Dungeon & Commander (201)

Go Cheolmin clicked on Yoo Min-jeong's photo, and the screen filled with detailed data: her awakening test pass date, the academy she graduated from and her grades there, a list of dungeons she'd entered, the skills she was currently practicing, her status, and more.

Kim Jun was startled, a bit flustered. It felt like peeking into someone's diary without permission.

"You need to get used to it. You're the team leader now."

"...Yes, sir."

"This is the more important part."

Go Cheolmin clicked on one of the raids Yoo Min-jeong had participated in. It was a raid with Jushin Guild, and an evaluation popped up below it.

This was Yoo Min-jeong's raid evaluation from when she participated as an 'intern'—a temporary member not officially affiliated with the team.

Seeing the evaluation written by Amazon Team Leader Jo Won-sik, Kim Jun was momentarily speechless. He quickly understood why Go Cheolmin had shown him this data.

Evaluations are the team leader's job.

After a raid ends, the team leader must write an evaluation report for each team member. Once submitted, that score and content... would follow the person for life.

The implication was clear.

Kim Jun was no longer just a friend hanging out casually with Yoo Min-jeong, Choi Muhyun, and the others. He could treat them as equal colleagues or friends on a normal day, but he always had to evaluate them, write up the results in the Leader Book, and send it to the Association server.

"When I first became team leader and got my Leader Book, I made a face just like yours. I was flustered. Guys I'd been rolling around with like buddies until the day before... suddenly I had to evaluate them. Honestly, part of me wanted to run away."

It was exactly how Kim Jun felt.

"How... did you get used to it?"

"Time."

Kim Jun got the point right away. In the end, he just had to endure until ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠he got used to it.

"Three points... that's low, right?"

"Interns usually get 1 point. Zeros are a dime a dozen. Compared to that, it's high."

Go Cheolmin patted Kim Jun's shoulder and left the master room, giving him time to examine the Leaders Portal on his own.

Kim Jun checked Yoo Min-jeong's personnel details more closely.

He could vaguely picture how she'd lived her life.

He looked up the past records for Choi Muhyun, Yeom Sang-taek, and Skyla. Sa Yeonggyo wasn't registered yet. Her guild joining would be announced alongside Uramata's new guild master reveal.

It felt strange.

He hadn't felt this way even when they called him team leader. Now, it finally felt real.

Kim Jun's own data... had no evaluations.

In Bukaksan Dungeon, his first raid; in Gwanghwamun Dungeon during Devils Day—he'd been a carrier.

The same for Incheon Dungeon and Changwon Dungeon as a Pink Team member.

There was no carrier section anywhere in the Leaders Portal.

So, no evaluations either.

Kim Jun felt a bit wistful but also amused. A raider with zero official evaluations rocketing straight to team leader, evaluating his own team... He was probably the first in Dungeon Association history.

Thinking that way eased his mind a little.

Curious, Kim Jun searched for Go Cheolmin. Only basic info came up: attribute, level, guild affiliation. With his access level, he couldn't view Go Cheolmin's raid records.

If Kim Jun leaped to expedition leader, and Go Cheolmin was still team leader joining a raid under him... Kim Jun could check Go Cheolmin's data to his heart's content.

Instead, a list of news articles about Go Cheolmin filled the bottom window.

Most weren't main headlines. His name was mentioned briefly.

Kim Jun searched his own name.

"Whoa."

An avalanche of articles poured out. He'd paid no attention before, so he hadn't imagined there'd be this many with his face photo.

He read a few, and Kim Jun was fairly surprised.

These articles were all summarized and edited from a raider's perspective to be helpful. Processed through someone's hands to be easy to read and understand.

Even skimming them, the info stuck in his head neatly, organizing itself naturally.

Definitely leagues above searching on a regular internet portal.

Then his phone vibrated.

Unknown number, but Kim Jun answered anyway.

"Hello."

―Doing well?

This voice...?

It was Guild Management Director Lee Wan-yeol, the Association employee who'd run into trouble at Honor Hall. Why was he calling? And from a landline, not a cell?

"How's your body holding up?"

―Waist and shoulders ache, but I'm fine. I nearly bit the dust that day. Surprised I called from this number? Listen up. Not much time.

Lee Wan-yeol briefly explained the relic discovered in Sokcho Dungeon, then told him where a USB with the related data was hidden.

―Hope it's helpful to you.

Kim Jun realized why Lee Wan-yeol was calling. Gratitude for saving him at Honor Hall—sharing internal info.

If caught, Lee Wan-yeol would be fired from his director position.

"Thank you. But don't make calls like this again."

―Checked the internal regs. As Pink Team leader, you have access to this info. Though the expedition leader blocks it in practice.

"Not a regulation violation, then."

―Right. You're bound to take heat, so I had to help.

"Thank you, Director."

Kim Jun felt relieved.

―I'm the one who's grateful. Let's grab a drink sometime.

"I'll call after the raid."

Kim Jun hung up, grabbed his Leader Book, and headed out—to the spot the Guild Management Director mentioned.

As promised, a USB was tucked in a crack by the public phone wall.

