Tag: I Never Run Out of Mana

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55. Out of the Way! An Unwelcome Guest of the Dungeon Comes. (2)

I obtained the skill book and new ID, as well as the thumb to go along with it.

By thumb I mean one that’s made of silicone for thumbprints.

Instead of taking a week, it only took 4 days instead.

They said they were able to get it easier than they expected.

Who knew the very goons that I hated so much would be this useful to me.

It seemed that fate can give benefits far beyond one’s imagination.

From Jong Ho, I asked for additional information regarding the executioner class.

Since it was a rare class, the information of their skills could not be found on the app or on the internet.

The fight would be easier if I could, at least to some degree, predict his attacks.

Most of the skills for the executioner used martial arts, especially hand to hand combat for single targets.

A human weapon, literally speaking.

Other than the skills that were beyond ranking, I was able to get the gist of them.

* * * *

Running around the level 23 dungeon, I continued to use the Mass Stealth Jutsu on the ghouls.

The faster the skill level rose, the faster I could get back to my secretive growth regime.

However, the more I used it, the more I thought that this skill was broken.

A skill that made all living organisms within a certain radius vanishes from view.

Most skills other than attack skills cannot be used on monsters usually.

Heal, buffs, or enchant type spells could not be casted on them.

The only form of skills that worked were the ones that inflicted harm on them.

But oddly enough, the Mass Stealth Jutsu worked on monsters as well.

Inside the dungeon, hundreds of ghouls were present.

A little flicker above their heads appeared, and then suddenly all of them vanished from view.

I was still easily able to see them using Eye of Insight, however.

Thanks to this mechanic, I was able to level it up to level 105 in 4 days.

It was only possible because I gave up sleep and leveling to invest in this skill.

I even used the remaining Awakened Essence on this.

The Awakened Mass Stealth Jutsu could not be identified by the Eye of Insight.

It was a skill I used, but due to how high level the stealth ability was, I could not see it anymore.

Thankfully, the hidden targets would be revealed if they tried to attack me.

The ghouls appeared once more as they tried to attack me.

The Eye of Insight was an aoe skill, so someone from the association could be level 100 with it.

To be undiscoverable, the price of one essence shouldn’t be that much.

No cool down or cast time, but with the mana cost of 1500 per use.

The Mass Stealth Jutsu could be said to be a skill just for me.

“Skill book, ID, and information on the skills done. Guess the only thing left is to hunt?”

What I needed most right now was my defensive capabilities.

If he was at the tier of a major, he would definitely have skills above ranking.

The Mana Shield that I thought was the ultimate shield becoming useless. Who would’ve thought.

My offensive capabilities on the other hand, I had enough as both Meteor and Iceberg was nearly level 200.

Ah! Almost forgot my Formless Sword Aura.

There were some skills and defensive items that I was eyeing for.

To find them, I headed towards the level 28 dungeon.

Everyone remembers. Korean Choi So-Hyeon was the first person to solo clear a dungeon, and it was the level 28 dungeon.

However, humanity could fight up to the level 30 dungeons if with a party.

No information exists on the dungeons beyond though.

According to the information I received, there was a reason why it was so difficult to solo clear dungeons beyond level 28.

It was due to the sheer size of the dungeon!

And the amount of monsters to match it.

Of course, the toughness of the monsters was part of the reason why.

No matter how strong an Awakened might be, there is a limit to their mana.

What about a warrior who doesn’t require mana to do basic attacks charge forward?

No. Within the level 28 dungeon, physical attacks do not work.

Monsters that drop insane amounts of experience points.

And the chance for some rare loot to drop from the boss.

There was no reason to hesitate at all.

I scanned my ID card.

Following that, I used the silicone thumbprint to finish the identification process.

-Dungeon is being activated.-

* * * *

“Report.”

Joker’s angry voice filled the dark room, giving it a heavy atmosphere.

This was to be expected, since Jin was one of his top ten subordinates.

He trusted him obviously, and his skill wasn’t that bad to boot.

But that Jin he trusted could not be contacted for 3 days.

That was after he left to take care of Min-Cheol.

Suppressed by Joker’s aura, he quaked in fear as he continued his report.

“Yes! Joker. We were still unable to find any traces of Jin.”

“UAHHHH!”

The S ranking bloodstone that Joker was holding in his hand.

It’s a stone that most blacksmiths would have difficulty processing.

However, in Joker’s hand, the stone was ground to dust like tofu.

The glow of the stone illuminated one side of the room, and the reporting subordinate laid on the ground, groveling and trembling in fear.

“I apologize! I’ll call in additional members to find him for su..”

“Begone.”

“…..”

“Just like what you’re thinking, Jin is dead. Guess the tiger cub has gotten a lot stronger than we thought.”

“What do you mean…”

Joker’s face was painted with rage as he spoke.

But with it, there was an unfathomable smile with it.

And he continued.

“Assign someone new to lead the group that Jin once led.”

“Yes! Joker!”

“Soon, the one will be moving soon. I will judge the one who killed Jin after.”

“Understood! Joker!”

After that, the messenger fled the room.

Then.

“Ku.. KUHAA..KUAHAHAHA!”

Joker laughed with insanity.

The rage that filled him was nowhere to be found.

He spoke as he looked at the powder of what used to be a bloodstone.

“Yes..more! Be further drunk in your strength! When the day comes to fight, I will be offering you as a sacrifice to the one!”

* * * *

The association’s Awakened special governing sector suddenly became chaotic.

It was because data was received that someone had entered the level 28 dungeon.

However, this happened from time to time, so there wasn’t much of a panic.

It could just a simple data error, or perhaps malfunctions with the scanner.

After 40 minutes later, yelling mixed with cursing filled the room.

The Awakened with the same ID had re-entered the dungeon.

“Ah shit! What is this?”

“It’s gotta be an error with the scanner?”

Then. One of the many people standing by the computers yelled.

“The data does not match with Choi So-Hyeon.”

They had compared the data with the only solo clearer of dungeon level 28.

Another responded after hearing that.

“What kind of insane person would be clearing a level 28 dungeon in 40 minutes?”

“No way. Lots of rain fell this week. I’ll contact that maintenance team.”

Throughout the chaos, the department head Kim Ho Jin quietly observed the situation from the end of his table.

Only for a moment though. Then he spoke.

“Contact the association hunters.”

“Huh? Wouldn’t it be better to check if it is a machine error, chief…”

“That could be the case if the data for re-entry didn’t come. Perhaps someone with a death wish going into his last dungeon.”

“First, we’ll be contacting the other association members near the area.”

“Hunters first! I’ll be going to the scene as well.”

“Yes!”

“And hey! Se-Jin Kim, come to my room.”

 

Focusing only on the task at hand at his post, Se-Jin Kim stood up at once and replied to the summons of the chief.

“Yes! Understood.”

After entering the room, Se-Jin was busy trying to read the mood of the room.

A new blood who just came in, how many times would they talk with the department head…

Chief Ho Jin broke the silence.

“How are you doing recently?”

“Yes. I’m getting used to it quickly.”

“Good. It must be quite the confusing for you right now. Glad to see you’re giving it your best.”

“Oh ahaha. Thank you.”

“But I heard you were taking the Kim Min-Cheol case?”

“Yes. That’s correct. I am taking care of that.”

“Nothing strange to note with that?”

Ho Jin was asking Se-Jin with a different look in his eyes.

It wasn’t the look of a high ranking official looking at their employed.

It was the look of a prosecutor asking a criminal.

To his question, Se-Jin replied with an awkward smile.

“Yes. For now… I have only observed him entering the dungeons, and there was nothing special to note.”

“Really? What does it look like to you? Do you think he has a fake ID?”

“From what I saw, other than the unusual speed in growth, there was nothing else to note…”

“Do you know the ruckus going outside?”

“Yes. About the level 28 dungeon?”

“Yep. But you know. I feel like the two of them are the same person.”

“Huh? Kim Min-Cheol and the person entering the level 28 dungeon?”

“Of course. Well, we can confirm it when we get there.”

“….”

“Please continue to do your best. Even if the civilians continue to swear and ignore us, if the association continues to change, we’ll be able to receive acknowledgement someday.”

“Yes. I’ll do my best.”

“Okay. You can leave now.”

Leaving the room, Se-Jin could tell.

That chief Kim Ho Jin already knew what Se-Jin knew about Min-Cheol.

He didn’t ask directly, but Se-Jin could feel it.

That this short talk wasn’t an encouragement between fellow workers, but a warning.

* * * *

“We’re almost there.”

“Okay.”

As the level of the dungeon rose, the amount of dungeons lessened.

A level 28 dungeon meant that it was not discovered for 28 years while it stayed in place.

Kim Ho Jin and his escorts met with the hunters, deploying en mass to the level 28 dungeon entrance.

The data continued to arrive from there.

“I requested for about 20 or so, but how did it go?”

“Yes. They’re on their way.”

“He could be in stealth. How about the summons for a cleric ranker?”

“Lady Hwang Young Hee is coming along as well.”

“Good. It’s a dungeon with low entrance rate. Far from the association. And he’s incredibly skilled. Focus on keeping yourselves alive only.”

“Yes.”

They drove up the long mountain trail for quite a while.

Finally, the vehicle arrived at the entrance of the dungeon.

With a cigar in his mouth, Ho Jin spoke.

“How long since he entered again?”

“Entered at 14:21. 30 minutes has passed.”

“Okay. In 10 minutes, we should be able to see him.”

As Ho Jin finished speaking, the association hunters as well as cleric ranker Hwang Young Hee arrived.

“Lady, thank you for coming.”

“Ohoho. Mr. Ho Jin, it’s been awhile.”

“Hope you’ve been well?”

“An old woman like me passes time without knowing how much time has passed.”

Hwang Young Hee was a level 520 cleric ranker, ranking 3rd out of all Awakened.

Unlike the simple neighborly grandma she appeared to be, she was a skilled cleric who mastered 7 different cleric skills.

The reason why she was summoned was to use the Eye of Insight.

One of the first generation of Awakened, she was nearing the time to use the Awakened essence for it.

Out of all the Awakened in existence, it is said that no stealth skill could go past her.

It was then.

“Chief! It’s 14:30. He’s about to come out.”

“Okay. Lady, we’re counting on you.”

“Oho. Of course.”

Finishing her reply, her expression turned serious as she casted the skill.

‘Eye of Insight.’

---

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54. Out of the Way! An Unwelcome Guest of the Dungeon Comes.

“Hey! Are you serious?”

Hearing my story, Jong Ho was freaking out.

He heard from me that I took down Jin and obtained information from him.

I answered calmly, and continued the conversation.

“Yes. I already thought I had to take care of him soon ever since Se-Jin Kim from the association gave me a visit. But he saved me the trouble and visited me on his own.”

“So you took down Jin in one move, and even took information from him?”

“Yes. I already told you?”

“Oh boy. You’re scary you know? I’m more scared of you than Jin or the radical faction. My liver is shaking in fear, I can’t even enter this house.” ¹

Jong Ho waved his arms about, while giving me a playful look.

While shaking his head too.

This guy’s class was a warrior.

His special attribute must be humor or something.

I couldn’t hate him no matter how hard I tried.

Can’t leave him hanging with his humor.

I put my hand on Jong Ho’s shoulder and spoke.

“Meteor Call! It’s been fun, hyung.”

“Ah. Wait. It’s a prank, bro. A prank!”

“Pfft. Ah! Hyung, what’s your passive? A sense of humor?”

“Hey! I have quite the passive. Nothing compared to yours though.”

“Really?”

“I have a low chance to attack twice. Without delay. The passive is called ‘Berserker’s Onslaught’.”

