The Genius Assassin Who Takes it All-Chapter 252: Celestial Assassin’s Test (4)

The battle, which also served as a test, concluded at that point.

Without resorting to a life-and-death struggle, the intense exchange of techniques was sufficient to gauge and assess skills.

The one to declare the test’s halt, signaling its conclusion, was the Celestial Assassin. Kang-hoo raised no objections.

“You’ve got quite the talent. I never imagined someone could adapt to the situation with such a variety of options.”

“Thank you for your teachings.”

“Teachings, my foot! What you saw was me running away like a madman to avoid getting my arm twisted off. Does that count as teaching?”

“You used your footwork, didn’t you? It was an unexpected move that wasn’t in the scenario I envisioned.”

“So you’re calling that teaching, huh?”

“Yes. Even if that wasn’t your intention, it became a very valuable lesson for me.”

“You’re not just skilled but also have quite the tongue. At any rate, I’m quite impressed.”

“Thank you.”

Kang-hoo bowed his head respectfully.

The Celestial Assassin wasn’t a person stingy with praise. When he praised someone, he made sure it was unequivocal.

Of course, the problem was that the probability of receiving such praise was notoriously low.

Nonetheless, it seemed Kang-hoo’s performance had met the elder’s high standards.

“You’ve sealed your dark skills, specialized in defensive ones, wielded a spear, and even used grip-strength-enhancing items. What a horrifying hybrid you are.”

“I’m not sure if I should say this…”

“Whenever people say that, they’re usually told to keep it to themselves. But go on.”

“Your skills don’t exactly fit the typical assassin mold either, in my opinion.”

Kang-hoo pointed out that the Celestial Assassin, like himself, had an “all-rounder” trait in his skill composition.

For a pure assassin, it was rare to see skills focused on long-range suppression.

While an assassin could theoretically use techniques like Flash Blade Toss, they weren’t formalized skills.

At best, it involved throwing a dagger with force. Such moves didn’t compare to the dimension-altering power of a skill.

However, the Celestial Assassin broke the mold by employing a magic dagger.

Although the dagger was disguised as such, it was effectively a demonstration of a magician’s ability.

Moreover, his transformation into smoke was neither stealth nor illusion—it was a third type of ability altogether.

“You’re not wrong. So tell me, if I were to approach you right now, how would you respond?”

“I’d use this.”

【Qi Blast】

Paang!

Kang-hoo immediately fired a Qi Blast a step in front of the Celestial Assassin.

Seeing Kang-hoo boldly unleash the Qi-based skill, the elder burst into laughter.

“Well, well. As I suspected.”

“A fake assassin hiding behind the assassin’s mask. That’s your essence. It’s also mine.”

“I completely agree.”

“Do you? Is that what you think?”

“Yes. Especially after learning tricks like the Qi Blast, I’ve grown even more convinced.”

“What’s your level?”

“255.”

“255, huh… That’s exactly 500 levels below me.”

Kang-hoo’s earlier deduction was spot on.

As the effect of the Endurer Constellation activated, he reverse-calculated the skill evasion rate, and there was no error.

Meanwhile, Kang-hoo scanned through the elder’s constellation information.

Sure enough, the elder had contracted with numerous constellations.

Each page displayed up to 10 constellations, spanning three pages. At least 21 contracts.

The elder continued, “For someone who hasn’t even reached level 300, your potential is undeniable. Follow me. The test is over.”

“Did I pass?”

“What, should I make a medal and hang it around your neck?”

“No, thank you. I’m grateful.”

“Walk beside me.”

The elder gestured casually, his once-menacing aura completely gone.

It was like a grandson following his grandfather.

The Celestial Assassin was over seventy, and Kang-hoo was approaching thirty—quite an appropriate age gap.

They walked quietly together.

Observing the elder up close, Kang-hoo noticed that his appearance was a testament to ceaseless training and effort.

Aside from his face, which bore the inevitable marks of time, his physique was as robust as Kang-hoo’s own.

When Kang-hoo met Kim Shin-ryeong, he was awed by her ageless physique, but the elder’s condition was even more remarkable.

If his wrinkles were airbrushed out of a photo, one might mistake him for an active athlete.

As Kang-hoo admired the elder, the elder was also scrutinizing Kang-hoo’s traits.

‘Quite cautious. Even while walking beside me, he hasn’t let his guard down.’

The elder was surprised by Kang-hoo’s preparedness, as he himself maintained a similar stance.

Although this area under K’s jurisdiction had no chance of unwelcome intruders—not even monsters—the elder believed an assassin must always be ready to draw their weapon and deliver a fatal strike.

Kang-hoo’s vigilance aligned perfectly with this philosophy.

It wasn’t just for show; it seemed second nature.

