Raid Team Establishment 2

In reality, unless there were special circumstances, all top-tier hunters were naturally affiliated with guilds. Saying that someone with outstanding abilities couldn't join a guild meant there was some kind of problem, one way or another.

Sorry to say it, but Bang Taegeuk, Jeonghun, Yeji, and the others fell into that category—they had issues that made normal guild life impossible. In a way, the fact that I was working with them now was like having lady luck on my side, and there was no guarantee that luck would hold.

So, I planned to poach hunters for the raid team from the Five Great Guilds.

The tricky part was doing it without backlash, and I'd agonized over that quite a bit. That's why I first investigated how the Five Great Guilds operated.

To start, raids in the existing Five Great Guilds and other large guilds happened only once or twice a month. This was due to the material costs for raids and the time needed to prepare them. Plus, there were personal preparations required, like individual gear and potions.

Personal gear was a given, but for potions, guilds provided some support—though the allocation was so meager that hunters often bought extras on their own.

After entering the dungeon, hunting, and coming out, settlement happened, and I was a bit surprised here too. The amount wasn't small in absolute terms, but so much got deducted.

First, 40% went to taxes, and another 30% vanished into guild operating costs, material prep, and the like. In the end, individual hunters took home only about 30% on average.

Of course, even that wasn't chump change. A single raid netted around ten billion won on average. But factoring in personal maintenance costs, it wasn't as huge as it seemed.

That's why most hunters ran personal dungeons in their spare time.

I built my plan around that insight.

"That's why I'm thinking of recruiting for the raid team in a way that even Five Great Guild hunters can join without burden. And I'll provide the same level of support they get in their guilds."

"Guild Master, do you mean exactly the same?"

Bang Taegeuk, grasping my intent, asked with a worried expression.

"Yes, exactly as you're thinking. Armor, magic patterns, buff potions, mana recovery potions—all of it. But the supplied items will be strictly controlled via the Oath of Covenant."

Only then did Bang Taegeuk's expression relax, and the other guild members looked relieved too.

"Here's my thought: Switching guilds outright would be a hassle at first, so we'll start with the raid team. Once they balance raid activities with guild duties, they'll realize it themselves."

"Hey, did you see that?"

Taein, a ranged DPS from Royal Blood Guild, asked his guildmate Seokchan.

"Huh? See what?"

"You dense idiot. Were you holed up in a dungeon again without resting? You're such a freak."

Taein shook his head and shoved his phone at Seokchan.

"Check this out! It's insane. Support Guild is forming a raid team, and the conditions are nuts."

Seokchan glanced at the hyped-up Taein, then looked at the phone.

Seokchan snorted and turned to Taein.

"Cut the crap. SS-rank leather armor and magic patterns engraved on it? 20-way split ones at that? That's your problem—you don't know moderation."

"Argh! I'm telling you, it's not a joke. Why would I prank you with something this pointless?"

As Taein whined at Seokchan's scolding, someone came running up, calling their names.

"Seokchan! Taein!"

"Why are you so late? Get here earlier next time."

Taein grumbled at Kyungmin, who was late, but Kyungmin cut him off urgently.

"You guys see it too? Support Guild's raid team recruitment notice."

Taein reacted with excitement and scolded Seokchan.

"See? Told you it wasn't a joke."

"No way? That was real?"

Unlike Taein, Kyungmin never joked around, so Seokchan reacted differently this time.

"Shh. Not important right now—our place is right nearby. Out of curiosity, I stopped by Support Guild. Guess who I saw?"

Kyungmin grinned meaningfully at Seokchan and Taein before continuing.

"Don't freak out. It was the Brain Emperor. He submitted a raid team application and left."

As soon as the raid team recruitment notice went up, comments flooded the post, sparking heated debates on its legitimacy. Along with that, inquiries poured in.

"Yes, it's real."

"Yes, that's correct."

"Absolutely."

It felt like I'd gotten a lifetime's worth of calls in hours. No sooner had I set the receiver down than it rang again, and after hanging up, it rang once more. Finally, I yanked the phone line out.

Thanks to my guild members, I hadn't posted my personal number—otherwise, disaster.

But it didn't end there. Once the line was out, people started showing up at Support Guild in person. Still, it was better than calls—only a dozen or so at most.

Then, an unexpected figure appeared.

"Brain Emperor? What brings you here so suddenly?"

It was none ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠other than Brain Emperor Choi Taesu.

"Me too."

His blunt words were clear enough, and I asked in surprise,

"Pardon? You serious?"

"You think I'd come all this way for kicks when I've got nothing better to do?"

Choi Taesu looked annoyed, but I brushed it off.

"Well, not that, but... are you sure it'll be okay?"

My concern was elsewhere.

"Okay how?"

