Chapter 25 – Jung Tae-sik

When Jung Tae-sik first awakened, he checked his characteristics.

He knew that characteristics had the biggest impact on an awakened person’s growth.

“Holy sh*t!”

And he was shocked when he checked.

Because he got an S-rank characteristic that everyone desires.

“Hehehe! Jackpot, jackpot!”

Was a flower road finally opening up in his life?

That’s what he thought.

However.

Jung Tae-sik realized that his characteristic also had a fatal flaw.

‘Leveling up is too fast.’

His growth was faster than anyone else’s, but he ran out of money trying to match items to it.

‘Damn, level 200 already? I have to change skills again? Equipment too?’

The equipped items and skills couldn’t keep up with his level.

He was always short on money.

So he had no choice but to join a guild.

The guild lent items for free.

Of course, he had to give up some of the profits earned in dungeons, but it was better than replacing items every time.

‘Still not enough.’

Even with his level over 350, he was short on money.

He even thought it would be better if he didn’t have a characteristic.

Then he met Seok Ho-cheol.

He was a hyung he met in a C-rank dungeon, and when he confided his financial troubles, he quietly said:

“Hey, I have a good idea, want to try it?”

What he proposed was a crime.

To torture a party member and extort items.

“We go into a 3-person dungeon and subdue the remaining guy with just the two of us. Then we threaten him and take everything in his inventory. If he doesn’t listen, we torture him.”

It was robbery because they couldn’t get anything if they just killed him.

“What about after that?”

“After that, we kill him to shut him up. Anyway, there’s no evidence left when we leave the dungeon, and if we match our stories when writing the report, there’s no problem.”

At first he hesitated.

But when he learned that he could make hundreds of millions per job, his hesitation disappeared.

Jung Tae-sik smirked as he recalled the memory of murder.

‘This is the second time since then.’

“Then” was just two months ago.

‘I didn’t expect to work again so soon…’

Jung Tae-sik raised the corners of his mouth after seeing Min Do-jun’s text.

‘Stupid b*st*rd. Readily accepting when I offer to help level him up.’

“Boosting” is a term used when high-level players funnel experience to low-level players.

High-level players can aggro monsters and let low-level players deal all the damage to maximize experience gain.

‘A mere level 206 punk dares to mess with me?’

Jung Tae-sik had looked up Min Do-jun’s level using the ranking system.

He needed to be lower level to call him under the pretext of helping level up.

And he was able to confirm Min Do-jun’s level of only 206.

It was just 193 two days ago, but he didn’t know that.

Anyway, it was far below his own 450.

‘I wonder why the guild master was so desperate to recruit such a low-level dog, tsk tsk.’

Not knowing that Min Do-jun had solo killed an Armored Mantis, Jung Tae-sik looked down on him.

‘I could probably kill this b*st*rd by myself?’

But since there were no 2-person dungeons, he had no choice but to get Seok Ho-cheol’s help.

‘If we ambush him together, we can subdue him quickly.’

Seok Ho-cheol’s level was 550.

He was the same C-rank as Jung Tae-sik, but his level was higher.

So he didn’t worry about the ambush failing or being counterattacked.

‘Anyway, since the surface reason is helping level up, I should look for a dungeon he can enter.’

As he was considering dungeons, Seok Ho-cheol called.

-Are you really going to do it?

“Of course. I’d like to do it tomorrow.”

-Yeah? What level is that guy?

“206.”

-Easy prey, huh?

“Yes. Just come with peace of mind.”

-But will we make much money killing such a low-level?

He said this because the hunters they had worked on before were over level 350.

“I’ll give you more of my share, so don’t worry.”

-Really? Then 8:2 split, deal?

“Yes. I care more about revenge anyway.”

-Hehehe, whoever it is, I feel sorry for him. Of all people, he got caught by Tae-sik. Tsk tsk tsk.

“Can we work tomorrow?”

-Of course. Make an appointment with that guy.

After ending the call, Jung Tae-sik texted Min Do-jun.

[Hello, this is Jung Tae-sik. I checked your level, and it looks like you can enter the Little Snake dungeon. Are you available to enter tomorrow?]

[Yes, I am.]

[Then I’ll secure the dungeon in the morning and contact you again.]

[Understood.]

Jung Tae-sik made a sinister smile after making the appointment.

‘Tomorrow will be your memorial day. Hehehe.’

He was snickering, but Jung Tae-sik didn’t know.

