Chapter 15
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 15
Chapter Title: The Assault
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Assault.
One of the large-scale raid contents in the game <Blackout>, it was a higher-tier event following field boss events.
Typically held after field boss events concluded, just like when the Goblin Lord appeared recently and adventurers had swarmed the fortress gates.
'The one leading the assault was 'Azure Cloud,' right? But this requires at least level 2 to participate.'
Jun had no idea he'd be thrown into it so soon.
'The commander's letter of recommendation.'
Since there was no such event in the game, Jun recognized how unusual this situation was.
'What should I do?'
Various pros and cons flashed through his mind, but there was no need to dwell on it now.
It was thanks to Jinovan's consideration.
"It's up to you how to use it. Sell it if you want, or use it yourself."
At his pure goodwill to just take it, Jun felt a brief surge of gratitude as he accepted it.
"Thank you so much for this."
"An assault?!"
Back in Cloi's office.
"You're still level 1, aren't you? Handing a recommendation letter to someone not even level 2?"
Assaults for each stratum were usually formed around users one level higher than the stratum's level.
For a level 1 assault, level 2 users filled the spots.
The raid leader's core team needed to be at least level 3.
Naturally, there was no room for a level 1 user.
Cloi's reaction wasn't all that strange.
"Um, Senior? What's an assault exactly?"
Cloi stared at Aiden in disbelief at his question, as he still hadn't grasped the situation.
"You came down from <Blackout> and you don't know that?"
"Ah... haha."
"Why crush the kid's spirit? He might not know."
A sheltered flower from the Imperial Family—how much could he really know?
Jun naturally explained the assault.
"In short, it's a massive dungeon raid."
"A dungeon raid?"
It combined at least five dungeons, aimed primarily at subjugating raid monsters.
Only those with exceptional skill could join, and Jun had planned to aim for it after reaching the level 2 stratum fields.
'Who would've thought the commander had that kind of authority.'
If he could participate, it would certainly ease the early game in many ways.
'Especially for a level 1 Black Forest assault—it'd be a huge help for warriors.'
As Jun recalled the various hidden pieces there and glanced at Aiden, Cloi cautiously voiced her opinion.
"Still... isn't it too dangerous?"
The assault was no easy content, given Cloi's reaction.
Though vast, it targeted a massive dungeon.
Dungeons were structured so you couldn't exit without meeting conditions.
Failure meant death, naturally.
"Aiden. What do you think?"
"Hm... If it's within our capabilities, I'd honestly like to give it a shot."
Aiden's eyes sparkled; he had a romantic notion about this sort of thing.
"Well, we're not at a level to be a burden anyway."
Aiden met the level 2 requirement as a mana user.
He was above average, and with Jun as a 3-circle mage, they could contribute plenty.
"Haa... Fine. Whatever. You brought it to me yourselves, so I won't meddle. But be careful. Unlike field subjugations, you can't just back out if things go south."
"Thanks for worrying."
"...It's just 'cause you're useful."
With that, Cloi shooed them out, telling them to call if they needed anything—money included.
Outside, strolling the fortress streets, Jun spoke up.
"Her reaction's natural. As we heard, failure in an assault means it's over."
"Because it's cut off from the outside?"
"Right. Clear the conditions or get wiped. Only then does the entrance open."
"Hmm..."
"No need to worry too much. We can prepare step by step."
After that, Jun sold the skillbook at auction, reinforced Aiden's gear, and bought necessary spellbooks.
By day, he planned ahead using Cloi's gathered intel, entered the Black Forest with Aiden to sync up and build teamwork.
By night, he studied the new spellbooks.
"Whew... Not easy."
He reinforced the power of [Lightning Whip], which had fallen short before, and researched the phenomenon from the Goblin Lord fight.
The former showed progress, but the latter lacked solid info, leaving only guesses.
'No answers until I experience something similar again, huh.'
Dwelling on unsolvable issues just frustrated him.
Jun shelved it and focused on what he could do now.
"Never thought I'd wrack my brain like this since college entrance exams and grad school."
Thanks to his foundational magic knowledge and [Basic Magic Talent], spellbooks up to 3rd circle were manageable.
But 4th circle onward introduced incomparably tough concepts; even Jun couldn't tackle them yet. Prices were insane too.
Plus, from 4th circle, you had to pick a school.
Elemental, enchantment, summoning, etc.
No more learning whatever came along.
"Gotta get a skill enhancement scroll and boost [Basic Magic Talent] first."
Of course, as the name implied, it was rare—impossible for now.
'Still, best to pull it forward. 4th circle gets you treated as an intermediate mage.'
The prestige gap between junior and intermediate mages was huge.
Gaining fame like this was good, but it required real skill to back it up.
"Gotta grow steadily like this."
After a brain break, Jun dove back into the spellbook.
When the <Light> spell illuminating his room's gaps faded, quite some time had passed.
Time flew like an arrow loosed from a bowstring.
Two weeks later.
"Those participating in the Forest Guardian assault, gather here!"
The day of the assault had arrived.
"Group leaders, assemble at headquarters!"
At the guide's shout, representatives from participating groups gathered.
Inside the massive tent, twenty people clustered.
Freelance adventurers mingled with mercenary captains like Jun leading their crews.
'Definitely level 2 users—their gear's top-notch.'
Jun briefly scanned their equipment, then felt eyes on him from all sides.
"Wearing a sackcloth robe."
"A mage?"
"Doesn't feel that impressive."
"Ah, the one with the fortress commander's recommendation."
"Heard he contributed a lot against the Goblin Lord..."
"Gear's nothing special for that. Not from the Mage Tower."
Just as Jun judged them by gear, they judged him.
