Name: Park Hajin

Gender: Male

Age: 26

Level: 8

Strength 16, Agility 15, Stamina 16, Magic Power 12

Available Stat Points: 0

Coins Held: 1,580

Occupation: None

Unique Ability: Deadly Ambush

Skills: Lv3 Acceleration, Lv2 Concealment, Lv2 Light Breathing

I had already checked Park Hajins status with Eyes of Truth.

Assassins were known for their strength in one-on-one confrontations.

Light Breathing, in particular, was a highly coveted ability.

Its a passive skill that could compensate for prolonged battles.

Definitely useful.

Thats why I taunted him.

[Copy Condition: You can copy a Unique Ability if the targets affinity reaches its maximum, and you can copy any skill you want if the hostility with the target reaches its maximum.]

To meet precisely this condition.

Increasing hostility isnt such a difficult task.

Jinhyuks lips curled up slightly.

On the contrary, Park Hajins face contorted angrily.

Is this bastard seriously laughing in this situation?

Sshing!

But just as his sword was about to be drawn

Jinhyuk moved faster by half a beat.

He thrust the bottled water he was holding forward.

Splash!

The water sprayed over Park Hajins face.

Cough?

Park Hajin instinctively closed his eyes.

It was just for a second.

Yet in combat, such brief moments could be fatal.

The belated sword swing cut through empty air.

Of course, the target that should be bleeding and screaming had long since vanished.

The sensation of a hit was absent.

Something was wrong.

That thought had barely crossed his mind when

Throb!

A sharp pain lanced through Park Hajins thigh.

He staggered.

Argh!

He tumbled to the ground.

Park Hajin clutched his thigh and rolled on the bare earth.

That precise and rapid strike targeted his weak point; he wouldnt even be able to stand for a while, let alone fight.

What, what happened?

Asking questions to oneself.

Was it a misstep?

The absurd mistake.

It seemed like a struck of luck to those unaware.

Only three people amid hundreds discerned what just happened.

Lee Taemin and Yoo Yeonhwawho had followed Jinhyukand Kim Gitaek from the Ssaulabi Guild.

To think our brother was this good, but this is crazy.

Lee Taemin swallowed dryly.

The timing for the sneak attack.

The timing to dive into the blind spot right after, was flawless.

It may have looked fine on the outside, but it was clear Park Hajins leg was not normal.

Of course, he still was unaware of the severity of his injuries.

Uh.

A sympathetic sigh came from Yoo Yeonhwa.

Seeing Park Hajin being played with overlapped with her memories of sparring with her grandfather.

No, this is even worse.

Back then, at least there was the purpose of training.

But now

From the perspective of the victim, there was nothing to learn.

It was nothing but a one-sided beating.

What, what is this?

Park Hajin couldnt comprehend the situation.

It was supposed to be that guy writhing on the ground.

But why

Why was he feeling the cold touch of marble on his cheek?

Damn it!

Expletives burst from his mouth.

Such humiliation, in front of Kim Gitaek.

Even if he was caught off guard, it was an irreparable mistake.

This bastard is going down.

Park Hajin made an awkward attempt to stand.

But then, a crushing pressure encircled his neck.

Crack!

Gag?

Your neck will break. Stay down.

Jinhyuk looked down at Park Hajin from above.

Cough! Get get off my neck!

Park Hajin thrashed about.

Though he fought to free himself, somehow the others leg did not waver in the slightest.

Oh, brother!

It was then that Park Hanas voice rang out.

She had rushed forward upon hearing the commotion.

Who dares to!

Park Hana glared at the one who attacked her kin with murderous eyes.

However, upon meeting that persons gaze, she started to tremble.

Wha-what?

The very person she least wanted to encounter.

The demon whom she couldnt even dare to look at was before her eyes.

Wow. I didnt expect to see you so soon, intern.

Jinhyuk smiled faintly.

Why are you here?

Why else? I came for the test. I got irritated because some guy was cutting in line and acting all high and mighty, though.

Jinhyuk put more weight on his foot.

Ugh!

Park Hajin finally quieted down.

Things got a little quieter now.

But has the copy condition still not been met?

By now, he thought hostility would have maxed out.

Seems like the system had more demanding criteria than he expected.

No choice then. I have to push even harder.

While he was thinking, a voice intervened.

Thats enough.

A heavy pressure landed on Jinhyuks shoulder.

It was Kim Gitaek.

[`Eyes of Truth have been triggered!]

[Due to a significant level difference, the skills activation is canceled!]

He couldnt see the status window with his eye.

Meaning

He is at least level 20 or more.

The advantage of monopolizing hunting grounds and sharing hunts.

This was why everyone was desperate to join major guilds.

Jinhyuk glanced at the hand gripping his shoulder.

Then murmured as if to himself.

I didnt realize.

What didnt you realize?

That this guy had a nanny attached to him.

Though the comment was tinged with provocation, Kim Gitaeks expression was unchanged.

Hes a handful, but theres nothing I can do. Hes got some useful quirks.

