The Time Of The Beast (1)

He gained free stats with each level up, and most crucial for Kang-hoo, the health stat.

These items, known as stat-proportional items, were highly valued for their efficiency.

Of course, their allure waned once their proportional benefits ceased.

But by then, better items were likely available, so there was no cause for concern.

In essence, during the growth phase, this item outperformed any other. Without hesitation, Kang-hoo swapped out the Prelude to Madness gloves for the Soul Mate gloves.

‘There’s no need to think twice about changing into these shoes.’

Before he removed his current shoes, Kang-hoo gave them a final check. It pays to be thorough.

‘Just as expected.’

From any angle, the new shoes were clearly superior.

Kang-hoo immediately switched to the new shoes. He could sell the old ones.

Afterward…

The items he looted from the dead hunters were either duplicates or less efficient.

He sorted them all for sale, estimating a return of about 500 million won.

Kang-hoo didn’t concern himself with the value of the spoils Yun Sang-mi collected.

That was her domain. A strict separation of rewards was one of Kang-hoo’s core principles.

Vrooom!

The safety bus resumed its journey south.

The bus driver, having staunched his bleeding and settled the situation inside, regained his composure,

especially since Kang-hoo had given him 2 million won for the driving and medical costs.

He pressed hard on the accelerator, maintaining a comfortable ride.

Although the bus reeked of blood, Kang-hoo was indifferent. His face remained impassive.

Yun Sang-mi occasionally wiped her nose but quickly grew accustomed to the familiar smell.

Only after they stopped at a rest area did the silence inside the bus fill with sounds.

Kang-hoo purchased canned coffee, while Yun Sang-mi opted for canned beer, sparking a bit of conversation.

As usual, Yun Sang-mi was the first to break the silence. Kang-hoo typically played the listener.

“Oppa.”

“No.”

“…Eh? I just called you Oppa. What’s there to dislike? I haven’t even said anything yet?”

“Let’s play solo.”

“What, Oppa? Scary! Did you learn mind-reading or something?”

“No. When you seriously call me ‘Oppa,’ you usually want to team up.”

“Tch. You’re really playing hard to get.”

Yun Sang-mi pouted, her intentions exposed before she could articulate them.

From her perspective, Kang-hoo was too valuable a resource to leave unattended. Of course, that was her personal assessment.

His skills were exceptional.

It seemed he could be deployed anywhere and address any issue.

He also seemed fearless.

In truth, she had more concerns.

Even in the earlier bus altercation, despite her own prowess, the numerical disadvantage had intimidated her.

Had Kang-hoo not taken an aggressive stance from the outset, she had seriously considered exiting the bus.

This was because she could not assess the full scope of the opponents’ capabilities.

Had they been exceptionally strong, she might have perished on the spot. But Kang-hoo’s actions betrayed no hesitation.

‘Maybe the closeness we share now is quite rare. I should be content with it.’

Yun Sang-mi soothed her restless thoughts.

Kang-hoo didn’t appear to have extensive social ties or deep knowledge of them.

Therefore, the current extent of their acquaintance might be deemed quite intimate.

Yun Sang-mi shifted the conversation.

“What are you planning to do when we get to Ulsan?”

“Assess the situation and decide. Although, I’ve no intention of being fodder for fireworks.”

Kang-hoo replied with a hint of cool detachment.

Noticing that his words might have come off as overly sharp, Kang-hoo casually queried.

“And you?”

“I’m looking for some useful ‘fireworks.’ There are often many delusional ones in such places.”

“Looking for cannon fodder, then?”

“Put it more eloquently, please. How can you be so direct?”

Yun Sang-mi laughed, because her intentions had been seen through.

She was the type to use whatever resources she could to achieve her goals, not minding the means.

Her approach of moving separately and seeking opportunities was completely different from that of Kang-hoo.

“Don’t drink too much. A sword dulled by alcohol is the most useless of all.”

“At least I don’t wander around with a pale face like someone. Don’t worry. Humph.”

She glanced at Kang-hoo’s face.

It was indeed pale. How could he lack any color even after such a heated battle?

This man, who seemed to carry all the world’s tragedies, sorrows, and pain, had built a wall around himself.

Yun Sang-mi wanted to peek into Kang-hoo’s inner world.

Perhaps the more he refused to show, the more curious she became, like a contrarian.

But it seemed it would take time to open up Kang-hoo’s heart. It looked like it would require a lot of effort.

After arriving at the Ulsan Intercity Bus Terminal,

“If there’s a chance, let’s meet again.”

“It seems you’ve made connections with Lee Ye-rin. We’ll probably meet often then.”

“How about exchanging contacts since we’re acquainted? I won’t bother you.”

