The Genius Assassin Who Takes it All

Kang-hoo met Han Seung-hyeok.

Facing Han Seung-hyeok, who maintained an utterly submissive attitude, Kang-hoo didn’t forget to act generously.

If Han Seung-hyeok had no utility, such an attitude would have been a reason to dismiss him outright.

But things were different now.

Han Seung-hyeok was a hunter responsible for the management and coordination of dungeons owned by the Onnuri Guild.

This meant that the money Kang-hoo gave Han Seung-hyeok directly translated into access to the guild’s dungeons.

Thus, the investment wasn’t wasteful.

Kang-hoo, who had plenty of money but no dungeons, and Han Seung-hyeok, who had dungeon access but no money—

Their interests aligned perfectly, making it a win-win situation for both.

“Health insurance fees.”

“Pardon?”

“Since overworking must be routine with managing the guild’s dungeons, don’t skimp on your health care.”

“Ah…! So that’s what it’s for! Thank you!”

Han Seung-hyeok quickly stuffed the wad of cash Kang-hoo handed him into his suit pocket.

Though this money was entirely for Han Seung-hyeok’s personal use, it served a greater purpose.

Even obtaining the rights to one dungeon could guarantee acquiring skills.

Dungeons invariably contained mid-bosses and main bosses, meaning at least two skills were assured.

Considering that the value of a single skill could easily reach billions or even tens of billions,

The few hundred million won Kang-hoo was pouring into Han Seung-hyeok’s pockets was nothing in comparison.

“You’ll always receive an extra 20% on top of the officially set license rental fee. If you cleverly reduce the rental fee, the difference is yours to keep.”

Though Han Seung-hyeok looked older due to his naturally aged appearance, the balance of power in their conversation was different.

In the hunter world, power and money dictated hierarchy, and to Han Seung-hyeok, the wealthy Kang-hoo was an eternal “hyungnim.”

While Han Seung-hyeok was busy counting the bills, Kang-hoo added in a low voice:

“But if I catch you manipulating the set prices, you’ll face retroactive consequences for every trick you’ve pulled.”

“Oh, no way! That won’t happen! I’ll periodically share the rental fees with you.”

Kang-hoo preferred monetary discussions.

Han Seung-hyeok, for his part, was a moderately corrupt manager—just enough to safeguard his position while avoiding unnecessary greed.

Han Seung-hyeok asked:

“What kind of dungeon are you looking for? I can guide you toward the one with the most relevant keywords.”

“Are you familiar with the specifics of all the dungeons owned by the Onnuri Guild?”

“Who sells their own goods without knowing them? Of course, I am.”

“Then, I want a dungeon that’s level 300 to 400 and can be tackled solo.”

“…Excuse me?”

“Did you not hear me?”

“Ah, no, I was just wondering if your standards might be set too high.”

To “solo” a dungeon of level 300 or higher, a hunter had to be at least level 400.

And even then, only highly skilled level 400 hunters could manage it.

In fact, the Onnuri Guild had only a handful of hunters capable of soloing such dungeons.

“It seems my generous payment is making your thoughts more complicated. Makes me wonder if I made a mistake.”

“No, not at all! I spoke out of turn! There is such a dungeon! It’s just that it’s been neglected for a while.”

At Kang-hoo’s calm yet pointed warning, Han Seung-hyeok ceased overthinking and focused on his purpose.

He quickly pulled out a file and handed over information about a dungeon with an intriguing title:

“Mystery Dungeon.”

It was a type of dungeon similar to those previously encountered with members of the Myeongga Guild.

The hunter who first discovered the dungeon held the key to entering it.

Moreover, its internal layout changed entirely with every entry, rendering strategy guides meaningless.

Apparently, such a dungeon was among the Onnuri Guild’s assets.

Han Seung-hyeok explained:

“In fact, it’s never been cleared. However, from exploration attempts, we’ve gauged its level to be around that range.”

“So, you’re saying repeated forays into the entrance have determined that the initial monsters are at that level?”

“Yes, exactly! Actually, we were about to outsource it to the Myeongga Guild for clearing, but…”

“What’s the rental fee?”

“Two billion won!”

Without a word, Kang-hoo pulled out the Fallen Conviction dagger from his pocket and toyed with it, causing Han Seung-hyeok’s face to turn pale.

“But! Since it’s currently too difficult to handle, entry will be free of charge.”

“I’ll make sure you earn plenty of commission, so don’t bother trying to upsell me. This is your last warning.”

“Understood. Thank you.”

“Let’s avoid unnecessary effort on both sides.”

“Yes! At any rate, the dungeon is ready for immediate entry. The key-holding hunter is on standby as well.”

“I’d prefer not to have any companions.”

“The key-holder will simply guide you in and then leave immediately. No re-entry will occur.”

“How will the rental process be handled?”

“I’ll outsource it. No complicated records will be kept.”

Han Seung-hyeok implied that there would be no formal record of Kang-hoo leasing the dungeon license.

Instead, the guild would only log a simple entry indicating that a troublesome dungeon had been outsourced.

Although Kang-hoo didn’t mind the Onnuri Guild knowing about his existence, he preferred not to leave traces everywhere unnecessarily.

If he had to, he would—but if avoidance was possible, it was only natural to minimize such traces.

Thunk!

