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151
(Shall we leave it at this?)
The meeting that doubled as an information briefing continued for over four hours.
With 22 selected members and five reserves — adding Luna and Raphina, there was quite a lot to discuss.
“Yes. The organized information should be more than sufficient.”
The notes filling the notebook had no shortcomings.
Because the subjugation scene was already taking shape in his mind.
(So what do you think it will be like? Even if the Snow Drake comes out at level 300, it won’t be easy.)
Even by vanguard standards, a level 300 field boss was a considerably difficult opponent.
If the structure allowed for multiple retry attempts, it could be addressed step by step — but this time was different.
It had to succeed using the first-entry rights granted to Black Dragon.
“More than the level, what matters is how well everyone follows my plan. In combat the situation changes every second, so immediate response is the key.”
(You did pick people who are reasonable to deal with — but isn’t it difficult to watch all the raid members and give commands?)
“For a raid this size, it’s fine. The broad framework will be set before we enter the fortress.”
(……You call this a matter of ‘size.’)
Unlike ordinary games, in RP even keeping all raid members in view was difficult.
And on top of that — watching the movements of dozens of vanguards on a battlefield where a powerful boss like the Snow Drake was running wild and issuing commands?
The number of people capable of that could be counted on one hand.
If this subjugation ended successfully, what kind of ripple effect would come next.
Luna found herself genuinely curious about that.
(The briefing before entering the fortress will be important. Still — these are people who’ve been grinding hard, so understanding should be quick. Haemu…… well, we can only hope they show up on time.)
“No need to worry too much about that vanguard Haemu. I think I have a sense of what role would work for them.”
601st ranked vanguard, Haemu.
Their abilities, true to the name, were related to sea mist.
Stealth, disruption, ambush and other assassination types, and magic of protection and blocking.
A kind far more difficult and powerful than techniques using ordinary shadows.
Not a hidden skill — but it was fair to say comparable in value.
(I’m most curious to see how you’ll make use of that one. Well then — shall we meet tomorrow?)
“Ah, if it’s alright, could you log on at 4 PM? There’s a little I’d like to talk about after receiving the items from Vestige. I’d be grateful if you could come to the Ifrit adventurer’s guild.”
(Works for me. I’ll see you tomorrow at 4 PM then. If you need anything else, just let me know anytime.)
“Yes, thank you.”
Click—
The conversation concluded with a farewell.
Hanbit, having stretched, walked out to the living room.
“Finally out. Should I make dinner?”
His mother, who had come home at some point, rose from her seat.
Hanbit, walking over quickly, settled her back down and said:
“I’ll manage on my own. And tomorrow’s lunch is on me, so don’t worry about anything else.”
“You? You’re going to cook?”
His mother widened her eyes in surprise.
Because while he had helped with various preparations here and there, he had never properly cooked a meal.
‘Cooking has been a bit awkward.’
He hadn’t cooked at home since completing military service.
Going straight into working right after…… was a convenient excuse.
“My cooking has improved a lot. I’ll make something good.”
“If you burn the pot, you know what happens.”
“Oh come on. Why would I burn the pot?”
“Hmm…….”
His mother narrowed her eyes and pondered her son’s future.
Of course there was no reason to stop him from doing what he wanted.
“Alright. Try not to let Mom starve at lunch.”
“Look forward to it. I’ll have you asking for more.”
“Yes yes, young master. Please, by all means.”
Having exchanged that playful banter, Hanbit immediately put together a late dinner for himself.
There was one reason cooking suddenly came up.
Because food had to be made for the raid members tomorrow.
Thinking about that, the desire to treat his mother first arose.
The type would be quite different — but still.
“Let me try again.”
Hanbit, having returned to his room, sat at the desk.
Shifting his gaze to the notebook, he began organizing the detailed instructions.
***
The next day at noon.
Having done the grocery shopping, Hanbit prepared food with the intensity of someone competing in a competition.
