The Association staff member, a young man with neatly styled hair and a crisp suit, looked at Mi Ra attentively. He was holding a tablet, already entering some data into it.
Staff Member: "So, you want to register for a raid. Will you be forming your own team, or joining an existing one?"
Mi Ra paused for a second, then nodded decisively.
Mi Ra: "I'll be forming my own group. We have three people already, including myself."
The staff member typed the information into the tablet, his fingers gliding across the screen.
Staff Member: "Got it. An E-Rank Gate requires at least five participants. The group can have up to ten members. At the moment, there are five unassigned hunters available for grouping. You can add them to your team."
Mi Ra: "Alright. Register Park Hyun Woo and Lee Chan Min as part of my group."
She turned to her companions standing behind her, offering an encouraging smile. The staff member quickly entered their details into the system, verifying their registration cards.
Staff Member: "Everything is set. The E-Rank Gate will open today at 7:40 AM. The group leader must be on-site by 7:15 to handle Gate registration."
Mi Ra checked her watch. It read 6:47.
Mi Ra (quickly, in a businesslike tone): "Got it, we'll be there on time."
The staff member nodded, making a few notes on his tablet.
Staff Member: "In five minutes, an Association officer will come to escort you to the Gate and complete your group's registration."
He set aside the tablet, handing back Hyun Woo's and Lee Chan Min's registration cards. Then, after a brief pause, he looked up.
Staff Member: "Please remember the rules. Your safety is your top priority."
Mi Ra (firmly): "Thanks for the reminder. We'll keep that in mind."
The staff member nodded curtly before turning his attention to the next hunters in line, while Mi Ra, Hyun Woo, and Lee Chan Min stepped aside to discuss their next steps.
The three hunters stood near one of the pillars in the hall, watching the hustle and bustle around them. Hunters and Association staff hurried back and forth—some were discussing new assignments, others rushing towards the Gates.
Lee Chan Min: "So, Mi Ra, what's the plan?"
Mi Ra: "Simple. We form our team, clear the Gate, and then we're done."
Hyun Woo (calmly): "Let's hope everyone in the group is as reasonable as you."
Mi Ra smirked, while Lee Chan Min rolled his eyes.
Lee Chan Min: "Yeah, well, after dealing with the 'Riders,' I'm hoping for at least a minimum level of common sense from the rest."
The conversation was interrupted as an Association officer approached them. He was a man in his forties, with a close-cropped haircut and a serious expression. His uniform bore the Association's insignia.
Association Officer: "Mi Ra's group?"
Mi Ra: "Yes, that's us."
Association Officer: "Follow me. I'll take you to the destination and assist with the group registration."
The three hunters nodded silently, following him through the corridors of the Association. Each had their own thoughts about the upcoming task, but they were all united in one thing: today had to be better than the last.
The journey to the Gate was brief but charged with palpable tension. Mi Ra led with unwavering focus and composure, while Hyun Woo, walking beside her, periodically cast glances at Lee Chan Min, who made attempts to mask his evident unease with casual banter.Lee Chan Min (smiling): "Let's hope today's Gates are less chaotic than yesterday's ordeal."
Mi Ra (resolutely): "I'll ensure our group stays unified. You have nothing to worry about."
Mi Ra spoke with apparent confidence, but her eyes hinted at an underlying strain. Hyun Woo wisely refrained from intervening, recognizing that everyone was absorbed in their own reflections.
Upon arrival at their destination, a small contingent of hunters had already assembled, poised for the upcoming sweep. An Association staff member turned toward Mi Ra.
Association Staff Member: "This is your team. Leader, please initiate the registration process."
Mi Ra nodded curtly, then approached the gathered hunters to formally greet them and verify their preparedness.
Mi Ra stepped forward to address the group of hunters gathered near the Gate's entrance. There were five in total: two men and three women. Their expressions reflected tension, yet not intimidation, suggesting a readiness and familiarity with what lay ahead.
Mi Ra stood before them, her demeanor serious as her gaze assessed each member individually.
