Mission: Reorganization
Kim Jun yawned.
On the display, Lincoln Team was methodically clearing the monsters blocking their path, steadily advancing toward the relic's core.
Solid defense, sharp attacks, timely support.
Led by expedition leader Jeong Myeong-ho, Lincoln Team displayed airtight teamwork without a single gap.
Impressive... but nothing worth watching.
The problem was simple: the raid was boring.
The training room should be empty right now. He had a feeling he could finally make Mokhonbo's Jungchwi his own today.
He felt eyes on him.
Glancing over, Yoo Min-jeong was staring right at him, as if she knew exactly what he was thinking.
She slowly shook her head.
Kim Jun gave an awkward smile, like a mischievous kid caught by his mom mid-prank.
This time, he stretched his arms wide.
Kim Jun checked the records.
By current standings, Pink Team was in second place. Lincoln Team had been inside for over 25 minutes, so they'd likely end up third.
Third place!
That meant Pink Team would proudly secure a spot in B Group and gain entry to the relic's interior.
Kim Jun glanced at his teammates.
They weren't just talented—they'd endured grueling training without complaint. No amount of leading mattered if they couldn't keep up.
This result was thanks to them.
Time for a team dinner later. Heh, first time using the company card.
The corporate card from the new master—no, now officially Master Yoo Wan-seop—would let him treat them to a nice spot.
He peeked up at the display.
Lincoln Team fought with flawless strategy, no room for error. That gear-meshing precision couldn't be built overnight. It took years of training and dungeon runs to make it flow naturally.
Boring, but effective.
Kim Jun watched Jeong Myeong-ho, the tanker laser-focused on his role. A guy who forged a team like that... wasn't ordinary.
The moment Lincoln Team finished, 40:40 flashed in the display's center—double Pacific Team's 20:20 under Hwang In-su.
Kim Jun grinned.
A captain-subcaptain pissing contest. When Hwang In-su sicced Han Ye-jin on the test with petty jabs, Captain Jeong Myeong-ho answered with the clock.
Don't fuck around.
Lincoln Team emerged from the simulator.
Kim Jun clapped.
He was impressed by their rock-solid teamwork and the grit to hit 40:40 on the dot.
Soon, others joined in.
Kim Jun scanned them. Not one clapped from genuine joy. They just followed the captain's lead... like puppets.
Some glared at him. Why the hell are you clapping?
He turned to Pink Team.
Only one clapped: Go Cheolmin. The rest stood arms crossed or hands behind backs, staring down Lincoln Team.
Kim Jun loved it.
Clapping because the leader did? Not Pink Team's style. You had to buy in yourself—or it wouldn't stick.
"Results in one hour."
Jeong Myeong-ho announced.
Teams huddled and headed to waiting rooms.
Kim Jun sidled up to Yoo Min-jeong.
"Gonna meet the team leaders. See you."
"Got it."
Yoo Min-jeong led Pink Team away.
Kim Jun approached nearby An Seong-ho Team.
An Seong-ho, mid-chat with his crew, spotted him and came over.
"19:34? Insane. How? I thought surviving 5 minutes was a miracle."
"Luck."
"Luck for 20 minutes? In a relic? Bullshit."
He'd tossed it as a joke, but An Seong-ho's eyes burned with intensity, his stance dead serious. He really wanted to know how Pink Team got strong.
Kim Jun couldn't brush him off with another quip.
"Our team's stacked."
Yoo Wan-seop's daughter, Choi Min-su's son, an ice dealer from the States, Association President's granddaughter. Even Lincoln Team couldn't match Pink's star power.
"Fair enough."
An Seong-ho sighed, his own raiders average at best.
"There's a way for An Seong-ho Team to last 10+ minutes in the relic."
"What?"
"Join Uramata."
Kim Jun knew how rude that was. But his greed to recruit An Seong-ho outweighed etiquette.
"...What?"
"Join Uramata, and your team gets way stronger."
He made it clear: the whole team. No consulting the master.
"Pretend you didn't hear that. Don't spout crap again."
"Sure."
Kim Jun shrugged.
He wasn't expecting a bite from chit-chat. He'd keep baiting with chances ahead—till they joined Uramata.
But he revealed his real reason.
"Wanna gather A and C Group leaders."
"Why?"
Kim Jun smirked.
An Seong-ho got it instantly. Or his eyes wouldn't waver like that.
"You serious?"
That meant: Once we start, no stopping.
Kim Jun nodded.
"I thought I was bold, but you shrink my balls to peas. Let's go."
An Seong-ho led.
Heading to Best Guild's Medusa Team, leader Bang Yun-a glared at Kim Jun.
"You pulled it off, huh."
Sneering tone.
Kim Jun stayed quiet. Pink in B Group slashed Medusa's relic odds. Her reaction made sense.
"Let's talk."
An Seong-ho said.
