Memories of the Black Raven's Captain

Life as a slave in an underground mine was filled with the unpredictable. Unexpected events always struck suddenly, just like now. Who could have foreseen that a flying rock from pickaxe work would knock me down?

"Ha…."

The place where I worked was a dark, damp underground mine. I didn't even know exactly where it was. All I knew was that the mineral we mined here was called mana stone, and that its value was considered far more precious than the lives of slaves like us.

That made mining mana stones incredibly dangerous. A moment's lapse in attention could lead straight to death.

"……."

But something was off. I wasn't dazed from pain after being hit by the rock. Even as blood trickled from my head, I just stared blankly at the ceiling.

"…What the hell is this?"

Was it the shock of the rock smashing into my head? Amid the excruciating pain, I was seized by a strange sensation. Foreign memories flashed through my mind like lightning— not the life of a slave exploited in this underground mine, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠but recollections from Earth, South Korea, racing by in an instant.

In that moment, I realized. These were memories of my past life.

In my past life, I was an ordinary office worker. I woke up at the same time every day, commuted along the fixed route, sat in my familiar seat, and churned through the repetitive routine. On the surface, it was a monotonous daily grind with nothing to complain about or celebrate.

But the reality hidden beneath that monotony was different.

"When the hell do I get to go home?"

Work dragged on late into the night every day. I'd already surrendered my evenings and weekends to it. Quitting time was always uncertain, and fatigue just kept piling up. Dark circles shadowed my eyes, and I couldn't get by without coffee anymore.

Today, as usual, quitting time had come around—but I still had no idea when I'd actually make it home. The sky was already cloaked in darkness.

"I really need to quit this shitty company."

Muttering bitterly, I dragged my exhausted body onto the subway. No seats, but I didn't care. I had my routine for the ride ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠home anyway. Fixing my body in a standing position, I reflexively pulled out my smartphone.

It was the one indulgence that soothed the end of a grueling day: my game.

As my fingers danced across the screen, the text Isekai Conqueror appeared. True to its name, the game's main goal was conquering another world. Though it was an offline game, it suited my current life perfectly.

'When would I even have time to play at home?'

By the time I got home from work, I was too drained for anything. Sitting at the computer was out; lying down and playing a mobile game was far better. Just move your fingers casually—how convenient. Plus, I didn't want the stress of competing with others even in the game. I preferred enjoying my own little world stress-free.

That's why I chose Isekai Conqueror. A fun single-player game with no rankings or pressure. And the pay-to-win elements weren't even expensive—great value too.

The gameplay was simple: build your own organization, raise its members, and use them to conquer the Elunsia continent.

But the game's real charm lay elsewhere.

It made me feel like the shadowy puppet master behind the scenes. Starting from nothing and dominating an entire world—a kind of vicarious thrill. That immersion was what hooked me.

The organization I built was called Black Raven. Nothing deep; it just sounded cool.

I scrolled through the reports popping up on the screen one by one. My decisions would shape what came next.

'Arcadia Empire, huh….'

The massive empire known as the biggest power in the Isekai Conqueror world. Conquering it was tough, so pulling in even one noble was a huge win.

'Lucky break.'

But I couldn't relax with just one count. I needed to use him as a stepping stone to seize the whole empire. To prevent betrayal or exposure, I'd assign one of my raised members as his running mate to monitor him.

'Who to send?'

The Black Raven members were a diverse bunch: humans, dwarves, elves, demons, monsters, you name it. All collected and trained by me. Plenty of options, but I had to choose wisely. Isekai Conqueror looked simple but wasn't easy.

Take this situation: picking a monitor for an imperial count. The count was human, obviously. Send a monster as his running mate? The empire would sniff something off and investigate immediately.

'Gotta send a human who won't raise suspicions.'

The choice was obvious.

Walter looked elderly on screen. But underestimating him was a mistake. A 5★ hero, one of the pinnacle swordmasters—a Sword Saint who had reached the end of the blade. Fully equipped with pay-to-win gear, his power was beyond imagination.

'He's been around forever.'

Walter was a starter character from early game, beginning at 1★. I'd raised him to 5★ with steady pay-ins. A long-time companion from the start.

'Old man look makes him perfect for butler disguise.'

That aged appearance was his secret weapon.

'Enemies won't suspect a thing.'

Send him undercover as a butler to monitor and control Count Renfield. Even if exposed, Walter could handle it no problem.

