Leveling Up By Surviving Alone - L.U.B.S.A Chapter 80

“Huh? Suddenly?”

Ji Yeonwoo tilted his head at the sudden notification of the Watcher’s increased favorability.

*– The Watcher asks what you mean by “suddenly.”*

Of course, the Watcher, unaware that its favorability had been measured, was just as puzzled.

*– The Watcher then asks if your suit is modeled after the GL-002.*

“Oh! How’d you know? I knew it! You are a Hunter, right?”

*– They add that they never denied it.*

“Hehe. As you can see, I’m using the GL-001, right? So the 002 has always been my dream.”

Ji Yeonwoo’s current hunting suit was the GL-001, standard for F-rank Hunters. Not that the GL-002 was some premium national gear—it was just 1.5 times more expensive than the 001, with a few extra pockets as its only upgrade.

In other words, it was all flash, no substance.

Well, that was what he used to think. After hearing the Tank Leader rant about how difficult it was to engineer perfect pockets into special material like hunting suits—and why those pockets mattered—his opinion had changed.

(Flashback:)

“Hey. You think the only difference between the 001 and 002 is pockets? You’re right. But that difference is HUGE. Look at the added pockets—see how the openings are widened? That’s so the person next to you can easily access them. They’re designed for shared items in combat, for your allies to use. So you think anyone’s happy to see some guy show up in an 001? It means you’ve got nothing to share. At this point, shouldn’t you be grateful I went against everyone to accept you? Shouldn’t you be falling over yourself to thank me? Heehee.”

‘That bastard… Hope he’s doing okay.’

After reinforcing two large pockets and adding something extra to the lower back, Ji Yeonwoo finally finished his upgrades.

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

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

This time, Ji Yeonwoo nodded without hesitation.

*– Please name it.*

‘Alright… This is it!’

The moment had come. He swore to himself that this time, he’d pick a name so cool that anyone would approve. Truthfully, part of why he’d delayed registering the suit was to buy time to think of the perfect name.

Naturally, he already had candidates.

1. *The Root Octopus’s Guardian Armor*

2. *Hunting Suit MK2*

The first was undeniably flashy and impressive. The second radiated the cool, utilitarian charm of someone who didn’t care about names—pure function over form.

He just had to choose between the two.

There were no other options.

There couldn’t be.

snigger —

snigger snigger snigger ~!

He desperately tried to suppress the ridiculous name that popped into his head.

But of course, the system—which could read his mind—didn’t reject it.

*– Combat Tanghulu (A) has been registered as your creation.* (sugar gourds)

“NOOOOOOOOOO—!”

It was a scream of pure despair.

Kim Kkokko jolted up in alarm at Ji Yeonwoo’s wail, and even the Watcher asked what was wrong this time. Most importantly—

Master. Screaming.

Distress. Extreme distress…!

The Root Octopus, who had gifted him this magnificent armor (Combat Tanghulu), stared at Ji Yeonwoo with worried square eyes.

Forced to salvage the situation, Ji Yeonwoo plastered on a smile.

“I-I’m just… so happy about the upgrades…!”

Relief… So relieved…!

Behind his grin was sheer resignation.

‘I can’t tell the Watcher about this name either.’

First Jawsbar, now Combat Tanghulu… Ji Yeonwoo resolved to keep all of this a secret from the Watcher.

‘Well… I messed up from the very start.’

When he thought about it, even if he’d named it something grand like Root Octopus’s Guardian Armor or Hunting Suit MK2, it wouldn’t change the fact that his sword was called Jawsbar.

If he ever got out of here and became famous—maybe even wrote a memoir (…)—people would still ask, “Then why did you name your sword Jawsbar?”

At this point, he might as well commit to the theme.

*– Combat Tanghulu (A) has been registered as your creation.*

*– Three traits of the original material have been reflected in the work.*

“Three this time?”

This wasn’t Wish Granting.

Registering the suit had incorporated three traits from the Root Octopus.

