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Chapter 174: To Japan (1)
Chapter 174: To Japan (1)
Chapter 174: To Japan (1)
The spoils of war were rather meager compared to expectations. Ten yellow magic stones combined had an appraisal value of 10 billion won.
With five team members, the distribution amounted to about 2 billion won per person.
This was by no means a small amount.
However, as the economic scale grew, it relatively seemed less significant.
Kang-hoo’s level rose by 4, reaching 178 in an instant.
The reason was simple: Kang-hoo defeated Falks by himself.
This time, Park Dong-jae’s buff support was absent as he was aiding other team members, making it a true solo play.
‘But there are still many monsters that can be defeated one-on-one, so it’s still advantageous.’
This was Kang-hoo’s overall assessment.
Like when he faced Falks, it was still possible to create variables by targeting weak spots or core areas.Even monsters with good endurance and high health had weaknesses when targeted at vital points.
There was a possibility of being killed in a single strike.
However, as the level increases and the dungeons become much more challenging than now…
That’s when ‘mechanical’ monsters start to appear.
These creatures have no discernible weak points and fight desperately until they die.
Even if there were circuits that could be considered weak points, they had replacement systems, making them meaningless.
This was a setting that the original author carefully crafted to raise the difficulty level of monster strategies.
As a result, it has now become a challenging future that Kang-hoo will eventually face.
Of course, the anticipation outweighed the worry. The rewards for difficult challenges are certainly significant.
‘It’s not bad to be proficient with various weapons. Sometimes, long-range combat is necessary.’
Kang-hoo placed a high value on the skill he seized from Falks.
For the assassin trait, daggers were indeed the best-fitting weapon.
Other weapons would become adverse conditions that kill its distinctiveness, with little synergy.
However, one cannot rely solely on daggers forever. The level of opponents to face would keep rising.
Among them, there would be hunters who, based on their superior skills, would not allow close-quarters combat.
For enemies who desperately try to maintain distance, daggers become the most useless weapon.
It’s not just a matter of getting close. Those hunters have meticulously studied methods to prevent close approach.
Ultimately, it becomes a rock-paper-scissors battle, where one can play only one card with one weapon.
Therefore, Kang-hoo wanted to create the possibility of utilizing various weapons such as longswords, greatswords, short spears, long spears, axes, whips, and so on.
Knowing how to use them and not knowing are as different as heaven and earth.
The reason he hadn’t used the strong spear obtained from Heo Jeong-tae before was precisely this.
He didn’t know how to handle a spear. He vaguely thought it might just be about swinging it around.
‘I need to allocate more time to training. Now, I should be able to handle at least a spear as a secondary weapon.’
Just by thinking about it, the ways to use a spear came to mind. Thanks to the ultra-sensitivity – weapon skill.
As Kang-hoo cooled his suddenly heated body, organizing his thoughts in his own way…
The rest of the party, who had passed the golem that disappeared along with Falks’ death, found Kang-hoo.
Since the strategy prepared up to this point was completed, it was time to turn back and leave.
As Kang-hoo had obtained everything he needed, he had no particular regrets.
Considering Falks’ level, going deeper would likely have resulted in hardship.
“Although I don’t usually say this first, I hope we can work together on the next strategy.”
The one who spoke first was Jang Tae-jin. Kang-hoo was curious about his assessment, and the content was very positive.
“Actually, it was because I believed in you three and Dong-jae that I could play freely at the front.”
“Hyung, you’re really! Humility is your passive skill.”
Park Dong-jae said, poking Kang-hoo’s side.
In Park Dong-jae’s view, Kang-hoo seemed genuinely unaware.
That such humility could kill the opponent twice.
When interpreted conversely, it could mean, ‘What were you doing in the back while I was at the front?’
Of course, the three people here weren’t that narrow-minded.
But humility turning into arrogance is just a fine line. Regrettably, the interpretation depends on the listener’s level.
Yeon Soo-ah said,
“Actually, we generally take a conservative approach in all movements. We are safety-oriented.”
“I respect that trait as well. It’s a matter of difference, not wrongness.”
Kang-hoo nodded in agreement. It was sincere. Moving aggressively isn’t the only answer.
“But I realized this time. If you see a picture that can dramatically turn the situation, you should take the gamble.”
Choi Ho-su, standing next to her, was surprised by Yeon Soo-ah’s words.
She was the most defensive among the three companions, to the point of being extreme.
The reason being her position as a shaman, the most vulnerable to close combat and melee battles.
But even she seemed to have learned a lot from seeing Kang-hoo’s proactive response.
“If you find it, I will take on the role of the hunting dog targeting the gaps like a sharp spear.”
Kang-hoo replied plainly.
It didn’t matter if they continued to be a reliable shield. That would alleviate worries about the rear.
“Let’s meet again. You were amazing.”
Choi Ho-su gave a short but clear evaluation of the teamwork with Kang-hoo. That was enough.
“See? Didn’t I tell you I would introduce you as a genuine assassin? Visit Kang-hoo hyung often before he gets busier! You’ll need to take a number!”
With Park Dong-jae’s excited commotion beside him…
Kang-hoo satisfactorily wrapped up his first mystery dungeon strategy.
