The Genius Assassin Who Takes it All

【Second, if the monster provides a period of darkness, a small numeric indicator will appear above its head.】

‘This allows for pinpoint farming, specifically targeting monsters with a period of darkness.’

It was now possible to hunt targets more effectively.

Since one could determine in advance if the monster provided a period of darkness, it would be easier to focus on growth.

Of course, monsters that possess this period of darkness only appear in dangerous areas like Ground Zero or North Korea.

So, regardless of whether one knows if a monster has this ability or not, the hunting difficulty remains high.

However, just being able to avoid wasted efforts made this feature highly advantageous.

【Third, you can entrust one of your skills to the Dark Sanctuary and 'borrow' a skill that utilizes the period of darkness.】

“This… is the key.”

Entrusting a skill meant a conditional seal.

Even though the term “borrow” was used, it essentially meant that one could use the borrowed skill as if it were their own during the borrowing period.

You could give up a skill you didn’t use much and receive a more frequently useful one in return. And it would be a dark period skill.

Kang-hoo entrusted the most useless skill he had to the Dark Sanctuary.

【Devouring Appetite】

【Skill Mastery: Lv. Max】

【A skill that allows you to make spoiled food taste delicious.】

It was a skill he obtained from a Goblin mid-boss in the Gold Goblin’s Mine Dungeon.

He had never used it and couldn’t think of a situation where he would need it in the future.

He gave it up without hesitation. It was a skill that, even if lost, wouldn’t impact him at all.

In return, a list of dark period skills available for borrowing from the Dark Sanctuary appeared.

The term “Dark Sanctuary” wasn’t unfamiliar.

It was already known that there was a Guardian of the Dark Sanctuary among the constellations. This constellation had killed and plundered a fixer in the past.

It seemed like the skill was sourced from there, possibly connected to the Calamity – the power of darkness.

Kang-hoo pondered for a long time.

Skills utilizing the dark period were destructive and valuable.

It wasn’t something to choose impulsively.

Especially considering the current limited application of dark period skills, careful thought was necessary.

How much time had passed?

By the time the water in the bathtub began to cool, Kang-hoo finished his deliberation and made his choice.

【(Ashen) Thorn Hell】

【Skill Mastery: Lv. Max】

【Utilizes the dark period to create a strip of darkness on the ground. Along the strip, sharp dark thorns will surge from the ground. If not carefully controlled, the thorns might rise in the wrong place or collapse.】

Seeing the parentheses in the skill’s name, it seemed that it was commonly abbreviated as “Thorn Hell.”

Upon learning the skill, information on how to manifest the Thorn Hell was directly instilled into him.

However, the precise control and regulation mentioned in the skill tooltip appeared to be something that required training. It wouldn’t be easy.

“I’ll take this.”

Kang-hoo made his decision.

In exchange for the strange skill of eating spoiled food and making it taste good, this was the best deal.

It also seemed like it would provide many tactical advantages in combat.

In terms of classification, it aligned more with black magic or shamanism, a skill that would be difficult to associate with an assassin.

Thus, Thorn Hell became Kang-hoo’s new skill.

His to-do list had grown.

He needed to work on mastering Thorn Hell and diligently continue his dual dagger training.

Moreover, he still had the matter of the Imbalance Point, so he needed to visit Sapporo.

He had already received a message from Fumiya earlier.

He was told everything was ready, and all Kang-hoo needed to do was go.

However, upon checking the dungeon’s details, it was clear that solo clearing wasn’t possible. So, he decided just to gather some experience points.

After that day.

Kang-hoo immersed himself in his training. Aside from sleeping, he spent all his time practicing dual dagger techniques and mastering Thorn Hell.

In the midst of it, he adjusted his schedule to visit the Imbalance Point in Sapporo’s Shadow Dungeon.

His level surged to 225.

While it would take other hunters at least two months to level up, it took Kang-hoo just one day.

It was explosive growth, benefiting only him. Perhaps forever… as long as he kept his mouth shut, no one would ever know.

【Invisibility】

【Skill Mastery: Lv. Max】

【A skill that allows you to instantly hide your appearance. Consumes 0.1 mana per second but does not conceal your presence or sound. Separate evasive actions are required.】

“Indeed, maxed-out mastery effects are always amazing.”

Kang-hoo smiled, satisfied as he looked at his Invisibility skill.

Without maxed-out mastery, the mana consumption per second would be 1, ten times the current amount.

This was why it was impossible for assassin hunters to maintain invisibility indefinitely.

In other words, this was why the magic stat was crucial.

To use the invisibility skill for extended periods, a large amount of mana was essential.

However, with maxed-out mastery, Kang-hoo had drastically reduced his mana consumption, and the Savage Age skill further halved the mana consumption.

On top of that, thanks to his mana hypersensitivity, his recovery rate was overwhelmingly high.

Now that he could endure the mana consumption, the burden had significantly decreased.

He no longer needed to dodge stealthily to activate invisibility; he could hide anytime, anywhere.

‘I’ve seen all there is to see with the Imbalance Point…’

There were still two unknown locations. While the symbolic markings were known, the exact locations remained elusive.

Unless luck happened to be on their side later, finding them would be as difficult as locating a needle in a haystack.

Meanwhile.

Having surpassed level 200, Kang-hoo had some fun with the constellation “Master of Manipulation,” which had been activated.

Every time his level increased by a hundred, a constellation came as a gift.

