Instant Kill, Time-Stop Spellcaster

The dungeon room grew quiet.

As if all sound had died.

The Iron Cerberus was dead.

It no longer even breathed.

Neither Aden nor Yoo Chae-young dared to speak.

Their minds were too overwhelmed to even process the scene before them.

“….”

“….”

Only Kang Hyun moved, lifting his head at the notification sound.

Ding!

[The skill has leveled up.]

[Lv.Max → Lv.Max+1]

“Huh?”

.

It encompassed all of Kyle’s combat techniques—not just martial arts but incantations too.

‘But what’s this Max+1 supposed to mean?’

Wasn’t Lv.Max supposed to be the limit?

Then, realization hit him.

‘…!’

He felt it in real-time: an enhanced understanding of incantations.

Specifically, the incantation he had just used.

The state of 【Die】 became clearer and more refined.

He shivered with the thrill of comprehension.

‘Hah…!’

The system really was broken.

‘Did the skill just help me raise my own mastery?’

This was possible?

He had poured all his mana into that one use of 【Die】 just now.

‘But now, it’ll cost much less.’

Originally, he had been unskilled with 【Die】. But with one level-up, he had entered a state of mastery.

‘Now… I could probably use it on multiple enemies.’

To think a single level-up could bring this much advancement.

It was astonishing progress.

‘Long live the system!’

And to you, my disciple, thank you! For creating this system!

‘Oh, wait. What happens if I use a [Skill Level-Up Coupon] here?’

His thoughts were interrupted by a muttered exclamation.

“S-rank… Word Mage….”

“Huh?”

He turned his head to see Aden and Yoo Chae-young staring at him, mouths agape.

“S-rank Word Mage and Perfect Awakener… are the same person…?”

Oh, right.

The world had always seen Kang Hyun as two separate entities. Aden was no exception.

“Master, what was that just now?” Aden asked hesitantly.

“Hm… By now, shouldn’t you be getting used to it? You can’t be shocked every time I do something.”

“How could I get used to this?”

Well, fair enough.

This time was a bit extreme.

“Even Kyle couldn’t do something like 【Die】!”

“Hmm….”

“He explicitly stated that such power wasn’t allowed for mortals! That’s in the records!”

Oh, great. Why did I even bother saying that back then?

‘I should’ve just said I couldn’t do it.’

How could I have known I’d figure it out at the brink of death?

‘What kind of excuse can I make?’

Kang Hyun pondered briefly.

He decided to go for the shameless route.

“Hey, if I can do it, what makes you think Kyle couldn’t?”

“What? But the records clearly state—”

“Obviously, he was hiding his true power, you dolt.”

“Oh… Is that so? But no one ever witnessed it—”

“Because everyone who heard 【Die】 died. How would there be a record?”

“Huh? I… guess that makes sense?”

Aden was oddly convinced.

It sounded plausible enough.

“Kyle must’ve had at least one super-secret ultimate move he kept hidden from everyone, don’t you think?”

Ugh, calling him “Kyle sir” feels so unnatural.

“Well… that could be true….”

Aden nodded seriously, buying the explanation.

“So, Master replicated Kyle’s ultimate technique?”

“Exactly.”

“Wow… Wow!”

Aden’s eyes sparkled, filled with the same awe as when Kang Hyun first healed her mana core, showed her 【Stop】, or demonstrated swordsmanship.

“Enough of that now. You should focus on improving yourself. See how I keep progressing?”

“Yes, Master! Understood!”

Aden’s loud voice echoed through the dungeon room.

When she went into disciple mode, the kid became adorably simple-minded.

“Alright, let’s head out—oh.”

Yoo Chae-young still stood frozen, her mouth slightly open.

“Hey, what you saw today is a secret. Got it?”

She finally closed her mouth but only swallowed hard, not responding.

“Well, say something if you’ve got something to say.”

“…Why are you hiding your identity? If you reveal yourself, you’d gain unimaginable wealth and fame.”

Even now, the world was frantically searching for the S-rank Word Mage.

Just demonstrating 【Stop】 had caused a global frenzy.

If 【Die】 became public knowledge—capable of instantly killing even high-tier bosses regardless of their level—his value would skyrocket beyond imagination.

And yet, he wanted to remain hidden?

“I’m not S-rank. If an S-rank shows up, I’ll die.”

Heroes always met premature ends. Kang Hyun knew this well.

He had watched so many comrades fall.

“Fame comes with a harsher price than you think.”

His mana, his body—they were far too fragile.

