WPRAF 24

Chapter 24

My dantian throbbed, and the internal energy dormant within me flowed through my veins, beginning to infuse into the dark-hued blade.

“Yes… it’s definitely… Mugukgong (Martial Extreme Technique).”

Why had it manifested so suddenly after remaining dormant all this time? I had a rough idea.

“The answer is willpower.”

Mugukgong had responded to my strong desire to defeat the enemy before me and surpass my limits. That seemed to be how this “mind technique” activated.

In any case, this internal energy was not ordinary.

“Krk…?”

Even the goblin scout captain, who had been pressing me relentlessly until just now, was now flustered.

“You know what this is, don’t you?”

Of course, he didn’t understand my question. Yet, his trembling pupils and instinctive backward step gave the answer away—so clearly.

“This internal energy is so incredible it can terrify him.”

Realizing this, I steadied my breath and assumed an attacking stance. I held my dagger parallel to the ground and acted before he even realized his emotions.

I feigned a movement to the right.

“He’ll fall for it no matter what.”

Why was I so confident? Because he was impatient.

He would want to end this quickly, having been confronted with a move he never imagined I could make.

“He’ll try to press me down using the difference in reach.”

As expected, the goblin swung his scimitar widely toward my right.

Swish-

I had already shifted my weight to the left and extended my left foot.

A boxing footwork technique called the “Ghost Step.” Named for moving like a ghost, it’s a step Choi Kyung, turned into a breeze, often uses. It allowed me to swiftly slip into the enemy’s grasp.

I reached the chest of what felt like a giant and plunged my dagger into it.

The goblin’s reflexes were remarkable. He swung the scimitar in his other hand to block my attack.

But then…

Shing-

An unexpected turn.

The blade, wrapped in Mugukgong energy, smoothly sliced through his scimitar.

The upper half of the scimitar brushed my cheek and fell behind my shoulder, while my [Black Wolf Dagger] pierced straight into his heart.

Thud-

The heart is always a vital spot.

“One hit to the vital spot won’t kill him instantly.”

I boldly released my dagger and hooked my free hands around his knees.

I destabilized his center immediately, and as his head neared the asphalt, my foot aimed at the dagger’s hilt embedded in his heart.

“Now, die already!”

He was already exhausted, so I stomped on the hilt with all my strength, letting out a string of curses.

The dagger cut diagonally through his heart, its tip hitting the road with a hard, solid feel.

And then:

[Goblin Scout Captain has been defeated.]
[1,500 coins acquired.]
[Current balance: 73,958 coins]

Along with the defeat message, countless notifications filled my view.

[Level Up!]
[Loan Shark Capital Fund 5,000 coins acquired.]
[Current balance: 78,958 coins]

The capital fund was awarded proportional to my level, so level 5 = 5,000 coins.

Normally, one would need to defeat three boss-level goblins plus a third of another to earn this much.

“I don’t even have the energy to celebrate.”

After such an intense battle, not an ounce of strength remained in me.

“Wow… I’m dying here…”

I bent over, holding my knees, steadying my rough breathing, and glanced at my teammates.

“Hm?”

The support forces had arrived, helping my team subdue the elite goblins and soldiers.

“I guess I don’t need to go over there…?”

I desperately needed a break, so I turned my gaze away just then.

[For the first time in South Korea, you have defeated the three goblin commanders solo!]
[Achievement ‘Commander Assassin’ has been upgraded to ‘Commander’s Nemesis’!]
[Status effect ‘Intimidation’ now applies to monsters with the Commander title!]
[All stats increased by +10 due to achievement effect!]

“Whoa…”

I couldn’t help letting out a small gasp.

Achievements could even upgrade, and I received two rewards.

“Usually, achievement effects only boost stats.”

The +10 boost helped ease some of my muscle soreness and fatigue. I didn’t jump back into the fight immediately.

The messages weren’t finished:

[Player Han Se-hyun’s 8th video “Assassination, Piece of Cake?” uploaded to the Fidomena Universe.]
[Player Han Se-hyun’s 9th video “The Last Stand of the Goblin Scout Captain Who Underestimated a Former Special Agent” uploaded to the Fidomena Universe.]

Twenty minutes passed.

On the eerily quiet battlefield made gloomier by the goblins’ food carts, cheers of victory quietly echoed. The voices of my teammates were scattered throughout.

