Party Reorganization and First Hunt
Namgung Seojun had voiced his opinion during the group tutorial meeting and then stepped aside. Gisohee's party members began a new discussion on the topic.
"Namgung Seojun, a level 8 inviter, says he wants to join our party. What do you all think?"
At Gisohee's words, everyone pondered in silence. When no one spoke up first, she took the lead as party leader.
"I welcome him joining the party. The reason is..."
In her judgment, adding a powerhouse like Namgung Seojun was the greatest stroke of luck. It would make survival far easier, and if they escaped the group tutorial, they'd gain immensely for sure.
While Gisohee spoke optimistically, Jo Jaehun raised a concern.
"But we can't fully trust him yet."
Namgung Seojun had said he needed comrades to escape, but that alone wasn't enough to convince Jo Jaehun. If a skilled fighter like him had ulterior motives, it could be gravely dangerous.
"We can't trust him completely, but in this situation, shouldn't we go with it and stick together?"
Lee Guho figured that without Namgung Seojun, they'd have to retreat to their old outpost—and that would be the worst choice. Plus, Seojun had hidden aces up his sleeve, making it a gamble worth taking to join his party.
"I'm a bit uneasy, but I think joining Namgung Seojun is the right call."
The quick-witted Kim Hoon agreed with Lee Guho. Unless Seojun was a psycho, he could survive the group tutorial solo—there was no reason he'd deliberately take on comrades just to kill them.
"We've done fine as a party so far. I'd prefer we don't take him."
With Gu Cheolwoo voicing his opposition last, Gisohee's party wrapped up their opinions. The votes were split, so as leader, Gisohee summarized.
"We'll respect everyone's individual views. However, since many want Namgung Seojun as a new member, those who do can stay in the party, and those who don't should leave."
Everyone agreed with the party's core principle of majority rule.
"Guho, Kim Hoon, and I agree to Seojun joining, so we'll stay. What about the rest of you?"
Gu Cheolwoo spoke first. "I'll leave."
Though sorry to see Gu Cheolwoo—who they'd traveled with—go, the party respected his choice.
"Hm..."
Jo Jaehun, the last one left, glanced at Lee Guho and Gisohee before saying, "I'll stay in the party for now. But if Seojun shows any weird signs, I'll leave immediately."
With his conditional acceptance, Gisohee's party finalized their reorganization: accepting Namgung Seojun and losing one member.
Once decided, the group moved quickly.
"Take care."
"Stay alive out there. You have to survive!"
"Good luck."
They escorted the departing Gu Cheolwoo to a safe area. He'd stuffed his bag full of bananas and left them with a farewell.
"Hang in there till the end, finish the tutorial, and let's meet again."
Gu Cheolwoo had chosen safety. With his food supplies, any party or group would welcome him.
After parting with Gu Cheolwoo, the group noted that they'd followed Namgung Seojun at the lead for easy travel so far—but from now on, they'd move as a proper party.
"Let's fight and move together as a party."
At his suggestion to battle as one unit, the members nodded and followed him.
The formation was simple: Seojun led using his Super Sense, followed by Jo Jaehun and Kim Hoon guarding Lee Guho, with Gisohee watching the rear.
"Stop."
He crouched and commanded a halt, and those behind followed suit.
"About 30 meters ahead—four goblins."
At the word "goblins," the others tensed and awaited orders.
"Shield skills—protect Guho."
Jo Jaehun pulled the shield from his back and strapped it to his arm. Kim Hoon did the same, standing side-by-side in front of Lee Guho.
"Magic Missile ready. Take out one before combat starts."
Lee Guho channeled mana into his hands, preparing a Magic Missile.
Three minutes later, as the goblins closed in, Namgung Seojun signaled.
"Magic Missile."
The missile shot forward, slamming into the lead goblin chieftain.
Boom!
The powerful blast exploded the goblin's body. Impressive as it was, the others spotted the party and charged madly.
"Kek! Kek!"
As they rushed with eerie cries, Seojun met one with his sword drawn.
Clang!
He easily parried the goblin's sword, then kicked it in a fluid follow-up.
Thud!
The child-sized goblin couldn't withstand his strong kick and tumbled. Seojun stabbed down without missing a beat.
Squelch!
His sword pierced the goblin's neck precisely, felling one. He yanked it free and checked on his comrades.
Boom! Squelch!
Lee Guho blasted the second goblin with a Magic Missile. The last one?
Stab.
Gisohee had snuck up beside it and thrust her dagger into its side.
