The Genius Assassin Who Takes it All-Chapter 233: Underwater Battle (4)

The target was located precisely.

By scanning the Constellations contracted with Go Kyung-ho, information about the “Pure Black Hypocrite” was revealed.

【Pure Black Hypocrite】

【Sacrifices 5% of their physical lifespan to the contracted Constellation to trigger "Radiant Awakening."

While in the Radiant Awakening state, they alternate between 1 second of invincibility and 2 seconds of normalcy. Duration: 2 hours.】

【Bloodthirsty Soma】

【All skill-based attacks inflict a bleeding effect. The duration ranges from a minimum of 0.2 seconds to a maximum of 0.9 seconds.】

“The ‘Pure Black Hypocrite’ seems like garbage no matter how you look at it. ‘Bloodthirsty Soma’ looks way better.”

The information about the two Constellations contracted with Go Kyung-ho was intriguing.

While it was true that Radiant Awakening would significantly boost a Hunter’s combat capability, the cost—5% of their physical lifespan—was too vague. What exactly was lost, and to what extent?

Looking at Bloodthirsty Soma, it became clear why Go Kyung-ho had been such a valued asset within Eclipse.

If every skill he used could inflict a bleeding effect, he would have been indispensable in any dungeon.

Wherever they went, Go Kyung-ho’s presence must have been essential—bleeding effects were that overpowered.

【My brother is there.】

At that moment, the Pure Black Seeker, who had been silent until now, spoke up.

But the “sworn enemy” he had mentioned earlier turned out to be none other than his brother? His actual sibling?

There seemed to be a story behind this, but there was no time to ask leisurely.

Either way, once Go Kyung-ho was killed, the Constellations would be plundered, and the answers would come naturally.

“Shin Kang-hoo. Fancy seeing you here.”

Go Kyung-ho aimed his sword, brimming with malice, at Kang-hoo.

The blade shimmered with a purple hue, giving off an unpleasant aura reminiscent of black magic.

“You’re mine to deal with.”

“I didn’t expect you to be running around with Jeon Se-hyuk’s gang. But here’s the thing—even Jeon Se-hyuk struggles with me. Do you think you stand a chance?”

Go Kyung-ho was brimming with confidence.

Considering Kang-hoo’s known level and reputation, it was natural that Jeon Se-hyuk was rated more highly.

Although Kang-hoo’s recent actions had boosted his status, Jeon Se-hyuk still exuded an overwhelming presence.

“Jeon Se-hyuk is Jeon Se-hyuk, and I’m me. Judging by your face, you’re older than my brother. I’ll let you have the first move.”

Kang-hoo’s calm remark irritated Go Kyung-ho.

Of course, Kang-hoo wasn’t being gracious by giving preference to his elder; he was waiting for the wind and rain to intensify.

With the wind at his back, he saw an opportunity to exploit it for more aggressive attacks.

“You crazy bastard!”

Splash! Splash!

Go Kyung-ho’s reaction to Kang-hoo’s provocation came immediately. He dashed forward, stomping through the water, and detonated a small stone with his mana as he moved.

Meanwhile, Kang-hoo chewed on the prepared Mad Solarkium, waiting for its effects to spread through his body.

‘A Distorted Mana Stone.’

It was Kang-hoo’s first time seeing it in person, but he recognized it instantly from the original story’s memories.

A Distorted Mana Stone.

Useless as a trade good, it could destabilize the mana flow in the surrounding area when detonated.

Since it needed to be defective from the outset, finding one was no easy task.

When a Distorted Mana Stone is used, illusions, clones, and shadow-based skills become difficult to maintain.

The unstable mana flow and interference make it easier to discern the real body.

For abilities like Kang-hoo’s “Shadow Step,” the consequences could be catastrophic.

If the mana flow destabilized, teleportation could go horribly wrong—like splitting his body, with his head ending up north and his legs south—a disaster in every sense.

Naturally, teleporting under such conditions meant instant death, as body parts would be displaced from their proper positions.

‘Clever.’

Although he was the enemy, Kang-hoo found Go Kyung-ho’s cautious approach at the start of the fight impressive.

That level of preparation explained his confidence and high rank within Eclipse.

【Stealth】

Kang-hoo began with the most basic stealth technique, a textbook assassin’s move.

In the original story, the Celestial Assassin once said:

【When you can’t think of what to do as an assassin, start by going into stealth.】

It was sound advice.

The weakest assassin was one fully visible to their target.

Assassins were most terrifying when their presence was uncertain, heightening the enemy’s fear.

Kang-hoo’s figure vanished in an instant, but Go Kyung-ho didn’t bother looking around.

Swoosh!

Instead, he slammed his sword into the ground.

The muddy water, pooled from the downpour, splashed into the air.

Splat!

With a wide horizontal slash, he struck the muddy water, scattering it in all directions, including onto Kang-hoo.

Though the rain quickly washed it off, Kang-hoo’s stealth was momentarily broken.

Boom!

Go Kyung-ho’s sword struck again with a thunderous roar, as though ripping through the very fabric of space.

The blade drew a large arc, and its searing heat became evident—it was now ablaze.

【Collapse】

Updat𝓮d fr𝙤m ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com.

Kang-hoo’s response was “Collapse.”

Rather than directly blocking or evading, he twisted the conventional methods of handling such an attack.

The defender wasn’t trying to change the situation but rather introducing unexpected variables to the attacker.

“Ugh!”

The ground beneath Go Kyung-ho’s feet suddenly gave way, causing him to disappear from view.

The sword he swung with all his might ended up striking the crumbling wall of the sinkhole, accomplishing nothing.

