The Genius Assassin Who Takes it All

While I was relaxing in a half-bath after a long time, I received a call from An Yeong-ho.

Except for issues related to item sales, I had asked him not to contact me for at least a day.

Since he was calling, it seemed the item sale had been completed.

“Hey, Yeong-ho.”

-Hyung, the item sale is finished. The appraisal was quick, and we found a buyer right away.

“It must have been an internal guild sale then.”

-Yes, that’s right. Since it was the item you obtained after killing the Tou-si Guild members, it gained more popularity.

“How much?”

-79 billion won. Shall I deposit it right away? That’s the amount after taxes.

-Yes, it will be deposited from our guild’s dedicated account. Oh, by the way, a few items were destroyed and couldn’t be sold.

“I figured that would happen.”

-I’m sorry. They lost their value as items, so I tried selling them as mementos, but…

“Forget it. Even if you gave it to me, I wouldn’t take that junk.”

Kang-hoo smirked.

This is the problem with Blood Flower.

It specializes in delivering a fatal blow by causing all of the accumulated wounds of an enemy to burst at once.

However, in the process of bodies exploding, the equipped items get destroyed more often than expected.

Especially necklaces with low durability were the primary victims of Blood Flower.

For Kang-hoo, who often targeted the neck in his attack repertoire, it was an inevitable fate.

This time was no different.

More than four items were broken due to Blood Flower. Because of that, the final settlement was disappointing.

After a short wait, the deposit notification appeared.

-Hyung, it’s deposited!

“Yeah, I’ve confirmed it. Thanks.”

-Enjoy your rest! We won’t contact you until you reach out first, hyung!

“Alright. I’ll be in touch.”

He ended the call right away.

When he checked through his bank app, the account balance showed 264.1 billion won.

A creative economy where you earn money by killing hunters. It wasn’t what I intended, but the result turned out well.

“A time when death becomes money.”

That phrase was also written in the original story.

It’s a time when you can kill a hunter, steal the items they own, and turn them into your fortune.

It’s also the reason why hunter-on-hunter killings have become rampant worldwide.

Because it’s profitable.

In the early days of the hunter era, the Public Safety Bureau still had considerable power, and back then, the rule of law somewhat prevailed.

But now that “survival of the fittest” has become the default, it’s a different story. No one protects your life anymore.

“Even first-grade items are starting to…”

Greed was rising.

The minimum price for a first-grade item is 500 billion won, with no maximum price limit.

Kang-hoo’s desire for a first-grade dagger was growing significantly.

Especially since he already had the Accursed Gloves.

Even if he equipped a first-grade dagger, he could still wear the second-grade dagger Corrupted Conviction that he currently had.

Then, a thought about the elusive 0-grade item suddenly crossed his mind.

It requires two first-grade items as materials, so it wasn’t something achievable right away, but someday, it would be a goal to reach.

For this reason, no matter how much money he earned, it never felt like enough.

This is also the hunter’s economy. Once you decide to spend, burning through billions of won is nothing.

“Sigh.”

Kang-hoo let out a hot breath and sank back into the tub.

Then he checked the information of the constellations he had plundered. He had delayed looking at them because he was focusing on other matters.

【Invincible One】

【Damage is enhanced by (level difference * 0.1)% when facing a lower-level target.】

【Endurer】

【Skill evasion rate increases by (level difference * 0.01)% when facing a higher-level target.】

These were the two constellations he plundered from Cha So-hyeok. Although their names were different, the concepts seemed quite similar.

They were constellations that could be used effectively against both stronger and weaker opponents.

In simple terms, you could hit weaker enemies harder or dodge stronger enemies’ attacks better.

“No wonder. I felt like my hand holding the dagger was going to tear apart.”

There were several moments during the fight with Cha So-hyeok when his sword and Kang-hoo’s dagger clashed.

Each time, Kang-hoo felt like his right hand was shaking to the point of breaking. It was that powerful.

Now it made sense—it was because of the Invincible One constellation.

The Endurer constellation also seemed quite useful.

Even a slight increase in evasion rate means there’s a higher chance of dodging a skill, no matter how small.

【Black Sunset】

【You can designate one skill and change it to a skill that incorporates the dark period.

To reassign, you must permanently consume 10 units of dark period.】

【Successor of the Diagonal Line】

【You can learn one skill from a hunter you have killed.

Once learning is complete, the constellation contract will increase your dark period by 25.】

These two constellations were plundered from the black mage. As expected, given the profession, the constellations were related to the dark period.

“I guess Black Sunset would work best with Decapitating Strike… Successor of the Diagonal Line can be put on hold for now.”

The ability to utilize the dark period alongside skills had significant implications.

Another method to hunt spectral monsters like the Black Guide or Black Shadow had now become available.

Currently, hunting is only possible with Black Moon Slash or with basic attacks that lack power due to low synergy.

However, if I can create a parallel skill using the Black Sunset constellation, that skill would become another viable option.

As for the Successor of the Diagonal Line constellation, it allows me to learn one skill from a hunter I’ve killed.

