028 - Blazing Peak (1)
“A new martial technique...?”
Seeing Robert blankly echo the words, Kim Sun-woo gave a light nod.
“The guild database had quite a few martial techniques. It was a big help. Unfortunately, I could only create one form, but for now, I'll have to be satisfied with this.”
Kim Sun-woo looked genuinely regretful.
Unlike Flying Thunder Flash, neither Absolute Shadow Chaos Flow nor Flying Moon Severing Shadow suited adaptation to ground combat.
He'd tried various approaches, but it seemed Thunderbolt Finger was the limit.
Still, acquiring even one was something. He could develop more step by step.
“...”
Robert let out a short breath and closed his mouth.
There was plenty to say, but it wouldn't matter.
Creating a new martial technique wasn't as easy as it sounded.
In that world, they called it a practitioner's innate gift.
Only when you'd built a whole school around your created technique and established a sect would you be hailed as a grandmaster, your name etched in history.
Yet here was this man casually claiming he'd done just that, like it was no big deal. Robert could barely hide his astonishment.
But making a fuss would be exhausting, so he simply nodded calmly.
“...Understood. I was planning to prep for the raid tomorrow, but you should rest up now.”
“Got it. Oh, and I requested some flame resistance gear—how do I pick it up?”
“One of our team members handles distribution. You'll get it at tomorrow's muster. Anything else? If not, head home. You look beat.”
“Ah.”
Kim Sun-woo scratched his stubbly chin with an awkward chuckle.
After that, he clocked out from the guild and finally returned home after nearly three days away.
A thorough wash and into bed brought a strange, floating feeling.
I'm a C-rank now.
Too much had happened in such a short time.
Would he wake up tomorrow and find it all a dream?
Back to being an F-rank hunter, plugging away in the support role on an assault team.
That life hadn't been so bad, really.
Even in the grind, he'd met good people and received plenty of help.
Without them, he wouldn't have endured that hopeless, bleak existence.
Speaking of which, the anniversary's coming up soon.
Lying in bed, Kim Sun-woo checked his calendar on his phone before setting it aside and drifting off.
The day of the raid dawned.
Hunters from the Mugung Guild's 'Night' team trickled into the office one by one, exchanging warm greetings with their comrades.
“Morning. ...Why do you all look half-dead again? Don't tell me you partied through your entire vacation.”
“Not the whole time, just last night. Went to a club for a quick drink and ended up staying till morning.”
Being part of one of the main assault teams meant you were among the top talents in the hunter world.
These sharp-eyed veterans asserted their presence as they arrived.
As muster time at 10 a.m. approached, all twenty members had gathered.
“Hello, I'm Han Su-ah. Nice to meet you all!”
The newest addition bowed politely to her seniors.
Clap clap clap clap!
The Night team hunters applauded warmly in welcome.
Normally, joining the main assault team required weeks of acclimation training beforehand.
But utility buffers and healers like her could skip that.
Han Su-ah was a rare dual awakener, to boot—a promising talent the guild was pushing hard. The assault team valued her as key firepower.
“And...”
Robert, impeccably suited as always, checked his watch.
Five minutes early.
Records showed Kim Sun-woo hadn't been late or absent once in his ten years as a hunter.
Thud. Thud.
Sure enough, distinct footsteps echoed sharply from the hallway.
“...”
The hunters, mid-cheerful chatter, all turned their gazes to the door.
Han Su-ah looked up with a pleased smile, eyes on the entrance.
Soon, Kim Sun-woo pushed open the office door and stepped into the Night team space.
He scanned the room, met the eyes fixed on him, and gave a light bow.
“Nice to meet you. I'm Kim Sun-woo.”
“As you've probably heard, Sun-woo here will be training as team leader. He's just been promoted to C-rank and will serve as vice team leader, so keep that in mind.”
“Yes, sir!”
With Robert, the team leader, clarifying the hierarchy, everyone snapped to attention.
“As announced, Sun-woo will join Squad 1 as my backup.”
Night team split into two squads of ten: Squad 1 led by team leader Robert, and Squad 2 by vice-team leader Sung Ha-rin.
Since Kim Sun-woo was here for team leader training under Robert, he naturally went to Squad 1—along with the valuable asset Han Su-ah.
“Oppa, looks like we're raiding together again.”
“Yeah. You're the only newbie in this team?”
