Most unregistered skilled espers and guides were affiliated with AGT. AGT had gradually built up its power until it became large enough to warrant government attention.

“Ho-yun will also observe this time. Ji-woo, you go too.”

“Yes.”

“Even if we encounter AGT inside the dungeon, our lives won’t be threatened.”

Before anyone could ask why, Kang No-hun naturally continued his explanation.

“It’s not that I trust them, but I’ve received reports that the magical energy inside the dungeon is unstable. They’ll surely know this too. If they recklessly use wide-range attacks, the place will collapse. So we need to be careful too.”

Satisfied with No-hun’s explanation, no further questions were raised.

“What about the collection team?”

“This time, go together. The resource collection team will be waiting outside.”

Usually, after clearing a dungeon, they leave without closing it. Since they need to extract as many resources as possible, the collection team takes several days to gather resources from the dungeon.

For maximum efficiency, after the attack team withdraws, the collection team proceeds with just a few espers.

“What’s the target time?”

“The goal is to clear the dungeon by tomorrow noon, and this time the collection team will follow our instructions to enter, with resource collection completed before 7 PM.”

The government’s firm determination to collect resources despite the instability was evident.

After all, they were essentially fighting for the monsters and resources inside. It meant they should work quickly and withdraw before AGT could steal the resources.

“Wouldn’t it be better to reinforce personnel outside the dungeon too?”

“Due to the urgent schedule, Attack Team 1 adjusted their schedule, but other teams can’t.”

“Then.”

“That’s why we’re going as soon as we get the information. Hit fast and get out. This is the safest method.”

Ju-eon nodded at No-hun’s firm words. It was better to strike first than prepare for friction.

“They always say we’re short-staffed. Can’t we add more people?”

Ji-woo complained, resting his chin on his hand with his elbow on the desk.

“If it were that easy to find people with these skills, we wouldn’t be paid so much.”

“…Tch.”

“We’ll depart in two hours. Everyone prepare properly.”

“Yes!”

Everyone stood up with serious expressions. An A-class dungeon. Although Attack Team 1 had the most experience with dangerous dungeons, unexpected situations always occurred in A-class or higher dungeons, no matter how well-prepared they were.

Ju-eon returned to his spot and rummaged through his bag while pressing his temples. He grabbed the medicine bottle rolling around in his bag. Yesterday’s terrible pain had made him realize how important the medicine was.

If the pain started here, and if they encountered AGT then… Only the worst scenarios circled in his mind. They said the chances of meeting were low. So it should be fine. Ju-eon calmly prepared to leave.

“Senior. What should I prepare?”

“Ah.”

Ho-yun was standing beside Ju-eon with a friendly face, though he wasn’t sure when he’d arrived. Glancing at the time, there was enough time to send an email. Ju-eon, who had been about to go to the supply room, sat back down.

“First, I’ll send you the work order. And what you need to get from the supply room too. Since we’ll have to discuss it there anyway, I’ll send it by email for now.”

“Yes. Thank you.”

Regardless of his personal feelings about Ho-yun, he intended to make the handover thorough. So detailed and meticulous that there wouldn’t be anything left to ask later.

Soon enough, he’d have to figure things out on his own anyway.

**

Bang-!

Myung-hwon’s gun made a sharp explosive sound as it pierced through a monster in the dungeon. While it was getting cold outside as autumn was ending, the dungeon was incomparably colder. Their breath came out as white mist with every exhale.

A monkey-like monster covered in white fur threatened the team members with its gleaming red eyes.

Swoosh!

Swoosh!

“These crazy monkey bastards keep coming!”

“It’s really wide and cold.”

While Ji-woo was disgusted, Yun-jin hugged her arms and made a fuss.

Bang-!

“Phew….”

Monsters died helplessly every time Myung-hwon fired his gun. Myung-hwon’s nature was closer to heat. It was the opposite compatibility with this dungeon. While the advantage was that he could deal great damage to monsters, the disadvantage was the high stamina consumption.

But it was just a matter of handling things quickly before his stamina dropped. Yeo Myung-hwon was unrivaled not only in his ability’s destructive power but also in his application of abilities and combat sense.

“Seems like it’s rated A-class because the dungeon interior is so wide?”

“Looks like it won’t be as difficult as we thought.”

