Chapter 132: Large-Scale Raid - (1)
Until it was two hours before departure.
Sanghyun devised a strategy for inside the dungeon together with Igah Hee and Jung Junhyuk.
The team composition was excellent.
What Sanghyun needed most were a mage and a healer, and coincidentally, the composition matched perfectly.
It had been an impossible plan to begin with if attempted alone, so the presence of the two was essential.
Before the strategy discussion, Sanghyun laid out a major premise.
It was an explanation for why he knew the interior of the dungeon so clearly.
<I acquired inside information on this dungeon before it became widely known.>
<It’s something even Mr. Do Kyungsoo doesn’t know, so asking him would get you the same answer.>
He couldn’t reveal his regression, so he came up with a plausible excuse, and they believed it without doubt.
Such situations were actually quite common.
There’s a reason dungeon raids by players are often called battles of information.
With intel, even a death sentence can be reversed, and without it, survival can turn to death.
That’s why there were even specialists known as “scouts” who dealt solely in reliable dungeon intel.
Han Hyunjeong also had some ties within that world of “scouts.”
Because trust in her was high, the information she sold was valued greatly by players.
Soon, a plan was established.
Sanghyun thoroughly explained all the variables and unusual points that could arise while moving along the planned route.
He also assigned each member their respective roles.
Naturally, Sanghyun became the leader, and with that in place, the other two found it easy to follow along.
A situation where the lowest-level player was the leader! It could have felt odd, but no one raised an objection.
“Think of us as a separate squad. No need to overthink it. We're targeting the dungeon's weak points.”
Sanghyun caught Igah Hee’s attention as she clutched her forehead, reviewing the strategies and tactics.
From Team 1 to Team 15.
The 75 members of the Sword Demon–Sword God Team led by Do Kyungsoo would engage in an all-out battle against the large-scale undead legion.
That side had their own task.
Sanghyun intended to create a variable while everyone’s attention was fixed on Do Kyungsoo.
Right then.
A call came from Do Kyungsoo.
“Yes, this is Shin Sanghyun.”
<If you're free, could you come up for a bit?>
“Yes, I’ll head there right away.”
It was a summons.
Sanghyun gestured toward the upper part of the building to Igah Hee and Jung Junhyuk.
To them, Do Kyungsoo was someone they had to make a good impression on.
The reason they were able to participate in this raid was to earn a spot as mercenaries in the Sword Demon–Sword God Team.
“Take care up there.”
“Ms. Igah Hee and I will go over the plan one more time. Be careful!”
Since Sanghyun was going as their representative, both of them clenched their fists and gave him their support.
* * *
Sanghyun soon arrived at Do Kyungsoo’s office.
Contrary to his expectations of antique furniture or luxurious interior design.
The inside was minimalist.
It felt more like a massive training hall? But instead, there were countless swords on display.
‘They're all Artifacts.’
Each sword exuded a mana aura. Proof that they were not imitations.
Unable to resist his growing curiosity, Sanghyun asked.
“Are all of these sword-type Artifacts you've collected?”
“That’s right. I have no interest in collecting anything else, but when it comes to swords, I can’t help myself.”
“There are really an overwhelming number.”
“Each one has a different nature. Swift blades, fast blades, heavy blades, chaotic blades. Each one wants to be handled differently.”
That kind of collection was envy-inducing.
Sanghyun, both in his previous and current life, had walked a path solely as a swordsman.
In terms of attachment to the sword, he could confidently say he had no less than Do Kyungsoo—perhaps even more.
As they both stood looking at the swords, Do Kyungsoo spoke again.
“I called you because I had something to say.”
“Yes, please go ahead.”
“I assigned you to an external team by standard procedure. But if you want, I can assign you to the main team. What do you think?”
“I’m fine. I don’t think that would be appropriate.”
Sanghyun flatly rejected Do Kyungsoo’s offer. The response came so quickly that it even surprised Do Kyungsoo.
“Why wouldn’t it be appropriate?”
“Verification is done by guilds, the Union, even small freelance teams. Let alone your team, Mr. Do Kyungsoo.”
“Meaning you can’t avoid it?”
“Yes. I don’t need special treatment. My value is something I need to prove myself—no one else can do it for me.”
Do Kyungsoo’s gaze wavered.
Sanghyun’s bold reply struck deep within his chest.
It was such a basic truth.
But wasn’t this an era where even basic truths were fading? Everyone wanted shortcuts.
Sanghyun insisted on doing things properly. He responded so quickly it was as if it hadn’t even been a matter of concern.
It was clear Sanghyun hadn’t said what Do Kyungsoo wanted to hear—he said what he himself wanted to say.
“Alright. What do you think of the other members?”
“It would’ve been better if the team was formed a little earlier. Other than the lack of real-time coordination, I’m satisfied.”
“I’m sorry about that. I didn’t think forming a one-man team made sense, so I wanted to give you teammates.”
“Through virtual simulations and sharing skill data, we’ve synced up to a decent extent, so you don’t need to worry.”
“You’re quite skilled. Honestly, I thought you’d be confused.”
“Confusion stabilizes over time, doesn’t it? As long as the person involved stays grounded.”
“A real gem of a quote. That’s a great line.”
Do Kyungsoo laughed heartily.
He was clearly speaking with someone ten years younger, yet the conversation felt like one with a respected elder.
Do Kyungsoo found this strange dissonance quite enjoyable. It was part of Sanghyun’s charm.
He added more.
