The Genius Assassin Who Takes it All Chapter 38

Episode 38: Ground Zero (3)

Of course, it was a profitable business because we were prepared.

If I had passed by without knowing anything, I would have lost my greatest asset, my life.

This is why even adventurous hunters rarely try to come to Ground Zero.

This is because we cannot predict when, where, and how we will die.

So it is full of criminals who have no tomorrow. Only people who are not afraid of death can wander around Ground Zero.

Meanwhile, as I looked around, white bones began to appear.

Even if it is not a mutant sunflower, there are many factors that can take a hunter’s life.

And evidence of the heartlessness of this place remained in the bones.

Items and wallets that the original owner would have been wearing disappeared without a trace.

It means that someone just took the items and left without taking care of it.

Of course, it was not a new thing as such things were not uncommon.

I went a little further in, looking at the endless feast of white bones that reminded me of a huge cemetery.

There was still about 1km left to reach area 5.

Because Ground Zero is so large, it took time just to get through one area.

In addition, the problem was that there were many well-grown bushes because no weeding or logging work was done.

Anyway, when I got to the point where area 5 was just around the corner.

Ganghu could see something strange.

‘Why didn’t anyone touch it?’

A hunter’s body was lying near the rock.

There was no doubt that it was dead, as it was slightly decomposed.

However, he was left near the rock with a red dagger clutched in his hand.

The white bones that can be seen around him have been torn to the point that even his clothes are gone.

Only that body was in good condition.

It must have been a few days, but there is no sign that it has been touched.

If you think you’re right and start running toward the corpse, you’re a poor sewer.

However, if you are too scared and ignore it, it is a serious mistake.

It’s a wise, but too simple choice.

‘The Black Guide.’

Kang Hu immediately saw the essence.

I could feel a trace of mana from inside the bulging clothes of the dead body with its head down.

The mana tracking ability that reacts much more sensitively than other hunters shines.

It’s a trap.

It is designed to intentionally show the items worn by dead hunters and lure other hunters.

And, attracted by this, it instantly attacks the hunter who comes close and ‘leads’ him to death.

“Let’s give up.”

I shook my head and turned in the exact opposite direction.

Anyone could see that he was a coward and seemed to feel pressured and leave the scene.

And that time when I was going around a thick tree and trying to change direction to another direction.

Saaaa!

I used shadow walk.

Immediately, the shadow that emerged from Ganghu took a sharply detour and ran towards the corpse.

Faaah!

Kang Hu, who timed it accurately, changed his position with the shadow.

In an instant, it moved from behind the tree to in front of the body.

It was a completely unexpected move.

Taaat!

He immediately snatched the dagger the corpse was holding.

Then, he used the shadow walk again and switched positions with the shadow that ran ahead with momentum.

“Ugh.”

I bit my lip tightly.

The Shadow Walk skill has mana, but the level of overload on the body is the highest among the skills.

What do you mean?

There is a critical point at which the body and mind can withstand before mana hypersensitivity kicks in.

The moment you exceed that critical point, mana hypersensitivity is triggered, and Shadow Step has the highest overload value.

If you use it twice in succession, you will immediately break through the critical point. You immediately fall into a state of mana hypersensitivity.

Of course, it was possible to display the same wit by using Shadow Walk twice in succession.

Kiheeeek! Kiheeeek!

The black guide, who was very excited, chased after Ganghu, creating an appearance similar to that of a devil.

However, he was unable to catch up with Ganghu, who used his movement skills one after another while holding on with his physical and mental strength.

In the end, the black guide with an angry expression wrapped around a thick tree, killed it, and gave up the chase.

After confirming that it is safe.

I checked the options of the dagger taken from the corpse.

【Border of Carnage – Weapon】

【Grade: Grade 4】

【Strength +100】

【Given the Devourer’s tracking ability. Opponents who are damaged by this weapon will remain as a devourer for 1 minute even if they hide their presence.】

“Good.”

It’s a useful weapon.

Of course, it is not a ‘graduation’ weapon that will be used forever, but rather a stepping stone until you purchase a level 3 dagger item.

It has much better options and stat ratings than the Joy of the Sky that I am currently using.

Later, when I got a quote to buy a grade 3 dagger, I thought I could just sell Sky Joy and Boundary of Massacre.

Anyway, it turned out to be a coincidence rather than a coincidence.

This is because the value of a level 4 weapon is worth about 1 billion won.

“hmm. “Let’s go back.”

Ganghu looked away.

He must have been a fairly skilled hunter to carry around a dagger of this size.

He may have been a criminal, but if not, it seemed okay to locate the body and take his belongings.

Things like hunter licenses and smartphone ID cards.

Maybe he is a missing person being searched for by his family or friends in the official Hunter community.

Just as there is a bounty on a criminal, there is a bounty on a missing person as well, so I didn’t want to pass it by.

When I returned, the black guide was not there.

Since Ganghu took the item to be used as bait, it seems he decided that it was no longer worth using the corpse to eat.

