After realizing that the system had started watching him, Hajin knew he didn't have much time.
If they were suspicious of him, sooner or later, they'd try to 'erase' him.
Before that happens...
I need to find out how far I can push this system.
And there's no better way to test its limits than diving into a dungeon again.
[Dungeon Selection]
Hajin opened the System Window and started searching for a dungeon that suited his experiment.
With his current level 6 stats, he could probably handle a Rank C dungeon, but that would draw too much attention.
I need a dungeon that's dangerous enough but won't make me stand out.
Rank D… should do the trick.
TING!
[Dungeon Rank D Available]
[Dungeon: Forgotten Ruins]
[Hunter Count: 1/4]
[Status: Waiting for Other Hunters]
Without hesitation, Hajin stepped into the dungeon's teleportation zone.
The moment he confirmed his entry, the world around him shifted.
BZZZT!
His vision blurred for a second before refocusing.
Hajin scanned his surroundings.
The dungeon was an ancient ruin filled with the remains of massive stone structures, moss-covered walls, and the damp scent of earth.
Silence…
Too much silence.
Hajin checked his party list.
[Hunter Count: 1/4]
Normally, a Rank D dungeon would be filled with a team of 3-4 hunters.
But this time, no one else joined him.
The system shouldn't allow dungeons to be explored solo unless it was a designated solo dungeon.
But now… I'm in here alone.
Almost like the system wants me to enter without backup.
Hajin tightened his grip on his sword.
"Alright... let's see how much I can screw with this system."
He started moving deeper into the dungeon.
Each step echoed through the dark corridors, lit only by pale blue torches mounted on the walls.
It didn't take long for the first monster to appear.
[Skeleton Soldier (Rank D)]
A skeletal warrior armed with a sword emerged from the shadows, its glowing red eyes locking onto Hajin.
Without hesitation, Hajin dashed forward.
SHAAA!
The skeleton swung its sword at him, but before the blade could land...
Hajin disappeared.
[Shadow Step Activated.]
In an instant, he reappeared behind the monster.
Without a second thought, he slashed his sword at its spine.
CRACK!
The Skeleton Soldier split in half.
But…
TING!
[Warning: Unusual Activity Detected]
Shit! Again?!
The system immediately flagged his movement as suspicious.
Hajin stopped moving and pretended to fight normally.
The next wave of monsters appeared: two Skeleton Soldiers and one Skeleton Archer.
Hajin approached at a normal speed, making sure not to show any signs of unnatural ability.
When the Skeleton Archer pulled back its bowstring, Hajin shifted slightly to the left just enough to dodge the arrow without looking too obvious.
He killed them with slower, more deliberate movements.
No warning notification this time.
So the system only detects 'unnatural' movements, huh?
Hajin smirked.
In that case, I just need to trick it better.
After a few hours of exploring, Hajin finally reached the dungeon's main chamber.
And there, he found…
Corrupted Knight.
The same monster that had slaughtered hunters before in the Ruins of the Forgotten dungeon.
Only this time, its level was lower.
[Dungeon Boss: Corrupted Knight (Rank D+)]
The monster stood in the center of the room, its black armor radiating a dark aura that spread across the ground like creeping fog.
Hajin tightened his grip on his sword.
"Let's see how much I can mess with this system."
Hajin faced the Corrupted Knight, watching the black mist seep from its cursed armor.
The monster didn't attack immediately. It just stood there, like a statue of a fallen knight.
I can't just kill it like a regular monster.
If I move too fast or use an ability that's too powerful, the system might flag me again.
So… I need to play smart.
Hajin opened his system window and selected [Edit Parameter (Lv. 2)].
A transparent screen popped up, displaying stats and skills he could modify.
[Edit Parameter Activated]
Choose the parameter you want to modify…
Hajin couldn't edit monsters directly, but he could edit himself.
If I can't weaken the Corrupted Knight itself…
Then I'll just give myself a way to do it.
Creating a New Skill
Hajin scrolled through his skill list and selected "Add Skill."
[Warning: Adding a new skill requires manual programming.]
Programming, huh…
Unlike other classes, as a Programmer, Hajin couldn't just gain skills naturally.
