Shall We Wrap It Up Here?
The strategy meeting, which doubled as an info dump, dragged on for over four hours. With the 22 selected members, five reserves, plus Luna and Rapina, there was a ton to cover.
"Yeah. This summarized intel should be plenty."
His notebook was crammed full of notes—more than enough. The takedown scene was already playing out in his head.
(So, what do you think? Even if the Snow Drake's level 300, it won't be easy.)
For an advance squad like this, a level 300 field boss was a serious challenge. Normally, with retry options, you could iterate and fix mistakes step by step. But not this time. They had to nail it on the first try, using Black Dragon's exclusive first-entry rights.
"Levels matter less than how well you stick to my plan. Combat shifts every second, so instant adaptation is key."
(We picked people who listen, but directing the whole raid in real-time? That sounds tough.)
"This raid's manageable. I'll lock in the big picture before we even enter the fortress."
(...And you call that manageable.)
Unlike typical games, RP made it hard to keep an eye on every raider at once. Directing dozens amid a rampaging powerhouse like the Snow Drake? Only a handful of players could pull that off.
Luna genuinely wondered what fallout would hit once this subjugation succeeded.
(The pre-fortress briefing will be crucial. These folks grinded hard, so they'll catch on quick. Haemu... hope he shows on time.)
"Don't sweat Haemu. I know exactly what role to give him."
Haemu, ranked 601st. His abilities tied to mist, just like his name—stealth, disruption, ambushes for assassinations, plus shields and barriers for magic defense. Far trickier and stronger than standard shadow tricks. Not a hidden skill, but damn close in value.
(How you'll use that guy has me most curious. See you tomorrow?)
"If it's cool, could you log in at 4 PM? Gotta grab stuff from Bestige first, then chat. Meet at the Ifrit Adventurer's Guild?"
(Sure. 4 PM tomorrow. Hit me up if you need anything.)
"Thanks."
Click. Conversation over with polite goodbyes.
Kang Hanbit stretched and headed to the living room.
"Finally out. Food ready?"
Mom, who'd slipped home unnoticed, rose from her room. Hanbit rushed over, easing her back down.
"I'll fend for myself. And tomorrow's lunch is on me—no side gigs."
"You? Cooking?"
Her eyes went wide. He'd helped prep before, but never actually cooked a full meal.
Yeah, cooking's been tricky since discharge.
Post-army, work ate his time... lame excuse, really.
"Leveled up big-time. Something tasty incoming."
"Burn the pot, and you know what happens."
"Come on. Why would I burn a pot?"
"Hmmm..."
She squinted, fortune-telling his doom. No real reason to stop him, though.
"Fine. Won't let Mom starve for lunch."
"Make me beg for seconds."
"Yes, sir, your son will deliver."
Playful banter exchanged, Hanbit whipped up a late dinner and ate.
The cooking talk sparked for one reason: tomorrow's raid grub. Made him wanna serve Mom first. Totally different vibe, sure.
"Round two."
Back in his room, he sat at his desk. Eyes on the notebook, he refined his directives.
***
Next day, lunch. Groceries in tow, Hanbit prepped like it was a cook-off: japchae, bellflower root salad, braised short ribs, mushroom doenjang jjigae—all Mom faves.
"...You made all this?"
Mom gawked at the neat table setup.
"Watched the whole show. Dig in."
He sat opposite, gesturing. Puzzled, she sipped the stew.
"...?"
Eyes bugged out at the flavor. Chopsticks flew to the rest.
Hanbit grinned. "Tasty, right?"
"Where'd you learn to cook like this?"
Every dish blew her away. Pro-chef level.
"Army hacks. My turn to eat."
Casual dodge, and they tucked in. She shot him a baffled look but soon shoveled away.
"Good?"
Post-meal dishes done, he asked while she tidied.
"Stuffed. Could mooch daily."
"Deal. Mornings and dinners, minus work shifts..."
"Can't joke around here? Stealing my joy of feeding my boy?"
Teasing flowed endlessly. Sated on chatter, Hanbit retreated to his room.
"3 PM... perfect."
Time check. Gear on, bed flop. Login screen, vision sharpens.
Spawn: Ifrit market, player cooking station.
