Chapter 87: Jeon Jong-Du (2)
The only weakness of a barrier designed to detect intruders is that it cannot be as dense as a net.
If it were, each line of the barrier would interfere with the others, causing a contact reaction.
Thus, it was common for there to be gaps large enough for one person to slip through.
Of course, even constructed this way, it wasnt a significant problem.
It was rare for someone to precisely perceive the mana flow connected to the barrier.
There are devices designed to search for it, but they are bulky and complicated to use, making them unsuitable for this kind of combat.
In this regard, I was blessed.
Innate mana hypersensitivity allowed me to bypass complicated procedures and processes through sensation.
It was a privilege others didnt possess.
On the downside, it made me pay a hefty price with my body for excessive mana usage
Nonetheless, being able to detect barriers and traps in advance was a significant advantage.
Swoosh.
Kang-hoo effortlessly slid his body through a gap in the barrier, passing by without making contact.
His slender figure and snugly fitting clothes worked in harmony at that moment.
Im looking for you, Jeon Jong-du.
He began his search for Jeon Jong-du, who was hiding somewhere, with determination in his eyes.
A substantial reward was at stake for him. He couldnt afford to give up.
He carefully toyed with the Mad Solarkium concealed in his pocket.
It seemed about time to consume it again.
Meanwhile, Jeon Jong-du was seething with frustration.
Damn it. If I had just a bit more time, I couldve managed this smoothly Xmi.
He couldnt hold back his anger.
He had been suspicious of the Kim Su-kyung mercenary group for some time.
But he never expected them to attack the factory so boldly and suddenly.
In a way, it was a lapse in safety.
Even though he knew the Kim Su-kyung mercenary group, an enemy faction, was on the move, he didnt expect them to strike today.
Thump. Thump.
Meanwhile, the corpse of a hunter beneath Jeon Jong-dus feet twitched at regular intervals.
This was because it was being drained of vitality by Jeon Jong-du.
Jeon Jong-du, a light warrior, possessed the ability to siphon the vitality of living beings.
This power stemmed from the constellation.
He used this ability for health recovery, and once his health was fully restored, it would lead to an increase in combat power.
This meant enhanced muscle strength, improved skill firepower, and so on.
At the moment, health recovery had long been achieved, and he was gearing up for a boost in combat power.
However, the level of improvement he desired was still unmet, reaching only about 40% of the maximum.
Thus, he needed more time, but the circumstances were far from favorable.
Jeon Jong-du cast another glance at the CCTV screens.
Not on the 1st or 2nd floors, but in the basements 1st and 2nd levels, numerous hunters were imprisoned.
These hunters were to be shipped on a cargo ship arriving from Russia the next day. They were high-quality merchandise.
The pre-sale booking price alone neared 50 billion won, marking them as fairly high-quality goods.
But now, the deal was not only at risk, but the entire storage warehouse faced the threat of destruction.
Upon further reflection, it wasnt just that; the fate of the entire Osho mercenary group hung in the balance.
Xbal!
Unable to contain his impatience any longer, Jeon Jong-du stood up abruptly.
Thump!
He didnt refrain from kicking the already lifeless body, an unnecessary display of anger typical of him.
I cant wait any longer, or everyone but me will be dead.
What frustrated Jeon Jong-du the most was the early elimination of the magical sniper hunters during the battle.
They had been strategically positioned but were silently taken out by an unknown hunter.
The internal CCTV failed to capture the assailants face clearly, adding to his frustration.
But whoever it was, Jeon Jong-du was determined to fold them in half at the waist and finish them off if caught.
Creak. Creak.
His forearms, brimming with vitality, swelled to a thickness greater than that of a tire.
Unlike other hunters, who usually gear up with their weapons or attack items before heading into battle, Jeon Jong-du was merely flicking his bare hands and loosening his joints. His body was his weapon.
At that moment,
Hmm.
Jeon Jong-du noticed something tiny, like fine dust, flowing in.
This secret area was off-limits to anyone but Jeon Jong-du.
More precisely, they lacked the authority to enter.
Moreover, with a barrier set up to detect intruders, entering unnoticed was impossible.
Yet, there was an uninvited guest.
Nothing was caught on the CCTV at the entrance, so who could have gotten in here?
Are you that rat?
Jeon Jong-du realized the presence of the intruder.
This person was the one who killed the magical snipers, the one who left almost no trace at the scene.
Considering there was no news from Bejumie, who was intentionally placed at the side door, it was clear he was also eliminated.
The opponent was surely nearby, yet remained silent.
Assassins were the job class Jeon Jong-du hated the most. He loathed their darkness and secrecy.
Then,
Swoosh!
Out of the darkness, Kang-hoo appeared, and simultaneously, a thrown dagger flew at Jeon Jong-du.
It was a powerful throw, accompanied by lightning-fast speed.
Crack!
Then, Kang-hoo chewed on the Mad Solarkium. It seemed he couldnt fight Jeon Jong-du without a booster.
Poof!
The dagger flew and embedded itself in Jeon Jong-dus thick forearm.
