Chapter 194: 50,000

Episode 194

Moments later,

a peculiar formation took shape inside the dungeon, centered around Kim Jinsung.

One of Dumont’s clones stood directly in front of him, and at his feet, eight participants knelt, bound tightly.

Kim Jinsung’s clones surrounded them, while FCC Clan members and more Dumont clones encircled the entire group.

The atmosphere between the two opposing sides was tense, a powder keg ready to explode.

If anything happened between Kim Jinsung and the participants, the two sides would immediately erupt into a bloody battle.

“My unique ability is ‘Plant’ itself.”

Dumont’s voice broke the suffocating silence, and the ‘productive conversation’ with Kim Jinsung began.

“As the name suggests, I can use the abilities of all plants, as long as I’m properly rooted in the battlefield.

These clones around me are also part of my plant ability. I can transform parts of my roots into copies of myself.”

Dumont explained his ability casually.

Kim Jinsung thought to himself,

‘So that’s why green sap oozed out when I killed them.’

He had been wondering why green blood had splattered every time he cut down a clone. It turned out to be green sap, unique to plants.

Dumont continued,

“The downside is that I’m limited by location. If the enemy escapes or moves after I’ve taken root, it’s difficult for me to use my full power.

This is a weakness shared by all ‘plants’ that need to take root.”

“…Master?”

Victor, the Team 2 leader, asked with a worried expression.

He was naturally surprised that Dumont was revealing his unique ability in such detail.

But Dumont reassured him,

“It’s alright. It’s not like it’s a secret. He probably figured out my ability when he saw the core inside my roots.

Especially someone as skilled as him. Don’t you think so?”

Kim Jinsung didn’t react, but he didn’t deny it either.

He had indeed figured out Dumont’s ability after seeing the core.

“The advantage is that I’m invincible once I’m properly rooted. Once I take root, I can absorb nutrients from the earth and fight at full power indefinitely, without worrying about Mana.”

‘That’s similar to Forghinae.’

Forghinae also had the trait ‘Soil Nutrient Absorption’, which increased its recovery rate as long as it remained stationary.

“And this enclosed space is perfect for me. Look.”

Dumont pointed upwards, and Kim Jinsung looked up.

“……!”

He saw giant roots breaking through the ceiling and walls, writhing and pulsating.

“This space is completely under the control of my roots. No one can leave without my permission.

The only way to escape is to destroy my core, which is buried deep underground.

But you know better than anyone how difficult that is, Alopsky.”

Kim Jinsung couldn’t deny it.

He was currently not strong enough to destroy the core deep underground.

‘At least, not ‘right now’.’

Dumont continued,

“I acknowledge your skills. Honestly, you’re the first person I’ve met who has put up such a fight in my home ground. And you’re just an unknown rookie.

But in the end, you’ll lose to me. I can fight here indefinitely, without any Mana restrictions, but you can’t.”

“……”

“And now, Victor, my Team 2 leader, and his subordinates have joined us. And as you can see, your comrades are completely incapacitated.

I don’t see any way for you to survive. At least, not in my eyes.”

Kim Jinsung, who had been listening silently, thought to himself,

‘He’s talking so much. I think I know what he’s after.’

He was starting to understand the meaning of Dumont’s ‘productive conversation’.

“You don’t want to die a meaningless death here, do you?”

Dumont finally got to the point.

“You came all the way to this dangerous New Continent to become the strongest. No hunter wants to die without achieving anything. Am I right?

You seem like a newcomer who hasn’t been in the New Continent for long…”

“It hasn’t even been a month.”

Dumont’s voice rose excitedly at Kim Jinsung’s honest answer.

“I knew it! Now I understand why a skilled hunter like you started as a rookie in a clan like the Triunfo. If you had known a little more about the New Continent, you would never have made the foolish decision to join the Triunfo Clan.

Do you know what I mean?”

What did he mean?

“With your skills, you could become an executive in any Major Clan. You’re a top-tier Ranker.”

‘Oh… really?’

“I’m certain you could even get an executive position in the Alpha Clan, where the competition is the fiercest.”

Victor looked at Dumont in surprise.

An executive position in the Alpha Clan? His eyes were asking, ‘Is he serious?’

