Chapter 22
Two days later.
"Look ahead! Up front! It's a mud golem!"
"Where's the heavy armor squad? Eliminate them quickly!"
The party members shouted.
Clearing a C-rank dungeon proved far more challenging than D-rank.
Their lower stats and levels dragged out every battle.
"Is C-rank our current limit?"
Ja-geon observed the fight from the rear, fingers absently tracing the sword at his waist.
'Even with perfect strategies, we can barely clear C-rank dungeons at our current strength. We need to focus on leveling up and improving specs.'
"Anyone here know water magic?"
Three mage-class members stood in the reserve team.
The Elemental Wizard raised his hand.
"I can cast it."
"Drench the mud golem completely, then hit it with any lightning spell," Ja-geon ordered around his cigarette.
"Golems have high magic resistance. This is just wasting mana," the wizard retorted with thinly veiled contempt.
Ja-geon kicked his shin.
"Oof!"
"Stop backtalk and obey, brat."
Grumbling, the wizard summoned a magic circle. A water jet erupted from the sigil, soaking the creature.
'Water won't affect a golem. This technique's meant for countering fire attacks.'
True to expectations, the golem stood unfazed.
"Now lightning."
The wizard unleashed a Lightning Bolt.
ZZZZT!
Electricity coursed through the waterlogged earth.
Ja-geon narrowed his eyes. The current swirled and sparked intensely around one specific point.
'Core location identified.'
Smirking, he drew out his incantation:
"Dark... Boltttttt..."
Multiple dark projectiles merged in his palm, swelling to triple size before spearing through the golem.
"That won't work either. It'll just regen... Wait?"
The Elemental Wizard gaped as the collapsing golem revealed its shattered mana core.
Ja-geon waved smoke from his black-tinged hand. "Rather spend all day hammer-testing its weak point? Morons."
While others stared in confusion, the wizard suddenly slapped his knee.
'He used water conduction to trace the electricity flow and pinpoint the core! One-shot destruction!'
Reserve members gradually recognized Ja-geon's worth through such displays. Though loath to admit it, his uncanny strategic sense made him invaluable. 'No wonder Chun-sik hyung-nim scouted him. With Ja-geon, even Black Tiger raid team could tackle high-tier dungeons.' His A-rank claims weren't empty boasts.
"Big Bo! Frontline duty starting next chamber!"
"Sir!" The shieldbearer marched forward eagerly, relief palpable in his thoughts: 'Thank gods - those judgmental stares were killing me.'
Though initially deadweight, even dull Big Bo had grown through constant dungeon runs. His iron defense paired with Ja-geon's encyclopedic tactics created an unexpectedly effective duo. By dungeon's end, all members had gained 2-3 levels despite the half-day grind.
"Tch. Wasted half a day. Could've grabbed soju on the way home," Ja-geon grumbled exiting the dungeon.
Big Bo's eyes lit up. "Captain! How about jokbal for sides? Pig trotters!"
"You little shit! Our side dish budget's bigger than liquor costs! We're eating home tonight!"
"But you smashed our rice cooker last week! Can't even reheat leftovers!"
"Because SOMEONE was scooping rice at 3AM like a goddamn goblin! Never seen midnight munchies that loud!"
"Hunger keeps me awake!"
As they bickered, reserve members formed neat ranks.
"Your leadership honors us today, Captain."
The reserve members spoke respectfully to Jagun.
They bowed deeply at the waist.
Jagun waved his hand dismissively.
“Handle the loot and prepare your gear. We’ll clear one more C-rank dungeon before targeting a B-rank.”
The reserve members swallowed dryly as they stared at Jagun.
B-rank dungeons were primarily conquered by the Black Tiger Raid Team’s first squad. Their difficulty matched that reputation.
In just fifteen days…
Jagun hadn’t been lying.
Three days later, Jagun and the reserves cleared the B-rank dungeon.
Two fatalities occurred during the raid, with numerous others requiring rest, but the losses were relatively light.
Fifteen days after their agreed-upon date, Kim Chunsik received all reports.
Many were unbelievable even after verification.
One D-rank dungeon, four C-ranks, and one B-rank… in fifteen days? Using only reserves?
Loyal Black Tiger members wouldn’t falsify reports. If anything, their grudge against Jagun would skew reports negatively rather than praise him.
He’s undeniably proven his competence. The Black Tigers alone now have the capacity to clear A-rank dungeons.
Jagun possessed precisely what the Black Tigers needed.
I only need to endure briefly. The guild leadership was promised to me regardless. His abrasive personality will never win loyalty. He remains expendable.
Kim Chunsik reached his decision.
The Black Tiger Raid Team had stagnated too long, incapable of further growth. Accepting the man who shattered that barrier was inevitable.
Creak.
The office door opened. Kim Chunsik stood waiting beside his chair.
“Hey, Chunsik.”
Jagun flicked his cigarette onto the floor as he entered, grinning broadly.
“You don’t need to—ah, Captain.”
Kim Chunsik gave a curt nod and surrendered the head seat. His use of honorifics formally recognized Jagun’s captaincy. With this, matters concluded.
Thud.
Jagun sank into the plush chair, hoisting his feet onto the desk while retrieving another cigarette. Kim Chunsik produced a lighter.
Flick.
Jagun tossed the lit cigarette unsmoked into the trash, radiating satisfaction.
Arrogant prick.
Kim Chunsik’s expression remained neutral.
Black Tiger executives soon trickled into the office.
“Though I retain the Raid Leader title, the Black Tiger Raid Team now follows Captain Jagun’s orders. This is irreversible,” Kim Chunsik declared before the officers.
Clap. Clap. Clap.
The officers’ sealed lips contrasted sharply with the hollow applause echoing through the room.
Bask in your arrogance while you can, Shin Jagun. Once I’ve drained your knowledge, I’ll cast you aside. The day your true mediocrity surfaces will be your last.
Kim Chunsik smirked darkly beside Jagun’s seat.
Jagun leaned his chin on a hand, returning a languid smirk.
Heh. Your scheming mind’s gears are audible from here, Chunsik.
Jagun knew Kim Chunsik’s allegiance was feigned—not that he trusted anyone. What relationship could be shallower than one veiled in pretense?
“Hahaha! Excellent!” Jagun barked a laugh.
“This feels like sitting on a thorn cushion…” Big Bo muttered behind the officers.
Jagun and Chunsik exchanged counterfeit smiles as the officers clapped joylessly. Big Bo squirmed under the spectacle’s unbearable strangeness.
They’ve all gone mad…
Naturally—raiding wasn’t for the sane. A profession where you burned your lifespan daily battling monsters for coin. No normal person would choose this.