I need to think carefully about this.

Even though it’s a lower-tier version of skill copying, useful skills aren’t always exclusive to high-level hunters.

【Third Eye】

【You can install a third eye at a designated location and share its field of view.

The third eye is invisible but easily breakable due to its sensitivity to mana flow.】

“This is for reconnaissance. While it’s technically constellation plunder, it feels more like I’ve stolen a reconnaissance skill.”

The Third Eye, plundered from an assassin, also seemed useful in various ways.

Regardless of any preparation hunters do before entering a dungeon, the most concerning aspect is always the rear.

Even though we check for safety as much as possible, you never know who might strike from behind.

To counter that, planting a Third Eye would at least allow detection of intruders. Its weak durability, however, remains an issue.

I had filled the constellation slots efficiently.

Thanks to the Dimension Plunderer, this was all possible.

Not only could I claim items from the hunters I killed, but I also gained the additional benefit of their constellations.

It was a special privilege that other hunters couldn’t enjoy, and it made me feel unique all over again.

“I need more main constellations.”

Just when I felt momentarily satisfied with constellation plundering, my thoughts naturally extended in a different direction.

It was about the three remaining empty constellation slots.

The constellations Dimension Plunderer, Strategist of the Wasteland, and Seeker of Pure Blackness didn’t occupy those slots.

Though the reasons were different, none of them posed a hindrance to me.

I didn’t want to impulsively fill all the slots, but I was thinking of filling at least one of them for now.

Even though caution is good, holding back too much isn’t always the best approach.

As I pondered this new concern, the three main constellations each voiced their opinions.

【Do whatever you want. You wouldn’t listen to me anyway.】

Dimension Plunderer was the first to react, as expected.

That statement implied she would respect my decision, even if I invited a new constellation. By now, I understood her way of speaking.

【If it helps you, I’ll support whatever decision you make. Don’t worry about me.】

Strategist of the Wasteland always offered encouragement! As expected, she gave the anticipated response.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

【Everything will be as the contractor wishes.】

Even Seeker of Pure Blackness humbly supported my decision.

Although he was the highest-ranking among the three main constellations, he had never acted arrogant or condescending.

Yet, at the same time, there was something that made me feel tense. There was always this subtle sense of distance.

“Well then, as for filling the constellation slot…”

Just as I was about to appeal for a new sponsor or supporter among the constellations that had been watching over me.

One constellation that had been silent for a while suddenly appeared.

I had half-expected this to happen, and it seemed like my bait worked. It was exactly what I had hoped for.

【I think it would be nice if I could take one of those spots.】

It was the voice of the Great Calamity – Darkness.

Like Seeker of Pure Blackness, Great Calamity – Darkness was a high-ranking entity within the top 50 of the Grand Holy War. Their name was written in gold.

“Have you made up your mind? I’d be honored.”

I said in a soft voice.

It was amusing to be having such a conversation while lying naked in the bathtub…

But in the world of constellations, which transcends the realm of humans, such trivial things like nudity wouldn’t be a source of amusement.

【Out of all the entities I’ve observed, none compare to you. And that includes the ones I haven’t observed.】

A high compliment.

They had watched many hunters but hadn’t found one as remarkable as me.

“Shall we join forces then?”

【There’s just one thing I’d like to mention. It seems there are constellations in this world even we are unaware of.

I’m deeply curious and want to find these constellations—or the contractors allied with them—together with you.】

“I fully understand what you’re saying. It seems the previous incident is still weighing on your mind.”

【It would be a lie to say it isn’t.】

A god’s wish.

I clearly remember that event as well. It had involved constellations even unknown to other constellations.

At the time, it seemed like an enormous mystery for the future, but for now, I held off making any judgments.

Thinking and worrying wouldn’t solve the problem.

In due time, new clues and circumstances related to that matter would naturally surface.

When that time comes, I’ll think about it again. There’s no need to overthink it now.

【I already secured approval from the Grand Holy War long ago. Let’s proceed with the contract.】

They must have been thinking about it for a while and had already secured preliminary approval.

Yet, they had kept silent, probably because they didn’t want to share the same table with the other constellations.

Constellations also live off pride. I could understand Great Calamity – Darkness’s feelings perfectly well.

【Sitting shoulder-to-shoulder on the same thrones as those three… what a troublesome situation.】

Dimension Plunderer grumbled, but I didn’t mind. She always expressed herself in that way.

The contract proceeded swiftly.

With approval from the Grand Holy War already secured, and since there were no disagreements, everything went smoothly.

Then.

Soon, the three special benefits related to the Great Calamity – Darkness constellation were revealed.

【First: By utilizing the contractor's unique mana recovery rate, you can rapidly recover the dark period at that speed.】

However, the physical strain on the body will increase by five times.】

‘Not bad. If I use it too often, I’ll end up a wreck, but it’s great for emergency recovery.’

Maybe because it’s a high-ranking constellation?

The initial benefit addressed a frustration I had been feeling for a while.

The remaining two benefits also intrigued me, and my eyes brightened in anticipation.