Chapter 35 (2/2)

‘Now that I think about it, even Kang Taeshik released the skill after few seconds . ’.

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It was clear that the B-rank Hunter did not do so out of some dramatic flair . He probably did not have the magic power to maintain the skill for long . If the high-ranker Kang Taeshik was like that, low-rankers probably couldn’t even activate the skill . .

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“Looks like mana is the problem . ”.

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He had invested points in every stat except for intelligence so far, but his mana did not increase . This told him that to increase his mana, he had to raise the intelligence stat….

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‘Do I have to start putting points into intelligence?’.

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But it felt a little wasteful to invest his valuable points just so he could use a skill for a little longer . Especially because Jinwoo felt that intelligence was not a stat directly usable in combat . .

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‘Compared to the others, intelligence really feels lacking . ’.

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Strength, constitution, agility, sense . .

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As each of those stats rose, he became noticeably stronger . But even when he had raised the intelligence stat through level-ups, he did not gain any worthwhile powerup . Compared to when he was level 1, his intelligence stat had nearly quadrupled, but the only thing it gave him was increased mana . That was it . To invest valuable points into the stat just for that was….

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‘Too wasteful . ’.

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Using those points in the other four attributes equaled to directly strengthening his flesh and blood . In the end, Jinwoo decided that he would just increase his mana through level-ups . The stat points would be distributed into the other, more useful stats . .

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‘Stat points…’.

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He remembered that he still had 5 points received from the emergency quest . After thinking about putting them into intelligence, Jinwoo instead put 3 points into strength and 2 points in to constitution . .

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Stats.

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Strength: 75.

Constitution: 45.

Agility: 82.

Intelligence: 39.

Sense: 69.

(Available stat points: 0).

Physical Damage Reduction: 20%.

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‘Yep . Multiples of five are a good thing . ’.

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As Jinwoo smiled in satisfaction,.

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SHAAAAAKE!.

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The Dungeon’s interiors shook as if the world was ending . .

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‘Has it already been one hour?’.

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There was no time to delay anymore . Jinwoo closed his stat screen . He had purposely waited inside until right before the Gate would close . Staying here any longer would mean that he would never be able to leave . Jinwoo did a final check before leaving the boss room . .

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‘Let’s see, I got all the magic cores…’.

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There was nothing he had forgotten . After going over every detail, Jinwoo quickly ran through the Dungeon . .

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SHAAAAAAKE!!!.

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As if telling him to leave, the Dungeon shook intensely again . .

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Right on time, the Association’s investigators and employees had arrived . They watched Jinwoo exit the Gate just as it closed and asked,.

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“H-Hunter-nim! Are there any other survivors?”.

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“No . ”.

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“Oh no!”.

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The employee’s expressions hardened . 9 people had entered the Dungeon; only 3 had come out alive . This would be yet another major incident for the Association in the area . Faced with the prospect of a second incident, the Association employees assigned to this sector grimaced . They wanted to enter the Dungeon themselves to check for survivors, but the Gate had already closed . This was the reason why Jinwoo had purposely waited until the last minute to exit . .

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‘Can’t let them know there was another survivor . Was . ’.

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Now, the only witnesses were the three that had survived . An employee started talking hesitantly,.

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“Just now . we’ve received the confession of Gold Mountain Company’s president over the phone . ”.

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Song Chiyeol stepped forward,.

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“The president of Gold Mountain Company?”.

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“Yes, he’s one of the prisoner’s victim’s father who had contacted HSD Hunter Kang Taeshik for an assassination . ”.

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“Ah…”.

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The employee explained that once he had heard that Kang Taeshik had succeeded in killing the prisoner, the president of the company had confessed to everything . .

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‘Well, it wasn’t Kang Taeshik, but me…’ Jinwoo thought . .

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The police had gone to the company president, and the Association had come to the Gate . .

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After a moment of silence, Jinwoo asked,.

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“So there are no problems, right?”.

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The employee responded embarrassingly,.

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“Yes, I suppose so . ”.