'Piece of cake.'

I selected Walter and hit dispatch. On screen, he bowed respectfully.

Max loyalty meant unwavering devotion. Smiling in satisfaction, I moved to the next report.

The rest lacked substance. Funds, intel, gear—delegate to members.

'That underground mine's got nothing to do with me.'

One report left.

"Oh!"

Great news drew an exclamation. I glanced around then refocused.

Ariel was a recent acquisition.

'Finally got a high elf…!'

The one race I'd never gotten despite years of play. So rare it took forever to find.

'Mobilizing Black Raven was the right call.'

I'd thrown the full org at it, ordering top treatment and recruitment on sight.

Promoted her to full member immediately.

'Now for serious training.'

I tapped Ariel. Pale skin, long silver hair, pointed ears—elf perfection. Overwhelming beauty, even as pixels.

Not just any elf—a high elf. Straight to enhancements. Gold and diamonds overflowed.

High elf potential was insane—straight to 6★. But that was the limit.

'7★ is another beast.'

7★ needed massive, race-specific materials. First high elf meant zero info, tough prep.

'Good enough for now.'

Next, potential unlock.

"?"

Sense the captain's will? Vague. No clue what it meant.

'Figure it out later.'

Last: items. Gear for power, or race-specific for affinity.

I had the perfect one saved for a high elf.

Bulk-bought with cash long ago. All died when I planted them—even elves struggled. One left, warehoused for later.

Predictably, Ariel loved it.

'High elves are on another level.'

Nodding with a satisfied smile. Game stuff done.

A bit more to do, but then—

What? Update? No mention of one. Screen froze.

'So sleepy….'

Fatigue crashed over me.

'What's happening…?'

Eyelids drooped heavy. Strength drained from my body.

"……."

Vision darkened under ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠crushing exhaustion. As consciousness faded, voices rose around me.

"What! Call 119 quick! Hurry!"

"You okay? Wake up!"

Someone touched ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠my cheek gently in the dark. But the mood shifted ominously.

"…Get up!"

Why the casual tone? The slaps grew harder, more insistent, like scolding.

Pain stung from the sharp palm.

'That hurts if you hit so hard…!'

Couldn't speak. Then a shrill yell pierced my ear.

"Get up, you bastard!"

Slap—!

"Ugh!"

The blow snapped me awake. But no subway—just grim, rough rock walls. The familiar mine.

"Finally came to."

"Ah…."

Fuck, a dream? Too vivid for that. Right—past life memories. Everything about my previous "self" flooded back.

And now…

'Yeah. Got hit by a flying rock and passed out while working.'

Dazed, I looked around. But the demon overseer wasn't the patient type.

"Hey, Ethan! If you're awake, move it! Slack off and no dinner for you!"

That jolted me. Gritting teeth, I forced myself up, grabbed my pickaxe, and got back to it.

'Another hellish day begins.'

I almost missed past-life overtime.

'Wish I hadn't remembered….'

Here, I was just a slave. My feelings didn't matter to the overseers. Kids younger than me worked too—that said it all.

Pickaxing wasn't easy, but to dodge the whip, you hustled. Everyone did, to avoid beatings.

"Hoo."

Sighing softly, I mechanically swung my arms.

'Definitely on my way home….'

One blink, and I was here. I sorted my situation mentally.

Name: Ethan. 17-year-old boy, sold here as a kid. No memory of abandoning parents. Seven then—ten years gone.

'Where the hell is this place?'

Squeezed old memories. Pre-reincarnation me differed slightly from now.

Conclusion:

'Yeah, definitely not the Earth I knew.'

Not a normal mine—mana stone mine, source of pricey magic materials. No magic on my Earth, so different world.

But that's all. Lifelong cave dweller—zero clue about outside or world.

'Usually novels give cheats or powers, right?'

Nothing for me.

'Fuck.'

Made no sense. Memories ignited escape urge from this mine hell.

I subtly flipped off the overseer.

In a dark chamber, a figure knelt in prayer. Flickering candlelight softly enveloped her silver hair. Her devout focus radiated sanctity.

Finishing, she lifted her head, revealing breathtaking beauty. Pointed ears and clear blue eyes marked her elf—Ariel, high elf, Black Raven vice-captain.

"……."

Ariel's long lashes fluttered as she slowly opened her eyes.

"…The captain has returned."

Her calm, clear voice echoed in the silence. Light gleamed in her blue eyes.