Dumont answered his unspoken question,

“He’s fighting me on par in my home ground, and he hasn’t even been in the New Continent for a month. Isn’t that enough?”

“Ah, I see…”

Victor immediately understood.

He hadn’t seen them fight, so he was surprised. But as a subordinate, he had to accept his Master’s judgment.

He was actually surprised by something else.

‘He’s praising him this much. That means he’s planning to offer him a position at least as high as his right-hand man…’

His prediction was accurate.

“Let me be blunt. Join me.”

Dumont finally made his offer.

“If you join me, I’ll make you my right-hand man.”

“……!”

Victor’s eyes widened.

Right-hand man? Wasn’t that the Vice Master’s position?

What about Igo, the current Vice Master?

“You might lack experience and combat skills compared to Igo, our current Vice Master, but with your talent, you’ll surpass him within a year.”

‘…He thinks so highly of him?’

“If we join forces, the FCC Clan will reach new heights. We can easily reach the level of the Moscow Clan. Just with your presence alone.”

He deliberately used the Moscow Clan, which represented Russia, as an example.

“I promise you. We’ll reach the level of the Moscow Clan within a month. I swear on my name, Dumont.”

He wasn’t lying. He was confident.

‘With him, I can finally crush the Triunfo Clan.’

The FCC Clan had always been looking for an opportunity to forcefully merge with the Triunfo Clan.

They were already considered to be significantly stronger, and if Alopsky, who was almost as strong as Dumont, joined them?

It wouldn’t be difficult to destroy the Triunfo Clan within a month and seize their hunters and subcontracted clans.

‘Once we take over the Triunfo Clan, it’s only a matter of time before we surpass the Moscow Clan.’

The merger of the FCC and Triunfo Clans was a significant event.

The two clans, representing Brazil and Argentina respectively, merging meant the birth of a dominant clan that would control all of South America.

They would become a giant clan, absorbing all the talents and resources of South America, and even the Alpha Clan wouldn’t be able to ignore them.

“Decide now. Will you follow me, or will you die here by my hand?”

Dumont issued his ultimatum.

Kim Jinsung answered without hesitation,

“Okay.”

Dumont’s eyes widened slightly, and then he chuckled.

“You’re answering too quickly. It makes me suspicious.”

“…What? Were you planning to kill me regardless of my answer?”

“That’s not true. But you could be lying just to escape this situation.

I need to make sure you’re truly loyal.”

He looked down at his feet.

“First. Prove to me that you’ll sever all ties with the Triunfo Clan.”

His gaze fell on the eight participants, kneeling at his feet, covered in blood.

“As proof, kill these eight with your own hands. If you do that…”

“Now that’s an offer I can’t refuse.”

“…What?”

Dumont was taken aback, but Kim Jinsung answered with action.

He quickly drew his sword and swung it in a wide arc.

Victor and the other subordinates, startled, pointed their swords at him, but Kim Jinsung sheathed his sword.

He had already achieved his goal.

“…Y-you… b-bastard…!”

A thin red line appeared on Juan’s neck as he stammered, his face contorted with shock.

Then, his head cleanly detached and fell to the ground with a thud.

Kim Jinsung had decapitated all eight participants with a single swing of his sword.

“…Huh.”

Dumont chuckled, slightly dumbfounded.

They had spent three days and nights together, and half of them had even been on the same team.

He hadn’t expected Kim Jinsung to kill them all without a moment’s hesitation.

But it was a natural decision for Kim Jinsung.

‘I didn’t join the Triunfo Clan because I wanted to.’

He had only chosen to become an insider to escape the clan that had put a bounty on his head and to sabotage them from within.

In other words, he didn’t care what happened to the Triunfo Clan, and he had no loyalty to them.

‘And my life has been too rough to hesitate over a mere three days of shared experience.’

For Kim Jinsung, who had lived a life of distrust, absorbing their unique abilities was a better option than sticking with a bunch of weaklings.

‘That’s why I expanded my skill slots.’

He glanced at the notification window in the corner of his vision.

▶ Beast Karma Points have exceeded 50,000.

▶ You can enhance your traits using Beast Karma Points.

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