Chapter 29
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 29
Chapter Title: Desert Rift Assault
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Our Chemical's issue had ended in a decision victory—a thoroughly unsatisfying outcome.
Even after using up most of the things he could deploy right away, this was the result. Yeon Sung-hun was dissatisfied, but it was also an unavoidable limit.
He simply lacked power at the moment.
'I need to grow stronger.'
Reaffirming that resolve once more, Yeon Sung-hun returned to his daily routine.
While Yeon Sung-hun had been resolving his clash with Our Chemical, the other raid members had spent their days much as usual.
Unable to enter rifts due to concerns about potential threats to his family at any moment, they had still visited the training grounds daily to keep up their training.
The basics of Mephi swordsmanship—what was essentially the Imperial standard swordsmanship—had all been taught, and everyone's growth was progressing well.
Kim Jun-su's improvement, in particular, was astonishing.
While he'd expected Choi Yeon-ah and Lee Ha-na to excel from the start, Kim Jun-su's progress had truly been remarkable.
He hadn't reached their level of modifying and adapting the swordsmanship to suit himself, but in terms of pure technical perfection, Kim Jun-su was the highest.
He adhered faithfully to the basics Yeon Sung-hun had taught, his form textbook-perfect.
Even among the Empire's renowned knights, few could match that level of polish.
It was proof of just how hard Kim Jun-su had worked.
He had overcome his innate shortcomings through sheer effort.
He might seem lacking compared to the other two, who could freely adapt their techniques on the fly, but fundamentals weren't called fundamentals for nothing.
Built on that solid foundation, Kim Jun-su's diligence would one day bloom into something magnificent.
Yeon Sung-hun showered unstinting praise on Kim Jun-su, who watched him with the tense expression of a student facing an exam.
A bright smile spread across Kim Jun-su's previously anxious face.
That should ease his impatience a bit, at least.
Having thus checked everyone's progress to some degree, they set out on a rift exploration for the first time in a while.
The rift was C-rank.
Its size was considerably larger than the average C-rank, so Yeon Sung-hun and Gye Cheong-san estimated it would take about two full days for a complete sweep.
That meant unavoidable overnight stays, but they'd already gotten permission from their families on that front.
Just in case, Han So-yul—who was still technically on "leave"—had agreed to stay at Yeon Sung-hun's house.
There was no real need after his decision victory over Our Chemical, but since both his family and Han So-yul seemed thrilled about it, Yeon Sung-hun didn't mind.
He just found it a little odd how Han So-yul's belongings seemed to be accumulating in the house more and more lately.
In any case, with that settled, the rift exploration began.
The raid members appeared a bit excited for their first rift dive in ages.
Having built up confidence through daily swordsmanship training under Yeon Sung-hun, they were clearly eager to test their growth.
Yeon Sung-hun warned them sternly.
As he reminded them every day, rift explorations weren't picnics.
They were deadly ventures where unforeseen variables could arise at any moment.
A somewhat relaxed atmosphere might be tolerable, but this kind of looseness was something Yeon Sung-hun absolutely wouldn't allow.
The raid members quickly reined themselves in at his stern lecture.
They looked a bit deflated and subdued, but Yeon Sung-hun paid it no mind.
It was only natural.
Choi Yeon-ah stepped in to quietly soothe the group.
If Yeon Sung-hun was the whip, Choi Yeon-ah was the carrot.
They hadn't explicitly divided roles, but it had naturally shaken out that way.
Given how she had so many younger siblings around like Seong A-reum or Han So-yul, it was perhaps inevitable.
Though, according to Seong A-reum, Choi Yeon-ah in her prime had been less the gentle big sister and more the drill sergeant type like Yeon Sung-hun—apparently, her year off had softened her personality quite a bit.
"Whoa."
"Impressive."
Kim Jun-su and Lee Ha-na let out exclamations of awe at the sight that greeted them the moment they entered the rift, after Gye Cheong-san's send-off.
This rift was a desert-type.