“Ugh… I’m dying, seriously.”
“You were fighting too well earlier to be whining now.”
“Try being my age… just breathing is hard. Anyway, Somi and Hyeju, and Gyeong did well too. Woojin as well…”
“Woojin really is considerate. He probably wants to rest.”

Hwang Hyeju nodded vigorously, either agreeing with Somi or out of admiration.

“Everyone, good work.”

Sun Woojin, known to all players, moved among the support team, thanking them on behalf of the team.

“What did we even do?”

The leader of the support team, a man in his mid-20s and head of the 5-person party, sheepishly scratched his head as if he’d done nothing.

“Check the injured?”

He approached me while I assessed my teammates’ injuries.

“You… are Han Se-hyun, right?”
“Ah, yes. You know me?”
“If you’re the one in South Korea’s number one viewer message, I figured you’d be strong.”

He clicked his tongue and continued.

“You were incredible in combat.”
“You saw that, huh? Well, I handle a blade fairly well.”
“It wasn’t just fairly; it was amazing. Seeing you fight gives me relief. It’s fortunate that someone like you exists in South Korea.”
“Haha… you flatter me. Anyone hurt on your side?”
“No, we arrived near the end of the battle, and your team fought so well, we’re fine.”

As he humbly received my praise, Sun Woojin added:

“They handled the remaining elite and regular soldiers. Thanks to them, we weren’t injured either.”
“So… what about the loot?”

Ah, that’s the main point.

“Let’s see…”

The biggest haul was the weapons of the two boss-level goblins.

I walked to the corpse of the transport captain lying on the chaotic street. I took the sword he wore from its sheath and checked the [Item Info]:

[Krumpea Empire Sword]

• Type: Sword

• Rarity: Rare

• Durability: 400/400

• Effects: Strength +10 / Health +13 / 33% chance to destroy enemy weapons / 5% stacking ‘Pressure’ on attack

Pressure: The sense of intimidation felt by the target.

At 1.2 meters, it was hefty, but my Strength made it manageable.

The label “Krumpea Empire” on the sword caught my attention. Recently, item names had been showing unfamiliar countries, clans, and species, hinting at remnants of the game world’s universe.

Sun Woojin took the sword from my hand and brightly said:

“Wow… this option is amazing!”
“Can I try it?”

She twirled it expertly, despite its slight weight.

“Not heavy at all. Feels light, right?”
She looked cute swinging it vigorously, making me smile.

“Ha… Hyeju, it suits you.”
“Thank you! I’ll use it well!”

I then checked the scimitar the goblin scout captain had used. Only one remained since I had cut the other in half.

Its name: [Scimitar of the Sihera Desert Caravan]
Rarity: Rare
Effect: Flame resistance, though low.

“Better sell this one,” I decided, letting CEO Choi handle it.

Then, Hwang Hyeju pointed at the scout captain’s body in surprise.

It was a ring.

[Ruby Ring of the Sihera Desert Caravan Leader]

• Type: Accessory

• Rarity: Rare

• Durability: 40/40

• Effects: Flame Resistance +40% / Magic Defense +20% / Magic +10 / Health +7

“Wow… finding a drop item here. Team leader is lucky.”

I slipped the ring onto my finger, and no one objected.

With the ring equipped, my status was now:

[Player: Han Se-hyun]

• Class: Loan Shark

• Achievements: Ogre Slayer, Commander’s Nemesis, South Korea Viewer Ranking #1 (1x)

• Level: 5 (56%)

• Unique Trait: Loan Business

• Skills: Small Loan (Low Interest), Collateral, Debtor List, Illegal Debt Collection (Beginner), Stealth (Collateral), Muguk Mind Technique (1 Star)

• Stats: Strength 27(+3) / Agility 26(+3) / Health 35 / Magic 30

Looking at my enhanced status window compared to the first day, I felt proud.

I gathered a few more items and turned to the support team leader:

“You want the loot, right?”
“Yes, although we caught some of the elite and regular soldiers…”
“Got it. I’ll make sure you get plenty.”

I intended only to give them a token, since we have a marble trading client called the Ministry of Land. But Sun Woojin’s glance suggested she read my mind—she was protecting her team.

“What’s your name?”
“Jin-woo. Baek Jin-woo.”
“Alright, Baek Jin-woo. I’ll be generous! I’ll give you half of the magic stones from the goblins.”
“Half? That’s too much.”

Despite the protest, she accepted. I smiled and continued:

“On one condition…”

As expected, Deputy Choi Kyu-sung looked at me intently, but I ignored him:

“Can you handle mining the magic stones for us?”