Level 194.
The Dark Period spans from 305 to 425.
The stock of Solarkium decreased from 8 to 3, and the stock of Mad Solarkium decreased from 9 to 4.
These were the changes that had occurred to Kang-hoo over the past five days.
“I would like to secure as much Solarkium and Mad Solarkium stock as possible.”
-Solarkium is not an issue since I grow it myself. The problem is with Mad Solarkium…
“Is there an issue with the supply?”
-As you know, Mad Solarkium cannot be cultivated. Recently, securing stock has become impossible.
“Is there no other way?”
-There is, but it would require entering North Korea. Right now, both Hyung-seo and Bo-hye are busy, so it’s not feasible.“Understood. I’ll visit you as soon as I return to Korea and personally take care of securing the Mad Solarkium.”
-That might be necessary. Anything else you need?
“Nothing for now. I’ll contact you immediately if anything comes up.”
-Alright. Take care of yourself.
The call with Master K had just ended. They had discussed the additional purchase.
Solarkium wasn’t a problem, but it seemed there was no stock of Mad Solarkium.
It wasn’t surprising that Mad Solarkium was hard to secure since it could only be found in nature.
Someone else might have taken it first, or it could have disappeared into the hands of a monster.
“Phew.”
Kang-hoo let out a rough breath as he lay down on the sofa.
Level 200 was just around the corner. Just a little more, and he could add another basic skill.
In the previous four dungeons, there were no mid-bosses or main bosses, so he had steadily increased his Dark Period.
Of course, that was still a significant gain. Dungeons where you could obtain the Dark Period were not that common.
Moreover, the increase in the Dark Period was substantial because he had captured monsters from the wraith series, which had not been caught before.
If he were to attack the reset dungeons again, the increase in the Dark Period would be noticeably lower than it is now.
That’s why Kang-hoo had no intention of revisiting the same dungeons. It was also questionable whether the Rikou Guild would allow it.
“It does feel a bit empty.”
Although he had secured the Dark Period, he felt a bit disappointed because he hadn’t obtained any items or skills.
For that reason, he looked forward to the dungeon he would soon enter with An Yeong-ho.
That dungeon had a boss monster and the potential for some worthwhile loot.
Sarak. Sarak.
Kang-hoo fidgeted with the pill bottle containing the Gaksin Pills that he had taken out from his pocket.
He kept it close at hand, intending to take it if necessary, but he hadn’t touched it yet.
Since it was much harder to obtain than Mad Solarkium, it wasn’t something he could easily bring himself to use.
However, just as the saying goes, “Hesitation turns treasures into trash,” there might come a time when he would have to take it boldly.
“I’m tired…”
The dampness in his body kept pulling him into the cozy embrace of the sofa.
Lately, he had been consuming Solarkium and Mad Solarkium non-stop, and the fatigue had significantly accumulated.
Mad Solarkium is not a panacea. It’s more like pouring the future into the present.
Even if his stamina recovered,
The fatigue and damage accumulated both physically and mentally remained embedded throughout his body.
Kang-hoo thought.
He couldn’t confirm it directly, but if he were to tear open his body, he wondered if it would be stained entirely black inside.
It felt as though his body and mind were thoroughly soaked in the drug. Like well-pickled cabbage for kimchi…
The streetlights at night seemed unusually blurred, and the morning sunlight didn’t feel welcoming at all.
At times, he even imagined that he might become a bloodthirsty creature.
Chwareuk!
He pulled back the curtains.
2 AM.
The view of Osaka city outside was vibrant. Although not as much as Seoul, it had its unique energy.
But to Kang-hoo, the scene held no particular impression.
Although his stage had shifted from Korea to Japan, the environment surrounding him hadn’t changed much.
As he made new connections, he also made new enemies, and cities shrouded in darkness existed here too.
Is there no paradise in this world?
Is there nowhere to rest in peace, even for a month, no, even for a week, without having to hold a dagger?
Where there are dungeons, there are hunters, and where there are hunters, there is always conflict.
Even if everything seems peaceful on the surface, the seeds of conflict are always being sown somewhere.
“Ending… Ending…”
The word of purpose that he was moving towards echoed in his mind.
The Thirteen Stars were still intact.
As long as they existed, no matter where he went in the world, he would always have to endure the stench of the Demon King.
It’s a long journey.
“……”
Before he knew it, Kang-hoo had fallen asleep, tightly clutching his dagger.
It was a habit he had developed a long time ago.
That morning.
Ma Jin-ho was welcoming the first and second in command of the Groo Guild, who had just returned on an early morning flight.
The two who disembarked at Jeju Airport had tanned, bronze skin, unlike before they left.
Oh Yu-jin, Oh Hye-jin.
The master and vice master of the Groo Guild, they had been in Sweden when Kang-hoo visited earlier.
Both were recognized as skilled hunters with swords and were often called upon both domestically and internationally.
The Groo Guild members and Ma Jin-ho, who had come directly to greet them at Jeju Airport, waved warmly at the two.
Since they were on such familiar terms, there was no need for formal greetings or excessive protocols.
“Did you come?”
“No matter how close you are, what kind of greeting is ‘Did you come?’ to the Master?”
“Welcome back, Master.”
“Ugh, that sounds even worse. Just do it the usual way, oppa.”
“You’ve worked hard, Yu-jin, Hye-jin.”
Ma Jin-ho patted Oh Yu-jin and Oh Hye-jin on the shoulders.
It was a different scene from what one might expect from a typical guild.
