Chapter 68 – Infiltration

Gil Chung-soo’s decapitated body disappears.

The head fallen on the ground vanishes as well.

Simultaneously, a message appears.

[Killed Hunter Gil Chung-soo.]

[Seized the characteristic of Strong Mental Fortitude.]

[Acquired 8 equipment items.]

No useful equipment could be obtained from the assassin.

He had hoped to acquire a good characteristic, but…

[Characteristic – Strong Mental Fortitude]

– Grade: A

– Description: Nullifies all debuff effects applied to oneself.

The characteristic was also unexpectedly non-combat-related.

‘Debuff nullification?’

He now understood why the cursed dagger’s effect didn’t work.

‘Disappointing that it’s not combat-oriented.’

He had expected an assassin-appropriate characteristic, but it was entirely different.

‘Now I understand why he was weaker than expected.’

His inability to reach beyond level 1,350 in nine years became somewhat comprehensible.

Min Do-jun’s gaze turned to the woman.

She remained cowering, still looking at him fearfully.

From her perspective, the man who had tortured and killed someone was naturally terrifying.

“It’s okay. I won’t harm you, so don’t be too scared.”

Min Do-jun spoke in a relatively soft tone, slightly easing her tension.

“Are you hurt?”

“Oh, yes…”

“Was what that guy said true?”

“What? Um, what…”

“About being drugged and taken from a club?”

“Oh… I don’t remember exactly, but I was drinking alone at a club. When I woke up, I was here…”

Min Do-jun nodded.

He likely used stealth to secretly drug her drink and bring her.

“You’re safe now. You can go home.”

“Oh, thank you for saving me.”

“Of course, don’t tell anyone about what you saw and heard here.”

“I, I won’t.”

Slightly frightened, she bowed and left the scene.

‘Even if she talks, I won’t be tracked.’

With no body left and disguised as a 40-something, Min Do-jun wouldn’t be pursued by police.

‘But who would’ve thought Gil Chung-soo was involved in religious activities?’

While psychopaths often rationalize their crimes through religious activities, he hadn’t expected Gil Chung-soo to be involved in a cult.

Especially one connected to his revenge target.

‘I was just wondering how to find Kim Petro, so this worked out well.’

Kim Petro is the leader of the cult Daecheon Truth Association.

Originally a Catholic, he even changed his name to his baptismal name, but became a cult leader after monsters appeared.

Over 60 years old, he’s almost worshipped as a god in the Daecheon Truth Association and is a hunter.

‘Over 60 and a hunter means he’s an early-era hunter.’

Early-era hunters have high levels, having survived ten years of monster history.

‘Research shows Kim Petro’s current level is 2,433. There’s a significant gap between us.’

Higher level than Lee Se-yun, he’s certainly not an easy opponent.

But not someone to give up on either.

‘Since I’ll need to kill him eventually, it’s good to lay groundwork in advance.’

Min Do-jun surveyed the abandoned factory.

He looked for any clues Gil Chung-soo might not have mentioned, but found nothing.

‘Since it was information spoken before dying, it should be trustworthy.’

Though not entirely reliable due to his psychopathic nature, he likely wouldn’t lie at the moment of death.

‘Well, I’ll verify if the information is correct.’

Based on the information obtained from Gil Chung-soo, Min Do-jun left the abandoned factory to track down Kim Petro.

* * *

Blue Dragon Guild Office

Guild Leader Lee Han-seok couldn’t hide his anxiety as he asked Lee Se-yun.

“Where is Hunter Min Do-jun?”

“No contact yet.”

“It’s been ten days, and there’s been no word?”

“Please wait a little longer. It’s only been ten days. And Min Do-jun isn’t in a position where he must give us an answer. We only showed goodwill.”

“But wasn’t it thanks to us that he went to the A-grade dungeon and defeated the boss? I heard from the party members that he obtained a random box, magic stone, and even a tiger armor.”

Kim Jin-woo’s party, who were with Min Do-jun when he defeated the boss, had also seen the item list.

This was why the guild leader knew about the acquired items.

Of course, he only knew their names.

“That can’t be helped. The items belong to Min Do-jun since he defeated them. They say he almost defeated it alone. Moreover, he saved our guild members’ lives, so we shouldn’t expect compensation.”

“Hey…! Whose side are you on?”

“I’m speaking from an objective perspective. We can’t demand anything from Hunter Min Do-jun.”

“Even so, we provided the opportunity… Whew…”

The guild leader sighed.

“We’re not just going to let this go without acknowledgment, are we?”

“If he were thick-skinned, he might do that.”

“Ah… this is frustrating.”

As a guild leader who originally established the guild with a business mindset, he couldn’t help but worry that his investment might turn into waste.

“Still, let’s wait and see. We’ve definitely made our mark. Who knows if he’ll contact us about a contract tomorrow?”

The guild leader didn’t lose hope at Lee Se-yun’s words.

