Chapter 1439

<Episode 1439> 1439. Proposal

[Ending the game.]

[Sung Yoojin

Level: 84

Strength: 110 Health: 110 Agility: 110 Intelligence: 110 Focus: 110 Mana: 110]

[Available Points: 20,956]

The pile of points was more than enough to make my heart feel rich.

“Hmm… where should I spend them?”

As I happily pondered this question, I decided to invest in Thunderbolt.

[Use 10,000 points to upgrade Thunderbolt (雷電) Lv.10?]

“Let’s do it.”

In an instant, half my points vanished.

I trembled all over as a thrilling current surged from my head to my toes.

This kind of pleasure wasn’t anything like sex.

“Hooouuu….”

With a small sigh, I extended my palm.

Crackle!

A bolt of sapphire lightning danced on my palm. It moved according to my will, shaping itself into something—a woman’s breast.

“Amazing, such precise control is now possible.”

In the past, achieving this level of control required immense concentration. But now, the lightning followed my thoughts effortlessly.

“And furthermore…”

The crackling lightning disappeared, yet I still maintained control over it.

“Even electromagnetic forces invisible to the naked eye are within my grasp.”

Its versatility has expanded.

Closing my eyes for a moment, I focused my spirit.

I activated the core technique of Thunder Heaven Style—Thunder Heaven Seal (雷天結).

From the very start, I realized that upgrading Thunderbolt had elevated my mastery of Thunder Heaven Style. Before, I could only sense the thunder energy within me, but now I can perceive every tiny electric pulse coursing through my body. The magnitude and intricacy were overwhelming, making it dangerous to tamper with recklessly. However, I could manipulate parts of it at will.

Though there’s not much practical use for such manipulation right now, so I’ll hold off.

“Perfect.”

After checking the status of Thunder Heaven Style using the Thunder Heaven Seal, I smirked. Just by leveling up Thunderbolt once, every aspect of Thunder Heaven Style had improved.

“Now, what about the remaining points…”

I resolved to invest in Marksmanship.

The utility of marksmanship has already been proven. Currently, I can hit targets within 200 meters almost perfectly. With intense focus, I can even hit beyond that range, though accuracy decreases with distance.

“Marksmanship isn’t just about shooting with a gun—it’s about hitting distant objects. That act itself defines it.”

It includes not only throwing with your hands but also kicking to hit targets. Additionally, it greatly aids in casting magic in the [Dark Moon] world.

[Marksmanship Lv.7

Your shooting skills improve.]

[Use 1,400 points to upgrade Marksmanship Lv.7?]

Compared to Thunderbolt, this feels like a fairy-like point requirement. But as levels increase, the cost will rise significantly.

“Since I’ve decided to invest, no regrets.”


[Glossary Applied]

Shooting Lv.11

My shooting skills have improved.]

[Available Points: 256]

I let out a bitter laugh.

Who would’ve thought leveling up from 10 to 11 would cost 5,000 points.

“Hmph, compared to Brainwave it’s half the price… but I just blew through all my points in an instant.”

I kinda regret it now.

I even considered whether it would’ve been better to put those points into stats instead.

“Ah well, I can always earn more points later. There’s plenty of time.”

I stepped outside my apartment.

Brainwave Level 11.

I was curious how much stronger it had become.

My real life is pretty monotonous.

Sleeping in late, going to university when I feel like it, and hunting monsters alone in casual open dungeons in the afternoon.

Forming parties with other hunters for dungeon runs was too much of a hassle.

“Why bother teaming up when I can do it solo?”

The B-Rank dungeons I enter are manageable for me with my A-Rank level skills as long as I don’t get complacent.

Even A-Rank dungeons might be doable with a party… but there’s no real need for that.

“Hmph, fighting for my life in reality doesn’t actually make me stronger anyway.”

I know my own limits. It’s far faster to grow stronger by using points earned from activities in the virtual world rather than grinding myself in reality.

“Hmph, there were times I wanted to just quit being a hunter altogether…”

But this is reality.

I still want to live flashy as an S-Rank Hunter in reality.

“First, I need to officially become an A-Rank Hunter…”

For that, I need results. And I’ve been steadily building them up.

Thud thud.

Another day of clearing B-Rank dungeons and heading home. Stopped by the convenience store on the way to grab some drinks. Cola and soda are about the only things that satisfy my picky taste.

There was a man standing in front of the apartment building entrance. He was wearing a black suit and looked sharply handsome. Around early 30s, with an expensive wristwatch. He had that capable businessman aura radiating off him.

“Hmph, new resident? This place isn’t cheap. Guess he’s capable.”

