Chapter 253: Celestial Assassin’s Test (5)

The Genius Assassin Who Takes it All

Many conversations were exchanged between the two.

Sometimes, soft dialogue flowed, while at other times, provocative topics elicited sharp reactions from the Celestial Assassin.

Kang-hoo maintained proper decorum toward the Celestial Assassin throughout, but he did not hold back or hide what he wanted to say.

He wasn’t intimidated by the elder’s intense voice because he knew it wasn’t raised maliciously.

On the contrary, the Celestial Assassin seemed to raise his voice to observe Kang-hoo’s reactions and expressions closely.

It was as if he was assessing the young man’s composure, cunningness, and clarity of conviction.

Though it appeared to be a casual conversation, in truth, this was another form of a continuous test.

For Kang-hoo, expressing his thoughts as they were was not a challenge.

The Celestial Assassin could also sense unembellished sincerity in Kang-hoo’s words.

It was as if he were looking at a mirror reflection, reminiscent of his younger self.

Showing respect to seniors and mentors yet firmly speaking his mind. Never retreating.

Every time the elder saw Kang-hoo, he felt an uncanny yet pleasant familiarity.

He had expected to feel unpleasant seeing someone similar to himself, but instead found it endearing.

The Celestial Assassin asked,

“Let me change the question. What do you want to learn from me?”

“What do you wish to teach me?” Kang-hoo replied.

A question answered with a question.

Since the elder had a prepared answer, he responded immediately.

“I want to enhance your aggressiveness.”

“What do you mean by aggressiveness?” Kang-hoo tilted his head slightly.

He thought he was already adopting an aggressive stance, but apparently, it wasn’t enough in the elder’s eyes.

“You’re currently trying to cover both offense and defense, which has dulled your spear. You probably don’t realize it.”

“I actually thought I had become sharper than before.”

“It’s true that your defensive abilities are far superior to other assassins and that you possess excellent skills.”

“……”

“But an assassin’s job ultimately ends when they sever their target’s breath up close. Wouldn’t cutting an apple with a sharp knife preserve its flesh and taste better than with a dull blade?” 𝐫𝘼Ꞑȱ𝖇Èṡ

“Hmm… I admit, trying to have it all ironically means I ended up with less.”

Kang-hoo conceded.

Even earlier during the elder’s tests, there were instances where he could have acted more aggressively.

What if the Wall of Perfection hadn’t been there?

Without that safety net, he would have sought more proactive responses, even at the risk of danger.

But trusting in the Wall of Perfection, he focused on defense, adopting a passive position.

The elder was pointing out precisely this issue.

“Faith provides certainty, but sometimes, that direction doesn’t suit the situation. Based on your skills earlier, had you attacked assertively from the start, the situation would have resolved more quickly.”

“I understand what you mean.”

“I prefer to stab twice rather than block once and stab once. I will teach you with this principle in mind.”

His words seemed to awaken the instincts of a beast, and Kang-hoo felt elated.

The essence of an assassin is offense.

Defense is a supplementary concept, not the foundation or core. Kang-hoo fully agreed with the elder’s philosophy.

The elder drained his teacup in one go.

It seemed he had something significant to say, as he cleared his throat and adjusted his voice.

“Your name is Shin Kang-hoo, correct?”

“Yes.”

“Do you truly want to be my disciple?”

“As I mentioned earlier, I’ve been searching for a mentor who could guide me for a long time.”

“In that case, I’d like to receive a promise from you. I won’t ask for a contract or a blood oath, but I want a promise from your heart.”

“Please, go ahead.”

“Can you promise me that I will be your first and last lifelong mentor? If so, I will accept you as my disciple.”

“I promise.”

“You didn’t hesitate for even a second to answer.”

“Yes. That has been my intention from the beginning.”

Kang-hoo’s words were sincere.

Apart from the Celestial Assassin, there was no one else he desired to learn from as an assassin.

There were many skilled assassins worldwide from whom he could adopt certain techniques or traits.

But the Celestial Assassin was the only assassin from whom Kang-hoo wanted to learn everything from start to finish. That would remain unchanged.

“Good. Then once I return from China, I will train and guide you where I see fit.”

“What takes you to China?”

“I originally came here for leisure, but that fellow detained me to refine bile extract, which wasted my time.”

“Ah…”

“If I am to stay in Korea for a while, I need to be prepared. There’s much to arrange and some people I must bring over.”

“I understand.”

If he was referring to people he needed to bring, it was likely the person guarding the elder’s residence.

Just as Moon Hyeong-seo stayed by Yooly Land or Hwang Bo-hye accompanied Kang-hoo, the Celestial Assassin also had a trusted aide.

“Let’s formally establish our master-disciple bond when I return. I want to bring about significant changes in you.”

“I will do my utmost to meet your expectations. Thank you. I will give my all to honor your name.”

“You’d better. The moment you disgrace my name, your life ends with it. Got it?”

“Of course.”

For a brief moment, Kang-hoo saw a faint smile flicker across the elder’s face before disappearing.

Before meeting him, Kang-hoo had only thought of him as a cold-blooded, ruthless person without a shred of warmth.