“Oho.. That’s pretty good. Does it matter if the attack is a skill or a regular attack?”

“Yeah. Even if the second attack triggers from a skill, there is no mana cost for the second attack. I guess you can look at it as a free attack I get? When I first Awakened, it happened on its own, so I was surprised.”

“I would be too. Must become better the higher your level gets and the stronger your skills grows.”

“That’s something in the future to consider. But why do you ask about it now?”

The reason why I asked Jong Ho about this topic was to find out information regarding this subclass that Joker possessed.

I was pretty sure Jong Ho would know something like this.

I put on my serious face once more and continued to ask Jong Ho.

“Hyung. Do you know anything about subclasses?”

“Of course. It’s when you Awaken with two classes?”

“Yes. That’s right! Could you tell me exactly what that’s about?”

“It’s super rare, but I heard some of the top rankers in the association have subclasses.”

“I guess you can’t get in the rankings just my leveling quickly.”

“Of course. You need to get a good class. The passive too, but it’s all random.”

“Wait, it’s difficult to level even with two classes?”

“Yes. Think about it. If a warrior had a magician as a subclass, you would need points in strength, mana, health, and even dexterity. All stats would need to be raised.”

“Yeah.”

“If that happens, you’d become a jack of all trades. Focusing on your attack power will make your defense lack, and vice versa. It would make hunting impossible. You can’t do both.”

“I guess that makes sense.”

“And there are cases that blacksmiths get subclasses when they’re Awakened. This is also like losing the lotto by a single number.”

“For a blacksmith that can level up by swinging their hammer, gaining a subclass with its passive is useless, right?”

“Exactly.”

Thanks to Jong Ho’s explanation, I could understand it now.

My passive that gave me limitless mana was also given to me at random.

No one knew about the passives other than their effects.

Classes were the same.

That was the reason why I searched the web intensely after I became Awakened about passives.

Because there were cases where the passives would ruin any chances of making a living, even after being Awakened.

I asked the most important question.

It was about Joker.

“Then how about a warrior class having the executioner subclass?”

“Can that even happen? That’s like 3 generations of… more like all the luck from every generation in your family coming together?”

“….”

“I’ve only saw the executioner class in books, as there are not many who have it. Not only that, after being Awakened, they become S ranking special individuals, and most of them end up working for the association.”

“Hm….”

“It would be against the law for them to level up above 300. Of course, the executioner class is really hard to level up. Most skills are single target, and the mana cost is insane.”

“It’s bad enough to have a law made about the class?”

“Because they don’t know if they will defect into a killing machine. Though if it is a subclass, I guess you could hide it.”

I realized that my situation was worse than what I thought previously.

And all 3 of them had subclasses.

There were two more monsters like this one.

On top of that, the final boss above them.

While thinking about this, I accidentally spoke aloud.

“Guess it’s going to be tougher than I thought…”

“What? Who? No way…?”

“….”

“Am I right? Really? That’s insane! The radical faction’s boss is a warrior with a subclass as an executioner?”

“No, I heard he’s just one of the leaders under the boss?”

“That’s crazy.”

Putting a hand on his forehead, he stared at the ceiling.

For a while, he only sighed.

I broke the long silence.

“It’s not like there isn’t a way.”

“A way? What’s that?”

With both his hands out, I had Jong Ho’s full attention.

At his question, I quietly put on the Lich King armor set.

Then I put on the Banwol Jincheons as well.

“I’ll need to carry all the equipment and work hard.”

“Oh boy. That’s just like you.”

“Hyung, would you also like to come along?”

“Where? The level 23 dungeon? No thanks. Thanks to you carrying me through the level 18 one, I grew enough to laze around for the next three months. And are you really in a situation to help others? Just come back safely.”

“I knew you would say this. I understand. I’ll just bring the warrior skill books if they drop.”

“I decline.”

“I decline your decision to decline. I’ll be going then, hyung.”

“Gah. I’m guilty then. Guess I’ll have to get up too.”

* * * *

“Hiyaa!”

“KUH-UK!”

Hit by the Awakened Meteor Call dead center, all the ghouls perished at once.

It was a damage that was on another level compared to what it was like at 60.

The ghouls were torn apart, while their remains charged at me.

Honestly, the damage was enough to even obliterate the remains instantly as well.

The number of meteors did not increase, but the size had by an enormous amount.

It was the same for Iceberg.

The speed and accuracy. Both seemed to increase with my growth.

Skill proficiency did not only include the level of the skill, but also the accuracy and understanding of how it worked.

Once I hit level 200 with it, I should be able to cast the larger and more powerful version without any limitations on time.

Growth. Raising my health and dexterity stats via growth.

Depending on that growth, I get increases in skill levels. The things I needed badly.

That’s why I couldn’t be satisfied with the level 23 dungeon.

I needed to go to dungeons of higher levels so I could obtain even more experience.

However. The association was already putting me under surveillance.

If I cleared dungeons above level 23 solo, their suspicions will only grow further.

However, it would incredibly stupid of me to go with a party.

After finishing the hunt and returning home via taxi, I thought of an idea.

The most Se-Jin Kim could hold off on the report to the association would be one month.

If data of me clearing higher level dungeons come into their hands?

Another member would be immediately dispatched to find out about me.

‘Is there not a way?’

Then I had a decent solution come up.

‘Mastering the Shadow Step that Jin used to use, and using a forged ID to run the dungeons?’

It wasn’t a bad idea.

It was illegal though.

The skill Jin used was an S ranking stealth skill.

In order to detect the user, one would need to have the Eye of Insight skill and have the level of it match or be higher than Shadow Step.

The chances of someone mastering the heavy mana costing Eye of Insight was very low.

However, it also was not easy to master Shadow Step when it obtained experience only on single use.

And I only had roughly a month and a half worth of time left.

I would lose all my time on preparing.

“Stealth.. I need an aoe stealth skill…”

While it would use up an incredible amount of mana, it would be able to stealth many targets at once.

That would allow me to level it up a lot faster.

But I didn’t know if such a skill existed.

“Hm? What did you say, dear customer?”

“Ah… nothing. Just talking to myself, driver.”

“Haha. Alright.”

“Sorry Mr. driver, but could you go to Sinseol-dong instead?”

“Huh? You said you wanted to go to Guli though…”

“Yes. Something came up.”

“I understand. Sinseol-dong it is.”

* * * *

Passing my house, it was a long while before the taxi arrived at Sinseol-dong.

This was where the midget’s office was located at.

‘When it comes to obtaining skill books, there is no place like this.’

Entering, I saw the midget and his two goons guarding the place like usual.

Confirming my arrival, the three of them bowed in greeting.

“So you’ve come?”

“Oh. What services do you need of us this time?”

“Yes. Have you been well?”

“Of course. We’re doing well thanks to you. But what skill book do you need this time?”

“You already know without me telling you?”

“What other reason would you have to visit us?”

Smiling, the midget continued.

It seemed that he was being the middleman between these trades, nicking some in the process.

At this point though, money didn’t even register to me as a concept.

It didn’t matter at all.

“Ah. Guess the commission fee you got from the skill books I’ve obtained have been quite a lot? Since you’re greeting me with such happiness.”

“Huh? Ha… Ha… I mean, we did the work…”

“That’s true I guess.”

I went to the sofa where they were gathered.

It was a situation where I needed information even from these two goons.

Sitting between them, I brought up the main topic.

“I’m looking for a skill.”

“Yes. As expected.”

“It’s a skill assassins use, for stealth purposes. Something that would allow for mass stealthing.”

“Hm….”

The midget was lost in thought while stroking his chin.

Both the goons as well.

It didn’t take long for the goon with the berserker class to speak up.

“Well.. There is one, but it’s really rare….”

“Expensive?”

“No. It’s an unused skill, so the cost isn’t high. However, it’ll take a while before we can get it.”

Hearing that the price wasn’t high, the midget glared at the berserker.

I couldn’t help but think ‘What a scammer.’ in my head.

Pushing down my anger, I asked again.

“So there is a skill like that?”

“Yes. ‘Mass Stealth Jutsu’ is the name of the skill, but it’s an executioner class skill.”

“Executioner?”

“Yes.”

It was as if fate had tied these together.

Why did it have to an executioner class skill.

I was bothered by this existence known as Joker once more.

“The user can be stealthed as well, right?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“One week! It’s possible, right?”

“Wew… Guess it’ll have to be possible.”

“Good. I’m glad since the cost isn’t much, I won’t have to prepare an Awakened Essence.”

“Yes. That’s right. It can be done with money as well.”

It was an answer that I welcomed.

A skill that had everything I needed.

Ah. I almost forgot one thing.

“One more. Can I get a fake Awakened ID?”

---

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53. Coming to Me On Your Own (2)

-Two hours before Jin went to visit Min-Cheol-

In a pitch dark room was a figure, hiding behind the black curtains.

One of the three leaders of the radical group, code name ‘Joker’.

At his call, Jin appeared.

“Jin. Is there any strange movements from him?”

The only source of light in the room was the red glow from Jin.

Nodding his head, he answered.

“Just the usual. Other than his insane growth rate that is.”

“How should we deal with him. At this rate, he’s going to become an obstacle in our way. What’s your thoughts?”

“I think we have to make a decision. If he becomes any stronger, he’s going to become a monster.”

“Hm… I also agree. But if he does turn over to our side, then it will be a matter of time before he becomes the one’s right hand man…”

“….”

“Other than me, the two leaders also seem to be somewhat aware of him as well.”

“I guess it can’t be helped.”

“Try to entice him one more time. If it doesn’t work, get rid of him before he becomes someone else’s. Make sure it’s done without anyone noticing.”

“I’ll do as you command.”

“With your power, you should be able to take care of him without any issues, right?”

“Of course. He couldn’t even hit me once. I’ll take care of him without even the rats knowing about it.”

Jin was an existence that moved only to follow orders.

He only worked upon Joker’s summons and commands.

The ideal person they both wanted.

He was going to show that strength is power, and power determines your place in society.

Jin hid his form into the shadows.

* * * *

“Where is it? Where are your leaders at?”

“Kuhuhu. You’re really amusing… To be this strong.”

“….”

“AHHH!”

Instantly his pinkie was cut off.

A painful cry rang throughout the quiet still air.

Worried that someone might hear, I covered his mouth.

And I whispered in his ears.

“Just like how I killed Park Hyun, you’re going to wish that someone else appeared and killed you.”

Muffling.

“Hm? Did you reconsider talking already?”

I moved my hand that was covering his mouth.

It looked like he had already recovered from being pummeled to the ground.

Maskless, he gave me his fake smile and spoke.

“No matter how much you struggle, you cannot resist them.”

“Sure. If you already gave up, it wouldn’t be fun.”

“Kuhuhuhu.”

“Seems you’re right handed from how you’re holding your weapon. From now on, you’re left handed.”

Without a hint of hesitation, I swung Banwol Jincheon towards his right wrist.

As if tearing the air itself, it cut his wrist off cleanly.

Screams came from the mouth that I covered once more.

“You can still use chopsticks with your left hand. Speak. The location of your so-great leaders.”

The red glows from his eyes seem to boil with anger.

“Ugh! Even if it is not at your hands, I’m already dead. That’s the only choice left for those that cannot follow orders.”

“You know already. I fought you to kill you in the first place.”

“….”

“But do you know when a person feels most helpless?”

“Urgh! When.”

“When you can’t even choose to die on your own free will. When you don’t even have enough strength for that. The weak do not even have the right to choose their own death. At least according to your so-great ideology. Isn’t that right?”

His smile had been long gone since he heard my words.

Must be feeling the dread of not knowing how long this torture would continue on for.

