Chapter 102: Fixer (3)
However, the fixer wasnt without countermeasures.
It wasnt as though we were playing a turn-based game; the moment one realizes theyre in a crisis, a response is mandatory.
During the process of being kidnapped by Kang-hoo, the fixer realized he had definitely taken a hit.
He cleanly admitted to being caught by Kang-hoos strategy and had finished calculating to expose his left shoulder.
The idea was to twist his body as much as possible since there wasnt enough time to use a defense skill.
Instead of exposing his shoulder, the fixer used that time as an opportunity for a counterattack.
What Kang-hoo unfolded was precisely oxidation, a skill that could also be selected as a basic skill at level 200.
Depending on the preference of the black mage hunter, one could choose among oxidation, ignition, or exhaustion. The fixer chose oxidation.
Kang-hoo prepared to thrust a dagger into the fixers heart, linking it with a beheading skill.
He wouldnt just let it happen, though; the target was clear. Its cleanest to cut off the breath in one go.
Just then.
As expected.
He hadnt thought he would only be on the receiving end, and sure enough, a red light sparked from the fingertips of the fixer.
It was enough to realize that he had no intention of being gracefully defeated, whatever the skill might be.
Cant be satisfied with the first spoonful.
Kang-hoo wasnt too greedy.
Its arrogant to think of ending the battle with one strike against a quick-reacting black mage.
However, since the fixer seemed to have finished planning to expose his left side, he decided to take the result.
Pwook!
Kuhuk!
The moment a dagger pierced about a fingers depth into the fixers left shoulder, Kang-hoo immediately withdrew it.
Then, using the fixers body as a stepping stone, he pushed off with his foot and leaped backward. He had evaded.
The next moment.
Fsssst! Tssss!
As expected.
Where Kang-hoo had been, a circular green space appeared, bursting into flames along with smoke. It was the oxidation skill.
It seems he chose oxidation at level 200. Well, it does have the highest lethality.
The expectation was spot on.
In exchange for exposing his left shoulder, the fixer aimed for his life. It was a chillingly rational judgment.
Thanks to focusing on the change that occurred at his fingertips, what if he had been intoxicated by the success of his strategy?
He wouldve been shaking hands with Jeon Jong-du, whom he had killed not long ago, in the afterlife.
Kuh. Thats quite something. It hurts?
Just do one thing at a time. Either show pain or act as if its nothing.
Its damn painful. This has a tremendous bleeding effect Its not easy to stop the bleeding.
Kang-hoo was confident about bleeding.
The bleeding effect was important because it delayed clotting and could suppress or reduce the opponents healing ability.
It was a very important option for hunters and quite rare.
The higher you go in the world of top hunters, the harder it becomes to find a bleeding dealer.
Especially necessary for catching boss monsters that dont die due to their formidable healing abilities.
Without it, strategizing was absolutely impossible. Not even if hundreds like Jang Si-hwan came.
Its better to disturb the balance in advance.
Kang-hoo spontaneously changed his mind. Originally, he had planned to aim for another chance to strike like now.
But seeing the fixers calm and swift response, his thoughts changed.
He saw a need to create a physical imbalance in him, to significantly increase the likelihood of psychological cracks.
In other words, it was necessary to deliver undeniable damage, even if he wanted to ignore it.
Snap!
Flicking his fingers.
Blood Flower
Puffff-Bang!
From the bleeding left shoulder of the fixer, a beautiful flower of red blood blossomed.
The explosion was so powerful that the fixer, who boasted a somewhat muscular physique, was sent fluttering like a paper doll.
Of course, Kang-hoo wasnt merely standing by idly after deploying the Blood Flower skill.
Abduction
Another Abduction attempt ensued.
Losing the use of both arms, vital for a black mages precise control, was tantamount to a death sentence.
Whir! Thud!
Ssssh! Thud!
Kang-hoo, keeping an appropriate distance, continued to hurl additional daggers with incredible speed.
Even from afar, Kang-hoo clearly possessed the means to inflict significant damage.
Kuhuk. Huak. Uhak
With each dagger that landed, the fixer struggled to keep his balance, staggering backward.
But that only lasted for a moment.
Upon the impact of the third dagger, he finally fell backward, unable to stand any longer.
Kwoong!
Kuluk!
Falling headfirst without bracing himself properly, the fixer coughed up dark red blood.
His abdomen was shredded, barely holding together, no longer able to support his body.
Twuk.
The bag of white powder, which the fixer failed to consume in time, dropped to the ground.
Kang-hoo looked down with disdain and remarked,
Reporting a drug addict is the solution. Was it 125?
Kuhuk! Huak
And with that, it was over.
Overcome by the overwhelming shock, the fixer died on the spot from cardiac arrest.
In a fitting end for his first appearance, he died with a smile on his face, resembling a madman.
Not a pigs head for a ritual offering, but one might think he died content.
Pwook!
Kang-hoo drove a dagger into the fixers heart to ensure his death.
I was 99% sure he was dead, but such lunatics sometimes wake up momentarily only to die again.
Hunters refer to this as a lasting effect, a phenomenon not uncommon among those of the black mage type.
Four constellations aligned themselves to come under Kang-hoos control.
It was a moment that underscored the formidable power of the Dimension Plunderer.
No one other than the Dimension Plunderer could take another hunters contracted constellations without any loss.
It was no coincidence that Kang-hoo had chosen her as his main constellation. There simply was no better option.
The constellation abilities held by Disaster Darkness were far less rare and versatile compared to those of the Dimension Plunderer.
Guardian of the Dark Sanctuary
Grants the ability to convert 25 mana into 1 unit of dark energy. However, only 1 unit of dark energy can be generated per minute.
It feels like gathering dust to build a mountain, but this is the way to start accumulating dark energy. Quite the unexpected case.
Dark energy will prove to be of high utility value in the future. Its a stat almost nonexistent among other hunters.
If he can plunder dark energy skills and gather them, they will be very useful.
Corrupted Prophet
In exchange for completely eradicating emotions, it increases a specific stat by 100.
Ill consider this one optional and hold off for now.
Theres a vast difference between being worn down by emotions and having none at all.
Kang-hoo, though cold in some respects, wished to retain warmth in others.
A minimal amount of emotion is necessary. Life devoid of joy, anger, sorrow, or pleasure isnt just bland; its utterly uninteresting.
Drug King
When inhaling or ingesting narcotic drugs, combat efficiency progressively increases up to 10 levels.
A constellation for drug addicts. Shouldnt such constellations be expelled from the grand battles?
He chuckled.
A constellation that maximizes combat power in exchange for drugs, but adhering to its concept might reduce the contractors lifespan.
Perhaps the Drug King constellation doesnt intend for its contractors to live long.
Lady of Light
Provides an experience buff matching the numerical date of each month.
Thats interesting.
Thus, the Lady of Light constellation was acquired.
He acquired four unique constellations.
An unexpected battle with the fixer ensued. And so, Kang-hoo created another turning point.