Ch.61Dungeon Conquest – 1

“The feeling of crossing through a portal, how should I describe it?

First of all, as expected, it didn’t make my insides twist or cause motion sickness.

If I had to express it, it was like turning on the lights in a dark room, then turning them off, then turning them on again.

Light and darkness alternated in flashes before the scenery finally revealed itself.

“Welcome. Are you the supervising professor?”

“Ah. I’m not a professor, but the acting supervising professor.”

At my words, a man who appeared to be a national ability user gave me a blank stare.

Then he let out an “Oh!” of surprise before pointing his finger at me.

“Are you perhaps that person who appeared on the news?”

“…Yes. I’m probably that person.”

“Right? What was your name again? Baek… something similar, if I remember correctly.”

His earnest attempt to recall was quite admirable.

And feeling somewhat embarrassed without really knowing why, I introduced myself right away.

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Seojin Baek, acting supervising professor for Academy External Support Team 5.”

“Ah! Seojin Baek. That was it. It’s an honor to meet you.”

The man shook my hand with both of his, making no attempt to hide his delight.

Honor? What honor? Someone listening might think I was another S-rank ability user.

If I had to put it in words, I’d be more like an emerging talent, but anyway.

“Pleased to meet you too. But what about the students who came with me…?”

“Ah, yes. The students are being checked in over there.”

The place he pointed to showed Team 5 students lined up and waiting.

“You said you’re the acting supervising professor, right? Then let me first explain the current situation to you, Arbiter.”

According to his explanation, the Academy’s Team 5 would be handling three dungeons today.

As already communicated to the students, all three were classified as C-rank.

The monsters that appear are mainly Lizardmen, he said.

From this, I could anticipate that the dungeon environment would mostly be swampland.

Other than that, the man said there weren’t any particular precautions.

“It’s not a particularly difficult dungeon. However, if it’s not cleared within the set time, monsters might come out of the dungeon, and above all, the environment is quite poor, making it a dungeon many ability users avoid. That’s why we requested support.”

“I understand. Even I would want to avoid a dungeon with swampland as its main environment.”

Inside dungeons, you need to pay attention to the environment as much as the monsters.

That’s why the role of the advance party is most important when a gate converts into a dungeon.

In that respect, swampland is quite an unpleasant battlefield for humans.

Getting stuck in a swamp not only reduces mobility but can make movement impossible.

If things go wrong, casualties might occur not from monsters but in other ways.

“Now, the Arbiter just needs to decide how to distribute personnel among the three dungeons.”

“Is it okay if I ask the students for their input?”

“That’s at the Academy’s discretion, so please handle it as you see fit. We’ll be waiting over there, so please submit your squad composition to me when it’s complete!”

After saying that, the ability user returned to where his squad members were waiting.

It seems they’re also planning their strategy for the upcoming dungeon raid.

‘As for personnel distribution, hmm, how should I arrange it?’

The dungeons assigned to the Academy students total three.

And our personnel, combining Gold and Platinum ranks, total twenty-six.

Including me, that’s twenty-seven, which divides evenly.

‘First, I’ll place two Platinum ranks in each squad. For the squad that’s one person short, I can fill in.’

I carefully check each student’s class to compose the squads.

Using Weaponry Class and Martial Arts Class, who serve as tank-cum-dealer roles, as the base.

Then add pure dealers from Magic Class and healers from Support Class.

I’ve already roughly checked the students’ characteristics while taking attendance earlier.

Based on that, if I compose the squads, they should be able to handle any contingency.

‘Since there are two Platinum ranks, the overall command aspect should be sufficient. Most Gold ranks have also participated in external support at least five times. No need to worry.’

Finally, I completed the personnel composition for each squad.

A total of 3 squads. Each squad consists of seven Gold ranks and two Platinum ranks.

For the 3rd squad, which is short one Platinum rank, I decided to fill in myself.

“Students, may I have your attention please.”

After completing the squad composition, I informed the students of their assignments.

The intention was to hear if there were any differing opinions about the squad composition.

Fortunately, the students nodded after seeing the squad member compositions.

Not just the Gold ranks, but the Platinum ranks had no objections either.

“This seems sufficient, Arbiter.”

“You’ve arranged it well! You’ve put the Platinums in charge of overall command, right?”

“Hey, will our tanking be okay? You keep overdoing it when you’re trying to deal damage.”

“What are you saying? It’s because you’re so bad at dealing damage, that’s why!”

They’re about to enter the dungeon soon, but they don’t seem particularly tense.

Not bad. Being too intimidated would prevent them from fully demonstrating their abilities.

