Chapter 28

28. Cheongdam-dong, Red Gate - 1

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"Everyone, disembark."

Lee Hyun-wook and the other members of the Special Assault Squad got out of the transport truck. At that moment, a red light enveloped their faces, and when they turned in that direction...

"Wow..."

They were overwhelmed.

"..."

The crimson fissure glowed like the eyes of a demon.

"That's... the Red Gate..."

Before their departure, they had received a brief training from Lieutenant Seo Eun-ha and Second Lieutenant Cheon Myung-ho about the 'Red Gate' and the basic 'raid tactics' needed inside the dungeon.

Of course, Lee Hyun-wook already knew all of this and even had more detailed information on some aspects.

"Well... I heard it's a goblin dungeon, and already, there's a stench of beastly odor coming from somewhere."

As An Min-tae said, a foul smell wafted through the air. It seemed that the goblins that had emerged during the outbreak had been burned to death by fire magic.

This time, the monsters coming out of the gate were 'goblins (Gnolls).'

Goblins were smaller than orcs but larger than humans, and they were humanoid monsters of the canine family.

As such, they possessed extremely agile physical abilities.

'And above all, their numbers are quite significant.'

That was the biggest problem. They emerged in swarms, like a pack of dogs.

Subsequently, the military sedan arrived, and Captain Kwak Yong-jun and 1st Squad Leader Lee Taek-ham got out.

"Hey, kids, are you all out?"

"Yes, we're ready."

"Good, let's move."

In reality, these two were not directly involved in the operation but were acting as leaders.

Still, it was appropriate for officers to take the lead when dealing with external organizations.

"Hey, is that the AMT assault squad?"

As they arrived at the construction site, a man in a black suit approached with a indifferent expression. He seemed to be a staff member of the Blue Flower Guild.

"Yes, that's us."

"Okay, go over there."

Although it was a joint assault, this place was managed by the Blue Flower Guild, so they had to follow their instructions.

At the entrance of the construction site, a few containers were placed. Since there was no place to sit, they had no choice but to stand there with their weapons.

Sure enough, they were treated like outsiders from the start.

"Hmm, kids, wait here for a moment. We have some business to attend to."

Captain Kwak Yong-jun and 1st Squad Leader Lee Taek-ham disappeared somewhere.

An Min-tae and Choi Tae-yong whispered to each other as they watched them go.

"Um, Captain, isn't he acting suspiciously again?"

"Well, it's already well-known that the Captain is cozying up to the Blue Flower Guild, right?"

"But I didn't expect 1st Squad Leader to be involved too... I heard he was considering joining another battalion's assault squad, but is he already planning his retirement? Still, everyone usually leaves as a captain..."

It's like how high-ranking civil servants often join related industries after retirement. AMT officers frequently joined civilian guilds before reaching the rank of major.

If Lee Hyun-wook's memory served, Kwak Yong-jun would join the Blue Flower Guild after the 4th Wave.

It might seem a bit premature to start cozying up now, but it was a necessary decision.

'After the 4th Wave, the 1st Battalion essentially ceased to exist...'

As they waited in solitude, a conversation began to drift from nearby.

"Hey, look at those guys."

"Huh? Oh, it's the AMT. They really came?"

They were players from the Blue Flower Guild.

"Still, what can they do? They're not even NCOs, just soldiers trying to clear a dungeon?"

"I heard they were the ones who protected the citizens during the Seoul Station dome incident?"

Someone snorted in response.

"Ha, they're getting a lot of praise on TV and the internet these days, but realistically, it was just luck. We can't do it, so how can they help? Damn..."

They seemed to be the Blue Flower Guild's assault team that would enter the gate with them.

However, to be so openly talking behind their backs...

They didn't expect a warm welcome, but it was still unpleasant.

The AMT members felt their morale drop, and their eyes darted around nervously.

And then...

"Hey, what's this? Hey! Aren't you An Min-tae?"

One of the guild members who was talking behind their backs called out, and An Min-tae turned his head with a surprised expression.

"Uh?"

"Hey, amazing! How did I run into you here?"

A young man approached with a friendly face.

However, his attire was quite... unusual.

From head to toe, from his wrist to his fingers, everything was designer. He even had piercings covering his ears...

It was an inappropriate outfit for an assault operation, but it was quite common.

Successful players were treated like stars, and many couldn't resist showing off. If you looked at the SNS of such players, you'd find plenty of photos taken in front of the gate.

"Hey, your uniforms are cool?"

"Ah, Tae-sub. Long time no see."

An Min-tae's response was not as cheerful as usual.

It didn't seem like they were on good terms.

However...

"Hey, Lee Hyun-wook!"

It was 1st Squad Leader Lee Taek-ham.

He gestured for Lee Hyun-wook to come over.

"The operation briefing is starting. You need to be there too."

"Yes, that's right."

It was a bit off. It wasn't 'you too,' but rather, Lee Hyun-wook alone could have attended.

"An Min-tae, I'm going to the briefing. Stay here with the others."