Mi Ra (calm yet assertive): "Good morning. I'm Mi Ra, your group leader. Today, we'll conduct an E-Rank Gate sweep. Please state your name, rank, and role within the team so that I can efficiently assign tasks."
First to respond was a young woman in her twenties, with cropped blonde hair. She straightened and nodded in acknowledgment.
Young Woman: "My name is Kim Han Na. D-Rank hunter, healer."
The next to speak was a tall, sturdy man in his thirties, with closely cropped black hair.
Tall Man: "Kang Seung Joon. D-Rank, tank."
Then, it was the turn of another woman, distinguished by her long chestnut hair and cautious gaze.
Young Woman: "Oh Hyo Joo, D-Rank, long-range shooter."
The remaining two—a bearded man and a young girl with a braided ponytail—stated their roles as melee fighter and healer's assistant, respectively.
Mi Ra nodded thoughtfully, processing the information, before turning her attention to Hyun Woo and Lee Chan Min.
Mi Ra: "Park Hyun Woo, Lee Chan Min. I trust you're both familiar with your respective roles."
Both men gave faint smiles, after which Mi Ra shifted her focus back to the rest of the group.
Mi Ra (assertively): "All right, we're proceeding through the Gate. Reminder: our objective is to clear the dungeon and collect crystals. Stick to your assigned tasks, and I expect cohesive teamwork—no lone actions. Understood?"
The group nodded in agreement, the air thickening with renewed focus.
An Association staff member approached Mi Ra, handing her a tablet for registering the group's composition. She efficiently input the data, signed off, and received a confirming nod from the staff member, authorizing them to proceed to the Gate.
Association Staff Member: "Best of luck."
Mi Ra inhaled deeply, turned to the group, and raised her hand, gesturing toward the portal.
Mi Ra: "Proceed."
The group began advancing, entering the glowing portal one by one. Hyun Woo was among the last to step through. The moment his body made contact with the Gate's energy, a chill ran along his skin. In an instant, he was transported to an entirely different realm.
The dungeon they found themselves in was dim and damp. Tall, rough-hewn stone walls, sporadically marked with enigmatic symbols, stretched upward into darkness. The ground beneath was uneven, laden with moss and scattered puddles. The air bore an unusual mixture of dampness and metallic tang, as if rust had blended with the soil.
The light came from small glowing crystals embedded in the walls. They barely illuminated the path, but it was enough to see their surroundings.
The group halted as Mi Ra distributed the positions. Kang Seung Joon and another tank took the lead. Mi Ra stayed in the center along with the healers, while the long-range shooters and melee fighters positioned themselves at the back.
Mi Ra: "Move forward. Keep quiet and stay alert."
The group moved forward, their footsteps echoing along the corridor. Hyun Woo scanned the surroundings carefully, keeping a hand on the hilt of his sword. His thoughts were focused, but deep down, he felt a slight shiver—a mix of fear and anticipation.
After several minutes, a muffled sound was heard—like something rustling in the distance. The group halted, and Kang Seung Joon raised his hand, signaling everyone to freeze. Moments later, a creature darted out from the shadows of the corridor.
It was a goblin, roughly a meter tall, with greenish skin. Its eyes gleamed red, and it wielded a crudely made dagger. Two more followed behind it.
Kang Seung Joon: "Get ready!"
The tanks moved forward, taking the blows from the goblins, while the shooters began firing arrows. Mi Ra opened her spellbook, beginning to chant a buff for the tanks. Hyun Woo stayed at the back, ready for combat but waiting for his turn.
The fight was swift and chaotic. Though the goblins appeared weak, they moved surprisingly quickly, forcing the hunters to stay on their toes.
One goblin lunged towards the flank, but Hyun Woo intercepted it in time, striking with his sword. The creature's blood splattered onto the ground, and it fell silently.
Within a few minutes, the battle was over. The group, catching their breath, began to gather the crystals that had fallen from the goblins' bodies.
Mi Ra: "Good work. But this is just the beginning. Let's keep moving."
The group pressed on, each member focused, knowing that more challenging trials could be waiting ahead.