He possessed unparalleled skills but lacked the hardware to fully utilize them.

“You’re afraid your fame will cost your life, so you give it up? I don’t understand.”

From a civilian’s perspective, it seemed incomprehensible.

See, that’s the problem with you Earthlings.

They didn’t grasp the concept of war.

Thanks to Thea taking the brunt of the conflict, they had grown soft in peace.

“Anyway, for now, I don’t want any attention.”

At the very least, I need to become strong enough to protect myself.

“Leave today’s achievement to the disciple. I’ll consider myself as having tagged along for the ride.”

“Oh!? Really?”

Finally, it was all over.

The root of the World Tree had been severed.

The air cracked, the world shattered.

Crash!

Ding!

[You have cleared the dungeon.]

[Calculating clear grade.]

[Clear Grade: A]

‘Higher than I expected.’

It was a massive dungeon.

I left most of the monsters alone, skipped what I could, and it still took a considerable amount of time.

‘I still don’t fully understand the standards for perfect clears.’

It seems that solo-killing the boss in one shot was decisive.

‘But I’ve seen so many perfect clears that this feels… mundane.’

An A-grade was impressive, but I was indifferent.

Yoo Chae young, however, seemed to think differently.

“An A-grade clear!”

In Korea, achieving an A-grade clear was a rarity—something that happened only a handful of times a year.

Guilds would pay enormous incentives, the government would issue rewards, and it would be widely publicized as a monumental achievement.

Not to mention, the dungeon rewards would be exceptional.

‘I can’t believe I have to downplay this.’

Even though it wasn’t her own accomplishment, she couldn’t help but feel regretful.

Slaying the boss monster in a single blow—an extraordinary feat.

And this was a B-grade raid-class beast.

[Distributing clear rewards.]

[You have received ‘Elixir of Accelerated Growth (Physical).’]

“Huh?”

No random box?

Do I need a perfect clear to get one?

“What’s this? Does anyone know?”

A pink potion in an ampoule appeared before me.

“That’s…! The Elixir of Accelerated Growth!”

“Oh, as expected of the support team leader. You know your stuff.”

Something special, perhaps?

Even though this wasn’t a perfect clear, it was a high-level dungeon reward.

“It’s an incredibly rare elixir—practically priceless. It accelerates physical growth.”

“How exactly?”

“For a certain period, your growth speed increases tenfold.”

“Tenfold!?”

“Wow! Really ten times!?”

Is this for real?

“How long does it last?”

“You’ll only know once you take it. A message will appear before you.”

“Ah, if only it were a mana potion instead of a physical one!”

If that were the case, I’d have shouted with joy.

‘Oh wait, I shouldn’t shout.’

Don’t want to strain my voice.

I hastily put on my forgotten mask.

“Wow… High-level dungeons really do give rewards like this.”

Even though it wasn’t a perfect clear, it was definitely worth it.

“Wait, does Seonghwa hoard items like this? Do you have any mana elixirs?”

“Do you know how rare attribute-enhancing potions are? They’re so rare that they don’t even have a standard market price.”

In other words, they’re worth whatever someone is willing to pay.

“Really? I get them often.”

“…Do perfect clear rewards rain elixirs?”

Yoo Chae young’s eyes wavered.

“Wow… Is that the case? Selling just one could set me up for life.”

“You’re not planning to sell it, are you?”

“Of course not.”

I’d definitely use it.

My physical stats were too low. Even during this dungeon, I couldn’t fully participate.

‘Only my stamina is at E-, and everything else is F-.’

How much could I improve with this?

“Just hold off for a little while. Seonghwa will provide the optimal training environment, so you can make the most of it.”

“That’s exactly what I wanted to hear. As expected, elite courses are different.”

“Excuse me?”

“It’s nothing.”

The tedious journey had been worth it.

“The test should be sufficient, right?”

“The test? Oh…”

Yoo Chae young had almost forgotten.

Now that she thought about it, this was an entrance test.

‘Did he just ask if this was enough?’

It must be a joke.

Still, she answered according to the manual.

“…You scored the highest. You are fully qualified to join Seonghwa.”

“I know.”

Even while saying this, she stuck to her scripted lines. She was thorough in her work.

“I’m tired. I’m leaving.”

Yoo Chae young chuckled, baffled.

‘He really does whatever he pleases.’

From the abrupt special recruitment, to voluntarily entering the gate, to how he cleared the dungeon.

‘Who else could act like this in front of Seonghwa?’

But he had the right.

