Chapter 260: A Chaotic Gathering of S-Ranks

Chapter 260: Chapter 260: A Chaotic Gathering of S-Ranks

Ares blinked once.

For the first time since arriving at the

Yoon Ha-eun immediately stepped between them, looking thoroughly exasperated.

"Hey, you crazy woman! Don’t listen to her, Mr. Tae-ho! She’s always like this whenever she sees someone talented!"

Choi Soo-jin pouted, placing both hands on her hips.

"Excuse me? What’s wrong with showing a little enthusiasm? It’s not every day that I meet a handsome S-Rank Awakener who’s still available!"

"You’re supposed to be recruiting him into your guild, not proposing marriage after knowing him for thirty seconds!"

"Why not do both? I’m efficient!"

Ha-eun stared at her in disbelief.

"That isn’t efficiency! That’s shamelessness!"

Soo-jin tilted her head, then suddenly gave Ha-eun a knowing smile.

"Wait a minute. Don’t tell me you’re interested in him, too, Guild Master Yoon? Is that why you’re so eager to keep me away from him? Oh, how interesting! And look at that, you even share the same surname. Perhaps it’s fate!"

Ha-eun’s expression darkened.

"That has absolutely nothing to do with anything, and don’t you dare try to twist my words into something ridiculous! More importantly, stop using that seductive act of yours to lure people into your guild. Everyone knows you’ve managed to keep your guild among the top three by charming talented A-Rank and B-Rank Awakeners into joining you!"

Soo-jin gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her chest as though Ha-eun had just delivered a mortal insult.

"What a terrible accusation! I’m deeply hurt, Guild Master Yoon! Are you saying that I’m incapable of recruiting people through my own merit? That’s so mean! I work incredibly hard, you know!"

"Then try recruiting someone without flirting with them for once!"

"But flirting is part of my charm!"

"That isn’t something to be proud of!"

"You’re just jealous because my recruitment methods are more effective than yours!"

"JEALOUS?!"

Ha-eun’s voice rose in disbelief, while Soo-jin merely smiled with the triumphant expression of someone who had successfully provoked the reaction she wanted.

Nearby, Lee Min-jae let out a long sigh and rubbed his forehead.

"Honestly, can you two please stop arguing for five minutes? We’re standing in front of an S-Rank dungeon boss, in case you’ve both forgotten."

"Then stop letting her talk nonsense!" Ha-eun shot back.

"What nonsense?!" Soo-jin protested. "I’m making a perfectly reasonable offer!"

"Marriage is not a recruitment benefit!"

"It could be, if you were creative enough!"

Moon Ji-hye closed her eyes for a moment, apparently accustomed to this sort of behavior, while Park Tae-hyun laughed so hard that he had to slap his own thigh.

"Ha! This is great! I haven’t seen Soo-jin get into an argument this quickly in ages!"

"You’re enjoying this far too much," Kang Ji-hoon remarked dryly.

"Of course I am! When else do we get to see Guild Master Yoon lose her composure like this?"

"Park Tae-hyun, I swear I’ll freeze you into the sand if you don’t shut up!" Ha-eun snapped.

"See? This is exactly why I enjoy spending time with you people!"

As the argument continued, Ares quietly observed the five guild masters and their associates, his expression remaining composed even as the conversation descended into increasingly absurd territory.

’It seems that high-ranking Awakeners are just as troublesome as anyone else. I expected them to be competitive, given the rarity of S-Rank individuals, but I didn’t anticipate that a simple introduction would turn into a recruitment battle, an argument, and a marriage proposal all at once.’

He glanced toward the castle, wondering whether the dungeon boss would prove easier to deal with than the people gathered around him.

’Perhaps I should be grateful that the monsters at least have the courtesy of trying to kill them directly.’

Ares let out a quiet sigh.

Fortunately, the commotion eventually subsided when several scouts came running back from the direction of the fortress. Their hurried approach immediately caught the attention of the nearby Awakeners, and the moment the scouts reached the assembled guild masters, their expressions left little doubt that they had discovered something significant.

"Guild Masters! We’ve completed our preliminary reconnaissance of the castle!"

Kang Ji-hoon straightened.

"Report. What did you find?"

The lead scout took a moment to catch his breath before answering.

"There are numerous A-Rank monsters inside the castle. We detected several groups moving through the outer sections, and their numbers appear considerably greater than we initially anticipated. More importantly, we confirmed the presence of the dungeon boss within the fortress itself."

The remaining traces of amusement vanished from the guild masters’ expressions.

"Did you identify the boss?" Lee Min-jae asked, his voice turning serious.

"Unfortunately, no. We couldn’t get close enough to establish its exact appearance or classification without risking detection. However, the mana signature was extraordinary, even by S-Rank standards. Whatever we’re dealing with, it’s almost certainly the source of the pressure we’ve been sensing from outside."

Kang Ji-hoon exchanged a brief glance with Park Tae-hyun and Ha-eun before addressing the scouts again.

"Did you observe any unusual behavior among the monsters? Were they guarding the boss, or did they appear to be moving independently?"