* * *

The Black Sea Guild is a mysterious assassin guild.

They’ve thoroughly concealed their existence to the point where even their guild name is unknown.

The fact that they’ve killed hundreds without getting caught shows how meticulous they are.

For such a Black Sea Guild, planting a spy within the association was nothing.

“Any special news from the association?”

The middle-aged man asked, and his subordinate responded in a stiff posture.

A different subordinate from the one previously sentenced to life imprisonment.

“No progress in the investigation yet.”

“Tsk, there are no clues about the impersonator.”

The middle-aged man expressed his dissatisfaction while smoking cigarettes.

But he showed no signs of anxiety.

“I’d like to catch that insolent bastard and make an example of him, but the more urgent things are, the easier it is to mess up, so we must wait.”

Hoping for the day he would be caught, the middle-aged man leisurely blew out smoke.

“What about the relationship with the cult? Is it maintained without any friction?”

“Yes. They are being cooperative towards us.”

“Of course. After all the people and drugs we’ve provided them so far.”

The middle-aged man smiled satisfactorily.

“Maintain the relationship as it is. That way, we can retrieve the sacred object they’re guarding when the time comes.”

“I will follow your command.”

“Oh, and tell the association’s spy not to neglect surveillance.”

“Yes!”

* * *

The dungeon entrance turned blue, and Min Do-jun emerged.

Park Dong-yun, who had been waiting, quickly got out of the car.

“Good work, Hunter-nim. Wasn’t it difficult?”

“I’m fine.”

Despite hunting stone lizards for 10 hours, he showed no signs of fatigue.

‘It’s good he doesn’t look tired! Now I can speak freely.’

It was convenient for Dong-yun, who had something to say.

“Excuse me, Hunter-nim.”

“Yes.”

Dong-yun spoke with a slightly nervous tone.

“We’ve been together for over six months now. But we’ve never had a meal together. So, I was thinking…”

Though he didn’t finish, Min Do-jun understood what he was trying to say.

“Would you like to have dinner together? Since it’s Friday night, if you’re free…”

“I’m sorry. I have a prior engagement.”

“Oh…”

Dong-yun’s expression turned dejected.

He had mustered up courage, only to be immediately rejected.

‘I know he wants to get closer, but we’ll remain a business relationship.’

Min Do-jun, swallowing his inner thoughts, got into the vehicle.

“Let’s go home.”

“Oh… yes.”

Dong-yun, barely maintaining his composure, drove the car.

* * *

The prior engagement wasn’t a lie.

He had even bought clothes in advance for this appointment.

‘I have a very important appointment.’

Friday evening.

While others were busy enjoying the night, Min Do-jun was walking the streets.

Specifically choosing secluded paths.

‘There’s no benefit in being conspicuous.’

He passed by a group of high school students smoking, showing no interest whatsoever.

Unlike him, the students seemed quite interested.

“Uncle, come here.”

Min Do-jun ignored them and continued walking.

Two students ran and blocked his path.

“Where are you going in such a hurry?”

“Are you scared of us?”

“I don’t have time to play with you.”

“Ha, look at this uncle.”

That statement was a mistake, and the students surrounded Min Do-jun.

“We were just going to extort money, but that won’t work.”

“How old are you, uncle? Not in your 20s, right?”

“Why is your face so gaunt?”

“Should we make your already ugly face even uglier?”

“Spit out everything you have. Then we’ll let you go nicely.”

“Sigh…”

Min Do-jun sighed out of frustration, which inadvertently provoked the aggressive students.

“Huh? You’re sighing?”

“Damn, are we a joke to you?”

“Should we kill you and go to juvenile detention? Huh?”

They tried to threaten him by roughly throwing down their cigarettes, but to Min Do-jun, it looked like children throwing a tantrum.

“Kids.”

Min Do-jun raised his fist.

And lightly struck the wall.

Kwang-!

Thud thud thud-

“…”

The students stared, frozen, at the falling bricks.

“Undress completely within 10 seconds. Execute.”

“Y-yes…!”

The students hurriedly began removing their clothes.

“Someone didn’t undress within 10 seconds?”

“S-sorry…”

Smack-

Thud-

A student whose face was slapped collapsed.

Unconscious.

“I’m in a hurry. 5 seconds.”

The students’ undressing speed increased.

Min Do-jun gathered their clothes and set them on fire.

Whoosh-

“Eek!”

Burning everything without leaving a trace, he turned away as if not wanting to see the students’ naked bodies.

And ran in his original direction without a word.

He had no time to delay if he wanted to make his appointment.

‘Is this the right place?’

A dark alley with only one unlit streetlight.

Min Do-jun stood alone, checking the time.

‘Fortunately, I’m not late.’

As he waited at the appointment location, a bongo truck approached.

Stopping precisely in front of Min Do-jun, the vehicle’s door opened.

“Long time no see, Gil Chung-soo. Please get in.”