No matter how much loyalty and determination he has…

Noblesse’s guild leader Park Hyun also became weak when it came to her life.

Awakened or not, you cannot help but fear if you’re human.

Because they are existences that feel pain and fear.

* * * *

“S.. Stop! Ugh.”

With how long the torture was going, he was slowly losing both his body and sanity.

Since I couldn’t stay in the middle of the sidewalk for long, I moved him to a mountain that was next to the hunting grounds.

Who knew I would be thankful that most high level dungeons are in rural areas like this.

It was a level 23 dungeon.

That meant that this place was not found and left alone for 23 years.

I asked the man who gave out only ragged breaths.

“Do you want to die?”

“P… Please kill me!”

He kept screaming while holding onto the mutilated pieces of his body with his left arm.

My relentless attacks had reduced him to a state of trembling fear.

Thanks to his high dexterity state that allowed him to rapidly regenerate, his life wasn’t in any danger.

Only extreme amounts of pain remained.

“I think I’m going to go crazy from holding back on killing you. I’m doing my best to hold back, you know? So talk then. If I hear the answer I’m looking for, I’ll kill you.”

“U-Under a single sun, the three stars exist…”

Like a person looking for water at a desert, he was desperately seeking the sweet release of death.

“Sun? Stars? What bullshit are you talking about?”

“Under the one, three leaders exist.”

“Are you trying to audition for a movie? Where’s your common sense…. And the one, is he the commander? And the leaders are the vice captains?”

To my question, he nodded his head and continued.

“The three leaders are spread out. Seoul, Gangwon, Incheon. But the location of the sun is known only by the leaders. I’ve not met with the sun once.”

“If I know about the leaders, I can guess the strength of their goons. Tell me, what’s their combat capability?”

“Each of the 3 has enough strength to match everyone working underneath them, including me. No. They are probably even stronger. Ugh…”

“So?”

“The one I follow is called Joker. Out of the three leaders, he has the highest combat capability.”

“What’s Joker’s level?”

“Over 600. But something that goes beyond levels. The class….”

“What is it?”

“Urgh… Warrior…”

“Are you kidding me? There’s like tens of warriors gathered in front of most dungeons you know?”

“All leaders have a subclass.”

“What?”

This was the first time I was hearing of it.

If you Awaken normally, you would receive a class.

For me, it was the magician class. Jong Ho obtained warrior.

But a subclass?

“That’s right. Joker Awakened with two different classes.”

‘Ha, right…. There are cases like that?’ or so I thought, masking my astonishment.

“What’s the class?”

His next words surprised me, to say the least.

“Joke possesses the subclass Executioner.”

“Executioner? There’s a class that kills people?”

Executioner, someone with the task of taking the lives of the condemned.

I needed to know more about Joker.

He nodded to my question, seemingly given up on everything.

It appeared as if the only thing he cared about was to die as soon as possible.

“Tell me more.”

“Joker’s combat capabilities shine not only during hunts, but in combat.”

If you know yourself and know your enemy, you win a hundred times out of a hundred fights. The information Jin was giving to me was crucial.

Not only that, but he was revealing the strategies of someone I didn’t even have a clue about.

Because Joker had the highest combat capabilities of them all, I focused learning all I could on this topic.

“Joker’s Executioner subclass has a passive called Isolation.”

“….”

“A single target that Joker chooses takes increased damage. A specialized ability in 1v1 to annihilate the opponent.”

“Alright. The other two also have subclasses as well.”

“T… That’s right.”

“The strongest one is Joker, but what about the sun! Is this sun’s combat capabilities far beyond comparison with the leaders?”

“As I said before, I do not have any information on the sun.” ¹

Jin continued to stare at the floor, spilling out all the information while being on the verge of death.

We continued to talk for a long time, and I was able to obtain lots of valuable information.

His eyes no longer held life in it, staring off into the void.

I could no longer converse or question him.

He kept saying the same thing over and over.

“Please no more, kill me… Please, please kill me.”

“….”

“Please… kill me.”

“It was good information you provided. This is the best I can do for you out of respect.”

Towards Jin’s neck, I swung Banwol Jincheon.

His head and body were separated in a single cut, and he instantly lost his life.

The head rolled about, bleeding profusely like his body was.

On top of that, I casted Explosion.

“Trash like this cannot be recycled.”

With cold eyes, I looked at his remains disappearing.

The flame magic explosion had reached level 100.

I had to remove him from existence as quietly as possible without anyone noticing.

It didn’t take long for even the traces of his corpse to disappear.

Not even his ashes were left.

* * * *

I returned home to gather my thoughts.

I was not overly concerned with the radical faction as a whole.

The one I had to be ready for was the one Jin served, Joker.

According to Jin, the only one who knew of my abilities fully was Joker.

The other two leaders barely knew anything about me.

The reason was the following.

Even the leaders fought and kept their guards up amongst one another.

It was probably to obtain more power and prestige from the big honcho above them.

To do that, they had to have power that was cut above the rest.

Because the only thing they sought after was power.

However, the 3 leaders probably had nearly the same amount of power.

I was told the Joker was the strongest, but the difference wouldn’t be that much.

The only difference left between them?

Their subordinates and the combat capabilities they bring to the table.

For that, Joker had tried to obtain me.

Jin had said that Joker’s subclass was the Executioner. The ability is as follows.

The target Joker chooses have a mark appear on them.

If someone attacked the marked target, all the attacks would become 3 times stronger.

However. Only single attack skills would work, and there could be only one marked target.

As said before, it really was a passive made for 1v1s.

And his main class was a warrior to boot, which have both excellent defense and offense.

“Above level 600. Two classes. Both of which have their own passives.”

Of course, I could infinitely spam all skills from all classes, as my passive was infinitely mana.

Still, without a doubt the opponent is tough.

To face Joker, it seemed I needed more defense.

Lich King’s armor set and Formless Sword Aura reduced 50% of the damage taken, but it wouldn’t do well enough against someone who did 3 times the damage than normal.

The only answer I could come up with was to grow stronger.

With a defensive strategy on how to block all his attacks as well.

Since my existence was not reported to the boss as well, Joker could not move carelessly.

That’s why Joker had Jin put me under surveillance.

I thought that the pride Joker had as a leader prevented chasing after me personally, but I confirmed that this was the reason why from Jin.

“For a training regime, this is too Spartan for me.”

---

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52. Coming to Me on Your Own

It’s been a week since I met with Se-Jin.

Since there was no follow up, I could tell that Se-Jin did not make the report.

I’ve only delayed the inevitable annoyance I would have to deal with, but time was essential to my growth.

I couldn’t help but feel relieved.

And if this report made me known to the world, the association as well the government will not leave me alone.

My time to train would be decreased as a result.

Not only would I lose time, but Jin and his group would be able to confirm my growth, which could lead them into acting quicker than if they were left in the dark.

All I wanted to do was quietly earn money and laze about…

Learning about my infinite mana ability, these bugs keep swarming around me.

If there is a fly in the room during summertime, it’s obvious one would kill it and proceed to sleep.

Bugs are just bugs.

Rip their wings so they cannot fly.

And step on them to kill them.

* * * *

The day after, I tested out the S ranking skill Formless Sword Aura.

The skill wasn’t very complicated.

It casted each time I swung Banwol Jincheon.

Of course I could toggle it on and off as I wished.

But why would I toggle it off when I have infinite mana.

I knew nothing about wielding a sword.

However obtaining this skill allowed me to wield them without any issues.

I casted the sword aura on the Cerberus found in the level 21 dungeon where magic did not work.

“Kurur…”

As expected of a high ranking monster, it tried to avoid the attack by reading my killing intent.

I had aimed for its throat, but it received my attack with its back.

A huge amount of blood spilled from the deep wound, but it did not budge an inch.

However, it could not resist or react to the attack that followed.

“Ku.. Kaa…”

Exactly as the skill description read. After the first hit, the target cannot read or detect my sword aura for the next attack.

It did not have the time to determine where that attack was coming from and avoid it as well.

It had to receive my attack with all its senses sealed away.

The skill could destroy a level 21 monster in two hits.

Of course the first one was to apply the skill effect.

So really, it only took one attack to take it down.

From the sword to my hand, I could sense the tendons and bones being sliced apart, down to the minute details.

It gave me quite the goosebumps.

Almost like fighting your first Black Ghost in a dungeon?

However all monsters in the dungeon were just money to me.

Nothing more, nothing less.

Meteor and Iceberg both have leveled quite a lot.

I already have Awakened both skills after all.

After reaching level 100, both skills had their cast time and cool downs reduced by half.

The 10 minutes it took to both cast and wait for cool down had been reduced to 5 minutes.

If I was able to reach level 100 again after Awakening them, I would be able cast them without any cast time or cool downs.

Fire Shock and Gravity Laser had already reached level 100.

I had now arrived at where I can level up no more.

I had one Awakened Essence left!

I was planning to use them on either Formless Sword Aura or Glacial Field, depending on whichever hit level 100 first.

If I was able to master A+ and S ranking skills, I’d be something akin to those cheat-like characters.

* * * *

That’s how my hunting ended for that day.

Trying to get rid of the disgusting smell covering me, I was heading home.

Over encumbered with all these Blood Stones, I didn’t think I could be happier right now.

Since most Awakened avoided this dungeon, the area was quiet and still.

The restaurants and bathhouses were quite far away.

I was turning a dark corner that did not have a street light.

A bright red light came into view in front of me.

That light, I knew that glow.

‘Jin…’

I could tell it was Jin at once.

I could not make out the face, but it was almost as if that disgusting smile was visible.

Even if this area wasn’t dark, the shadowy mask would be covering it.

I was half glad to see him.

I was going to kill him one day. He came on his own.

I walked towards him.

Since I had just left the dungeon, the shield from Louver’s set was on.

And I was wearing the Lich King’s armor set.

I would only take 40% of the damage he dealt.

Casting all my shields, I walked towards him.

One more thing. I believed.

He was calmly staying in place.

“It’s been awhile, kid.”

He spoke in a mocking tone, as if taunting me.

His eyes were filled with confidence.

Was it because I wasn’t able to land anything the last time I attacked?

There was no way I was going to let him walk away alive today.

Pushing down my anger, I spoke to him.

“I said you will die the next time we meet. Did you think it was a joke?”

“Heh. Always a funny kid.”

“….”

“The offer to work with us. Did you think about it?”

“Offer? To take over the world? Not even funny. You know even villains don’t dream about that stuff nowadays?”

“Going against the flow till the end I see. Can’t be helped I guess.”

“What. I guess the order from above came? Kill the kitten before it grows into a tiger?”

“Since you already know, guess there is no need to explain.”

“Do I look like a kitten to you still?”

To my question, he pulled out his weapon.

He had never used a weapon before.

Instead he pressurized the air to use Assassin Weapon Throw before.

Him using a weapon must be a lot more deadlier.

“Even if you get in the way, you cannot change the tide.”

“…”

“Those with strength take control. Those without can do nothing but follow… Not very different from the current affairs, no?”

He took out a short sword the size of an upper arm.

He continued while giving out intense amounts of killing intent.

“Those you tried to protect, even they will bow their heads and wag their tails to the new world.”

“Did you know you made two huge mistakes. Should I let you know?”

“….”

“One. Without knowing your place, you pulled out a weapon in front of me.”

“Ahaha! Amusing as usual.”

“Two. I’m one heck of a mama’s boy!”

“…”

“ORAAA!”

Finishing my words, I casted Hold and Bind towards him.

His feet was bound tightly, and he could not move at all.

I stabbed him with Piercing Sword.

However, just as before, only black smoke remained where he was.

