Chapter 99: Giant Dungeon (2)
Second raid.
With Kim Minwoo and the other summons joining in, the speed doubled.
Park Siwoo’s eyes widened at the sight of the mobs being swept away one after another.
‘Whoa…’
Honestly, he’d been feeling a bit arrogant after achieving that SSS-rank feat.
‘But this guy’s on a whole different level.’
Different level.
He could feel it in his bones.
Just two months ago on that uninhabited island, the skeletons he’d summoned during their spar numbered around five hundred.
But now, it was different.
Not only was he casually deploying specters, which were far superior summons, but the number of skeletons had increased dramatically as well.
And these weren’t some weaklings.
They knew how to fight.
‘They’ve gotten stronger. A ton stronger.’
Comparing the skeletons from that island fight to now, the difference was night and day.
Back then, they fought a bit better than goblins. Now, they moved like seasoned Awakeners.
Even these basic summons alone would give them a tough time taking down.
‘And that’s not even the real deal.’
The golem called Dolsae.
He couldn’t help but wonder just what kind of stats that thing had.
Several giants were pounding on it relentlessly, yet it held firm and even counterattacked—its tanking ability was exceptional.
And that wasn’t all.
Cedric had changed dramatically too.
For starters, his size had grown even larger.
‘…Strong.’
Overwhelming stats.
Paired with precise spearwork.
Every time a skeleton swung a spear, holes punctured the giants’ bodies.
‘Could I win one-on-one?’
No way it seemed possible.
―Hummm!
Even the holy sword hummed in agreement.
At best, he’d need to declare Sanctuary and get a stat buff to even stand a chance.
But then there was that new monster of a summon he’d never seen before.
Banshee Queen Merhen.
She was a mage.
One so advanced it was impossible to gauge her ceiling.
Second lap of the gate.
Since she joined the fray, not a single giant had managed to cast a proper spell.
They all coughed up blood and collapsed while trying.
‘Does this even make sense?’
Of course, he’d heard that true mages could pull off stuff like that.
Reading the opponent’s magic and countering a step ahead to shut it down.
‘But I heard it’s extremely rare…’
It wasn’t something achievable just by reading skillbooks and spamming spells.
Only a tiny elite who could create their own magic could pull it off.
Even those elites probably couldn’t block spells every single time like Merhen.
And then there was Kim Minwoo, rampaging around while spreading curses.
‘Insane.’
After they wiped out one group, Park Siwoo asked during a brief rest.
“Bro.”
“Yeah.”
“How do those legion commanders get leveled?”
“Same as me.”
“…Then technically, bro doesn’t level up alone, right?”
“That’s the whole point of picking Summoner class.”
Just as Park Siwoo said.
Leveling up doesn’t just make you stronger?
No.
From Merhen and the legion commanders to Dolsae, the skeleton troops, and the specters.
They all grew stronger together.
That’s why he’d chosen Necromancer in the first place.
He figured anything else would be a dead end given his potential.
‘Levels have gone up quite a bit.’
From all the hunting so far, the skeleton troops’ average level had hit 99.
Mages in the 60s, specters in the 40s.
Sure, they shared EXP, but the fact they were growing was what mattered.
They’d level up eventually just from grinding mobs.
Especially now that the level cap of 200 had been broken.
‘Even I don’t know my ceiling anymore.’
If he got a bit cocky, even Kim Minwoo couldn’t imagine where this synergy would lead.
He’d never seen or heard of a Necro like this.
Staring intently at Cedric, Park Siwoo said.
“Bro. I’ll work hard, so, uh. You… won’t ditch me, right?”
“Instead of worrying about that crap, swing your sword one more time. Okay?”
“…Okay!”
The guy’s face lit up as he dashed forward. Kim Minwoo chuckled at the sight.
‘Come to think of it, this is my first guild.’
He’d never even partied much with other characters.
No need—he cleared everything solo.
He’d tried it with this character once but quit immediately.
How could he party when people treated him like trash?
Lucky if no one stabbed him in the back. And guilds, a step above parties? Forget it.
‘Well… might not be so bad.’
Hunt outer gods within seven years.
In other words, he might be stuck here for up to seven years.
Too long to go without any human connections. That was part of why he’d made the guild.
Anyway.
The second lap felt much more familiar, and with Kim Minwoo actively participating, it went by way faster.
2 hours.
Time taken to clear the gate.
When they emerged, even more reporters had gathered than before.
They stared desperately in this direction.
“Mr. Kim Minwoo! Could we get an interview?”
“2-hour clear! How on earth did you pull that off?”
Three people.
Two full laps, clears in 4 hours and 2 hours.
Korea had been in an uproar for ages.
―What? Is this real? 2 hours? No missing zero??
―Hypnosis on the monsters or what? What kinda clear time is this lol
―Where’d those guys saying he’d get wrecked by Ilsung go? Even their first string couldn’t clear in 2 hours lol
―They could. If they whipped their asses nonstop and just pushed. But a few casualties guaranteed.
―Yeah lol They’re already on lap two? Zero injuries? Game over?
―Damn, no clue here? Thought Lavish would lose guild war but now they might win?
―Impressive tho; starting to get the hype;
―60 trillion? Cheap? Maybe Chairman Kim got a family discount on shares?
―Lmao national pride simps swarming again lol How’s that a discount you idiots lol
―Anyway potential’s nuts right? A-rank in 2 hours?