"Ah, yes... I understand."

"Wow, you're so formal? Min-tae, is that guy your squad leader?"

An Min-tae's acquaintance asked, but Lee Hyun-wook ignored him and headed to the briefing room.

Between two containers, a screen and a makeshift table were set up.

"Ha-ha-ha, of course, that's something the Blue Flower side will handle."

Captain Kwak Yong-jun's voice could be heard. He was smiling and talking to the Blue Flower Guild representatives, one of whom was...

'...Yoo Hae-na.'

Given her position as the Seoul Assault Department Head, it was natural for her to be present at such events.

However, what Captain Kwak Yong-jun was holding in both hands was Yoo Hae-na's business card.

'Tsk, Captain Kwak Yong-jun is also caught in the web.'

If he bit that bait carelessly, he would eventually shed tears of blood.

At that moment, Yoo Hae-na noticed Lee Hyun-wook and smiled, and Kwak Yong-jun turned his head.

"Ah! Director Yoo, this is the soldier who will lead the special assault squad this time. He also played a role during the recent Seoul Station unlucky event. He's an F-rank, but he has gained abilities through achievements. He's doing well in many aspects these days. Ha-ha-ha-"

"Ah, achievements? I see..."

Yoo Hae-na nodded, understanding why Lee Hyun-wook didn't seem like an F-rank.

The 'achievement system' was a clear and easy excuse for anyone.

The meeting began shortly after.

'...All of this is useless content.'

The operation overview, command authority, and profit distribution were discussed.

For Lee Hyun-wook, who already knew everything, it was a pointless conversation.

After about 20 minutes, the meeting ended.

"Alright, we'll start entering the gate in one hour. Please prepare by then."

"Sure, we can enter anytime. Just let us know when the Blue Flower side is ready."

Captain Kwak Yong-jun shook hands with a bald man, who seemed to be a director, with a grimace.

Just as Lee Hyun-wook was about to leave...

"Hey, Corporal? Wait a moment."

Yoo Hae-na called him over.

Kwak Yong-jun paused for a moment and sat down, but when Yoo Hae-na gave him a disapproving look, he had to stand up with an awkward expression.

Thus, only Lee Hyun-wook and Yoo Hae-na were left.

"Corporal... or should I call you the special assault squad leader now?"

She rested her chin on her hand and slowly crossed her legs.

"Either is fine."

"Still as stiff as ever, huh? Anyway, meeting like this again, it seems we have a connection."

Of course, they did. A very tangled connection.

'You killed Seo Eun-ha, and I will kill you.'

Lee Hyun-wook swallowed those words and put on a look of curiosity.

"Hmm, you guys didn't come here because you wanted to, right?"

"Soldiers don't need personal will when deployed on a mission."

He didn't really understand the spirit of a soldier, but he answered roughly.

"Anyway, what I want to say is this: once inside the gate, you and your subordinates should just... stay out of the way. Don't do anything."

She smiled arrogantly.

Then, she placed one hand on the table and tapped it rhythmically with her index finger.

Tap, tap.

That posture and habit—intentionally displaying ease and arrogance, showing her power in front of others—was Yoo Hae-na's habit when she wanted to flaunt her strength.

"Even though we've failed three times, we've prepared enough to succeed this time. You guys were just forced to come here by a three-star old man, right? I know everything."

The 'three-star old man' referred to the AMT Seoul Operations Commander, Jeong Sang-sik.

By revealing her knowledge of AMT's internal affairs, she subtly showed her power.

"So, you probably didn't receive proper training, and it's dangerous, right? I'll make it easy for you. If you stay out of the way inside the dungeon, your superiors will never know."

This time, Lee Hyun-wook smiled.

"Director Yoo?"

"Call me Catherine."

"Catherine, so... what are you worried about?"

She tilted her head.

"What? Worried? What do we have to worry about?"

Lee Hyun-wook smiled subtly and crossed his arms.

Then, he leaned back in his chair.

Yoo Hae-na's expression stiffened slightly.

"Ah... Are you worried that we might kill the boss monster instead of the Blue Flower Guild?"

Lee Hyun-wook provoked her.

Yoo Hae-na's eyebrows twitched.

In a situation where her authority was clearly displayed, Lee Hyun-wook ignored and provoked her, yet he seemed completely at ease, even taking on a haughty posture.

All of this made Yoo Hae-na's mood sharp.

Lee Hyun-wook smiled faintly, noticing the cracks in her expression.

'As expected, it's easy.'

In his previous life, he had repeatedly provoked this woman, moving her in the direction he wanted.

Yoo Hae-na would become a 'villain' and turn quite cruel later, but for now, she was just a powerful and wealthy player with a slightly odd personality, not a ruthless villain.

"Pfft, you... are you saying you'll kill the boss monster?"

"Of course. Isn't that the goal of the assault operation?"

Killing the boss monster meant the entire dungeon assault. If AMT killed the boss monster first, it would be a slap in the face of the Blue Flower Guild,