With blistering sun and heat by day, biting cold by night—an extreme environment that hunters didn't particularly favor—yet Yeon Sung-hun had chosen it deliberately.
Sticking to easy rifts forever wouldn't aid their growth much.
Besides, deserts offered unique materials.
'Mana recovery potion ingredients grow wild here.'
He'd secured some stock from the Black Market, but he'd used it all up dumping supply at the last auction.
"Hmm."
Yeon Sung-hun shielded his eyes from the pounding sun and scanned the surroundings before pulling something from his pocket.
As always, it was a potion.
"Take these. They'll help you adapt to the heat somewhat."
With their firm trust in Yeon Sung-hun's potions, they accepted and downed them without question.
It was a relief amid the growing swelter from the relentless sun.
"The guild master's potions are always so amazing. You have something for this too?"
Choi Yeon-ah, having finished hers and immediately feeling the effects as usual, marveled quietly.
"Potions come in endless varieties."
"Does that mean there's more you've yet to show us?"
"Plenty I haven't revealed yet. Look forward to it."
"I'm always looking forward to whatever you have next, Guild Master."
Yeon Sung-hun gave a small smile at Choi Yeon-ah's grin.
'Come to think of it, it's about time to prepare.'
He'd been too preoccupied with Our Chemical to focus on it lately, but Yeon Sung-hun hadn't forgotten about treating Choi Yeon-ah.
In terms of difficulty, it was comparable to Yeon Hae-eun's lower-body paralysis.
An elixir would cure it cleanly without hassle, but he couldn't make one yet, obviously.
Thus, treatment wouldn't be easy, but Yeon Sung-hun was confident in his approach.
Back during the continental war in his past life, he'd treated a knight from an enemy nation in a similar state under torture.
'No rushing it—slow and steady. The question is whether Choi Yeon-ah can stick with it.'
This method showed no immediate visible results, only paying off at the end, which might make her impatient.
He'd explain properly, of course, but patients always grew anxious without quick changes.
Yeon Sung-hun, smiling at her just then, mentally outlined her treatment plan.
"Alright, time to move out."
With Yeon Sung-hun's words, the Golden Raid Team began their rift exploration.
Given the rift's vastness, it hosted a variety of monsters.
Cactus-like plant monsters, sandmen, scorpions, desert eagles, and the like appeared.
The most prominent among them were the "Nagars."
Classified as humanoid monsters like orcs or goblins, they possessed enough intelligence to use simple tools.
Their base combat power was orc-level at best, but they came in large numbers, making them the rift's primary threat.
"Nagar pack approaching from the left! At least twenty!"
"Choi Yeon-ah, mark that side! Everyone else, clear the ones in front first!"
Another pack appeared alongside the one they were already fighting.
If they didn't handle it fast, encirclement was imminent.
Yeon Sung-hun bellowed for Choi Yeon-ah.
She'd been holding back to let the others grow, but she had no choice now.
With a quick nod, she launched herself forward.
Her movements were so swift and agile, like a gust of wind—it was hard to believe she wasn't using mana.
Yeon Sung-hun, who'd been about to toss an explosion potion, pocketed the half-drawn vial.
'No need to help after all.'
Using only raw physical prowess and swordsmanship, Choi Yeon-ah dismantled the Nagar pack.
Her merciless blade work was as peerless as ever.
No need for backup here—she'd likely finish first and come aid them.
'The Imperial swordsmanship has fully integrated into her body.'
Glimpses of Imperial techniques flickered in Choi Yeon-ah's movements.
Something you'd expect only from Empire knights in his past life.
Watching her stirred complex emotions.
Specifically, memories of the aura masters who'd "taught" him swordsmanship by tearing into him relentlessly.
'That slippery bastard in particular...'
Their speech and tone lingered vividly even in this life.
—Heavens no! Lord Faust, you can't even do this?! Like this! And like that! Even apprentices manage it! How can something so simple stump you?!
Yeon Sung-hun grimaced unconsciously and lightly swung his sword at an incoming Nagar.
"...Made me sour just dredging up useless memories."
