filled with that conviction, the Root Octopus paid no heed to Ji Yeonwoo’s discomfort, coating every inch of his body with its sticky secretion.

Soon, a glossy white film enveloped him entirely.

*– The Watcher, unable to process this situation, rubs its eyes in disbelief.*

*– The Watcher feels both concern for Ji Yeonwoo and an inexplicable thrill before shaking its head vigorously.*

‘Seriously, why are YOU reacting like that…?!’

Ji Yeonwoo could only tremble like a child at the dentist.

Only after thoroughly coating him did the Root Octopus’s tendrils finally retreat.

Ji Yeonwoo, who had been standing stiffly, collapsed forward.

This was about ten minutes after the licking began.

“Ugh…!”

The sticky, honey-like sensation clinging to his entire body was deeply unpleasant.

Ji Yeonwoo stood up, brushing himself off, and glared at the Root Octopus.

“Hey! At least give me a warning next time!”

But despite his shrill complaint, the Root Octopus’s glowing square pupils only curved into a smile.

Perfect recovery… No, over-recovery.

Happiness… Helping makes me happy…!

“What’s there to be happy about…? If you slather it on like that, it’ll just drip everywhere…”

Of course, he expected it to run off. Dipping his whole body in honey would only make everything sticky. But as he was about to say so, Ji Yeonwoo froze.

While the inside still felt sticky…

“The outside is already dry…?”

Yes. The white fluid smeared over his suit had already dried transparent.

He touched it. The surface was smooth and slightly elastic. This rubber-like texture was far thicker and more refined than the earlier test application on his left arm.

And as he pondered this…

“The inside dried too…?”

Though the coating was on the suit, it was close enough to his skin to have felt gross earlier—but now, even that discomfort was gone. There wasn’t even a lingering “foreign sensation.” It just felt like wearing his usual hunting suit—no, strangely, it felt even more secure. The airflow and temperature around him seemed more perceptible than before.

In fact, as time passed…

“It’s turning… transparent?”

Yes. Despite being coated in white mucus, it was drying clear. It resembled the white glue used in woodworking—applied as a liquid but drying transparent. The Root Octopus’s secretion had formed a thick, clear film over the suit.

And even more surprisingly, new features appeared.

Ji Yeonwoo touched his head.

Though invisible, something was there.

A hood.

It felt like wearing a transparent silk hood.

*– The Watcher, surprised, notes that your unruly hair is now neatly pressed down, making you look more polished.*

“Oh… really…?”

Ji Yeonwoo’s hair was thick and coarse. Some called it wavy, others straight—he wasn’t even sure himself. If left uncut for too long, it became a messy mop, so having it automatically flattened was a welcome change.

The hunting suit had gone beyond repairs—it had evolved into something superior.

Of course, it wasn’t without inconveniences.

“I can’t get my hand into the pockets…?”

Even now, the coating was hardening.

Ji Yeonwoo immediately began cutting open the sealed pockets with his sickle-shaped multi-tool knife.

Slice, slice.

Slice-slice-slice-slice!

After reopening the blocked pockets, he stretched the edges slightly to reshape them. Hunting suits had many functional spaces—for weapons, auxiliary knives, and other tools. Thus, Ji Yeonwoo had to carefully preserve each pocket. To access the one inside the chest strap, the upper part needed to open smoothly. He worked meticulously, as if applying a smartphone screen protector, until he could slip his hands into every pocket again.

“Hmm… Now it’s usable, right?”

Just as he thought that—

*– This object can be registered as your owned work.*

*– Would you like to register it as your creation?*

“…?”

Ji Yeonwoo blinked, glancing between his suit and the Root Octopus.

“This counts as a creation now?”

No additional explanation came. It wasn’t a question seeking an answer—just a notification that his old suit had upgraded into something new, something worthy of being registered as a work.

Of course, Ji Yeonwoo nodded.

No—he started to nod but then shook his head.

“I don’t have to register it yet, right?”

*– Would you like to postpone registration?*

“Yeah. There’s still work left.”

While using this suit, Ji Yeonwoo had always noticed shortcomings.

If only there were a pocket here… If only this strap were reinforced… Not that he planned to recklessly cut new holes into the suit.

Instead, he intended to use the Root Octopus’s fluid, which hardened upon contact with air.

He spread the fluid flat on the ground.

Like crepe batter, it thinned out and gradually hardened. Before it fully set, he pressed it against the inner thigh, pinching the edges like dumpling wrappers to form a pocket that wouldn’t tear even when tugged.

Once confirmed, he didn’t hesitate.

Repeating the process, he added pockets wherever he wanted. Reinforcements followed the same principle. By layering the fluid, he thickened weak points—like the critical seams that needed protection but couldn’t be easily reinforced before. He applied two or three coats, drying between each.

Kim Kkokko watched, sweating as Ji Yeonwoo worked intently. The Root Octopus, too, felt proud seeing its master utilize its fluid so diligently. Even the Watcher observed with fascination.

*– The Watcher admires how you make the most of what you’re given.*

*– It admits there’s something undeniably cool about your resourcefulness.*

“Haha… You think so?”

It made sense. Just moments ago, Ji Yeonwoo had been a drenched mess. Had he been in his shoes, it would’ve taken much longer to realize the fluid’s potential. This wasn’t about intelligence—it was about adaptability.

Though Ji Yeonwoo often seemed flustered or exaggerated on the surface, beneath that was a relentless drive to turn any situation into an advantage.

The Watcher genuinely thought he was a good person.

*– The Watcher’s favorability increases by 3.*

*– The Watcher’s favorability: 81.*

Otaku_Senpai

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