This wasn’t a dungeon, an area designated by the association, or even the Noblesse guild.

If I used anything like Meteor or Iceberg, the ruckus would bring in tons of people.

While hiding his form, I could only listen to the sound of his laughter.

“Ahahaha! Again, kid.”

‘I have to kill him quietly. As painfully as possible too.’

Suddenly.

An attack towards my head.

The short sword Jin was holding onto was stabbed into my shield.

It didn’t take long for the weapon’s form to disappear, as well as the shield to recover.

His attacks with a weapon were different from before.

Even with the 40% damage reduction, he had caused this much damage to my shield.

‘Awakened Assassin Weapon Throw. His attack skill with a weapon. Such power.’

A few seconds after the attack, a red glow flew in front of me.

Going through all my shields in one hit, the short sword scratched against my armor.

Aiming for the heart and neck, the weapon was stuck into the shoulder plate.

I was casting Mana Shield.

It was definitely a skill beyond ranking.

“KUHAHA! Seems you’re quite shaken, kid. Is it because the Mana Shield you trusted so much has become useless?”

His voice coming from the shadow was filled with confidence.

Recasting my shields, I grabbed both Banwol Jincheon with one hand.

If it was a regular sword like the one made by the blacksmiths, it would not be possible.

But the Banwol Jincheon that Gwidon dropped was plenty capable of doing so.

Once more came his cross cut attack.

He appeared before me again.

“Are you planning to grab me with your left hand or something?”

“Looks like you enjoy playing hide and seek. I really dislike running around to catch someone though.”

“Childish words from someone who’s about to die.”

“Really?”

Swinging my 2 stacked swords, it sounded like the air was being cut apart.

I had casted Formless Sword Aura.

As if sneering at my pathetic attempt, he casually hid his form.

It was then.

Almost like grabbing smoke, I held him by the collar.

 

“Wha-at?”

“Fun huh? Guess hide and seek is over? Now you’re it.”

In panic, he attacked in a flurry of slashes and kicks.

Attacking as if an animal with both feet, trying to rip apart his opponent. Reminded me of a wild animal, maybe like a cat.

Oh well. Without much concern, I slammed him to the ground.

With my near 1800 strength, the ground split.

The shock made his body go limp, as if a building that lost its foundations.

However there was no need to worry.

Most assassins raise points into dexterity, so their recovery rate is incredibly high.

This kind of injury should heal within moments.

He can’t die yet.

“Ku-kuhuk!”

Red blood flew from a fit of coughing.

Still, I did not let go of him.

Well, it could be fun to let him go so I can catch him again and bring him to near death.

However, I could not waste time, even if this is an area that’s desolate for the moment.

The reason why I was able to catch him as he hid his form in the shadows was the Eye of Insight skill that the midget got me.

A skill used by priests, it gave the user the ability to see through objects.

It was used for monsters that used stealth. And for detecting bosses.

However, the skill level needed to be higher than the monster’s skill level for stealth.

One amusing thing I found is that this skill did not work on mimics.

You could only find it by swinging blindly through the air until you hit something.

I had gotten the skill to level 100.

Jin’s Shadowstep was either level 100 or something below that.

Unlike Shadowstep, which gains experience each time it is used, the Eye of Insight gains experience per target hit.

To monsters that weren’t using stealth, their weaknesses were revealed.

It was, without a doubt, a very useful skill.

What if Jin’s Shadowstep was above level 100? What made me so sure?

Even if an assassin placed all their points into mana and kept using that skill for 40 years every time it was off cool down, it was impossible to master it.

At level 100, it would take 97 million experience to level up or so?

From his mouth, a painful moan came out.

“Kuhuk! Kuhuh!”

“There’s no time. Hurry up and heal.”

Facing the red glow from him, I continued to speak, expressionless.

It didn’t take long.

Almost as if his neck was realigning, he began to heal back up.

“Kuh.. how did you…”

“I’ll start the questions. You don’t have to answer all of it like a good boy. You’ll be telling me everything anyways.”

“Ku…huh..”

“Per question, 1 cm.”

“What… do you mean…?”

“Every time you avoid my question. The amount of your body that you’ll lose. It’ll be cut away instantly.”

“….”

I took off his mask, and stared at him with the eyes of a hunter looking for its prey.

“Where are they? Where are your bosses at?”

---

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51. Beautiful Flowers Attract Bugs

The Awakened special handling force had finished their meeting.

Vice CEO Kim Ho Jin had left.

After confirming he left, one man asked everyone a question.

“Hey. Who’s going to take the Kim Min-Cheol case?”

“If he’s someone that goes through level 23 dungeons as if nothing, wouldn’t I be risking my life if I were to take on this case? I have 3 kids. Ahem!”

“Oh. Of course senior shouldn’t be doing work like this,” the junior said as he massaged his shoulders.

He continued while glaring at everyone else at the table.

“If you want this case, raise your hand up quickly!”

They were too busy giving glances at one another.

But that only lasted for a moment.

One man raised his hand.

“I.. I will…”

“Oh! Se-Jin. You looked like a smart kid from the start. Confident? When you start off, you should start with the tough ones to get used to things quickly.”

“Yes…”

“And this is something the vice CEO specifically requested of us, so make sure the report looks good, okay?”

“Yes. I understand!”

“What did I say. All work?”

“In moderation!”

“Good. Do your best.”

“Yes!”

A tree cannot grow well if the roots are rotten.

The association worked just enough to keep up appearances.

* * * *

“Who are you?”

The man who was keeping me under surveillance was rummaging through his wallet for something.

With his trembling hand, he pulled out something and preceded to hand it over to me.

“Awakened Association Special Maintenance Force Se-Jin Kim.”

“From the Awakened Association?”

“Yes. That’s correct. Here is my ID.”

The man gave out his association ID with fear in his eyes.

The association was made up of the elites, keeping a tight control over the Awakened.

This man must be either someone with very low ranking or a new blood.

After checking his ID, I asked him a question.

“So, what’s the occasion?”

“That’s… Are you Kim Min-Cheol?”

“That’s correct.”

“What’s your age? How long have you been an Awakened for?”

“Are you here to do an interview?”

“Ah. This is part of protocol…”

“18 years old and about 4 months since I’ve Awakened.”

“Hm… Haven’t reached the age to get a license… If you have a school ID, could you show it to me?”

“Instead of only asking me questions, how about answering mine? What is this about.”

“You’ve been put under suspicion of using a stolen or forged Awakened ID and an investigation has been launched for you.”

“Illegal ID?”

“Yes. It’s only been 4 months since you’ve become Awakened, but we’ve been receiving data that you’ve been solo clearing the level 23 dungeon.”

Murmuring the words, he seemed to be trembling like a leaf.

‘Did I say I was going to devour him or something?’

Now I was able to grasp the situation.

I knew this would happen eventually.

Even on the first day I met Jong Ho.

When I received the reward for defending against the succubi portal explosion, I was put under suspicion as well.

Thankfully for the idiotic association member who only tried to get his work over with, I was able to avoid the annoying complications.

All he wanted to do was to confirm the ID that I was using.

Wouldn’t I just have to let him confirm and be done with it?

“Here it is. My school ID.”

“Sorry… I mean. Thank you.”

After receiving my school ID, he looked back and forth between the ID and my face to check.

“Wew….”

After checking my ID, he sighed in relief.

“All done?”

“Um… I’m sorry but can you also do a fingerprint testing..”

“…Wew.”

I felt bad for Se-Jin Kim, shaking in fear and working late into the night.

To get it over with as quickly as possible, I did as he wanted.

Beep.

My information came up.

“Thank you. It really is you. Sorry for all the trouble.”

“No worries. We’re done right?”

“Yes. The confirmation process is complete.”

“I’ll be going then.”

“It’s amazing. To be able to do a level 23 dungeon in 4 months…”

“See you…”

I didn’t want to waste any more time.

I left him behind and headed towards the bench.

‘I got away easy this time, but seems like things are going to get bothersome.’

One day, my identity would be revealed, but at least I wanted to live quietly until I defeated Jin and his group.

I called Se-Jin.

“Hey there.”

“Yes! Mr. Min-Cheol.”

“Let’s go eat to out sometime.”

“R..Really? Wow! Thank you. Thank you very much.”

Se-Jin nodded eagerly with joy.

Now for the actual reason of calling Se-Jin back.

“By the way, does this identity confirmation automatically get uploaded to the servers?”

“No. This stuff isn’t on the network. Why do you ask?”

“Please delay the report as long as possible then.”

“Huh? I’ve already confirmed that you aren’t an illegal Awakened yet. There’s no reason keep others suspicious of you.”

“Come on. Even if that’s the case, there’s no Awakened who accomplished what I did in 4 months.”

“That’s true.”

“The news on TV and newspapers will have me featured. If that happened, do you think other countries will leave me alone? They’ll be asking me to transfer over. That would be a loss for this country.”

“Aha! That makes sense.”

‘What the… I was able to convince Se-Jin that easily? What a naive person.’

“Ah… Yes… I’ll be counting on you.”

“Don’t you worry! That cannot happen!”

“Thank you. Then I’ll be on my way.”

“Yes. Fighting!”

Perhaps Se-Jin is an airhead like Tae-Seong from my class.

There were many Awakened with fame equivalent to idols.

I didn’t know if Se-Jin was acting, but I could tell that Se-Jin’s eyes shone with honesty.

* * * *

Se-Jin left, and now it was time to check my spoils.

Arriving at the bench, I dumped the contents of the backpack.

With one day’s worth of hunting, I had gathered this many bloodstones.

Between the pile of stones, I saw the skill books.

Something like the thrill of lotto?

Since I couldn’t tell the identity of the skill book until I scanned them, it was exciting.

I stacked the four skill books next to the bench, placing the skill book I got from the rank 1 Lich King at the very bottom.

“All right… let’s see!”

The first skill I confirmed was ‘Charging’.

Used by tanks or clerics, one uses a shield to push away an enemy.

Useless.

At least it wasn’t a Fire Ball or Cross Cut. An F ranking attack skill book would’ve been bad.

Because this skill book had quite the price on it.

Without delay, I checked the next skill book.

‘Charging Shot’ for the ranger class.

I could use skills from all classes, but I had to give up on this one.

It was only usable when equipping a bow or crossbow.

With repeated duds, I was becoming less excited.

Click.

“Wow!”

I couldn’t help but exclaim.

On the smartphone was the skill’s name.

‘Glacial Field.’

Out of all the A+ ranking skills, this was the first one I tried to get.

While it had an aoe freezing effect, the damage was quite lower than Meteor or Iceberg, so I had given up on learning it.

But if it comes to me like this, of course I have to learn it.

It was like an herbal medicine after a long exhausting hunt.

The finale! The only skill book left was the one I got from defeating the highest ranking Lich King.

The stronger the boss was, the better the skill book drop.

I had a good feeling about this one.

“Probably not a skill beyond A ranking, but give me a good one!”

As I put my finger on the smartphone, I became nervous.

After scanning the skill name, I felt it.

The skill explanation was as follows.

-Formless Sword Aura-

Usable class: Warrior (Other classes have 10 times the mana cost.)

Mana cost: Channeled. (Per tick, uses 1% of total mana.)

Skill introduction: *Cuts apart the target with speed that cannot be followed.

*Target cannot detect the sword aura.

*As the skill rises, the destructive force increases.

*Usable on (???)  ranking bosses.

Cooldown: None.

Duration: None.

Skill ranking: Attack S

Additional information: Using the skill increases user’s physical and magical defensive stats increase by 10%.

Estimated skill book cost: ???

“S rank?”

Warrior class skill ‘Formless Sword Aura’ was an S ranking attack skill.