So Ganghu was able to easily take the belongings from the corpse.

“Park Min-seong. “It’s not a name I know.”

The dead hunter’s real name was confirmed.

Since everything except the body has been recovered, I plan to check it out later when I return to Seoul.

* * *

While moving, I used illusion techniques and shadow steps alternately from time to time to prepare for variables.

This is because there are too many monsters at Ground Zero that hide themselves in the darkness.

It’s even more difficult to find monsters that don’t.

However, the monsters were not smart, and many of them were lured by Ganghu’s illusions or shadows and rushed at them.

Thanks to this, Ganghu was steadily gaining experience points while moving.

Deep down, I was hoping to hit level 40 before I found the first Mad Solarchium, but my wish became a reality.

I reached level 40 just as I was in front of the area.

【Quick Evasion】

【Skill Proficiency: Lv. Max]

【You can evade a maximum distance of 5m in the directions of north, south, east and west.】 【

Instant evasive maneuver is possible because the ‘speed’ effect has been applied with the maximum proficiency effect.】 【

During evasive maneuver, the barrier effect of resistance is activated. The evasion rate for skills increases.】

‘The maximum proficiency perk is new every time I see it. Even if the basic skills and efficiency are different, they are very different.’

The corners of Kanghu’s mouth twitched.

First of all, the name has changed.

Originally, the name of the level 40 basic skill of the Assassin class was ‘Dodge’.

However, with the maximum effect of proficiency, it became ‘quick evasion’.

Just as the Acceleration Stab skill changed when upgraded to the Bleeding Stab skill.

In addition, the distance at which evasive maneuvers are possible has been greatly improved from 1m to 5m.

Furthermore, a new evasion rate perk that increases resistance to skills while evading has also been created.

A higher evasion rate means that the chance of the skill missing or being skipped increases.

Skills that make an assassin more like an assassin.

I couldn’t help but be satisfied.

“Great location from the beginning.”

Kang-hu’s expression became distorted after checking the location where the Mad Solarchium flower was blooming.

The face that had been bright before turned into an expression full of dissatisfaction.

A Mad Solarium flower growing in the middle of a rock wall that was well over 30 meters was sticking out its head.

That wasn’t all.

As designed in the original work, there was a guard guarding the Mad Solarium near it.

The official name is ‘Punisher’.

The Punisher’s personality is determined by a random type, and the type that guards this place was an assassin.

Wow.

Soon, a red aura appeared on the Punisher’s body, and the overall aura became even stronger.

The characteristic of the Punisher is that its power varies depending on the composition and level of the hunters around it.

Of course, it can be said to be a special condition as it only applies within a 50m radius from Mad Solarchium.

There was nothing to worry about anyway.

Because all the dungeons that Ganghu has conquered so far have always been two to three times higher level than him.

The Punisher will also become stronger, but since it is within a predictable range, there will be no problem.

Faaah!

As expected, like the guardian of Mad Solarchium, he rushed towards Ganghu first.

It was a move that was faithful to the basic belief of the Assassin class, which is to ensure victory.

【Quick evasion】

Ganghu immediately used quick evasion.

This is because there is no situation where this skill is more suitable than now.

The Punisher’s attack was sharp enough to draw an orange line in the dark night sky.

Huh!

The Punisher’s attack only scanned the afterimage of Ganghu, who quickly left the scene.

The energy that had been filled with anticipation was instantly dissipated due to the improved evasion rate.

The structure of the assassin vs. assassin battle is quite exciting.

The moment an attack fails, hell unfolds for the loser, who has no choice but to suffer a counterattack.

The battle of numbers is very important, but now the Punisher’s first match has gone completely wrong.

So, without delay, Ganghu rushed in front of the Punisher, combining acceleration with a leap.

It was a counterattack that occurred when you were completely cornered and had no time to avoid it.

Because Kanghu was overloaded, he added one more skill.

It’s just shadow walking.

The shadows that stretched out from behind Ganghu formed a large circle and headed towards the Punisher.

I honestly focused the Punisher’s vision on one point and extended the dagger.

at that time.

Sreung!

The Punisher took out another dagger from his chest and crossed both daggers to create an X in the air.

‘also.’

The guy wasn’t stupid.

In line with his failed attack, he attempted to reverse Ganghu’s counterattack with another counterattack.

It was indeed a sensible response worthy of its name.

If he had rushed in without thinking, Kang-hu’s life would have ended here.

but.

Sigh!

At the point when the X-shaped energy was released forward, Ganghu’s position had changed to behind the Punisher.

It was a change of position that caught us off guard.

As if the Punisher didn’t expect this, he hesitated, unable to find Ganghu’s location right away.

That moment.

“Here, buddy.”

Sigh! Puff! Phew! Pooh wow!

Ganghu, who was perfectly positioned behind him, began stabbing the punisher’s neck, shoulders, and back of his head with his dagger.

Hell…

was too close.