Dungeon & Commander (60)
A live broadcast was flowing from the television perched on top of the dresser.
F-rank dungeon openings were usually overshadowed by higher-grade ones, making it hard to catch them in real time. But the news article from that morning had piqued the broadcasting station's interest.
The reporter, face flushed with excitement, spat as he spoke.
Skyla sat on the edge of the sofa, observing the two people glued to the TV.
Kim Jun's younger sister, Kim Ji-hyun, was thrilled like a fan at an idol concert.
"You've been in dungeons too, right, unnie? How's an F-rank one? Easier than the others, yeah? Right?"
Skyla mumbled a vague response. Answering properly would unleash a barrage of questions.
Unlike her daughter, the mother sat with hands clasped tight, watching the TV as if in prayer. Her face looked ready to burst into tears any second.
The broadcast switched back to the newly released footage of Kim Jun. Seeing her son chased by ferocious monsters, the mother rose and headed to the master bedroom.
Skyla followed.
Leaning against the wardrobe, the mother let out deep sighs. She'd acted strong and nonchalant in front of her son, but now her heart felt torn apart.
Skyla knelt before her.
The mother looked up at Skyla. She was about to say she wanted to be alone, but Skyla spoke first.
"I'm sorry, Mother."
The mother just stared silently.
Kim Jun really takes after his mother. That gaze is spot on.
Skyla revealed who she was.
There was no reaction to "Daily Raider journalist," but when she mentioned writing the morning's article, the mother's eyes widened.
Skyla explained the article's implications.
It hadn't just exposed how raiders viewed carriers; through the article and broadcasts, she'd honestly laid bare the dangers Kim Jun now faced.
The mother's face drained of color.
"I'm truly sorry."
With head bowed, Skyla thought that even if the furious mother grabbed her by the hair and yanked, even if clumps came out, it wouldn't undo what she'd done.
But the mother just sat still.
Skyla slowly raised her head.
The mother's expression was complex—tears threatening, laced with questions; worried eyes steady with unshakable calm.
"Mother?"
"I trust the Master. If he sent you, there must be a reason."
"……."
Skyla felt like she'd been whacked on the back of the head.
"So, tell me."
Like mother, like son.
Skyla recounted how she'd gone to Yoo Min-jeong's house to meet Kim Jun and what had unfolded. She gave every detail, leaving judgment to the mother.
The explanation ended.
Nearly five minutes of silence followed.
The mother finally spoke with a sigh.
"He's really a raider?"
"Yes, Mother."
"Joined Uramata Guild today, huh."
"Yes."
Skyla answered with her head bowed like a criminal.
"If it's for my Jun, you don't have to. I'll talk to him, so rethink joining the guild. If it's for the Master, I can persuade him."
"...M-Mother?"
Skyla stammered in shock.
"I don't want someone as beautiful as you heading into that dangerous place because of my son."
The very person who'd pushed her son into peril sat before her, yet the mother worried for that person's future!
Skyla couldn't lift her head.
For the first time since arriving in Korea, she sobbed openly. Tears poured like a faucet.
Her shoulders heaved.
Opening her mouth would mean bawling loudly.
The mother approached and embraced her.
"Cry your heart out."
Skyla melted into that warm embrace, spilling tears and snot.
Kang Jin-gu, sitting on the living room sofa, peeked through the slightly open master bedroom door at the sound of sobbing and froze.
The mother was stroking Skyla's back, comforting her—a sight he could never have imagined.
Like son, like mother. Kim Jun's mom is no ordinary woman either.
Kang Jin-gu emerged into the living room and sat beside the curious teenage girl, Kim Ji-hyun.
"Have you been in dungeons, Grandpa?"
Kim Ji-hyun glanced over from her intense TV stare.
"Tons of times."
Kang Jin-gu felt a bit awkward at "Grandpa." Thanks to the son, he'd seen his grandson, so it was normal, but hearing it from a girl like Kim Ji-hyun made him wonder if he really looked that old.
"How many?"
"If I keep raiding steadily till next year, it'll hit 200."
He'd slipped into talking like he was still active—surprising even himself at how natural it felt.
"For real?"
Kim Ji-hyun's eyes widened round.
"I went into last year's raid with Kim too."
"Tell me about it!"
Her eyes sparkled.
Yoo Min-jeong's chest felt like it might explode. Today's raid was her debut as team leader.
One step at a time.
The F-rank dungeon's space was cloaked in twilight. Not total darkness. Far off, a low mountain's silhouette touched the sky, with relatively flat ground leading there.
Grass brushed their knees. Sometimes waist-high, it rustled and parted as Pink Team charged through.
A gust swept the black-and-white plain into waves. Around Pink Team, where magical orbs floated overhead, deep purple grass swayed in the wind.
Yoo Min-jeong, leading the charge, raised a fist and slowed.
Choi Muhyun, Yeom Sang-taek, and Kim Jun instantly matched pace at her signal.
Stopped, Yoo Min-jeong scanned sharply.
A pillar of light stood far behind—the gate.
Thanks to that hazy but visible pillar, F-rank dungeons allowed solo team hunts. No need for a dungeon compass like Legio; you could return on your own.
"Buffer, check."
"Nothing within 40 meters all around."
Yeom Sang-taek reported.
"Diamond formation."
Before she finished, Yoo Min-jeong watched the team dissolve snake formation into a diamond shape.
Training paid off.
Turning, Yoo Min-jeong locked eyes with Choi Muhyun, Yeom Sang-taek, and Kim Jun. Simulators mimicked dungeons vividly, but the real pressure was immense.
"They're targeting us."
Yoo Min-jeong stated flatly.
Kim Jun swallowed the words rising in his throat: No, they're after me.
"But it won't be easy."
Confidence overflowed from her grinning face.
"I've got this."
Choi Muhyun's shoulders tensed.
"Me too."
Yeom Sang-taek added.
Wind blew. Waves of grass enveloped and passed them. Yoo Min-jeong thought it cinematic—epic music would fit perfectly.
"As team leader, I have something to say. Effective now, I'm appointing Kim Jun as advisor and Pink Team's staff officer. Speak up if you object."
Advisor was an unofficial role, unlike tanker, dealer, or buffer.
When multiple guild teams formed an expedition, a few advisors assisted the overall commander.
Advisors analyzed dungeon conditions, monster suppression tactics, and team strengths to guide the expedition leader's orders.
Even good systems faltered on poor execution.
In practice, advisors were often team leaders from powerful guilds—usually those passed over for commander, sabotaging raids instead of advising.
"I'm for it."
"Me too."
The tanker and buffer knew Kim Jun was perfect for it.
"You'll take it, right?"
"If the team leader says so."
Kim Jun replied cheekily.
"Advisor, what's our best move?"
Yoo Min-jeong asked.
"Hunt first. We're here for cores."
"Right."
Yoo Min-jeong was thrilled their thinking aligned.
"Advance."
Yoo Min-jeong commanded.