“Surprise us. As long as it doesn’t interfere with the team’s raid, I’ll respect whatever creativity you bring.”
“Thank you.”
“Don’t be afraid of making mistakes.”
“Thank you for giving me such a great opportunity. I plan to gain a lot. And to earn a lot, too.”
“Of course. Our Sword Demon–Sword God Team has very strict loot distribution rules, you know.”
Do Kyungsoo’s team distributed loot strictly based on contribution.
Even as the leader, if he didn’t contribute, he wouldn’t get even a single crumb.
Because the merit-based reward system was so clear, satisfaction among members was always high.
“I’ll see you shortly.”
“Right. Do your best.”
“This is going to be a pretty difficult raid. Be careful of injuries, and watch out for any variables.”
“This place is also called the Frozen Hell. Once you get stuck, there’s no end to it.”
“Of course.”
Sanghyun replied with a smile.
He had already finished preparing for the elemental properties.
Now it was time to pack up the essentials for the raid.
A dungeon of immeasurable scale.
In dungeons like this, even mid-boss-level monsters appeared in dozens, and sometimes there wasn’t just one boss.
In other words, for Sanghyun, there were many possible sources of guaranteed unique-grade Artifacts.
And so began the large-scale raid with a total of 78 participants.
Since his regression, this was also Sanghyun’s first time participating in a large group raid!
He couldn’t afford to let his guard down.
* * *
As soon as they entered the dungeon ‘World of the Forgotten Dead’, a massive snow-covered mountain loomed directly ahead.
‘Just as expected.’
It was exactly as Do Kyungsoo had described.
A mountain where snow was heaped high, and the sunlight reflecting off that snow made it appear eerie with a red hue.
That mountain had devoured all the surrounding landscape, now darkened, fully consumed by the undead.
“It feels like I’m looking at the capital of an empire out of a fantasy novel. That kind of overwhelming pressure.”
Igah Hee’s words beside him perfectly captured the scene.
If not for the undead, it would’ve been a place bustling with people enjoying the richness of the imperial capital.
But now, it was a world filled only with beasts wandering aimlessly, unaware of who they once were.
Right at that moment.
Whoooosh!
A massive storm of cold, originating from the snow-covered mountain, suddenly surged over the imperial capital.
It was a storm that triggered freezing.
Not a guaranteed 100%, but with over a 95% probability of freezing anything it touched—a skill.
Krrrkkk.
At the same time, the undead legion appeared, intending to slaughter the intruders with the cold wind as their ally.
These undead had a special immunity—unaffected by the freezing storm blowing from the mountain.
Zzzzzing!
Jung Junhyuk was the first to react quickly. He deployed the skill ‘Lightning Barrier’.
A current surrounded his body, forming a shield and granting him immunity to status ailments.
But his face darkened instantly—it had consumed 90% of his total mana in a flash.
Shhaaa.
Igah Hee also took action.
The skill she countered with was Warmth of Healing.
It also wrapped her entire body in warmth, acting as a skill granting status ailment immunity.
But her mana consumption was also severe—cold sweat trickled down her face, and dizziness set in.
Most players were the same.
If they didn’t have expensive Artifacts to resist status ailments, they had to “make do” using skills like this.
The problem was that these skills consumed massive mana and had side effects, so they couldn’t be used repeatedly.
At least the Sword Demon–Sword God Team members, clad in luxurious Artifacts,
Crack.
Shhhk.
Allowed their bodies to freeze temporarily, then used their Artifacts to dispel the status, completing their counter.
It was the easiest method.
But because of cooldown times, it wasn’t something they could use carelessly or constantly.
Right then—
“…What the hell?”
Choi Sihu’s mouth dropped open as he watched Sanghyun’s response.
Jung Junhyuk and Igah Hee’s reactions, as members of Team 16, were within expectations—not surprising.
But Sanghyun was different.
As if he had no interest in the storm, he dashed forward, directly embracing the cold wind.
And yet, his body wasn’t freezing!
His movement speed had momentarily slowed but then accelerated again, making him even faster than before.
‘A swordsman is supposed to be the class most in need of protection against status ailments, right?’
Choi Sihu couldn’t understand it.
His level was 350.
As a debuffer player, he had seen countless swordsmen in his time. The Sword Demon–Sword God Team had plenty of them.
While swordsmen were certainly powerful in direct combat, they were weak to magic and status effects.
Even Do Kyungsoo had a weakness to this and used an Artifact to dispel freezing.
But Sanghyun was pushing forward unflinchingly, without any external support or Artifact.
‘Innate resistance? He’s just taking on this near-total freezing storm head-on? Is that even possible?’
It was unbelievable.
Resistance to elemental effects was extremely difficult to build up.
Even with rigorous training, acquiring it as a skill was nearly impossible.
If it had been possible, even Do Kyungsoo would’ve found a way to endure without relying on Artifacts.
But since it wasn’t, even he had to rely on external help.
“Sihu, didn’t I tell you? That Shin Sanghyun guy is way more different than he seems. Look at him, this is only the beginning.”
Do Kyungsoo, who had just dispelled the freezing state, laughed and pointed at Sanghyun, now far ahead.
It was only the beginning.
But just as Do Kyungsoo had said, Choi Sihu started to realize that Sanghyun might be operating on a completely different level.
Meanwhile—
“Haaahp!”
With a loud shout, Sanghyun charged into the center of an undead unit approaching from a side route.
Considering the Sword Demon–Sword God Team hadn’t even begun their offensive yet due to the freezing,
Sanghyun’s bold assault was downright insane.