NOVEL NEXT Chapter 7: The Client (4)
Ventus’s illusion technique surpassed that of other hunters, thanks to his unique ‘Boss Skill Adjustment’.
This made the illusion clearer, leaving virtually no afterimage. It was nearly impossible to discern the real from the fake.
Furthermore, the skill’s terror lay in the fact that if plundered, it would instantly achieve maximum proficiency.
Such a skill stood out far beyond the common understanding.
Additionally, it was enhanced with the Boss Skill Adjustment.
The anticipation for it was undeniable.
“I will kill you.”
“Don’t just flap your lips.”
Kang-hoo casually flicked his middle finger back and forth in response to Ventus’s murderous warning.
Paang!
Behind his mask, Ventus, smirking, deployed his illusion technique and closed in on Kang-hoo.
Suddenly, Ventus’s body seemed to scatter left and right, creating illusions that were incredibly difficult to identify.
Yet Kang-hoo, blessed with ‘Exceptionally Superior Physical Ability’, could discern the truth by the slimmest margin.
The constellation he had acquired from a hunter he had slain outside the Cheongmyeong Detention Center also cast its light.
That was the Mana Tracking ability.
The main body and the illusions had different mana densities, which allowed for their differentiation.
‘It’s risky to engage directly with a mid-level boss. Better to coax out his weakness.’
Kang-hoo took a slight step back.
This feint was deliberate.
It was a common cautious reaction for hunters faced with illusions, and a hint of fear would serve as the perfect bait.
Was it for that reason?
Ventus, with deceit perceived and fear sensed, accelerated his attack, falling for Kang-hoo’s method acting.
As expected.
Even without articulation, the change in Ventus’s facial expression was a language Kang-hoo could read in his mind.
The coordinated movements of the illusion and the main body were clear to see. Knowing the real one, there was no cause for panic.
Kang-hoo, with a dagger in his right hand, discreetly concealed it behind his pocket, waiting for the perfect moment.
Then—
Spa-at!
The illusion that invaded Kang-hoo’s field of vision suddenly lunged forward, a deceptive lure.
But a wise fish eyes the sure bait behind, not the shoddy one before it.
Tatat!
Kang-hoo evaded with minimal, controlled movements.
Merely two wide steps sufficed to escape the illusion’s embrace.
In that instant, he sprang forward, closing the gap with Ventus who was already within reach.
They were so near it almost seemed they would embrace.
Pwook!
Kang-hoo’s dagger, with ‘murder’ as its sole intent, skewered Ventus’s abdomen.
Except for the handle, the blade buried itself deep within Ventus’s guts.
Had he wielded the dagger with mere brute force at such close quarters, it wouldn’t have penetrated as profoundly.
Yet the propulsion from his leap transferred into the dagger’s thrust, rivaling any attack skill.
The destructive force far exceeded the maximum power Kang-hoo could normally muster.
“Kheuk! …How?”
Ventus’s face clouded over, not only from quickly piercing the illusion but also from the impact of the blow.
But by then, Kang-hoo had already sidestepped stealthily behind Ventus.
He never expected a mid-level boss to fall from a single dagger thrust.
Instead—
Puck!
“Kuk!”
Technically, Kang-hoo delivered a kick from behind, forcing Ventus down on one knee and arranging the stage.
As his strategy triumphed, the longsword he clutched in both hands was already plunging down diagonally with precision.
It traced a lethal path from the hollow of the collarbone, targeting the heart through a diagonal route.
Even Ventus, with his thick pectoral muscles shielding his chest, could not survive this deadly blow.
“……!”
“I’ve hit the target.”
Both sensed it.
One tasted death.
The other felt that the fragments of memory he had recalled and revisited were indeed true.
Whoosh!
Kang-hoo forcefully removed the longsword that had penetrated his collarbone.
Then, blood spurted out like a fountain, drenching his entire face.
Although it was definitely bitter and hot blood, it now felt almost like a stimulant that allowed him to feel pure exhilaration.
Ventus’s wavering eyes soon scanned Kang-hoo’s face, which had moved in front of him.
On Ventus’s face, filled only with emptiness, was a look full of ‘injustice’ about the unbelievable situation.
The expression showed he couldn’t understand how Kang-hoo knew exactly how to ‘dismantle’ him.
“There are three strategies. Either overturn the opponent’s plan, twist it, or…”
“Cough.”
Before Kang-hoo could finish his sentence, Ventus’s eyes rolled back as he collapsed forward.
“Or lure them into my trap and make them lose everything and die.”
He concluded the most important part.
That was it.
The concept of this twisted game was the last one.
[Your level has dramatically increased to 16.]
A special comment appears only when the level increases by more than two at a time.
Thanks to taking down a mid-boss alone, the amount of experience gained was beyond imagination.
This would probably equal the experience of gangs who camp at the entrance and repeat hunting daily.
