Instant Kill, Time-Stop Spellcaster

Kang Hyun, who was diligently working outside, made sure to clear a dungeon efficiently on his way back to the guild.

[Perfect Clear! (Solo)]

[Incredible Achievement! You have perfectly defended against the invasion of the World Tree by clearing an E+ grade dungeon!]

[Due to your achievement, a ‘Blessing’ descends upon the surrounding area! Everyone will praise your feat!]

[A special reward is granted for ‘Perfect Clear! (Solo).’]

[You have received a ‘Bronze Box (+2).’]

Even when busy, he made sure to secure a perfect clear.

Of course, the guild allowed some personal time like this.

‘But my luck hasn’t been great lately.’

Why aren’t any elixirs dropping?

Please, let there be an elixir!

[Opening ‘Bronze Box (+2).’]

“You have obtained [Dried Shincheonsoo elixir].”

“Ah, damn!”

A magic elixir effective only in the F-range.

If he consumed it now, it would just be another mana recovery potion.

Of course, selling it would fetch a hefty price.

Potions were a luxury for practical use.

‘I might need it like last time during the abnormal dungeon incident, so I should keep it.’

There were other ways to use it too.

He could take it now and clear another dungeon.

However, he simply returned to the guild.

He had a bad feeling today.

On days like this, it was better to stay prepared.

Upon arriving at the guild headquarters—

“Ugh, damn. This is unbearable.”

“Welcome back!”

Aden, who had come down after hearing the news, greeted him.

“Did you train hard?”

“I took a class from Sister Mar.”

“Then let’s train.”

“Huh?”

Dragging Aden along, he headed to the training room.

“Wait, you just got back from work! Take a break!”

“I’ve only been attending classes lately. I haven’t even used the training facility once, so I should use it while I have the chance.”

“You crazy workaholic! Take a break!”

They met with Mar, who guided them to the training room.

“Yes, yes, this is the training room, mister.”

“…This is it?”

“Yeah. Any problem?”

It was just a gym.

“It’s not just a gym; it’s a training facility optimized for awakened physical specs.”

“…Well, strength training is important too. But what about the sparring room?”

“Why would an awakened fighter who hunts monsters need sparring?”

“What about a blood pit with released monsters?”

“Dungeons have monsters.”

“A meditation room with flowing spirit veins?”

“Do you know how expensive land with spirit veins is? What are you talking about?”

So, the gym was the entirety of the training facility?

“We do have an extreme environment adaptation training room.”

“Do you only train strength? What about swordsmanship? You use a rapier.”

“What are you saying? The only way to level up sword skills is by hunting monsters. What’s the point of swinging a sword in the air alone?”

This is insane.

“Master?”

He needed to correct this nonsense.

“Oh no, he’s going off! Cover your ears!”

Shout! (喝)

“Kyaa!”

Mar and Aden were startled.

“W-What’s wrong, old man?”

“What? Skills level up only by killing monsters? Kids these days…! Swinging the sword is how swordsmanship improves! Even kindergarteners know that!”

“You’re one of ‘kids these days’ too! You even look younger than me!”

“Shut up! I’m older than you think!”

“How old?!”

“Quiet!”

This was a total mess.

So, this was the current state of things.

No wonder there had only been two perfect clears in history.

And they acted like it was some impossible feat.

“No wonder Yoo Chae-young was troubled when I requested a special training room.”

“A special training room?”

“It’ll be completed soon. You and Aden will train with me then.”

Aden was horrified.

“No!”

“…?”

Mar looked at her in confusion.

‘Even in this pathetic place, they call themselves an elite group… If not for the support, I’d have left ages ago.’

Having evaluated many dungeons, Kang Hyun had gained recognition and received elixir support.

‘An actual mana elixir. This makes two now. Sweet.’

He was saving it for when he activated his cultivation technique.

Along with the endurance elixir from the Radiant Guild Master.

‘Elixirs aren’t dropping in dungeons lately.’

Just with these, the support had been worth it.

And once the special training room was completed—

‘Growth will be incredibly fast.’

He could feel it coming.

Even his understanding of spatial magic was near breakthrough.

‘Just a small trigger, and I’ll grasp it.’

But that was beyond effort alone.

While they were chatting, other awakened ones at the gym were having a conversation.

“Damn, today’s pump is insane.”

“What’s the point of increasing strength?”

“Why are you in an existential crisis again? Did you do leg day?”

“When will we stop relying on the Phantom?”

Mar and Aden turned their heads quickly.

“Why?”

“Haven’t you seen the news? Phantom has screwed over Palan again.”

“Oh? Keep talking.”

“Another assassination office of awakened ones got wiped out.”

“Nice. Hope they take down more.”

“The rest turned themselves in the next morning. Every single one.”

One guy was shocked.