Out of all the skills I’ve obtained so far, none were an S rank.

I only had 3 A+ ranking attack skills. ¹

And that’s including the Glacial Field I got just now.

A ranking skills were not weak.

You can tell just by seeing it in action.

Meteor and Iceberg. No matter who the target was, they would receive massive amounts of damage.

But an S rank.

It wasn’t just the skill’s attack capability.

Looking at the additional information section, it said that I would obtain 10% physical and magical damage reduction.

Wearing the Lich King’s armor set, each piece granting 20% damage reduction, and adding this new skill, I’d only receive half the damage of any skills used against me.

“It seems I’m slowly becoming a monster?”

As everyone said, “Amateurs are based on gear.”

But at this point, I had already become a pro with all the ability and growth I’ve achieved.

And I had gear to boot.

It was almost enough to make me scared of myself.

Checking the skill book once more, I began to organize the stones.

Grabbing a fistful of stones and shoving them back into the bag.

It was to make sure no Awakened Essences would end up mixed with the stones.

“One, two, three. Almost threw away one.”

After repaying the essence to the midget, I now had 3 again.

It was nearly time to Awaken Meteor and Iceberg, both of which were nearing level 100.

The last one?

Of course I’d have to use it on Formless Sword Aura.

However, it would be difficult to raise this skill because it only hits a single target per use.

The condition for gaining experience for skills were a little bit different from skill to skill.

Most depended on how many targets it hit.

Explosion and Holy Missile were both single target skills.

That’s why I had not obtained level 100 with them even after one week of obtaining them.

Of course, I was using my infinite mana to level up my skills at an incredible rate already.

Not aoe’s, but single target skills are what differentiate me from other Awakened.

Thinking about that, I remembered the Assassin Weapon Throw that Jin used on me.

That skill was also a single target skill.

Dodging my attack as if it was nothing, I became more confused the more I thought about Jin. There was something wrong, but I couldn’t put my foot on it.

For that guy though, I had a present ready for him.

Hiding my evil grin, I headed home.

“My bag is stuffed more than usual today, hehe.”

---

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50. Is this okay?

A gate identical to the exit appeared.

The color was similar, but the shape was definitely different.

A gate that rarely appeared in level 23 dungeons.

There is no official name for the gate.

But between the Awakened, it is called Hell’s Gate or the Fisherman’s Needle.

Most experienced Awakeneds know the gate very well.

But it was rare for anyone to come back alive after going into it.

For certain dungeons that have hidden bosses such as the level 23 dungeon that can have any one of the 7 different ranks of the Lich Kings appear. In that gate, all 7 Lich Kings would be there.

Of course, the reward for clearing the portal would be amazing.

But the number of people heading into the gate was few at best.

A sweet temptation.

But that would be too much!

They would stare at the gate as if a fish looking at a fat juicy worm on a hook.

Unless they were real fish, they wouldn’t bite into bait like that.

The exemption would be Rankers hunting for the Lich King’s Armor set.

“I’m even happier seeing this more than seeing a mimic.”

For any regular Awakened, this would be too much.

But I was going to enter the gate.

With many level ups, I had obtained a decent amount of stamina.

Even if the red eyed rank 1 Lich King used a skill beyond ranking, my 5 shields would protect me.

And even after casting my shield, I had two free hands.

An exit and a gate to hell.

Looking at each of them back and forth, I moved my feet towards the gate of hell.

* * * *

Inside the gate was another world.

A desolate land filled with igneous rocks as far as one can see.

The lost souls embedded in the ground howled at the skies.

Without eyes or tongues, struggling as if falling deeper into a swamp.

I felt relieved that the dungeon was large.

If the dungeon was small, all 7 of them would aggro at the same time.

Looking at the different colors of their eyes, I planned to pair two a time to take them out according to their ranking.

I had obtained the quick single spells Explosion and Holy Missile — A ranking skills that will perfectly fill the gap between my main attack skills as both skills did not have cast time or cool downs.

Explosion was a fire type magic, shooting a fireball the size of a basketball.

It was similar to the F ranking Fire Orb, but the difference in damage dealt was incomparable.

Once Explosion hits its target, it didn’t disappear until there was nothing left to consume.

So unless healing skills or remove status effect skills were used, the flames would not extinguish until the target turned to ashes.

The next skill I obtained was the Holy Missile.

Magicians, Shamans, and Priests use this skill.

Causing holy type damage, it boasted massive amounts of damage against the undead.

A skill perfect for Ghouls or Lich Kings.

* * * *

Casting Meteor and Iceberg towards my right, I ran at full speed ahead.

From afar, I could see 2 Lich Kings.

It was important to determine the glow of their eyes, so I stayed out of their aggro range and stared.

Green and purple.

Both were low ranking bosses.

“Yah!”

With one fluid motion, I struck one on each of them.

Almost like a welcoming tackle?

Receiving heavy amount of damage, they tried to condense their mana to heal themselves, but I casted Fire Shock, which does more damage the closer you are to the target.

“GWOAHHHH!”

“KURURUK”

They howled and flailed about in pain, unable to even attack once.

Just in case any Lich Kings were nearby, I adjusted the range on the Gravity Laser.

With my continuous attack, I was slowly blowing through the Lich King.

After that I used about 10 Explosions and rained down Holy Missile.

It looked as if light bulbs shattered across the floor.

The holy attribute of the attack, when met with the undead, begins to eat away at their form.

It didn’t take long.

“Ku… uuu…..”

The rank 7 Lich King, now just a ball of flame, had the life from his eyes snuffed out.

Then.

[5,000,000 experience obtained.]

Now there was only one target left.

I stopped using Gravity Laser and began to pour away the new skills that I’ve learned.

Since I did not have a limit on mana, I could spam away without a care.

If I had brought Banwol Jincheon with me, I could’ve made quite the scene.

Soon, eyes that glowed green from the rank 4 Lich King were snuffed out.

[8,000,000 experience obtained.]

“Oh?”

The difference between ranks were made obvious.

You could obtain more experience from the higher ranking ones.

The more you learn about them, the more I find them amusing.

There were 30 minutes left before the level 23 dungeon closed.

But it’s been 5 minutes since I entered the gates of hell.

I didn’t know which the 1 hour limit for the dungeons will apply to.

To be on the safe side though, I considered as if I had 30 minutes left and hurried.

Tossing the loot into the bag, I quickly moved on.

I had arrived at the furthest I could go towards the east, and now headed towards the north end.

The bag became heavier with the drops, but my footsteps only became lighter.

* * * *

“Ha… Ha…”

After taking down the Lich Kings in pairs, only the rank 1 with the red glowing eyes remained.

Trying to catch my breath, I used heal to regain my HP.

Most attacks I absorbed with my shield.

However, any attacks I didn’t recognized I did my best to avoid.

Since high ranking bosses appeared, I was incredibly nervous.

If they made someone like me with incredible amounts of strength this tired, I can pretty much guess how tough they are.

If these bosses weren’t (??) ranking bosses, I would use skills to lower their resistances and prevent healing.

Would’ve have been an easier time for me.

Sadly it didn’t work on them.

Most support and curse skills didn’t work on hidden bosses after all.

The last one.

Out of all of them that I’ve taken down, none of them dropped the armor set.

But I felt that this one would be different.

Meteor and Iceberg were on cool down.

“Come out Blue!”

“KWUHHHHHHH!”

The Devil Avatars appeared.

As I hoped for, both the summoned were of the ice attribute.

Thinking about how long the cool down and cast time for my main spells will be, I had to buy quite a lot of time.

“I’ll break through his shield. Put an icicle in his face for me, will ya?”

Both nodding their heads, they stood next to me on each side.

‘They’d be cute if they didn’t yell all the time.’

I charged at the Lich King.

“Ugh! He doesn’t even have a cast time for that?”

As if the Lich King heard my plan with the avatars, he began to pour down a blizzard on me.

Frosted arrows covered the skies, and began raining down below.

The force from the attack tore apart the ground, leaving holes as if a volcano erupted.

Getting close as I could, I casted Fire Shock and then began pouring skills until his shields fell apart.

“ORAAAAA!”

While pouring down those skills, a Holy Missile was reflected towards me.

Surprised, I twisted my body reflexively to avoid the attack.

To even use a Reflect Shield to reflect my attack.

He definitely deserved the title of grand magician.

-CRACK!

His shield finally broke apart.

The avatars finally moved on my command.

To make sure they didn’t get one shot, I made sure there was plenty of distance between them.

I also commanded them to make sure they spread apart from each other.

The two avatars began to pour away frost magic at the enemy.

“3 more minutes! Then it all ends.”

“KUWAAA!”

“Oh boy. All the bulky ones seem to be always good at yelling.”

* * * *

Finally, the last Lich King slowly lost the glow from his eyes as it collapsed.

The glow from his eyes were like the light from a candle, swaying in the wind.

“Ugh, gah….”

After quite a while, I was able to take down the Lich King.

Then.

The Lich King’s armor and helmet broke free from his body, and began to float around.

The dungeon did not have any sunlight, but the sheer size almost made shadows appear.

Finally, when the glow from his eyes were snuffed out..

The floating armor set fell towards me.

The size began to shrink to fit me perfectly, and I could use it without having to worry about my movements being hindered.

“Oho? So this is how it works?”

It was as if the Lich King’s armor set wandered about to search for its new owner until settling on me.

The shape was a bit different from what magician ranker Yoon Jong-sun had.

There were no unnecessary ornaments and looked similar to sleeping wear, thus, it destroyed the concept that armor has to be thick.

Even if I wore a shirt over this, no one would think that I was wearing armor underneath.

The Darkness armor set, which even consumed the light around it.

While I didn’t care much about the design, the special ability it provided was perfect for me.

“I guess the armor set you can get depends on the ranking of the boss? While the helmet is a bit embarrassing to wear, I made quite a fortune here.”

I was tapping and admiring my armor.

“Wait, this isn’t the time for that.”

I headed towards his corpse.

The skill books are a must, as well as the A ranking stone. But it would be disappointing if it ended there.

Because the main dish of Awakened Essences are left.

Two of them, both the size of my thumb, had dropped.

Since I was short on time, I had hurriedly shoved in all the drops from the other Lich Kings without checking them.

I was thinking about the blissful time I would be spending outside as I checked through all the loot.

There was a chance that while taking the stones and skill books, Awakened Essences might have slipped in there too after all.

* * * *

Through the gates of hell and out the exit portal, I was teleported outside of the dungeon.

Taking the stuffed backpack with me, I headed towards the bench, refreshed as I could be.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of someone stepping on dry branches.

Reflexively, I looked towards the source of the noise.

I saw a man in a suit.

From the bushes, he was staring at me.

As soon as our eyes met, he tried to run away as fast as possible.

‘Huh? Why is he so pathetic?’

In a blink of an eye, I arrived at his location.

“U… Uwa…”

“What is it?”

“….”

Looking at his movements, he wasn’t an Awakened.

He tried to flee as if a regular person came across a dog with rabies.

If I got too excited and grabbed onto him, he probably would’ve exploded into pieces from where he stood.

We only ran for 10m down the hill, but he was gasping for breath.

“Uwa… wew….”

“Who are you? What were you doing here?”

“…..”

---

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49. New Ability

It’s been a week since I defeated the Lich King for the first time.

I had almost built up immunity towards the smell by now.

My level was already 199.

With this clear, I should hit level 200.

Each time I leveled, I tried to use the skill book I had obtained.

But the results were the disappointing. Still impossible.

For someone like me who was only raising the Stamina stat, the worst case scenario would be the skill book not opening due to a lack of Dexterity stats.