That Min Do-jun was thinking the same thing.

* * *

The next day.

As soon as it was dawn, Min Do-jun went to the Hunter Wholesale Market.

Since his level had increased, he needed to replace his equipment and skills.

Of course, it wasn’t just for growth.

‘I need to make full preparations for those guys.’

It was to face Jung Tae-sik and his accomplice with the best specs.

‘He definitely won’t act alone.’

Min Do-jun knew that Jung Tae-sik had called him to kill him.

It was a method he had attempted countless times in the past.

Moreover, he knew it wouldn’t be alone.

‘I don’t remember the name, but I’ll recognize the face when I see it.’

When Jung Tae-sik’s evil deeds were revealed, his accomplice’s face was also made public.

In the end, Jung Tae-sik went into hiding alone and the accomplice was executed, but he felt he would remember the face if he saw it.

‘Anyway, I have to kill them all.’

For that, Min Do-jun went around the market.

The reward money hadn’t come in yet, but he had enough money.

He had the money from selling the magic stone and the 100 million he received yesterday.

“Welcome!”

Min Do-jun replaced his equipment first.

Weapon, helmet, armor, gloves, shoes, etc.

He changed everything to items suitable for level 200.

Of course, focusing on magic options.

Not only that, but he also had to change his skills.

To better ones than the E-rank he currently had.

‘This looks good.’

[Skill – Charge Lightning]

-Rank: D

-Effect: Pushes back enemies

-Damage: 300% of magic power

-Usage restriction: Level 200 or higher

-Description: Shoots lightning to push back enemies.

[Skill – Mana Skin]

-Rank: D

-Defense: 400% of magic power

-Usage restriction: Level 200 or higher

-Description: Protects the body by surrounding it with mana. Always activated without chanting an activation word.

These are skills to replace Lightning Spear and Energy Shield.

After finishing his calculations, Min Do-jun learned the new skills.

-Name: Min Do-jun (born 2000)

-Level: 206

-Rank: D

-Combat power: 20,617

-Domestic ranking: 13,091st

-World ranking: 1,894,703rd

-Strength: 204, Stamina: 199

-Agility: 211, Magic power: 302

-Unallocated stats: 0

-Characteristics: Revenge(S), Hunter Hunter(EX), Magic Swordsman(S)

-Skills: Charge Lightning(D), Mana Skin(D), Enchant Sword(D), Mana Sword(D)

Min Do-jun smiled with satisfaction as he looked at his status window.

Now all preparations were complete.

* * *

There is one dungeon near Cheonggye Mountain.

Little Snake Dungeon.

It’s a C-rank dungeon with an appropriate level of around 350.

Two people who were well over level 400 appeared at such a place.

Jung Tae-sik and Seok Ho-cheol.

Their levels were 450 and 550 respectively.

They had long since graduated from Little Snake with levels to spare.

Nevertheless, the reason the two appeared here was to help Min Do-jun level up.

Of course, that was just the surface reason.

“Hyung. It’s nice to see your face like this, reminds me of the old days.”

“Kid. What old days. It was only two months ago.”

“Has it only been that long? Hehe.”

Jung Tae-sik snickered.

Seok Ho-cheol chuckled at the sight.

“You like it? Thinking about doing another job?”

“No. I’m laughing at the thought of torturing that b*st*rd more than the money.”

“Then can you give up all the items to me?”

“Ah, hyung. I need to make a living too.”

“Heheh, right.”

As the two were smoking cigarettes waiting for Min Do-jun, someone approached them.

It was the manager of the guild Seok Ho-cheol belonged to.

“Hyung Ho-cheol. Has the party member you’re helping level up not arrived yet?”

“Yeah. It’s not time yet.”

“Then I’ll go first. I need to pick up the other kids. I told the soldier, so you should be able to enter without me.”

“Okay. Thanks for introducing the dungeon. I’ll contact you when we’re done.”

“Alright, good luck.”

After the manager disappeared, Jung Tae-sik asked:

“Hyung. You didn’t tell that person, right?”

“Am I crazy? To tell anyone other than you?”

“Hehe, I just asked out of concern.”

“Kid. You worry too much.”

“Anyway, shouldn’t we make a plan?”

“Right.”

The two casually conspired to commit a crime.

“What’s that b*st*rd’s job?”

“I don’t know either.”

“Well it doesn’t really matter. Whatever his job is, he’ll fall if we work together.”

