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Episode 38 Ground Zero (3)
Of course, it was a profitable business because we prepared for it.
If I had passed by without knowing anything, I would have lost my life, my greatest asset.
That’s why even adventure-loving hunters rarely come to Ground Zero.
Because you can’t tell when, where, or how you will die.
That’s why only criminals with no tomorrow are swarming around. Only those who are not afraid of death can roam Ground Zero.
Meanwhile, as I looked around, I began to see skeletons.
Even if it’s not a mutant sunflower, there are many things that can take a hunter’s life.
And the evidence of the cruelty of this place remained in the bones.
Items or wallets that the original owner was wearing disappeared without a trace.
It means that someone just took the items and left without any preparation.
Of course, this wasn’t a new thing, as such things happen all the time.
I went further inside, seeing an endless feast of skeletons reminiscent of a giant cemetery.
There was still about 1km left until area 5.
Because Ground Zero was so large, it took time just to get through one area.
In addition, since no weeding or logging was done, there was a lot of well-grown bushes, which was also a problem.
Anyway, when I got all the way to the point where there wasn’t much left in area 5.
Kang-hoo could see something strange.
‘Why didn’t anyone touch it?’
A hunter’s body lay near the rock.
It was definitely dead, slightly decayed.
But he was left near the rock, clutching a dagger with a red glow in his hand.
The skeletons that can be seen around are in a state where everything has been torn off, to the point where even their clothes have disappeared.
Only that corpse was in good condition.
It must have been several days, but there was no sign of it being touched.
If you start running towards the corpse thinking, “That’s right,” you’re in trouble.
But if you are scared and ignore it and just pass by, you are in trouble.
It’s a wise but too safe choice.
‘The Black Indian Army.’
Kang-hoo saw right through it.
With his head bowed low, I could feel traces of mana inside the bulging clothes of the dead corpse.
The ability to track mana, which reacts much more sensitively than other hunters, shines.
It’s a trap.
It is designed to intentionally show items worn by dead hunters and lure other hunters.
And then, led by this, he quickly pounces on the hunter who approaches him, ‘leading’ him to death.
“Let’s give up.”
He shook his head and turned in the opposite direction.
To anyone who saw it, it was the image of a blatant ‘coward’ who felt burdened and seemed to be leaving the scene.
And then, as I was going around a thick tree and trying to change direction,
Saaaa!
I used shadow walking.
The shadow that immediately emerged from Kang-hoo ran towards the corpse, drawing a largely circuitous path.
Pfft!
Kang-hoo, whose timing was perfect, switched positions with his shadow.
In an instant, he moved from behind the tree to in front of the corpse.
It was a move that caught me completely off guard.
Taat!
He immediately snatched the dagger the corpse was holding.
And once again, he used shadow walking, switching positions with the shadow that ran ahead with momentum.
“Ugh.”
I bit my lip hard.
The Shadow Step skill is not only mana-intensive, but also places the greatest strain on the body among the skills available.
What I mean is.
There is a threshold that your body and mind can withstand before mana hypersensitivity is triggered.
The moment you pass that threshold, mana overload is triggered, and Shadow Step has the highest overload value.
If you use it twice in a row, you will immediately pass the critical point. You will immediately fall into a state of mana hypersensitivity.
Of course, it was possible to use the same wit as before thanks to using Shadow Step twice in a row.
Kiheeek! Kiheeek!
The black guide, who was highly intoxicated, created an appearance similar to that of a demon and chased after Kang-hoo.
However, he was unable to keep up with Kang-hoo, who used his movement skills in succession while enduring with his physical and mental strength.
Finally, the black leader gave up the chase after wrapping himself around a thick tree and killing it with an angry expression.
After confirming that it is safe.
I checked the options of the dagger I took from the corpse.
【Border of Massacre – Weapon】
【Rating: 4th grade】
【Strength +100】
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【You are granted the ability to track the devourer. If an opponent is damaged by this weapon, the devourer’s traces will remain for 1 minute even if they hide their presence.】
“Good.”
It’s a useful weapon.
Of course, it is not a ‘graduation’ weapon that you will use forever, but rather a stepping stone until you buy a tier 3 dagger item.
It has much better options, stats, and grades than the Sky’s Ecstasy that I’m using now.
Later, when I got a quote for a 3rd-grade dagger, I thought I could sell the Sky’s Joy and the Boundary of Slaughter.
Anyway, it was a coincidence that wasn’t a coincidence.
Even a 4th grade weapon is worth at least 1 billion won.
“Hmm. Let’s go back again.”
Kang-hoo turned his gaze.
If he was carrying a dagger of this size, he must have been a fairly skilled hunter.
He may have been a criminal, but if not, it seemed like it would be okay to locate the body and collect his belongings.
Things like hunter licenses, smartphones, and ID cards.
Maybe you are a missing person that your family or friends are looking for in the official Hunter community.
Just as there is a bounty on criminals, there is also a reward for missing persons, so I didn’t want to just pass it by.
When I returned, the black leader was no longer there.