[Successfully plundered the Illusion Technique skill from the target.]
Kang-hoo’s skill window sparkled, indicating that the plundering was perfectly completed.
[Illusion Technique]
[Skill Proficiency: Lv. Max]
[Creates five illusions for 15 seconds to distract the enemy's vision.]
[Depending on external forces or the caster's will, a dismantled illusion will produce a smoke effect for 3 seconds.]
[The movement of the illusion, reflecting the unconscious, can be varied but requires thorough training.]
“Thanks to this ability.”
He had to become stronger.
The maximum skill proficiency greatly enhanced the original skill’s concept.
For an assassin, no skill was better than one that caused visual disruption and confusion.
‘When I leave the dungeon, I might be able to add the basic skill I get at level 20.’
Kang-hoo looked at the level 20 basic skill, still inactive but soon to be unlocked.
Rapid Stabbing.
A skill considered the bread and butter of the assassin class.
Once maximum proficiency was reached, its official name changed, and its value skyrocketed.
It was also a balance-breaking skill that the ‘original creator’ had loaded with only the most overpowered options.
At that time,
Lee Ye-rin was on a call with a man she contacted regularly.
Perhaps the recent intentional disruptions of base stations by a criminal organization had affected the call quality.
It felt like barely catching a voice from far away, barely managing to maintain a conversation.
Lee Ye-rin said,
“The call quality wasn’t this bad even a year ago. It’s getting worse.”
He chimed in,
“It can’t be helped. Especially around Daejeon, it’s probably because of Eclipse or Black Panther’s influence.”
His voice was calm with a clear, low pitch.
“That makes sense.”
“You seem to have had a tough time lately because of those Eclipse guys.”
“It’s okay. I’ve always been used to having eyes on the back of my head anyway.”
“Do you have any good hunters you can recommend? We’re really short on manpower these days.”
“Hmm… Would there be a hunter to Jang Si-hwan’s liking? Most of them would be cut at the entrance.”
The person Lee Ye-rin was talking to was Jang Si-hwan himself.
He was a celebrity among hunters, someone ordinary hunters would love to meet but couldn’t.
Since Lee Ye-rin had known him for a long time, they were having this conversation.
“I’m thinking of lowering my standards quite a bit. I want to train them up from the lower levels.”
At that moment, Lee Ye-rin thought of Kang-hoo without hesitation. He indeed seemed different to her.
“There is such a hunter.”
“Is that so?”
“But he needs to be more refined. It’s too early to judge him right now.”
“Your recommendations have never been wrong. Although we lost some of your recommended talents in accidents, those were their unfortunate mistakes.”
“Yes, it’s all in the past; no need to worry about it. I’ll keep watching and let you know once it’s confirmed.”
“Okay. Our guild really needs talent. If you send us a good one, we will treat them the best.”
“Got it. You’re having a tough time.”
“I’ve gathered some useful inside information about Eclipse. I’ll send it through a secure email soon.”
“Thank you.”
The short call ended.
Certainly, if Kang-hoo went to Jang Si-hwan’s guild, he could grow rapidly with comprehensive support.
Lee Ye-rin felt no deep bond or closeness with Kang-hoo.
But for someone like Jang Si-hwan, always thirsty for useful talent, Kang-hoo was an attractive card.
The hunter with noticeable talent was just at level 10—full of potential.
“I guess I’m quite captivated by his skills. Now I’m thinking about the mercenary I just gave the first task to…”
Lee Ye-rin shook her head.
There’s no world as cold as that of mercenaries.
But maybe because of the strong impact Kang-hoo made in their first meeting?
His face kept lingering in her mind.
Meanwhile,
“Aargh…”
Kang-hoo was taking the life of another mid-boss after Ventus.
Demon Iberia.
A female demon, conceptually similar to Ventus. A dark assassin, one could say.
Her attack pattern was intuitive and simple: forcibly pull the target and stab their vital points.
Usually, in Iberia raids, a defensive tanker would handle her.
Even if they got pulled and attacked, they could withstand it somewhat with their durability and health.
Of course, for assassins like Kang-hoo or mages with weak defenses, getting pulled meant certain death.
But Kang-hoo recognized the precursor movements of Iberia’s ‘Abduction’ skill.
Therefore, he easily subdued her.
He had no reason to be caught off guard.
Originally, this was a forced summoning skill that pulled an enemy within a 7-meter radius to a point one meter in front of her.
[Abduction]
[Skill Proficiency: Lv. Max]
[Summons a designated target within a 15-meter radius to a point one meter in front. Inanimate objects like items are also possible.]
[Multipurpose use of various skills is possible during Abduction.]
When he plundered the skill, its proficiency instantly reached the maximum, extending its range to more than double the original.
Furthermore, the restriction on using certain skills in combination before the completion of Abduction no longer applied.