Chapter 334 – Part 2 – Securing Time

[You have defeated the Doppelganger!]

[You have obtained an A-rank Magic Stone.]

[You have obtained an A-rank Magic Stone.]

[You have obtained Doppelganger’s Mask.]

[You have obtained Doppelganger’s Replica Sword.]

[You have obtained a Supreme Choice Rune.]

A smile spread across Choi Seong-min’s lips as he read the message.

‘Finally got it. The Doppelganger’s Mask.’

[Doppelganger’s Mask]

-Category: Helmet

-Grade: A

-Defense: 12,000

-Effect: All Stats +100, Appearance Transformation

-Durability: 20,000/20,000

-Usage Restriction: B-rank or higher (Bound)

-Description: Can transform into the appearance of killed targets. Perfectly transforms face, voice, and physique. Must wear the mask when killing. Won’t be detected even by opponents with higher combat power. Deactivated when attacking or being attacked. Cannot transform into other species.

Since he had defeated a named boss, the grade was A-rank as expected.

‘Fortunately, the usage restriction starts from B-rank.’

This was an item to replace the ghost mask, something he absolutely needed to have before assassinating Song Chi-hyeon.

‘To kill Song Chi-hyeon and transform into his appearance.’

There was a condition that he had to wear the mask when killing the target, but the performance was far superior to the ghost mask.

‘The ghost mask only changes the face, but this can perfectly change voice and physique too.’

It had the same effect as the legendary item Tarnhelm that he used in his previous life.

‘Except for the condition that you have to kill them.’

For an item obtainable by B-rank, it was quite good, so he had no complaints.

‘The all stats option is much better than the helmet I’m currently using too.’

While he was at it, Choi Seong-min immediately replaced his helmet.

A black mask covered his face.

Choi Seong-min, who checked his appearance with the Doppelganger’s mirror, smiled from within the mask.

‘The appearance is fine.’

Since the options were good, there was no reason not to change it.

‘By the way, a Choice Rune came out? But Supreme grade?’

This was the first time he’d seen a grade prefix attached.

[You have obtained a Supreme Choice Rune.]

[Please specify which rune you want among Strength, Health, Agility, and Magic Power.]

Since a message had appeared, he chose Agility.

[You have obtained a Supreme Agility Rune.]

[Agility increased by 30.]

[Rune Affinity trait activates.]

[Supreme Agility Rune effect enhanced to Agility +60.]

‘It was enhanced again?’

It was already surprising that it increased Agility by 30 at once, but the enhancement through Rune Affinity was also amazing.

‘Agility increased by 60. What an unexpected windfall.’

Choi Seong-min, who had been smiling with satisfaction, eventually realized that one more item had come in.

‘What’s this? A Replica Sword?’

[Doppelganger’s Replica Sword]

-Category: Weapon

-Grade: ???

-Attack Power: ???

-Effect: Weapon Replication

-Durability: ???

-Usage Restriction: B-rank or higher (Bound)

-Description: A weapon that replicates the weapon being held exactly. Copies grade, attack power, effects, durability, etc. as they are. Cannot replicate if not holding a weapon.

Choi Seong-min had originally entered this place thinking only of obtaining the Doppelganger’s Mask.

But now he felt like he had discovered an unexpected treasure.

‘Replicating the weapon being held. What kind of fraudulent…’

Doesn’t this mean that if you’re holding an S-rank weapon, it can even replicate that?

And perfectly with options too.

‘Wait, then doesn’t this mean I absolutely have to use dual wielding?’

Whether using dual wielding or twin swords, to utilize the Replica Sword, he would have to hold weapons in both hands.

Realizing this fact, a person flashed through Choi Seong-min’s mind.

‘Katsuramoto Kogo. That guy’s trait was related to dual wielding.’

There are three Great Heroes in Eastland.

Song Chi-hyeon, Kwak Min-cheol, and Katsuramoto Kogo.

‘He has severe wanderlust so he rarely visits the Association, but he’s also a target that needs to be killed.’

Perhaps by killing him, he could cover the weaknesses of dual wielding.

‘Dual wielding has clear disadvantages.’

First, attack speed is reduced by half.

Instead, since there are two weapons, you can attack consecutively, so when you think about it, there’s no difference.

‘The problem is that it’s difficult to handle.’

Since you use two weapons, dual wielding requires multitasking as a basic skill.

In other words, you need to be able to draw a circle with one hand and a triangle with the other without making mistakes.

In short, it wasn’t easy.

‘But it’s not all disadvantages.’

The advantage of dual wielding is that by equipping two weapons, you can receive additional stat options.

‘For example, if I equip one more identical dagger, I can double my Agility. And…’

Choi Seong-min, who had been thinking of advantages, stopped his thoughts.

That was it.

The only advantage of dual wielding was receiving double stat options.

The disadvantage was that it was difficult to handle.

‘It’s not like having two weapons doubles skill damage…’

There was no particular merit.

It’s not for nothing that twin sword warriors are looked down upon in the hunter industry.

‘But if I had Kogo’s trait, the story would be different.’

If he obtained Kogo’s trait specialized in dual wielding, dual wielding could become the most powerful weapon.

‘I’ll have to postpone using the Replica Sword until then.’

Since using two weapons now wouldn’t make him stronger, he decided to hold off.

Choi Seong-min opened the conquest window to check the remaining time.

There were 4 hours left.

‘I defeated the boss and have plenty of time, so should I do some grinding?’

The eyes of the masked Choi Seong-min turned menacingly.