Since Kang-hoo took the item to be used as bait, it seems that they decided that there was no longer any value in using the corpse for food.
So Kang-hoo was able to easily collect the belongings from the body.
“Park Min-seong. I don’t know that name.”
The dead hunter’s real name has been confirmed.
I’ve collected everything except the body, so I plan to check it out as soon as I return to Seoul.
* * *
As I moved, I alternated between using the Welcome spell and Shadow Walk to prepare for variables.
Because there are too many monsters hiding in the darkness at Ground Zero.
It’s even harder to find monsters that aren’t like that.
However, the monsters were not smart, and many of them were lured by Kang-hoo’s illusions or shadows and rushed at him.
Thanks to this, Kang-hoo was steadily gaining experience while moving.
I had secretly hoped to get to level 40 before finding my first Mad Solarium, and my wish came true.
I reached level 40 just before I reached that area.
【Quick Evasion】
【Skill Proficiency: Lv. Max】
【You can evade up to 5m in any direction.】
【The ‘Swift’ effect is applied with the maximum proficiency effect, allowing for an immediate evasive maneuver.】
【During evasion maneuver, the effect of the barrier of resistance is activated. Evasion rate for skills increases.】
‘The maximum proficiency perk is new every time I see it. It’s so different from the basic skill in terms of efficiency.’
The corners of Kang-hoo’s mouth twitched.
First of all, the name has changed.
The name of the basic skill at level 40 of the original assassin class is ‘Evasion’.
However, when you get the maximum effect of proficiency, it becomes ‘quick evasion’.
Just like the Acceleration Stab skill was upgraded to the Bleeding Stab skill.
In addition, the distance at which evasive maneuvers are possible has been significantly improved from 1m to 5m.
In addition, a new evasion rate perk has been added that increases resistance to skills while evading.
A higher evasion rate means that the skill is more likely to miss or just graze you.
Skills that make assassins more assassin-like.
I couldn’t help but be satisfied.
“The location was right from the beginning.”
Kang-hoo’s expression distorted as he checked the location where the Mad Solarium flowers were blooming.
The previously bright face was nowhere to be seen, and now had an expression full of discontent.
In the middle of a rock wall that was at least 30 meters high, a mad solarium flower was peeking out.
That wasn’t all.
As designed in the original, there were guards around the Mad Solarium to protect it.
The official name is ‘The Punisher’.
The punisher’s disposition is determined by a random type, and the type guarding this place was an assassin.
Swaaaah.
Soon, a red aura began to surround the Punisher’s body, and the overall aura felt became stronger.
The Punisher’s special characteristic is that its power changes depending on the composition and level of the Hunters present around it.
Of course, this is a special condition as it only applies within a 50m radius from Mad Solarkyum.
There was nothing awkward about it anyway.
Because every dungeon that Kang-hoo has conquered so far has always been two or three times higher in level than his own.
The Punisher will also become stronger, but it will be within the predictable range, so it will not be a problem.
Pfft!
As expected, as a guardian protecting Mad Solarkyum, he rushed towards Kang-hoo first.
It was a move that was faithful to the basic belief of the Assassin class, which is to ensure victory for the player.
【Quick Evasion】
Kang-hoo immediately used quick evasion.
Because there is no situation where this skill is more suitable than now.
The Punisher’s attack was sharp enough to draw an orange line in the dark night sky.
Phew!
The Punisher’s attack only swept past the afterimage of Kang-hoo, who quickly left the spot.
The energy that had been filled with anticipation was momentarily disrupted by the improved evasion rate.
The structure of the assassin vs. assassin battle is quite exciting.
The moment an attack fails, hell unfolds for the loser, who has no choice but to be counterattacked.
The water fight is very important, but right now the Punisher’s first move has completely missed the mark.
So, Kang-hoo, without delay, mixed acceleration and leaping, and rushed straight at the Punisher.
It was a counterattack that came when you were completely cornered and had no time to do anything else.
Kang-hoo added one more skill while the overload was still going strong.
It’s shadow walking.
The shadows that stretched out from behind Kang-hoo drew a large circle and headed towards the punisher.
I honestly focused the Punisher’s gaze on one point and extended my dagger.
at that time.
Sreung!
The Punisher took out another dagger from his bosom and crossed both daggers, forming an X in the air.
‘also.’
The guy wasn’t stupid.
He tried to reverse Kang-hoo’s counterattack, which was intertwined with his own failed attack, with another counterattack.
It was indeed a sensible response worthy of its name.
If he had rushed in without thinking, Kang-hoo’s life would have ended here.
but.
Saaaaak!
At that moment when the X-shaped energy was released forward, Kang-hoo’s position changed to behind the Punisher.
It was a surprising change of position.
Even the Punisher seemed not to have expected this, and hesitated, unable to find Kang-hoo’s location.
At that moment.
“Over here, buddy.”
Pok! Pok pok! Phew! Phew!
Kang-hoo, who had positioned himself perfectly behind him, began stabbing the punisher with his dagger without fail into his neck, shoulders, and the back of his head.
Hell is… … .
It was so close.