Whispers of Conspiracy and the Breaking Point
On the day of the awakening test, an incident so massive it triggered a full lockdown had unfolded! With a scoop like that on the line, why hadn't a single one of those reporters shown any interest?
Even Hwang In-su had tipped off Daily Raider's reporter, Park Myeong-hoon.
Yet despite the anonymous tip on this shady affair, Park Myeong-hoon hadn't budged. A few phone calls should've sparked his instincts that something was up.
If Skyla had still been on the job, she'd have hounded it relentlessly and dug up something. That regret gnawed at him.
Hwang In-su stepped out of his car and entered the hospital.
At the reception desk, he filled out a visitor form with the patient's name, his relationship, and other details, then submitted it along with his ID.
"Please wait a moment."
Hwang In-su sat in a chair and pulled out his phone. He didn't want to waste even these few minutes.
Reactions to Uramata Guild news were still boiling over. Countless people were chattering endlessly about Yoo Wan-seop's return as guild master.
Articles about the three members who'd left Pink Team for other squads were popular too. One piece sharply analyzed why Sa Yeonggyo, Yoo Min-jeong, and Go Cheolmin had been dispatched of all people.
It boiled down to them being sidelined in a power struggle.
Hwang In-su snorted.
For a behemoth like Jushin, maybe. But Uramata? A third-rate minnow guild with no power worth fighting over.
"Reporters, tsk tsk."
Who'd issued those dispatch orders?
Yoo Wan-seop?
If so, why? What did the other three team leaders joining Pink Team gain Uramata?
His head throbbed.
Then, footsteps approached—subtle, like someone masking their strength.
Lifting his head, Hwang In-su spotted a familiar face.
"Kwon Joo-chan?"
"Long time no see."
Mars Team's leader extended a hand.
Hwang In-su stood and clasped it.
"Heard the news. You're joining the Sokcho raid, right?"
"Orders from above. Looks like the captain pulled some strings. Can't say no. But what's your business here? Got a sick family member or something?"
"Nah, just someone to see."
"Fair enough. This place always weighs on me. Makes you reflect if you've lived right. Leaves you thinking you should just keep it simple. See you around."
"Yeah."
Hwang In-su watched Kwon Joo-chan stride out of the hospital without a backward glance.
Really here for family?
Then the reception staff approached.
The troubled look on her face confirmed it—trouble had hit.
"Um, the patient suddenly had a seizure, so visiting's off for now. Better come back another day."
Hwang In-su caught the "suddenly."
"Does he seize up often?"
"He'd been quiet the last few days, but patients like him can flare up anytime."
"Can I see today's visitor log for Yoo Gwan-ho?"
"We can't share that info... Not without a warrant."
Fear flickered in her eyes.
Subduing her and ransacking reception for records? Fifteen minutes, tops.
Worth it?
He already knew why Yoo Gwan-ho had seized—Kwon Joo-chan, the guy he'd just met.
Then, fragments of Park Hoon-seok's message resurfaced.
"Got it. Next time."
Outside, he pulled out his phone again.
Haegok sat at the southern tip of Mara Island—a converted oil rig.
Tough to reach without a chopper, yet someone flew there? Owner of some insane flight gear.
Kwon Joo-chan owned the Icarus Machine.
Coincidence?
No way.
Kim Se-wi was killed by Kwon Joo-chan.
He was also the one who'd provoked Medici Team's dealer Yoo Gwan-ho into a seizure.
What was Kwon Joo-chan hiding?
Were those rumors... all true?
One path left.
"Huff huff... huff huff."
Bang Yun-a's chest felt ready to explode.
Forty minutes already. She'd figured ten minutes of warm-up, then real training. Worse, the pace kept ramping up bit by bit.
"Fuck this, I can't."
Do Jin-yong, who'd dogged her stubbornly, finally dropped. Back against the grimy wall, he chugged a water bottle on the spot but still panted like he was parched.
Kim Jun approached from behind.
Upper body rock-solid like he'd just started, legs pounding the ground with power. Just a few sweat beads clung to his forehead—not even close to full throttle.
"Rest if it's too much."
Kim Jun, matching Bang Yun-a's pace beside her, said.
"...Nah, Pink Team tradition."
Bang Yun-a triggered Speed Up. Her fatigued legs lightened. But it'd last under five minutes. Already two buffs down—maybe three if lucky.
"Almost done. Hang in."
"...You said that already, Team Leader."
She'd lapped her seven times already, if her memory served.
"Did I?"
Grinning, Kim Jun surged ahead effortlessly. So annoying she nearly tripped him.
Skyla, Yeom Sang-taek, and Choi Muhyun looked strained too—not as bad as her, but enough. She loved it.
One freak like Kim Jun was plenty.
Speed Up fizzled in under three. Backlash slowed her further.
"Drink. Dehydration sucks."
Skyla offered a water bottle.
Bang Yun-a grabbed it mid-stride and chugged. Stopping even briefly felt like game over.
