The Magic Archive and Joyous Reunion
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I heard you threatened the director in the elevator? Acting all meek like that. I really got played.”
“I-I was just angry, that’s all.”
The flustered Yeom Sang-taek explained what had happened in the director’s office and the elevator.
The misunderstanding cleared up with his story.
“So the director dismissed you and ended up getting burned instead. He probably still has no idea you were part of the team in the first test. He’d never think a client of that old hag would join a test for small guilds.”
An Ye-na shook her head as she popped a piece of pork belly into her mouth and chewed. The savory flavor was exquisite.
“Shall we have a round of drinks?”
It was Lee Sang-yoon speaking.
“Call.”
Jang Geon-ho, Jo Yeong-ran, and An Ye-na said in unison.
Yeom Sang-taek hesitated, glanced around, then opened his mouth.
“…Call.”
The next day, around 10 a.m., the Crazy Five gathered in front of the Dungeon Association headquarters.
They didn’t have to wait long. A limousine pulled up, and Yang Hee-seon stepped out.
“You all did great yesterday. Especially Sang-taek.”
Yeom Sang-taek scratched the back of his head. He still couldn’t grasp what he’d done so well or how much.
“Why’d you call us back here?”
Jang Geon-ho asked.
“We’re going somewhere special today.”
“Where?”
It was Jo Yeong-ran.
“The West Building.”
Everyone’s eyes widened at Yang Hee-seon’s words. Lee Sang-yoon’s mouth even dropped open.
“You don’t mean the Magic Archive?”
“Thank the maknae. We’re going because of him. Come on, follow me.”
Yang Hee-seon strode confidently into the headquarters building.
“Thanks, maknae. Tonight, I’ll take you somewhere fancy. The best spot in town.”
Lee Sang-yoon threw an arm around Yeom Sang-taek’s neck.
“What’s the Magic Archive?”
Yeom Sang-taek asked cautiously.
“You don’t know? Geon-ho, he says he doesn’t know what the Magic Archive is.”
Jang Geon-ho, Jo Yeong-ran, and An Ye-na burst out laughing at once.
An Ye-na gave the answer.
“It’s where the Dungeon Association stores all the magic books they’ve collected over the years. Naturally, there’s a Martial Arts Archive too. That’s where all the meathead tankers lose their minds.”
“The Magic Archive is paradise for timid buffers and sensitive dealers.”
Jo Yeong-ran shot back.
“Ah!”
Yeom Sang-taek finally remembered. To raiders, the Magic Archive was a dream come true.
Yang Hee-seon and the Crazy Five boarded an elevator that only went down to the basement levels. Their destination was B11. From there, escorted by staff, they took the West Building-exclusive elevator down to B17.
Stepping out on B17, Yeom Sang-taek was startled by the intricate magic circles etched into the floor and walls. Activating those would require an enormous amount of mana.
“There are cores embedded inside the walls.”
Jang Geon-ho whispered.
“No one can infiltrate the West Building because of those circles. Even a nuke wouldn’t faze this place.”
Jo Yeong-ran added.
The three-stage security process took two full hours. It included fingerprints, iris scans, and even motion detectors with cutting-edge tech.
Finally, they reached the West Building entrance. Two massive doors blocked their path.
The right iron door bore a sword engraving, the left a staff.
An Ye-na, Jang Geon-ho, and Yeom Sang-taek stood by the left door, while Lee Sang-yoon and Jo Yeong-ran waited at the right.
Yang Hee-seon just watched the kids.
Six administrative staff members, each holding a different key, turned them simultaneously. The two iron doors clicked open with a heavy thud.
The doors were a full 50 centimeters thick.
Under bright white lights, endless shelves stretched out.
“You can take one book each. A copy, not the original. Choose wisely.”
“Yahoo!”
Everyone threw their hands up at Yang Hee-seon’s words. Opportunities like this were rare.
The group scattered.
Yeom Sang-taek suppressed his excitement and ventured deeper into the Magic Archive. There had to be thousands of books. Who knew the Dungeon Association hid so many magic tomes underground?
An intermediate magic book caught his eye.
He pulled it out and flipped through, but nothing made sense. Complex formulas and magic circles filled every page.
It was leagues beyond beginner spells.
Yang Hee-seon stood beside him.