"They seemed to be patrolling the castle’s interior, although several groups were concentrated around the central structure. We couldn’t determine whether they were acting under the boss’s direct command, but their movements suggest that the inner sections are heavily defended."

"I see," Kang Ji-hoon replied. "You’ve done well. Return to the medical team, replenish your supplies, and provide a detailed account of everything you observed. We’ll take it from here."

After the scouts departed, the guild masters gathered to discuss their next move.

"We can’t afford to underestimate the castle’s defenses," Kang Ji-hoon said, his tone firm. "We’ll divide the expedition into three groups to clear the outer sections and eliminate the A-Rank monsters before they can interfere with our advance. The main assault team will consist of the S-Rank Awakeners, supported by one A-Rank combat unit under Lee Min-jae’s command. Our priority is to reach the central structure and confront the boss before the situation becomes more complicated."

Park Tae-hyun nodded in agreement.

"That sounds reasonable. We’ll have the first group clear the western approach, while the second and third groups sweep the remaining outer sections. The teams should maintain communication throughout the operation, and nobody is to pursue an enemy into an unfamiliar passage without informing their commanding officer."

Moon Ji-hye immediately began relaying the instructions to the Awakeners under her supervision, her cold, professional demeanor returning as she organized their formation and confirmed the assigned routes.

Lee Min-jae, meanwhile, turned toward the A-Rank Awakeners who would accompany the main assault team.

"Listen carefully. You’ll be working directly under my command during the approach to the central structure. Your job is to provide support, maintain a clear perimeter, and prevent other monsters from interfering with the S-Rank team. Do not attempt to engage the dungeon boss independently, regardless of what happens. Your survival and coordination are more important than any individual achievement."

The A-Rank Awakeners responded with firm nods, their expressions serious as they prepared themselves for the battle ahead.

Choi Soo-jin, however, had already turned toward the Awakeners belonging to her own guild, and the instant she had their attention, her entire demeanor changed once again.

"All right, everyone! You heard the report, didn’t you? We’ve got a castle full of A-Rank monsters, a mysterious dungeon boss, and an opportunity to show everyone exactly what our guild is capable of!"

She raised one arm enthusiastically, her eyes sparkling as she addressed her subordinates.

"But remember, our first priority is keeping everyone alive! If you get injured, don’t you dare try to act tough and hide it from me, because I will find out, and I will personally drag you back to the medical tent if I have to! Stay together, watch one another’s backs, and don’t forget that a well-coordinated team is far more dangerous than a bunch of reckless individuals!"

Her expression suddenly brightened even further.

"And if we make it through this expedition without anyone doing anything stupid, I’ll personally arrange a celebration for the entire team! Good food, excellent drinks, and absolutely no paperwork for one whole day!"

The effect was immediate.

"YES, MA’AM!"

Several of her guild members shouted so loudly that their voices echoed across the surrounding desert.

"WE’LL MAKE IT BACK IN ONE PIECE!"

"WE WON’T LET YOU DOWN, GUILD MASTER!"

Soo-jin beamed with satisfaction, then struck a spirited pose with one hand raised and the other resting confidently on her hip.

"That’s the spirit! Now, let’s show these monsters what happens when they mess with the wrong people!"

Her guild members answered with another enthusiastic cheer, their morale noticeably higher than it had been only moments earlier.

Ha-eun watched the entire exchange with an expression of barely concealed irritation.

"Urgh, that woman is absolutely infuriating," she muttered, folding her arms. "How does she manage to turn every serious situation into some kind of motivational performance?"

Kang Ji-hoon gave her a brief, almost sympathetic glance.

"Whatever her methods may be, they appear to work. Her guild members are certainly motivated."

"That’s not the point!"

"Then what is?"

Ha-eun opened her mouth, paused, and finally looked away with an annoyed click of her tongue.

"Forget it. Let’s just get moving before she starts proposing marriage to the entire expedition."

Ares, who had been listening to the exchange from behind the guild masters, allowed himself a faint smile.

’At least their enthusiasm should prove useful. Whether it will be enough to survive what awaits them inside, however, is another matter entirely.’

With the preparations complete, the expedition began its advance toward the enormous castle.

The Awakeners divided into their assigned groups, moving across the pale sand toward the fortress’s outer walls. The first group took the western approach, where the scouts had detected several concentrations of A-Rank monsters. The second and third groups advanced along separate routes to clear the surrounding structures and secure the perimeter, ensuring that no hostile creatures could approach the main assault team from behind.

The main force moved toward the castle’s central entrance under the command of the five S-Rank guild masters. Lee Min-jae’s A-Rank unit accompanied them, maintaining a defensive formation around the more powerful Awakeners while remaining prepared to intercept any monsters that attempted to interfere with their advance.

As the expedition drew closer, the castle’s immense scale became even more apparent. The pale walls towered above them, their surfaces carved with elaborate patterns that had survived despite the passage of countless years. Sand had accumulated around the foundations, partially burying several enormous pillars, while the shadows beneath the outer archways concealed passages that seemed to extend deep into the fortress.

The oppressive mana grew heavier with every step.

