The tension in the room hung heavy, so palpable that even a newborn baby might sense the change. Finally, Lee Sang-hee, his hesitation evident, broke the silence.
Sang-hee took a deep breath and said, "Currently, all parties except Blue's second and seventh units are isolated in hero-grade dungeons. Life and death counts have not yet been confirmed, but they have confirmed the morning's rescue signal. Considering that they had not been able to send a second signal, it seemed that there was a problem with the parties entering the dungeon."
Seolho nodded and added, "The exact time they entered the dungeon was on the 14th of August, and our last contact was around 6:40 this morning. Is that right?"
"Yes, that's correct,"
The realization settled in – they had entered the dungeon on the 14th of August, before the Blue Guild had even recruited us. It was clear that their expeditions had failed.
Such failures were a common pitfall for guilds, whether large or small. I hadn't been in Lindel for long, but even I knew the risks.
One expedition failure could stagger a small clan, while two could topple even a large guild. The dangers of dungeon exploration were well-known, as was Lindel's reliance on it as a testament of power.
Accidents during an expedition didn't just cause physical harm; they wounded a guild's reputation. It signaled that the unit or party wasn't as formidable as it appeared.
That's why ordinary guilds invested heavily in expedition preparations, some even going so far as to recruit trial parties to gauge a dungeon's difficulty.
Hero-grade dungeons were especially treacherous, with unique mechanics in each one.
I hadn't entered one yet, but I'd heard enough to understand the risks. The Blue Guild was on the precipice of collapse due to multiple expedition failures, and Kim Hyunsung knew it.
Sending a rescue team was a necessity, but there were procedures to follow.
The question now was our course of action. Voices erupted as we began discussing our options. It was all theoretical at this point.
"Should we seek support from another guild?"
"I reached out to the Red Mercenary Guild, but the Mercenary Queen's absence delayed their response. We don't know how long it will take."
"So, you suggest charging in without a solid plan?"
"I'm not saying that. But given that they sent a rescue signal this morning, it's likely that many are still alive. That's why I called this urgent meeting."
"What we lack now is structure, not strategy."
"Perhaps we should consider recruiting retired adventurers."
"But even administrative tasks can tire us old men out."
"But we don't have enough people!"
"Don't we have the seventh unit?"
"The seventh unit? Isn't that the guild's main power?"
'What a deranged old man,' I thought, but I remained silent. I saw where this was going. We were being sent in, regardless of our objections.
The rescue team would undoubtedly face great danger. Even if Hwang Jeong-yeon and Lee Sang-hee volunteered, it wouldn't be enough.
The question was how we would proceed. Dispatching a rescue team was necessary, but it seemed people like Lee Seolho wouldn't willingly put themselves at risk.
"We paid a hefty sum for them. It's time for them to prove their worth."
"They're still a party that hasn't fully matured, Seolho."
"Hwang Jeong-yeon, I know that well. But it's their time to shine. We'll need all the help we can get."
"Even if you put it that way..."
"This is a guild crisis. It's only natural for them to help."
"Then why don't you go with them, Lee Seolho?"
"As a retired adventurer, my body is weak. I've dedicated my life to the guild. While we'd love to rescue them, I must protect the guild in my own way."
"But..."
"Even if we go, we won't be of much help."
"Still, our numbers are insufficient!"
"How are they not enough? We have the seventh unit, don't we?"
"The seventh unit..."
"Isn't it considered the guild's main power?"
'This stubborn old man,' I thought. He was making excuses.
After analyzing him, I realized his stats weren't bad.
He seemed frail on the outside, but he had some fight left. He doubted he'd survive an expedition, so he opted out.
Kim Hyunsung's party—my party—was stuck in the middle. Regardless of the rescue mission's outcome, most blame would fall on us.
"It's not the right time to send the seventh unit."
"But there's no other way, is there?"
"Blue members have been here less than a year."
"But they also received preferential treatment!"
"It's not about preference. It's common sense. No guild sends parties less than a year old to hero-grade dungeons. Most send trial parties."
"A trial party? What a joke! We should send them!"
"Stop."
Lee Sang-hee intervened to end the argument. "We have to wait. Seolho and Jeong-yeon are right. No matter how fast Hyunsung and others grow... It won't help much."
"That's it."
"Please protect the guild in my absence."
"But..."
"This is my decision. For the rest of you going, prepare your people. Aside from this, we can only rely on the support of other guilds now..."
"If that's your final decision..."
I didn't know if Kim Hyunsung had planned this, but if he had, I understood why. If the rescue mission failed, our party would become the most influential unit within Blue. There would be complications, but it would expedite our goals.
However, things might not go as smoothly as we hoped. Kim Hyunsung's next choice was crucial.
"We will go with you."
"What?"
"I already told you. We will go with you."
"Ah, thank you so much..."
I had to support Kim Hyunsung's decision. Both Lee Sang-hee and Hwang Jeong-Yeon had helped me immensely.
"Hyunsung is right. It's only right for us to go together."
'But I feel so anxious...'
Kim Hyunsung had another reason. Perhaps he knew the rewards we could gain from the dungeon. Despite his good intentions, he wasn't a saint.
I spoke up, "Recently, our whole party has made remarkable progress. We all have hero-level third jobs and main stats in the 60s. Jung Hayan has even reached level 70."
"That..."
"Really?"
"Huh..."
"That's nonsense..."
"Of course, this isn't enough. But we're members of the Blue Guild, bonded by contract. We take our responsibilities seriously."
"Kee Miyoung..."
"I've been helped by many people. This time, I want to help you. If we can't proceed, we'll retreat, but please allow us the opportunity."
I lowered my head. Reactions erupted, and while my actions might have seemed reckless, they garnered positive attention.
"I definitely want you guys to go with us!"
"What a touching resolution!"
"Lee Sang-hee, Mr. Kee, and Mr. Hyunsung are volunteering. Since they have their third jobs, they may be able to help. Why not take them?"
For all his foolishness, the old man was correct.
Perhaps I wasn't the only one thinking this way.