―Yup. Performance is wild. Means they just smashed through gates nonstop.
―Peaceful giants suddenly in tears lol
―I’m A-rank, took 30 of us 3 hours for giant prince. This real?
―Total normie lol Took us 4 hours lol
―Keep praising and they actually deliver lol I’m A-rank, gonna rip Ilsung lol gg.
―Look at that A-rank dude’s gear swap speed lol
―So three guys 2-hour cut, no swaps? Gotta be flexible. Remember bro’s words.
―S-rank gate clear possible? Not nationalism, cold take.
―For real. Gotta watch guild war but they def got something.
―Ah; was gonna skip guild war cuz obvious but gotta tune in.
―For real lol Evening slot, ordering chicken and beer to watch lol
―Chicken joints sold out that day lol
Amid the internet forums exploding, the Q&A continued.
How’d they clear so fast? Sword Sage’s doing? Park Siwoo’s contribution? Etc.
Kim Minwoo fielded the barrage with suitable answers.
In other words.
Surface-level stuff, no core info.
As the reporters’ faces soured at the empty responses.
“You must be frustrated. So curious, right? Then come watch the guild war the day after tomorrow. I’ll spill everything then.”
He glanced at his watch and grinned.
“Oh, past midnight now—so tomorrow. See ya.”
“Mr. Kim Minwoo! Mr. Kim!”
“Wait! We still have questions…!”
Despite the desperate shouts, the three figures kept walking away.
* * *
After completing two laps, they took the rest of the day off to prepare for tomorrow’s guild war.
As evening approached, the three gathered again at Sangam Awakener Stadium.
The three gathered again in front of the massive arena, which held 200,000.
It filled up completely for international events.
But this wasn’t international—yet every seat was sold out.
And within hours of posting the guild war notice, no less.
Insane number for a one-off event match.
‘Heard initial sales were low.’
Like 50,000 out of 200,000?
Probably mostly Seo Yerim and his own fans buying out of loyalty.
Some Ilsung fans too. Low sales? Obvious why.
Obvious matchups look boring from the jump.
Rivalries get the cheers.
The once-obvious matchup.
But they smashed an A-rank gate?
In a time even first string struggles with?
Now it’s anyone’s game?
Sales skyrocketed from there to sold out.
The stadium inside was already buzzing. Commentators, broadcast cams.
Everyone hustling.
They entered the player waiting area.
Soon, staff came in with the signal.
“Let’s go. Time to crush.”
Seo Yerim and Park Siwoo.
The two nodded and stood.
Soon after.
―These folks are hands-down the hottest Awakeners in Korea right now. As flashy as their guild name! Please welcome Lavish Guild Master Kim Minwoo and his two Awakeners!
Waaaaah!
A massive roar erupted.
The three stepped into the center of the 200,000-packed stadium.
Opposite side, Ilsung Guild already waiting.
―Guild masters, come forward!
Nam Cheolmin and Kim Minwoo.
The two ascended the stage.
Mics handed over.
The commentator eyed them.
―Heard there’s backstory to this guild war. Some talk over Ilsung Group’s investment, right?
Clearing his throat, Nam Cheolmin brought the mic to his lips.
“It’s true our Ilsung Guild worried over the excessive investment amount.”
―Still feel that way?
“Nope. Honestly, it does feel pricey.”
―Straight shooter! Nam Cola! Kim Minwoo Guild Master, your thoughts?
“Commentator. Good things go to family first, right?”
―Exactly. Sharing even a single soybean is family.
“So selling to Ilsung. Special discount price.”
―Whoa. So 60 trillion was already discounted! That the claim?
“You’ll see after today’s match.”
―Such confidence! Of course, Lavish did something huge! A-rank gate in 2 hours! And not some pushover—Giant’s Land, no less?
The crowd nodded.
―But real talk! Cold-eyed, still looks pricey. Right?
Nods.
Agreeing crowd visible.
Kim Minwoo grinned.
‘Playing it up good.’
Top-tier commentator.
Pros are pros.
Scratches the itch perfectly.
―Hope today’s match clears up both sides’ claims and doubts! Finally, your resolves—gotta hear ‘em.
Eyeing Nam Cheolmin, the commentator said.
―Super rookie who burst in like a comet 20 years ago! Legend lives on! Korea’s archer? Nam Cheolmin. Nam Cheolmin? Archer. That’s it. Crowd’s waiting.
“I’ll do my utmost to meet those expectations.”
Humble response from Nam Cheolmin.
―Meanwhile, Korea’s Necromancer? Just Kim Minwoo now.
“Obviously. Korea’s archer is Nam Cheolmin, you say?”
―Yes. Our Nam Cheolmin Guild Master, top Korean archer rank.
“Our guild’s archer would feel pretty bummed hearing that.”
With that, Kim Minwoo stared straight at Nam Cheolmin.
Soon after.
“Nam Cheolmin Guild Master. Time to take off that heavy crown.”
He said flatly.
―Time to set down the crown. So who inherits it?
“Our guild has an archer too.”
―Meaning Bow Sage Seo Yerim?
Bow Sage.
Like Sword Sage, a half-baked nickname since she hadn’t shown much yet.
It memed into sticking.
“Sword Sage, Bow Sage. Isn’t it time to drop the ‘Sage’? New title due. I think from today, the world will call Seo Yerim this.”
―How?
“Divine Archer.”
Iferin’s epithet.
The word that would become her new one.