Chapter 59: Magnetite Mining (1)

Chapter 59: Magnetite Mining (1)

Kang-hoo nodded.

Seeing the recognition on his face, he saw no reason to deny it when Jeon Se-hyeok asked with such certainty.

It wasnt strange that Jeon Se-hyeok knew about him.

He harbored a deep grudge against Eclipse and had special means of obtaining internal information.

Perhaps this involved an internal traitor or hacking into the information network.

This also indicated that he could access Kang-hoos database from within Cheongmyeong Detention Center.

Furthermore, it implied that he was aware of the recent death of Cha So-hee at Kang-hoos hands.

Jeon Se-hyeoks life wont be long either.

Aware of his fate, Kang-hoo sensed a dark shadow looming over Jeon Se-hyeoks back.

Even though he had made a name for himself by killing many criminals, he would ultimately die at the hands of Kang Dong-hyun.

His error was challenging Kang Dong-hyun too soon.

Kang Dong-hyun was no easy foe.

To prevent his death, Kang-hoo would need to stop the impending fight with Kang Dong-hyun, but

Kang-hoo was skeptical about intervening to such an extent, unlike actively preventing a death ending like Lee Hyun-seok had done.

I remembered your face because it was quite memorable. Its interesting how fate has brought us together.

Jeon Se-hyeok, smiling genuinely, seemed quite amiable.

That made sense.

He despised Eclipse, and Kang-hoo had become an enemy to Eclipse by dealing with Cha So-hee.

They seemed to share an understanding, as both were inevitably targeted by Eclipse.

Whats your name?

I asked, feigning ignorance.

Explaining how I knew him would have been more complicated than simply acting unaware.

Im Jeon Se-hyeok.

Oh, the Silent Judge.

Thats what they call me, but I never asked to be called that. Haha.

Jeon Se-hyeok pulled something white from his pocket.

Expecting him to light a cigarette, I was surprised when he took out a candy stick instead.

Seeing him, usually drenched in blood, eating candy was somewhat disconcerting.

Are you heading in this direction because youre going to an open dungeon? The Lateus Dungeon?

Thats right.

Im also on my way there. How about we go together? I was feeling a bit lonely.

Sure, I dont mind.

An unexpected companion had emerged.

Both Kang-hoo and he appeared to be traveling alone.

He might have been going there for a request or perhaps to mine Zayoseok.

It was hard to guess the purpose of someone visiting a large open dungeon due to its diverse nature.

For the first five minutes, we walked in silence.

Feeling uncomfortable with the ongoing silence, Jeon Se-hyeok was the first to speak.

I never imagined Cha So-hee would die. She was someone I missed twice.

I was just lucky.

Capturing luck is also a skill.

You seem to know quite a lot about Eclipses internal information. Thats supposed to be confidential.

Kang-hoo narrowed his eyes.

The death of Cha So-hee was a mishap that Kang Dong-hyun himself had quickly resolved to the extent that it could be classified as top secret.

Jeon Se-hyeok knew these details precisely, implying he had deep connections to information sources related to Kang Dong-hyun or his affiliates.

Moreover, he even knows my face, doesnt he? This means he could also access internal information.

A group of criminals without a single traitor would be too much like fiction, wouldnt it?

Jeon Se-hyeok laughed.

Although he looked at least ten years older than Kang-hoo, he spoke with utmost respect. It seemed basic courtesy was ingrained in him.

Arent you one?

Get lost. If youre not acknowledged like brother Se-hyeok, this dungeon isnt for just anyone.

Then try to stop me.

Kang-hoo immediately targeted the mercenary and initiated lateral movement.

Huh?

As Kang-hoo vanished in an instant, the mercenaries were taken aback.

However, a few with sharp senses assumed Kang-hoo had successfully gone into stealth and aimed right at the entrance.

Even if he wasnt visible.

If they poured attacks in that direction, stealth wouldnt help him avoid them. It was a kind of blind fire.

But Kang-hoo, having anticipated even such primal responses, laid down a Thunderstorm Array just before entering stealth.

Koo-woong-woong!

Aaah!

Argh! Scatter! Get away from the entrance!

A sudden storm of electric currents spread in all directions, throwing the mercenaries into chaos.

Damn it, that was close.

Shouldve taken an entrance fee, huh?

Who is that guy?

Mercenaries briefly caught in the range of the Thunderstorm Array cursed as they inspected their tattered clothes.

It was fortunate they moved quickly; otherwise, they would have been shredded.

Inside the Lateus Dungeon.

Its known for being tricky to get into, but you entered quite easily.

Peeking out from the entrance, Jeon Se-hyeok gave Kang-hoo a thumbs-up, impressed by his seamless lateral move and subsequent stealth, followed by the Thunderstorm Array.

His foundation is definitely that of an assassin, but his skill composition is quite unique.

The Thunderstorm Array seems to serve as an offensive skill against others but as a buff for himself.

Its rare for assassins, typically specialized in single strikes, focused attacks, and stealth, to possess such area-of-effect skills.

Such skills are almost non-existent in an assassins skill book, making the source of the Thunderstorm Array quite intriguing.

I tried to pay the entrance fee, but they refused, so I just entered.

Considering how Cha So-hee died, your skill combination was impressively clean.

Thank you for the compliment.

If its okay with you, how about we meet outside after exploring this dungeon? What do you say?

From their first meeting, Jeon Se-hyeok was quite proactive towards Kang-hoo, always the first to extend his hand.

He seemed to feel a lot of solidarity, knowing Kang-hoo had killed Cha So-hee.

Or maybe he already felt like they were on the same side, sharing a common enemy.

I wont refuse.

In 12 hours then. How about that?

Sounds good.

Then, exactly after 12 hours.

As the conversation ended, both Kang-hoo and Jeon Se-hyeok checked their watches.

Twelve hours would give them enough time to take care of the necessary tasks inside.

After parting ways with Jeon Se-hyeok, Kang-hoo headed straight for the magnetite mining area in the Lateus Dungeon.

This was his primary reason for coming here, and the task he had been assigned. Visiting the Imbalance Points came secondary.

He first made for the well-known spots.

The closest magnetite mine to the entrance was within easy reach.

Of course, he did not expect the task to be easy. It was likely that forces were already occupying it.

Then

Bang! Bang!

Magic bullets?

The sound of gunshots, a rarity and difficult to wield, reverberated through the air.

It appeared that a marksman skilled in using magic bullets was in the vicinity.