Funds Secured and Pride Tested
Sensing the tension on the staff's faces, he flashed a grin. He drew in a deep breath that swelled his chest, then bellowed loud enough to make their ears ring.
"Crash and burn, you shitty bank!"
The staff gaped at him, mouths hanging open.
Go Cheolmin strode out with a satisfied smile.
He arrived ten minutes early, but his counterpart was already waiting.
"Jo Gap-yoon."
The way he presented his business card carried the polished air unique to seasoned Dungeon Association veterans.
The card had a premium texture—supple yet resilient, made from the finest materials.
"I didn't bring any cards."
Go Cheolmin faltered, caught off guard.
"Haha, why would a guild master need business cards? Your name alone is more than enough."
Jo Gap-yoon smiled warmly.
The conversation soon dove into the main topic.
Jo Gap-yoon did most of the talking, while Go Cheolmin listened intently. Go Cheolmin was stunned to hear that the man had once dreamed of becoming an awakener, starting out as a carrier.
"I kept taking the awakener test until I was twenty-seven, but that was my limit. So I holed up in a goshiwon and studied like mad. Thanks to that, here I am at the Dungeon Association."
"Passing the Dungeon Exam—impressive."
Go Cheolmin was genuinely awed.
The Dungeon Association's hiring exam was notorious for being as tough as—or tougher than—the bar, diplomatic service, or civil service exams. It drew graduates from top universities, and carrier experience was rare among them.
"The Dungeon Association is deeply concerned about the current mood—shaken and demoralized after the Devils Day disaster. This funding is to support guilds struggling with cash flow. The Financial Support Division can lend Uramata Guildhouse 1.5 billion won."
Jo Gap-yoon was straightforward.
"...1.5 billion?"
Go Cheolmin couldn't trust his own ears.
"Hard to believe, I know, but it's true. There's one condition, though."
"Name it."
Go Cheolmin was ready for anything.
"A Dungeon Association auditor will be stationed at Uramata Guildhouse."
"An auditor?"
"'Stationed' just means they'll check in occasionally to see how things are running. All the details are here. Read it carefully, and if you need legal advice, consult a lawyer."
"What does the auditor do, exactly?"
"Simple. They verify the loan funds are used properly."
"That's it?"
"What more could you need?"
Jo Gap-yoon grinned broadly.
"No lawyer needed—they'd just bleed me hourly. I just sign here, right?"
"As bold as they say."
"Haha, you're too kind."
Go Cheolmin signed in three places, then hopped in a taxi to share the great news with the team. A text pinged his phone, and his eyes widened.
"...Their processing speed is unreal."
The guild account already showed 1.5 billion won deposited.
Go Cheolmin changed course from the guildhouse. Spreading the joy mattered, but starting simulator team training even a day—or an hour—sooner was crucial.
"Driver, step on it."
His voice brimmed with energy as he urged the man on.
The living room was eerily quiet.
Yoo Min-jeong stepped out of bed into the silence, grabbed the remote out of habit to drown it out.
Morning news filled the air—weather, traffic, major events from yesterday. Even rumors of an impending dungeon break.
Every news program harped on 'reopening,' but never pinned down a date.
"Lobbying till their feet blister, huh."
She muttered to herself.
She wasn't hungry, but knew she had to eat to keep going.
She toasted some bread, checked the milk's expiration, poured a glass. The aroma wafted through the living room and out to the garden, drawing a cat's meow followed by birds chirping in chorus.
Yoo Min-jeong stepped onto the balcony, sat on the dust-covered bench. Three cats approached; she filled a dish with prepared kibble and offered it.
A faint smile touched her face as she petted them. She had to stay strong. That was all that mattered. It was the only way to survive the day.
She wolfed down the toast, warmed some porridge from the fridge. She chopped kimchi fine into a small dish, added braised beef to a tray. A deep breath to steady herself.
Then she headed to the basement training hall.
It took courage just to knock.
The door was actually ajar.
Turning the handle opened the heavy door silently. A spacious dojo filled her view, big enough for dozens. In the center sat one man.
The one-armed man.
Once Korea's strongest awakener and raider, Yoo Wan-seop stared blankly into space, eyes unfocused.
Yoo Min-jeong approached slowly.
No reaction from Yoo Wan-seop.
"...Dad."
The frozen air stirred slightly.
