A week had already flown by.
Since he focused solely on hunting in dark-attribute dungeons, he frequently went on expeditions not only within Seoul but also to nearby cities and even provincial areas.
Fortunately, his efforts paid off.
Thanks to the influence of the blessing, various skill levels—starting with his buffs—had increased by one stage.
His class level hadn’t reached the next mark yet, but at this rate, it seemed he could significantly shorten that period.
“It’s a bit annoying having to move around so much, but the hunting itself is really refreshing.”
“I know, right? Maybe it’s because they’re dark-attribute, but they all go down in one hit. Plus, all of Seong-jun’s buffs leveled up a few days ago. The increase was insane. At this rate, wouldn’t he be able to one-shot normal-attribute monsters too?”
Because of Holy Weapon Enchant, critical hits were guaranteed against dark-attribute monsters, making the hunts proceed at a near-instant speed.
Since monsters died in a single basic attack, there was no real danger.
The important thing was that as Seong-jun’s buff levels rose, they might now be able to one-shot regular monsters, not just dark-attribute ones.
“It hasn’t been long since we upgraded to E-rank dungeons, and we’re already at a point where we have to consider graduating from them. Seriously, Seong-jun’s buffing power is a cheat code.”
Even if the rank didn’t increase, simply leveling up his skills provided a massive boost when combined with the blessing and title options.
So, imagine how much greater the gap would be if the rank itself increased.
Of course, Gwang-taek and Yu-seon, who were unaware of the specifics, simply thought this was happening because Seong-jun’s class was special.
Meanwhile, Seong-jun was also contemplating whether it was time to raise the dungeon rank.
‘Just like when I graduated from F-rank and moved to E-rank, one-shotting E-rank monsters has become possible. I thought I’d stay in E-rank for at least a few months, but meeting the Goddess of Light and receiving her blessing was a huge turning point. In this case, there’s no need to linger in E-rank dungeons. Moving up to D-rank will allow for much faster leveling. I should start preparing to move up to D-rank soon.’
If he hadn’t received the blessing, it would have taken a considerable amount of time to level up his skills, and he would have had to stay in E-rank dungeons for at least several months.
However, with the blessing added to his title, skill efficiency had increased significantly, and he was able to level up his skills quickly, drastically shortening that duration.
The experience points gained in E-rank and D-rank were different, so there was no reason to stall in E-rank.
Of course, they would need to supplement their numbers, but adding one more person wouldn’t make a huge difference in the experience share.
Therefore, Seong-jun thought it was time to transition to D-rank.
“Like Gwang-taek said, I think we should start preparing to move to D-rank. For now, let’s keep focusing on E-rank dark-attribute dungeons while looking for someone else to recruit.”
When Seong-jun brought up the additional member and preparing for D-rank, Yu-seon spoke up tentatively.
“About that extra person. Since our party pretty much runs on Seong-jun’s buffs anyway, why don’t we just look for an F-rank mercenary instead of a higher-ranked hunter? Look at me. I’m an F-rank Ranger, and I can one-shot E-rank monsters.”
At Yu-seon’s words, Gwang-taek also nodded.
“Hmm, Yu-seon has a point. If we’re only thinking up to D-rank dungeons, I think filling the spot with an F-rank would be sufficient. There’ll be a difference in the settlement ratio, but more than anything, I’m the only high-rank currently visible, right? To put it bluntly, even a D-rank might clash with you two. Yu-seon is one thing, but on the surface, Seong-jun, you’re also an F-rank.”
Seong-jun was the core of this party, and the party was maintained because of his existence.
However, on paper, he was an F-rank buffer.
If they recruited a higher-ranked hunter, unnecessary friction might occur, so Gwang-taek’s idea was to recruit an obedient F-rank instead.
“Let’s take that into account and think about it slowly. I don’t intend to recruit anyone C-rank or higher anyway. However, rather than limiting it strictly to F-rank, I think it’s better to consider everyone in the low-rank bracket, from F to D. Instead, I plan to prioritize whether the person can follow my control well rather than their skill level.”
Rather than limiting it to F-rank, Seong-jun intended to screen for the most suitable person from the entire low-rank pool.
At Seong-jun’s words, Gwang-taek let out a small smirk.
“Well, as long as it’s someone who can follow your orders without talking back, that’ll do. Being an F-rank doesn’t automatically mean they’ll be submissive.”
There was no guarantee that an F-rank would follow their words unconditionally.
