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nChapter 52 – Coming To Me On Your Own

nIt’s been a week since I met with Se-Jin.

nSince there was no follow up, I could tell that Se-Jin did not make the report.

nI’ve only delayed the inevitable annoyance I would have to deal with, but time was essential to my growth.

nI couldn’t help but feel relieved.

nAnd if this report made me known to the world, the association as well the government will not leave me alone.

nMy time to train would be decreased as a result.

nNot only would I lose time, but Jin and his group would be able to confirm my growth, which could lead them into acting quicker than if they were left in the dark.

nAll I wanted to do was quietly earn money and laze about…

nLearning about my infinite mana ability, these bugs keep swarming around me.

nIf there is a fly in the room during summertime, it’s obvious one would kill it and proceed to sleep.

nBugs are just bugs.

nRip their wings so they cannot fly.

nAnd step on them to kill them.

n* * * *

nThe day after, I tested out the S ranking skill Formless Sword Aura.

nThe skill wasn’t very complicated.

nIt casted each time I swung Banwol Jincheon.

nOf course I could toggle it on and off as I wished.

nBut why would I toggle it off when I have infinite mana.

nI knew nothing about wielding a sword.

nHowever obtaining this skill allowed me to wield them without any issues.

nI casted the sword aura on the Cerberus found in the level 21 dungeon where magic did not work.

n“Kurur…”

nAs expected of a high ranking monster, it tried to avoid the attack by reading my killing intent.

nI had aimed for its throat, but it received my attack with its back.

nA huge amount of blood spilled from the deep wound, but it did not budge an inch.

nHowever, it could not resist or react to the attack that followed.

n“Ku.. Kaa…”

nExactly as the skill description read. After the first hit, the target cannot read or detect my sword aura for the next attack.

nIt did not have the time to determine where that attack was coming from and avoid it as well.

nIt had to receive my attack with all its senses sealed away.

nThe skill could destroy a level 21 monster in two hits.

nOf course the first one was to apply the skill effect.

nSo really, it only took one attack to take it down.

nFrom the sword to my hand, I could sense the tendons and bones being sliced apart, down to the minute details.

nIt gave me quite the goosebumps.

nAlmost like fighting your first Black Ghost in a dungeon?

nHowever all monsters in the dungeon were just money to me.

nNothing more, nothing less.

nMeteor and Iceberg both have leveled quite a lot.

nI already have Awakened both skills after all.

nAfter reaching level 100, both skills had their cast time and cool downs reduced by half.

nThe 10 minutes it took to both cast and wait for cool down had been reduced to 5 minutes.

nIf I was able to reach level 100 again after Awakening them, I would be able cast them without any cast time or cool downs.

nFire Shock and Gravity Laser had already reached level 100.

nI had now arrived at where I can level up no more.

nI had one Awakened Essence left!

nI was planning to use them on either Formless Sword Aura or Glacial Field, depending on whichever hit level 100 first.

nIf I was able to master A and S ranking skills, I’d be something akin to those cheat-like characters.

n* * * *

nThat’s how my hunting ended for that day.

nTrying to get rid of the disgusting smell covering me, I was heading home.

nOver encumbered with all these Blood Stones, I didn’t think I could be happier right now.

nSince most Awakened avoided this dungeon, the area was quiet and still.

nThe restaurants and bathhouses were quite far away.

nI was turning a dark corner that did not have a street light.

nA bright red light came into view in front of me.

nThat light, I knew that glow.

n‘Jin…’

nI could tell it was Jin at once.

nI could not make out the face, but it was almost as if that disgusting smile was visible.

nEven if this area wasn’t dark, the shadowy mask would be covering it.

nI was half glad to see him.

nI was going to kill him one day. He came on his own.

nI walked towards him.

nSince I had just left the dungeon, the shield from Louver’s set was on.

nAnd I was wearing the Lich King’s armor set.

nI would only take 40% of the damage he dealt.

nCasting all my shields, I walked towards him.

nOne more thing. I believed.

nHe was calmly staying in place.

n“It’s been awhile, kid.”

nHe spoke in a mocking tone, as if taunting me.

nHis eyes were filled with confidence.

nWas it because I wasn’t able to land anything the last time I attacked?

nThere was no way I was going to let him walk away alive today.

nPushing down my anger, I spoke to him.

n“I said you will die the next time we meet. Did you think it was a joke?”

n“Heh. Always a funny kid.”

n“….”

n“The offer to work with us. Did you think about it?”

n“Offer? To take over the world? Not even funny. You know even villains don’t dream about that stuff nowadays?”

n“Going against the flow till the end I see. Can’t be helped I guess.”

n“What. I guess the order from above came? Kill the kitten before it grows into a tiger?”

n“Since you already know, guess there is no need to explain.”

n“Do I look like a kitten to you still?”

nTo my question, he pulled out his weapon.

nHe had never used a weapon before.

nInstead he pressurized the air to use Assassin Weapon Throw before.

nHim using a weapon must be a lot more deadlier.

n“Even if you get in the way, you cannot change the tide.”

n“…”

n“Those with strength take control. Those without can do nothing but follow… Not very different from the current affairs, no?”

nHe took out a short sword the size of an upper arm.