Yoo Min-jeong set the tray down carefully, fighting disappointment. Devils Day—that cursed day... Her father had lost comrades. Even his carrier best friend, Jang Won-seop, never emerged from the dungeon.
His sense of responsibility was unmatched, so losing an arm and surviving alone was unbearable.
Someday, he'd break free from his self-imposed prison.
"I've joined the guildhouse. It's small and shabby now, but I'll grow it... like you did, Dad. Jushin abandoned you—I won't let them get away with it. Watch over me, Dad."
Tears she'd held back poured as she turned away. Yoo Min-jeong left the basement without a whimper.
A red Ferrari roared into the guildhouse parking lot.
Yoo Min-jeong stepped out, sunglasses on. Canvas sneakers clung to her skinny jeans, paired with a plain black tank top. She froze mid-stride entering the guildhouse.
She slowly removed her sunglasses.
Someone was sprinting inside the guildhouse—an oval track. He didn't notice her, lost in the run. Yoo Min-jeong stared at his profile for a long moment.
Dad...
It was ridiculous, she knew, but the mere carrier running evoked memories of her father. An inexplicable similarity in vibe.
It irked her.
A carrier, of all things.
He'd offered a 700 million won salary guarantee without guild master approval. Go Cheolmin accepted, no issue, but it crossed a line.
Yoo Min-jeong started running without changing.
She accelerated, catching up to Kim Jun in seconds. Only then did he notice, glancing over.
"Hey."
His clear, innocent eyes annoyed her; she blew past him. She couldn't lose to eyes like that—her competitive fire ignited.
She ran hard enough to gasp for air, yet Kim Jun was suddenly beside her.
"You like running too?"
Yoo Min-jeong nearly stumbled in shock. She'd almost made a fool of herself in front of a carrier.
She surged ahead multiple times to shake him, but he stuck like glue. What grated more was his smile. He should be heaving, yet he looked like he was sipping tea.
Time to end this.
Yoo Min-jeong kicked it up, wrapping her body in magic. Speed Up was buffer territory, but as a level 6 dealer and mage, it was no challenge.
She shot forward like a sprinter.
"Whoa! You're fast!"
Kim Jun's shout twisted her face. Not the reaction she wanted.
She yearned to lap him, but dungeon-outside magic strained the body. Overdo it, and she'd end up hospitalized.
He's gotta realize who's better now. But why's he so damn good?
Yoo Min-jeong pondered how to wrap up this impulsive race.
Onlookers had gathered. Choi Muhyun and Yeom Sang-taek stood watching; behind them, Go Cheolmin arms crossed, grinning like it was prime entertainment.
Kim Jun passed in front, at his own pace. Go Cheolmin halted him.
"Kim Jun."
"Yes, Master."
"Run without the sandbags."
"Oh, yeah?"
Kim Jun stopped easily, untying the sandbags from his legs.
Yoo Min-jeong, spotting them mid-run, was speechless. He'd been running with those?
"Waist and arms too."
"...Can't fool the master's eyes."
Free of weights, Kim Jun hopped lightly, looking ready to fly.
"Run for real."
"Got it."
Kim Jun took off. He'd prioritized steady pace with weights; now it was pure speed. The gap to Yoo Min-jeong halved instantly.
Yoo Min-jeong gritted her teeth, casting Speed Up again. Invisible energy enveloped her.
Her tiring legs lightened; her slumping back straightened.
"You're really good."
Kim Jun caught up.
"...You too."
She had to admit it. Her pride stung.
She knew she'd borrowed magic; he was pure grit.
"Haven't cut loose like this in ages. Let's go!"
Kim Jun whooped and surged ahead.
Yoo Min-jeong chased, cursing inwardly.
What the hell is he? 'Cut loose'? What was that before?
Over five laps, the gap widened bit by bit. Yoo Min-jeong's breath hit her throat. Kim Jun's ragged breaths echoed ahead, but his power held—speed increasing.
Impulse to blast him with attack magic surged. One shot could shatter those springy legs.
No.
She was sure pushing pride here would wreck her body—especially her legs. Magic school under the Association drilled it first: debilitating side effects.
She slowed gradually, stopping near the entrance, aware of the crowd.
"I-I was just... bored, that's all."
Sweat-drenched excuse rang hollow, but she said it anyway.
"Ah-ha."
Choi Muhyun's quip turned her face crimson.
