Chapter 62: Imbnce Point (2)


    The experience buff must have been more effective than I thought.


    Kang-hoo was surprised to see his level had jumped by dozens of stages.


    His current level was 85.


    Initially, he had expected to reach between 70 and 75, but he gained more experience than he had anticipated.


    Of course, the increase was partly due to his lower level, but it was a remarkable growth spurt.


    The once distant level 100 now seemed within easy reach.


    [The Strategist of the Wastnd senses something special in your knowledge of this unique growth route.]


    [The Apostle of Justice says this method of growth, though unconventional, is very gratifying.]


    The constetions observing his growth expressed their interest. It must have been fascinating to them, knowing a different way to grow.


    [There must be a reason you know this. Quite interesting.]


    The Dimension Plunderer also chimed in.


    Kang-hoo possessed knowledge that could never be known through ordinary means.


    She had felt something special about Kang-hoo from the moment they first made a contract.


    She had thought there was an unexinable secret to his birth.


    Though she was keenly observant, she had not detected Kang-hoos possession.


    I have a few more ces to visit.


    There were four more Imbnce Points in his memory.


    He vaguely knew the locations of two, while he only knew of the existence of the other two.


    Thetter were just concepts in his mind, remnants of his subconscious.


    The two known points were located on Jeju Ind and in Japan, respectively.


    He nned to deal with the one in Japan when he went to meet An Yeong-ho.


    Feels solid.


    Kang-hoo invested all the bonus points he gained from the explosive leveling up into his health.


    Clicking to raise his stats dozens of times in a row had its own kind of thrill.


    Phew.


    Feeling as if his soul had left his body, drained of mana, Kang-hoo casually sat down on a rock.


    There was nothing around him.


    It was a ce lush only with forests, devoid of monsters or resources worthy of mining.


    Even as he extended his vision, he saw no other hunters. The silence was eerie.


    I should head to Daejeon Station at least once. Having heard about it from Benny, I cant just ignore Hades.


    He pondered his next move.


    Knowing about the Limitless Mana Dungeon, he felt hesitant to simply pass by Club Hades.


    Although exiting the dungeon was more worrisome than entering, the risk appeared worthwhile.


    I think a visit to Master K would be beneficial as well.


    He remembered someone he had contemted visiting on several asions.


    Master K.


    The sole hunter in Korea knowledgeable in cultivating Srkium and who had conducted extensive research on it.


    An elderly man with white hair, exuding the aura of a schrperhaps even a sage.


    A learned man, yet unaffiliated with any faction.


    In the original story, there were mere hints of him being behind some significant power, but the details were vague.


    Kang-hoo had apelling reason to meet Master K.


    It was due to his congenital mana hypersensitivity.


    He spected whether Master K, with his studies on Srkium, might have a solution for mana hypersensitivity.


    Genuine Srkium was rare, and the standard Srkium failed topletely alleviate the pain.


    He needed asting solution, and Master K could potentially offer a lead.


    Could I truly cure this condition that has nearly be an identity for Shin Kang-hoo? The original narrative even imed that without it, he wouldnt be himself.


    Kang-hoo chuckled as he remembered the original tale.


    Readers also linked Shin Kang-hoo with a pallidplexion, enduring battles with difficulty.


    The innate mana hypersensitivity, almost a trademark, cast doubt on the ease of finding a remedy.


    Nheless, he had to try.


    Deciding it was impossible without attempting was tantamount to conceding defeat.


    Not trying guaranteed a zero percent chance of sess.


    By making an attempt, the probabilities could shift in unexpected ways.


    Now I need to start worrying about getting out.


    His mission in the Latheus Dungeon wasplete.


    Thanks to Ban Se-yeong, he had sessfully mined the maite and reaped the benefits from the Imbnce Point.


    The remaining issue was how to evade the Gale Wind gang, likely stationed at the entrance.


    Well, Ill have to outmaneuver them.


    His conclusion was always simple.


    If blocked, break through; if hindered, remove the obstacle. If they try to kill, kill them first.<hr>


    On the way back,


    Kang-hoo unexpectedly found traces of a mid-boss on a route he hadnt anticipated.


    At first nce, it looked like a regr path, but a unique footprint caught his eye.


    Dere was here.


    Without seeing the owner of the footprint, Kang-hoo instantly knew the name.


    Dere.


    A humanoid assassin-type monster with a special skill called Artistry of the Veil.


    Its a boss skill.


    When the Artistry of the Veil is deployed, any form of stealth detection bes impossible within it.


    Its level is always considered higher than any stealth detection ability, making it undetectable.


    Even absolute stealth detection abilities are ignored and remain undetected.


    Dere doesnt appear in a specific dungeon but is scattered randomly, making encounters unlucky for hunters.


    Its because facing such a difficult opponent at a low probability brings no benefits.


    However, for Kang-hoo, Dere could be a target for skill plundering, making it a stroke of luck.


    Of course, this luck turns into a boon only if he kills Dere. Otherwise, its a poison.


    Cant resist this one.


    He was determined to capture Dere.


