Chapter 25: Heo Jeong-Tae (3)
Upon arriving at Yangpyeong Station, I intended to take the Gyeongui-Jungang Line.The initial posting of this chapter occurred via Ñøv€l-B!n.
A group of hunters emerged from the station and ran towards Moonseong Villa, which was exactly where Heo Jeong-taes house was located.
Head to Moonseong Villa! Hurry!
Ill secure the CCTV footage!
Dont worry about the cost, just get it no matter what!
Yes!
Even without explicit confirmation, their earnest running and fluttering coat tails made it evident that they were from the Jeonghwa Guild.
The only issue warranting such urgency to obtain site data from the CCTV was the incident involving Kang-hoo and Heo Jeong-tae.
Really fast.
If the fight with Heo Jeong-tae had lasted a bit longer, or if the report had been delayed, I might have had to face those people.
Eventually, there would be a formal intersection with the Jeonghwa Guild, but
Kang-hoo thought it was unnecessary for it to be now.
While waiting for the train,
Kang-hoo pondered the future after Heo Jeong-taes arrest by the Hunter Public Safety Bureau, a departure from the original story.
Certainly, Heo Jeong-taes future would change.
Firstly, Chae Gwanhyeong would no longer consider using him.
This could mean that the Hunter Murderer, Heo Jeong-tae, who had been a loyal tool for Chae Gwanhyeong, might not appear at all.
Though he might walk the path of a murderer in a completely different form, there would be no need to coordinate with the Jeonghwa Guild.
This is how you nip it in the bud.
Thats what Kang-hoo thought.
This change might not seem significant now.
However, as these changes accumulate, they could turn into a massive butterfly effect, flipping the future upside down.
What if Jang Si-hwan and his gang are deprived of the opportunities they should naturally seize, and their minions are eliminated one by one?
The power that should belong to them in the future would diminish accordingly.
Conversely, Kang-hoo would catch up to them with an equal amount of power.
Interesting.
Kang-hoo smiled.
The destination he was now heading to on the Gyeongui-Jungang Line, impulsively decided, was Yangsu Station.
This was because the dungeon where Jang Si-hwan had his fun adventures in the original story was located at Yangsu Station.
It was a turning point prepared by the original author to resolve Jang Si-hwans mana shortage.
Thanks to congenital mana hypersensitivity, Kang-hoo never experienced thirst for mana.
Although it came with severe side effects, when only considering its positive function, it was practically infinite mana.
Kang-hoos interest in the dungeon at Yangsu Station wasnt due to mana.
It was about who the middle and main bosses were.
The dungeon and monsters were around level 75, which was manageable for Kang-hoo.
Among them, the skills that could be plundered from the two bosses were:
[Shadow Step]
[Skill Enhancement (1-time)]
Especially the skill enhancement that could be obtained from the main boss had the potential to transform a skill into an ultimate ability.
Since only skills at maximum proficiency could be upgraded to ultimate abilities, it was a truly valuable opportunity.
[The train will depart shortly.]
He could see the backs of the Jeonghwa Guild hunters getting further away through the trains departing window.
Even if they checked the CCTV footage at the scene, they would likely only see his back.
After all, he had considered that when planning and moving during the fight with Heo Jeong-tae.
Of course, his hairstyle or clothes might have been exposed, but that could easily be altered.
Anyway, before Jang Si-hwan arrives.
He was determined to seize every opportunity for gain.
Kang-hoo had no intention of forgetting this overarching principle.
No matter what, he would claim all elements that could aid in Jang Si-hwans growth for himself.
Be it fate, human connections, or hidden hidden pieces, all must be taken.
Descending at Yangsu Station and moving along, not too far away, one encounters Buyongsan, a mountain by name.
Although not particularly high, its rarity of human presence almost rendered it a no-mans land.
Even before the era of hunters, the area near Yangsu Station was tranquil compared to the rest of the capital region.
However, now with unstable public safety, few people lived here.
Only the elderly, who had spent almost their entire lives here, remained, tending to their small gardens.
Even the hunters of criminal organizations saw little value in troubling these old folks.
Level 75 standard monsters were no longer a challenge.
At this rate, he felt confident he could handle level 100 dungeons without any issues.
Advancing rapidly,
Kang-hoo continued to overpower the masked figures blocking his path, quickly reaching the dungeons midpoint.
Given its small size, progress was swift. There werent many monsters either.
It was a dungeon obviously designed for Jang Si-hwans opportunity.
About 20 minutes after entering, the middle boss appeared.
His name was Zanyoung.
Unlike the masked figures, which seemed like a copy-paste of a common model,
He was quite impressive with long black hair, red glowing eyes, and a melancholic gaze.
Shadow Step,
Kang-hoo reminded himself of the skill he could plunder from Zanyoung.
Zanyoungs Shadow Step skill was incredibly overpowered for a middle bosss skill.
But that was no issue, as only Zanyoung could use it, no matter how overpowered.
However, with Kang-hoos ability to plunder, it became an ultimate skill to be taken at any time.
Thats my bread and butter, Shin Kang-hoo.
Kang-hoo had never forgotten his identity.
The fastest way for him to grow stronger was to take skills like Zanyoungs, inherently overpowered by their mere existence.
Especially by augmenting his skillset with abilities others couldnt possess, everything became a weapon.
It was like constantly adding cards to use in the numbers game of battle.
Kang-hoo waited for Zanyoung to approach first.
While a skirmish with him seemed appealing, he didnt want to expend too much energy.
He was more concerned about the main boss than Zanyoung. It wasnt easy to predict.
Heh heh.
Seeing Kang-hoo not making an aggressive move, Zanyoung moved with a laugh of unknown reason.
The next moment.
Kuaa!
Zanyoungs enlarged shadow soared high into the sky, then split into three directions.
It was Shadow Step.
A skill that disperses three shadows in any desired direction, allowing him to move to the location of the shadows.
The shadows speed was extremely fast, and it could hide itself in darkness.
For an opponent, it was one of the trickiest skills to deal with.
Swoosh!
Kang-hoo responded immediately.
Illusion Technique!
A skill that could create five illusions, two more than Zanyoungs three shadows.
Amidst the confusion caused to Zanyoung, he chose one shadow to move to.
In the blink of an eye.
Kang-hoo caught a slight flicker from the shadow Zanyoung had decided to move to.
The visual disruption caused by the neat Illusion Technique created a short but distinct tremor.
Swoosh!
Without hesitation, Kang-hoo chose one of Zanyoungs shadows and pounced.
If it were a wrong choice, it would leave his rear completely vulnerable, a worst-case scenario.
But I can see it.
It wasnt the case for Kang-hoo.
His exceptionally keen dynamic vision.
And the strategy naturally ingrained from designing a monster like Zanyoung as the original author.
Neatly combined in his mind, providing him with 100% strategic confidence.
There was no way he could be wrong.
Whoosh!
Without looking back, Kang-hoos thrown dagger pierced right through the center of Zanyoungs forehead.
The entire blade buried itself in, leaving no doubt about the fatal blow.
[The following skill can be plundered from the target activated by Plunder.]
[Shadow Step]
Ill make good use of it.