He wasn’t the least bit unpleasant.

“…I’ll contact you.”

“Sure.”

“You have to answer, okay?”

“Sure.”

Yoo Chae young hesitated for a moment.

‘Should I just bring him to the guild right now and make him sign the contract?’

What if he disappeared again, doing as he pleased?

A perfect-clearer awakened being.

A mysterious S-rank word Mage.

An incredible treasure.

She was afraid of letting him slip away.

‘Still, he said he was tired…’

Yoo Chae young watched the two leave for a long time.

‘…Let’s go write the report.’

What on earth should she even write?

Her head was already aching.

###

Back at the academy, the two arrived.

A phone vibrated.

It was a text from Yoo Chae young.

He replied briefly and then turned to Aden, who was lying flat on the ground.

“See? I told you, you can do it. Two more.”

“Arghhh—!”

Aden, struggling with push-ups, had arms trembling violently, as if an earthquake had struck.

Kang hyun sat cross-legged on his back.

“Come on, two more!”

“Master…! Huff, huff! I’m really dying here!”

“After everything that happened today, don’t you feel anything? You need to get stronger.”

Even a mage needs basic self-defense.

“You’re not going deep enough.”

“My chest is already touching the ground!”

“…Fair enough.”

Looking closer, I noticed her chest was indeed being pressed down.

“Huff…! I’m a mage…! Why do I need strength…!”

“Hey, isn’t Kyle a mage? He was the arm-wrestling champ among heroes.”

“Master, how do you even know about Kyle’s arm-wrestling skills…? And the legends say Le Maurice was the strongest.”

What nonsense.

I won the last match.

A win’s a win.

“Are you talking back to your master now?”

“Ah! No, sir!”

“Your mind is clouded. A healthy body breeds a healthy mind. Three more.”

“Arghhh!”

If you decide to become a disciple, you must be prepared.

Of course, this wasn’t said without reason.

“Healthy bodies allow mana to flow better.”

Nowadays, people focus solely on stats, but this was knowledge accumulated through the experiences of a hero.

Aden was absorbing an incredible opportunity, unknowingly.

“Huff… Huff… F-final one!”

Watching this, I leisurely chewed on some throat candy.

Crunch, crunch.

“But, Master… You’re only making me do it. Why don’t you train too?”

“How can you be so clueless? If you were going to complain, you should’ve done it after finishing everything. Talking right before the end only invites more work.”

“Huff! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”

“Three more.”

“Ahhhhhh!”

Aden let out a desperate scream.

Mental discipline is also a teacher’s responsibility.

“I’ll not only strengthen your body but also instill a sound mind.”

“G-grr… Ugh…”

It seemed too strenuous for her to hear me properly.

‘Now isn’t the time for me to train physically.’

Except when guiding Aden, I spent my time in meditative states lately.

Organizing the state of 【Die】.

Exploring spatial magic.

And refining insights gained from skill level-ups.

‘Growing fast makes meditation much more satisfying.’

I should finish coaching quickly and get back to meditating.

At long last, the training ended.

“Huff… Huff…”

Aden collapsed flat on her back.

“Don’t breathe so heavily—it’ll strain your throat. Hydrate.”

I gently drizzled water into her mouth, and she drank greedily, some spilling and dampening her chest.

“You did well. Let’s head out for food.”

“Gasp! I can’t. I’m too weak to hold a spoon!”

“Forget porridge. You need to eat properly to build muscles. Let’s go for meat.”

“M-meat!?”

Aden, who moments ago seemed on the brink of death, sprang up, eyes sparkling.

Boom!

“Whoa, that surprised me.”

Full of energy, huh? I should’ve made her do more.

“Meat!”

“Why are you so excited? You’re a person; you must’ve eaten meat before.”

“I’ve had bulgogi and spicy pork, but Korean beef… I can barely remember what it looks like.”

“I see. The life of a broke tenant in a goshiwon always exceeds my expectations…”

I grabbed my wallet.

“I’ll treat you to the most expensive cut. Let’s go.”

“Ahhhh! Long live Master! Long live forever!”

“Didn’t you say you were too weak to hold a spoon?”

“I still have enough strength for chopsticks. Shall I carry your wallet for you?”

“We’ll make it three more reps next time.”

“W-what?”

Behind them, the academy door clicked shut.

###

Knock, knock.

“This is Support Team Leader Yoo Chae young.”

“Come in.”

The door to the vice guild leader’s office opened, and Chae young walked in, brimming with confidence, a report on the recent events clutched in her hand.