I didn’t really care either way and tried to walk past him into the building.

“Sung Yoojin-san, could you spare a few minutes? Just 15… no, 10 minutes will do.”

I furrowed my brows.

“Are you looking for me?”

“I’ve been calling for a week but you haven’t answered.”

“I don’t answer unknown numbers as a rule.”

“I also sent text messages…”

“Hmph, actually blocked you after the second call.”

I’m fairly well-known in Korea’s Hunter community. Friends with S-Rank Hunter Han Ayoung, and rumors are spreading that I might be the next S-Rank candidate thanks to my rapid growth. Because of that, I get contacted by all sorts – Hunter Guilds, specialized journalists, YouTubers…

At first I dealt with them seriously a few times before getting tired of it and started blocking any repeated calls.

“Hmph, you’re quite unique.”

“Still, it’s rare for someone to come find me in person… Are you from a guild? For reference, I’m already part of one, though it hasn’t been officially established yet.”

“You mean Seventy-Third Guild? I know about that. There’ve been some issues delaying its official establishment.”

“Hmph, so leave me alone already.”

“Wait, Sung Yoojin-san! I’m not from a Hunter Guild! I’ve come from America!”

“America?”

Just hearing that name made me flinch involuntarily. It wasn’t that long ago I caused chaos over there.

“Hmph, I used Info Erasure… so they found out my true identity?”


“Did the annihilation not activate properly?”

Perplexed by the situation, my thoughts multiplied—so much so that it became confusing.

“I’m an agent with the CIA. I’m also partly affiliated with the American Hunter Association.”

“…”

CIA.

The organization I’d only heard about in stories.

The organization I thought I’d never encounter in my lifetime had come looking for me. Cold sweat trickled down my back. Did they really find out about the chaos I caused in America?

“Please don’t be too nervous just because it’s the CIA. We don’t exactly see you, Sung Yoojin, as a criminal. My mission is simply to offer citizenship to promising hunters.”

“Ah.”

In an instant, the tangled mess in my head unraveled. It wasn’t what I feared.

“Citizenship… I’ve heard of it. America has taken in quite a number of Korean hunters.”

“The status of America. That’s what I’d like to emphasize… but South Korea’s situation is unique. The land is small, yet there are far too many hunters. Because of this, Korea is considered one of the safest countries in the world… however…”

“For hunters who aim to climb higher, it’s not entirely beneficial.”

“Yes. That’s correct. So we also offer alternatives to citizenship. For instance, we can recommend you to American Hunter Guilds while allowing you to retain your Korean nationality and comfortably conduct hunter activities in the U.S. The only condition is that you must commit to working in America for at least five years.”

Daniel Kim radiated confidence.

I understood why.

‘Once you taste the sweet life in America, it’ll be hard to return to Korea.’

Money makes anywhere livable. Especially in America, the superpower. With China’s embarrassing downfall, there’s no real competition left. Russia? Those idiots aren’t even worth mentioning when compared to America.

“If the CIA agent himself is making this offer, other hunters must be tempted. But it seems America is getting desperate.”

As time passed, more dungeons were popping up everywhere. In Korea, controlling them isn’t difficult due to the high density of hunters relative to the country’s size. But that wasn’t the case elsewhere. Take China, for example. Their dungeons spiraled out of control, causing utter chaos. Even though they’re slowly stabilizing, it’ll take decades to recover their former strength.

‘America’s landmass is even larger than China’s.’

They’re recruiting hunters to avoid falling into the same disastrous scenario.

“America guarantees Sung Yoojin the highest treatment. If you choose citizenship, you’ll be exempt from all taxes for the next ten years, connected with any guild of your choice in America, provided a mansion and car, and receive living allowances and dignity maintenance fees. The amount is nothing short of…”

“That’s enough. I have no intention of going to America. I’m perfectly satisfied with my current lifestyle. Thank you for your efforts.”

Going to America?

Am I insane to consider such a thing?

‘There’s no such thing as a free lunch. If I accept their offer, America will undoubtedly try to get their money’s worth.’

They’d definitely pile tasks on me. Just thinking about moving to America made me feel exhausted already.

‘I want to become an S-Rank Hunter, but I don’t want to work myself to death like a dog.’

Taking orders from someone else? Absolutely not.

That’s why I never joined a major guild. I didn’t want to be used. And I know I can grow strong without anyone’s help.

‘If I’ve got my leisure app, who cares about America?’

I stepped into my apartment.

Behind me, Daniel Kim called out urgently.

“Wait, Sung Yoojin! America can offer you much more! If there’s anything you desire, let us know! We can negotiate…”

“That’s enough. I’ll stay in Korea.”