Jeon Jong-dus response was too natural, as if avoiding it was never an option.
That hurts a bit.
Jeon Jong-du looked down at the dagger deeply lodged in his forearm and then pulled it out with his hand.
Blood flowed freely, but Jeon Jong-du didnt care.
It was a frequent occurrence, so it didnt bother him.
With a forearm that thick, can you even properly apply ointment behind it?
Kang-hoo chuckled at the sight of Jeon Jong-dus body, which was thicker and more massive than he had anticipated.
Exaggerating slightly, Jeon Jong-du appeared to be twice the size of Kang-hoo.
Seemingly deeming the question unworthy of a response, Jeon Jong-du shifted the conversation.
Where are you from? Are you affiliated with the Kim Su-kyung mercenary group?
If youre curious, defeat me first, then ask.
Kang-hoo flicked his fingers, taunting Jeon Jong-du. Jeon Jong-du then grinned and responded.
Defeat? Im going to fold you.
It was the most chilling statement Kang-hoo had heard so far.
Was such a situation even imaginable?
Gulp.
Kang-hoo swallowed dryly, his anxiety palpable.
Initially, the plan was to capture Jeon Jong-du alive by any means necessary.
This was because capturing him would yield a reward of 30 billion won.
Since Kang-hoo had ventured here, he was confident that support from Kim Su-kyung would soon follow.
Playing a pivotal role in the capture would almost guarantee him a reward close to 30 billion won.
Furthermore, since Kim Su-kyung was the client, she wouldnt be paying herself the reward.
Until his arrival, his strategy was indeed focused on a live capture.
But.
Upon encountering Jeon Jong-du, his perspective shifted.
Jeon Jong-du was contracted with a total of five constellations:
[Ruthless Glutton]
[Dog of the Battlefield]
[Seeker of Endurance]
[Guide of the Wind]
[Master of Trickery]
Among these, the constellation that intrigued him the most was the Ruthless Glutton.
[Ruthless Glutton]
[It's a neutral-aligned constellation.]
[Allows you to absorb vitality from monsters or hunters to recover health or increase combat power.]
His assumption was accurate.
Health recovery was merely one advantage; he could also discern the effect of enhanced combat power.
Moreover, the effects of the other four constellations complemented Kang-hoo well.
In this scenario, rather than capturing Jeon Jong-du and earning 30 billion, it seemed more advantageous to kill him and secure 10 billion.
Eliminating him would also allow for the acquisition of constellation contracts valued at over 20 billion.
A constellation like Master of Trickery carried high unpredictability but also the potential for a jackpot, akin to a lottery ticket.
Ruthless Glutton is the constellation that perfectly aligns with my solo playstyle.
Securing the Ruthless Glutton would eliminate the need for a healer.
Health potions? Redundant.
In just a short time, he could recover anywhere, at any time. The process would be streamlined.
However, the issue was,
With such constellation abilities, the moment Im caught by Jeon Jong-du, Ill be like a juice pack completely squeezed out.
He recognized the critical situation he needed to be extremely cautious of in the battle against Jeon Jong-du.
The vision of being grabbed, drained, and ending up like a deflated balloon!
That scenario, not from a movie or a novel, could become his reality.
Furthermore, since Jeon Jong-du is a physical fighter known for grappling and overpowering his opponents, once caught, it would essentially mean the end of his life. He was sure of it. Instant demise.
He had to engage Jeon Jong-du with an extreme out-boxer strategy.
If I cant surpass Jeon Jong-du, Ill end up like Kang Dong-hyun. No, I wont even reach that level.
Kang-hoo viewed the confrontation with Jeon Jong-du as an inevitable challenge.
To progress, he must push beyond his limits.
He could opt out of the battle with Jeon Jong-du and leave, given the multitude of allies and enemies alike.
But not every future scenario will be to his advantage, including the caliber of enemies.
Thus, overcoming even a difficult and challenging scenario seemed essential.
30 minutes.
He had to conclude the battle before the effects of the Mad Solarkium wore off. There would be no second chance.
Die, you little!
Jeon Jong-du charged at Kang-hoo like an enraged buffalo.
Originally, the space wasnt very large for maneuvering. It was about the size of a 34-pyeong apartment.
Thud. Thud.
Moreover, since Jeon Jong-du had pressed the button on the desk before charging, the retreat path was naturally blocked.
He thought it was an open space, but there was a closing mechanism. Kang-hoo missed that detail.
A one-on-one situation was forcibly created. Now that the exit was blocked, there was no turning back.
[Shadow Step]
Whoosh!
To avoid contact, Kang-hoo diversified his movement options using Shadow Step.
And he thought.
If necessary.
If hes about to die, he could use teleportation to escape the scene.
Thinking of this psychological safety net gave him comfort.
Having a reliable backup plan reduces worries and fears, adding boldness.
To catch an enraged bull, you have to be more rampant than the bull itself.
And so, the hunt began.
Updat𝒆d fr𝒐m freew𝒆bnov𝒆l.c(o)m