The One and Only Raid Team 3
The raid team members wore expressions mixed with half tension and half excitement, as if they'd been waiting for this moment all along. It was a perfectly understandable reaction, given that the most common question during their interviews had been about the support supplies. Still, even they couldn't completely shake off the intimidating weight of the Oath of Covenant.
Among the countless wondrous items that emerged from dungeons, the Oath of Covenant was a high-grade artifact of considerable renown. No hunter, no matter how powerful, could defy the force bound within it—everyone had to pay the price for breaking it. Their tension was entirely relatable.
I pulled the Oath of Covenant scroll from my spatial expansion bag and placed it on the podium. "First, I'll read aloud the contents of the oath we'll be making."
I took out the prepared paper and read the terms. It was straightforward: the supplied items could only be used during the raid team's dungeon assaults and had to be returned immediately upon exit. Once they'd all confirmed the final oath wording, the lingering tension on their faces melted away.
"Alright, please come up one by one to perform the Oath of Covenant."
Curiosity about the supplies spurred them on, and they moved through the oaths briskly.
"What could be so amazing that they're making such a fuss? Better not be nothing special."
"Care to make a bet? I'll wager Choi Taesu will be shocked in a bit."
Challenge accepted with a challenge. Choi Taesu was a man through and through. "Fine. I bet I won't be shocked. Prize: I'll get the raid-exclusive magic pattern engraved on my personal armor."
"Deal. I'll take my usual one-time-use Thunder Emperor privilege."
With that, they wrapped up the oath, eyeing the moment ahead, and Choi Taesu stepped down. Park Chan-yeol followed soon after.
"Great to see you again."
"Likewise, seeing you as sub-guild master."
"I'm really looking forward to this. Wonder what items we'll see."
"You won't be disappointed."
After light pleasantries with Park Chan-yeol, he stepped down, and Kang Tae-hoon came up next—though his expression was a bit odd.
"I still don't get it. You rejected my guild transfer—why pick me?"
On the day of Kang Tae-hoon's interview, he'd said he couldn't transfer guilds despite needing to, ending the session. Naturally, he assumed he'd been cut. The selection notice had genuinely shocked him, and now, alone with me, he fired off the question.
"As I said then, we're restructuring for an all-in push on SSS-rank dungeons. Most need to transfer, but not you—you can make it work without leaving your guild. If not, we cut and replace. Simple."
"Guild master, you really are one of a kind."
With all oaths complete, I explained the support supplies.
"First up: leather armor. SS-rank, with defense comparable to SS-rank plate. Magic patterns fall into two categories: ones I engrave and ones from the Enchanter Workshop..."
I detailed the amplification effects and slot counts. At my current level—20-segment grid—I could fit two per side, totaling four. Amplification halved cooldowns, theoretically enabling unlimited Haste. Mana limits made it impractical, but the team was already losing it.
Especially Choi Taesu, our bet's loser—his cheeks quivered as he clenched his jaw, desperately feigning nonchalance. I stifled a laugh at the sight and moved to potions.
"Strength Enhancement Potion..."
"Speed Boost Potion..."
"Stamina Recovery Potion..."
"Healing Potion..."
Their faces shifted with every word. Familiar reactions, but seeing them en masse felt fresh. Choi Taesu was a spectacle—tremors spreading from cheeks to face, turning beet red from the strain.
To shatter his resolve, I saved the kicker for last.
"Mana Recovery Speed Potion..."
And Choi Taesu exploded. "Wh-what the hell? No way such a potion exists! Don't make shit up just 'cause you lost the bet!"
He wasn't alone. At their limits, the mana potion lit the fuse.
"What is Support Guild?"
"This can't be real. Potions like these?"
"Who made them? Who?!"
"Seo Taehee? She's in Support Guild, right?"
"Nah, she couldn't make these."
"Then who?!"
Everyone except Support Guild members—who knew the truth—plunged into chaos. It showed no signs of abating.
Our prior guild chats had predicted this, but reality exceeded expectations. Desperate, I played my ace.
"How about we test the potions in an S-rank dungeon shortly? Feel free to head out if you're short on time."
The shift was instant.
"I'm in."
"Count me."
