The dungeon swallowed them whole.
Cold stone walls closed in, the air damp and heavy with the stench of monsters. Crystals embedded in the cavern ceiling cast a dull blue glow, barely enough to illuminate the twisted terrain ahead.
As planned, the criminal hunters were pushed to the front.
The criminals advanced reluctantly, weapons trembling in their hands.
Almost immediately, the dungeon responded.
Growls echoed.
Claws scraped against stone.
Monsters surged from the darkness, drawn by noise and fear.
The criminals screamed as they swung wildly, becoming living bait.
Jinwoo didn't move to help.
Instead—
His eyes followed Kang Taeshik.
The B-rank hunter walked calmly at the rear, hands loose, expression bored. But Jinwoo noticed what others didn't—the way Taeshik's gaze never lingered on the monsters.
He was watching people.
Jinwoo leaned slightly toward Lee Joohee.
"Stay close to me," he said quietly.
She blinked. "What?"
"Just trust me."
Something in his tone made her nod without question. She shifted nearer, staff tightening in her grip.
Then—
A shadow slid across the dungeon wall.
One of the criminals stiffened.
A thin line appeared across his throat.
Blood sprayed.
He collapsed without a sound.
"What—?!"
Before the scream finished, another criminal fell.
Then another.
Each death was precise.
Efficient.
Too clean for monsters.
Panic erupted.
"What's going on?!"
"is that a Monster doing!"
Jinwoo's eyes sharpened.
There it is.
Kang Taeshik's lips curled faintly upward.
His killing had begun.
He moved like a ghost, blades flashing briefly before disappearing back into darkness.
One criminal after another dropped.
Without resistance.
Jinwoo didn't interfere.
Because he knew—
These criminals are not good people either—
His gaze snapped back to Taeshik just in time to see it.
The assassin's eyes locked onto Lee Joohee.
Remove her first is necessary .
Because removing her will make killing easier.
Taeshik vanished.
A shadow detached itself from the wall—
And lunged.
"Joohee!" Jinwoo moved instantly.
Steel-Fang flashed into his hand.
He stepped forward—
And blocked the attack.
Clang!
Metal screamed as Jinwoo intercepted the blade inches from Joohee's throat.
The force sent a shock through his arm, but his feet didn't move.
Time froze.
Taeshik's eyes widened for the first time.
"…You."
Jinwoo met his gaze calmly, dagger locked against the assassin's weapon.
"You shouldn't have aimed for her," Jinwoo said quietly.
Behind him, Joohee gasped, stumbling back as realization crashed over her.
"Kang Taeshik—what are you—?!"
The assassin clicked his tongue.
"So you all noticed."
His killing intent spilled out, cold and sharp.
"Then you'll all die mercilessly"
Jinwoo smiled and replied "No You will."
Kang Taeshik knew it the moment his blade his the dagger of Jinwoo.
That he chose the wrong target.
His breath grew shallow, teeth grinding as he leapt backward, eyes sharp with desperation.
"Tch… damn monster."
Mana surged violently around Kang as he activated every strenght he possessed.
Speed enhancement.
Reflex boost.
Killing arts refined through years of murder.
He vanished.
His presence disappeared completely—no footsteps, no sound, no killing intent. Even his aura faded, erased like smoke in the wind.
A perfect stealth.
To anyone else, he would have become death itself.
But Jinwoo—
Jinwoo's eyes narrowed slightly.
There.
Steel-Fang snapped up.
Clang!
Kang's invisible blade was blocked inches from Jinwoo's neck.
"What—?!"
Kang retreated instantly, heart hammering.
Again.
He vanished.
Again—
Jinwoo intercepted him.
Once.
Twice.
Every single time.
"No… no no no—!" Kang's composure finally cracked.
Why can he see me?!
Jinwoo's expression remained calm—but inside, certainty settled deep within his bones.
So this is it.
This is my level
With my curreny strength I can defeat a B rank hunter .
Once that realization took hold—
He stopped holding back.
The air changed.
Jinwoo stepped forward.
And with that single step—
Killing intent flooded the dungeon.
Song Chi-Yul felt his knees weaken.
Joohee's breath caught in her throat.
Even the monsters shrank back, instinct screaming at them to flee.
Kang froze.
His body trembled violently.
Shadows gathered around Jinwoo's feet, writhing unnaturally—like something alive.
For the first time in his life—
Kang Taeshik felt true fear.
Fear of death.
His legs refused to move.
His hands shook.
Jinwoo appeared before him.
Too fast.
Too close.
Steel-Fang plunged forward.
Thunk.
The dagger pierced Kang's stomach cleanly.
His eyes bulged.
Pain exploded—
Venom surged from the blade, flooding his body.
His limbs went numb.
His mouth opened, but no sound came out.
Paralyzed.
Jinwoo stepped back slowly, watching Kang collapse to his knees.
Seeing him like this a cold understanding come.
If I were even a little weaker…
I'd be the one dying here.
He looked down at Kang with indifferent eyes.
"You chose this."
Kang tried to speak.
His lips trembled.
But darkness swallowed his vision.
A clear chime echoed in Jinwoo's mind.
[Ding!]
Mission Complete
Objective: Eliminate the Enemy (1/1)
Reward Acquired: Stealth Stone
Another chime followed.
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
Power surged through Jinwoo's body, warm and undeniable.
The dungeon fell silent.
Jin-Woo turned his head slightly
Song Chi-Yul swallowed hard.
"…He really killed a B-rank hunter."
Not a trace of triumph showed on Jin-Woo's face.
Only calm.
Lee Joohee stared at him, her hands shaking.
"Jin-Woo… you saved me."
He looked at her.
And for a brief moment a tendeness flash in his eyes