*– When worn, ‘Auto-Restoration (B) (Passive)’ is applied.*

*– When worn, ‘Elasticity Control (A) (Active)’ can be used.*

*– When worn, ‘Viscosity Control (A) (Active)’ can be used.*

“Incredible…!”

He didn’t know what the skills did yet, but gaining one B-rank and two A-rank skills just by wearing the suit was huge. Plus, given past patterns, Ji Yeonwoo’s own effects would likely apply too.

*– This object can hold three wishes.*

*– Would you like to use your class skill, Wish Granting?*

As expected!

Ji Yeonwoo nodded immediately, utterly convinced that this time, his wishes would come true.

‘This time… for sure!’

The moment he heard the suit could be registered, he’d already poured his desires into it—“I wish it could do this… or that…” Even if only half his wishes came true, he’d consider it a success.

His wishes were:

1. *Blades extending from the body.*

He knew of an awesome GL Corporation model—the 007-1—that could deploy blades from the elbows or feet just by manipulating a ring on the pinky finger. If the suit’s mucus could harden into blades, that’d be perfect.

2. *Throwing daggers.*

Another GL Corporation feature (007-2), where extending your arm would launch a hidden dagger. A fantastic function.

He was so fixated on these two that he didn’t even think of a third. Not that it mattered—as long as he got those two, he’d be set.

This time, he was confident.

‘I absolutely didn’t have any other random thoughts!’

Pure mental focus! He’d even reinforced pockets and straps while dreaming of those two abilities, so he had no doubt his wishes would reach Combat Tanghulu.

*– You can share your senses with the suit whenever you wish..*

“Oooh…!”

A smile spread across Ji Yeonwoo’s face.

He’d worried that the thicker suit might hinder movement or that the lingering foreign sensation would disrupt combat—but this option brilliantly addressed those concerns.

Now, he could maintain razor-sharp sensitivity as if wearing nothing at all. Sure, he’d also share pain, but he could just turn that off, right?

He’d been ready to discard the third option as filler, but getting something this useful put him in high spirits.

Now, if the other two wishes came true, he’d have an incredible suit that could shoot blades from his elbows and throw daggers from his palms!

Ji Yeonwoo prayed fervently.

*– The suit can be removed in 0.1 seconds.*

*– The suit can be equipped in 0.1 seconds.*

“ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!”

Another scream of despair.

Unbelievable. He’d have been fine with one of those, but both were utterly useless. Ji Yeonwoo’s conscious, desperate wishes had been crushed by his own careless subconscious.

“I get that I’ve complained about how annoying it is to put on and take off the suit, but come on…!”

*– The Watcher asks what’s wrong, concerned about your distress.*

*– It urges you to confide in it.*

“No, it’s…”

Telling you won’t make me feel better, bro….

Whether he liked it or not, the cold moonlight bathed everything in silence.

If Ji Yeonwoo’s eyes looked slightly shinier than usual, it was just a trick of the light.

“Whew!”

He had personal regrets, but he wasn’t unhappy with Combat Tanghulu.

Just a little disappointed.

Above all, he was deeply grateful to the Root Octopus for gifting him such an incredible item.

“Thank you. I’m really touched. This is the best gift I’ve ever received!”

At his words, the Root Octopus trembled.

Master… gratitude. I’m more…

Without tonic… no me now…

Without master… no me… death.

Cruel death…!

Ji Yeonwoo gently stroked the underside of its square head.

“Still don’t understand a word you’re saying, but let’s keep working together, okay?”

With everything settled, it was time to return to camp.

Ji Yeonwoo climbed onto Kim Kkokko’s back and waved.

“Let’s head back.”

Just as he was about to leap off the cliff—

Master… transport.

Safer transport…!

A tentacle suddenly approached, presenting its back.

It was the root vine closest to the cliff—the one that always guided him and Kim Kkokko inward.

Safe… transport…!

“What’s this…?”

He didn’t fully understand, but the Root Octopus wouldn’t do anything strange.

Ji Yeonwoo and Kim Kkokko climbed onto the vine’s back, and it carefully turned its head downward, toward the base of the cliff.

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