Meeting him in person, Kang-hoo found that he had a more emotional side and a varied tone of expression, giving him a sense of vitality.

Unlike himself, who always appeared detached, the Celestial Assassin had a different presence. He wasn’t of the same type.

Kang-hoo was trembling.

What would it feel like to have such a master?

How immense was the joy of knowing you could learn no matter what you did?

Kang-hoo was eager to receive guidance from the Celestial Assassin.

He was ready to endure any hardship if it meant becoming a better assassin.

This resolve had never wavered since the moment he awakened to this world.

K, hearing the Celestial Assassin’s confirmation that a master-disciple relationship had been established, seemed deeply moved, his eyes brimming with tears.

To K, the Celestial Assassin seemed as lonely as Kang-hoo, someone who always preferred solitude.

He was overjoyed that such a person now had a disciple to whom he could open his heart.

“Are you tearing up like some menopausal fool?”

“Hyung-nim, could you at least give me a moment to hold onto the sentiment? That way, the tears might stop.”

“Stop crying and, when I contact you again from China, prepare a place for me to stay.”

“Of course. You’ve been through a lot. I’m glad to see my thoughts weren’t in vain.”

“Thank you. Thanks to your consideration, I’ve found a new path. It’s overwhelming.”

Kang-hoo’s hands trembled—not from fear, but from a pleasant anticipation born of the unknown.

Then, the Celestial Assassin glanced at the bracelet on Kang-hoo’s wrist and frowned slightly as he asked,

“That looks like a modified item. Am I right?”

“Yes, it is.”

“It feels like something you got from that Kim Shin-ryeong fellow. Am I correct?”

“Yes.”

“What’s your relationship with him?”

“I assist with his summoning beast training and, in return, request special material crafting. That’s all.”

“Hmm…”

“I’m merely seeking methods and means to grow stronger. There’s no other meaning behind it.”

Kang-hoo was aware of the Celestial Assassin’s hostility toward Kim Shin-ryeong, but he didn’t bother lying.

He knew it would be pointless. Honesty was better, and showing his true self was preferable.

Upon hearing Kang-hoo’s response, the Celestial Assassin didn’t pursue the matter further and instead changed the subject.

“From the moment I first saw you, I noticed something unusual about the flow of mana being drawn to you.”

“Should I explain?” K asked, looking at Kang-hoo.

K could explain Kang-hoo’s Innate Mana Sensitivity more theoretically and simply.

Kang-hoo nodded.

A series of conversations followed.

They discussed the efforts and failures Kang-hoo and K had faced and the methods they planned to try again.

The Celestial Assassin listened attentively and wore a bitter expression after K’s explanation ended.

“I have no guesses for a solution here. This seems like the most extreme mutation among mutations.”

“Yes, Hyung-nim. However, if mastered well, it can be a defining advantage that links to his exceptional skills.”

“I’ll think and research this further. The ability to absorb mana… I’m envious. Don’t misunderstand; it’s not ridicule.”

“Understood.”

Kang-hoo nodded.

He didn’t expect a solution.

Just the fact that they cared about his unique trait, which was both a strength and a handicap, was enough.

If curing Innate Mana Sensitivity meant losing his defining characteristic?

Kang-hoo had no intention of seeking a cure. He wouldn’t abandon the trait that defined him.

Thus ended the short but profound meeting between the Celestial Assassin, K, and Kang-hoo.

The Celestial Assassin boarded a flight to China, and K disappeared to handle his backlog of work.

Kang-hoo returned to Seoul.

Just then, a message from the Groo Guild arrived. They had completed their dungeon raid preparations and requested his time.

With everything aligning smoothly, there was no downtime—a situation Kang-hoo welcomed.

Riding in a secure limousine back to Seoul Station, Kang-hoo prepared to head straight to Jeju Island.

Having completed his conversation with Park Dong-jae, he was ready to depart immediately.

At that moment.

“Was it the Abyss or Ground Zero?”

Kim Hee-woon reviewed his surveillance notes, having confirmed Kang-hoo’s return to Seoul via a secure limousine.

He had secretly followed Kang-hoo earlier, noting his departure from Seoul Station.

The lack of traffic along his route had forced Kim to halt his car surveillance midway to avoid detection.

He anticipated Kang-hoo’s return to Seoul Station and waited, but Kang-hoo returned earlier than expected.

The fact that he took a secure limousine suggested there was a significant reason behind it.

Kim narrowed down Kang-hoo’s possible destinations to two: the Abyss or Ground Zero.

Since Kang-hoo didn’t have a fixed residence, his movements were unpredictable—a nightmare scenario for someone trying to track him.

“I should start by investigating the limousine driver. At least I’ll know where he went.”

Rather than merely tailing Kang-hoo, Kim Hee-woon decided to focus on networking and finding associated individuals.

Understanding who Kang-hoo interacted with would reveal his tendencies and objectives.

For instance:

“If he’s associated with the Abyss, then he’s as good as dead.”

This meant he could be immediately identified as an enemy. After all, the Jeonghwa Guild’s greatest nemesis was the Abyss.