The Genius Assassin Who Takes it All Chapter 55

Episode 55: Constellation Test (2)

* * *

Before breaking up with Lee Ye-rin.

Kang-hoo asked to find out about Park Min-seong.

Park Min-seong was the owner of the corpse who was able to obtain the dagger ‘Border of Massacre’ when he went to Ground Zero.

I thought he was a fairly skilled hunter since he was carrying a dagger of this size.

So, I took with me personal belongings like my hunter license, smartphone, and ID card, and remembered the location of the body.

Because you may be 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 they are looking into it.

I offered Lee Ye-rin a generous down payment, but she shook her head and refused.

Since Kang-hoo has been handling requests smoothly so far, he said he would do this job for free.

Yes, it was a favor.

Kang-hoo gladly accepted her offer, as he did not want to turn down her favor.

Since it was a favor that he didn’t ask for and was given to him personally, there’s no need to try to repay it later.

Before taking on the constellation test challenge.

Kang-hoo headed to a modern bar near Pyeongtaek Station to change his mood.

That’s because I wanted to take the constellation test in the most calm state possible.

Kang-hoo’s favorite cocktail, Solarium Burst, doesn’t really have any calming or sedative effects.

The unique emotions and music that can only be felt at a bar always have something to remind me of.

It was a kind of routine, and it was one of the things that Kang-hoo, who was not very stubborn, never gave up on.

The road leading straight ahead.

However, compared to other areas, the area around Pyeongtaek Station, which is relatively stable, was overall well managed without any problems.

Even if you just enter a dark alley, it’s common to see blood or a collapsed person.

There were no particular problems even in areas that were expected to be hot spots.

There were hunters gathered in groups of three or five, smoking cigarettes and whispering, but they didn’t start any fights.

‘The constellation test itself is set to match the level of the hunter taking the challenge anyway, so the level isn’t important.’

There was no level burden.

If the constellation test was set to a certain level, everyone would have leveled up to challenge it.

Then, it would be an easy test for a hunter who has grown enough.

But because it was customized, the perceived difficulty level was always the same no matter when I tried it.

It was really difficult.

It’s not for nothing that the constellations propose constellation tests as a means of eliminating contracts with ‘bad contractors’.

The data showing a 50% survival rate says it all.

One of the two Hunters who wants to become closer to the constellation they made a contract with will inevitably die.

‘But if you don’t pass the test, your growth will eventually stop. It’s inevitable, you know.’

If you don’t want to be satisfied with the present, your relationship with the main constellation you have a contract with must become stronger than it is now.

The fourth constellation privilege that can be unlocked by passing the test?

That too is just the tip of the iceberg.

Higher-ranking constellations, such as Dimensional Robbers, can provide a surprisingly large number of perks.

A bar table that flows naturally like water.

Although it was a bit of a corner, Kang-hoo sat down on a seat with particularly pretty lighting.

Then, a bartender with impressive smoky makeup approached me naturally.

“What would you like?”

“A glass of Solarkyum Burst.”

“uh?”

“hmm?”

At that moment, Kang-hoo and the bartender’s eyes met and stopped for a long time.

They felt familiar with each other. And they both found the reason at the same time.

It was Kang-hoo who spoke first.

“Benny?”

“Club Hades! Last guest!”

“That’s amazing.”

“Wow! Were you okay that day?”

“Thanks to you.”

The day a large-scale kidnapping incident occurred at Club Hades.

It was bartender Benny who made Kang-hoo one last cocktail and ran away from the club.

I was vaguely worried about what would happen to him alone, but fortunately, it seemed he escaped safely.

“Isn’t it too strange for a coincidence?”

“That’s what fate is like.”

“Wow… … I’ll buy the first glass! I always felt bad about it because I gave away the Solar Ki-um Burst I made that day!”

“The cocktail was well made, but the glass was broken so I couldn’t taste it.”

“Oh, really?”

“I had really bad luck.”

Kang-hoo chuckled as he recalled the cocktail glass that had been shattered by an ashtray that had flown in from somewhere at the time.

In a series of unlikely coincidences, the cocktail glass shattered in a spectacular way.

How bad it felt.

Even now, the memory comes back to me as clearly as if it had just happened.

Kang-hoo continued speaking.

“I don’t accept gifts. Instead, I’ll give this as a separate tip.”

Kang-hoo tipped her the price of a glass of Solarkyum Burst.

It’s become a habit to always tip the bartender appropriately and listen to various information.

Unless you’re in a place like a club, this kind of tipping and information sharing culture is actually pretty non-existent…

Since Kang-hoo was very accustomed to living in the shadows, he was also familiar with the order and unspoken rules of that world.

“Haha. I won’t decline.”

“It’s good to see you looking healthy.”

“Yes. I was really lucky. By the way, did you go to the place I told you about?”

The ‘place’ where Benny had his luck was the dungeon located on the 7th basement floor of Club Hades.

At that time, I had it in my memory, but it was fading away because I didn’t think I had any reason to go there.

In the first place, Club Hades itself is owned by Eclipse, so the accessibility is close to zero.

I wondered if it was worth taking the risk of going there without even knowing what it was.

But seeing as Benny brings it up again, it seems like he has some more specific information.