Therefore, he agreed that there was no need to limit it strictly to F-rank.
They were sharing these thoughts while leaving the dungeon and finishing their settlement when…
Beep~
A message arrived on Seong-jun’s phone.
“Hm?”
Seong-jun took out his phone and checked the message.
After reading the contents, a smirk played on his lips.
Seeing that, Gwang-taek and Yu-seon asked with interest.
“What is it? What kind of message makes you make that face?”
“Ooh! Seong-jun, did you get a girlfriend?”
Looking at them, Seong-jun said with a smiling face.
“It’s not that. You know that F-rank Assassin who sold me the mace? I used Cure on his mother a few times. She had surgery a few days ago, and the progress is apparently very good. She wants me to stop by the hospital because she wants to express her gratitude.”
Even though the surgery was successful, there was a risk of recurrence for at least two years, so she would need regular check-ups.
Still, considering that surgery wasn’t even an option back then, it was practically a miracle.
“Really? That’s great news. You’ve been going to the hospital every week to volunteer, and now you hear good news like this. You must feel proud.”
“Whatever the reason, hearing news like this makes me feel good.”
Even though it was an unavoidable choice to level up his title, he felt good knowing that someone who was on the verge of death was now living because of what he did.
“Ah! By the way, the person who sent the message. You said he’s an F-rank Assassin, right? What do you think of him, Seong-jun?”
At Yu-seon’s question, Seong-jun took on a thoughtful expression.
‘Now that I think about it, this guy, Kim Chang-soo… His trust level was over 70 when I last checked. It looks like it’ll pass 80 soon, so in terms of trust alone, he’s not bad.’
His trust level, which was in the 30s during their first meeting, jumped to the 60s after he used Cure on his mother.
And after using Cure a few more times, Kim Chang-soo’s trust had exceeded 70.
Moreover, since he viewed Seong-jun as a benefactor, there was unlikely to be much friction, making him a decent choice as a new party member in many ways.
“Now that I hear you say it, he does seem like a decent option. However, there are things to verify, so let’s put him as the top recruitment candidate and think about it.”
Although he was a good option, Seong-jun intended to take his time and consider it carefully.
Upgrading to D-rank dungeons wasn’t immediately urgent, and rushing into things could lead to a disaster.
***
An abandoned building on the outskirts of Seoul.
Seong-jun was climbing the stairs of the abandoned building with Choi Gyu-taek.
“You found him in Incheon? He was closer than I thought.”
“He moved up to Incheon recently. Before that, it seems he traveled all over—Busan, Daegu, Gwangju, Mokpo—drifting from one gambling den to another. For the record, it looks like this Park Yun-su guy was also set up by an acquaintance.”
At Choi Gyu-taek’s words, Seong-jun let out a dry laugh.
“Whether he was set up by someone or not is none of my business. The important thing is that he ran off with my uncle’s money.”
Everyone in the world had a story.
Therefore, rather than the circumstances that forced him to act that way, Seong-jun focused solely on the deed itself.
“True. By the way, by the time we found him, he had already squandered all the money he had. Not just your uncle’s, but he borrowed anywhere from a few million to tens of millions from various places. Totaled up, the amount likely exceeds 200 million won.”
After squandering his inheritance through gambling, he began borrowing money from friends and close acquaintances.
Eventually, he even touched private loans, hitting rock bottom.
If Choi Gyu-taek hadn’t moved first to capture him, he surely would have been caught by loan sharks and had his organs harvested, or otherwise sold to a shrimp fishing boat.
While they were talking, they arrived at the third floor of the abandoned building.
“It’s here.”
Click!
Choi Gyu-taek opened the old iron door.
Screeeech!
When the door opened, they saw Park Yun-su tied to a chair, trembling violently, surrounded by five or six large men.
“Everyone, out.”
When Choi Gyu-taek told them to leave, the men hurried their steps.
“Yes, sir!”
As the men swarmed out, Choi Gyu-taek looked at Seong-jun and said, “Then, have your talk. I’ll be waiting outside the door, so if you need anything, call me immediately.”
With that, Choi Gyu-taek closed the door.
Screech! Click!
Only Park Yun-su, tied to the chair, and Seong-jun remained on the third floor of the ruins.
Step, step.
Seong-jun walked over to Park Yun-su.
“Ugh, p-please spare me. P-please…”
Perhaps because of the thought that he might actually die, Park Yun-su was trembling so hard he had even soiled his pants.