"Training starts now!"
Go Cheolmin's call wrapped it up.
Changing into stretchy, form-fitting training suits like spandex, Yeom Sang-taek's heart raced. Simulator training had been ages ago.
"Dealers on 1, tanks on 2, buffers on 3, carriers on 4. Mount up."
Go Cheolmin barked.
Yeom Sang-taek entered the training room with four simulators, standing before the machine marked 3.
The sleek, aerodynamic pod resembled a fighter jet cockpit. Pressing the red button popped the lid with a clunk—a sound he hated.
Choi Muhyun boarded first, then Yoo Min-jeong.
I can do this. Success odds are high today. They have to be.
Yeom Sang-taek chanted inwardly, swinging his right leg into the open pod. Sitting triggered the translucent lid to seal automatically.
I'm fine. Claustrophobia won't break me.
Focusing on his breath eased the tightening.
"Hear me clear?"
Go Cheolmin's voice crackled through the internal speaker.
"...Yes."
Yeom Sang-taek forced vigor, but it fell flat.
"Today's site: F-rank dungeon. Monster: Velociraptor. Leader: provisionally level 6 dealer Yoo Min-jeong. Treat it like the real deal—full effort."
Go Cheolmin finished; a flash erupted.
Eyes adjusted to darkness.
Yeom Sang-taek exhaled long, cast Light. A glowing orb rose, banishing shadows. Beyond ten meters: pitch black.
He spotted Yoo Min-jeong ahead, Choi Muhyun beyond. Kim Jun with storeback at rear. Single file for now.
Kim Jun grinned. Yeom Sang-taek ignored him—he'd humbled Yoo Min-jeong in the run. No mixing with carriers.
"Diamond formation."
Yoo Min-jeong ordered.
He'd heard it before, but blanked on meaning. Yeom Sang-taek stammered in panic.
"Don't know?"
Yoo Min-jeong shifted left, eyeing him.
"Uh, that is..."
"Stick to my right. In 3x3, tank at 2, dealer 4, buffer 6, carrier 8—that's diamond. Remember now?"
"Oh, right."
Yeom Sang-taek took position at Yoo Min-jeong's 3 o'clock, Choi Muhyun's 4:30.
"Advance."
Yoo Min-jeong glanced at Yeom Sang-taek, commanded as leader. Choi Muhyun stepped forward.
Before three steps: "Tank, strides too wide. Mind the rear."
"Sorry."
"Why check behind? Front focus is tank basics."
"...Got it."
Choi Muhyun glared ahead, shoulders stiff.
'Too short!' 'Too wide!' After repeated scoldings, he found the rhythm.
Yeom Sang-taek pitied him. The fire dealer was venting carrier-crushed pride on the tank. Pointing it out would backfire on him.
"Monsters approaching—30 meters front!"
Yoo Min-jeong snapped, glaring at Yeom Sang-taek.
Long-range detection was buffer duty. She'd pegged his lapse.
"Just gonna stand there like an idiot?"
She hissed.
"...Sorry."
Yeom Sang-taek recalled velociraptor attacks, cast Strong on tank Choi Muhyun.
Strong weighed the body, slowed movement, but bolstered defense against charging brutes.
Dark smoke swirled around Choi Muhyun, trying to form a barrier—then frayed with holes, dissipating.
"Damn!"
Buff failed.
The shock staggered Choi Muhyun, backlash hitting full force.
Yeom Sang-taek wasn't unscathed either.
"Hoo."
Yoo Min-jeong shook her head, loosed fire arrow at the incoming velociraptor.
The Fire Arrow sliced air.
Velociraptor's tough skull and chest skin shrugged frontal hits, but it'd slow the charge, easing the tank's load.
Thud!
Choi Muhyun's Geumgangbyeok rebounded the rush. He slid back 30 cm; the monster flew three meters, but its sturdy frame let it rise quick and flee rearward.
"Thanks."
Choi Muhyun twisted slightly, nodding to Yoo Min-jeong.
"Your ki wavered. Control comes first. Basics are shot."
Yoo Min-jeong shot back coldly.
Silence fell.
Her exaggerated sigh stiffened them both.
"...Nine o'clock—two velociraptors incoming."
Yeom Sang-taek's voice crept out.
"Speak with confidence."
Yoo Min-jeong nitpicked again.
"...Okay."