Shifting Alliances in the Relic
This raid felt different right from the preparation stage.
Crazy Armcover and Pacheonhyeon Armor. Just to be sure, he'd kept a close eye, and sure enough, he spotted something astonishing around Skyla's neck too.
Bingcheongyeong.
It had to be that necklace of cold energy owned by Sa Geum-ok, the Association President's sister.
How the hell did she get her hands on Bingcheongyeong? These guys are all total goblins from the team leader down to every last member.
He hadn't expected to be this pumped before even stepping into the dungeon. This raid was shaping up to be a memory he'd cherish for life.
As they descended to the lobby, the other teams were already gathered.
Jeong Myeong-ho's Lincoln Team glared at them with feral eyes.
Kwon Joo-chan's Mars exuded a similarly hostile vibe from their spot nearby.
Hwang In-su's Pacific, Jason Tyler's Grintree, and Han Ye-jin's Apgujeong seemed aware of Pink Team, keeping them in check, but didn't view them as real threats to conquer.
Yoo Min-jeong, acting as temporary team leader for An Seong-ho's team, and Sa Yeonggyo's Medusa Team caught his eye.
Mae Gyu-pil—no, Do Jin-yong's former Blue Lightning members were entering as part of An Seong-ho's team. They bowed toward their old "team leader," but it didn't feel genuine.
Higher-ranked teams clearly had gear on another level.
Jeong Myeong-ho's equipped items alone probably totaled over 10 billion won. Kwon Joo-chan wasn't far behind with his high-effect pieces.
Suddenly, Jeong Myeong-ho glanced back.
Kwon Joo-chan did the same, as did the others.
Turning, Do Jin-yong spotted Kim Jun approaching, Cheonroegeom sheathed at his waist.
But it wasn't the sword drawing eyes—it was the unusual armor he wore.
Yeon Ga armor.
"Kim Team Leader, looks like you've prepped properly for this raid."
It was Jeong Myeong-ho.
"Gotta give it our all."
Kim Jun replied.
The captain nodded and announced the gate entry order. Lincoln and Mars would head out first for photo time, followed by Pacific and Pink. Grintree and Apgujeong got pushed back.
Jason Tyler and Han Ye-jin's faces crumpled, but with the raid imminent, they knew protesting was pointless.
Jeong Myeong-ho and Kwon Joo-chan exited the annex first.
Flash, flash-flash.
Cameras popped nonstop.
Their team members drew attention too.
Now it was Pacific and Pink's turn.
Kim Jun turned to face his team.
The team leader slowly made eye contact with each one.
Do Jin-yong felt a strange heat blooming in his chest.
He wasn't Do Jin-yong. He was just entering the dungeon to keep close to the "piglet" he'd devour someday, yet he felt oddly exhilarated.
It was bizarre.
He'd never felt this even back when he'd entered under the name Mae Gyu-pil.
"Let's go."
A calm voice.
Just those simple words... felt like fire igniting in his chest. It wasn't just him—Bang Yun-a and An Seong-ho were so hyped they raised fists and shouted.
"Let's go!"
"Let's go!"
He felt mocking stares. Other teams, especially those who hated Pink's rise, glared with contempt.
One in particular grated.
The guy groping his pretty female team member's ass while eyeing Pink Team.
Jason Tyler of Grintree.
In that moment, Do Jin-yong set a personal goal for this raid.
He stepped out of the annex.
* * *
On the left of the grand dungeon gate—opposite the management office—VIP seats held quite a crowd. To Jeong Myeong-ho, only one person stood out.
Brave Guild Master Im Cheong-ha.
Jeong Myeong-ho couldn't believe his eyes.
He'd figured he'd follow to Busan to watch Lee Hwan enter a B-rank dungeon.
Im Cheong-ha raised a hand, pointing with his index finger. A promise: I'm watching you. Nail this, and I'll pull you up.
Jeong Myeong-ho nodded slowly.
This raid had to succeed, no matter what.
Secure at least one, ideally two or more dungeon items, and he'd join the "Five Stars," skyrocketing ahead. If the usually arrogant Lee Hwan fell out of favor, even better opportunities might arise.
Wait, that guy...?
The man right behind Im Cheong-ha... was Dungeon Association Planning Coordinator Ma Jung-hyeon.
Here for Kwon Joo-chan?
Astonishingly, beside him sat Ju Shin's power player, CFO Gu Mi-yeong. Mother of Sa Yeonggyo, Pink Team's buffer, and daughter-in-law to Association President Sa Gyeongbaek.
Gu Mi-yeong had come to Sokcho for her daughter.
No sign of Yoo Wan-seop or Choi Min-su anywhere in the VIP seats.
Did they think their daughter and son wouldn't get hurt or die in a D-rank raid? Or were they absolutely certain nothing would go wrong?
Three helicopters hovered overhead, jockeying for the best angles in fierce competition.
The management director approached.
"Skip the formalities."
Jeong Myeong-ho cut in.
"...Understood."
The director hesitated, then acquiesced.
Stepping forward, Jeong Myeong-ho eyed the team leaders: Kwon Joo-chan, Hwang In-su, Kim Jun, and the rest.
"For a safe return."
"For a safe return!"
The leaders shouted, team members joining in.
Onlookers burst into applause. Then, the gate opened.