The menu centered on things his mother liked — japchae, seasoned bellflower root, braised short ribs, mushroom doenjang jjigae and the like.
“……You made all this yourself?”
His mother, having sat down at the neatly set table, widened her eyes.
“You’ve been watching from behind the whole time. Go ahead and try it.”
Hanbit, seated across, gestured.
His mother, wearing a puzzled expression, scooped up some jjigae and brought it to her mouth.
“……?”
Eyes going wide once more at the taste.
His mother picked up her chopsticks and quickly tasted the other dishes.
Hanbit, watching that, smiled and asked:
“It’s good, isn’t it?”
“You — where did you learn to cook?”
Every single dish astonishingly delicious.
Remarkable enough to make one wonder if he had been dreaming of becoming a chef.
“Picked it up here and there in the military. I should eat too.”
Having given a suitable answer, Hanbit began eating together.
His mother had been sending a baffled look, but before long she began moving the hand holding the spoon.
“Did you eat well?”
Having finished the meal and the dishes, Hanbit asked his mother as she was clearing the table.
“I ate well. I could stand to be fed like this every day.”
“I’ll do that. Mornings and evenings when you’re not at work…….”
“I can’t even joke. Are you trying to take away the pleasure of cooking for my son too?”
The playful conversation kept going on and on.
Having talked to his heart’s content, Hanbit returned to his room.
“If it’s 3 o’clock…… that’s right on time.”
Having checked the time, he put on the gear and lay down on the bed.
The log-in screen appearing, vision becoming clear.
Where Hanbit was standing was in front of the player cooking station in the Ifrit marketplace.
‘Cooking is all prepared.’
Flaming Honey Fruit Punch made for the raid members.
The ingredient cost alone ran to ten million gold — but not a bit of it felt wasted.
Unlike the time when the goal was only to retrieve the heirloom, this time the Snow Drake had to be subjugated.
Ding—
Just then, mail arrived along with the alert sound.
The sender was Vestige’s vanguard Titan.
「Titan」
「All the promised items have been obtained. Sent everything including things obtained alongside — please check. I’ve also kept a recording of the acquisition footage.」
Two vanguards who fulfilled the promise safely within 24 hours.
Hanbit, having scanned through the list, sent a reply.
「Black Dragon」
「Good work. Then please proceed with the stalled episode at your own pace, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.」
「Titan」
「Already moving. Going by the information you gave us, it should be finished within today — so I’ll continue straight on to the next.」
The word ‘at your own pace’ had been deliberately included — but it carried little practical meaning.
Breaker and Titan, who had played through the night, were already in a state full of enthusiasm.
The dungeon, monster, and terrain information Hanbit had conveyed for item farming.
That every last detail had not deviated by a single word — the two vanguards had realized this through direct play.
Trust in the player called Black Dragon had naturally formed.
‘Either way, the ability is certain.’
The two had kept their promise admirably.
Giving one small hint next time would be good.
Having closed the message, Hanbit immediately checked the first item.
[Bell of Awakening Resonance]
Rank: 6
Grade: Heroic
Description: An item obtainable at a low probability from the guardian protecting gold ingots stockpiled in a sea cave. Draws out the potential of party players, raising all stats by 30% for a brief period.
Completely destroyed and consumed after 3 uses.
A trophy obtainable from the monster called the Guardian of the Ingots.
In the other world, it had been an effect influencing an extremely narrow range — in the game, it was restricted to party.
The performance itself was good, but the meaning was ambiguous by raid standards.
However, a method to compensate for this shortcoming was already in Hanbit’s hands.
[Soul Horn]
Rank: 4
Grade: Unique
Description: A horn that produces a sound that stirs the soul. Strengthens the ability and mental power of living creatures within a specific range.
‘Good thing I didn’t use it.’
An item obtained from the dungeon — Irtelroger’s Aquarium.
Originally it had been intended for use during the Ifrit episode.
Thanks to situations that had changed from the past, the best result had been achieved without needing to use it.