“Picked one?”
“I don’t know what to choose. I’m not even sure I can learn intermediate magic.”
His words came out casual, naturally. It made it easy to bare his true feelings.
“Want me to pick one for you?”
“For real?”
“Follow me.”
Yang Hee-seon strolled with hands behind her back, then pulled a slim book from a dusty corner shelf.
“This is a fusion magic tome. It teaches how to merge two or more spells into one. Most dealers and buffers can’t handle it. You need unique mana, but even Moon Buffer Mun Hye-rin mastered fusion magic.”
“Ah!”
“I have high hopes for you.”
“Thank you… no, really, thank you.”
“Take it to the staff, and they’ll give you a copy.”
“Got it.”
Thrilled, Yeom Sang-taek snatched the fusion magic tome and dashed to the staff.
Yang Hee-seon’s eyes grew cold as she watched him go.
Selection time was over.
The Crazy Five emerged from the West Building, each clutching a copy of their chosen martial arts or magic tome to their chest.
They barely spoke, eyes glued to their books even through the three-stage security and up near the surface.
“Do whatever until I contact you. Train at the academy or handle guild duties. Dismissed.”
Yang Hee-seon said.
They parted in the parking lot.
Heading to Jang Geon-ho’s sports car, Yeom Sang-taek heard his phone ring and pulled it out.
“Ah!”
Joy surged; he answered immediately.
“Where? Really? In the first-floor lobby? I’ll come right up. Yeah, wait for me.”
Yeom Sang-taek told Jang Geon-ho his friend had come to visit.
“See you later, then.”
Jang Geon-ho drove off in his sports car.
Up on the first floor, Yeom Sang-taek spotted a familiar hulking figure from afar. He looked even bigger.
“Choi Muhyun!”
He shouted the name without thinking.
Choi Muhyun waved.
Yeom Sang-taek ran over grinning.
Being in the Crazy Five was a huge honor, but he was prouder to be a Uramata raider.
The spatial transfer ended in an instant.
By contrast, the hour-long stabilization process dragged on endlessly.
Yoo Min-jeong closed her eyes, thinking about what lay ahead.
Once the dungeon opened, she’d enter that dark, brutal world to hunt—as a Uramata Guild member.
As team leader.
Even her father, the greatest raider, had shed tears once.
When he lost a teammate and emerged from the dungeon.
Yoo Min-jeong vowed silently: no matter what, she’d never leave a teammate behind.
Lights signaled the end of stabilization. People rose and filed out of the portal. Yoo Min-jeong had no rush.
She hadn’t told anyone she was returning.
No father meant no welcome party.
She’d fine-tuned Fireball one last time yesterday. Success rate: 75%. Not perfect, but viable in combat.
Kim Jun will be shocked.
A grin spread across her lips.
A flight attendant approached.
“Excuse me, miss.”
“I’m getting off.”
“Oh, no… could you sign this for me?”
“Pardon?”
“You’re Yoo Min-jeong, right?”
“Yes.”
“My sister’s a huge fan.”
“Ah, sure. Of course.”
Yoo Min-jeong signed the paper the attendant held out.
A novel experience. Her father was a celebrity everyone knew, but she was just a raider booted from Jushin.
Leaving the attendant behind, she grabbed her bags and disembarked. Unlike on arrival, she skipped the VIP lane. It felt cumbersome now.
After immigration, as she exited the gate, her face burned. A massive sign was to blame.
Welcome Back, Korea’s Most Beautiful Raider Yoo Min-jeong!
Holding the placard were… Choi Muhyun and Yeom Sang-taek. Yoo Min-jeong ducked her head, pretending not to see, but Yeom Sang-taek was faster.
“Min-jeong!”
“Ah, Yoo Min-jeong!”
Choi Muhyun spotted her and rushed over.
“Put that sign away.”
Yoo Min-jeong whispered.
Choi Muhyun grinned and hugged her tight. Yeom Sang-taek spread his arms, enveloping both in a big embrace.
Sighing in defeat, Yoo Min-jeong scanned the crowd. Looking for Kim Jun.
“Where’s Kim Jun?”
She asked.
“Still no word.”
Yeom Sang-taek replied.
A twinge of disappointment hit Yoo Min-jeong, but she hurried out to the parking lot. Her beloved Ferrari was caked in dust.
