Dungeon & Commander (228)
Yeom Sang-taek stared at the entrance to the container yard.
Why wasn't Go Cheolmin picking up? If the second tanker had come along, even a full-on rush from those guys wouldn't have been a problem.
Riiip.
One of the martial artists reached out, grabbing Yeom Sang-taek's shoulder blade with his fingers. Skyla reacted in a flash, keeping his bones intact, but his clothes tore badly anyway.
The martial artists hounded Yeom Sang-taek relentlessly.
His face burned hot.
Those plastic masks... they all seemed to be mocking him.
Frail—that was the tag that always followed buffers around. They could learn all sorts of spells and skills, but when it came to real offense or defense, they weren't much help. Some aggressive tankers and dealers even claimed out loud that buffers shouldn't exist in public raids.
"Ugh."
Skyla let out a groan.
One of them had feinted at Yeom Sang-taek, then smashed her knee.
Yeom Sang-taek trembled. Because of him... Skyla had nearly gotten hurt.
Where the hell was Kim Jun?
If Kim Jun were here, he'd have taken those bastards down or chased them off somehow.
Rough breaths echoed around them.
Under the martial artists' nonstop assaults, even Yoo Min-jeong and Skyla were winded, their clothes soaked with sweat. If time dragged on like this, they'd end up losing to those guys.
He wanted to help somehow.
If he knew what defensive spell the tanker would use and when, he could supply mana with a help spell—but this wasn't the time.
It might even get in the way.
That was why... buffers had a hard time succeeding as raiders. Moon's buffer Mun Hyorin was a freak exception.
Then he remembered that buffer from the relic adaptation public test, the one who'd led her team through the maze-like passages.
Han Ye-jin, leader of the Apgujeong team.
She was a buffer, but as team leader, she wielded tremendous charisma. She commanded her whole team, conveying her intent with just a glance.
Han Ye-jin couldn't match a dealer in offense. Her defense wasn't tanker-level either.
Yet she'd led as team leader.
How?
The way she'd navigated the maze replayed in his mind. A wide array of skills flowed out so naturally.
"Fucking bitch, why're you so damn tough?"
One martial artist yelled.
Strength flared in Yoo Min-jeong's eyes. Two fireballs shot toward him, timed seconds apart.
He twisted desperately, dodging the first, but the second slammed his shoulder. A sharp crack of breaking bone rang out—no explosion.
The fireball curved leisurely, smashing into the back of his calf.
Thud.
The fibula between his knee and ankle shattered.
The fireball that had crushed the foul-mouthed bastard returned to Yoo Min-jeong's hand, still burning fiercely in midair. She'd held back the blast on purpose. If it had exploded, that groaning martial artist... would've been dead.
The remaining three charged ferociously.
Yeom Sang-taek thrust his hand toward the lead one's left leg, casting Speed Up. The leg sped up suddenly, throwing off his balance—he toppled leftward.
On another, he cast Strong.
The buff boosted strength but slowed the body relatively, making him stumble back.
The last one couldn't handle Skyla's icicle and Yoo Min-jeong's fireball—he retreated instantly.
"Hey, you're pretty damn good."
Skyla said, looking at Yeom Sang-taek.
"...Me?"
"Speed Up, Strong. That was you, right?"
"W-Well, yeah."
Yeom Sang-taek was stunned. He couldn't figure why he'd thought to use buff skills on charging enemies in that moment. It felt like his body had moved on its own.
Yoo Min-jeong was watching him too. Without a word, he could feel her approval.
His body felt light, floating.
The certainty that his skill had tipped the scales toward victory was sweet.
Skyla stepped forward.
"Let's call it quits now, Kang Dong-jun."
"...I tried hiding it, but how'd you know?"
"How long have I been a reporter? You didn't use Yeon family martial arts, but your movements reek of Yeon Hwan-gak, Yeon Ga Shipil Geom, and Yeon Ga Gonghwanbo. How could I not notice?"
At that, the martial artist removed his mask.
A sturdy, handsome face appeared.
Kang Dong-jun cupped his hands toward Yoo Min-jeong—a traditional martial artist's bow called po-gwon.
"Thanks for going easy on me."
