There are probably few people who struggle with the choice between a comfortable path to success and a road full of hardship.
But what if, in order to succeed, you had to stain your own hands with blood?
Surely, some people, guided by their conscience, would still choose the rough road.
But if forgiveness were guaranteed—or if the very concept of forgiveness was unnecessary—then there would certainly be those who would not hesitate to stain their hands with blood.
That’s why Levatain could never quit PK.
“Ha! Another one. Making money is easy, so easy.”
Of course it was easy.
Levatain was level 22.
Considering that most beginner users hovered around level 10, with even the highest at 15, he was overwhelmingly stronger.
In fact, in his previous account under the nickname ‘Mistilteinn’, he had even made it to the final interview for the 30th Ranking Guild, ‘Yu-myeong’, proving he had considerable talent.
Levatain twisted his lips into a crooked smile and then twisted the dagger he’d thrust into his opponent.
Seokeok—
With a thrilling sensation in his hand, the dagger pierced the chest.
There was no outpouring of blood or organs from the split body, but the effect of the body crumbling into fragments was present.
It was a gruesome scene that could easily shock anyone seeing it for the first time, but Levatain had witnessed it more than a hundred times.
Rather, this time, he was filled with nothing but excitement at what kind of item might drop from the pocket.
“This time, it’s this.”
He reached out his hand and picked up the dropped item, and a message popped up, notifying him that a ‘Pure Iron Longsword’ of rare grade had entered his inventory.
“Oh, a rare grade sword? I’m having a lucky day today. Just as they say, even if there aren’t many prey in Eren Port, the quality is always guaranteed.”
It wasn’t always a losing business, but today, luck was really on his side.
“If I sell this sword along with the Dongto Overlord Ring I got earlier…”
In just a few hours, hundreds of thousands of won would come into his hands.
It far exceeded his average monthly income, but he still wasn’t satisfied.
“Strike while the iron’s hot. On a lucky day like today, I’ll go big and then take a long break.”
Because so few users bothered to come to Eren Port, opportunities were scarce, but today luck was on his side, and everything proceeded smoothly without the usual lengthy searches.
And before long, he found another prey, calling for their mount.
‘No doubt about it, today is my lucky day.’
He couldn’t help but smirk as his lips kept curling up.
Ring of the Frozen Earth Tyrant.
It was clear that the prey was wearing the matching Ring of the Frozen Earth Tyrant to the one he’d just acquired.
‘If I can get that earring too…’
He’d have enough money to buy that new phone he’d been eyeing and still have enough left over to play around for a month.
‘Can’t waste time.’
As usual, he moved ahead to get into position before his prey could be prepared.
Soon, the prey walked by without a hint of suspicion, and Levatain began the act he’d prepared.
“Excuse me.”
The user walking down the path pointed at their own face with a finger and replied, “Me?”
“Yes, you.”
“What’s up?”
Because he was wearing a mask, the user replied with a wary edge.
But Levatain didn’t care.
‘No matter what, the reaction that comes next is always the same.’
No one dislikes a sweet offer.
“I forgot to bring my map when I left the village, so I’m sorry, but could you lend me your map for a moment? I’ll pay you 1 gold for your trouble.”
The map sold at the general store wasn’t even worth 10 bronze, let alone 1 gold.
No one would refuse an offer of 1 gold—one hundred thousand won—just for showing their map.
Moreover, most people who started in Eren Port were full of pride and confidence, and thought they could easily handle a ten-level difference with their own skills.
Even if they were wary, they’d convince themselves they could handle it if anything happened.
At first, the prey pretended to hesitate, but as expected, the reaction was predictable.
“Are you really going to pay me 1 gold for that?”
“Yes, if you’re worried I’ll just look at your map and run off, I’ll trade for it and buy it for 5 gold.”
“You’ll buy my map for 5 gold?”
“It may sound unbelievable, but in real life, I’m the youngest son of the Cheon Ae Group… I have a lot of money, so spending 5 gold is nothing to me. Rather than dealing with the hassle, I’d rather just buy it outright.”
It seemed like the prey was hesitating more than before, but in the end, just like everyone else, they agreed.
“Well, honestly, this is too good for me to pass up. Let’s trade.”
The prey strode forward confidently to initiate the trade.
And the moment the distance closed enough, Levatain thrust his dagger forward with a wicked grin.
“If I get the Ring of the Frozen Earth Tyrant, I’ll put it right up on the Brokerage, log out, and order chicken!”
Levatain was already imagining a happy future, convinced of his victory.
But reality was harsh.
Cheng—
It wasn’t the usual sensation.
Even the sound was different.
He couldn’t help but let out a dumbfounded noise.
“What the…”
[You have made a preemptive attack on Player Dahav!]
[A hostile relationship has been established between users. Chaos points have increased.]
Even before he could visually confirm the enemy’s movement, his instincts, sharpened from countless ‘matches,’ sounded the alarm.
It’s dangerous.
He hesitated for a split second, relying on his gut, but decided to trust his instincts.
“Shadow Dance Step.”
It was a skill that allowed him to move to one of the visible shadows in front of him.
The cooldown was long, so he usually saved it, but using it now was the right decision.
Dahav’s dagger had just sliced through the spot where he’d been standing.
“So, you made a bit of money in the sewers, huh? Using Shadow Dance Step, such an expensive skill rune, you’re really showing off.”
He was more angry than relieved at having escaped the crisis.
“You bastard, who sent you?!”
Dahav smirked and retorted.
“Shouldn’t a professional PK like you know best? Think about it.”
Even though both attacks had failed, Dahav remained calm, his composure on another level, and Levatain’s mind began racing with theories.
‘A Guild Helper? Or maybe… a hunter hired by the Mercenary Guild? I don’t recall ever messing with anyone that rich or capable. Wait, could it be that guy from back then…?’