Seong-jun leaned forward, matching Park Yun-su’s eye level.
“It’s been a while, Uncle Yun-su.”
At the sound of being called “Uncle,” Park Yun-su hurriedly looked up at Seong-jun.
“Who… Ack! S-Seong-jun? Is that you, Seong-jun?”
“Sigh, what on earth is this look?”
Among his uncle’s friends, there was no one who hadn’t been kind to Seong-jun.
And Park Yun-su was also someone who had once been very good to Seong-jun.
Now, that man was tied tightly to a chair in front of him.
“S-Seong-jun! Untie this! Quickly!”
Looking at Park Yun-su asking to be untied, Seong-jun let out a smirk.
“Me? Why? I’m the one who ordered you to be brought here.”
At Seong-jun’s unexpected words, Park Yun-su looked bewildered.
“What? Y-you? Why would you…”
“What do you mean ‘why’? Do you really have to ask because you don’t know?”
When asked if he really didn’t know the reason, Park Yun-su stammered in a crawling voice.
“Could it be… because I borrowed money from your uncle…”
Looking at Park Yun-su, Seong-jun gave a bright smile.
“You know it well. So. How much is left of the money you borrowed from my uncle?”
“Huh? T-that’s…”
Seeing Park Yun-su hesitate, Seong-jun smirked.
“You must have lost it all at the gambling table. But did you know? That money you squandered so casually at the gambling table… my uncle took out a bank loan just to give it to you. Even though business is bad and he struggles to pay the rent, he took out a loan for you because you came to him as a friend.”
While there was a smile on his lips, Seong-jun’s eyes were not smiling at all.
They were cold and sharp, even hinting at a slight killing intent.
“I’m sorry. I’ll pay it back somehow! I mean it! I was already trying to figure out how to pay Seon-jae back!”
Seeing Park Yun-su shouting in a desperate voice, Seong-jun activated Deep Analysis.
‘Deep Analysis.’
Then, information about Park Yun-su was displayed before Seong-jun’s eyes.
[Analysis Result]
Park Yun-su: [Civilian]
Trust: 23
Psychological State: [He thinks he must escape the immediate crisis and save his life at any cost. He plans to disappear to a place where no one can find him once he leaves this spot.]
After confirming Park Yun-su’s mental state through Deep Analysis, Seong-jun straightened his back and looked down at him.
“Why are you saying things you don’t even mean? Shall I tell you what you’re thinking? ‘Let’s coax this young kid and somehow get out of here. Once I’m out, I’ll hide so well that no one can find me.'”
Perhaps because his inner thoughts were pinpointed exactly, Park Yun-su flinched momentarily.
“…”
“But what a shame. It looks like that plan of yours will be difficult to realize.”
With that, Seong-jun called out loudly.
“President Choi!”
Then the door opened, and Choi Gyu-taek entered.
“Yes, you called?”
“What is the most certain and natural way to kill him?”
At Seong-jun’s question, Choi Gyu-taek said with a smiling face.
“There is a death that suits that man perfectly. A life at its end—addicted to gambling, squandering all his assets, scraping money together from acquaintances to gamble, and finally touching private loans. Despairing over his situation, he drinks until he’s blacked out, and in that state, he drives right into a reservoir. Splash. There is a reservoir not far from here. It’s a place with no CCTV, perfect for disguising an accident.”
When Choi Gyu-taek’s explanation ended, Seong-jun glanced at Park Yun-su.
“Hmm, it feels a bit too clean of a death, which is a bit disappointing, but if that’s the most certain and natural way, then that’s what we should do. I ask for a clean cleanup.”
“Don’t worry. We already have a burner car ready. We’ll have it settled cleanly within today.”
Park Yun-su’s face turned pale as he listened to their conversation.
Even a fool could tell that he was the one destined for the “accidental death.”
“S-Seong-jun! I’m sorry! I was wrong! Save me! If you just save me, I’ll do whatever you tell me! I mean it! Please save me!”
Looking down at the frantically shouting Park Yun-su, Seong-jun activated Deep Analysis once more.
‘Deep Analysis.’
If his words and inner thoughts differed again, he was truly going to bury him.
[Analysis Result]
Park Yun-su: [Civilian]
Trust: 23
Psychological State: [In a very desperate situation because death is right in front of him. He is ready to do anything to save his life.]
Confirming his mental state, Seong-jun gave a thin smile.
“Now it seems you’re finally ready to talk.”
