The Genius Assassin Who Takes it All

The decision had been clear from the start:

To forge a bond.

Owing a debt for his nephew’s life, Lee Hyun-seok couldn’t possibly dismiss the offer.

What began as a simple invitation to tea, Kang-hoo intended to transform into a lasting relationship.

“Would that suffice?”

“To meet someone like Mr. Lee Hyun-seok in person, it’s worth billions, not just millions.”

“Haha. I would never have imagined such a proposal. Isn’t it quite modest for saving my nephew?”

Lee Hyun-seok’s response was precisely what Kang-hoo had hoped for, instilling a sense of obligation yet gratitude.

These feelings would ensure that their connection remained alive and active.

“Alright. Let’s schedule tea soon and talk about more constructive topics.”

“Thank you.”

“Words alone are empty, so I’ll give you this.”

Lee Hyun-seok produced a small plaque from his pocket and presented it to Kang-hoo. This was the ‘Blood Oath’.

It featured a crimson background with a deep, abyssal design, and Lee Hyun-seok’s signature was etched into it.

With this, Kang-hoo could call for a meeting at any time, facilitating private conversations.

Typically, a Blood Oath was bestowed only upon those with whom one shared a profound connection. For Kang-hoo to receive one was a significant gesture.

Jeon Se-hyuk likely owned one as well, considering his tight bond with Lee Hyun-seok.

“I’ll reach out soon.”

“Here’s my contact.”

Lee Hyun-seok passed him a business card.

It bore his private number.

Framed in gold, the card was evidently meant for exclusive, direct communication.

In other words, a number reserved for the most important individuals.

Should the last digits on Kang-hoo’s card read 0001,

The subsequent individual would have a card ending with 0002.

In such a case, if 0001 were to be leaked, the fault would clearly lie with Kang-hoo.

Thus, Lee Hyun-seok displayed trust but simultaneously set a test.

Should someone else ring using the number on this card, Kang-hoo’s trustworthiness would shatter instantly.

“I will contact you.”

“Thank you. Next time, I’ll ensure Su-hyun properly expresses his gratitude and apology.”

“No need, but I won’t refuse.”

Kang-hoo replied with a smile.

Thus, Kang-hoo established a firm connection with Lee Hyun-seok.

He had an exclusive meeting with a man hard for even notable hunters to approach.

The strategic value of this relationship promised a more exciting future.

‘I should head to Daejeon Station now.’

Kang-hoo’s gaze shifted toward the KTX Pohang Station.

It was time to board the train to Daejeon Station.

To Club Hades. To uncover the secrets of its seventh basement.

At that moment,

Shin Jun-ho, the leader of Ebony Bone, was furiously speaking to a hastily summoned man.

“I don’t care about the gloves. The woman who stole them will be found. But this guy, I want him caught and killed.”

“From the video alone, it’s hard to identify him…”

The man, listening to Shin Jun-ho’s words, nodded while crossing his arms.

Unlike Shin Jun-ho, who covered half his face with a skull mask, the man wore no such disguise.

Instead, his face had a peculiar look.

Was it the expressionless look, or the lack of focus? It felt like looking at the fake face of an emotionless machine.

People who knew this man, including Shin Jun-ho, didn’t call him by his name but by the nickname ‘The Fixer’.

With a 99% success rate in missions.

Although expensive, once he was hired, he almost always completed his assignments successfully.

Shin Jun-ho continued speaking.

“I really want to catch this guy who helped her. Not to kill him, but I’m too curious about his abilities.”

“He disappeared out of the liberation zone in one go, you mean.”

“Exactly. Vanished without a trace. Since then, he hasn’t been spotted on any CCTV within the zone.”

Shin Jun-ho harbored both anger and interest towards this mysterious masked man.

After evaluating the situation, it seemed certain that the man possessed a skill for covering incredible distances.

Shin Jun-ho’s contracted constellation allowed him to absorb some abilities or skills by consuming a hunter’s flesh.

Meaning, if he could find Kang-hoo and ‘consume’ him, he might acquire this spatial movement ability.

He thought it would not matter to lose a second-grade glove item in this case.

The value of the skill Kang-hoo used to save Min Su-hyun was significant.

Abilities involving time and space increased in value with their impact.

The Fixer, having grasped the context and flow of the situation, spoke up.

Moving his lips minimally, he emitted an uncanny, inhuman vibe.

“Then, the current fee won’t suffice.”

“Damn money-grubber…”

“Whether I accept the job or not is my choice. Doesn’t seem like a good response.”

“Let’s hear why it’s tough with the current fee. Why?”

“There’s no information about the man. Apart from his spatial movement ability, nothing else is known.”

“Even with support from our Ebony Bone, that’s no help?”

“Useless.”

If any other hunter had spoken to Shin Jun-ho like this, their head would have met the ground by now.

But as a capable Fixer who had significantly helped Ebony Bone, he couldn’t do that.

Shin Jun-ho said resignedly.

“Fine. What will it take?”

“The fee will be an advance payment. I’ll send an estimate; pay it first.”