“When should we time it?”

“Hmm…”

After pondering, Seok Ho-cheol said:

“Let’s pretend to help him level up for a while, then strike when the time is right. I’ll give the signal.”

“Understood. I’ll trust you, hyung.”

Soon, a taxi appeared in front of the dungeon.

It was Min Do-jun.

“Do-jun! Over here!”

Unlike yesterday, Jung Tae-sik greeted him with a friendly smile.

“You took a taxi?”

“Yes. The manager said he was busy.”

It was a lie.

He had only told Park Dong-yun to take the day off without mentioning anything else.

‘It would be troublesome if he got involved in what’s to come.’

That was something Jung Tae-sik would welcome as well.

“I’m sorry about yesterday. I have a short temper, so…”

“It’s fine. I’m grateful that you’re offering to help me level up like this. But…”

Min Do-jun’s gaze turned to Seok Ho-cheol.

“Who is this?”

“Ah, he’s a close hyung I called to help with leveling. Greet each other.”

“Hello, I’m Min Do-jun.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Seok Ho-cheol.”

As he greeted them, Min Do-jun smiled inwardly.

‘So it’s this guy.’

He remembered when he saw the face.

It was definitely the guy who helped Jung Tae-sik commit crimes before the regression.

Min Do-jun asked:

“What’s your level, if I may ask?”

“550.”

“Wow, that’s really high. How long have you been a hunter?”

“About 3 years.”

There was a reason Min Do-jun asked about his experience.

‘If he only reached level 550 in 3 years, he’s not much.’

It was to assess his strength.

Of course, outwardly he didn’t hold back on praise.

“You’re a real veteran. I wonder if I deserve help from such high-level players…”

“No need to feel burdened. Just think of it as a friend’s brother helping out. Haha.”

“Then I’ll be in your care.”

Min Do-jun took his words to heart and relaxed.

‘Good thing it’s a familiar face.’

The fact that he could kill him without feeling guilty made him feel at ease.

[Cheonggye Mountain Little Snake Dungeon]

-Difficulty: C

-Person limit: 3 people

-Entry restriction: Level 200 or higher  

-Clear objective: Exterminate 200 Little Snakes

-Failure penalty: 25,000 experience reduction

-Time limit: 6 hours

-Time until dungeon break: 79 hours 8 minutes 11 seconds

“Alright, let’s equip our gear and enter.”

The three transformed like Power Rangers.

Seeing Min Do-jun equipped with a one-handed sword and armor, Jung Tae-sik asked:

“Are you a one-handed sword warrior?”

“Yes.”

“Oh! Nice to meet you. I’m a one-handed sword warrior too.”

Min Do-jun didn’t bother mentioning he was a magic swordsman.

There was no need to give information to the enemy.

“Mr. Seok Ho-cheol seems to be a blunt weapon warrior.”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Min Do-jun nodded as he assessed their jobs.

How to fight them naturally formed in his mind.

“Let’s go in!”

The three walked towards the entrance.

Darkness swallowed them up.

* * *

When the darkness cleared, the stage had changed.

The three were suddenly standing in the middle of a forest.

Seok Ho-cheol spoke as the leader:

“The leveling method is simple. I’ll take the lead and draw attention, meanwhile… Huh?”

Seok Ho-cheol couldn’t continue speaking as he suddenly saw Min Do-jun unleash lightning magic.

[Hunter Hunter characteristic effect increases damage by 2x.]

Crackle-

“Urgh!”

The lightning struck Seok Ho-cheol’s head directly and pushed him back.

His body, pushed back nearly 10 meters, was charred black.

Jung Tae-sik’s eyes bulged at the sight.

“What the…!”

Before he could be surprised, Min Do-jun swung his buffed sword.

Slash-

“Aaaaargh!!”

Jung Tae-sik, whose arm was severed in an instant, screamed bloody murder.

“Why so weak?”

He thought the armor would at least hold up, but his arm was cut off.

Min Do-jun kicked Jung Tae-sik in the face, saying it was noisy.

Leaving the unconscious guy behind, he approached Seok Ho-cheol.

Stab-

And without hesitation, he stabbed him in the heart.

[You have killed Hunter Seok Ho-cheol.]

[You have stolen the characteristic Indomitable Will.]

[You have stolen 8 pieces of equipment.]

Min Do-jun looked at the unconscious Jung Tae-sik.

“You’re not done yet.”

He had no intention of killing him easily.