"You weren't out to kill us either, so no need to thank me."
Yoo Min-jeong replied.
Yeom Sang-taek glanced at her. She'd held back the fireball explosion because she knew who he was.
What did she mean, they hadn't planned to kill them?
Those martial artists had charged to kill him. Only now did Yeom Sang-taek realize—they were way stronger. They'd gone easy, which was why it ended with just torn clothes.
I was the only one clueless. But who are they?
Skyla cut in, demanding answers.
"What the hell's going on?"
"I was ordered by the family head to come here and wait for you."
"Did the Yeon family kidnap Senior Choi Min-su's wife?"
"What? Kidnap?"
Kang Dong-jun's eyes went wide.
His expression and gestures... looked genuine. So this guy had just followed orders.
Anger surged in Yeom Sang-taek. He recalled how the Yeon family had systematically kidnapped Choi Muhyun for the Cheonroegeom. Kim Jun had gotten hurt because of it.
And now they snatched Muhyun's mom, who wasn't even a raider?
He couldn't take it.
Without thinking, he thrust out his hand, casting the tricky buff skill Slippery—a low success rate even in sim training, under 10%.
It succeeded effortlessly. Friction vanished from the ground beneath the three standing martial artists—they flailed and fell.
They tried standing, slipped like idiots, lost balance, and plopped back down.
Then his phone rang.
Yeom Sang-taek saw the number and jumped, answering immediately.
"Master?"
—Not bad.
"...Pardon?"
—Nice Slippery. It's low-tier, but wiping out friction catches anyone off guard. If you can pull that off reliably, it'll be useful.
Yeom Sang-taek scanned around. Was Crazy Buffer Yang Hee-seon hiding somewhere?
—Up top.
Up top?
He swept his eyes over the stacked containers—no Yang Hee-seon.
—Higher.
Yeom Sang-taek looked up... and was speechless.
Yang Hee-seon stood atop the massive crane. Beside her: Guild Master Yoo Wan-seop... Team Leader Kim Jun, and second tanker Go Cheolmin.
"L-Look up there."
Yoo Min-jeong and Skyla followed his finger. They froze like Yeom Sang-taek.
Yoo Min-jeong couldn't believe her eyes.
Why was her dad... Kim Jun... Go Cheolmin up on that crane? Was she dreaming?
If not for the chill wind brushing her cheek and tousling her hair, the vivid sensation, the real ship horn blaring through the air, the rusty iron stench of old containers stabbing her nose—she might've thought so.
She still couldn't fathom why they'd watched from up there.
Then the guild master reached out and lightly shoved Go Cheolmin.
Go Cheolmin fell, wrapping the crane pillar to slow his drop, landing with a thud.
"You scared the shit out of me!"
Go Cheolmin shouted.
Yoo Wan-seop grabbed Kim Jun's arm with his left hand and descended the pillar swiftly.
Yang Hee-seon floated down like a feather.
Go Cheolmin approached first.
"What the hell happened?"
Skyla asked, hands on hips.
Yoo Min-jeong silently cheered her on. Skyla, who couldn't sleep without answers, would dig to the truth.
"The guild master will explain himself."
Go Cheolmin stepped back slightly.
The guild master glided forward like a windblown leaf skimming the ground.
"Have fun?"
Skyla didn't answer.
Fun?
Now she doubted her ears. Her friend's mom got kidnapped, they'd rushed here and fought bloody... and he calls it fun!
Yang Hee-seon winked at Yeom Sang-taek.
He stood there puzzled, not getting it.
In that moment, Yoo Min-jeong realized.
It wasn't a kidnapping.
That call to spook Choi Muhyun and lure them here... it was a prank.
Guild Master Yoo Wan-seop, Cheonhondan's pillar Choi Min-su, even Crazy Buffer Yang Hee-seon and Yeon Family head Yeon Un-jae—they'd all teamed up for this comedy, and Pink Team got played.
"No kidnapping, huh."
Skyla caught on too.
"Right. My sister-in-law's with Min-su."
Yoo Wan-seop walked to the Yeon martial artists and chatted. Kang Dong-jun, the lead martial artist, cupped his hands humbly, listening intently—something about passing thanks to the family head.
