Chapter 123: Hidden Skill (2)

Chapter 123: Hidden Skill (2)

Kang-hoo met Jin Hyo-young at the agreed-upon point.

Her map, as densely filled with notes as Kang-hoo’s, seemed to hold significant strategic value.

Jin Hyo-young, having received the map from Kang-hoo, smiled and said,

“You’re really thorough. There was no need to go to this extent, but the Jeonghwa Guild will appreciate it.”

“It’s a rare opportunity, isn’t it? If given the chance, one must work hard. Who knows, they might come looking for us later?”

“Was everything okay?”

“It was quiet. Though, I did get startled a few times when smoke suddenly billowed from the ground.”

“It’s time for us to go our separate ways. Cross-checking is the most tedious part, isn’t it?”

“Information isn’t free.”

“If you don’t mind... would you like to take a break and have a drink? I brought some chamomile tea before coming here.”

Jin Hyo-young took out a thermos filled with chamomile tea and paper cups from her backpack.

Although Kang-hoo had brought bottled water in his backpack, a warm cup of tea seemed like a good idea.

Of course, her kindness – albeit minor – seemed suspicious, but a cup of tea wouldn’t pose a problem.

And in case of any suspicion of poisoning, there was always the Breath of the Counterfeit God, so he felt he could let his guard down a bit.

“I’ll gladly accept. Let’s sit here. I’ll roughly clean the top.”

Kang-hoo pointed to a flat rock lying between them.

It was a bit dusty, but he casually wiped it down with his sleeve.

Since he wore these clothes intending to get dirty in the dungeon, getting them dirty wasn’t a concern.

“You have good manners.”

“It’s just for the tea. I wouldn’t have bothered if we weren’t drinking tea.”

“Ha-ha. You’re also witty.”

Is this considered wit?

Kang-hoo felt that Jin Hyo-young was showing more interest and reactions towards him than necessary.

Even now, as she poured a cup of tea and fanned herself, she casually rolled up her sleeves.

Tying her hair into a ponytail, making her neckline clearly visible, she bit a rubber band in the process.

The faint scent wafting from her exposed neckline added an extra touch.

It could be seen as over-immersion, an overreaction.

It’s possible to read too much into trivial actions.

However, Kang-hoo was troubled by the fact that Jin Hyo-young had lied to him from their first meeting.

If they were only going to see each other once, why bother lying?

They weren’t going to work closely together, and a lie about one’s level certainly seemed suspicious.

“There’s no harm in keeping my distance. After all, Jin Hyo-young isn’t someone I need,”

he thought simply.

There was no need to be curious about what Jin Hyo-young was up to.

If she had any business with him, she would continue trying to contact him, to close the distance.

But if his concerns were overblown, everything would just be an incident, and their connection would end.

Observing what she would do next seemed best. His thoughts and judgments would align accordingly.

During the tea,

Kang-hoo and Jin Hyo-young watched a war at the far end of the horizon.

Despite the distance, the giants’ forms were clearly visible.

Every time they moved, though it was an illusion, it felt as if the ground here was shaking.Fịndd new updates at novelhall.com

Jin Hyo-young silently watched the battle alongside Kang-hoo, staring at him intently.

Kang-hoo felt her gaze but pretended not to notice.

Seeing her bite her lip repeatedly, he paid even less attention.

Then, Jin Hyo-young broke the silence.

“Over there.”

“Yes.”

“Do you want to grab a drink outside after we’re done exploring? I’m good with either food and alcohol or light cocktails.”

“Cocktails sound good.”

“I have a favorite bar in Seoul that I frequent. I’m also friends with the owner. What do you think?”

“Let’s do that.”

Kang-hoo nodded.

Since the continuous ‘temptation’ didn’t work, it seemed like she changed her approach to be more direct.

He believed that it no longer mattered who showed interest first between a man and a woman; that era had passed.

Yet, he had never shown any particular kindness or interest towards Jin Hyo-young.

There had to be a clear reason for her proactive behavior. It was instinct, intuition, and certainty.

Thus, he planned to play along. If her interest was genuine, then enjoying a drink together would suffice.

Divine power, dark energy.

Since it could only be eliminated in these two ways.

He planned to attack with Heuk Wol Cham, and if that didn’t cut off its breath, he would immediately retreat.

Thanks to the Pure Black Constructor, the dark energy he had exhausted for a skill demonstration earlier was fully restored to 100%.

He positioned himself and waited.

【Heuk Wol Cham】

He started charging simultaneously.

It didn’t matter how he prepared the skill, but this time, he stuck to the basic motions.

Hiding the blade of the dagger slightly towards his side, he earnestly concentrated the dark energy.

Keheehee...

The Black Guide closed the distance with an unpleasant sound, making Kang-hoo uncomfortable.

If engulfed by it, even Kang-hoo would have no answer. Thus, he needed to attack before being enveloped.

However, acting too quickly might alert it to dodge, so he waited with as much patience as possible.

Thud.

Though subtle, he felt movements underground, likely the minions of the Black Guide.

He wasn’t sure which monster it was, but it was likely one that could freely move through tunnels underground.

“......”

Holding his breath.

He waited, and waited some more.

The Heuk Wol Cham, with 100% dark energy invested, was already complete. All he had to do was release it.

Kkekkekke.

Seeing that Kang-hoo wasn’t evading, the Black Guide let out an even more bizarre laugh.

It was convinced.

That this human was too scared to even think about escaping, just like the person who had died before.

Despite his ability to escape, he trembled with fear and met his end standing.

If...

If the Black Guide were to die from the attack using Heuk Wol Cham, Kang-hoo was determined to visit Ground Zero again.

Since the Black Guide was difficult to catch, the rewards were quite generous.

The explosive gain in experience was a given.

In terms of magic stones or items, it could also yield unexpectedly high earnings.

Jang Si-hwan had significantly increased his level by exclusively hunting monsters of this kind after becoming able to harness dark energy.

Two-tenths of the process that elevated Jang Si-hwan to the unprecedented high level of 800 occurred here.

Kuooo!

The body of the Black Guide, now only five steps away, expanded immensely.

Like an eagle coiling its body before greedily spreading its black wings to fiercely pounce on its prey.

The Black Guide, intending to swallow Kang-hoo whole, maximized its size.

Devil’s Embrace.

The moment one is embraced, all memories and time stop. Trapped in eternal darkness, in death.

Whoosh!

Just as the disgusting breath of the Black Guide wrapping around Kang-hoo was about to touch his face!

Krrring!

Out of the deep darkness.

A crimson crescent blade drew a sharp curve, striking at the heart of the Black Guide in an instant.

The next moment.

Boom!

The body of the Black Guide, unable to scream, exploded into pieces and scattered.

Pssss!

The numerous ghosts pouring out aimlessly in all directions after losing their master were a bonus.

Being untouchable and unreachable, most hunters considered them entities that could never be killed.

Thus, they were like a tantalizingly unreachable delicacy, always out of reach.

To Kang-hoo, however, these beings became a valuable source of experience.

He was vividly experiencing the benefits of a hidden skill.

【For being an unchallenged monster for an excessively long time, additional experience is obtained.】

【Your level has significantly increased to 103.】

A two-step increase in level!

The effectiveness was undeniable.