nHe continued while giving out intense amounts of killing intent.

n“Those you tried to protect, even they will bow their heads and wag their tails to the new world.”

n“Did you know you made two huge mistakes. Should I let you know?”

n“….”

n“One. Without knowing your place, you pulled out a weapon in front of me.”

n“Ahaha! Amusing as usual.”

n“Two. I’m one heck of a mama’s boy!”

n“…”

n“ORAAA!”

nFinishing my words, I casted Hold and Bind towards him.

nHis feet was bound tightly, and he could not move at all.

nI stabbed him with Piercing Sword.

nHowever, just as before, only black smoke remained where he was.

nThis wasn’t a dungeon, an area designated by the association, or even the Noblesse guild.

nIf I used anything like Meteor or Iceberg, the ruckus would bring in tons of people.

nWhile hiding his form, I could only listen to the sound of his laughter.

n“Ahahaha! Again, kid.”

n‘I have to kill him quietly. As painfully as possible too.’

nSuddenly.

nAn attack towards my head.

nThe short sword Jin was holding onto was stabbed into my shield.

nIt didn’t take long for the weapon’s form to disappear, as well as the shield to recover.

nHis attacks with a weapon were different from before.

nEven with the 40% damage reduction, he had caused this much damage to my shield.

n‘Awakened Assassin Weapon Throw. His attack skill with a weapon. Such power.’

nA few seconds after the attack, a red glow flew in front of me.

nGoing through all my shields in one hit, the short sword scratched against my armor.

nAiming for the heart and neck, the weapon was stuck into the shoulder plate.

nI was casting Mana Shield.

nIt was definitely a skill beyond ranking.

n“KUHAHA! Seems you’re quite shaken, kid. Is it because the Mana Shield you trusted so much has become useless?”

nHis voice coming from the shadow was filled with confidence.

nRecasting my shields, I grabbed both Banwol Jincheon with one hand.

nIf it was a regular sword like the one made by the blacksmiths, it would not be possible.

nBut the Banwol Jincheon that Gwidon dropped was plenty capable of doing so.

nOnce more came his cross cut attack.

nHe appeared before me again.

n“Are you planning to grab me with your left hand or something?”

n“Looks like you enjoy playing hide and seek. I really dislike running around to catch someone though.”

n“Childish words from someone who’s about to die.”

n“Really?”

nSwinging my 2 stacked swords, it sounded like the air was being cut apart.

nI had casted Formless Sword Aura.

nAs if sneering at my pathetic attempt, he casually hid his form.

nIt was then.

nAlmost like grabbing smoke, I held him by the collar.

n“Wha-at?”

n“Fun huh? Guess hide and seek is over? Now you’re it.”

nIn panic, he attacked in a flurry of slashes and kicks.

nAttacking as if an animal with both feet, trying to rip apart his opponent. Reminded me of a wild animal, maybe like a cat.

nOh well. Without much concern, I slammed him to the ground.

nWith my near 1800 strength, the ground split.

nThe shock made his body go limp, as if a building that lost its foundations.

nHowever there was no need to worry.

nMost assassins raise points into dexterity, so their recovery rate is incredibly high.

nThis kind of injury should heal within moments.

nHe can’t die yet.

n“Ku-kuhuk!”

nRed blood flew from a fit of coughing.

nStill, I did not let go of him.

nWell, it could be fun to let him go so I can catch him again and bring him to near death.

nHowever, I could not waste time, even if this is an area that’s desolate for the moment.

nThe reason why I was able to catch him as he hid his form in the shadows was the Eye of Insight skill that the midget got me.

nA skill used by priests, it gave the user the ability to see through objects.

nIt was used for monsters that used stealth. And for detecting bosses.

nHowever, the skill level needed to be higher than the monster’s skill level for stealth.

nOne amusing thing I found is that this skill did not work on mimics.

nYou could only find it by swinging blindly through the air until you hit something.

nI had gotten the skill to level 100.

nJin’s Shadowstep was either level 100 or something below that.

nUnlike Shadowstep, which gains experience each time it is used, the Eye of Insight gains experience per target hit.

nTo monsters that weren’t using stealth, their weaknesses were revealed.

nIt was, without a doubt, a very useful skill.

nWhat if Jin’s Shadowstep was above level 100? What made me so sure?

nEven if an assassin placed all their points into mana and kept using that skill for 40 years every time it was off cool down, it was impossible to master it.

nAt level 100, it would take 97 million experience to level up or so?

nFrom his mouth, a painful moan came out.

n“Kuhuk! Kuhuh!”

n“There’s no time. Hurry up and heal.”

nFacing the red glow from him, I continued to speak, expressionless.

nIt didn’t take long.

nAlmost as if his neck was realigning, he began to heal back up.

n“Kuh.. how did you…”

n“I’ll start the questions. You don’t have to answer all of it like a good boy. You’ll be telling me everything anyways.”

n“Ku…huh..”

n“Per question, 1 cm.”

n“What… do you mean…?”

n“Every time you avoid my question. The amount of your body that you’ll lose. It’ll be cut away instantly.”

n“….”

nI took off his mask, and stared at him with the eyes of a hunter looking for its prey.

n“Where are they? Where are your bosses at?”

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