Countless possibilities ran through his mind, but none gave a clear answer.
“What’s with that look? Still haven’t figured it out? You’re so damn slow. Are you really a professional PK?”
It was humiliating enough to hurt his pride, but he had no choice but to keep his mouth shut.
‘Calm down, Levatain. This is just his provocation. If you get caught up in his pace, you won’t be able to respond properly.’
He’d faced crises like this before in his sewer life, so he was able to respond more flexibly now.
‘Stay calm. Think. Is he a hunter sent by the Mercenary Guild, or a Helper from a Guild?’
If he was a hunter, negotiations with money were possible; if he was a Helper from a Guild, he’d have to judge the situation and either run for his life or pretend to reflect and apologize.
Meanwhile, Dahav spoke irritably.
“I don’t have all day, so make up your mind. Do you want to just die, or beg for your life?”
It sounded like he was trying to intimidate him, but this kind of urging only served as decisive proof.
‘Why is he pressuring me when he has no reason to rush? He’s bluffing.’
Once the suspicion took root, his vision cleared.
He saw that Dahav didn’t have any items with a Guild emblem or a Mercenary Guild badge.
In other words, he was just an ordinary user with no affiliation.
“You bastard, I’ve been in this business for years and you’re trying to scam me! You’re just one of those guys who got kicked out of a Guild after losing to me, right?”
When Levatain shouted his guess, Dahav’s body flinched, confirming the final piece of the puzzle.
‘He’s neither a hunter nor a Helper.’
He was just an ordinary user in the level 10 range who’d lost a match before.
“Your acting was good, but your finish was lacking.”
“And what if I’m still acting now? You sure you’re okay with that?”
Ghouls appeared from a black magic circle, exuding a menacing aura, but for Levatain, this was actually a boon.
If he’s a summoner, there’s no way I can lose.
Just as a Warrior struggles against a Mage, and an Assassin struggles against a Warrior, there were class advantages and disadvantages.
And right now, Levatain’s class was Assassin-type, specifically the A grade Moon Shadow Poison Sword.
Against a magic-type, especially a Summoner, he couldn’t lose a one-on-one match.
“I’ll be sure to stab your mouth first, just as promised. Consider it an honor.”
Levatain declared confidently and sprang forward, while Dahav immediately changed his stance to defense.
“Block it!”
The Ghouls rushed at him, but they couldn’t keep up with the speed of a level 20-range Ranger class.
Levatain weaved through the encirclement as smoothly as water, and in an instant, he was right in front of Dahav.
Cheng—
But the metallic sound of his attack being blocked left Levatain startled.
He blocked my attack?
For a level 10-range summoner, his movement and awareness were impressive.
‘At this level, he’d be at least a rookie in a top 20—or even top 10—Guild. But in the end, he’s only level 10.’
The difference in stats and skill count was clear.
“Moon Shadow Shrink.”
Levatain’s speed increased thanks to the skill effect.
Sensing the threat, Dahav tried to retreat, but Levatain was even faster.
He stuck to him like a magnet and swung his dagger.
Dahav tried to parry like before, but this time the speed was too much to react.
The acceleration from Moon Shadow Shrink blurred his vision.
At that moment, the dagger slashed towards Dahav’s side.
Dahav dodged at the last second.
It wasn’t too late, but he couldn’t avoid getting wounded.
“If that’s all you’ve got, I’m a little disappointed.”
Dahav tried to bluff, but Levatain was inwardly pleased.
‘It’s certain. He doesn’t know my class.’
As the class name suggested, his skills allowed him to wield ‘Poison’.
And right now, his dagger was coated with poison, which reduced stats.
If he knew my class info, he’d never say that.
I can’t lose this fight.
The Ghouls approached, but there was no need to take risks and continue attacking.
He could see Dahav’s complexion worsening, the poison working its way through his body.
“Having a hard time? The longer this drags on, the worse it’ll get for you. Try to hang in there.”
“Cheap trick, using poison…”
“You’re one to talk, ganging up with summoned creatures.”
Soon, Dahav couldn’t take it anymore and dropped to his knees.
Levatain grinned wickedly and spoke.
Just as I promised, I’ll stab you in the mouth.
The Ghouls struggled to block his path and protect their master, but they didn’t last long.
Levatain arrived right in front of Dahav’s nose.
“Think carefully before you act. You’ll regret it.”
“Don’t give me that crap.”
With a twisted smile, Levatain plunged his dagger into Dahav’s heart.
Puk—
The sound was right, but the sensation was unfamiliar.
Instead of the expected feeling of piercing flesh, he felt the strange sensation of metal stabbing through his own chest.
[You have been struck in a vital spot!]
[Due to a critical hit, you have received 300% base damage!]
[Warning! HP has dropped below 70%!]
As a class with weak defense, a single critical hit brought up a warning message, signaling danger, but none of that mattered right now.
“How…”
He was certain Dahav had been poisoned.
But Dahav looked even better than before, as if the poison had been cured.
Levatain wasn’t an idiot; he quickly found the answer.
He had an Antidote.
Once you get past level 60, monsters that use poison become common, so carrying an Antidote is a must.
But there’s no reason for a level 10-range beginner user to carry an Antidote.
In other words, from start to finish, he’d been dancing in the palm of Dahav’s hand.
His head spun with the tangled mess of an unforeseen situation, but the confusion didn’t end there.
“Your class is Shadow Poison Sword, and your nickname is Levatain, right?”
It was surprising enough that Dahav knew his class, but even though he was wearing a mask, he’d correctly identified his nickname.
“What the hell are you?”
At Levatain’s awed question, Dahav simply gripped the Assassin’s Bow and gave it a shake in reply.