True to their words, Jun hadn't bothered with decent gear.
A wind-resistant robe, maybe.
Mage gear was basically artifacts—unavoidable.
'Can't argue if they see me as a parachute drop.'
He was the only level 1 here, after all.
So Jun ignored the stares, showing no real reaction.
'No point explaining before proving it with skill. These aren't the type to listen.'
He'd faced worse disdain, so he brazenly lifted his chin and stared ahead.
Soon, a man entered the tent.
The raid leader for this assault.
"Pleased to meet you all. I'm Benjamin Bristone, leading this assault. Level 3, running a small adventure team called 'Azure Cloud.'"
True to their role, the entire team was level 3.
"Small" but apparently well-known.
Mercenaries murmured.
"Azure Cloud. Heard they're active in the Beast Temple."
"Control a wide territory."
"Rumors say finances are tight lately..."
"Richest worry in the world. Nobles back them."
"True enough."
The representatives chatted briefly as Benjamin continued.
"As you know, target is the Forest Guardian. A corrupted forest spirit."
Conversations hushed as they focused.
Even for a stratum 1 assault, failing mechanics meant death for them too.
He detailed the five dungeons' traits, rendezvous points, and more in a thorough briefing.
About two hours later, questions ended.
"Finally, team assignments. They'll be random, to prevent issues. Please comply."
In short, raid leader's call.
No one objected.
Raid leader authority in assaults was absolute.
Jun was assigned to Team 4.
"Tch, you then."
One group leader eyed Jun sourly.
No reason to welcome an obvious parachute.
The others weren't thrilled either, but Jun kept a straight face.
"Jun, 3-circle mage. Leading the White Whale Mercenary Corps in stratum 1."
"Hah, got some spine. Colton Carter, level 2. Run the Blade Eagle Mercenary Corps."
Next, one of the remaining two spoke up.
A woman with long, subtly glowing black hair and amber eyes.
"Lucy Markner, adventurer in stratum 2. Call me Lucy. And this is..."
She pointed to a young man who looked just like her, speaking energetically.
"Yep! Luke Markner! Nice to meet ya!"
Twins, freelance adventurers.
"Hmm... You two from the Jinrang Tribe?"
Colton asked, and Luke's eyes widened.
"Whoa, how'd you know?"
"That shimmering black hair and orange eyes aren't common. Plus, uh..."
Colton trailed off cautiously.
No need to stir trouble before clearing a dungeon together, even as a rough mercenary.
Lucy smiled wryly at his vibe.
"Our small builds give it away. We're used to it."
"Ahem."
As she said, Jinrang Tribe featured compact bodies. Youthful looks made them seem mid-teens.
'Jinrang Tribe. Sounds like beastkin.'
<Blackout> had various races, but none with animal ears or tails.
Differences were physical prowess or size.
"We're not that common. You're smart, mister!"
"Not 'mister.' Use names, Luke."
"Got it, sis!"
Hyper Luke, demure Lucy.
Eyes lingered briefly before Colton spoke.
"So, we're the biggest group?"
Indeed, Colton's team had the most: six mercenaries.
Jun had Aiden and ghost members—two total.
Lucy and Luke were freelancers.
"Then Colton, you lead the dungeon exploration?"
"I agree! More people rocks!"
The adventurers yielded first.
No grounds for Jun to refuse; he'd never planned to lead anyway.
"Agreed."
"Ahem. Sharp eyes under that look. Well, let's get along."
He took the role like a group project leader—not a bad image.
Leading a team in an assault earned respect anywhere.
Build credentials for future raid leader spots.
Unlike his prickly first impression, things went smoothly after.
"Prepare to depart! Good luck, all!"
The next day, dungeon exploration began in earnest.
After a day's rest, teams headed to assigned dungeons, raid leader in front.
"Tch, not a field dungeon."
Colton muttered, scanning the interior.
Pitch-black, sealed walls.
Glowing moss barely lit it—not a field dungeon by any stretch.
"<Light>."
Jun's spell illuminated, revealing the hidden scene.
Tunnels with greenish tree roots sporadically jutting from walls.
"Maze-type dungeon, green roots, tunnels. Estimated 'Rotten Tree Root' dungeon."
Lucy, the twin adventurer, noted; Colton nodded.
"Hey, mage. Don't trip and hurt yourself. Roots poke from the ground too—blink and you'll fall. Break something, we won't care."
His mercenaries chuckled.
Aiden scowled, but Jun quietly grabbed his arm to restrain him.
"Thanks for the advice."
"Hmph, know it then. Let's move."
"Senior..."
Unlike Jun's ironclad expression, Aiden furrowed his brows in frustration.
Jun wasn't thrilled either, but he knew why they acted this way and stayed calm.
'Junior mages struggle to pull their weight. Or rather, most don't even try.'
All mages were Mage Tower graduates.
Typical juniors apprenticed there, unlike Jun wandering the world.
'Only one reason a junior leaves: expulsion.'
Skill shortage or scandals.
Common trait: talentless with high noses.
Lifetime tower dwellers struggled outside.
Acting half-noble irked mercenaries.
Intermediates got respect as tower dispatches; juniors got disdain from this history.
'I was similar raising my mage.'
Skimped potions buying skillbooks, burdening the party.
Infamy plummeted, trash character vibes.
But earning mercenary respect was simple.
'Mercs are straightforward. Show your worth, they acknowledge.'
Prove skill over words, attitudes flip.
Knowing this, Jun endured the scorn stoically.
"Senior..."
Aiden worried, unaware.
"Just wait. I didn't splurge on spellbooks for nothing."
Mages had constraints but were <Blackout>'s most broken class purely theoretically.
Not for nothing a multi-run staple.