“For real? Damn! That’s the way!”

“But when will we stop being bystanders?”

“So, you don’t like what the Phantom is doing?”

“That’s not it. I just want in on the action too.”

“You wanna be a dark hero?”

“Not exactly… It’s just kinda romantic. With the way the public sees the Phantom, they’re more honorable than most awakened ones.”

Mar and Aden seemed indifferent.

“Already knew that.”

“You’re just slow on the news.”

Then Aden looked at Kang Hyun.

“I follow all Phantom-related news!”

“…So what?”

“Hehe.”

She puffed out her chest, proud of what her master was doing behind the scenes.

‘Come to think of it…’

Everywhere he went, people were talking about the Phantom.

The Phantom had methodically crushed Palan’s underground operations and exposed their secrets.

A perfect scenario for a hero-worshipping modern society.

“Let’s start the lesson.”

“It’s quitting time. Go home.”

“We have flexible hours. Time to train my assistant.”

“Nooo! I wanna go home!”

He let Mar go, but not Aden.

Then—

Flash!

“Huh?”

His earring glowed.

[Garam Butterfly Wing Set] earrings.

###

D+ Rank Awakened, Byun Woo-seok.

An assassin-type awakened who had always handled the dirtiest tasks within Palan.

Currently, he was carrying out Oh Hyuk-jun’s orders.

He waited in a dark alley.

‘Kidnapping a civilian… The director is really losing it now.’

Every time they met recently, Oh Hyuk-jun’s condition seemed to be getting worse.

His legs trembled, he bit his nails.

His eyes were hollow.

‘I’d better wrap this up quickly before trouble comes my way.’

He checked the target’s profile again.

Name: Kang Subin. High school student.

She always took this route home.

‘Just an ordinary kid. Are they using her as bait for her family?’

What had her family done to anger Palan to the point of her being kidnapped?

Blame your family.

‘Oh, she’s coming.’

Kang Subin—and beside her, her best friend.

Byun Woo-seok concealed himself further, waiting for the right moment.

‘Wait, she looks way prettier than in the photo.’

Seeing her in person, her presence was striking.

A cold expression, pale white skin.

She looked like she had never been touched by a man.

A surge of excitement welled up inside him.

‘Since I’m kidnapping her anyway, might as well have some fun first, right?’

There were no orders to bring her back unharmed.

They could kill her later or mess with her mind.

‘A little damage wouldn’t hurt.’

Byun Woo-seok, who had always handled the filthiest work,

had a mindset as twisted as Oh Hyuk-jun’s.

‘Let’s get started.’

Just as he was about to make his move—

‘What the hell?’

Another girl had joined them.

Kang Subin and her friend sensed something and turned around.

An unexpected face.

“Huh?”

“Yang Sujin?”

The two girls stiffened, wary.

A girl they had ended things badly with—who also happened to be an awakened one.

And they were in a dark alley.

“W-what’s going on?”

“I just… w-wanted to say sorry….”

“…All of a sudden?”

The three paused, engaging in conversation.

“I’m transferring schools….”

“Huh?”

It was a trivial moment of teenage emotions.

Wanting to clear up lingering feelings before parting ways.

The rift in their friendship had started over something minor, after all.

The three walked together.

“I see….”

“I’m sorry. I was mean. Even yesterday, I just blurted things out without thinking. I didn’t mean it like that.”

“It’s okay.”

A moment that would be remembered as a bittersweet high school memory.

But misfortune loomed over the three girls.

A suspicious man blocked their path.

Dressed in dark clothing, his face hidden.

“Hello?”

“W-who are you?”

“A kidnapper? A rapist? Take your pick.”

“What…?”

Subin’s friend instinctively opened her mouth to scream.

But before she could, something sealed her lips shut.

“It’s a new product. Makes my job a lot easier these days.”

Subin and Sujin also found their mouths taped in an instant.

Yang Sujin immediately retaliated.

“Ugh, shit! What the—you’re an awakened one?!”

But her opponent was D+ rank.

She was subdued instantly.

Thud!

“I’ll just break your leg a little.”

Crack!

“…!”

Yang Sujin let out a silent scream.

Subin and her friend trembled as they watched.

“Sorry. The target was just one, but our director has been losing it lately. I have to finish the job today. You’ll all have to come along.”

“…”

“There’s still time before midnight… Why don’t we make some good memories first?”

Byun Woo-seok licked his lips.

Tears welled in Subin’s eyes out of sheer terror.

‘No….’

Someone, please save me.

In her desperation, before even her parents—

the first person that came to mind was—

‘Oppa….’

At the thought of his face, her earring faintly glowed.

And at that moment—

【Open】

Shrrk—!

A rift tore open in the air to her right.

And the face she had desperately longed for appeared.

“Which bastard is it?”