Shhk—
Hanbit immediately took out the second item attached in the mailbox.
[Chaos and Disorder Crafting Cube]
Rank: ?
Grade: ?
Description: In the chaos and disorder, you shall see the dark and the light.
A reward obtained by the two vanguards from the first dungeon.
True to its name and description — an item impossible to pin down.
Something like: put materials inside the pitch-black cube and they get mixed up at random.
Of course, depending on the combination, a highly successful craft could also result, so the potential was on the higher side.
‘Crafting for later — and this one is something for the Tower of Vortex……’
Hanbit, scanning the remaining list, organized his thoughts.
In the meantime, the appointed time had arrived before he knew it, so he headed straight to the adventurer’s guild.
“Hello?”
Luna was already waiting at the building entrance.
Raphina, standing beside her, was waiting with an excited expression for Hanbit to approach.
“Hello. You came together?”
“Yes. Raphina happened to be at the garden too……”
“I succeeded in contracting with intermediate spirits!”
Raphina, seeming unable to contain herself, raised her voice as she drew close.
Fortunately, she had finished sooner than Hanbit’s estimated time.
“Congratulations. You’ve finally cleared the big hurdle.”
“Yes! It was all possible because Black Dragon-nim took me to the garden. Thank you so much!”
Contracting with intermediate spirits was quite significant.
Even with talent, depending on the situation an enormously long time could be required.
“The skill is still to come, right?”
“The skill seems to need a little more communion. The contract was just made……”
Spirit skills could also be learned from spirits.
However, unlike learning from a spirit user, they tended to be more simple and concentrated on the element itself.
For Hanbit with Elemental Awakening and the title effect — not a technique needed immediately.
“You’ll probably be able to learn it before long. Communion and contracting are the most difficult areas.”
“Yes! I’ll work on learning it right away!”
Raphina, giving a nod and firming her resolve.
Luna, who had been watching the exchange with amusement, suddenly asked:
“Speaking of which — did you receive the promised items alright?”
“Got them a little while ago. Ah, the reason I asked to meet you, Luna — it was because of this item…….”
Hanbit took out a red mask and handed it to her.
The Frenzied Dance Mask obtained from yet another dungeon by Vestige’s vanguards.
It was not quite a normal item, true to its name.
[Frenzied Dance Mask]
Rank: 6
Grade: Unique
Description: A mask worn by a dancing mad spirit. The player wearing the mask receives diminished physical control in exchange for extraordinary combat ability. Only female players may equip it.
When used once, the mask shatters and converts to a material item.
“What a curious item.”
Luna examined the information with interest.
Having turned the mask over, she gave a quiet smile and continued:
“Could I wear this?”
“……What?”
The out-of-the-blue statement caught Hanbit off guard.
Because the original purpose had been to get a recommendation for who should use it.
“The feeling of losing physical control will be quite unpleasant. Wouldn’t it be better to recommend someone among the raid members who could afford to pour out damage and then rest?”
“Then I just need to not lose it, right?”
“That’s technically true, but……”
Hanbit had experienced wearing this mask when possessing the body of a female adventurer.
An unpleasant sensation like someone had plugged a remote control into the brain to operate it.
And the feeling of being subjected to it even while aware — it was close to humiliating.
“It’s fine. Trust me once.”
Luna smiled as though finding the reaction amusing.
The risk of weakened physical control was to her nothing more than an element of interest.
Perhaps because she had sufficient confidence, and sufficient ability, to overcome it.
“……Understood. If something goes wrong, I’ll respond immediately.”
Having settled that, Hanbit headed with the two toward the building behind the adventurer’s guild.
A space something like a tactical briefing room available for player use.
Arriving at the room with the agreed number, the vanguards came into view.
‘Haemu isn’t here.’
Exactly the number of people expected — minus one — were present.
Having exchanged messages with Luna in the morning, Hanbit looked at them and said:
“Thank you for coming. Then I’ll begin the Snow Drake briefing right away.”