* * *

Tssssss-

As soon as he came out of the dungeon, the portal disappeared.

Since it was a one-time dungeon, it had automatically vanished.

Choi Seong-min looked at that sight with regretful eyes.

‘It would have been nice if I could enter one more time.’

He said this because he had gained quite a lot from Ghost City.

‘In 4 hours, 2 B-rank Magic Stones and 3 pieces of B-rank equipment…’

In terms of money, it was an amount reaching 500 million won.

‘I didn’t count how many I killed, but…’

It couldn’t help but be profitable for the time spent.

‘That’s not all. Six Choice Runes came out too.’

If he had done the same work in other dungeons, he would have barely gained one or two.

‘Here, I raised my Agility by 10 in just 4 hours.’

Thanks to Rune Affinity, growth faster than others was possible.

‘It’s regrettable that I can’t enter such dungeons again.’

Of course, there would be Ghost Cities somewhere else in the world, but since entry opportunities were shared, Choi Seong-min couldn’t enter.

‘Even if other people enter, they probably won’t even see the Doppelganger. Since it’s a named, unique entity.’

Therefore, the Doppelganger’s Mask and Replica Sword could be considered unique items.

‘Since I’m not confident in dual wielding yet, I’ll use the Replica Sword after obtaining Kogo’s trait…’

The problem was the Doppelganger’s Mask, which honestly stood out too much when worn.

‘Rather than looking expensive, should I say it looks unique?’

A black mask like an abyss with red light flowing from the eyes.

‘Someone would probably ask where I got such an item at least once.’

If Song Chi-hyeon happened to see it, he might interrogate him.

‘I should refrain from using it in front of others as much as possible.’

He decided to use his existing helmet normally and only wear the mask when necessary.

‘Now I’ve obtained everything I need.’

All the preparations for assassinating Song Chi-hyeon were complete.

‘I need to strike first before he calls his friend to erase memories.’

But there was an unexpected problem here.

The VIP Assassination trait that he might need to use had a cooldown.

[VIP Assassination cooldown remaining: 19 hours 48 minutes 21 seconds]

Choi Seong-min sighed softly upon seeing the cooldown.

‘I used it to catch the Doppelganger and didn’t think about the assassination.’

What if Song Chi-hyeon called him to erase his memory before the cooldown ended?

‘Then I’ll have no choice but to fight. Without the invincibility trait.’

A situation would come where he couldn’t utilize the safety device of invincibility.

‘I need to buy time. At least until the cooldown returns.’

What method was there to buy time for nearly 20 hours without being disturbed?

His contemplation wasn’t long.

‘There was that method.’

* * *

Sunday morning.

His phone vibrated.

It kept ringing as if telling him to wake up now.

“Damn it.”

Song Chi-hyeon, who had been sleeping, frowned and checked his phone.

“What bastard is calling from early morning…”

His annoyed feelings melted away like snow when he confirmed the caller.

It was a call from his direct subordinate who was no different from a lifesaver.

“Oh, Choi Seong-min?”

-I’m sorry for calling so early in the morning, Great Hero. Did I perhaps wake you up…

“No, it’s fine. I was just about to wake up anyway. But what’s the matter? Do you want something?”

-I want to go soloing today. I contacted you to ask for permission.

“It’s the weekend so you can go, but… you’re not planning to enter a B-rank dungeon, are you?”

-That’s correct. I want to enter the B-rank Saber-tooth Tiger dungeon.

For a moment, Song Chi-hyeon felt like his sleepiness was flying away.

“That’s the strongest place among B-rank dungeons, isn’t it?”

-That’s right.

It was a dungeon almost equivalent to A-rank where you had to survive for 24 hours.

Surviving alone for a full day was truly no easy task.

“How long has it been since you were promoted to B-rank?”

-It’s been four days now.

“And you want to enter a dungeon equivalent to A-rank alone? Are you crazy?”

-I’ll hunt as safely as possible. Please give me permission.

“No!”

At the firm shout, Choi Seong-min on the other end of the call asked in a calm tone.

-I’m sorry, but may I know the reason?

“When a subordinate I finally like has come in, do you think I could send you into danger?”

-Thank you for worrying, but please don’t be too concerned. Am I someone who would die easily?

“You never know what might happen to people.”

-I’ve sufficiently studied the strategy. My combat power is also 150,000, which is higher than expected.

“What? 150,000?”

Song Chi-hyeon was genuinely surprised.

‘He raised 50,000 in just four days since becoming B-rank?’

It was such an incredible growth rate that it was hard to believe, but it was true.

“You really have over 150,000?”

-That’s right.

“You’re not lying because you want to enter the dungeon, are you?”

To the question asked jokingly, a more serious voice than ever was heard.

-How could I lie to the Great Hero? If there’s even a bit of falsehood in my words, I’ll bite my tongue and commit suicide right now.

“Y-you don’t need to go that far. Don’t do that…”

For the first time in his life, Song Chi-hyeon was flustered by his subordinate’s words.

He didn’t want to imagine Choi Seong-min dying, unlike other subordinates.

Choi Seong-min was the most valuable jewel among the jewels he possessed.

‘What should I do?’

He had scolded him out of worry, but he wouldn’t listen.

If a child was being stubborn, this might be how it felt.

-Please trust me and send me. Great Hero.

“Sigh… Alright. But you have to be careful. If you come back injured, I won’t let it slide!”

-Thank you.

Choi Seong-min, who had received the Great Hero’s permission, smiled on the other end of the call.

With this, he had secured time until the cooldown returned.