"I have to go."
Chaos ended; unity reigned. They looked ready to bolt from their seats, impatience peaking.
"Now, measurements for leather armor. Send preferred design photos/images. I'll show magic pattern lists for selection. Let's start."
Knowing this preceded the dungeon, they cooperated fully.
Especially...
"Stand straight! Never made leather armor? Hurry up! Be ready before guild master speaks."
Choi Taesu self-appointed as overseer. But Kang Tae-hoon outdid him.
"Pair up. Watch Guild Master Kim Suho and mimic perfectly."
Stunningly, despite his authoritarian vibe, no pushback—they obeyed seamlessly.
Unified, measurements wrapped swiftly, clearing the schedule. At last, to the S-rank dungeon they'd craved.
"Chan-yeol, this a dream?"
Kang Tae-hoon asked Park Chan-yeol blankly.
"Wish it was."
Park Chan-yeol matched his daze. Time post-dungeon hadn't faded the potion shock. Vastly improved from entry, though.
"Who? Can't believe Support Guild has a potion maker this good. Seo Taehee's hot now, but this is another level."
Kang Tae-hoon vented stiffly—not seeking answers, just frustration.
Park Chan-yeol replied with conviction. "I think I know. Just not how they're tied to Support Guild."
"Wh-who?!"
Kang Tae-hoon pressed urgently; Park revealed.
"Miracle."
"M-Miracle?"
"Yes. High probability—near certain. Miracle removed mana addiction from healing potions. Proves special mana talent. Makes mana recovery speed potion feasible."
Kang Tae-hoon nodded, convinced.
"Makes sense. But who's Miracle? Seo Taehee?"
"Doubt it. No existing members fit. Probably hidden, supplying remotely."
Park's certainty spread; their misconception snowballed.
"How'd Miracle join Support? Friends with Kim Suho?"
"Likely. Never exposed publicly. Ties to Support point to Kim Suho."
From misconception, their fanfic spiraled toward catastrophe. No one to stop or correct them—it dragged on.
"How'd they react?"
Post-potion test, I asked the team.
"Suho hyung, don't ask. Worse than us—probably sleepless for days."
"Jeonghun's right. We adapted gradually; they didn't."
Reactions via guild outstripped imagination. New potion addicts incoming.
Choi Taesu's topped it.
"He asked about joining?"
"Yeah. If he joins, ongoing potion access?"
Saw some eyes shift too. Planning raid-to-guild absorption later—solid start.
They'd only sampled potions. Leather armor, patterns—and my next learnings—awaited. Come decision time, no refusals expected.
I checked vibes, coordination. Mood: peak, potion-fueled. Sync: S-rank too easy for judgment, but elites—they'd adapt fast.
"Just need to prep my end."
Leather ready; engraving remained. Official first raid: one month. 27 engravings loomed—headache incoming.
Won't all pick my patterns, right? Plenty others...
Bad premonitions never miss.
Post-induction, next day: reviewed armor designs, selected patterns.
But...
"Haste x3, Earth Wall x1."
"Haste x2, Earth Wall x1, Leap x5."
"Haste x1, Earth Wall x2, Weight x3, Leap x3."
"Damn! Why all my patterns?!"
90% my engravings. Expected dominance, not this. Too late for regrets—no time anyway. Hell month began to meet deadlines.
"Uwaaa! Finally fucking done!"
Last activation complete, pent-up rage erupted in curses.
Month locked in this room: 20+ hours daily engraving. Broke 2,453 pens. Dark circles to chin; bloodshot eyes hid whites. Ghostly visage.
Listing woes? 3 nights short. No leisure—raid in three hours.
Yes, chased to dawn, barely finished. Backpack stuffed with armor, potions; headed to team.
"Wh-what? Face why like that?"
"What happened?"
"Kidnapped and released?"
Worried murmurs at my wreck.
Your fault, idiots. What luxury for this crap?
Choi Taesu rushed. "You okay? What happened? Face? Really fine?"
Stunned—Choi Taesu worrying? But next words nearly drew curses.
"Got mine?"
"Shit... Choi Taesu, true to form."
To be continued in the next chapter... The Hunter Who Awakened as an NPC