He had to design them, line by line, like coding in a damn system.
But that's exactly my advantage.
A text input box appeared.
Hajin started typing…
Skill Name: [Weaken]
Skill Level: 1
Effect: Reduces target's Strength and Agility by 30% for 10 seconds.
Condition: Only works on targets of equal or lower level than the user.
Cooldown: 30 seconds.
Mana Cost: 20
[Confirm changes?]
[YES] / [NO]
TING!
[New skill successfully added!]
[Weaken (Lv. 1) has been added to your skill list.]
Activating [Weaken]
Hajin channeled mana into his right hand.
For the first time, he felt the sensation of activating a skill he had coded himself.
His palm glowed faintly, emitting a dark aura.
"If this works…"
Hajin stretched his hand toward the Corrupted Knight.
"Weaken."
TING!
[Weaken (Lv. 1) activated.]
[Target affected: Strength -30%, Agility -30% for 10 seconds.]
The Corrupted Knight twitched slightly.
His eyes dimmed from a bright red to a duller glow.
The dark aura leaking from his body weakened...
It worked.
Hajin smirked.
Now, the bastard was weaker... and there were no warnings from the system.
The Fight Begins
Without warning, the Corrupted Knight swung his sword.
SLASH!
Hajin leaped to the side, dodging the attack while keeping his movement within the limits of a Rank D hunter.
"Still pretty damn strong, huh?"
But the monster's movements… were definitely slower than before.
Hajin took advantage of the opening and struck back.
His sword clashed against the knight's black armor.
CLANG!
The monster staggered back a few steps.
Hajin didn't waste a second.
"Weaken."
TING!
[Weaken (Lv. 1) Activated.]
[Target affected: Strength -30%, Agility -30% for 10 seconds.]
Ten more seconds…
Time to finish this.
Hajin dashed forward…
The Corrupted Knight let out a low growl as the effect of Weaken took hold.
Even though it was still an intimidating presence, its movements were clearly slower.
Hajin tightened his grip on his sword.
I need more power to cut through this armor…
His eyes flicked toward one of the skills he hadn't used much.
Activating [Reinforce]
[Skill: Reinforce (Lv. 1)]
[Enhances weapon or user's body for 10 seconds.]
[Effect: +50% Attack Power]
[Mana Cost: 15]
Without hesitation, Hajin activated it.
TING!
[Reinforce (Lv. 1) Activated.]
His hands trembled slightly as raw energy surged into his blade.
The sword pulsed with a deep crimson glow, almost as if it were alive.
Hajin felt the strength flooding into his arms, his muscles tightening as if supercharged.
The Corrupted Knight moved again, raising its black sword…
But this time, I'm faster.
Hajin lunged forward.
"Haaah!"
SLASH!
His sword smashed into the Corrupted Knight's armor.
CRACK!
A visible fracture formed on the knight's chest, right where Hajin struck.
Its red eyes flickered… as if sensing danger.
The monster tried to counterattack, but it was moving even slower than before.
Weaken is still active.
And I still have time.
Hajin slashed again.
CLANG!
CRACK!
The Corrupted Knight's armor shattered!
A large gash opened on its chest, revealing rotting black flesh underneath.
"…There it is."
Hajin clenched his sword tighter.
The Corrupted Knight suddenly let out a deafening roar, black aura bursting wildly from its body.
The bastard was trying to activate something…
Some kind of last-ditch defense?!
No.
I'm not letting that happen.
Hajin rushed in, leaping straight onto the knight's chest…
And with all his remaining strength…
He drove his sword straight into the open wound!
STAB!
His blade pierced through the knight's body, right into its dark core.
The Corrupted Knight froze.
Its glowing red eyes flickered… then dimmed.
TING!
[Boss Dungeon: Corrupted Knight Defeated!]
[EXP Gained: 750]
[Item Drop: Corrupted Knight's Greatsword]
Hajin panted, standing over the knight's corpse as it slowly crumbled into black ashes.
He glanced at his own sword, still glowing from Reinforce, before the light finally faded.
"…That was harder than I expected."
Even so, he won.
And more importantly…
The system didn't suspect a damn thing.