Not just today, but consistently in the past—always leaving no openings.

‘How did he develop such a broad range of skills? They aren’t naturally aligned and seem almost mismatched.’

The elder found himself intrigued.

The skills Kang-hoo displayed during the recent test didn’t share any common theme.

They were all disconnected.

While they were undoubtedly skills used by a single Hunter, they lacked any unifying characteristic.

Such cases usually occur when skills are acquired by learning from skill books.

However, skills like setting up a defensive barrier were far from typical assassin-specialized abilities.

Had he learned skills from a different job class?

If so, there should be penalties, but the efficiency was far too high.

‘…Let’s stop thinking about it.’

As his curiosity began to consume his thoughts, the Celestial Assassin calmed himself, suppressing his growing excitement.

It was true he found Kang-hoo increasingly intriguing, but he didn’t want to show it.

Displaying such interest from the start would feel like losing somehow. He still wanted to maintain his dignity.

At that moment…

“Could it be that the old man lost his temper and just finished him off…?”

K was anxiously pacing in front of the villa, waiting for the two who had yet to arrive.

The worst-case scenario K imagined was that Kang-hoo’s performance didn’t meet the elder’s standards, leading to severe punishment.

Knowing the elder’s temper, which sometimes flared up when he encountered a subpar assassin, this seemed like a plausible concern.

The Celestial Assassin’s philosophy was simple:

“A useless assassin is only good for dying. I’ll be the one to end them…”

“Ah!”

Fortunately, K’s worries were soon dispelled.

Kang-hoo and the Celestial Assassin appeared together.

Though there were dirt stains on their clothes, both seemed in good condition.

More importantly, the elder’s gaze toward Kang-hoo was noticeably softer—a clear sign that he had taken a liking to him.

In truth, K had faith in Kang-hoo from the beginning.

After all, Kang-hoo had once single-handedly defeated a swarm queen and had consistently exceeded expectations.

Rushing toward them, K clasped the Celestial Assassin’s hand and asked enthusiastically,

“How was he, hyung-nim?”

“He seems somewhat useful. Of course, there’s plenty to refine.”

Though the elder’s tone suggested a reserved judgment, K knew this was his way of offering praise.

Decoding his words revealed that Kang-hoo had shown great potential and inspired a desire to mentor him.

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Having spent decades interpreting the elder’s contrasting expressions and words, K was confident in his assessment.

Turning to Kang-hoo, K asked,

“You’re not hurt anywhere, right?”

“No. I’ve received some excellent, fast-track lessons. He’s given me a lot to think about.”

K observed how Kang-hoo was skillfully flattering the Celestial Assassin.

Though K hadn’t expected Kang-hoo to be so tactful, his words were smooth and effective.

The Celestial Assassin then shot a subtle glance at K and said, “I’d like to talk to him alone. Can you bring us some tea and leave us for a bit?”

“Of course, hyung-nim! I’ll prepare something special.”

K eagerly nodded.

The elder’s desire for a private conversation with Kang-hoo was a sign he wanted to engage more deeply—a clear indication of approval.

This was an immensely positive development for K, who took joy in facilitating such a connection.

For K, a third party in this matter, watching a skilled mentor and a capable student bond was a source of happiness.

After K quickly set the scene and left, the Celestial Assassin and Kang-hoo found themselves alone.

Though it was their first meeting, the atmosphere felt comfortable, as if they had known each other for years.

Their earlier test had allowed them to share a sense of camaraderie as assassins, which facilitated their ease in conversation.

The Celestial Assassin broke the silence.

“You weren’t forced into this by that guy, were you?”

“While Master K did set up this meeting, it’s also true that this is the opportunity I’ve been dreaming of. I simply didn’t have the chance until now.”

There’s nothing easier than speaking the truth, and Kang-hoo’s words were entirely sincere.

Without K’s introduction, he wouldn’t have met the Celestial Assassin.

This connection felt like a precious link, one he deeply valued.

Without this link, the only way to meet the Celestial Assassin would’ve been to seek him out in his base in China.

Most Hunters who dared to approach him that way ended up dead—proof of his hostility toward outsiders.

Kang-hoo added,

“People often say that your rise to the top was just luck, or that it came at the expense of others’ lives…”

“Hmph.”

“But I see it differently. I think your position was built through sheer effort, a carefully constructed tower.”

“What would you know?”

“If your skills weren’t built on effort but on luck, you wouldn’t have taken others as sacrifices—you would’ve been the sacrifice.”

“Are you saying one’s survival is proof of their effort?”

“If that’s how you interpret it, then yes.”

“So if I were to die, all my efforts and challenges would just become a matter of luck?”

The Celestial Assassin’s sharp retort was met with an enigmatic smile from Kang-hoo.