"No doubt about your skills, Brain Emperor, but joining the raid team means following the raid leader's orders completely. That alright with you?"

This was my biggest worry when forming the team. I'd already tapped Bang Taegeuk as raid leader and discussed it with him.

With Five Great Guild hunters as the core, this extreme measure prevented factions or power struggles.

It was possible because I trusted Bang Taegeuk's skills. He'd perfectly cleared S-rank dungeons and had SS-rank experience. He was a bit behind the main tanks of the Five Great Guilds, but with my quests boosting him, I wasn't too worried.

One concern remained: cases like this. Top hunters like the Brain Emperor joining.

Even empowering Bang Taegeuk, a hunter like him would naturally carry weight. Fine if it stayed at advice, but if it undermined the leader and sparked conflict, we'd be in trouble.

Lesser hunters could be booted, but not the Brain Emperor—backlash would be brutal.

So I needed firm confirmation.

"You see Bang Taegeuk as raid leader?"

Choi Taesu picked up on my intent from the question alone.

"Yes. Iron Dragon is appointed raid leader. Even you, Brain Emperor—no ignoring his authority, or no raid team spot."

Choi Taesu scowled briefly at my firm tone, then burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! First guy like you I've met. Ballsy as hell talking to me like that, and it doesn't even piss me off. You're a weird one."

His genuine laugh left me baffled. What was so funny?

Suddenly, he stopped, face serious.

"How do you even see me? Some loose cannon?"

"Not singling you out. It's confirmation for everyone we recruit."

"Fair enough? Anyway, no worries there. Unless Bang Taegeuk gives orders that tank the raid, I won't interfere."

"Got it. I trust you."

His pride shone through, and my ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠gut said he was trustworthy.

"So, I'm in? Engrave magic patterns on this armor then."

Choi Taesu cheekily held out his armor, unlike before. I handed him a sheet of paper.

"What's this? Magic pattern list? Huh? Application form?"

To the flustered Choi Taesu, I smiled professionally.

"Everything has procedures. And we don't engrave personal items."

"Why not? I already have this armor. Why double the work? I'm fine—do this one."

His condescending tone didn't faze me.

"Application first. Supplied items are raid-use only, reclaimed post-dungeon."

"Hey! Don't be so stingy. Not asking for extra armor—just one engraving."

I ignored his whining.

"Not impossible."

"How?"

His eyes lit up, but my answer left him grumbling, jaw dropped.

"Join Support Guild."

"Damn, you tight-ass! People gotta have some flexibility. Collect it on exit? No need to be cold from the start..."

"Chanyeol, you see Support Guild's notice?"

"Yes, I did."

"Then shouldn't we do something? ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Can't just sit idle."

Despite Kang Tae-hoon's prodding, Park Chan-yeol replied calmly.

"What countermeasures? We can't make SS-rank leather armor or engrave 20-way patterns. What's the point?"

Kang Tae-hoon looked incredulous, then raised his voice.

"That's what a vice guild master says? 'Can't do it, so watch'? Ignore what we can't—we need plans for what we can. Check their supplies, find tax workarounds."

Park Chan-yeol stayed relaxed.

"We can decide after seeing raid benefits. Recruiting as raid team, not guild, means they're picky."

Kang Tae-hoon's expression eased at the sensible response.

"Right. Watch their moves. Who to send? Need someone intriguing for intel."

"I'll go."

"Yeah, no one better than—wait. You? Still hung up? You said no interest without combat dual-class. Why go yourself?"

Stunned by Park Chan-yeol's words, Kang Tae-hoon yelled excitedly, but Park stayed chill.

"When did I say no interest? Just not the time. Remember what I said coming from the US? I'd switch to any guild tackling SSS-rank dungeons. So work hard."

"Overreacting? Armor and patterns are impressive, sure. But SSS-ranks with that? Coordinating other guilds' hunters? They won't let elites go quietly. Think ragtags can do it?"

Kang Tae-hoon scoffed at first, but Park's follow-up hardened his face.

"That's why I'm going—to check that potential. Feels like armor and patterns aren't all. And not ragtags. Even our guild—your sister-in-law and Youngho applied."

"What? Why them? What didn't we provide?"

Understandable outrage: Hyungsu and Youngho were 1st Raid Team elites in Elysion Guild. Hyungsu main healer, Youngho mage top-three in pure DPS.

"We provided everything. Support Guild's just insanely generous. They did external raids often anyway. Bigger news: Brain Emperor joined. Still ragtags?"

"What? Why him? What's his deal with Kim Suho?"

"Going to find out."

Kang Tae-hoon, fully riled, face red, shouted,

"Damn it! I'm going too! No arguments. Gotta see what Kim Suho's got with my own eyes. Don't you dare stop me."

To be continued in the next chapter...