Kang-hoo threw a bundle of 500 million won from his backpack onto the table.

Even after spending money like this, Kang-hoo’s bank account still proudly displayed a balance of 263 billion won.

Unless he bought extremely expensive items, Kang-hoo found that spending money was harder than earning it.

“Keep up the good work from now on.”

“Of course, hyungnim!”

At Kang-hoo’s dependable words, Han Seung-hyeok bowed at a perfect 90-degree angle.

In Han Seung-hyeok’s straightforward way of thinking, a hunter with money was a hyungnim, a senior, and a respected client.

As Han Seung-hyeok promised, the hunter from the Onnuri Guild, who served as the key, only entered the dungeon with Kang-hoo and then promptly left.

Although Kang-hoo didn’t think Han Seung-hyeok would try anything foolish, he wasn’t willing to trust him completely either.

【Third Eye】

【Install a third eye at a designated point to share its field of vision.

The third eye is invisible due to its transparent form, but it is highly sensitive to mana flow and easily breakable.】

Kang-hoo installed the eye.

Since there was no need to monitor other areas, he aimed its vision toward the dungeon entrance.

Separate from the view of his two eyes, the entrance’s sight naturally streamed into his mind.

Initially, Kang-hoo worried this might cause confusion in processing information, but his concerns were unfounded.

It felt like viewing a minimap in a strategy game or a split screen in a broadcast.

“This is great. The vision is clear, and it feels like I’ve set up a live CCTV feed.”

It seemed like a skill he could continue using for its high value.

If he needed to monitor the rear, lacking such a skill would mean relying on manpower.

Every hunter who understood the importance of conserving manpower knew how invaluable saving “just one person” could be.

Squeeze.

Kang-hoo gripped the Fallen Conviction dagger with his left hand.

Until a fight required his utmost effort, he planned to primarily use his left hand.

The reason was simple.

Specializing in one hand became a “habit” over time.

For example, an assassin who always used a dagger with their right hand would inevitably attack from the right side.

This meant that:

For an opponent, the ideal counter was to strike from the left while dealing with the outer attacks.

“I should add another option to my training regimen.”

The additional option was aggressive evasion.

Aggressive evasion meant dodging an attack not backward, but forward.

This was important because the act of dodging itself directly transitioned into a counterattack.

Normal evasion ended with dodging, leaving the opponent free to continue attacking.@@novelbin@@

In contrast, aggressive evasion not only dodged but also shifted the momentum to Kang-hoo, opening more strategic choices.

“The battle with the Brood Queen taught me a lot.”

That fight had been highly stimulating.

Although he used Mad Solarkium and Potion of Transcendence to win, Kang-hoo didn’t think it was normal to rely on such methods.

Of course, being in the mid-200 level range while aiming so high might be unrealistic for now.

The Brood Queen, after all, was close to level 500.

But aiming high would help Kang-hoo hold his own against level 300 or 400 hunters.

Why?

Because hunters, unlike monsters, could boost themselves using stimulants or drugs.

Skill or potion-based enhancements weren’t exclusive to Kang-hoo; they were variables anyone could employ.

That’s why he maintained a high standard. This way, he wouldn’t be caught off guard by power differences in the future.

“What skills might I find?”

With curiosity-filled eyes, Kang-hoo faded into invisibility and disappeared somewhere.

He wasn’t interested in small fry.

His only goal was to quickly reach the mid-boss or main boss and fiercely steal their skills.

Two hours later.

“This is fun, really fun.”

Kang-hoo was thoroughly enjoying the dungeon’s increasing gravitational pressure.

It felt as though he had entered a training chamber, his body growing heavier as he advanced.

This forced him to use his acceleration skills more frequently and intensely than he had planned.

Moreover, adapting his body to the gravitational pressure required him to develop more effective postures.

Every step of this process was fascinating.

The value was immense.

Some hunters possessed abilities to implement gravity-based attacks.

Thus, the strengthening of gravity wasn’t an improbable environment but a variable one that could be encountered at any time.

“This is why Mystery Dungeons are called unexplored, fun lotteries.”

While such challenges could be grueling trials for others, for Kang-hoo, they were exhilarating stimuli.

Experiences like this were rare.

After defeating the mid-boss, Kang-hoo checked the skill he had acquired.

The boss wielded a spear, and though Kang-hoo thought it might be difficult to handle, the enemy had more gaps than expected.

【Fire Dragon Spear】

【Skill Proficiency: Lv. Max】

“I like the name.”

As the name suggested, the skill revolved around spear combat.

Thanks to his hypersensitivity, Kang-hoo had already grasped the basics of spear techniques despite never practicing them before.

Plus, he had the Lance of Might, an item he had taken from Heo Jeong-tae.

So, without further complications, he could immediately test the skill’s firepower.

【Lance of Might – Weapon】

【Grade: 4】

【Strength +100】

【Allows the lance’s length to be freely adjusted, up to a set maximum.】 Kang-hoo pulled the Lance of Might from his pack, extended it to its maximum length, and activated the Fire Dragon Spear. Р𝘈Ｎồ฿Εȿ

At that moment—

Whoosh!

A massive flaming dragon coiled around the lance, spewing fierce flames and emanating overwhelming energy.

It was clear.

The Fire Dragon Spear was imbued with the fury of a dragon, capable of incinerating and melting everything in its path.