Chapter 8
───
<Announcement>
The Raid Dungeon will open.
Duration: September 30, 2032, to October 31, 2032
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Unlike other dungeons or quests that Awakeners had to find on their own, this type of announcement appeared directly in the Status Window of every Awakener.
It even provided the exact date and location.
It was clear that the system was designed to gather Awakeners in one place and make them compete.
Whether the ‘system’ had any form of consciousness was still unknown, but that didn’t matter.
During this period, Awakeners from all over the world moved frantically to challenge the Raid Dungeon.
The rewards that poured out were numerous: weapons, talismans, skills, stats, and even diamonds.
It was an ideal opportunity for anyone, no matter their status, to make a big profit in one go.
At this point, participating in a raid was the fastest way for me to make a significant amount of money.
The raid was the core of my ‘11.5 billion Plan,’ and all the groundwork I had been laying was for this purpose.
‘Total base stats under 75. I meet the conditions.’
───
Location:
Total base stats under 75: Syria
Total base stats 75 to under 135: Indonesia
Total base stats 135 to under 180: Finland
…
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Total base stats. The difficulty of the Raid Dungeon was divided based on this number.
Base stats referred to pure stat values with all influences from Guardian Spirits, talismans, and skills removed.
In simpler terms, it was akin to a level indicator for Awakeners.
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Strength: 10 (+1)
Vitality: 10 (+1)
Reflex: 10 (+1)
Focus: 10 (+1)
Willpower: 20 (+1)
───
My total base stats amounted to 60, placing me in the ‘under 75 group’ headed to Syria.
This was the section that often served as a debut stage for many rookie Awakeners.
However, even within the ‘under 75’ group, there were significant differences.
Some Awakeners came armed with excellent Guardian Spirits and top-notch gear, while others were far more ordinary.
Just as there was a huge difference in my stats before and after using Evil Dragon Magic Arts.
‘Until last year, or even just a few months ago, I was at the bottom of that gap, but not anymore.’
In the past, competing with others was out of the question, but this year was different. Now, I was the owner of a Legendary Guardian Spirit.
An all-rounder type Legendary Guardian Spirit, something most could only dream of.
“No need for a receipt.”
I turned away after buying a drink at the duty-free convenience store.
Just then, I made eye contact with a man passing by. His eyes widened in recognition, and he blurted out in amazement.
“Oh? Oh, oh!”
I knew that face too.
“Hyung-nim! You’re that guy, right?”
It was the same man I had encountered in the centipede dungeon, almost becoming prey to thugs.
***
[(Mirae International Corp.) Director Lee Jin-yoon]
The business card of that naive-looking man.
His title was Director, even though he looked like he hadn’t even served in the military yet.
He hadn’t climbed up from the bottom, of course.
He was only a non-executive director, placed there thanks to his parents’ influence.
He admitted as much himself.
“Hehe.”
I figured as much when I saw him carrying an expensive-looking weapon into that kind of dungeon.
A son of a wealthy family, without a doubt.
Even his clothes spoke volumes—seemingly simple but all luxury brands on closer inspection.
“Mirae… could it be?”
But the real issue was that his wealthy family wasn’t just any rich family.
“Mirae Department Store?”
“Yes. Haha.”
Lee Jin-yoon laughed, somewhat embarrassed.
Mirae Group, famous for its department stores, was led by Baek Soon-deok, the sister of Baek Ga-deok, the former chairman of Baeksan Group, Korea’s largest corporate conglomerate.
“Chairwoman Baek Soon-deok of Mirae Group is…”
“She’s my grandmother.”
In other words, this guy was a member of the formidable Baeksan family, Korea’s most powerful conglomerate lineage.
He was also a distant relative—sixth cousin—of Baek Sun-yul, the Holy King and Korea’s strongest Awakener.
“What the…”
Knowing this made the events of that day even more puzzling.
“Why were you being chased by those thugs?”
It was incomprehensible that someone of his status had nearly been killed by street thugs in such a place.
For one, it was strange that no one was there to protect him.
A person of his standing should have been accompanied by a skilled Awakener acting as a bodyguard.
Even without a bodyguard, his personal combat abilities should have been noteworthy. With the family’s generous support, he should have had gear and Guardian Spirits far superior to those thugs.
So why had he been so helpless there?
Lee Jin-yoon answered my question with an awkward smile.
“Well, actually… I’m just really cowardly.”
“What?”
“In any dangerous situation, I freeze up, and my mind goes blank. So that day… all I could do was run.”
He added that, fortunately, the thugs hadn’t been able to break through his talisman’s defensive barrier, which saved his life.
In other words, he had been wearing an exceptionally high-performance talisman, and even though the thugs had attacked him relentlessly with knives and axes, they couldn’t break the barrier, resulting in a chase-and-escape scenario.
In short, this guy could have easily taken down those thugs while enduring their attacks if he wanted to.
But he admitted he was too scared and just stood there, taking the hits.
“Geez… No, that’s beside the point. Why were you alone? No bodyguards? Your parents just let you go like that?”
“I went there to build my courage. Without telling anyone.”
I let out a sigh.
In the end, that incident was basically a story of a reckless prince who sneaked out of the palace and almost got killed.
And I was the one who saved him.
What a frustrating guy.
Of course, as I listened to his story, I had to suppress a smile trying to break out on my face.
‘This guy is a goldmine.’
From my perspective, it was a very favourable situation.
He had money in abundance and now owed a debt to me, a somewhat clumsy member of a powerful conglomerate family.