Squawk!
With the fourth goblin down, their first party battle ended effortlessly.
The faces of Gisohee and the original members lit up with joy at this inaugural team fight against four goblins.
"This easy?"
"Feels like a breeze."
Fighting alongside Namgung Seojun was too straightforward. Joy overshadowed any fatigue or tension on their faces.
Seojun, meanwhile, stayed calm and assessed.
"Everyone did well. But there are still plenty of rough edges."
He dove straight into feedback.
"Magic Missile speed and power were top-notch. But speed up your cast time a bit. With two guards, don't worry about defense—just cast."
Lee Guho's cast had been a tad slow, but his firepower was solid.
"Jaehun, your defense was good. Keep protecting Guho so he can attack safely."
Jo Jaehun nodded, pleased to hear he'd fulfilled his role.
"Hoon, when enemy numbers are low and Jaehun's defense suffices, prep to switch to offense. Jaehun's stronger on defense, so you handle both attack and support."
Kim Hoon nodded in understanding.
"Sohee, great instincts. But your swordplay needs work. Train your swordsmanship."
"Yes."
With feedback complete even for Gisohee, they skipped rest and rose.
"Next—let's hunt."
With Seojun leading, the party resumed marching.
Under Namgung Seojun's command, party movement was effortless. They'd fought five battles, but won handily regardless of goblin numbers.
And that wasn't all.
"Trap at 11 o'clock. Watch out."
He perfectly detected field traps everywhere, preventing damage.
"Rest near that tree over there."
He found secure spots reliably, managing the team's stamina.
"Stream 20 minutes ahead. Refill water."
"Mushrooms on that tree next to it are edible. Grab them."
He even supplied water and food, keeping the team from starving.
"Visually clear here. Rest 10 minutes."
From safe rest spots to everything else, Seojun's leadership shone.
Thus, as sunset approached, they safely reached the cave where Namgung Seojun had stayed.
"Here it is."
His new outpost was fantastic.
"Whoa! Narrow entrance, but spacious inside."
Gisohee marveled. The cave was ideal for living: tight entry for defense, ample internal space for the whole party.
"Food stockpiled."
Lee Guho spotted the provisions first. Fruits piled up, dried meat strung along walls, smoked haunches hanging from the ceiling.
"Entrance is well-hidden too."
Jo Jaehun approved of the location—tucked into a hillside, invisible from below for extra safety.
"Stream right next door! Water everywhere!"
Kim Hoon loved the constant water access.
The cave outpost Namgung Seojun had scouted over five days was perfect.
As evening fell, they prepared dinner. Seojun treated them to a rare feast: roast wild boar.
He heated a stone slab and started grilling the prepped meat.
Sizzle...
The meat hissed on the hot stone.
"Ahh..."
Smoke rose, but the group watched grinning as it cooked.
"Alright! It's ready. Dig in."
They ate the grilled meat with smiles.
Nom nom...
"So good!"
"Better than any Earth meat."
"Mmm."
Everyone savored it in awe. Once bellies were full and faces content, Namgung Seojun brought up future plans.
"As I mentioned, my goal is escaping the group tutorial zone. So I'd like to know a bit about your abilities... your Status Windows."
He already knew their status via God's Eye, but wanted to hear it straight from them.
All were level 4, with Lee Guho slightly ahead in EXP but same level. Skills: Lee Guho's powerful Magic Missile, Jo Jaehun's Shield Skill, Gisohee's Presence Detection.
With everyone openly sharing skills and key stats, Namgung Seojun was glad he'd picked a solid party.
But joy was fleeting. To escape, the whole party needed a spec boost.
"You've all worked hard so far, but we need to raise your power more."
First, to boost power: level ups.
"Hitting level 5 awakens extra skills. Let's rush to 5."
Second: gear. He fetched iron shields and fine leather armor from the cave corner.
"Jaehun, take the shield. Hoon and Sohee, protect arms and legs with leather."
He added they'd hunt orcs for missing gear upgrades.
Namgung Seojun spread a map.
"Our target: orc village north on the map."
South: summon cave. Middle: their cave. North: destination orc village.
"From tomorrow, hunt wandering orcs nearby for levels and gear. Once powered up, we assault the village."
Jo Jaehun asked worriedly, "Orc hunting... think we can handle it?"
Seojun replied firmly. "Yes. Trust me and prep well—we'll go from orc hunts to escaping the tutorial."
The party charged toward group tutorial escape alongside Namgung Seojun.