Food's set.
Blazing Honey Hotpot for the raid. Ten mil gold in mats, zero regrets. Not just legacy hunting this time—gotta slay the Snow Drake.
Ding! Mail alert. From Bestige's Titan.
「Titan」
「Got all the promised items, plus extras we snagged. Check 'em. Vid recordings attached.」
Two advance members, promise kept in 24 hours. Hanbit scanned the list, replied.
「Black Dragon」
「Great work. Ease into that blocked episode, hit me with questions anytime.」
「Titan」
「Already en route. Per your info, we'll wrap today and chain the next.」
'Anytime' was deliberate, but pointless—they were fired up after all-nighters.
The dungeon, mob, terrain tips Hanbit shared? Spot-on, proven in play. Trust in Black Dragon inevitable.
Solid skills, anyway.
They delivered. Toss 'em a bonus hint next time.
Mail closed, first item check.
[Bell That Rings Awakening]
Rank: 6
Grade: Hero
Description: Rare drop from the gold-hoarding guardian in sea caves. Unleashes party members' potential, boosting all stats 30% briefly. Shatters after 3 uses.
Trophy from the gold guardian mob. Isekai version hit a tiny area; game limits to party. Great stats, meh for raids.
But Hanbit held the fix.
[Hornpipe of Souls]
Rank: 4
Grade: Unique
Description: Emits a soul-shaking sound. Buffs abilities and mental fortitude in range.
Good call holding this.
From Irtelroger's Aquarium. Meant for Ifrit arc originally. Circumstances shifted, skipped it for peak results anyway.
Whoosh.
Pulled the second mail attachment.
[Chaos and Confusion Crafting Cube]
Rank: ?
Grade: ?
Description: In chaos and confusion, behold darkness and light.
First dungeon reward for the duo. Unpredictable as hell. Toss mats in the black cube, get random mashups. High potential for killer combos, though.
Craft later. This for Whirlwind Tower...
Reviewed the rest, mind sorted. Time hit—straight to Adventurer's Guild.
"Hey."
Luna waited at the entrance. Rapina beside her, beaming as he approached.
"Hi. Together?"
"Yeah. Rapina was in the garden..."
"Mid-tier spirit contracts sealed!"
Rapina burst out, closing in excitedly. Ahead of schedule, thankfully.
"Congrats. Big hurdle cleared."
"Yes! All thanks to Black Dragon bringing me. Truly grateful!"
Mid-tier pacts are huge. Even talented folks grind forever sometimes.
"Skills yet?"
"Need more rapport. Fresh contracts..."
Spirit skills from spirits direct—simpler, element-focused vs. spirit mage lessons. Hanbit, with Element Awakening and titles, didn't need 'em now.
"You'll pick 'em up soon. Bonding and pacts are the real grind."
"Yes! Gonna learn fast!"
Rapina nodded, resolute. Luna, amused, chimed in.
"Anyway, got the goods?"
"Just now. Oh, reason I asked you here..."
Hanbit handed over the red mask.
Bestige duo's haul from another dungeon: the Frenzied Dance Mask. Not your wholesome item.
[Frenzied Dance Mask]
Rank: 6
Grade: Unique
Description: Mask worn by a dancing mad ghost. Weakens body control but grants superior combat prowess. Women only. Shatters after one use, becomes crafting mat.
"Neat."
Luna eyed the info, intrigued. Fingering it, she grinned.
"Mind if I use it?"
"...Pardon?"
Blunt offer threw him. Plan was to get her rec.
"Body control loss feels awful. Better nominate a DPS who can rest post-burst?"
"So just don't lose control?"
"Well, yeah, but..."
Possessed a female adventurer once, tried it. Brain on remote-control vibes—nauseating. Knowing and still succumbing? Humiliating.
"It's fine. Trust me once."
She laughed, finding his fluster fun. Risk? Just spice. Confidence and chops to conquer it.
"...Got it. I'll handle issues."
Settled, they headed to the guild's rear building. Raid ops room for players.
Target room: advance squad assembled.
No Haemu.
Exact count minus one. Morning pings with Luna confirmed, he addressed them.
"Thanks for coming. Let's kick off the Snow Drake strategy briefing."