Ogre Raid
"Whoosh... boom! Whoosh... boom! Whoosh... boom!"
Dodging the objects the ogre hurled while fleeing, the distance closed in despite the buffs from the sylphs. Eventually, even with those enhancements, Seojun found himself within the ogre's grasp.
The ogre swung its hand, convinced it had finally caught the pesky pest. But!
Swoosh.
With the aid of his Super Sense and Prediction, Namgung Seojun slid under the ogre's hand.
"Quek!!"
The enraged ogre grabbed a nearby tree and swung it wildly. Seojun evaded with rolls and jumps, moving like an acrobat.
As Namgung Seojun kept dodging nimbly, the ogre lost its reason in fury and chased him relentlessly.
Though it was grueling, the ogre eventually caught up again. This time, it tried a different approach.
"Mutual Destruction!"
One hit meant instant death anyway. Namgung Seojun activated the Mutual Destruction skill, boosting his attack power at the cost of defense.
And then!
Boom!
Using Prediction and Super Sense, he barely dodged the palm slamming down. Spinning around, he thrust his sword into the ogre's back.
"Quek!"
It was a strike that barely pierced the thick hide of the massive monster. The ogre grew even angrier, and Namgung Seojun sprinted toward his goal with all his might.
After ten minutes of such acrobatic evasion, he finally lured the ogre to the designated spot.
"Luraine!"
A noble shout echoed. The pre-set formation magic activated.
"Queeek!!"
Trapped in the holy-infused formation magic, the ogre screamed in agony. Seizing the chance, Namgung Seojun escaped outside the formation—to safety from the ogre's attacks.
"The formation magic is working perfectly!"
Cheers erupted in the guild's command center at the report. Pharaemon Guild Leader said excitedly,
"Great! Attack now!"
"Yes, sir!"
He then turned to Wang Bang beside him.
"Who was that guy from the charge team who lured the ogre like a madman?"
"Yes, adventurer Namgung Seojun. We expected a lot since he's an inviter, but I didn't think he'd pull this off."
"Well done! Outstanding!"
Pharaemon Guild Leader praised Wang Bang for recruiting Namgung Seojun, then wrapped up by saying to handle it well.
The formation magic's damage rapidly deteriorated the massive ogre's condition. Its skin cracked slightly, weakening the steel-tough hide.
Now the attack team's turn began.
"Fireball!"
"Ice Ball!"
"Lightning Bolt!"
"Magic Missile!"
Mages unleashed countless spells, slamming into the ogre.
"Quek!!!!"
The ogre writhed in pain as magic hit its body, wounds opening. Especially in its groin—known for weaker defense—massive overlapping magic strikes poured in.
Sensing a threat to its survival instinctively, the ogre charged the attack team's direction, enduring the spells. It knew it would die if it didn't kill those mages.
"Block it!!"
The slave shieldbearers of the defense team stood in its path, prepared to die.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
With every swing of the ogre's fists and feet, one or two slaves died. But their sacrifices had value.
The attack team's second wave fired.
"Mana Bolt!"
"Ice Missile!"
"Fire Arrow!"
"Magic Missile!"
Lee Guho from the attack team also cast with all his might. Over fifty mages' spells hammered the weakened ogre, targeting its groin and lower body relentlessly until it collapsed.
Thud!
The over-5-meter giant crashed down, shaking the ground like an earthquake.
"Finish it!"
At the commander's order, shieldbearers charged. Even down, the ogre flailed wildly, but additional magic from mages and weapons slashing its throat ended it.
You have successfully completed the Ogre Raid.
Messages appeared for everyone in the raid, sparking cheers and celebrations. Namgung Seojun sighed in relief.
Then an additional message came for him.
You rank in the top 3 contributors for the Ogre Raid.
Seojun was officially recognized by the gods as one of the raid's three heroes. The grueling raid ended.
Immediately, Pharaemon Guild began cleanup.
"Team A, transport the wounded fast. Team B, handle the ogre corpse. Team C, recover the dead!"
Guild slaves moved swiftly under the staff's commands.
Exhausted, Namgung Seojun sat at the site. Slaves rushed over.
"Adventurer? Injured? Need help?"
"No."
He refused, but when more asked, he stood.
Walking, he watched slaves process the ogre.
"Transport carefully! This thing's expensive—no more damage!!"
The ogre corpse was sectioned and loaded onto carts. Slaves picked up every skin scrap.
"Handle the bodies carefully!"
Others moved dead adventurers somberly. Total casualties: 48. Charge team lost 28 to the ogre; defense 20 blocking. Wounded survived thanks to recovery team.
Back at the temp command post, Wang Bang from Pharaemon Guild welcomed him warmly.
"Seojun! You were amazing this raid!"
Having monitored everything, Wang Bang knew Seojun's pivotal charge team role. Surviving countless attacks was heroic.
"Here's the promised pay."
A pouch of gold and passes for 25 to the 20th floor were handed over.
"Use passes for 19th-to-20th stairs and city entry."
"Got it."
He pocketed them securely. Wang Bang made an offer.
"Namgung Seojun! Join our guild?"
Sudden, but.
"As you saw, we're big. Hard to join formally, many on waitlist. I see your potential. What do you say?"
To Wang Bang, Seojun was prime talent. Without him, more deaths. He seemed to have special abilities. Natural offer.
But Seojun refused.
"Thanks, but no."
"Ha. Okay."
They shook hands.
"Climb well. Need guild favors? Visit any branch. I'll ensure you're treated right."
"Appreciate it."
They parted coolly.
Exiting with rewards, party members waited nearby.
"Seojun!"
"Hyungnim!"
"Leader!"
"Master!"
They rushed joyfully, surrounding him.
"Incredible."
"Heart-stopping. You endured the danger."
"Glad you're safe."
"Haha, I'm fine."
He brushed off worries easily, but his women were more dramatic.
"Seojun... really... so worried. Looked so precarious."
Gisohee teared up. He stroked her hair.
"Told you not to worry."
"Still... glad you're back."
He soothed her. Next, Isu-yeon, eyes misty but ecstatic.
"Master, I believed. Truly. Never doubted. Knew you'd return."
She repeated belief. He patted her back.
Dmitri then ran sobbing.
"Seojun! ...Thank you... thank you.."
He hugged her.
"Hey. Train harder. Thought I was done."
"Yeah... yeah... Thanks. If you'd died for me... guilt forever. Thank you for surviving... for saving me."
Uncharacteristically, Dmitri bawled her thanks.
After welcomes, Namgung Seojun checked them.
"Everyone safe?"
Thanks to him, all were. Lee Guho and Yuki safe in rear; Li Zhangwei and Dmitri evacuated safely.
"Good. Head to 20th now?"
"Yes, ready."
20th entrance open, adventurers ascending. Seojun wanted up fast; Gisohee and Jo Jaehun prepped per orders.
"Let's go!"
Led by Namgung Seojun, the 25 party members climbed to the 20th floor.