Chapter 15
“…Those eyes… what exactly are they…?”
A faint blue light flickered within Hajun’s pupils.
Yujin had never seen such an unfamiliar way of using mana before.
“It’s a special ocular technique called Mana Sight. With this, I can perceive opponents even when they’re in stealth.”
For a brief moment, Yujin’s eyes trembled.
“You’re saying… it’s a skill that can see through stealth…?”
A detection ability capable of countering invisibility…
And not even a unique skill, but something that anyone could learn?
Of course, what Hajun had demonstrated was only a fraction of what Mana Sight could truly do—but even that alone was more than enough to captivate Yujin.
‘This is huge….’
If every member of Baekhwa Guild could learn this technique—
If what he said was true, they would finally have a way to counter assassination threats.
“Team Leader.”
A quiet voice snapped Yujin out of her thoughts.
“The important thing right now is that I’m the only one here who can see through stealth.”
“…What do you mean?”
“If the barrier breaks, who do you think will be in the most danger here?”
“…Me, right?”
“Yes. Then shouldn’t there be at least one person capable of dealing with stealth by your side?”
It was perfectly logical—but Yujin stared at him in disbelief.
“Don’t tell me… you’re planning to stay here overnight?”
“Yes. You call it a tent, but it’s large enough for two people to sleep separately.”
His confidence was so natural, so matter-of-fact, that Yujin couldn’t help but look stunned.
“…You’re serious?”
Hajun met her gaze without hesitation.
It was absurd—but at the same time, his suggestion was the most efficient way to maximize everyone’s chances of survival.
If the assassins attacked, their primary target would be Yujin.
And if an A-rank like her were to die—
‘The rest of the trainees would be wiped out too….’
Sharing a tent with a man she barely knew bothered her, but given the circumstances, she had no choice.
Besides, Hajun was only E-rank.
There was no way he could try anything foolish against her, an A-rank.
If he did, she could simply force him out.
“…Fine. But if you do anything even slightly suspicious, I’ll throw you out immediately.”
Fortunately, several days passed in the dungeon without incident.
Thanks to that, the trainees continued their operation in a relaxed atmosphere, completely unaware that an A-rank assassin was targeting them.
“Only a few days left of this crap.”
“Two days. Just today and tomorrow, and this damn training is finally over.”
“I don’t mind anything else, but not being able to shower for days is driving me insane…”
“Yeah, seriously. Everything’s itchy. Especially under the armor where the sweat builds up.”
“Heh. You really had to say that, you filthy bastard?”
With their guard completely down, the trainees even chatted idly during combat.
Among them, Choi Dongwook—who had just subdued several kobolds with telekinesis—glanced at Hajun and sneered.
“Hey, parachute.”
“Me?”
“Yeah, you.”
Dongwook had always disliked Hajun.
And now that he’d been separated from Baek Yujin during the operation, he seized the opportunity to pick a fight.
“No matter how much of an E-rank idiot you are, how the hell do you go five days without killing a single kobold?”
Hajun didn’t respond.
Dongwook scoffed, clearly pleased.
“You know what I hate most? Trash like you—people who can’t even pull their own weight but leech off an organization. Got it? I don’t know how someone like you ended up in our guild, but you’re what we call dead weight.”
Hajun ignored him, organizing his thoughts.
The reason he hadn’t actively participated in combat was simple: the assassins.
They hadn’t made a move yet for one reason—
‘They’re not sure about me.’
A skilled hunter only moves after fully assessing their prey.
And in a mission this important, even more so.
Unlike the others, Hajun hadn’t shown his true strength even once.
Baekhwa Guild was an elite group composed of C-rank hunters and above.
If Hajun were secretly an A-rank or higher, protecting Yujin—
‘That would be a critical variable they can’t ignore.’
In fact, Hajun had deliberately stayed close to Yujin to create exactly that impression.
And thanks to that, the enemy had drawn their own conclusions.
Meanwhile, Hajun had been quietly absorbing mana stones to grow stronger.
Looking at the stone in his hand, he thought:
‘I’ve definitely gotten stronger.’
