Chapter 27

27. Cheongdam-dong, Unexpected Incident – 2

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Knowing the future, he prepares for everything and takes all the benefits.

Items, people, opportunities, everything...

That was Lee Hyun-wook's mindset.

However, every time he did so, the future would change a little, and inevitably, unexpected events would occur.

Fortunately, so far, all those unexpected events had turned into 'unexpected gains.'

'This time is no different.'

Lee Hyun-wook was now sitting across from Kim Gang-seok and Cheon Myung-ho in the battalion commander's office.

Once again, an unexpected event was about to unfold.

Kim Gang-seok spoke first.

"Lee Hyun-wook, you know about the Red Gate, right?"

"Of course, I do."

Gates are usually purple.

But not all of them.

There are Red Gates, Blue Gates, and others,

each emitting different colors depending on their attributes.

Among them, the Red Gate...

"Is it the one with various restrictions?"

Like the 'Unlucky Event' a few days ago, various restrictions are applied to the 'dungeon' inside the gate.

Entry restrictions, unfavorable rules and environments, and other stringent conditions.

"Right. A vicious stage that even veteran raid teams can't handle... that's the Red Gate."

Kim Gang-seok had a displeased look on his face.

"However, the command has issued an order to raid that Red Gate."

Here, 'command' refers to the 'AMT Seoul Operations Command.'

"Hmm, Commander, I'll explain it."

"Alright, go ahead."

Then, Cheon Myung-ho began to explain why he had called Lee Hyun-wook.

The outline was as follows:

A 'Red Gate' had appeared at a construction site in Cheongdam-dong.

Entry level restriction: 18 or below, maximum number of participants: 30, no exit until the raid is complete.

These were the rules.

"After blocking the first surge, the Blue Flower Guild declared a solo raid."

The Blue Flower Guild and the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Anti-Demon Brigade manage the same area and respond jointly to gates, but in the case of a 'raid operation' into a dungeon, only one side has the 'raid rights' and 'ownership.'

The reason is simple.

Since the surge is a battle in the real world, there is a risk of civilian casualties, so 'public safety' must be prioritized. However, in the case of a dungeon raid where there is no such risk, the interests are based on a 'business perspective.'

"In other words, monopolizing the raid rights can bring in a lot more money, so they compete to secure those rights."

A dungeon raid is a privatized market, and the guilds are the companies that live off it.

However...

"Three days ago, the Blue Flower Guild's third raid attempt failed."

The situation was not looking good.

"In that case, shouldn't the joint response begin with the fourth raid, as per the treaty?"

"Ah, you really know, don't you? That's why the Blue Flower side is quite upset."

If the side with the raid rights fails three times, it is considered that the organization lacks the capability to raid, and two or more organizations must 'respond jointly' according to the 'mutual treaty.'

If it fails again, the gate is designated as a 'Trouble3' level, which requires constant monitoring, and a 'coalition' of five or more organizations is formed to launch a large-scale raid operation.

If it still fails, the last resort, the ultimate weapon 'S-grade,' is discussed.

According to these regulations, the Cheongdam-dong Red Gate is currently in the second stage, 'joint response.'

"The level restriction for the Red Gate is 18, so we couldn't send troops recklessly... but after the commander saw the performance of the rescue team during the Seoul Station 'Unlucky Event,' he saw some potential and ordered the deployment of that rescue team for this operation."

The performance of the Seoul Station Unlucky Event rescue team...

Yes, it was a miraculous achievement that deserved high praise.

"So..."

Cheon Myung-ho placed his hand on Lee Hyun-wook's shoulder.

"Really, I'm sorry, but you're the right person for this operation."

Cheon Myung-ho's explanation ended there.

Kim Gang-seok shook his head and sighed.

"Frankly, it's too dangerous. Even the Blue Flower Guild, with their high-level players, sent three teams of 18 levels each, and not a single one returned."

During the Seoul Station Unlucky Event, one of the reasons the Blue Flower Guild couldn't support players below level 15 was that many of their promising players were being wiped out in that Red Gate.

"Moreover, the fourth raid starts tonight. It's too sudden, really..."

Kim Gang-seok was understandably frustrated.

Sending his soldiers to a battlefield with an overwhelmingly high failure rate, literally to a deathtrap, and especially his most valued soldiers...

But the valued soldier, Lee Hyun-wook, thought differently.

He was smiling inwardly.

'For such an incredible opportunity to come to me on its own...'

Unexpected events that change the future, fortunately, this time it was an opportunity.

Lee Hyun-wook knew very well about the Cheongdam-dong 'Red Gate.'

'It's one of the gates called the Cannibal Gate.'

A total of five failed raids, 112 players devoured, the worst gate.

Moreover, they were all promising players from the prestigious Blue Flower Guild, who would have been responsible for the safety and dignity of South Korea in a few years, but they were tragically wiped out.