When Yun-jin and No-hun had used their abilities to their limits, Ju-eon stepped forward. It was better to reset now than guide later.

“Cough.”

When he finished guiding the two, he started coughing and broke into a cold sweat.

“Ju-eon, are you okay?”

“Yes. I’m fine.”

He had felt that guiding had become a bit more difficult lately. Ju-eon smiled bitterly, now knowing the reason, and was about to go to Myung-hwon.

“As for Myung-hwon…”

“I’m still fine though.”

“I’ll do it.”

Ho-yun quickly stepped forward.

“Huh?”

“I should do my part too. Since I’ll be doing it from now on anyway, it’s better to start early.”

Ho-yun strode toward Myung-hwon. Myung-hwon glanced slightly at Ju-eon, but that was all. Myung-hwon looked at Ho-yun with what seemed like acceptance and slightly closed his eyes.

He knew that Ji-woo had occasionally guided Myung-hwon. But that was always when Ju-eon wasn’t around. It meant he had never directly seen anyone else guide Myung-hwon.

Ho-yun’s long fingers wrapped around Myung-hwon’s back. Guiding varies in form depending on the guide’s personality. The compatibility and relationship with the partner are also important, so the guiding method can change depending on the partner.

“Your guiding method is unique.”

Myung-hwon said in a monotone voice. His voice, which had been engulfed in heat, visibly stabilized in an instant. The two faced each other with their foreheads touching. They gazed at each other from an extremely close distance.

This must be Ho-yun’s way, making skin contact like this. He knew that. It couldn’t be helped. But it also couldn’t be helped that his own mood was dropping.

It was impossible to remain unaffected while seeing with his own eyes that there was someone who could calm Myung-hwon faster than himself.

‘I guess I’ll have to get used to this from now on.’

Just as Ju-eon lowered his gaze.

Boom!

An explosive sound that shook the air came from the path they had already passed through. They had underestimated just how crazy AGT was.

“Take cover!”

At No-hun’s command, all team members hid behind a curved wall using the terrain. Though breathless, they held their breath without even thinking about panting.

Boom!

This time the explosion sound was even louder. Fragments of exploded rocks rolled to Ju-eon’s feet.

Crackle.

Ju-eon examined the piece that had come to the front of his shoe. He could feel an electric current from the stone.

‘Electricity?’

If the massive explosion sound that shook the entire dungeon wasn’t from a weapon but an esper’s ability, they were at least A-class. Ju-eon swallowed hard.

He hoped the esper using electric abilities was from another team that had been deployed simultaneously due to a scheduling error, but there were no registered espers with electric abilities in the agency except for Seo Yun-jin.

Step, step.

As the footsteps drew closer, the conversation became clearer.

“Did they go further inside? I told you we should walk faster.”

“These bastards are fast. Speed up.”

Then there was only one answer – ‘AGT’ had come. They had come early to avoid them, but ended up encountering them inside anyway.

Their method of entry was extremely aggressive. If No-hun’s instructions had been even slightly delayed, there might have been casualties.

The prediction report that they would control their attacks because wide-range attacks would destabilize the dungeon was wrong. They didn’t fear death. They were the kind who would even give up their lives to eliminate key government personnel.

Ju-eon calmed his growing anxiety while feeling the cold of the wall against his back.

No-hun raised his hand. Myung-won and Seo Yun-jin nodded slightly, recognizing the signal. Ju-eon clutched his rapidly beating heart. Though he didn’t think Myung-hwon was weak, even the strongest could get hurt in this situation.

His nerves were stretched taut.

Step, step.

“Huh?”

“What’s wrong?”

Pause.

“Hey. Something’s weird.”

Just as one of the approaching people stopped walking and expressed doubt, No-hun signaled for an attack with his hand.

They couldn’t lose the initiative in the dungeon. To minimize damage, they needed to handle this quickly and precisely.

Boom boom boom!

At the forefront was Myung-hwon, who had the strongest attack power. Instead of shooting his gun, Myung-hwon stretched out his hand and caused an explosion. Rather than targeting the opponent precisely, he unleashed a wide-range attack. It was an overwhelming force that could be called excessive. Behind him, Kang No-hun and Seo Yun-jin followed up with attacks to prevent the opponent from counterattacking.