Clicking his tongue briefly, Yeon Sung-hun launched himself to clean up the remaining Nagars.
He couldn't lag behind Choi Yeon-ah fighting solo.
Thus, fueled by past-life ire and Choi Yeon-ah's prowess, the Nagar battle ended without casualties.
Their numbers meant cleanup took considerable time.
"Whew. That was rough."
"Yeah. Without the raid leader bro's potion, the heat might've done us in."
With cleanup done, the raid members flopped onto the sand for a short break.
Yeon Sung-hun took a swig from his canteen and chuckled softly.
"We've got a long way to go. We've barely covered 30%."
"Eek—."
"...That's a nightmare."
Choi Yeon-ah giggled at their grimaces.
She spoke in a soothing, big-sister tone.
"Don't worry too much. We're not clearing the whole thing today, right? We can pop out midway for rest. Isn't that so, Guild Master?"
Yeon Sung-hun nodded at her glance.
They were planning a two-day sweep, so not much more today anyway.
Lee Ha-na and Kim Jun-su, realizing late, gave small cheers.
Quickly perking up, the raid members bantered noisily during the break.
Yeon Sung-hun smiled watching them, then quietly organized his thoughts.
'Time to recruit new members.'
With the current lineup hitting their stride, adding fresh blood was the natural next step.
'For balance, we need a rearguard.'
The front line was saturated.
Back in the Park Raid Team days, an unawakened Yeon Sung-hun had handled rear with a hunter rifle, but not anymore.
They didn't strictly need a dedicated rearguard, but for balance and versatility, one was essential.
'Ideally a mage...'
The issue: magic-skill hunters were rare.
With everyone clamoring for them, would any pick Yeon Sung-hun's up-and-coming guild?
Even if Golden Guild's explosive growth was a sure bet—to those in the know—it wasn't public yet.
Snagging a magic user wouldn't be easy.
'Second best: an archer or gunner?'
Weaker firepower than magic maybe, but overall utility might make them preferable.
Gunners with hunter rifles were iffy, but archers would have relevant skills—better to go that route.
As Yeon Sung-hun wrapped up his deliberations and moved to stand...
A faint vibration hit.
Yeon Sung-hun and Choi Yeon-ah, feeling it simultaneously, shouted in unison.
"Everyone, scatter!"
The chattering raid members leaped apart at their cries.
The subtle tremor swelled in an instant, and something erupted from the sand dune.
"Gasp! What the hell?!"
"Sand Worm!"
A massive worm revealed itself amid screams.
Yeon Sung-hun scowled at the unlisted monster.
"Damn Association idiots. What kind of pre-survey is that?"
Startled by the surprise foe, but Yeon Sung-hun stayed calm.
He called out steadily.
"It senses positions through vibrations! Keep that in mind!"
As he spoke, the worm—having burrowed again—targeted him this time.
Loud voices counted as vibrations too, naturally.
The colossal body surged from below, fangs grotesque.
Yeon Sung-hun dodged by leaping back and tsked.
'A juvenile? That means a mother nearby?'
Recalling past-life knowledge, he frowned slightly.
Unlike this sub-10m juvenile, adults exceeded 30m—far deadlier.
"A full-grown one's at least B-rank."
Some even higher, impossible for a C-rank rift.
"Tch—useless Association. Hope it goes bankrupt."
Muttering, Yeon Sung-hun quietly selected a potion.
Piercing its hide was beyond him or the others.
Lee Ha-na, good with mana control, might scratch it, but negligible against its bulk.
Only Choi Yeon-ah could deal real damage, but Sand Worms didn't come solo.
'One juvenile means a mother, and mothers birth dozens at once.'
Utterly ridiculous.
'After this, I'll assemble my own survey team no matter what.'
Association's shoddy prep had caused this twice now—trust was gone.
No wonder some called it the "Hate Association."
Standing stock-still, Yeon Sung-hun and the team soon felt massive tremors underfoot.
Dozens of them.
Cold sweat beaded on their brows at the presences.
Tense faces fixed on the ground below.