'However, in games, the harder it is, the greater the reward.'

Naturally, this Red Gate yields items of immense value.

According to his memory, it produces magical metals like 'Mithril' and 'Adamant,' and even the various items left behind by the wiped-out raid teams.

'And... there's a pretty decent spear buried there.'

The hero-grade item, 'Achilles' Spear.'

An item with a unique effect that makes wounds almost impossible to heal, once inflicted.

This item is sleeping deep within the Cheongdam-dong Red Gate.

'If this happens... I can grow one more time before the fourth wave.'

Lee Hyun-wook thought this, smiling inwardly, but on the surface, he maintained a calm expression.

At that moment, Kim Gang-seok sighed again.

"Why is the commander pushing this so hard?"

Cheon Myung-ho didn't bother to answer.

But Lee Hyun-wook knew the reason.

'If it's something that would make Jeong Sang-sik flip, it must be because of the Blue Flower Guild.'

At this point, General Jeong Sang-sik, the commander of the AMT Seoul Operations Command, was at odds with the Blue Flower Guild.

This was due to his personal deep-seated enmity with the guild's master, Yoo Jae-hyuk.

Unfortunately, Jeong Sang-sik couldn't outperform Yoo Jae-hyuk in any aspect.

Therefore, he urged his AMT units to achieve better results than the Blue Flower.

Even a small victory, just once...

'Jeong Sang-sik is the type who uses his subordinates' lives as expendable resources to achieve results...'

A common type of commander who rotates through soldiers, that was his style.

That's why he ordered the deployment for the raid operation starting tonight.

'Who would have thought that his stubborn nature would benefit me?'

At that moment,

"Ah... Commander?"

Cheon Myung-ho held up his phone with a troubled look.

Buzz-

A call was coming in.

"Could it be... the commander?"

Cheon Myung-ho nodded hesitantly and cautiously answered the phone.

"Reporting, Commander! Yes, that's correct."

For the commander to call directly, it was quite a serious matter.

"Yes? Ah... Ah! I'll do that."

Cheon Myung-ho alternated his gaze between Kim Gang-seok and Lee Hyun-wook, then placed the phone on the table.

He switched to speaker mode.

"Commander, I've switched to speaker mode."

– Right, he's listening, right?

"Reporting! Private Lee Hyun-wook here."

Lee Hyun-wook stepped forward.

– Yeah, yeah, I've been hearing about your performance all day, and wow, it's really impressive! Achieving a feat at F-grade and perfectly protecting civilians in danger, I'm really proud of you!

For a general of the rank of major, his voice had a hint of excitement.

"Yes! Thank you!"

– Well, so... the, the content... you've heard it all from Lieutenant Cheon, right?

"Yes, the Red Gate, that's correct."

– ...How about it? Are you willing to give it a try?

It was surprising how casually he could ask someone to risk their life.

"…If you order me, I will."

– No, it's not an order. I'm asking if you're willing to volunteer for a task that could greatly benefit your future, something that could be the greatest achievement during your service in AMT.

"…"

Kim Gang-seok clutched his head at the sophistry.

Being called directly by a three-star general was practically a demand.

But Lee Hyun-wook calmly continued the conversation.

"Commander, may I ask one question?"

– Sure, sure, ten, a hundred, go ahead.

"In my opinion... this operation is not just about raiding a single gate; it's about the pride of AMT."

– Pride? Hmm, why?

"As a member of AMT, I can't help but be concerned about competing with the Blue Flower Guild, which manages the same area. The Blue Flower Guild often looks down on us, and a joint raid would essentially be a full-scale battle of pride between the Blue Flower Guild and AMT. So, I'm wondering if I can take on the responsibility of AMT's pride."

– Hmm, you... have a good sense of things, don't you?

He deliberately emphasized the 'pride.'

He didn't want to show it, but it was Jeong Sang-sik's goal, so he was provoking it.

"If so, Commander, do you believe in my potential to compete with the Blue Flower?"

A moment of silence-

– Hmm... Well, I've been here for a long time, and I can see a soldier's character from just a few stories. When I heard about your performance at Seoul Station, I thought you'd be perfect for this. That's why I wanted to assign it to you. You can see it as a form of trust, right?

The commander must have heard more than just the Seoul Station performance.

The encounters with goblins, kobolds, orcs, and the dueling training witnessed by Lieutenant Cheon Myung-ho might have been reported as well.

In other words, he didn't assign the task to Lee Hyun-wook on a whim but based on information.

Honestly, it was welcome.

"…If so, I'll give it a try."

– Oh? Really? You… really think you can do it?

"Commander, if you believe in my success…."

Lee Hyun-wook wasn't going in empty-handed.

He wanted to gain something from this opportunity.

"…I would like one weapon to be provided. And if I achieve results that