I prayed that it was a level issue and continued to lv up.

[Your level rose.]

I was surrounded by a bright glow, along with the narration for the level up.

I had reached level 200 in 4 months.

Unlike usual, I held off on the all-important stat allocation.

And almost as if led by something, I pulled the book out from the bag and put it to my chest.

Exactly level 200.

That’s why I couldn’t help but hope that I could obtain it.

“Please! I’m so curious!”

Closing my eyes, I hoped that the ‘condition is not met’ wouldn’t pop up again.

A moment passed.

Almost as if to lessen the worry in my heart, a system announcement I’ve been looking forward to came.

[Would you like to obtain Dual Casting?]

“It worked!”

Guess the requirement was level based after all.

This was a skill that didn’t appear even after scanning with the encyclopedia app.

I even searched online, but couldn’t find any information on it.

Perhaps it was a skill book beyond ranking, as rumors had it.

A skill without any information released on it.

I cannot know what it does until I learn it.

But no reason to hesitate.

It’s not like there is a limit to how many skills you could learn.

And I didn’t have to worry about what class the skill is for or the cost of the mana.

Because with infinite mana, I could use any skill as if it is mine.

“Of course I’m learning it!”

The skill book that appeared to be made of metal quickly became dust and faded away.

I wanted to test the skill’s power immediately.

Since it was a skill without any information on it, my expectations soared.

“You won’t know until you try. Let’s try it for now.”

I had not left the dungeon yet.

Like how I used other skills, I thought of the name in my head.

‘Dual Casting.’

Soon its identity will be revealed.

However.

I spread out my arms and waited for a powerful skill to announce its presence, but the surrounding remained silent.

Seems nothing had changed.

Wondering if it was a shield, I checked.

A self-buff? That wasn’t it either.

Does it need a target? Many thoughts were racing through my head.

Stumped without answers, I opened my status tab.

I definitely obtained the skill.

A skill that didn’t have an experience bar.

Like ‘Teleport’, it seemed that it could not level up.

But if you cast Teleport, you should be able to see the effect.

While pondering, it suddenly dawned on me.

My eyes focused in on my hands.

I feel so stupid for not realizing this earlier.

I was so excited that I forgot about the skill name.

Perhaps ‘Dual Casting’, as the name implies, allows me to use two skills at the same time?

Thinking about it further was a waste of time.

I casted Frost Orb with one hand.

Only a single Frost Orb struck against the ground.

Now I was sure that it wasn’t a skill that gave twice the output with one cast.

“If that’s the case…”

With one hand, I continued to cast Frost Orb while my other hand kept up the Mana Shield.

Filled with high expectations, I casted Teleport.

If Teleport does work….

The Teleport casted, allowing me to jump a short distance forward.

Now I understood.

Dual Casting gave me a ‘third hand’.

I was able to cast two different spells at the same time with one hand.

This was already amazing, but imagine if I was able to obtain another one…

I would be able to cast four different spells simultaneously with two hands.

“Im.. Impossible….”

In combat, I lost out on my offensive capabilities due to needing one hand to keep my Mana Shield up.

To unleash more of my power, I let my shield go and was met with quite the critical situation.

I had now obtained a skill that covered that weakness perfectly.

But it seems that to use it well, I’ll need some practice.

The aim needed to hit the targets was by the caster.

To be able to cast multiple skills to where I want them will take some practice.

Well, for someone who is obsessed with hunting, it shouldn’t take long.

If I am able to master it, I should be 1.5 times stronger than before.

* * * *

After learning the rankless skill Dual Casting, I had another issue to take care of.

My main skills were Meteor and Iceberg, as well as Fire Shock.

All of them required time to cast and/or cool downs.

After using all three skills, I had nothing left to continue putting on the pressure.

Let’s say I use one hand for the shield, while the other for Gravity Laser.

But for my ‘third hand’?

I couldn’t just continue casting Frost Orb or Lightning Spray when they do almost nothing.

The skill I needed most.

A spell that didn’t require time to cast and no cool down.

It didn’t need to have a big impact radius.

Just something to allow me to continue dealing damage while the main spells were on cool down.

Currently I had way too much money to spend.

Right now, I was focusing on growth over money, and had nowhere to spend all this cash.

The last spell I used money to buy was Meteor Call after all.

While I was wondering what new spells to learn…

I remembered that I borrowed some Awakened Essences from the midget.

I hadn’t paid him back because I was saving them for Meteor Call and Iceberg.

But it looked like it was going to be awhile before I could get them to level 100.

As the skill level rose, the experience required rose as well, while the delay time between each cast slowing me down.

Even if there was bad blood between us, I had ‘borrowed’ them, nothing different from stealing.

They followed through my requests and helped me with a few things here and there.

I could not be at ease knowing that.

I didn’t want to be a vicious thug after all.

I carried the Awakened Essences with me and headed towards their office.

* * * *

Chirp chirp.

A caller ring filled with the sounds of nature…?

It didn’t take long for the midget to answer the phone with his business voice.

“Yes. Lee Sung Ho speaking.”

“It’s been awhile since I last called. Do you have anyone at the office at the moment?”

“Who is thi- … Huh! Yes. I’m still here at the moment… For what reason is it this time…”

From his voice, I could imagine his eyes filled with anxiety.

I could also almost hear the ‘What request is it this time!’ in his heart.

“Why are you so nervous? I was calling to return the essences I borrowed.”

“Ah! You can take your time returning them… Where are you? Should we come and get you? We’ll leave right away.”

Unlike what he was saying before, he was blabbering non-stop.

“Nope. I’ll be there in 5 minutes.”

“Thank you. Thank you.”

To be this happy for borrowed items being returned.

Well, these essences are worth about 100 to 200 million each.

I walked slowly to make sure I don’t accidentally run into any civilians.

It would be a huge issue to run into anyone while running at abnormal speeds.

I arrived at the office.

His face was all smiles.

Almost as if he found a 10,000 won in his winter coat pocket from last year.

“You came!”

“Yes. Here are the essences.”

“Oh my! I thought I’d never see the-… No no. Thank you for returning them so quickly.”

Holding the essences tightly, he looked at them as if in love.

He was the splitting image of Gollum holding onto the Ring.

Since I’m here anyways, why not use the shady route once more.

I was planning to learn some A+ ranking spells after all.

“Like how I asked before, get me some skill books.”

“…..”

“While I was coming here, I decided on a few that I want, but there were none on the market.”

“A+ ranking like before?”

“Yes. Don’t worry about money and set me up a deal.”

“Most things aren’t that difficult to get…. but what skills are you talking about…?”

“Explosion and Holy Missile.”

“Common magic like those, I can get them without much difficulty.”

“That’s good. 3 days should be plenty, right?”

“Y.. Yes? O-of course. Plenty.”

“Ah! I also forgot to mention. Please get me ‘Eye of Insight’ as well.”

“Isn’t that a spell for the Cleric class?”

“I think it is? Well whatever, I’ll be relying on you. I’ll be back in 3 days.”

“O… Okay.”

* * * *

The chance for the Lich King appearing in the level 23 dungeon was incredibly low.

I’ve only fought him once. The weakest boss with the purple glowing eyes was it.

I was still amazed how I was able to get two Banwol Jincheons from Gwidon.

I didn’t need essences at the moment.

But the gear they dropped were not things I just wanted, but needed.

“Ha… I wish at least a mimic would appear….”

Thanks to the ridiculous number of mobs, I was able to obtain a vast amount of blood stones.

But no matter how much money I had, there was no way for me to obtain a M/A+ level of gear.

I was not nervous in the slightest.

Like a machine, I continued to hunt systematically.

After taking care of all the ghouls, I headed for the exit with loot in tow.

I headed toward the exit with a hopeful heart and raised ears.

But all I could hear from the dungeon was my own steps.

“Ah! It’s so hard to even encounter him!”

I arrived at the exit.

But in front of the gate, I couldn’t help but rub my eyes.

There definitely was a gate leading out.

However, next to that gate was another gate open, slightly darker than the usual exit gates.

“… Have I gone crazy from all the scent of intestines?”

My self-doubt was brief.

I looked at the gate once more.

“Ah! Jong Ho hyung!”

I was sure of it.

Right before I entered the level 23 dungeon, Jong Ho was telling me any information that would be helpful.

It was information that I didn’t pay much attention to with the mindset of ‘go in and kill everything’.

But perhaps due to coincidences, there was a part I remembered clearly.

I was positive.

“Is it okay?”

---

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48. The Firing from the Readied Marksman Begins (3)

After I defeated all the ghouls in the dungeon, I headed towards the center to search for the exit.

Suddenly, I heard the sound of rubble raining down.

When I arrived, the ceiling was caving down.

Since I had met several hidden bosses before, I was excited.

If all the monsters were dead and there were noise from the center of the dungeon, it usually meant that a hidden boss was appearing.

My excitement was brief as I focused again. Through the ceiling, I saw him poking his head through.

The hidden boss of this dungeon: Lich King.

Glowing with a purple aura, he stared at me with his breath cold like ice, exhaling frost.

“His size isn’t a joke.”

A completely decayed skeleton, his head was adorned with a huge crown.

The hole in the ceiling was 2m in width…

But it wasn’t enough to even squeeze his head through.

The scent of rot filled the dungeon. I wanted to get a breath of fresh air as soon as possible.

It looked like it was going to take a while for the entire body to come out.

That means that I’ll have to smell this disgusting scent for a while.

While I remained patient, the ones that couldn’t wait were my summoned Devil Avatars.

After hunting, I had shrunk them and they were floating around me, each the size of a fist. Both had turned into 4m monsters and were pouring out skills on the Lich King.

The attack landed dead on.

But it looked like the Lich King was using some kind of shield.

He was called the ‘Grand Magician of the monsters’.

From what I could find out, he used most magic spells that the average Magician uses.

And the glow from his eyes.

He was a rare boss that had his health and attack ranking change depending on the color.

Like the color of the rainbow, it was split between red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet.

The closer the color of those eyes become to red, the stronger the boss is.

But this boss had the color of purple, being the lowest ranking boss.

Even so, he was hundreds of times stronger than a regular boss.

“KWUHHHHH!”

As if annoyed by the avatars’ attack, his Fear spell rang throughout the dungeon.

Looking at him, I could only treat him as another trash mob.

“Mannerless bastard. You have one hell of a yell.”

I had started casting Iceberg the moment he showed his face, and now smashed him with it.

The attack punctured straight through his shields and took out 1/3rd of his skull instantly.

Allowing the attack to go through, he let out another massive Fear.

Then he pulled back his head from the hole.

After a short while, he put his hand by the hole and I couldn’t help but be surprised.

“Well. Shit!”

A Meteor Call was heading towards me.

A Meteor.

I casted Mana Shield without hesitation.

Louver’s Shield or whatever, I didn’t know what was going to happen if I was hit by that attack.

An A+ ranking magic attack.

It was so big that I couldn’t even hope to avoid it.

The Mana Shield received the Lich King’s Meteor and began to vibrate violently.

The vibration lasted for 3 seconds, the intensity hindering my vision.

I knew that he used Magician skills, but I didn’t expect him to use a Meteor Call instantly.

The average Awakened avoided the level 23 dungeon for this reason.

The Lich King.

The lowest ranking boss with the purple glowing eyes demonstrates this level of destructive force.

Then how much would one that has a red glow show…

No matter how greedy one is, people run when they hear about the Lich King with their tail between their legs.

All those who obtain the Lich King’s Armor are all tanks.

After being perfectly raised, to obtain the equipment, they go back to the level 23 dungeon.

It was like the saying, ‘Avoiding poop because of fear.’

The horrible stench of decay and the incredibly strong Lich King.

