The Genius Assassin Who Takes it All-Chapter 164: Distorted Awakening (1)
The randomly allocated stats were 1 in mana and 5 in agility.
Kang-hoo flinched when the notification about mana appeared.
If mana exceeds 50, the benefits of the Age of Savagery will no longer apply.
This would disrupt Kang-hoo’s carefully planned mana utilization strategy, so he needed to be cautious.
Since it only increased by 1, there was still a margin of 29 before reaching 50.
However, there would be more opportunities to obtain such killer stats through the Evil Cleric constellation in the future.
If mana continues to rise coincidentally with each chance, it could become a problem.
If such a trend emerges, Kang-hoo would seriously consider ways to break the contract with the constellation.
After wrapping up the tangled battle with the small fries,
Kang-hoo leisurely left the scene.
From the perspective of the dead, it was an absurd and unexpected event.
But for Kang-hoo, it was just a slightly special part of his routine. Their level was just that low.
A wide-open clearing.
To cool down his slightly heated body after the battle, he took a moment to enjoy the breeze and received a call.
The caller was An Yeong-ho.
“Hey, Yeong-ho.”
“Hyungnim. The list is all compiled. It’s perfectly organized!”
“Really? I heard on the news a few hours ago that the full-scale war had intensified?”
“The situation hasn’t settled yet. But we’re ready to support you, hyungnim.”
“Is it prepared as I requested?”
“Yes. The guild has accommodated all your requests.”
“As expected of the Rikou Guild.”
Kang-hoo smiled.
If the dungeons were listed as he wanted, he would be farming in the dark era in Japan.
He had requested dungeons with undead characteristics for that purpose. The Rikou Guild had made considerable accommodations.
“Yeong-ho.”
“Yes, hyungnim.”
“Can you arrange a meeting with that hunter, Akimaya Takashi?”
He changed the subject.
Since he had decided to build a connection with Takashi, he wanted to utilize the Rikou Guild’s network.
In fact, there was almost no way to establish a connection with Takashi otherwise.
He rarely participated in external activities, making it difficult to pursue a natural meeting.
“Takashi…?”
An Yeong-ho’s reaction was hesitant.
He fully understood.
The reaction An Yeong-ho showed was how most Japanese hunters treated Takashi.
Given his reputation as an eccentric recluse, it was rare for people to view him favorably.
“Yeah. I’d like to meet him. Is it difficult?”
“No, hyungnim. It’s possible. We have to make it possible.”
“Your voice sounds determined.”
“Ah… It’s just that we’re not very close. He’s a guild observer.”
“I see. It must be tricky.”
“Yes, but if you want it, hyungnim, I’ll make it happen. It’s possible!”
An Yeong-ho’s voice, which had wavered slightly, regained its original tension, and he spoke with emphasis.
Kang-hoo knew it was a burdensome request for both An Yeong-ho and the Rikou Guild.
That’s how much he desired to establish a connection with Takashi.
He was a member of the Thirteen Stars. At the same time, he had the lowest sense of belonging and solidarity among the members.
Maintaining a good relationship with him could lead to his departure from the Thirteen Stars.
His extraction would not just reduce the enemy’s size by one.
It would mean one less for the enemy and one more for him, effectively doubling the gap.
“Thank you, Yeong-ho.”
“Hyungnim, it’s just a matter of time! If we enter a lull, we can definitely accommodate you.”
“Alright. I’ll wait.”
“It won’t be long. I’ll contact you as soon as we’re ready. I’ll also inform you about Takashi.”
“Sure, please do.”
The call with An Yeong-ho ended.
In retrospect, An Yeong-ho was a significant connection. An accidental connection as well.
If he hadn’t been at that bar back then. If he hadn’t extended a helping hand to An Yeong-ho.
There would be no such benefits today. Furthermore, he wouldn’t have thought of a way to establish a connection with Takashi.
Kang-hoo felt a renewed sense of the butterfly effect.
After the call with An Yeong-ho ended, another call came in after a short interval.
It was an unexpected contact.
It was from Kim Shin-ryeong, and it came much sooner than expected.
“Yes?”
“Can we talk for a moment?”
“Of course.”
Though his schedule had a gap, the timing of the call was appropriate. He still didn’t know the content.
“I arrived in Pohang today.”
“Do you have a villa in Pohang too?”
“Not exactly a villa, but I have my private residence there. It even has a training ground and is quite large.”
Kim Shin-ryeong spoke nonchalantly, but there was a subtle boast in his tone.
It wasn’t just a villa, but a place large enough to have a training ground. One had to read the subtext well.
“I see.”