“It’s because we’re only this acquainted that I won’t do it.”

“Wow! That hurts my pride. You know, I get a lot of guys asking for my number.”

“Then give me yours. I don’t plan to give mine.”

“Your character is really something. Fine, I’m leaving!”

“Don’t block my way in the future.”

“Same to you, Oppa! Don’t block my way. He’s mine to catch.”

Though she turned away with an apparently angry face, a smile soon appeared on Yun Sang-mi’s face.

The more Kang-hoo treated her like that, the more she wanted to get closer.

Given there was also a romantic attraction, she seemed to see everything through rose-colored glasses.

Yun Sang-mi quickly vanished.

Kang-hoo also promptly exited the bus terminal, bustling with mercenaries.

Mercenaries who gathered to target Gong Tae-su were not allies but potential rivals.

If unlucky, they might fight each other while aiming for the same target.

Gong Tae-su’s official schedule had been shared; he was expected to attack a nearby dungeon soon.

Mercenaries flocked to Ulsan Station and the bus terminal due to their proximity to the dungeon.

Unlike other mercenaries who hastily moved toward the dungeon, Kang-hoo chose a completely different route, moving to the rooftop of a building that overlooked the dungeon.

His reason was simple; he had no intention of targeting Gong Tae-su.

The plans of the other mercenaries were predictable.

They would wait until Gong Tae-su and his team entered the dungeon, cutting off external information.

During that time, they would ‘clean up’ the area around the dungeon.

Then, as Gong Tae-su’s group emerged from the dungeon, they would ambush them immediately.

This was also the most certain way to target Gong Tae-su.

Since the dungeon’s entrance and exit were the same, there was no alternative way out.

At that moment,

“Make way! Anyone blocking the path of Captain Gong Tae-su will regret it!”

A booming voice echoed.

It was the sound of Red Blood organization members moving; one of the subordinates with a loud voice seemed to be shouting.

At the center of the group was Gong Tae-su, a mage hunter with striking golden gloves.

Mercenaries who saw Gong Tae-su swallowed their nervousness.

Though dressed in plain clothes, Kang-hoo could clearly discern their origins and nature.

But that wasn’t the issue.

‘As expected.’

The situation was unfolding just as Kang-hoo had predicted.

Although he concentrated on Gong Tae-su, no constellation information appeared on him.

Instead, the subordinates surrounding Gong Tae-su were marked with contracted constellations.

‘Has he crafted a mask? I’m not sure how, but it’s perfectly hidden.’

Kang-hoo gave a nod of understanding.

The Gong Tae-su before him was an imposter. He was a decoy donning Gong Tae-su’s visage.

He was unsure of the real one’s whereabouts, yet it was evident that the man before everyone was not him.

His line of thought couldn’t end there.

Prior to the appearance of the doppelganger Gong Tae-su, mercenaries had begun to take positions around the area.

This suggested that the true Gong Tae-su might be orchestrating a more extensive trap to eliminate them all in one fell swoop.

Who would simply let those who had come to assassinate them walk away?

Particularly the ‘Butcher of Ulsan’—it would be odd if he didn’t put up a fight.

‘Let’s seek him out.’

Kang-hoo scanned his environment from atop the rooftop.

He pondered whether Gong Tae-su, overseeing the situation, was feeling a similar urge to act.

The deception was cleverly staged, and if everything proceeded according to plan, trapping a significant target was only a matter of time.

Surely, the genuine Gong Tae-su was lurking nearby, biding his time for the ideal moment to strike back.

‘That hotel doesn’t look too shabby.’

Kang-hoo’s gaze settled on a hotel that offered a clear vantage point of the dungeon.

It was possible that the authentic Gong Tae-su was holed up there. Naturally, the hotel would be teeming with mercenaries.

‘Maybe I should do a bit of shopping.’

Kang-hoo redirected his focus.

Though he had impulsively surveyed his surroundings, he knew that nothing would transpire immediately.

The dungeon that Gong Tae-su intended to assault would require at least a full day to seize.

Therefore, stepping away briefly to explore other locales wouldn’t hinder their strategy.

With a marketplace in the vicinity, he planned to visit it and offload all the loot acquired from the bus skirmish.

Depending on the proceeds, he intended to purchase a beneficial item.

After unloading the loot, he anticipated his balance would approach the 2 billion won mark.

With that amount, he could definitely buy a fourth-grade item, preferably a ring, since he had more room for accessories.

An hour later…

After scouring Ulsan’s Third Market, Kang-hoo selected the item that caught his eye the most.

It was a ring that seemed meaningful to him, given his suffering from mana hypersensitivity and pain exposure.

In fact, he had always wanted it but could never find it in the market.

That item was…