Just a moment ago, Park Yun-su was only thinking of backstabbing and running away, but as death approached, he was willing to do anything to save his life.
He had reached exactly the state Seong-jun wanted.
That’s why Seong-jun leaned down again to match Park Yun-su’s eyes.
“…”
“From now on, do exactly as I say. If you do, I’ll at least let you live. For the record, there are no second chances. If you ignore my warning and have any stray thoughts… the bottom of some quiet reservoir will become your final resting place.”
Seeing Seong-jun’s face, Park Yun-su hurriedly nodded his head.
***
It was past midnight.
The shoulders of the Seon-jae couple, returning home after closing shop, were slumped.
Their sales had been disastrous again today because of a new franchise competitor that had opened across the street.
“Sigh, at this rate, I think it’ll even be hard to pay the rent. We need to find a breakthrough somehow…”
“What can we do right now? We just have to hold on. Let’s hold on as long as we can.”
They had tried everything they could, but the results were the same.
Even if they held events, it was only temporary, and everyone eventually flocked back to the chicken shop across the street.
It wasn’t because the taste was inferior either. While everyone has different preferences, Lee Seon-jae’s conclusion was that there wasn’t a big difference compared to the franchise across the street.
The only difference was that Lee Seon-jae’s chicken shop was a local shop opened by an individual, while the one across the street was a large franchise everyone knew.
“If only we didn’t have to pay the interest, we’d worry a bit less. Where on earth did that Yun-su jerk go? He isn’t even answering his phone.”
Business was already bad, and having to pay the loan interest regularly was back-breaking.
That was likely why Lee Seon-jae felt even more resentful toward the unreachable Park Yun-su.
“Don’t even mention Mr. Yun-su. You still haven’t let go of that? If he were someone who was going to pay it back, he would have appeared long ago. No matter how much of a friend he is, how could you just lend that large amount of money while taking out a loan yourself?”
Lee Seon-jae had nothing to say in his defense to his wife’s words.
“I’m sorry. I have no excuse.”
“Forget it. And don’t act like that in front of Seong-jun. Don’t cause unnecessary worry to a kid who enters dungeons risking his life.”
To this couple who had no children, Seong-jun was like their own son.
That was why, no matter how hard it was, they didn’t want to show it in front of Seong-jun.
They always wanted to be a reliable support for him.
“Don’t worry. I have no intention of making Seong-jun worry about this kind of thing either.”
“He said he was coming again this weekend, so I should make some japchae and braised short ribs that he likes.”
“Seong-jun also likes the chicken I make. While you make the japchae and braised short ribs, I’ll fry up a chicken.”
As they were talking like that and reached the front of their house…
“S-Seon-jae.”
A very familiar voice was heard.
“Hm? You… Park Yun-su? You jerk! Where have you been all this time! Do you know how many times I called?”
It was Park Yun-su.
“I’m sorry. There were circumstances. I’m really sorry.”
Looking at Park Yun-su, who kept apologizing, Lee Seon-jae let out a sigh.
“Sigh, well, I’m glad you’re safe. You’re not hurt anywhere, right? What happened?”
Without mentioning a single word about the borrowed money, Lee Seon-jae instead worried about Park Yun-su.
Looking at Seon-jae, Park Yun-su wore a bitter expression.
“I’m sorry, but can I get a cup of coffee?”
To Park Yun-su, who was asking for a cup of coffee, Lee Seon-jae said with a smile.
“Of course. Not just one, I’ll give you ten. Let’s head inside first.”
Seon-jae gave a bright smile toward Park Yun-su, but his wife’s expression wasn’t very bright. Looking at his appearance, it didn’t seem like he had come to pay back the money.
But what could she do? Since she had to consider her husband’s position, she stayed quiet for now.
Thus, Park Yun-su entered the house with the Seon-jae couple.
I Became an EX-Class All-Rounder Priest Chapter 24
E-book Publication Date 2025.11.14
Author | Kim Hyun-jun
Publisher | Heo Heung-beom, Park Gun-won
Published by | Poten
Address | [04783] 10th Floor, 11-gil 8, Yeonmu-jang, Seongdong-gu, Seoul
Phone | 02-6320-8500
Fax | 02-6320-8585
ISBN 9791175302167
Price | Not for Sale
c Kim Hyun-jun 2025
This e-book is a protected work under copyright law.
Since this e-book was published by contract with the author, unauthorized transcription, reproduction, distribution, or sharing without the written consent of both parties is prohibited.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.