“Alright, do that.”

“Wait a moment.”

The Fixer slowly walked to where Kang-hoo had been, eyes closed, sensing something.

He had the ability to track and empathize with mana traces, a kind of spiritual power.

It was derived from his constellation but also synergized well with his innate nature.

“Heh.”

The Fixer showed an intrigued expression.

He saw it—the trace and intensity Kang-hoo left behind.

“What do you see?”

“A very reliable constellation is backing him up. The scary part is, he’s not afraid of that constellation.”

“Is he crazy?”

“Crazy and great are just a hair’s breadth apart. My feeling is the latter. This will be interesting. Very interesting…”

The Fixer, with a rotten smile showing his curiosity, looked as if he were gazing into an uncanny valley.

Shin Jun-ho had sensed that the man who saved the woman was extraordinary.

This was actually a good thing.

If the Fixer could catch him, then Shin Jun-ho could steadily take that ability.

As always, this was what made Shin Jun-ho the leader of the Ebony Bone.

It was also the reason why the Kimcheon Liberation Area had come under their control.

“I feel a strong pull.”

A smile crept onto the Fixer’s otherwise expressionless face.

It was a smile that only appeared when he sensed an interesting, powerful presence.

Knowing the caliber of hunters that piqued the Fixer’s interest, Shin Jun-ho became intrigued by this sudden change in expression.

Who could this person be?

“Make the payment. I’ll start the chase immediately.”

The Fixer was already fired up.

“Coming from the liberation zone, Daejeon Station seems like a safe haven where one can stretch their legs and sleep.”

Arriving at Daejeon Station, Kang-hoo chuckled at the scenery, which felt undeniably safer compared to the liberation zone.

Indeed, it was safer.

In the liberation zone, finding the bodies of dead hunters shortly after entering was not uncommon.

But at least in front of Daejeon Station, there were no corpses. Of course, there were quite a few menacing hunters around.

Especially hunters from Eclipse were easy to spot.

‘Hades is now under the control of Eclipse, making access somewhat troublesome…’

Yet, he wanted to go.

The Limitless Mana Dungeon, where entry required massive amounts of mana.

If it was a dungeon that had been discovered but remained unentered, the rewards inside must be significant.

Once inside, getting out would not be an issue for Kang-hoo, thanks to his constellation’s ability to move through space.

A skill so effective that he considered the Dimension Plunderer irreplaceable by any other constellation.

Just then, his phone rang.

He hadn’t mentioned coming to Daejeon Station, could it be a woman’s intuition?

“Yeah, Seo-yeon.”

It was Han Seo-yeon calling.

She had invited him to her house.

During their dating days, Kang-hoo often visited her home, so it wasn’t awkward for him.

He wondered why she had suddenly called, but there was a reason. She had officially joined the Jeonghwa Guild.

That meant she was scouted from the satellite guild ‘Haeohwa’, recognized for her skills.

Like being called up from the minors to the majors in professional sports, it was a naturally joyous occasion.

He understood her happiness, but from Kang-hoo’s perspective, it felt like a twist of fate.

His ex-girlfriend now belonged to what might become his greatest adversary. Could things get more tangled?

‘No need to overthink. It’s not like I’m destined to fight Seo-yeon.’

He decided to worry about it when the time came.

Upon entering Han Seo-yeon’s house, Kang-hoo took off his coat and drank the sparkling water she offered.

Thirsty, he found the drink refreshingly cool, and she began the conversation with a smile.

“You seem to have changed a lot since I last saw you. I can feel a strong mana aura even here.”

“Your flattery has improved.”

“No, really! I mean it. You know I’m quite sensitive to mana.”

“That’s true.”

“You’re different from when we met after escaping Cheongmyeong Detention Center. You seem much stronger. Significantly so.”

“A lot has happened.”

Kang-hoo nodded, recalling the past. Indeed, many things had happened.

The changes he had undergone were apparently noticeable even to those close to him.

Han Seo-yeon had always been sensitive to his slightest gaze and emotional shifts during their relationship.

Given her perceptiveness, it wasn’t surprising she had noticed the changes.

“I didn’t think you would come.”

“Why?”

“You always try to keep a distance. So, this place must be the most uncomfortable for you, right?”

“What if you think of it differently? If there’s no burden of distance, it’s not necessarily uncomfortable.”

“Are you saying not to come closer?”

“We just have to remember we are good friends.”

Hearing Kang-hoo’s words, Han Seo-yeon shook her head in resignation and took a gulp of water.

She wasn’t hurt or disappointed by his words.

They were no longer in a romantic relationship but simply friends who used to date.

“Good friends. Yes, that seems like the right description.”

She nodded in agreement and then vigorously took off her top.

It was unclear whether she did this intentionally or if she really thought of him as a ‘friend’ beyond gender, comfortable enough to do so.

With only her underwear on and her bare skin exposed, it could have been considered a flirtatious signal.

“Looks like you’ve put on quite some weight since I last saw you.”

Kang-hoo bluntly shattered the atmosphere.

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