“No. I don’t really have any ties to Club Hades. It wouldn’t be easy to approach. Is there something?”

“Yes. It’s true that there’s a dungeon on the 7th basement floor, but they say no one has ever been in it.”

“Why? If that’s the case, there must be more than one or two hunters rushing in with their eyes lit up.”

Dungeons located in secret locations tend to arouse a curiosity in hunters that they didn’t have before.

Since it’s a club owned by Eclipse, it would be natural for Eclipse to send a hunter.

Is there a reason?

“It seems like there’s no point in entering at all. There’s no level restriction, nor is there a number of people restriction.”

“Have you heard any stories?”

“I overheard a conversation between two hunters who tried to enter but failed. They said it seemed to be a mana problem.”

“ah.”

Only then did it become expected.

It appears to be a dungeon that requires a huge amount of mana as an entrance fee.

Officially, it is called the Limitless Mana dungeon.

What I mean is.

The structure is such that the door will open only when the hunter trying to enter pours in a large amount of mana.

This means that hunters who cannot afford or supply that much mana will never be able to enter.

This was impossible with the mana emanating from the magic stone, so the hunter’s mana was absolutely necessary.

‘This is the embodiment of the unconscious.’

Kang-hoo smiled bitterly.

This was one of the dungeon concepts that I only thought of in my head in the original, but it was properly implemented.

“So it looks like no one got in. I heard that even the captain couldn’t get in.”

It was an interesting story.

If you’re talking about the captain, you’re probably talking about Kang Dong-hyun, but if even he couldn’t get in…

I had a feeling that this might be a dungeon that requires at least 500 mana.

‘I think I could do it.’

Kang-hoo’s eyes lit up.

If only he could take care of the pain caused by congenital mana hypersensitivity, he could pay the entrance fee.

Because if you can just buy time, you can draw in and supply mana in near infinite amounts.

It’s not the mana stat that matters. It’s whether you can keep replenishing your mana.

It was quite easy for Kang-hoo, who could practically obtain infinite mana due to the activation of Mana Hypersensitivity.

‘It’s an opportunity.’

I got a feeling.

If it’s a dungeon that no one can enter, you won’t have to worry about being chased once you enter.

Of course, the problem is that you have to enter a building under Eclipse jurisdiction.

Once you enter the dungeon, there is absolutely no need to worry about being disturbed by anyone inside.

And if it’s a Limitless Mana Dungeon, the rewards are bound to be very good overall.

Because entry is limited, internal attacks are extremely rare, so overall rewards are strengthened.

There is a reason why top hunters search for hidden dungeons or dungeons that others don’t know about.

The first raid, or the raid after a long time, gives higher rewards and experience points. There is a reason for this.

“That’s good information.”

Kang-hoo handed over ten more 50,000 won bills. They were extra tips.

“Oh my. Is this enough information to warrant a tip?”

Benny quickly took the tip while smiling bashfully. The fickle customer’s mind could change at any moment.

Kang-hoo answered with a smile.

“Who. It depends on how you use it.”

* * *

The next morning.

The constellation test has begun.

Perhaps because I had a good night’s sleep, my condition was better than ever.

【I hope you can prove your character.】

At the start, the Dimensional Robber sent Kang-hoo a restrained, yet expectant message.

Considering her personality, it’s actually closer to fervent cheering.

It means that you will definitely succeed.

‘The first debut stage standing in front of numerous constellations.’

Kang-hoo scratched the back of his head, feeling awkward as if he was in the middle of a huge stage.

The surroundings were filled with light pouring in from all directions, making it impossible to focus one’s gaze anywhere.

The lights symbolize the constellations.

In other words, the place where Kang-hoo was was like the center of the stage at Jamsil Main Stadium.

Here, a large audience, that is, the constellations, are watching.

This is what is called a showcase.

The constellation test can be watched by any constellation that wishes to participate in the viewing.

It’s kind of like a public exam.

So, in this, every move is shared.

【The constellation ‘Master of Mobile Warfare’ has no doubts about your skills and sends you his enthusiastic support.】

【The constellation ‘Apostle of Justice’ believes in your extraordinary abilities. He proudly boasts that he is a sub-patron.】

【The constellation ‘Fighter of Chaos’ is an unlucky contractor, but I can definitely say that he has skills.】

Perhaps because many constellations are watching.

The constellations that had a connection with Kang-hoo or were bound by contracts due to the usurpation of the constellation each raised their voices.

Although the methods were different, they were ultimately words that acknowledged Kang-hoo’s considerable skills.

Is that why?

The already dazzling beam of light has become much brighter.

It seems that the viewing of the constellation is increasing.

“after.”

Kang-hoo, who rarely gets nervous, took a deep breath and relaxed his body again.

If you make yourself known to the constellations now, you will have many opportunities to benefit in the future.

It’s a pivotal moment.

and.

【The Dimensional Robber summoned the black ideology, ‘Flazellum’, for testing.】

The subject announcing the start of the constellation test was summoned onto the stage, and at the same time, an arrow pointing somewhere off the stage was activated.

【Run at full speed to where the red dot is located.】

【You cannot kill Flagellum until you arrive, his whip will crush your soul.】

“The Fugitive and the Pursuer.”

It was a test with a clear concept.