    It wouldnt be easy, though.


    However, the Dere in the Latheus Dungeon seemed careless, leaving footprints.


    A shrewd and smart creature wouldnt have traversed terrain that left footprints.


    Swiftly,


    Usingteral movement and entering stealth mode, Kang-hoo began to stealthily follow the footprints.


    Casting Mu-yeong to conceal his presence was merely a precaution.


    The sound of footsteps began, pursuing an unseen adversary.<hr>


    Two hours had passed.


    Atop a hill near the entrance to the Latheus Dungeon, a man and a woman engaged in conversation.


    They were Han Seung-hyeok and Ban Se-yeong.


    These were connections Kang-hoo had previously established, and they were also cousins.


    Afterpleting their tasks, they convened at a designated meeting ce.


    Se-yeong, thats enough. If you ever need help, just look for me. Dont face things by yourself.


    Oppa, if I constantly rely on help, I wont improve. I refuse to remain a mediocre hunter.


    Arent you already mediocre?


    Hey, oppa! Thats precisely why Im trying to surpass my current limitations!


    Hahaha. However, as Ive mentioned before, it would be beneficial to learn to wield a secondary weapon.


    Ive been giving it some thought.


    If youd had even a rudimentary skill with a secondary weapon, you might not have needed assistance in the situation you described.


    I feel as though Ive encountered a truly skilled hunter after so long. Jung Sun-kyu


    Jung Sun-kyu, you say.


    Han Seung-hyeok chuckled.


    After piecing together Ban Se-yeongs ount and the location where she encountered Kang-hoo, he deduced the entire scenario.


    The individual Ban Se-yeong had met was Kang-hoo; Jung Sun-kyu must have been one of his pseudonyms.


    With ess to Eclipses confidential information, Han Seung-hyeok was aware of Kang-hoos actual identity.


    He chose not to reveal Kang-hoos real name to Ban Se-yeong; there were valid reasons for the use of a pseudonym.


    Did you encounter him as well, oppa?


    Yes, I ran into him en route here.


    Though they knew him by different monikers, they were referring to the same person.


    Han Seung-hyeok nodded affirmatively, reflecting on the impressive feats Kang-hoo had demonstrated.


    The high regard in which Ban Se-yeong held Kang-hoo was not mere ttery; it was a statement of fact.


    Shin Kang-hoo.


    For the first time in a long while, Han Seung-hyeok found himself genuinely intrigued by another hunter.


    Thats why he had suggested they meet again after finishing their tasks in the dungeon.


    Just then,


    Kill him! Its that guy!


    The one who killed ourrades!


    Crush him!


    The hunters guarding the dungeon entrance began to move en masse.


    They were the Gale Wind gang.


    More than just a gang, they were a sizable organization based in the Latheus Dungeon.


    Ah? Isnt that Sun-kyu oppa?


    Looks like weve got a show.


    They both recognized Kang-hoo simultaneously.


    And they were pleased about it.


    With at least twenty Gale Wind gang members in sight and Kang-hoo alone, the odds were numerically against him.


    In such a battle, the hunter under siege must create more variables and demonstrate a wide array of techniques.


    It might be difficult for Kang-hoo, but from an observers standpoint, it was quite the spectacle.


    Lets get this straight. Yourrades started the trouble, not me.


    Fuck off and die!


    Kang-hoos attempt at a calm discussion was in vain as the Gale Wind gang, weapons at the ready, charged at him.


    Kang-hoos reaction was swift and decisive, as if he had known that talking would be futile.


    Han Seung-hyeok watched intently.


    It seemed Kang-hoo could deploy a different skill in the blink of an eye, and he didnt want to miss it.


    What?


    Suddenly, one of the hunters charging at Kang-hoo veered off in a different direction.


    Theres a mental disruption skill.


    Han Seung-hyeok understood immediately.


    The hunter had his sense of direction scrambled by Kang-hoos shallow chaos skill.


    He might not have known the skills name, but recognizing its effect wasnt difficult for Han Seung-hyeok.


    An assassin with a mental disruption skill?


    Dont try to judge Jung Sun-kyu by his ss. See him for who he is.


    True to his words, Han Seung-hyeok refrained from pigeonholing Kang-hoo into any job ss.


    Considering him versatile seemed most fitting, so he was unfazed by any skill Kang-hoo employed.


    Then.


    Haah!


    The confused hunter suddenly leapt towards hisrade.


    His earnest posture and tensed weapon indicated it was not a mistake but a firm conviction.


    Its a hallucination.


    It was a symptom of hallucination.


    The affected hunter probably saw his target as Kang-hoo, not hisrade, hence the confident leap.


    And eventually


    Pfwah!


    Argh! This, this guy


    Friendly fire urred.


    The situation turned chaotic right from the start of the fight.


    What, whats this


    Does he have a hallucination skill?


    Uncertainty began to spread among the overwhelmingly numerous members of the Gale Wind gang.


    Despite their clear numerical advantage, something seemed to go wrong.


    Kang-hoos too-calm expression even evoked a sense of extreme dissonance.