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Kang Taeshik’s crimes had a clear evidence, and the three survivors had fought him for their own lives . As Jinwoo said, there was indeed no problems . Except one . .

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The employee asked something that was troubling him,.

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“Who killed the B-rank Hunter Kang Taeshik?”.

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Having just arrived, the employees had not heard this part of the story yet . The distance to the Association HQ was far from here, and the employees had hurriedly made efforts to arrive before the Gate closed . They all looked very tired . .

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Jinwoo decided to tell the truth, then thought of Yoo Jinho . .

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‘It’s unfortunate but looks like I won’t be able to help him anymore . ’.

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If he told the truth, he would have to undergo a retest and have his rank raised . Once that happened, his part in Yoo Jinho’s plans would be over . After all, what the young man needed was not only a skilled Hunter, but a low ranking one . Once he received his new rank, Jinwoo would no longer qualify . .

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‘Hmm… what’s with this feeling?’.

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Jinwoo imagined Yoo Jinho’s disappointed face . Instead of feeling sorry, he actually felt like laughing . Still, it was a shame that he wouldn’t get that building . .

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‘Well, what could I do…’.

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Determined, Jinwoo started opening his mouth but was interrupted,.

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“It was me . ”.

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Jinwoo turned towards the voice . Lee Juhee was staring at Song Chiyeol in shock . .

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“Ahjussi…?”.

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Before Jinwoo could stop him, the old man stepped forth . .

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“I was the one who killed Kang Taeshik . ”.

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The employee looked suspicious,.

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“Hunter Song Chiyeol-nim was the one?”.

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That was impossible . Song Chiyeol was a C-ranker; on top of that, he was missing an arm . His opponent was a B-ranker, whose existence would be called a high-ranker . Their strength exceeded imagination . The difference between a B-ranker and a C-ranker was incomparable to the difference between a C-ranker and a D-ranker . .

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Song Chiyeol laughed and replied,.

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“You all know who’s standing behind me, right?”.

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“Ah!”.

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All eyes fell on Lee Juhee, who lowered her embarrassed face . .

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Lee Juhee was also a B-rank Hunter . She may not be a combat-class Hunter, but she was still a high-ranker like Kang Taeshik . If a B-rank Healer supported a C-rank Hunter, there just might have been a chance that they prevailed . The employees all nodded understandingly . While they were thinking about the possibilities, Jinwoo went up to Song Chiyeol’s side and quietly asked,.

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“Why did you lie?”.

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Song Chiyeol replied with a subdued voice,.

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“I felt like Sung-ssi had a reason to hide your abilities . Should I not have?”.

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Of course not . Thanks to the elder, Jinwoo would be able to avoid a thorn in his side for a bit longer . Jinwoo was impressed by the old man’s ability to take a hint . .

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“No, no . I’m grateful . ”.

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“I’m the one who has to be grateful . I’m just glad I was able to help out a little . ”.

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An Association investigator approached the pair . .

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“Song Chiyeol-ssi, could you please come with us? We just have to wrap-up the details . ”.

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“Yes, let’s . ”.

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Song Chiyeol left with the investigator to the Association, along with the rest of the employees . Soon, only Jinwoo and Juhee remained . The sun had already set a while ago . Feeling awkward near the changed Jinwoo, Juhee shyly approached him and asked,.

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“Could we walk together for a bit?”.

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‘Is this about the dinner promise?’.

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Jinwoo was hungry after moving around for a while and felt that it was a good timing . He happily agreed,.

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“Sure . ”.

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Under the streetlights, the pair walked, side by side, in silence . .

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“ . ”.

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Juhee stared at her feet as they walked . Everytime she looked up, she peaked a glance at Jinwoo . She wanted to ignore it, but she could not ignore the fact that the man felt a lot stronger than before . She had found him more comfortable to be near in the past . Now, it was hard to even strike up a conversation with him . .

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‘Just what happened to him…?’.

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Not just the fact that he had easily defeated a B-rank Hunter . The man’s presence felt completely different than before . He had asked for her silence, so she did not want to press the issue . .

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But his abrupt change bothered her for some reason . .