It had only been two weeks since forming his mana core.
But through constant absorption, his mana was now approaching D-rank.
At this rate, he would fully leave E-rank behind by the end of the day.
And then—
It happened.
As evening fell, the camp filled with the lively sounds of meal preparations and the smell of food.
That’s when Choi Dongwook swaggered up to Hajun again.
“Hey, freeloading bastard.”
The blatant insult drew everyone’s attention.
“You haven’t done shit, yet you’ve got the nerve to eat like the rest of us?”
Hajun ignored him as usual.
But then, Dongwook suddenly slung an arm over his shoulder and whispered:
“Hey… you going again tonight?”
Hajun froze.
He slowly turned his head.
He already had a rough idea what Dongwook meant—but he asked anyway.
“…What do you mean?”
Seeing Hajun finally react, Dongwook grinned viciously.
“Wow, now you respond? Guess the rumors are true.”
“…Rumors?”
Dongwook smirked.
“Don’t play dumb. You’ve been going in and out of Team Leader Baek’s tent every night. What do you think people are gonna assume, huh? So? Going again tonight?”
For a split second, Hajun’s fingers twitched.
But Dongwook didn’t notice.
Instead, he doubled down—his words becoming increasingly vile, even crossing the line into blatant sexual harassment toward Yujin.
“Man, our Team Leader really should’ve picked someone on my level. Instead, she’s rolling around in bed with some worthless nobody like you—”
That was the last straw.
BANG—!
Before he could even finish—
“Ghk—!”
Dongwook was sent flying across the camp.
He rolled several times before crashing into a pile of supplies, collapsing in a miserable heap.
No one moved.
No one even understood what had just happened.
“W-What just happened?!”
As a few trainees hurriedly looked over—
Hajun stood up quietly.
His expression remained completely blank.
But faint mana flickered at the tips of his fingers.
“…W-What? Did Kang Hajun just hit Choi Dongwook?”
At that moment—
“You…! You fucking E-rank trash… you hit me?!”
Dongwook struggled to his feet, glaring murderously.
Hajun calmly unclenched his fist and stepped forward.
“I didn’t think human imagination could be this filthy… but I guess you deserved that, Dongwook.”
“Heh—fuck you! You’re dead—!”
Blue mana surged around Dongwook’s hands.
Telekinesis.
His unique ability.
But abilities that directly affect the opponent’s body had a clear weakness—
‘If the target’s mana control is far superior, it won’t work.’
Dongwook poured everything he had into it—
“Why the hell isn’t it working on this trash—?!”
Hajun simply brushed it aside.
Step by step, he approached—calm, even smiling.
“T-This bastard—!”
Unable to rely on his skill, Dongwook charged and threw a punch.
But such a crude attack meant nothing to someone who had survived countless battles.
“Nice enthusiasm, Dongwook—but your moves are way too obvious.”
Even as an E-rank, Hajun had performed beyond D-rank.
Now, after two weeks of growth, he had truly reached that level.
With his mana core amplifying his power—
Dongwook was no longer a match.
Hajun casually grabbed his face mid-attack—
And slammed him into the ground.
BOOM—!
“Gahk—!”
A C-rank was completely overpowered by someone considered E-rank.
The sight left everyone in shock.
Kim Seoyoon.
Cha Eunseok.
Every single trainee present.
Silence fell like a weight.
“…Y-You… Kang Hajun… what is this…?”
Even Seoyoon, who had spoken with him before, struggled to form words.
The gap between C-rank and E-rank—
Something thought impossible to bridge—
Had just been shattered.
But Hajun showed no emotion as he looked down at the twitching Dongwook.
In his past life, he had been called the Tyrant—the strongest.
Crushing an insignificant insect meant nothing.
‘More importantly… they’ll move soon.’
His gaze shifted toward the darkness beyond the camp.
The assassins had been waiting for one reason—
They hadn’t fully figured him out.
But now—
They had assessed everyone.
Including him.
And so—
It was time for the hunters lurking in the dark…
to make their move.