If something like this had happened in the Jeonghwa Guild, Chae Gwanhyeong would have stepped in and dealt with such an “insubordination.”
And while Jang Si-hwan might have intervened to stop it, he wouldn’t have strongly opposed Chae Gwanhyeong’s actions.
It was like playing the roles of good cop, bad cop. The Jeonghwa Guild had a harmony of hypocrisy and recklessness, but that didn’t exist here.
On the way back to the guild’s hideout.
The Oh Yu-jin sisters dismissed the guild members and caught up on overdue conversations with Ma Jin-ho.
The first topic was Kang-hoo, who had recently joined the Groo Guild as a mercenary blood dealer.
The younger sister, Oh Hye-jin, who was slightly slower in understanding, was busy reading through the documents on Kang-hoo.
The main conversation was between Oh Yu-jin and Ma Jin-ho.
“I’ve checked all the materials you sent. I also saw that there was an update on recent news from Japan.”
“Yeah. There was something about it that really tugged at a man’s heartstrings. A hero who saved a grandmother and her granddaughter.”
“It was impressive enough to seem like a scripted scene, even though it was a real situation.”
Oh Yu-jin’s eyes sparkled.
“According to the information, it seems the Rikou Guild invited him to Japan. They said he met Suzuki Fumiya.”
“That place has always been active in recruiting foreign hunters, hasn’t it? It’s not surprising that he went there.”
“It seems he’s drawing a lot of attention. Even Nikita Boronin from the Kashimar Guild visited him before.”
“I was surprised when I heard that the guy who never showed up even when invited finally appeared.”
“That’s what I’m saying. If Nikita himself got involved, it means the Kashimar Guild had something important to convey.”
“It seems unlikely that they would take interest in just another blood dealer. That would be too one-dimensional.”
“There’s probably a reason, which might have been proven to some extent while working together as mercenaries.”
The Groo Guild members, including Ma Jin-ho, had a favorable view of Kang-hoo.
It was inevitable, considering they had gained so many conveniences while clearing dungeons together.
Especially since Ma Jin-ho, known for his strict judgment, found Kang-hoo to be flawless.
“I’ve talked with Hye-jin about it too. We’re considering pushing for his recruitment at the guild level.”
“Will it work?”
“We won’t know until we try. Our guild is completely neutral, right? That could be a significant attraction.”
“Neutrality as an attraction…”
“There are quite a few hunters who dislike sucking up to the Jeonghwa Guild, especially hunters like Shin Kang-hoo, who are proud and aloof.”
“Hye-jin, even when giving an example, using ‘sucking up’ sounds a bit crude. Watch your language.”
“Then should I say something else?”
“…”
“Anyway, we’re planning to push actively. Assassins are in short supply these days. They say you can’t even find a good assassin in hell.”
“Is it the same in Sweden?”
“There, assassins have practically disappeared. If one appears, even at level 1, they immediately scout and recruit them.”
“It’s a real mess.”
“That’s what I’m saying. Before things get worse here, we need to secure skilled assassins quickly.”
That evening.
Kang-hoo, who had finished preparing to farm the last Dark Period, met with An Yeong-ho.
Since An Yeong-ho himself was participating in the raid, more personnel than usual were deployed around the dungeon.
It seemed that because of his well-known connection as Fumiya’s nephew, they were concerned about becoming a target for the Toushi Guild.
Kang-hoo tilted his head as he watched An Yeong-ho moving awkwardly despite the warm weather.
“Why are you so stiff?”
“I’m too nervous thinking about going with you, hyung. It’s great, but I’m also really worried.”
“Your level is higher.”
“That’s not the issue. Since I have no combat ability, I might become a burden to you…”
“I think you’re underestimating the role of a healer.”
“Isn’t it just being a heal shuttle?”
“You should remember that not just anyone can do that shuttle job. Your self-esteem seems quite low.”
“I’m just like that…”
Knowing that An Yeong-ho couldn’t lie, Kang-hoo understood that his words weren’t just modesty but genuine.
Of course, Kang-hoo’s response was also sincere. There’s a reason healers are often called the flower of dungeon raids.
“Having a healer to provide healing as a foundation is advantageous. Minor injuries can be left to the healer, allowing the team to fight like mad, knowing there’s always the possibility of recovery.” ṞÁ𝐍O͍ВĘṨ
“Is the expectation that high?”
“Of course. Especially for a hunter like me, who’s always bleeding in close combat.”
Although Kang-hoo left some parts unsaid, there was more he expected from An Yeong-ho.
His healing abilities would be particularly helpful in managing the aftereffects of taking Mad Solarkium after 30 minutes.
It might minimize or even eliminate the semi-exhausted state that follows.
“Sorry, hyung. I think I’ve been too hard on myself.”
“Try running with me and see for yourself how much help you are. If it doesn’t seem right, I’ll tell you.”
“Yes, hyung.”
“Alright, let’s go in.”
Kang-hoo immediately entered the dungeon.
An Yeong-ho followed closely behind, and Kang-hoo called for a scout team that matched the dungeon’s concept.
【Summon Fallen One】
Kiiyaaaah!
As soon as the summoning skill brought forth the Fallen One, a horrifying screech, like nails on a chalkboard, erupted.
“Ugh! What is this? A ghost? What is this?”
An Yeong-ho’s startled reaction to the Fallen One was an added bonus.
But only for a moment.
His gaze soon shifted from the Fallen One to Kang-hoo, filled with curiosity and amazement.
“Hyung, do you have a skill that can summon creatures like this?”
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