"That kid's hurt pretty bad."
"He's fine. We were gonna fix his attitude anyway—this worked out."
"Good to hear. Won't have to go far then."
Kang Dong-jun hoisted the youngest—shoulder and leg broken—over his back and headed out of the yard. Yeon O-su and Yeon Yuk-su followed.
Meanwhile, Yoo Min-jeong watched Kim Jun. She spared her father not a glance.
Why were you there?
She wanted to ask, but words wouldn't come. Maybe because the guild master, Go Cheolmin, and Teacher Yang Hee-seon were right there.
Team leader, why weren't you here with us?
She asked with her eyes.
Kim Jun just stared back steadily. If he'd done something wrong, betrayed his team, he couldn't have met her gaze like that.
Only then did Yoo Min-jeong notice: Kim Jun was putting weight only on his left leg.
Something was wrong with his right.
What happened?
She didn't know the details, but Kim Jun hadn't abandoned the team. Something had kept him from joining.
Then Kim Jun grinned wide.
A dazzling smile, sincere enough to make anyone smile back.
Why smile?
Yoo Min-jeong tilted her head.
"Heard of akdaem?"
It was Yang Hee-seon.
That one word... melted the questions in Yoo Min-jeong's mind. Why the fake kidnapping? Why the Yeon martial artists attacking Pink Team? It all clicked.
When something bad happens, people say they've done akdaem—endured it to avert worse disasters ahead.
For raiders, it meant another thing.
When a master or parent passes a cherished item to disciple or child, they stir up deliberate trouble, make them suffer, then hand it over—that's akdaem.
The more suffering in akdaem, the better the item bonds, some believed.
"Akdaem?"
Skyla asked.
Yang Hee-seon beckoned—a pair of silver gloves flew to Skyla, hovering.
"Th-This is...?"
Skyla stared in awe.
"Good work."
Yang Hee-seon said.
Skyla slipped them on without thinking. The silky silver surface gleamed, fitting perfectly. She crossed her fingers—white energy swirled around her, a faint chill storm.
But Skyla calmed her excitement, removed the Ice Gloves, and eyed Yang Hee-seon.
"Why give these to me?"
"Does it matter?"
"Yes. It does."
"Call it settling a debt."
"...Understood."
Skyla accepted the gloves.
Yoo Min-jeong glanced between Yang Hee-seon and Skyla.
Debt?
She knew Skyla's finances were tight. But this seemed... not money-related.
Yang Hee-seon fetched a second item and thrust it into Yeom Sang-taek's arms.
His eyes bulged, mouth agape—he stared at the black arm guards, then at Yang Hee-seon.
"M-Master?"
"Lose 'em and you're dead."
"Y-Yes, ma'am!"
Yeom Sang-taek slid on the guards, beaming like a kid on Christmas with his dream gift.
Yoo Min-jeong recognized them: the item Crazy Buffer Yang Hee-seon always wore in dungeons during her active days.
Her father approached.
Tears welled in Yoo Min-jeong's eyes.
If only I'd held out one more day.
She resented Sa Yeonggyo. If not for that dinner taunt, she'd have stood tall before her father today. Wouldn't have whined like a spoiled kid for 3 billion won.
Her father offered an envelope.
Yoo Min-jeong pulled out the papers. A consignment confirmation—for high-value item custody services, paying a fee to store gear. The signature date at the bottom jumped out.
The day she'd awakened, her father had consigned the item... for her.
Preparing since then for a day like this.
Yoo Min-jeong forced back tears. They welled but didn't fall.
Her father smiled gently.
Ping ping.
A metal arrow whistled oddly, hammering the Moon Wall relentlessly.
Clang clang.
Choi Muhyun's Moon Wall deflected it—the arrow scattered into the air.
The tanker's body shook slightly.
Moon Wall blocked spells but couldn't fully absorb the shock. Tankers trained their bodies to withstand wave after wave without falling.
Sa Yeonggyo placed a hand on Choi Muhyun's shoulder.
Training had taught her how dealers and tankers synced attack timing, flowing skills organically.
Choi Muhyun nodded, glaring at the enemy.