Back at the car, Kim Jun plugged it into the Leader Book. Dungeon Management Division reports, various notes from the scouting team that entered Sokcho Dungeon—all on the drive.

No interior simulation data, unfortunately.

One item caught his eye.

Mana Vortex.

He clicked it.

Kim Jun searched 'Mana Vortex' on the Leader Book for more details.

The number of raiders missing or killed by mana vortices in dungeons was shockingly high. Many mid-to-high-level raiders (Level 6+) had died in vortex zones.

To obtain those incredibly valuable dungeon items, you had to risk your life.

Did Jeong Myeong-ho's expedition—especially B-Group entering the relic interior—have countermeasures for mana vortices?

Kim Jun searched 'Mana Vortex Countermeasures'. Research was ongoing, but no solid solutions. Articles emphasized the importance of expedition leader or team leader decision-making.

Lost in thought, he impulsively typed 'Jeong Myeong-ho' into the Leaders Portal search bar.

Basic info and news filled the screen.

Not a top raider like Yoo Wan-seop or Lee Hwan, but Jeong Myeong-ho was a standout in Brave Guild. His specialty: precise Water Creation.

Kim Jun read the data ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠closely, but basics weren't helpful.

Fortunately, articles mentioning Jeong Myeong-ho had intriguing details.

He could somewhat guess Jeong Myeong-ho's current mindset.

If luck held, a path into the relic interior might open.

Kim Jun drove back to the guildhouse.

Jeong Myeong-ho pushed past his claustrophobia and kept walking.

It felt like over two hours since descending to the relic's underground first floor. Passages maxed at 5 meters wide. Tense advance, never knowing when monsters might pop out.

Ancient dirt walls shed dust at a touch. Buffer light orbs banished darkness, but the stuffiness only thickened.

Damn maze—when the hell does it end?

Jeong Myeong-ho ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠glared ahead.

"Buffer."

"...Yes, Captain."

The voice from behind lacked strength.

"This the right path?"

"I-I think so..."

"Think? Friggin' think?"

Jeong Myeong-ho swallowed his rage. How many times had he told them to memorize the maze-like relic passages?

Barely containing it, he called the second buffer.

"Na Ji-won."

"...I don't know."

He couldn't take it anymore.

"Everyone out."

Jeong Myeong-ho logged out immediately.

Outside the simulator, he could breathe. Soaked in sweat, he went to the window. Beyond the glass, the Han River snaked through the city like a giant serpent.

Slow deep breaths calmed him. Then he turned.

Lincoln team stood in a line.

Jeong Myeong-ho glared at dealer Oh Yun-jin. As expedition leader and captain, Oh Yun-jin naturally led Lincoln as team leader.

"How the hell did you train them?"

"Sorry."

"Can't even map one passage—how do you expect to raid? You all trying to die there?"

"...We'll fix it."

Jeong Myeong-ho sighed. He wanted to boot them all and rebuild with raiders he liked.

Problem: time.

Sokcho raid was imminent. And as a relic quest, no room for minor errors—a critical mission.

To snag this raid, his parents had pulled out all stops. Big-name raiders chased the Sokcho relic quest. Without Dad's influence and Mom's money, Jeong Myeong-ho wouldn't even get a shot.

This relic quest was his once-in-a-lifetime chance.

Find one or two usable dungeon items inside, media hypes the raid success, and he'd naturally join the 'Five Stars'.

The five candidates to inherit the guild's strongest skill, Brave, were the Five Stars.

Master Brave—strong enough to name the guild—and success was guaranteed. With luck, even guild master someday.

Lee Hwan had joined the once-a-decade Five Stars selection.

No designs on Lee Hwan's spot. Jeong Myeong-ho just wanted to be one of the five candidates.

Fail to make Five Stars?

No recognition—just scorn. Overshadowed by genius sister Lee Hwan, he'd be a disgraced outcast, unable to show his face.

Standing before main buffer Yoo Sang-sik, Jeong Myeong-ho jabbed a finger into his chest.

"What's the damn problem?"

"Sorry."

"You said you were confident? Begged for a chance? I gave it. What more do you want?"

Yoo Sang-sik's face flushed red.

Jeong Myeong-ho knew the psychology. Infuriating alone, humiliating in front of teammates—rage boiling over.

Now he'd channel that fury into using his brain properly. Hate the captain all he wanted.

If this raid succeeded, Jeong Myeong-ho could turn into a far crueler devil and torment them more.

"...Me."

The second buffer raised a hand.

"What?"

"Uh, that is..."

"Spit it out straight."

"...The relic interior's weird. N-Not sure, but the passages seem to change."

"What? Passages changing?"

Jeong Myeong-ho scoffed. But he quickly grasped it and scowled.

Ordering a 10-minute break, he went to the window and called on his phone.

The other side picked up.

"Director Kwon, it's me. Something off. The relic in Sokcho Dungeon. Variable type? Possible? Why tell me now? In the report? Sigh, got it. Hanging up."

His own fault for not checking the report properly—Jeong Myeong-ho forced down his anger.