"Talk? It's decided. You, me, Do Jin-yong—either A or C. No relic for us."
"What if there's a way in?"
Bang Yun-a froze. She sent her team to the waiting room, then faced An Seong-ho.
"There a way?"
"That's why we're talking."
"Fine."
Bang Yun-a deliberately ignored Kim Jun. Probably from her "advice" to Pink's leader that meeting day.
Kim Jun remembered every word.
Fine, do what you want. Regret losing your team? Too late.
Advice—or curse, depending.
Maybe why she avoided his eyes. No true villain sleeps easy after cursing.
En route to Do Jin-yong, Bang Yun-a kept sneaking glances at Kim Jun.
He pretended not to notice.
Slap.
Do Jin-yong backhanded a teammate's right cheek.
Kim Jun clenched his fist unconsciously. Blue Lightning had tons of issues, but top one? Dumbass leader, no contest.
With An Seong-ho leading instead, they'd last 3—no, 4 minutes in the relic, no extra training.
Yet Do Jin-yong blamed others, not his own failings.
"You crazy? Why no DPS then? Your fault we're fucked! Head up—head up!"
Do Jin-yong prodded the guy's chest, shoving him back.
Kim Jun knew jumping in now could tank his plan. Do Jin-yong was key. Interfering might kill his buy-in.
But he couldn't stand by.
As the thick palm swung for the left cheek, Kim Jun grabbed the wrist.
Do Jin-yong was burly, but a light pulse on the meridian shut him down easy. Kim Jun was studying acupoints lately—test run.
"What?"
Do Jin-yong glared.
"Cool watch. Where'd you get it? How much?"
Lame excuse, but he'd try. Smart guys would smell bullshit.
"...Watch?"
"Yeah. Want one like that."
"Haha, you know watches? Patek Philippe. Saved years of dungeon cash. You? Dream on. Not for peasants—application, strict review for eligibility. Wanna try it?"
Do Jin-yong handed it over.
Kim Jun strapped on the meh watch, feigning fascination as he inspected it.
"Makes sense, team leader now. Need nice gear. Know a guy—hook you up."
"Thanks."
Kim Jun returned it.
Do Jin-yong shooed his team like flies, then spotted An Seong-ho and Bang Yun-a behind Kim Jun.
"So, why're you all here?"
"Talk."
An Seong-ho again.
"Why not."
The leaders headed to a cafe on the training floor.
This raid center had three coffee shops. Kim Jun eyed the stylish interior, hoping Uramata got one someday.
Drinks ordered.
Bang Yun-a eyed An Seong-ho.
"How? No relic access without B Group."
An Seong-ho stared at Kim Jun. Your turn.
Kim Jun pulled his phone, showed the saved photo.
Bang Yun-a, Do Jin-yong, An Seong-ho leaned in, peering close.
Korean Dungeon Association Rulebook
Article 631 (Expedition Composition)
Clause 7. The internal composition of participating teams may be changed at the team leader's discretion as needed.
They looked up at Kim Jun, eyes asking: What does this have to do with the relic?
Kim Jun savored the silence.
The thrill of knowing what they couldn't imagine.
"What? Spill."
Do Jin-yong.
"Team reconfiguration."
"...Reconfiguration?"
An Seong-ho. He didn't know details either.
"No way?"
Quick on uptake: Bang Yun-a. Medusa leader experience shone.
"Scoured expedition rules—no ban on borrowing other teams' raiders. So, I can pull An Seong-ho's dealer into Pink if needed."
"Useless."
Do Jin-yong grumbled.
"What if Pink pulls Blue Lightning's main tanker?"
Kim Jun lowered his voice.
"...Main tanker's me? Pull me?"
Do Jin-yong still clueless, but An Seong-ho and Bang Yun-a gaped, getting it.
"An Seong-ho's main tanker, Medusa's main dealer—straight to Pink."
Do Jin-yong finally clicked.
"...That way, all leaders enter the relic. But teams without leaders? Then what?"
An Seong-ho.
"Merge Blue Lightning, An Seong-ho, Medusa into two teams. One takes A Group, the other C. Recon and rear secure—no leader needed. Or temp-promote a trusted member."
Kim Jun leaned back, gauging their faces.
Curious? Or insane, storm out?
Before rash calls, he dropped the kicker.
"Relic entry means dungeon item shot. First to find and secure owns it."
Kim Jun kept it flat.
These weren't rookies. Any emotion, they'd sniff manipulation. Stay neutral—they'd waver anyway.
As expected, all three flickered.
Even raiders dreamed of owning a dungeon item.
No personal grab? B Group still multiplied shares. Reason enough.
Plus, one relic entrant logged the team officially. That record followed forever—their hearts tipped fast.
Bang Yun-a recovered first.
"Why offer? Stay put, you're B Group. Us in Pink? Cuts your cut."