The Wind Swordsman
The subjugation team's captain found it a bit annoying. With over 200 members, they could easily wipe out an orc village like this without any hassle. Adding newcomers to the mix in a situation like this was just extra trouble.
Still, following the priestess's orders, he asked politely. "Seojun's party, you'll handle the defensive line safely."
Placing them at the very end of the defense line was the most convenient option from the captain's perspective.
But Namgung Seojun had different ideas. "Our party will take defense. But I want to join the attack."
The captain laughed at Seojun's words. "Seojun, do you think you're some big deal just because you're an inviter? You're barely past the 10th floor, aren't you?"
As the captain tried to add more to discourage him, the goddess priestess stepped in. "Then put Seojun in the special task force."
"What??"
The captain was stunned. In the subjugation team, the special task force was an elite group. They didn't follow the captain's orders in battle—instead, they used their own judgment to strike enemies, focusing on taking out key threats. To handle such missions, they needed exceptional individual combat skills, with stable offense and defense.
Naturally, every member of the special task force was over level 30, most possessing jobs acquired on the 20th floor. They were adventurers far beyond what you'd see in this section.
The captain flatly refused with a shocked expression, but the priestess still asked Namgung Seojun. "Seojun, can you handle the special task force..?"
Seojun honestly had no idea what the special task force did. But he was confident. "Yes, I can."
"He's in the special task force," the priestess declared, leaving the captain shaking his head in resignation.
The captain sent the other party members to defense and personally took Seojun to the special task force, giving a brief explanation. "Special task force: infiltrate the enemy lines alone and take out the most dangerous-looking foes as you go."
The mission sounded simple.
"But there's zero support. You might even have to dodge friendly arrows."
It was a high-risk position.
"Survive on your own."
That was his final advice.
Seojun arrived where the eight special task force members were gathered. "This is the special task force. Move with the others until I give the order, then head into the enemy lines."
The captain returned to his post, and Seojun stayed behind, surveying his surroundings.
"...."
The special task force members glanced at Namgung Seojun briefly before ignoring him. They were solo combat specialists anyway. A new addition didn't faze them.
Hm.. This'll work.
Namgung Seojun checked their status windows with God's Eye and felt certain. With his level of ability, he'd fit right in.
Once Namgung Seojun's party was positioned, the captain shouted.
"Move out!"
The massive subjugation team marched toward the orc village.
About ten minutes later, a fairly large orc village came into view.
"Charge!"
At the captain's command, everyone except part of the defense line rushed toward the village. The captain directed a 100-man assault force.
"Kill the adult orcs first!"
"Call out if you spot a shaman."
"Archers, only support the areas I designate."
And then, a song echoed.
♩~ ♩♩♩~ ♬
The goddess priestess's wide-area buff, sung by the defense line, spread out. The assault force methodically dismantled the orc village bit by bit.
The special task force was different.
Tatuk. Whoosh!
As soon as battle began, the members scattered, each moving in their own style.
Namgung Seojun, who stayed until the end observing, first summoned Sylph.
"Sylph."
He received the buff first. Then he activated Mutual Destruction.
Perfect!
Feeling the power surge, he charged into the orc village.
The orc combat monsters counterattacked immediately. Orc archers grouped up and loosed arrows at the assault force.
There.
Seojun dashed toward the orc archers.
"Quek!"
Spotting him, the orc archers nocked arrows and aimed.
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.
Dozens of arrows rained down, but Namgung Seojun dodged with fluid grace without slowing, keeping his blistering pace.
He reached them before they could reload for a third volley and swung his sword.
"Kyaek!"
One orc archer's life ended on his blade. The others panicked, and Seojun methodically severed their necks one by one.
What.. the hell?
The captain was stunned by his insane movements.
No way that's an adventurer from this section.
As a veteran adventurer, he pegged it as 30th—no, 40th-floor level. An ace free-roll dealer at that.
Namgung Seojun was confident. His Super Sense, Domain Insight, Sylph's buff, and the Prediction skill from hitting level 20.. Even with Mutual Destruction active, he could massacre orcs without taking a single hit.
Especially Prediction—it synergized perfectly.
Name:Prediction (P)
Grade:Normal
Mana Cost:0
Description:Faintly anticipates events 3 seconds ahead.
Upon hitting level 20 and getting this normal skill, Seojun was initially disappointed. But once he felt its effect, he realized it was perfect for him.
A skill for faint anticipation, combined with Super Sense and Domain Insight, let him reliably predict most enemies' moves. Sylph's buff covered speed, Mutual Destruction handled attack power—turning his level 20 self into a 40+ free-roll dealer.
"Hoo."
In just five minutes, he'd beheaded 14 orc archers. Catching his breath, Seojun reveled in his combat prowess.
Until now, as leader and guide, he hadn't tested his pure fighting ability. This battle confirmed it, and the thrill was stronger than any sex.
Thanks to Namgung Seojun and the special task force, the subjugation went smoothly.
But midway, an unexpected attack flew at the assault force.
"Quek!"
A fireball plummeted from the sky.
"Magic!"
A soldier spotted it first and yelled. The troops raised shields, praying it missed them.
Luckily, defense held.
"Shield!"
A team mage cast Shield at the impact point. The spell collided and burst in midair.
The captain sighed in relief—then spotted the source and shouted. "Special task force! Orc shaman!!"
In this crisis, he issued a direct order. The special task force bolted toward the shaman.
Orc warriors guarded it. Namgung Seojun charged first, weaving through them.
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.
Dodging axes without slowing—an unreal display.
"Quek!"
Sensing danger, the orc shaman hastily cast a protective spell.
But!
Puk!
Seojun's thrust hit a perfect weak spot in the ward, sensed via Super Sense. Mutual Destruction's boosted power pierced the shaman's gut.
Squelch.
"Kek..."
Pulling his sword free, Seojun felled it, then severed its neck for good measure.
Most threats were neutralized. The special task force—especially Namgung Seojun—had excelled.
Now only the strongest remained: the orc chieftain and a few elite warriors.
Orc chieftains were tough low-floor bosses. Normal parties should flee. Subjugation teams overwhelmed them with numbers: clear adds first, then safe raid.
This time, the assault compressed slowly. But as orc warriors thinned, Namgung Seojun charged solo.
"Watch out!"
The captain yelled, but he didn't stop. Another flawless breakthrough.
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.
Weaving through axes and swords, he reached the chieftain.
"Quek!"
The enraged orc chieftain roared and swung.
But!
Whoosh. Whoosh. Whoosh.
Dodging the combo, Seojun slashed its calf.
"Quuk!"
As it toppled, he leaped onto it, raised his sword high, and drove it into the chieftain's neck.
Thud!
The orc flailed its axe with a "Quek," but Seojun rolled away expertly.
"Quekek..."
Bleeding out from the fatal wound, it collapsed.
This was like the chieftain from the group tutorial that had given him hell.
Yet he'd crushed it effortlessly.
"Whoa..."
Overwhelming power. The entire team was awestruck.
"Seojun, you're.. incredible."
"I knew hyungnim wasn't ordinary, but this..?"
His team marveled most. Seojun usually played it safe as leader. But this high-wire free-roll dealer act was art.
"Truly impressive."
Even the captain was shocked. Seojun was obviously weaker overall, but no one showed this performance down here.
"Hoo..."
Watching, the priestess understood why a god took interest.
"Such swift moves.. like the wind. Amazing. 'Wind Swordsman' suits you."
And in that moment, a message appeared for Namgung Seojun.
She was a rare high priestess of the chief god. Namgung Seojun had earned her full approval.