“Yep. The others got scattered to different teams based on their roles. Filling vacancies, from what I heard.”
Team Night had recently ended contracts with their outsourced healers.
They'd been paying top dollar for raids, but now the guild planned to fill the gap with homegrown talent.
“Take care of me again. I'll heal you all up properly.”
“Sure.”
Kim Sun-woo had experienced Han Su-ah's healing a few times.
As long as your limbs weren't blasted off, she'd patch you right up.
Staying on good terms with her was a smart move.
As he chatted lightly with Han Su-ah, a hunter from Squad 1 approached.
A burly man, a full head taller than Kim Sun-woo.
“I'm Lee Han-su. I handle the front line in Squad 1.”
He bowed briefly and pulled something from his bag, handing it over.
“I also manage gear. Here's the artifact the team leader requested.”
“Ah, thanks.”
It was the artifact he'd requested from the guild for dungeon environmental countermeasures.
He popped the lid, revealing a necklace embedded with a red ruby, nestled snugly inside.
Swoosh.
Just touching it brought a cool sensation.
The central ruby absorbed heat, boosting the wearer's flame resistance.
“Ah, let me help you with...”
“I'll help!”
As Kim Sun-woo fumbled to put it on, Han Su-ah—who'd been waiting for her chance—stepped forward.
But Robert, ever watchful, beat her to it, snatching the chain.
“We move rough in combat, so accessory artifacts like this need secure fastening. Most have binding runes, so they won't come loose unless directly hit, but better safe.”
Click. With a metallic snap, the necklace locked perfectly.
As Robert said, it wouldn't budge without a direct strike.
Feeling the air cooler around him, Kim Sun-woo marveled inwardly.
So I can use artifacts like this from now on.
He still had 2 billion won sitting in his account.
Even after moving costs, plenty left for elixirs and artifacts like this.
Essential for emergencies in unpredictable high-rank dungeons.
“Departure's at noon. Final checks thirty minutes prior—prep thoroughly. Sun-woo, a word.”
“Yes, sir.”
While the others did final checks, Kim Sun-woo followed Robert out of the office.
In a nearby small meeting room, Robert gestured to a seat and asked,
“Not urgent—just a breather. What do you think of Night team so far?”
“Night team...”
Kim Sun-woo watched, impressed, as the hunters moved in sync at Robert's single word, each prepping efficiently.
True to form as one of Mugung Guild's main assault teams, every member was a raid-hardened veteran.
A world apart from the F-rank Defense Team 3 vibe.
“Impressive. No chaos, just a glance or two for perfect coordination. Everyone brims with confidence.”
“Raids vary by style. Some hire mercs short-term; others, like our main assault teams, build long-term synergy. The latter's far more efficient, but there's one inevitable issue. Know what it is?”
Kim Sun-woo nodded gravely at Robert's question.
“...Comrades.”
“Exactly. Deep bonds mean you can't easily ignore a teammate in crisis—or death. Saving them is ideal, but dungeons don't always offer hope.”
Robert, speaking from experience, calmly swept back his hair.
“Humans are emotional fools. If it's your lover or best friend down, you'd abandon your post to save them. A team leader must account for every such factor and balance it. Otherwise, the whole tower topples like dominoes. Dungeons are never forgiving.”
Kim Sun-woo got the point.
If Han Su-ah or another close hunter were in danger, he'd rush in, risks be damned.
His body would move before his brain caught up.
“C-rank and up hold dangers on a whole other level from what you've seen. Be extra vigilant there.”
“Understood.”
Robert nodded at Kim Sun-woo's serious reply.
That was a team leader's role.
As a C-rank, Robert wouldn't die easily.
He'd bulldoze most threats.
But his squad mates couldn't match that.
Expecting them to perform at his level? They'd drop in hours.
They weren't overflowing geniuses like Kim Sun-woo.
“Good. But don't worry too much for this raid. It's a dungeon we've cleared before—not too tough for its rank.”
There was good reason for choosing Blazing Peak as his first team leader training raid.
Not overly difficult, and despite the name, it offered varied terrain and conditions in a compact space.
Highly recommended in the industry for rookie team leader training.
Still, Kim Sun-woo wore a wry smile.
Last time they took newbie hunters to the Cradle of the Broken Pilgrim for 'field trip learning,' I heard something similar.
But with elite hunters this time, what could go wrong?
...Should be fine, right?