Even the most experienced Awakeners could no longer dismiss the uneasiness creeping through their minds. They had entered an S-Rank Gate expecting a dangerous expedition, but the atmosphere surrounding the castle suggested that they were approaching something far beyond the ordinary monsters they had encountered earlier.

Park Tae-hyun rolled his shoulders as he walked, his eyes fixed on the enormous entrance ahead.

"So, what do we actually know about the boss?" he asked. "We’ve confirmed that it’s inside the castle, but we still don’t have an exact classification, an appearance, or any reliable information about its abilities. I’d rather not discover its strongest attack by taking it directly to the face."

"That’s an unusually sensible statement coming from you," Ha-eun remarked.

Park shot her an irritated glance.

"I can be sensible when I want to be."

"Then let’s hope you remember that once the fighting starts."

Kang Ji-hoon ignored their exchange and addressed Lee Min-jae.

"Your unit will remain close enough to provide support, but don’t let your people become overconfident. If the boss is as powerful as its mana signature suggests, even a brief mistake could cost them their lives. We need to observe its abilities, identify any weaknesses, and coordinate our attacks rather than relying on brute force alone."

"Understood," Min-jae replied. "I’ll make sure the A-Rank team maintains its formation and follows orders. If the boss summons additional monsters or attempts to overwhelm us with numbers, we’ll keep those threats away from the main assault team."

Moon Ji-hye glanced toward the towering entrance, her expression as cool as ever.

"There’s also the possibility that the castle itself is part of the boss’s territory. If that’s the case, the environment may give it an advantage, whether through traps, defensive mechanisms, or some form of mana manipulation. We should avoid spreading ourselves too thin until we’ve determined how much control it has over the surrounding area."

"Agreed," Kang Ji-hoon said. "We’ll proceed carefully until the boss reveals itself. Once we understand what we’re dealing with, we can adjust our formation accordingly."

Choi Soo-jin raised her hand, practically bouncing on her heels as she joined the conversation.

"And don’t forget about me! I’ll remain close enough to provide healing support whenever anyone gets injured, so there’s no need to panic if things become difficult. Just make sure you don’t run so far ahead that I can’t reach you, because I’m not going to chase five reckless men around an enormous castle while trying to keep them alive!"

Park Tae-hyun grinned.

"Don’t worry, Soo-jin. I’ll make sure nobody gets themselves killed before we even reach the boss."

She immediately pointed at him.

"That includes you, Park Tae-hyun! You’re always the first one to charge straight into danger, and then you act surprised when you come back covered in injuries! If I have to spend half the expedition healing you, I’m going to start charging you extra!"

"Ha! As if a few scratches could stop me!"

"They aren’t scratches when your entire body is covered in them!"

"That’s called experience!"

"That’s called being reckless!"

Lee Min-jae sighed.

"Can we please focus on the dungeon boss instead of arguing about who is more likely to get injured?"

"Fine, fine," Soo-jin replied, though her cheerful expression quickly returned. She raised her arm toward the approaching castle, her voice ringing with renewed enthusiasm. "Just remember that I’ll be supporting all of you from behind, so give me a good fight to watch, everyone! And don’t you dare lose before I’ve had the chance to show off my healing abilities!"

Ares followed the group from behind, listening to their discussion while keeping his attention on the fortress ahead. The others were preparing themselves for what they believed would be a difficult battle, carefully arranging their formations and discussing possible countermeasures against an opponent they had yet to see.

Their confidence was understandable.

After all, five S-Rank guild masters were participating in the assault, supported by an experienced A-Rank combat unit and a healer whose abilities were widely regarded as the finest in the country. With their combined strength and the support of the remaining expedition teams, the odds appeared overwhelmingly favorable.

Ares could hardly blame them for believing they would win.

’Based on the strength they’ve demonstrated so far, there’s a one-hundred-percent chance they’ll defeat the boss in its current state. Their combined attacks should be more than sufficient, provided they maintain their coordination and avoid making any unnecessary mistakes.’

His expression remained calm as he studied the castle, but his thoughts soon turned toward the information he had obtained through True Sight earlier.

’Unfortunately, that assessment only applies to its current form.’

The boss’s presence had already revealed a detail that none of the other Awakeners had noticed. Beneath its enormous reserve of mana lay another layer of power, concealed so deeply that ordinary observation would never have detected it. It was not merely a hidden ability or a defensive mechanism, but a second stage of awakening that would transform the creature into something far more dangerous.

’The dungeon boss possesses a second awakening. Once its remaining health falls to one percent, the transformation will begin, and its rank will rise from Transcendent to an entirely different level of power.’

Ares recalled the information True Sight had revealed, his gaze becoming slightly more focused.

’When that second stage activates, its physical strength and defensive capabilities will increase to a level comparable to the Calamity Behemoth I defeated during the previous S-Rank Gate. Its mana will surge, its body will undergo a complete transformation, and the power it releases will be more than enough to overwhelm an ordinary S-Rank team.’

He continued walking behind the others, showing no outward sign of concern.

’In other words, they’ll be able to push the boss to the brink of defeat, but the moment they believe the battle is over, they’ll discover that the real fight has only just begun.’

A faint smile touched his lips.

’Let’s see how they handle that.’