Skyla overtook Medusa's leader, as did Yeom Sang-taek and Choi Muhyun.
Thank god—An Seong-ho tapped out too.
Yes!
Her goal: outlast An Seong-ho and Do Jin-yong. Beating Pink Team vets? Never the plan.
Kim Jun lapped her again and pulled alongside.
"Impressive."
"Bad shape lately. Caught a cold. Without that, you'd be shocked."
"Wow, cool."
Kim Jun bolted again.
She wanted to quit, join Do Jin-yong and An Seong-ho guzzling water, but "cool" echoed in her ears.
Quit now, and he'd think it was empty flattery.
To stay "cool," she had to push more.
Death grip on her reserves.
No running drills like this since becoming leader—no, since awakening.
Suddenly, Kim Jun yelled.
"Let's go!"
Others joined.
"Go go!"
Kim Jun blasted off at terrifying speed—like finally unleashing after warming up.
Choi Muhyun, Skyla, Yeom Sang-taek accelerated, but Kim Jun caught them fast. Bang Yun-a pushed till her mouth tasted blood, amazed she hadn't collapsed.
Finally... training over.
Do Jin-yong and An Seong-ho handed out water to the slumped masses.
Kim Jun sipped calmly, barely winded.
Bang Yun-a collapsed beside Skyla and drained her bottle.
"That guy's not human, right?"
"Team leader instincts—quick on the uptake."
Skyla teased lightly.
Whining for three fights with Kim Jun as "leader"? Her fault. She'd take the shade.
Bang Yun-a eyed Skyla's empty bottle.
"More water?"
"...Huh? Yeah, thanks."
"On it."
Body screaming curses, she fetched one from the fridge anyway.
Skyla stayed frosty.
No illusions one gesture would thaw the ice dealer.
"Sim training in fifteen."
Kim Jun said.
Forty minutes running, fifteen rest?
Bang Yun-a sighed, swallowing gripes.
She'd accepted him as leader—Rule 1: Absolute obedience to orders.
Skyla watched her quietly.
Flawless formation shift.
Diamond flipped to defense in a blink, then reverse, and as Kim Jun advanced, snake formation surged forward in under a second.
Bang Yun-a was speechless.
Small four-man squad, but that speed and precision? First time seeing it.
How much drilling? Body memory, not brain—reps on reps.
She glanced at Do Jin-yong and An Seong-ho.
Both stunned.
Demo done.
Kim Jun faced the three leaders.
"Short on time. Master formation shifts today. You've got basics—no issue."
"...Uh."
Bang Yun-a balked.
Medusa leader—she knew mastery meant body memory and breath-sync via glances.
Today?
Kill her instead!
"Start. Main tank Choi Muhyun, second Do Jin-yong. Positions. Good. Dealers next: Main Bang Yun-a, second Skyla. Right there. Main buffer Yeom Sang-taek, second An Seong-ho... Behind dealers. Never stray from tanks and dealers."
Kim Jun assigned spots, then stepped back.
Hexagon: perfect.
Minus leader spot.
"Where you at?"
Do Jin-yong asked.
Bang Yun-a hated the "you"—not "Team Leader," fine, but still rude. Not her place, though. If Kim Jun's cool...
"Anywhere. I'm libero."
Libero: free-roaming offense-defense. Suited Kim Jun perfectly.
Dungeon Association recognized only dealer, tank, buffer. Might flag his wild style.
Not now. Sokcho raid prep ate time.
"Diamond—advance."
Kim Jun commanded.
Years issuing orders as leader—this felt alien. Youthful again.
Then Yeom Sang-taek from rear:
"1 o'clock, 53 meters—two Gelusauruses."
Bang Yun-a eyed Kim Jun.
Formation drill, monsters?
Do Jin-yong and An Seong-ho glanced too. Same thought.
"Pink Team skips rote reps. Train formations while fighting."
Yeom Sang-taek whispered.
Thuds approached.
"Main tank—Geumgangmak!"
Choi Muhyun shouted, erecting a barrier. Golden dome engulfed Pink Team—massive, sturdy.
Bang Yun-a jolted again.
No leader call—tank judged solo.
Wilder: Main buffer Yeom Sang-taek slipped forward beside him, layering help skill.
She hadn't clocked the move.
Boom!
Gelusaurus cold blast hit—dome barely quivered.
Yeom Sang-taek:
"Attacking time—three, two, one."
Dome dropped; Skyla sidestepped, ice-bolted a Gelusaurus ankle.
Thwack.
"Dealer return!"
Skyla called.
Dome reformed; second charge blocked easy.
Silver monster, clawing futilely, spotted lone Kim Jun—roared, charged.
Kim Jun Mokhonbo-dodged, observing Pink Team.
"Attacking time—three, two, one."
Yeom Sang-taek again.
Bang Yun-a prepped fireball for crippled Gelusaurus—missed cue.
Skyla icicle'd its flank amid flails.
"Main dealer, what're you doing? Stay ready to strike."
Kim Jun, kiting one, scolded.
Aimed at her.