Stygian darkness loomed.
It was time.
"Advance."
Jeong Myeong-ho strode forward.
Light receded behind.
Darkness rushed in.
Buffers from each team launched light orbs, illuminating everything.
"A Group, commence recon!"
Jeong Myeong-ho called back.
An Seong-ho's team and Medusa peeled off left and right, pushing ahead.
The captain spotted Yoo Min-jeong leading An Seong-ho's team up front. Despite being dispatched to another guild after internal rivalry, her temporary leadership was pure Yoo Wan-seop prestige.
Medusa's leader was Sa Yeonggyo.
Still arrogant, fearless as ever.
Flashes and explosions erupted ahead, like combat. In a normal relic exploration quest, he'd send C or B Group teams to assist, but not today.
B Group needed full strength. Only then could they achieve their relic goals.
Soon, flames shot up ahead—path to the relic secured.
"Expedition, advance!"
Nearly 30 minutes of marching later, the relic's bluish outline emerged.
Its majesty dwarfed any simulator version.
Jeong Myeong-ho summoned the two C Group leaders.
Han Ye-jin and Jason Tyler rushed over, as if waiting.
"Both of you, secure the rear. If things go well, I might call your teams into the relic—prep for that."
"Yes, sir!"
They replied energetically.
Hope drives people mad. As a leader, sometimes you dangled baseless hope as bait. Those teams would now outperform their norms.
Jeong Myeong-ho pulled water from his bag to wet his throat. No fighting yet, but it was parched.
A flash burst nearby—A Group teams repelling relic-approaching monsters.
C Group's Grintree moved to bolster security there.
B Group gathered at the relic entrance.
Jeong Myeong-ho glanced at Kwon Joo-chan, Hwang In-su, and Kim Jun, then turned to glare at the massive door.
Nothing will stop me.
He strode between the stone pillars.
A buffer's light orb shot ahead, parting darkness to reveal descending stairs.
Association reports said 23 steps.
Simulators replicated exactly 23.
Counting down one by one... something was off.
What the?
27 steps.
Time had passed since recon scouted inside—the structure had changed. With steps increased, their reports were likely worthless.
Jeong Myeong-ho eyed Kwon Joo-chan.
He'd noticed too, nodding slowly and signaling with index and middle fingers toward the dark: Proceed carefully.
The stairs ended in a spacious clearing.
This part's the same.
Roomy enough for four teams.
Lincoln and Mars tankers advanced, deploying defense skills. The four elite tanks' barrier enveloped all of B Group.
Jeong Myeong-ho approached Pink Team.
"Kim Team Leader."
"Yes, Captain."
"You know what 27 steps means, right?"
"Can't trust the existing data."
"Exactly. So, we need to reorganize teams."
"...Reorganize how?"
"Kim Team Leader with his scouting skills joins Lincoln, and Lincoln's main dealer moves to Pink. Too risky having Pink scout upfront for items."
"Hmm, well."
Kim Jun's face hardened.
The captain barely suppressed a grin. The steps were just an excuse. This idea stemmed purely from Kim Jun—his Blue Lightning save via reorganization.
Caught off-guard, Kim Jun faltered.
Jeong Myeong-ho pressed harder.
"For the whole expedition. No choice. This is an order from your expedition captain."
"...Understood. Give me time to brief the team."
"Five minutes, then join Lincoln."
Back with Lincoln, Jeong Myeong-ho called main dealer O Yun-jin and explained.
"Me?"
O Yun-jin visibly panicked.
"I think you can handle Pink Team."
"Why not send Kang Hyeon-woo or Na Ji-won?"
She suggested cautiously.
"Don't like the order?"
"N-no, it's not that..."
"Fine. I wouldn't assign key tasks to someone unreliable anyway."
"Captain! No, I'll go to Pink Team."
"Sure?"
"Just a misunderstanding. Send me."
"Do it right. Nail this, and team leader spot's yours—guild promotion too."
"I'll prepare."
Jeong Myeong-ho watched O Yun-jin head to Pink with her gear.
Time to replace the main dealer. Selfish pride over team didn't fit Lincoln.
Soon, Kim Jun approached.
Jeong Myeong-ho summoned second dealer Kang Hyeon-woo to guide him—where to position, etc.
Then, a familiar voice whispered in his ear.
Why is Kim Jun over there?
It was Mars leader Kwon Joo-chan.
Turning, Jeong Myeong-ho saw him staring and cast voice magic.
The relic's changes exceed expectations—that's the measure. Kim Jun joins Lincoln as a member for relic scouting.
Kwon Joo-chan frowned.
The captain knew his intentions all too well.
Kwon Joo-chan joined the expedition for one reason: Kim Jun. He'd swallowed his pride for sub-captain to eliminate him inside.
With Kim Jun in Lincoln, Kwon couldn't act freely—at least until dungeon items were secured.
Don't forget our deal.
Meaning: hand over Kim Jun after securing items.
Of course. Expect full cooperation until then.
Before full exploration, Jeong Myeong-ho did a final B Group check.
Lincoln and Mars together: Lincoln front, Mars rear.
Pacific and Pink paired for scouting.
"This is where it gets real. Give it everything. Let's go!"
Jeong Myeong-ho bellowed.
Lincoln entered the left passage, Mars following.
Pacific and Pink took the center.