Useful quirks, huh

Jinhyuk chuckled lightly.

Is it because he has access to the supply route for Korean ginseng in China?

What?

For the first time, a noticeable change appeared on Kim Gitaeks face.

His pupils shook.

Even the hand that held the shoulder trembled slightly.

How do you know that?

Youre asking the wrong question. Not how I know, but

If he knew that much about it.

If he was someone who knew that much.

Could it be

You should be asking if the side effects of Korean ginseng can be countered.

As Jinhyuks words ended

Whirring!

[Kim Gitaek activates Lv3 Dark Barrier!]

An invisible barrier expanded.

Park Hajin, Park Hana, and everyone else around disappeared.

In a world severed from the outside, Kim Gitaek faced Jinhyuk head-on.

Who What exactly are you? How do you know all this?

At first, it was intriguing.

A newbie, fresh for testing, had toyed with Park Hajin.

And his movement without waste was slightly admirable.

But as Jinhyuks words continued, curiosity turned into uncomfortable suspicion.

And eventually, it became strong antagonism.

It had to.

He

He knew too much.

Too much, excessively so.

It seems youve asked the wrong question again.

Jinhyuk shrugged.

Its not important what I know or how I know it. The key is what can be exchanged for the information I have.

This isnt a hearing.

Only results matter.

Motive or process, irrelevant.

You want to trade?

Yes. Youre probably desperate to reduce those side effects anyway, right?

Struck at the heart of the issue, Kim Gitaek clenched his lips.

But only briefly.

As if youve prepared for this trade beforehand.

Spontaneous there were too many discrepancies for that.

A premeditated setup.

Only then would the scenario make sense.

Jinhyuk gave an affirmative shrug instead of a word.

Right. I knew you would come here.

As soon as he heard about the test from Lee Taemin, he hypothesized.

The best place for self-promotion.

Park Hana, having risen to the Hall of Fame, wouldnt miss the chance to come at dawn.

Surely, bringing Park Hajin for connections.

But would Park Hajin, eager for his guilds growth, come alone?

Unlikely.

He wouldve tried to involve someone from the upper echelons.

The other party wouldnt want to miss the chance for mass media exposure.

Convergence of interests.

Thats why he was sure

Dangun or Ssaulabi.

At least one of the high-ranking officers from these two would show up.

I did anticipate Ssaulabi, aiming for the second spot, to have higher chances.

And that turned out to be accurate.

If your words are true, do you have evidence? Anyone can talk.

Evidence?

Of course.

Taking Korean ginseng raw leads to magical intoxication. You can mitigate symptoms by managing the dosage or using the Purified Water from the second floor. But thats no solution.

So?

Youll need three items.

Jinhyuk held up three fingers.

Karashian juice, moonstone, mandragora root. The first two from the second and third floors of the tower are no issue, but the trouble is, no one knows where to get the last one, right?

it matches.

The formula obtained by the Ssaulabi Guilds research team and explorers, and the mans words.

They had easily secured the first two ingredients.

But the last one, mandragora root, was elusive.

They hadnt even pinpointed its floor in the tower.

Given he knows the formula and ingredients his words must be true.

The basic condition for trade was met.

The decision was quick.

Alright, Ill bite. But

In that moment, Kim Gitaeks sheathed sword flashed outward.

Sshing!

Speed incomparable to Park Hajin.

The sword tip stopped short before Jinhyuks nose.

If youre trying a cheap trick, be prepared.

A cheap trick, huh?

Yes. You wont be able to talk your way out then.

This is quite a misunderstanding.

Jinhyuk scratched his head.

And slowly wrapped his hand around the blade.

No need to grip, Im not planning to run.

Kim Gitaek chuckled lightly.

Then, suddenly.

Woosh!

[Lv2 Element of Fire has been activated!]

[Due to the level gap, the Stat Discrepancy is activated!]

Flames undulated, turning the blade red-hot.

The heat was unbearable to the skin.

Even the moisture in the air rapidly evaporated.

What is?

Kim Gitaek quickly tried to withdraw his sword, but it was too late.

Crack!

Jinhyuks other hand now grasped a dagger, glowing red.

A horizontal slash.

A tiny crack formed on Kim Gitaeks blade.

Subtle but precise.

And then

Thud!

The split sword fell to the ground.

A reinforced weaponhe cut it in one strike?

Impossible!

Kim Gitaek stared dumbfounded between the broken blade and the hilt.

Surely, this opponent is just a level-one player.

But then, what is this menacing aura?

As if levels were utterly meaningless.

His instincts screamed a dire warning.

Jinhyuk spoke.

Dont be confused. I make the offers. I grant the opportunities.

His voice was colder than ever.

I bother with this tedious game because even bargaining with you is a waste of my time.

He needed to reach the Remnant on the first floor.

Thats why he spent a month in the labyrinth.

However, if someone refuses to see sense, he could spare a moment.

Remember this well.

Right here, he draws the line.

If you play tricks

The warning was clear.

Ssaulabi Guild itself might just shatter.

Warnings come only once.