“Anyway, hyung-nim, I truly appreciate what you did. I was so out of it that day that I just ran, but I’m glad I got to meet you again today.”
He bowed deeply, showing genuine politeness.
At least his family taught him proper manners.
“It’s enough that you’re thankful.”
“I really want to repay you somehow…”
“Oh, really?”
I smiled and, trying to appear relaxed, tapped him on the shoulder.
“Then buy me a drink sometime.”
There was no need to rush.
Slowly.
Asking for something right away would be a rookie mistake.
Building a long-term connection with people like him was far more advantageous.
“Of course! That’s the least I could do!”
Lee Jin-yoon’s face lit up with joy.
“Hyung-nim, if you give me your contact, I’ll definitely treat you to a drink next time!”
I introduced myself, and we exchanged phone numbers.
“Jin-yoon!”
A woman’s voice called out to him from a distance.
“Oh, yeah! Yuna!”
“Hurry up! We need to catch the plane!”
“Got it! …Hyung-nim, I’ll definitely reach out when I’m back in Korea!”
“Sure, sure.”
He bowed politely and left in a hurry.
He was holding a plane ticket with the following destination:
‘DXB’
Dubai International Airport.
‘So, he’s heading for the raid.’
It was a stopover on the same route as my flight to Syria.
The airport was particularly packed with Awakeners today.
***
After a 13-hour flight, I arrived in Syria.
Finding the exact location of the Raid Dungeon wasn’t difficult.
All I had to do was follow the system’s guidance.
Bustling.
Around the portal to the Raid Dungeon, an enormous crowd had already gathered.
What used to be a barren, desolate plain was now filled with tents and vehicles.
Awakeners preparing for the raid.
Merchants selling various items to those Awakeners.
Tourists who came just to watch.
Journalists covering the event.
People of all kinds, with different statuses and purposes, had come together in one place.
At a glance, it looked almost like a festival.
But such a large gathering of Awakeners was akin to a powder keg that could explode at any moment.
The news reports about ‘military tension’ were not exaggerated.
“Get your raid essentials! You’ll regret not buying them before you go in!”
Peddlers with makeshift stalls crowded the area around the portal to the Raid Dungeon, blocking the entrance.
Their obstruction caused significant delays for the Awakeners trying to enter.
“Move! Move!”
“What’s your problem? Why are you interfering with someone’s business?”
“Can’t you see the people waiting? They can’t get through because of you!”
“How is that my problem? Tell someone else to move!”
Fights broke out as tensions flared.
The problem was that none of these people were ordinary humans.
If any violence erupted, this massive crowd would instantly turn into a bloodbath.
Each person here was practically a weapon of mass destruction.
“You bastard!”
“What? Want to fight?”
“Hey, someone stop them!”
Two people who had been arguing drew their weapons.
Their weapons glowed blue, and it seemed like the projection weapons of their Guardian Spirits were about to clash, creating an explosive situation.
All the Awakeners, myself included, who were watching the scene grew tense. No one knew when or how the conflict might spread.
“Wait, wait!”
Suddenly, a lively voice shattered the tense atmosphere.
The owner of the voice boldly stepped between the two men, grabbing their gleaming blades and spearheads with her bare hands.
“Don’t fight; talk it out! Mr. Dwight, calm down.”
It was Leah.
She managed to quell their anger instantly.
She seemed to already know one of them.
After exchanging a few words, the man and the peddler shook hands, creating an atmosphere of reconciliation.
It only took five minutes.
‘What the… such charisma.’
In just a few moments, Leah had turned two people who were ready to kill each other into friends.
It was an incredible ability, almost like a power from a Guardian Spirit.
As the situation settled and the chaotic atmosphere began to return,
“Hey! Shin-woo!”
Leah spotted me and walked over.
“It’s been a while! How have you been?”
“Just getting by. How about you?”
“I’ve been great!”
“You’re here for the raid too?”
I naturally asked her that question. Just like last time, and now today, we were meeting again in an area frequented by Awakeners.
I had a feeling, but it seemed confirmed now—Leah was definitely an Awakener as well.
“No, no!”
But she waved her hand and shook her head.
“I’m here to make friends!”
“What?”
“Look at this.”
She showed me her phone. It was filled with countless photos of her posing with people, young and old alike. All taken today.
But every single person in those photos had one thing in common.
‘They’re all carrying incredibly expensive weapons.’
Only then did I start to see the picture I hadn’t noticed before. Groups of people that ordinary Awakeners couldn’t even approach were stationed all around.
Most of these groups were connected to famous corporations. Either they were part of the owner’s family or the owners themselves.
This place was a social gathering spot for the wealthy.
Especially in this area for beginner Awakeners with a total base stat under 75, it held particular significance.
‘A debut stage for those who have just become Awakeners… No wonder it’s drawing so much attention.’
Leah was here to network with such people.
They were the future prospects of this era where Awakeners had become the new elite class.
“I see…”
“Yeah. What about you? You’re here for the raid, right?”
She asked, smiling brightly.
“Well… yeah.”
“Let’s take a picture together too!”
Suddenly, she put her arm around my shoulder and held up her camera.
Click. Click, click, click.
Before I knew it, I had become part of her ‘Rich Friends’ list.
I couldn’t help but get swept up in her overwhelming charisma.
“Good luck! Make sure to reach out after it’s over!”
Then, she waved and disappeared quickly, off to connect with other powerful figures.
I stared blankly at her retreating figure.
That charming smile that drew in both men and women alike.
I couldn’t yet know what motives were hidden behind it.
—
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