With no alternative strategies available, the perceived difficulty level of the dungeon was significantly high.
He realized he must stay alert when visiting mystery dungeons in the future. Complacency is the enemy.
After finishing the strategy and coming outside, Kang-hoo had a brief conversation with Park Dong-jae and then parted ways.
There was nothing special to talk about.
However, Park Dong-jae promised to investigate Eclipse more thoroughly and meticulously.
He specifically mentioned that he would focus on tracking Cha So-hyuk.
Unlike when he used to feel quite pressured while tracking Cha So-hee, Cha So-hyuk was less burdensome.
This was partly because Kang-hoo’s stage of activity had become national.
Additionally, the organization ‘Sun’ to which Cha So-hyuk belonged was smaller in scale compared to Eclipse.
Moreover, Kang-hoo was a completely different person now compared to when he was being chased by Cha So-hee.
“What should I do now?”
Kang-hoo suddenly called someone who came to mind.
Recently, he was realizing the weight of ‘relationships’.
Relationships cannot be bought with money, and you cannot obtain them just because you want them.
Items can be bought if you have money, but relationships require equivalent effort and toil.
Perhaps that’s why he didn’t want to take the relationships close to him lightly.
The call was connected immediately.
-Oppa? What’s up? Should I buy a lottery ticket today? Receiving a call from you first!
“How have you been?”
-No news is good news, oppa! How about you? Well, you’re always busy, right?
“You know me, always the same.”
-I’m in front of a dungeon right now. These days, I’m running dungeons non-stop except when sleeping.
“With a team?”
-Yes. The team’s synergy is great, and we have a lot of connections for dungeons. It’s perfect for focusing on growth.
“That’s good. Dungeons are always a headache.”
-Right? Later, if I want to go to a proper dungeon with you, I need to improve my skills, don’t I?
“You’re already good enough.”
-Come on, don’t flatter me. Anyway, I’m doing well. Oppa, always be careful. There are many eyes on you.
“Well… I can’t deny that.”
-I have to go now! Let’s talk again! Bye!
“Next ti…”
Before Kang-hoo could finish his sentence, the call ended.
He smiled. It felt good to think that people around him were also growing together.
Kang-hoo wanted people like Park Dong-jae and Jung Yuri to continually stimulate him.
So that he could look up and forward, not down or sideways.
He had reached a position where he was recognized even by hunters from the Myeongga Guild.
But compared to the members of The Thirteen Stars, his skills were still insignificant.
Is there anyone from The Thirteen Stars whom he could beat one-on-one right now…?
Even if he didn’t die, he couldn’t guarantee a draw or a win.
The road ahead was still long.
After that day.
Kang-hoo rested for two consecutive days except for one outing to sell items.
He sold a total of eight items.
Among them was a ring taken from Jung Sun-rak, and the magic stones distributed this time.
He also sold some armor and the Eyes of Asura that he thought might be useful but weren’t needed as reserves.
The items included the Prelude to Madness gloves, Wizard Hunter anklets, Tracker’s shoes, Necklace of Favorable Winds, and Bracelet of Rising Vitality.
He sold all eight items at a nearby market and managed to collect a generous sum of 35 billion won.
Gathering small amounts adds up to a mountain; converting everything to cash resulted in a significant sum, unexpectedly so.
For two days, Kang-hoo stayed holed up in a safe hotel, resting in his room all day.
The next schedule was confirmed.
A trip to Japan.
He received a call from An Yeong-ho.
The dungeons coordinated with the Rikou Guild were all safely prepared.
It seemed to be outside the influence range of the Tou Clan in the all-out war.
He also received a positive response from Takashi regarding their meeting.
‘How to win over Takashi’s heart is the problem. I guess I need to raise my energy level, unlike usual.’
He had a rough idea of how to approach Takashi in mind.
Contrary to his outward appearance, Takashi had quite a cynical side, so caution was needed in the approach.
Showing a clichéd image wouldn’t attract his interest.
If so, the plan to create a connection with Takashi would go awry from the start.
“Finally going to Japan.”
Lying on the bed, he felt his body sinking deeper.
He seemed to have accumulated fatigue. He intended to shake it all off before going to Japan.
Kang-hoo didn’t tell anyone about his trip to Japan except An Yeong-ho.
Not even Park Dong-jae, whom he had become closer to recently. There was no need to expose his whereabouts unnecessarily.
Lying in bed, he suddenly recalled the events in Ulleungdo.
Back then, on Ulleungdo, he saw a figure that looked exactly like his original self.
It was too clear to be an illusion or hallucination, and it lingered in his memory.
Who could it be?
He, the original author, was living in this world as Shin Kang-hoo.
If that ‘original author’ was alive, who would be inside? Another version of him?
It would have been nice to find out, but regrettably, he let him go without even holding his hand once.
“I should visit Ulleungdo again. Don’t know if he’ll be there.”
He felt regret.
If it was a mistake, at least getting that certainty would ease the odd feeling.
Two days later.
Kang-hoo met An Yeong-ho and his uncle Suzuki Fumiya at Osaka Airport.
It was the first trip to Japan that he had promised and longed for since he saved An Yeong-ho long ago.
It was also the moment when Kang-hoo, whose activities had been limited to Korea, took his first step abroad.