It couldn’t be better said.

After finishing his first attack, he finally appeared in his full form outside the dungeon.

Compared to his size, the Devil Avatars looked small.

Well, just his head is over 2m. The body that supports him must be huge to compensate.

The armor on his body did not have a single point of weakness, as if light itself could not get through.

Equipment that anyone could guess it was impossible for human hands to make.

However I didn’t have time to admire his armor.

Magic was condensing at the tip of the staff.

There was no reason to avoid it.

No matter what type of attack he sent my way, I would be safe due to my Mana Shield.

However, I avoided the spell on reflex.

It was because a black orb flew towards me, the sound of sparks filling the air.

The two avatars had long been consumed by the black orb.

It was as if seeing a black hole.

“Guess he’s very angry because he got hit in the eyes once?”

A red and black hue filled the crevice of his broken skull, as if filling with new life.

‘A recovery ability on top of being a Magician?’

I really couldn’t say much since I used Heal myself, but I was quite surprised.

I couldn’t just let him continue attacking me like this.

I had to at least return the favor.

A Meteor far larger than his formed above me.

Finishing the cast, Meteor caused a torrent of winds as it came hurling down through the air.

“EAT THIS!”

The attack hit dead on his right leg.

The incredible destructive force of the attack took out his entire leg, blowing up his knees.

Now there’s an 8 minutes cool downs and casting durations for Iceberg and Meteor Call.

The 20% CDR (cooldown reduction) and casting speed increase (haste) was applied, but it still had a cool down and casting time of 4 minutes each.

I was left with no choice but to use other skills.

My immediately choice was Fire Shock.

Losing his leg, his body was flailing about on the ground.

The range of Fire Shock was exactly the size of his body.

That was the reason why I had aimed for his leg and brought him down.

I ran up to the collapsed king and let down the flames.

From his head to his disembodied leg, his body was dosed in flames, slowly losing life.

It looked like he didn’t even have the strength to cough up blood.

But even still he was casting a spell with his staff.

“Ku… Kuruk.”

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

From my hand on his head, unfathomable amounts of lightning coursed through him.

His health was nearly gone after all.

Even Lightning Spray was enough to finish him off.

[5,000,000 experience obtained]

I didn’t even pay attention to the narration for the experience gained.

It was because I was distracted by the loot that dropped off his corpse.

And the experience wasn’t much to begin with.

It was about taking down 50 monsters from the level 18 dungeon.

Taking the hand away from the skull, I headed toward his heart.

Within the armor dark as midnight, there were two skill books.

Although one of it looked strange.

Regular skill books have a symbol indication the class it belongs to, or at least some form of identification.

But what I was holding couldn’t be described as a book.

It was as if something in the shape of a book had liquid metal poured all over it, like scrap metal.

Not only did it lack shape, but I couldn’t even open the book.

“What is this. Is it just useless scrap?”

The ceiling continued to cave, so perhaps it was debris that fell on the Lich King’s body?

I put the skill book to my chest.

[You do not meet the requirements.]

“Huh?”

‘Why are you acting this way noona?’ is what I wanted to say.

I never heard this narration before.

All the skills so far I have obtained never had a required condition.

I was able to learn all class skills without limit before.

And that included spells that most would never have enough mana to use.

But this skill had a prerequisite.

Since I could not run the phone application inside the dungeon, I ran outside.

****

The other skill book that I had carried in my armpits was long forgotten.

My attention was on this item instead.

After scanning, the result showed.

[Error]

“You’d drive people nuts. First not meeting the requirements, now an error?”

Since it was already late into the night, I decided to end the hunting here.

My body was reeking of rot, so I couldn’t head back home immediately.

Near the level 23 dungeon had lots of saunas and bath houses.

Like how food stores would open up near dungeons, the everyday average people tried business as they saw fit.

They had to make a living somehow.

****

“Wew. I feel like I’m alive again.”

Entering the bath house filled with steam, I felt my fatigue melt away.

I could tell why the adults love these places so much.

I had obtained a one person entrance ticket to get in, and had finished cleaning all the rotting scent off me.

Even in the bath, I kept staring at the skill book.

What requirement was it that it was preventing me from learning it…

“Hyung. It’s me.”

“Uh.. Ugh…..”

Through the phone I heard Jong Ho’s sleepy voice, as if he just woke up.

“Guess you were sleeping. Sorry. I’ll just call tomorrow.”

“No no. It’s okay. I was on the verge of sleeping but you woke me up at the right moment. You rascal!”

“Pfft! There’s something I wanted to ask.”

“What is it? If it isn’t important I’ll smack you. You’ll have to let down your Mana Shield too. Okay?”

“I get it. Now, is there a requirement for obtaining skills?”

“Requirement? No. There shouldn’t be one? I never heard of such a thing.”

“Ah… Is that so?”

“Yeah. There’s also no such thing as a limit to how many skills you can learn.”

“That’s strange… Well okay. Sleep well, hyung.”

“What? Is that it? I’m going to destroy you tomor-”

“Love you!”

A requirement for a skill book that even Jong Ho doesn’t know about.

My high expectations for him became disappointment.

I scanned the other skill book.

‘Fire Orb’ attack skill F rank.

Pretty much friends with the Frost Orb.

“Is it because I got a one with purple eyes? Instead of armor or blood stones, all I get are trash like skill books?”

Since it was the first time Lich King appeared, I had very high expectations.

But maybe it was the ranking of the hidden boss?

The drops were disappointing to say the least.

After returning home, I threw the skill books at the corner of the room.

Perhaps it was a level or stat prerequisite issue, and with that I hope I decided to watch.

There was no need to worry about my Strength or Mana stats.

If it was one that needed Dexterity, it was going to take a long time.

“Please be a level issue.”

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47. The Firing from the Readied Marksman Begins (2)

After learning about my ability, Jong Ho did not stop me from entering the level 23 dungeon.

He was instead eager to inform me about the dungeon.

It was because I could go about the dungeon with Meteor Call and Iceberg in each hand.

After using Louver’s gear set, I couldn’t feel any rise in difficulty despite going into a dungeon 5 levels higher than before.

The level 23 dungeon has a lot of monsters.

And matching that, they should leave lots of essences after death.

Absorbing all those essences, the Louver set was like an unstoppable batter-… shield I mean.

This meant I could use both hands for attack skills.

Other than the need to obtain essences from the initial first or second run, I had no need to cast shields.

And thanks to this shield, the Proof of Oath was put to good use.

Testing the effectiveness of this shield, I found out that it was several times sturdier than other shields.

Perhaps enough to easily block an attack from Jin?

During hunting, I used Louver set’s shield.

After hunting or when going to sleep, I used Mana Shield for the perfect defense.

At the level 23 dungeon, ‘Lich King’s Staff’ dropped.

It was also the weapon I used previously.

Well a fake one to pretend I was using it.

It was a weapon that raised my Mana stat, which was useless to me.

But what I was aiming for was the ‘Lich King’s Armor’.

As the name implies, it was a helm and armor piece.

Magician ranker Yoon Jong-sun was wearing one of these defensive gears as well.

It didn’t raise stamina or dexterity stats like regular armor.

However there was a reason why this gear was so popular.

Because each armor and helmet reduced physical and magical damage taken by 20%.

You could say this armor was made for combat.

The Titan Boots that resists all status debuff effects along with the damage reduction from the Lich King’s Armor, I could display quite the combat prowess.

Hunting and combat. It was a choice to capture both rabbits. ¹

Of course, it’d be only possible if the hidden boss Lich King would appear frequently.

Then it wouldn’t be only a distant dream to get the Lich King’s armor.

I’ll make it possible like I’ve been doing it until now.

* * **

The worst part of the level 23 dungeon was the stench that my shields didn’t block.

Hundreds of ghouls appear in this dungeon.

Say the word ghoul and the first thing people would imagine would be the undead or zombies.

Not dead or alive.

These ghouls were exactly that.

Skin that peeled off just by moving about.

Bodies beyond healing or saving, rotting away.

Nothing different from living corpses.

Ghouls with different attributes appear here.

The amount of variance of the monsters makes the strategies to take them down that much more complex.

They could be put into three main categories however.

Those who charge quickly, attack viciously with their nails and teeth.

Those that cast curses and magic.

And finally those who use ranged weapons or spit acid from afar.

However their attacks could never put me in any real danger.

That was because their attacks were based on poisoning.

Poisoning falls under the category of status debuff effects.

Since I was wearing Titan Boots, their main attacks didn’t work on me in the first place.

The only things left they could hit me with were physical and magic attacks.

However, someone like me who had infinite shields wouldn’t be hit in the first place.

All of them had metal legcuffs.

Almost like being punished in hell.

Think about it. Like a frozen field, slippery and cold, and the sound the metals clinging against the floor as they charge.

To get them all, I had pulled 300 at once.

Running to the end of the dungeon to pull them all, I saw them approach me. It was like a scene from a zombie movie.

“KWAGH!”

“Ugh. Disgusting.”

‘Ghouls with such killing intent. But they’re only fodder for my profit.’

A level 50 Meteor fell upon them.

As the skill level rose, the increase in size and speed could be easily seen.

However I couldn’t take them all out at once like that.

They’re level 23 dungeon monsters. Wouldn’t be defeated so easily now, would they?

The Meteor struck, blowing the mobs to pieces. However, as if still alive, the pieces began to charge.

Most died from the secondary fire damage over time.

The ones on the radius’ outskirts survived and began attacking again.

However.

Half out of the horde of ghouls pouring on me were sliced apart due to the Reflect Shield.

The Reflect Shield was already over level 150, with a 40% chance to deflect 65% of the damage taken.

It was time to prove that Ghouls do far more damage compared to how sturdy they are.

Hit by the 65% reflect damage, they disappeared like red smoke.

I welcomed the narration of my experience rising.

The red glow from the Blood Stone made me happy as I could be.

The speed which I’m clearing with is incredible too.

The experience per kill was far below the griffon ² and the poison nagas…

But I was clearing out plenty of them as if buying hotcakes at a sale.

* * *

“Hey. Min-Cheol. The picture you showed me. I found out where I saw it before.”

“The machines installed atop the portals?”

“Yeah. Look at this.”

Jong Ho opened a thick heavy folder.

The paperwork within was yellowed with age, as it was at least 20 years old.

My hopes rose at his confidence attitude.

“This. This is it!”

When I saw the same machines form the Noblesse’s guild building, I pointed with excitement.

Just like what I saw, the picture had hundreds of Awakened connected to it, transferring mana.

Reading the information below it, apparently it was an experiment to try finding out how to stop portals from exploding.

The purpose was to pour out condensed mana to nullify the portal.

“It’s similar….”

“This about it. The post-it was made accidentally from attempts of making the super glue. Is it possible that they’re using this machinery to speed up or cause the portals to explode?”

Jong Ho had a point.

Jin and his group wouldn’t work on research to get rid of the portals. They weren’t the type to do that sort of work.

It also makes sense why they want my ability of having endless mana.

Using my endless mana to hasten or cause the portals to explode.

The target would be to a portal above level 28, similar to the ones found within a volcano.

“Oho?”

“And apparently according to the news at that time, the research caused the portals to explode, which led to mass casualties. After that, all the nations forbade anyone from messing with the portals.”

“I’m sure of it. Mana sent to the portals hastens the explosion.”

“That’s right. They must be aiming for that.”

“The government or the association should have learned about this from the underground floor of the Noblesse’s guild building, and there should have been similar cases before. But why is this news not public? Even if you keep it under wraps to prevent mass panic, it wouldn’t make sense that it wasn’t exposed for all these years.”