Of course, being too relaxed isn’t good either, but Hana Kang appropriately controlled that.

“Alright, everyone! Don’t relax too much. Let’s complete this practice cleanly and return without anyone getting hurt. Understood?”

“Oh my! Of course, Student Council President!”

“I told you not to call me that!”

“Ugh. The student council president is hitting a student!”

It seems Hana Kang isn’t exactly an authoritarian student council president.

Leaving the playfully bickering students behind, I submitted the arrangement to the national ability user.

After checking the deployment, he lightly praised it as a pretty good personnel arrangement.

“Then each squad should head to their designated dungeon entrance.”

“Yes, understood. Now, 1st Squad! And 2nd Squad! Get ready! We’ll be entering soon!”

I prepared the 1st and 2nd squads for two dungeons that weren’t far apart.

Before the students entered, I called together the four Platinum rank students.

“It goes without saying, but be careful.”

“Understood, Arbiter.”

“Don’t worry. For a C-rank dungeon, the Gold kids could handle it without us.”

“Still, there’s always the possibility of ‘just in case.’ You must never let your guard down.”

The Platinum rank students nodded at my words.

They have good individual skills and know how to properly control their squads.

The Academy didn’t create a ranking system for nothing. They have the abilities to match.

“I’m counting on all of you. Be careful and come back safely.”

“See you later, Arbiter.”

“We’ll be back!”

The 1st and 2nd squads that exchanged greetings disappeared beyond the dungeon with smiles.

I’m a bit anxious, but there’s no better option.

With three dungeons, I can’t take all twenty-plus students around with me.

It’s not a high-rank dungeon, and Gold ranks can easily subjugate it.

If done well, even Silver rank students could clear a C-rank dungeon without much difficulty.

“Should 3rd Squad prepare to depart too, Arbiter?”

I nodded at Hana Kang’s question as she quietly approached from behind.

The dungeon assigned to the 3rd Squad is a bit distant from those of the 1st and 2nd Squads.

While moving there, I chatted with Hana Kang about various things.

“I noticed you placed me and Dasom in the 3rd Squad.”

“Yes. Is there a problem?”

“Not really. It’s just that you’re also in the 3rd Squad, Arbiter.”

“That’s because there was only one Platinum rank, you, left.”

“It’s not because you’re not very close with the other students, is it?”

So, Hana Kang is suggesting that I put her, herself, and Yoo Dasom in the 3rd Squad because I’m somewhat friendly with them.

And that’s why I also positioned myself in the 3rd Squad.

‘That’s somewhat accurate.’

Party members who will move with Hyunwoo Lee later. Friends who don’t have any particular issues.

It’s more reassuring to be with them, and if I were to lose them, it would be truly regrettable.

So I move together with them. Because I keep having this strangely ominous feeling.

*

“…Yes. I understand. Good job. I’ll send the money later.”

Yuhyun Jung nods and ends the call.

The dark circles under his eyes and his bloodshot eyes.

Just from that, one could tell his condition wasn’t normal.

“I found out. Just now, five teams went out for external support.”

“Are you sure? Otherwise, I’ll turn your tongue into salted fermented seafood.”

“I’m certain. It’s information from my contact embedded in the Academy.”

At Yuhyun Jung’s words, a man turns his head and mutters, “So he says.”

In response, a middle-aged man sitting at the head seat slowly raises his head.

“You’re crazy. I heard you ended up like this because that bitch caused an accident.”

“No. It’s not because of that, it’s just all because of that bastard.”

“That Arbiter, Seojin Baek? It’s all his fault?”

“Yes! It’s because of him! The reason I’m like this, all of it!!”

The middle-aged man looks at the man beside him.

The man silently mouths, “This guy is completely insane.”

Even from our perspective, it doesn’t make sense.

From what we’ve heard, he provoked the situation himself and is now blaming others.

But precisely that aspect can be considered “passing” in this world.

Yes. How could someone who wants to become a villain be in their right mind?

Shouldn’t they show such madness to feel genuine?

“Good. If this job ends well, I’ll consider your formal induction.”

“Thank you! Thank you!”

We’ve already confirmed he’s Gold rank at the Academy.

That level means his skills have been verified.

Plus, with this mentality, he’s perfect as one of our own.

“Now then. Shall we go educate our cute, fluffy youngsters?”

The middle-aged man, chuckling, seemed to remember something and called his subordinate.

“Tell the Elder. Given what happened last time, he might be interested.”

The man nodded and headed somewhere.

The place he was heading to was where a pale figure, looking as if drowned, resided.