Zero Ground Rescue
Two weeks had passed since Taejeong returned from the Gold Lion Guild. Most of the urgent matters had now been sorted out. It was time to get moving again.
Path of the Mechanic
Locked.
Requires level 550.
Cannot proceed if level requirement not met.
"Level 550, huh. I'll put this on hold for now."
The next quest couldn't be fulfilled yet. No matter what, he needed to hit level 550 first. He decided to focus on leveling up.
"So, where should I go?"
He'd cleared up to grade 12, so normally he'd move on to grade 13. But that wouldn't allow for rapid growth. Experience requirements had already skyrocketed after level 500, and with the national war looming, he had to aim higher. That way, he could grow more, perform better, and maybe even get a shot at joining the club.
"No need for grade 13—I've got footage on that. Grade 14 won't make much difference either. At my level, grade 15 is totally doable."
Too dangerous meant too much risk, so grade 15 felt just right. With his new weapons, he could probably maximize efficiency there.
He immediately gathered info through Park Se-ah. That netted him three dungeons: Georam Mountain, Pin Valley, and Saya Beach. All top-tier Blue grade 15 dungeons.
Taejeong liked Saya Beach the best. Mountains and valleys weren't as efficient for his mobbing-specialized class compared to a beach. Anywhere with open flat ground was his ideal hunting spot, as long as he could get there.
"Perfect for testing the nuke too. Wrap up this week's work and head out right away."
Around the end of that busy week, Taejeong sensed something off at the morning executive meeting. Everyone wore grave expressions.
He sat cautiously and whispered to the business division head next to him.
"The mood's heavy today. Something up...?"
"The Australia expedition team got stranded on Sakhalin."
"Stranded? How the hell...?"
"We don't know the details. Last contact was at dawn today, and now even comms are dead."
"We need to launch a ship ASAP."
"Ships are being prepped. Problem is, it's Zero Ground territory."
"Zero Ground... You mean the forbidden zone?"
Zero Ground. Commonly called the forbidden zone, it referred to the highest-level fields. Regular fields peaked at Red, but that was for accessible dungeons. Zero Ground was a separate grade for no-go areas.
Zero Ground had sub-ranks from A to Triple S, but even the lowest matched mid-tier Red Gate dungeons. Only top-20 guilds in Korea could handle it. A mid-level expedition team without Jenix's elites couldn't guarantee safety.
"Yeah. Of all places, they strand there..."
"What's the level rating?"
"Estimated A-rank."
"At least the lowest tier."
"Doesn't matter for the team. Excluding the 3rd raid leader, most are mid-level hunters."
"What about requesting Russian or nearby Japanese help?"
"It's not Russian territory anymore—just an abandoned appendage. We've asked, but they're hesitant too."
"This is bad. Oh, right—Seo Ju-ah's on that team, isn't she?"
"Yeah. Makes it worse. Considering our ties with the club..."
As they talked, Guild Master Yang Taesik entered the meeting room.
"Some executives already know via contact. Time's critical, so we'll decide here. Who's going?"
Total Commander Lee Han-yeok jumped in immediately.
"I'll lead the 1st raid special forces."
"Special forces alone enough?"
"Can't pull all guild forces. Besides, anything less won't help much."
"Still, with those numbers..."
"I'll go too."
It was a man from the corner—Jo Seonghyeon, special ops captain under the reserve field commander. Eighth strongest in Jenix by raw power.
Yang Taesik nodded approvingly.
"Perfect if you join. Anyone else? You need to handle yourself—no liabilities."
The room fell silent. Excluding the total commander and special ops captain, options were limited: chief of staff or 2nd raid leader, already assigned as proxies.
"Guess I asked in vain. Settled then—head out immediately."
Just as the decision landed...
"Guild Master, I'll go too."
All eyes turned to the table's far corner. Taejeong.
Yang Taesik eyed him closely and shook his head.
"Not you. Don't you know what that place is?"
"I know roughly."
"And you still want to go? This is extremely dangerous. Not dismissing you—I'm saying this because I value you. Can't allow it."
"I have to go."
"Why?"
"Seo Jin recommended me here."
"And?"
"His sister's in trouble—how can I sit idle? She's also my lifesaver. I owe her for joining Jenix. Can't ignore this."
"Hmm. Really set on it? It's an unknown island even I haven't seen. No guarantees."
"Let me go. I'll bring everyone back safe."
Yang Taesik relented to his resolve. Taejeong was Jenix but tied to the club—plus a lifesaver claim left no grounds to block.
"Regional commander included—head to Goseong now. Ships are ready."
As executives filed out, the lingering division head grabbed him.
"You sure?"
"Don't worry."
"Then... shamelessly, I ask your help."
"Pardon?"
"My daughter's there."
"Your daughter? Why not go yourself...?"
"I'd go a hundred times if I could. But my class isn't mobile. I'd just drag the team down. Can't risk everyone for my selfishness. And honestly, seeing my daughter fight for life? I'd lose it. Team would suffer."
Taejeong admired his cool assessment. How was he so composed? His eyes screamed paternal agony, barely restrained—for the guild's sake.
"What's her name?"
"Seoyeonn. Ha Seoyeonn."
"No promises, but I'll do my best."
"Thanks. Don't overdo it."
His clasped hands and plea stripped away the commanding facade—a plain, worried father. That raw paternal love steeled Taejeong's vow to bring her back.
Outside, assembled forces and vehicles waited.
"Come back safe."
"Good news incoming."
Amid farewells, the convoy rolled out toward Goseong.
This'll be a rare experience.
Taejeong volunteered for multiple reasons. Primarily to save people, second to strengthen club ties, and finally—curiosity. An unknown dungeon beyond his level. Priceless data for future battles, worth the risk.
About two hours later, they reached Goseong Port. They boarded prepped ships and set sail. Troops descended below decks from the receding pier. Total commander briefed executives.
"High-speed vessel—12 hours max. On arrival, form one unit but split into four teams for emergencies. Leaders: 3rd raid, special ops, chief of staff. Regional commander with me. Sakhalin's intel is nil—old maps and instincts only. No solo actions without orders. One stray endangers all—stress that to troops."
"Last comm location?" Special ops asked, map in hand.
"Not precise, but they saw Independence 100th Anniversary Monument and a huge lab. Probably Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk—around here."
"Stranded means coast. How'd they reach inland?"
"3rd raid leader said ambushed. That's all we got."
"No clue on survivors?"
"Not yet."
"Trouble. Yuzhno's 50km from nearest beach. That deep means..."
"No grim thoughts yet. Rest in shifts—tell the troops. Search could take days."