Kang-hoo, having tucked away his dagger, pulled out his “Lance of Fierce Impact” and hurled it at Go Kyung-ho with all his strength.

【Flame Dragon Lance】

Whoosh!

The entire lance was engulfed in flames, transforming into a dragon that surged toward Go Kyung-ho.

Thud!

“Ugh!”

The strike landed cleanly.

Go Kyung-ho, an assassin, was caught off guard by Kang-hoo’s sudden throwing attack, unable to properly defend himself.

With his left shoulder impaled, Go Kyung-ho reached out with his right hand, desperately trying to remove the lance.

If he lingered in this state, he risked becoming an easy target, immobilized like meat on a skewer.

Groan!

“Aargh!”

Although the flames of the lance dissipated quickly, the process of pulling it out tore at his muscles, causing excruciating pain.

The burning sensation from the torn flesh, as if it were still ablaze, made it nearly impossible to keep his composure.

Even so, Go Kyung-ho gripped his sword tightly with one hand, preparing for Kang-hoo’s close-range assault.

That Kang-hoo had a skill to suddenly sink the ground was unexpected, especially for an assassin.

Getting hit by a thrown lance instead of some form of stealth-based technique was another surprise.

Two surprises were enough, though. Surely there wouldn’t be more absurd hybrid skills?

But just then—

“Damn it.”

Go Kyung-ho grimaced as he finally managed to remove the lance from his shoulder.

From Kang-hoo’s fingertips, a faint purple spark suddenly flared up, transforming into a massive blaze at Go Kyung-ho’s feet.

It was “Flames of Death,” a skill deployed not as an active ability from the palm but as a trap on the ground.

An assassin capable of sinking the ground, throwing lances, and even creating flames in pits—what words could describe such an assassin? A hybrid. No other term fit.

Still, Go Kyung-ho didn’t panic.

Though he had taken multiple unexpected hits, there were ways to handle these flames.

Boom!

Drawing upon all his mana, Go Kyung-ho unleashed a “Sword Gale,” pushing back the fire created by the Flames of Death.

He immediately leaped, attempting to escape the pit.

For an assassin—no matter how unreasonable it seemed—to also use magic, the first priority was to get out of the pit.

Whoosh!

As Go Kyung-ho reached the apex of his leap, tracing an arc through the air—

【Flash Throw – Repulsion】

Kang-hoo had already anticipated this, using the Flash Throw skill to send a dagger flying at the exact spot.

The repulsion effect made it a tricky attack to counter.

Clang!

“Gah!”

Instinctively blocking the dagger with his sword, Go Kyung-ho’s body was forcefully pushed backward.

The resulting recoil not only canceled out the momentum of his leap but sent him crashing back down into the pit.

It was as though he were cursed to remain a prisoner within this sinkhole.

Meanwhile—

‘The effects of the Distorted Mana Stone ended quicker than expected due to the storm.’

Observing the stabilized mana flow around him, Kang-hoo smirked.

Go Kyung-ho, already injured in the shoulder, would now have to contend with exposing this critical weakness throughout the fight.

Exploiting the enemy’s wounds or vulnerabilities was the first rule of combat.

Kang-hoo intended to have some fun with that.

【Shadow Step】

Kang-hoo deployed five shadows in various directions around the pit.

Then he leaped directly into the pit.

As the torrential rain continued, the pit was steadily filling with water.

Mudwater had already reached Go Kyung-ho’s ankles and was rising rapidly.

“You reckless bastard!”

Having endured an endless barrage of ranged attacks, Go Kyung-ho cursed as Kang-hoo suddenly switched to close-quarters combat.

It was a compliment in disguise. Excessive reactions from an enemy were always worth reinterpreting.

Go Kyung-ho then used his signature skill, Twin Slash, targeting Kang-hoo.

Twin Slash was a skill where the sword’s first cut was followed by a second slash from a “mana blade” along the same trajectory.

Because of the staggered timing and the invisibility of the mana blade, it often caught opponents off guard.

However—

【Lateral Movement】

【Master of Manipulation】

Kang-hoo, who had no intention of narrowly dodging, elegantly avoided Go Kyung-ho’s attack using lateral movement.

Simultaneously, he copied Go Kyung-ho’s skill through Master of Manipulation, reproducing it in an intriguing form.

So far, so good.

It was a clean evasion, and Kang-hoo hadn’t given Go Kyung-ho any opening.

But just then—

Swish! Clack!

Switching his grip to a reverse hand, Go Kyung-ho abruptly slashed backward with his sword.

It was a desperate move, narrowly grazing his own clothing, but the strike came dangerously close to Kang-hoo.

Caught off guard by this unconventional attack, Kang-hoo instinctively twisted his body.

Despite contorting as far as his body would allow, the diagonal trajectory of the blade couldn’t be completely avoided.

Slash!

“Ugh.”

A clean cut opened along his side.

Blood spattered behind him, and rain soaked the wound, amplifying the pain.

‘This guy isn’t just some amateur.’

Kang-hoo clutched his injured side, stepping back to regroup.

“Haah… haah…”

Go Kyung-ho, also breathing heavily, retreated, having spent a lot of energy in a short burst.

‘I aimed to force him back and strike, but he still dodged it. Just how sharp are this guy’s reflexes…?’

Wrinkles creased Go Kyung-ho’s brow.

Kang-hoo’s response was far quicker than anticipated.

Without Radiant Awakening, catching up to him seemed impossible—a frustrating realization.

Still, the mounting pressure Kang-hoo exerted was undeniable. A decisive change was necessary.