“Do you think that fruits come from a tree that is rotted to its roots? Even if it bore fruit, it would probably be eaten from the inside out by bugs. You cannot trust the association or the government at the moment.”

“…..”

“Was there a point to telling you that this era is for the criminals?”

For a moment, I had thought to go to the association or the government with information regarding Jin and their group.

But due to the interference in signal, I was not able to record any proof. If I acted rashly, their guns would be pointed at me.

It’s going to be a personal fight.

I can’t help it but it’s going to be filled with bitterness, loneliness, and difficulties.

“Thanks hyung.”

“I can understand maybe 10% of your mother’s interest in studying. Found a lot of good stuff as I looked.”

“Please let me know if you get ahold of any good info like this. Sorry I always rely on you.”

“Do you see it? I have goose bumps. I say this every time but please let’s refrain from talking like that.

“Ku. I get it.”

* * **

In the sector of Mapo-gu was the headquarters of the Korean Awakened association.

It was a meeting dealing with special cases.

A location where they interrogated 20 members. Some had unlawful entries to the dungeon, while others had unnatural growth.

There were those that would help you get into dungeons for the right price by using their credentials.

To get their licenses revoked, they must’ve have done plenty of a crimes.

Most had caused physical harm or damaged property using the strength they gained from being an Akawened.

In the center sat a 40 years old man.

He was the vice president and special director of the Awakened, Kim Ho Jin.

He was yelling as he slammed the desk.

“How can this be?”

“You’re right.”

“How does someone who became Awakened in August go into a level 23 dungeon by himself?”

“No matter how rich you are, it’s difficult… What should we do?”

“What do you think. Report it immediately and take countermeasures. What. He even took the bonus for taking care of the succubi portal explosion in September? He’s definitely someone we have to confirm!”

“We’ll take care of it immediately.”

The association’s topic was Min-Cheol.

To enter the dungeons, and Awakened had to verify themselves using their license by the machinery at the entrance of the dungeon.

Both entering and exiting. All the data was recorded and sent to the association.

During both the succubi portal explosion and the attempt to receive the reward for it, the association had been suspicious of Min-Cheol.

A level 18 dungeon was understandable, but a level 23 dungeon…

A dungeon difficulty that is way beyond someone who has been an Awakened for only 100 days.

Thinking of it as a simple error, the machines were checked repeatedly for those dungeons.

The association came to the conclusion that someone was clearing the dungeon under the guise of Min-Cheol via using his license.

“Start surveillance on the owner of the license!”

---

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46. The Firing from the Readied Marksman Begins

“Hello?”

“Hey Min-Cheol. Where are you?”

“In front of the association building. When do you think you’ll finish?”

“This stuff isn’t important to listen to. I’ll be escorting your mother outside in 10 minutes.”

“Ok. I’ll be in front of the subway. Exit 3.”

Due to the heavy amount of security around the association building, I decided to wait by the subway.

I had wiped all the blood off me, as well as getting a change of clothes.

But I could not hide the scent of blood that permeated my skin.

I looked around my surroundings briefly.

Soon, I saw my mother and Jong Ho exiting.

“Oh my. Why are you so smelly.”

“I went hunting. How was the debate?”

“Don’t even ask. You can’t go around hitting people, okay? Especially beating the weak to death, to the point where you can’t even recognize their corpses. I don’t know where the world is headed towards.”

At my mother’s words, my heart became heavy.

Didn’t I just kill over 500 members of the guild?

But I do not regret today’s events in the slightest.

I had to get tougher, both physically and mentally.

To protect what is mine, I could take on more.

“Hey. What do you think I think of you. Mom already knows. You won’t hurt anyone first.”

“You’re wrong. Even if a regular person attacks first, you have to solve it with words.”

“Ok! I got it, I got it. Guess you had quite the fun, since you’re still talking. Let’s go home already. I’m hungry.”

* * *

After coming back home and finishing the meal, I talked to Jong Ho about Jin.

I needed a plan to deal with him.

He already fully understood my abilities.

But I had no information regarding his abilities or the superiors above him.

And I can handle their attacks to some degree.

But I could not guarantee the safety of my mother when I leave to hunt.

Jong Ho was surprised at my infinite mana ability, as he heard it for the first time.

He did guess that my mana regeneration rate was insanely high.

Why would I trust him so much to the point where I’d share my ability?

It’s a bit embarrassing, but I had the midget do a background search on Jong Ho using a mid-ranking assassin.

All I could find out was that he was a better man than I thought he was.

That’s why I trust him with my mother during the Noblesse incident.

I teased him about how I could not hide the truth from him, but I couldn’t hate him.

Jong Ho shifted the topic to the battle’s events.

“An attack through 3 level 100 shields? Definitely something else for sure.”

“I don’t care about how amazing he is. I’m worried for my mother’s safety. The day we meet again is going to be his funeral.”

My rare look of seriousness must have made him feel awkward, because he waited until I finished.

“But there one thing that I found amusing.”

“What would that be?”

“Hyung, think about it carefully. If someone that skilled attacked, wouldn’t they aim for the heart or through the head?”

“That’s true.”

“But he aimed for my stomach. Definitely an injury I could die from, but not something you’d die instantly from.”

“Hm….”

“Due to the 3 shields I had on, the attack angle got shifted? That’s possible. However, I felt it for sure. That he aimed for a non-vital spot on purpose.”

“Their income line the Noblesse guild is heading towards annihilation, so why would he not finish you off in one hit? Don’t you think his attack missed its mark?”

“As I said before, he already knows about my ability. If I take that into account, I’m guessing that he needs my infinite mana ability.”

Soon as I finished talking, I pulled out my smartphone.

It was to show what I filmed on the 15th underground floor.

Jong Ho’s expression turned serious, and he began to focus on the smartphone.

“What is this?”

“It’s the Noblesse’s 15th underground floor. Do you have any idea what this machine is?”

“Ah… where did I see this.”

Jong Ho was trying to think of something.

“I became sure of something after looking at this.”

“Sure of?”

“The thing which they’re extracting out of all those people. It’s mana.”

“Mana? So they extract all the mana and send it to the portal? For what reason?”

“That I do not know. But the mana required will be something that even mana from hundreds of people cannot complete. Due to how much they need my ability, they can’t act rashly.”

“If what you say is right, you’ll be okay for a while. But they’ll probably point their sword as you, just like how Noblesse did.”

“Of course I’ll have to get enough power to rip them apart. And before I do that, I need to guarantee my mother’s safety. So I could be at ease and focus on getting stronger.”

“There is a simple method.”

“What’s that?”

“You just have to cast a skill on your mother.”

“You can’t cast anything but attack skills on regular people though?”

That was true.

Including the Status Negation that Park Hyun used, as well as heal, attack and defensive buffs, etc. could not be used on anyone but the Awakened.

There was no way Jong Ho didn’t know this.

But Jong Ho isn’t the type to just make up nonsense.

I prayed that what he was about to say was the solution I needed.

“Recovery or buff skills are impossible. But attacks are fine, right?”

“… What do you mean?”

I couldn’t help but be surprised at what Jong Ho said.

However he continued on without his expression changing in the slightest.

“Necromancer has a skill called ‘Proof of Oath’ that you can use.”

“What’s that?”

“Basically you make the target your servant.”

“Wait hyung. I don’t think you understand. I….”

“You can only cast it on targets much weaker than you. A skill that’s like a debuff, but it is classified as an attack skill.”

“…..”

“Originally it’s used to transfer all the damage taken by the user to the target, like a human meat shield. But the funny thing is that it also goes the other way around as well.”

“Really? If there is a skill like that, I feel like Necromancer deserves far more praise than the king of VIPs, the tanks. Or even the all-purpose warriors.”

“That’s true. But if I didn’t know about your ability, I wouldn’t recommend this skill.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nobody in the world can use this skill. At least not as of yet. Well, I don’t think it would even be used in the future anyways.”

“Is the mana cost that much? How much is it?”

“5 million. Exactly 5 million. If mankind kept evolving endlessly, it would be possible to use. If death doesn’t exist, they could continue to level and by using incredible items… cast the skill. But that doesn’t apply to you, does it?”

“But if you use that skill, won’t you take away their will? Since you could control them.”

“That’s true, but that depends on your control. You could take over their minds, or you could just have the effect of the skill on them and leave their mind alone.”

If what Jong Ho said was correct, this was the perfect plan.

Even if my mother is attacked, all the damage would be transferred to me.

Other than skills beyond being classified with a rank, there is no attack that could go through my Mana Shield.

And it has the benefit of not tampering with the will of the target if desired.

No matter how much it costed, it was something I needed to obtain.

I couldn’t hide my excitement as I asked.

“It would be incredibly expensive, right?”

“Yes… incredibly expensive.”

“I only have to Awakened Essences, but would that be enough?”

“Difficult.”

“Where could I get it?”

“Probably in the trash dump behind the market place.”

“Ah. I almost hit you. So a skill that’s worthless.”

“Of course, who would buy a skill that’s worthless even after you obtain it? If you hunt a Mimic, something crazy like that drops.”

“How did you know this so well?”

“I’ve been working on the bottom level of society for this long. This is just the basics.”

I headed to the market with Jong Ho.

* * *

It’s been a week since I wiped out Noblesse and Park Hyun.

I immediately obtained the skill Jong Ho talked about.

A magician could cast it by using both hands.

Thankfully it wasn’t a skill that required constant casting like Mana Shield.

It continued to stay on with just one cast, and only needed to be recasted when you controlled the target.

I needed to test the effect of the skill.

I couldn’t just cast the skill on my mother without being safe.

But there was a quick and easy way to find out.

It was Sunday morning.

I headed towards the scream I heard in the kitchen with urgency.

My mother had cut her finger while cooking.

She held onto the finger tightly.

But when she opened her hand, there was no wound, as if the cut never happened.

She was surprised, but thought of it as being fortunate. She didn’t seem that suspicious.

I was using Mana Shield.

Even if it was the all cutting rose knife, she would not have a wound.

The news had the ‘Disappearance of Noblesse’s guild members’ as a special feature.

They were treating it as a mystery, since they could not find a single trace of them.

500 were treated as murdered, but there was nothing about the portal.

The Association was not able to find the portal in the building?

The chance of that happening was zero.

And the machine set up around the portal was cleanly removed.

Guess they couldn’t let it be exposed through the media.

Through the skill Proof of Oath, I could finally feel a bit more relieved concerning my mother.

But Jin is incredibly skilled.

If he’s following an organization, there must be people far more powerful than him.

If they had a skill beyond a ranking? Then I would be done in without any resistance.

I had bought myself some time due to my ability.

I had to use this opportunity to the fullest so that I would not be hit by any attack. That was the amount of growth I needed.

Since level 19 to 21 dungeons could not be hit magic attacks, I went to the level 23 dungeon.

To make the hunting go by faster, I had even obtained the Louver’s Necklace at the level 18 dungeon, so I could use both hands without worry.

Using the set effect, I could create a shield using their magical essences.

Anything the dungeon threw at me could easily be blocked by this shield.

I went through the level 18 dungeon for the necklace, but I also leveled.

I had reached level 170, and put all the points into the stamina stat.

There was no reason to put any more points into strength.

Just counting the amount I put in, it was already past 600.

It was something only a warrior who only put strength stat until level 118 could reach.

Both Banwol Jincheon on both my hands gave a massive stat bonus to my strength already.

Unless a skill or an item that nullified all magic appeared, I planned to put all the points into dexterity and stamina.

That was also the reason to choose the level 23 dungeon.

It was to obtain the defensive gear dropped from that dungeon.

“Jin or whoever it may be, I’ll shoot the moment I’m ready.”

---

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