This time, the gift was a “Random Skillbook.” Upon breaking the seal, a random skill would be granted.

Since it could be learned through a loophole anyway, there was no issue with acquiring it. It would just take a little extra effort.

However, unlike ordinary skillbooks, the random skillbook required a different method to break the seal.

The offering required to unseal it was the “Heart of the Swarm Queen.”

In other words, this meant Kang-hoo needed to visit North Korea.

Ignoring the random skillbook, thinking nothing special would come out of it, was not an option since it always held the potential for great rewards.

It could even yield high-level or top-tier skills that didn’t match Kang-hoo’s current level.

In any case, he would have to head to North Korea upon returning to the country to acquire the “Mad Solarkium.”

It seemed he now had an additional reason to go to North Korea.

Although it would be quite dangerous, the rewards were certain enough that delaying the trip wasn’t an option. If he was going, he was going.

‘Starting from level 201, I’ve been investing in agility stats, so it looks like I’ve chosen the right second direction.’

After surpassing level 200, he began investing the bonus stats in agility.

He had increased his stamina enough, and since there was no longer synergy with his items, there was no need to invest further.

【Soul Mate – Gloves】

【Grade: 5th Grade】

【A single-hand glove item that increases stamina by the same amount as your level.】

【It can increase stamina by up to 200.】

Someday, when he obtained higher-grade gloves, he would have to unequip these.

Still, up until level 200, these gloves had reliably provided an additional point of stamina, making them quite valuable.

Since their function ceased at level 201, Kang-hoo redirected his stat investment into agility without any hesitation.

“Now, all I have to do is complete the dungeon raid I promised with the Rikou Guild, and I’ll be free for a while.”

His remaining schedule had been simplified.

Officially, his only remaining commitment was to finish the dungeon raid with the Rikou Guild.

Afterward, he could either meet with Takashi and Ayane or return home for a bit.

He was still in contact with both of them.

He had also planned to have a drink with Ayane in the evening.

He wasn’t unaware of what an adult drinking session implied.

But he didn’t really care either.

The choices and responsibilities were all his to bear. As long as he wasn’t irresponsible or selfish, that was enough.

“This is my report on Cha So-hyuk’s death. I confirmed it personally, and no information has been omitted.”

“Is that so.”

“…Excuse me?”

“I said I’ve confirmed it. He’s already dead, so there’s nothing more for me to know, is there?”

“Boss.”

“What?”

“Don’t you feel any regret?”

“When So-hyuk was playing outside my control, I had already abandoned him. I knew this would happen.”

“……”

At that time, Kim In-ho was meeting Kang Tae-yang.

Kang Tae-yang, the leader of the criminal organization ‘Tae-yang,’ was also Kim In-ho’s superior and close to Cha So-hyuk.

However, Kim In-ho’s loyalty was entirely dedicated to Kang Tae-yang, and his heart leaned toward him as well.

No matter what, the top priority was always his boss, Kang Tae-yang.

Still, the fact that someone of Cha So-hyuk’s rank within Tae-yang had died left Kim In-ho feeling somewhat disheartened by how little remorse Kang Tae-yang showed.

“The same goes for when I cut ties with Dong-hyun. A younger brother who doesn’t listen to his older brother’s words… what use is there in that?”

“I was short-sighted. I’m sorry, Boss.”

“A prodigal son left home and died, and now my past is being dragged back up. Don’t worry about it.”

“Yes, I understand.”

“Make a public statement. Say that Cha So-hyuk acted on his own and express deep apologies to both guilds. Assure them it won’t happen again.”

“I’ll do that.”

Although Kim In-ho had his regrets, he didn’t dwell on them.

After all, he was a part of the Tae-yang organization, and no one within the organization could rise above its leader.

Absolute obedience to Kang Tae-yang, the leader and pillar, was a given. Cha So-hyuk had failed in that.

Kang Tae-yang shifted the topic.

“By the way, that Shin Kang-hoo guy, he’s really something. He killed both So-hyuk and three hunters from the To-woo Guild, didn’t he?”

“There was sniper support.”

“But only one archer died from the sniper. In the end, it was one against three, and he won.”

“That’s correct. The sniper after that only interfered with movement and didn’t inflict any injuries.”

At the time, Kim In-ho had been surveying the scene.

One of his specialized abilities was being able to clearly observe a target, even from a great distance.

If one could compare it to a camera with zoom and shrink functions, that would be accurate. He had just that kind of ability.

“Now I understand why Dong-hyun issued a kill order. That guy must have really gotten under his skin. And he’s got skills too?”

“From what I’ve gathered, they even crossed paths at Club Hades.”

“And he escaped?”

“Yes. It seems he used some form of teleportation ability to disappear right in front of Kang Dong-hyun.”

“Puhaha! An assassin with teleportation?”

“Yes, it’s verified information.”

“That’s hilarious, really…”

Kang Tae-yang licked his lips with the tip of his tongue. He was more intrigued by Kang-hoo’s existence than by Cha So-hyuk’s death.

He had heard bits and pieces about Kang-hoo from various sources before.

At first, he thought Kang-hoo was just a mediocre hunter and had dismissed him as such.

But now, after hearing the news of Cha So-hyuk’s death along with the other hunters who had died in the process, his thoughts changed.

An assassin, a profession notorious for its vulnerabilities in group combat, had not only successfully defended against a 1v3 fight but also killed them all?

This was impossible without a foundational level of high skill.

It meant Kang-hoo was not an ordinary assassin.