-Do you remember the talk we had on Ulleungdo about the destroyed weapon?
“Of course.”
He definitely remembered.
The proposal was to help with Kim Shin-ryeong’s summoning beast training in exchange for compensation with a destroyed weapon.
It was a win-win situation since neither side would lose out.
There was just one premise Kang-hoo had set.
Even if he helped with the summoning beast training, he wouldn’t use his hidden skill.
He didn’t want to show his hidden skill in front of anyone unless they were close or very discreet.
The only time he had used his hidden skill in front of Moon Hyeong-seo was out of necessity to survive.
The Black Shadow was that dangerous of an opponent, requiring his full strength.
-Can you come as soon as possible? I’d like to start the training while we can.
“Hmm…”
He intentionally hesitated.
There was no problem with his schedule, and he had plenty of time to go to Pohang right away.
But if he accepted the proposal too eagerly, it wouldn’t look good.
It’s best to pretend both sides are busy.
Waiting and time often reflect the value one places on the other.
-If you hurry, I’ll compensate you. I’ll pay you 100 million won* as travel expenses. How about that?
It seemed like Kim Shin-ryeong’s style was to push forward quickly once she made up her mind.
Typically, such personalities like to lead and control all situations.
In a positive light, they’re proactive; in a negative light, they’re self-centered.
And to achieve their goals, they don’t forget to sprinkle plenty of incentives, like now.
“Alright, let’s do that.”
-Great. I’ll give you gold bars as soon as you arrive. I have some prepared in the right size for the value.
“Just give me the address. I’ll come on my own.”
-Okay. Thanks.
Hearing her say thank you felt odd.
He didn’t need to receive thanks. He was going because he had something to gain.
But Kim Shin-ryeong’s reaction showed she valued him to some extent.
That kind of humble attitude usually comes out unconsciously when the other person is valued highly.
The test last time seemed to have made a significant impression on her. It was a good thing for Kang-hoo.
On the KTX to Pohang.
The self-operating train gave Kang-hoo a brief moment of leisure.
‘It’s a relief that at least the transportation is safe.’
The thought that came to mind was about the KTX connecting various parts of Korea.
This “damned worldview” of the original work seemed to be racing towards the end, a world without a tomorrow.
But even in this world, there were implicit rules, like not attacking public transportation.
The KTX was a prime example.
Of course, it was just an implicit rule with no binding force, so it wasn’t always observed.
But most hunters, no matter how chaotic, generally did not break this rule.
Even the notorious Eclipse organization didn’t attack the KTX.
The reason being, if such public transportation disappeared, it would be inconvenient for everyone.
One of the reasons was the large number of security personnel assigned to these services.
The railroad company managing the KTX wasn’t just relying on this implicit rule.
Because of this, the KTX and flights had fewer problems.
But traveling from Seoul to the provinces using a personal vehicle without safety equipment was extremely dangerous.
This is why hunters paid extra for safe limousines and taxis.
Most national highways leading to the provinces were connected to criminal organizations or the guilds governing those areas.
Their primary targets were the powerless individuals’ vehicles.
If you mess with safe limousines or taxis, you have to deal with the consequences.
But personal vehicles without such protection could be rammed by trucks or anything else.
Meanwhile, international news reported on Hunter news was intriguing.
There was a follow-up report on the multinational mercenary group that attacked Jeongmun Pharmaceuticals’ primary research lab, which had disbanded.
Additionally, China had declared a “war on drugs.”
China, with its historical trauma from the Opium Wars, was known for its zero-tolerance policy on drugs.
With the recent increase in drug abuse among hunters, it seemed they had decided to take strong measures.
Of course, this wouldn’t end the white war just like that. It was primarily a domestic issue.
Upon arriving at Pohang Station, Kang-hoo immediately transferred to a bus heading to Kim Shin-ryeong’s residence.
Pohang was more stabilized compared to other regions, so there wasn’t excessive concern about security.
The address led to a house much larger than Kang-hoo had expected.
It was more fitting to call it a castle rather than a mansion.
There were many security facilities.
Although few guards were visible, the security structure made sense.
Moreover, there were quite a few bloodstains on the outer walls, seemingly left on purpose.
These were probably the “living” traces of petty thieves or hunters who had attempted to break in and met their demise.
At that moment.
Kugugugu.
The main gate of the mansion took a while to open.
Kim Shin-ryeong appeared without a mask this time, revealing her true face.
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She was holding something in her hand—a magic bullet revolver that could be fired with one hand.
It was a rare item, difficult to purchase in the market due to the need for precise crafting and the instability in firepower caused by the process of condensing magical power.
Such a rare item was in her hand.