“Heading home?”
Choi Muhyun asked.
“Guild first.”
“We’ll follow.”
Choi Muhyun and Yeom Sang-taek headed to their car.
Hearing the Ferrari’s familiar roar again brought home the fact she was back in Korea. After paying the long-term fee, Yoo Min-jeong floored it.
Familiar engine noise had Go Cheolmin bolting from the master room, pounding down the metal stairs. In the guildhouse parking lot, a red Ferrari gleamed.
Yoo Min-jeong stepped out, engine just cut.
“You’ve tanned a bit.”
“Haha, you too. No heads-up?”
Go Cheolmin sensed an inexplicable weight to her now. From girl to lady, perhaps.
“Gotta surprise you, right?”
Yoo Min-jeong beamed. It felt like returning home after years away.
Then a Jeep pulled in.
Yeom Sang-taek hopped out first, approaching Go Cheolmin warmly.
“Master, long time no see.”
He blurted casual speech, then startled himself.
Knowing the Crazy Buffer’s style well, Go Cheolmin chuckled it off.
“Finally lost it, huh.”
Choi Muhyun said.
“I-I didn’t mean to…”
“Everyone’s here. Let’s go up.”
Go Cheolmin led them to the master room. Seeing Yoo Min-jeong, Choi Muhyun, and Yeom Sang-taek on the sofa… his heart swelled.
These kids are Uramata’s future.
Suppressing emotion, the master spoke calmly.
“Schedule’s set. You’re hitting an F-rank dungeon in Incheon. F-ranks are team ops. Monsters are low-level, but caution prevents accidents.”
“What about Kim Jun?”
Choi Muhyun asked.
Go Cheolmin smiled faintly, eyeing Yoo Min-jeong, Choi Muhyun, and Yeom Sang-taek in turn. All waiting for Kim Jun.
“He’s on his way up.”
“Where the hell has he been?”
Choi Muhyun pressed.
“Ask him when he gets here.”
Go Cheolmin chuckled lightly.
That morning, the old man had called. Basic training complete; Kim Jun heading to Seoul. Unable to hold back, Go Cheolmin asked.
“Did it work?”
“The best work of my life. See you.”
Nam Eung-ryeol hung up.
Go Cheolmin trembled. He knew how stingy Nam Eung-ryeol was with praise.
Then, footsteps on the metal stairs.
Go Cheolmin stood.
Yoo Min-jeong, Choi Muhyun, and Yeom Sang-taek rose, staring at the door.
It opened.
Kim Jun stepped in, eyes clearer than ever. His pale skin looked like he’d lounged in the shadows, untouched by sun.
“Oh? Everyone’s here. Man, I’m starving. Master, food first. Sang-taek, order chicken and pork belly. Muhyun, pig’s feet too? Sweet-and-sour pork sounds good. Let’s get that. Min-jeong, anything special? Spicy rice cakes?”
“Why didn’t you pick up your phone?”
Yeom Sang-taek said.
“Sorry.”
Kim Jun grinned mischievously.
“You were just goofing off, huh? Haven’t gained a pound.”
Choi Muhyun approached, locking him in a headlock.
Kim Jun slipped free effortlessly, prying the arm with raw strength.
“Hehe, had a blast.”
Choi Muhyun blinked in shock.
Even playfully, his arena fights and dad’s training had bulked him up immensely—yet Kim Jun escaped like it was nothing.
“You’re a disappointment. We all trained hard while you played.”
Yoo Min-jeong glared.
“You’re still as pretty.”
“…What?”
“Forgive me once. I’ll work hard from now on. Yeah?”
Kim Jun sidled to Yoo Min-jeong, arm around her shoulder, flashing a bright smile.
“F-Fine. Just this once.”
“As expected of Yoo Min-jeong! Best team leader ever.”
Kim Jun bantered, then caught Go Cheolmin’s eye. A quick wink, then back to the others.
Knowing the grueling training Kim Jun endured—especially alone with Nam Eung-ryeol—Go Cheolmin found the playfulness astonishing. Had life-or-death trials expanded his heart too?
Food arrived.
They spread out on the first floor: pork belly, chicken, pig’s feet, sweet-and-sour pork. Sitting around, talk and laughter lasted late into the night.