Chapter 11: Suppression (4)

Chapter 11: Suppression (4)

Kidnapping intricately linked to the theft of sight.

Add to that a disorienting chaos that warps your sense of direction and vision.

For a guaranteed surprise attack, theres even a sideways lunge paired with a bleeding stab wound.

Kang-hoo had concocted this combo. It was the scenario he envisioned while making his way to the entrance.

In fact, he wondered when he might ever utilize this combination.

The task was complete.

After returning and reuniting with Lee Ye-rin, he would either head to the dungeon or find some work.

But an unexpected dispute arose, and it involved Jo Young-jae.

In a fleeting moment, a precise battle of aim unfolded between Kang-hoo and Jo Young-jae, each with the others life in their crosshairs.

Naturally, Jo Young-jae was the first to launch an attack.

Kang-hoos reaction was akin to self-defense.

The only difference lay in Kang-hoo evading Jo Young-jaes target, while Jo Young-jae failed to do the same.

Cough.

Before Kang-hoo, Jo Young-jae knelt, blood spilling copiously.

Severe wounds lacerated his neck, side, and chest, each one too critical to mend.

Truthfully, Kang-hoo had never intended to spill blood with Jo Young-jae. Initially, there was no animosity between them.

Certainly, he considered that Jo Young-jae might eventually become an underling of Jang Si-hwan.

This was because, according to the original narrative, Jang Si-hwan would be conquering forces in the Osan region around this time.

The area teemed with criminal syndicates, providing ample pretext for subjugation.

Consequently, such gangs adept at cleaning up messes would be expected to fall in line.

Despite anticipating this, Kang-hoo had no immediate reason to single out Jo Young-jae.

But the instant their gazes met, Jo Young-jaes brow furrowed deeply, and he thrust his greatsword forward.

It was a despicable pre-emptive strike.

Of course, Kang-hoo believed in utilizing any means necessary to kill.

But that applied when there was a grudge or a motivelike fulfilling a contract for assassination.

Today, there was no such link between Jo Young-jae and him, yet he thrust the greatsword without hesitation.

If Kang-hoos leap skill hadnt been able to move more than 10 meters, his neck would have been severed long ago.

But he narrowly dodged with a backward leap, matching Jo Young-jaes slightly short charge distance.

Then Kang-hoo, in an awakened state, immediately followed with a forward leap and slashed at Jo Young-jaes throat.

He exposed his malice first, which gave me a good opportunity to exploit his weakness.

Kang-hoo made this judgment.

Jo Young-jae was a berserker.

A class that grew stronger over time, so avoiding prolonged fights was essential.

However, Jo Young-jaes aggressiveness had created an opportunity that Kang-hoo didnt miss.

Bro, brother

Ugh! Young-jae brother is dead!

He even made a contract with a Constellation

The gang members of Osan Suho, witnessing Kang-hoos unilateral victory, were all in shock.

To outsiders, Jo Young-jae might have looked like a street boss, but to them, he was a god.

Equipped with three expensive grade-6 items and having completed a contract with a Constellation at level 65.

Such a god lost his life to someone he least regarded. It was an undeniable, complete defeat.

Kang-hoo took a solarkium out of his pocket and said,

Ill give you exactly 5 seconds to choose. Im not forcing you, but the result will be the same.

Sipping. Sipping.

Kang-hoo diligently sucked the essence.

The attack on Jo Young-jae had been a single stroke, yet his head throbbed as if struck by multiple combos at once.

When Kang-hoo glanced over, not a single one remained; they had all retreated.

In a world where death was no longer special, Kang-hoo also experienced no change in his emotions.

He had killed the man who had tried to kill him, and that was the end of it. There was no foolish sentiment, no wondering why he had killed.

Two.

Kang-hoo detected someone approaching his vantage point.

This was his mana tracking ability at work.

If someone in the vicinity made use of mana-based hunting skills, they couldnt elude his notice.

Naturally, as Kang-hoo had experienced when he killed the original possessor of this ability, if someone purposefully misled him, he could be deceived

Turning his head slightly, he caught sight of a woman brandishing a two-handed greatsword as tall as she was, heading his way.

She was determined to stain her tongue blue, vigorously enjoying a cheap lollipop.

With her long hair fluttering, she wore a hoodie and sweatpants in a mismatched fashion.

She dressed more like she was out for a walk in the neighborhood than ready for battle.

She spoke first.

A prime spot, isnt it?

Kang-hoo nodded.

The distance was short as the crow flies, yet a long path through the battlefield.

She continued.

Theres no better place to watch people die. Of course, its also perfect for getting killed while watching.

She sat down next to Kang-hoo, leaving just enough room for two palms to fit between them.

With nothing else to discuss with a stranger, Kang-hoo stayed silent.

Regrettably, Shin Kang-hoo, the original character, wasnt gifted with the talent for friendly banter.

In fact, he was almost devoid of it.

But she, undeterred, peppered Kang-hoo with her questions.

It felt as though she was talking to herself rather than expecting a response from Kang-hoo.

Are you a mercenary?

Kang-hoo nodded.

Im a mercenary too. Know any good mercenary groups? Good pay, low-difficulty tasks?

Desiring more money for less challenging tasks?

Such an attitude didnt quite fit a mercenary.

That seems like a misguided notion.

Haha! Cant handle contradictory statements, huh? A big catch, a real catch! I reeled you in!

Only then did Kang-hoo realize she had dangled bait to provoke a reaction from his stoic demeanor.

A clever attempt.

She had indeed reeled him in.

Im Yun Sang-mi. I wont ask your name. You look like you wouldnt tell.

Jung Sun-kyu.

A pseudonym?

Yes.

Mine too.

Kang-hoo shifted his attention back to the battlefield from Yun Sang-mi. Using pseudonyms was commonplace.

How many mercenaries used their real names? Nearly none.

Unless the real name was already widely recognized, rendering a pseudonym pointless.

Or if they were wanted.

There should be plenty of work around Daejeon Station. Eclipse has been stirring up trouble in all directions.

Eclipse. Five mercenaries I knew got killed by them. Quite a few are missing, too. Obviously, they must have gone to Cheongmyeong Detention Center

Yun Sang-mis words triggered the recollection of a name Kang-hoo had completely forgotten, causing him to frown.

Though he tried to disregard the memory, his body remembered the torture and abuse he had suffered there.

In that moment,

his body felt shriveled and a strong headache began to surge.

It was learned pain.

He had been forced to consume extreme amounts of mana to mine magic stones, leading to frequent bouts of mana hypersensitivity.

Just sweeping up the bounties on the higher-ups would be enough to retire comfortably for a few years.

Like Kang Dong-hyun, that kind of higher-up?