Chapter 47: The Crimson Conquest

“Did I make things too big?”

Today alone, the 2nd to 5th ranks swapped three times.

Watching the rankers in a cutthroat competition, I felt a pang of guilt.

Thanks to the four wielding my engraved gear, my reputation grew daily.

My commission list was piling up with requests from top rankers and major guilds.

“Meanwhile, Sword Saint is something else.”

Sword Saint, Han Yu-ra.

While ranks 2 to 5 shuffled constantly, she held her ground regally.

Rumor had it Park Kang-jeol challenged her to a one-on-one via the Hunter Association, but left quietly, likely conceding her superiority.

“How strong is she?”

A quick search revealed Sword Saint’s power was nation-level.

Her level, skills, equipment, and the Hunter Association’s backing made her a globally recognized Hunter.

The key seemed to be reaching Level 300.

While other rankers were in the late 200s, she’d crossed 300.

Just as my skills evolved at certain levels, crossing 300 likely spiked combat power significantly.

As a blacksmith, I suddenly craved to craft gear for them someday.

Then, a call from Nam Bora arrived.

• Vulcanus-nim. Or should I say Guild Master now?

“Call me whatever’s comfortable. Honestly, neither feels natural yet.”

• I’ll stick with what I’ve been using. Everything’s ready, so I’ll start the stream.

At her words, I booted my computer.

Logged out, IP changed, I safely opened NewTube.

I headed to the Vulcanus Guild’s official channel.

A new channel Nam Bora created, with just one video.

That one video, the guild’s opening ceremony, had exploded with views.

And now—

[Vulcanus Guild’s First Gate Raid]

A video.

A live stream, no less.

Clicking in, I found a sizable audience already gathered.

• Can’t miss the start!
  
• First! lol
  
• This is the mysterious Vulcanus Guild?
  
• Mysterious? They exposed their members already. lol
  
• First raid, but it’s a new guild with low-level members, so probably a low-tier Gate. lol
  
• Even a blacksmith’s starting a guild now. lol Just stick to crafting, production class. lol
  

Scrolling through viewer comments.

Mostly skeptical.

Fair enough—Vulcanus Guild hadn’t built its reputation yet.

As a former keyboard warrior, I left a light jab under an anonymous nickname.

• Yeah, the blacksmith should craft, and you should head to daycare. Perfect for your mental age. lol

The user fired back, but I ignored it.

Ignoring’s the win here.

The Vulcanus Guild’s Gate raid stream began.

They’d hired a pro cameraman; the footage was crisp.

“Today’s raid is a Rank 6 Gate, Red Goblin Village.”

• Goblin Village? lol
  
• A guild raid for a Goblin Village? lol
  
• Still, it’s Rank 6?
  
• Normally, Awakened at that level start with Rank 7 Gates to sync up, so Rank 6 isn’t bad, right?
  
• Nah, it’s just Rank 6~
  

Nam Bora picked the Gate.

I’d suggested starting with Rank 7, but she insisted Rank 6 would showcase the guild’s debut.

The guild members averaged below Level 20.

Rank 6 was a bit dicey for them.

Their tense expressions showed it.

“Everyone, equip gear.”

Clank.

The members donned their gear.

All wore shared equipment with Vulcanus’ emblem.

Once fully equipped—

• Damn, looks cool.
  
• Pretty slick. lol
  
• Level 20 gear flex.
  
• Those are all S to SS-grade, right?
  
• Blacksmith guild for a reason—gear welfare’s insane. lol
  
• Heard their salaries are great too.
  
• No wonder Vulcanus’ forge was a top earner. lol How much cash do they make?
  

The vibe was impressive.

Today’s raid was led by Team 1.

Led by Team Leader Park Sang-hyun, an S-grade Werewolf Awakened, with ten balanced members.

Despite training, their lack of Gate raid experience made tension inevitable.

Entering the Gate—

“All units, form up and move out.”

The starting point was a forest path.

Maintaining formation, they soon spotted a massive village.

Red Goblins stood watch, flaunting their signature red skin.

Or not.

Their skin was green, like typical goblins, but smeared with animal or monster blood, giving a dark red hue.

“As you know, Red Goblin Village is trickier than most Gates,” the cameraman said.

“Correct,” Park Sang-hyun replied. “The village layout makes individual clears tough. We must hold the main gate and fend off relentless goblins.”

“What happens if we don’t hold the gate?”

“Rushing in gets you surrounded. Even higher-rank Hunters would struggle.”

“I see.”

The cameraman skillfully led the broadcast, easing tension.

Impressive. I’d have to ask who they were later—maybe offer a contract or bonus.

“We’ll block the gate as planned.”

“Yes, sir!”

Despite limited experience, the guild moved adeptly per their briefing.

Maintaining formation, they boldly approached the gate.

“Kieeek! Intruders!”

A lookout goblin sounded the alarm, grabbing arrows.

Low accuracy and power, but their poison could paralyze, making them dangerous.

To counter—

“Shield unit!”

“Yes, sir!”

Two front-line Hunters raised shields.

Ding—

Vulcanus-made shields.

Not a scratch, blocking all arrows.

They reached the gate.

How to open it?

Creak—

“Prepare for combat!”

The gate opened itself.

Goblins opened it to attack the bold intruders.

A sneer at a mere ten humans.

“Kieeeeek!”

Goblins rushed from the open gate.

The battle began.

Slash!

The front line blocked charging goblins; the rear used ranged attacks.

The real fight started now.

For a Rank 6 Gate, they expected a tough battle.

Thud.

“Kiek?”

As combat began, the goblins panicked.

Their daggers broke against the shields.

Thanks to absurdly high defense.

Seizing the moment, a rear Hunter launched a ranged attack.

True to the guild’s quirky reputation, it was unique.

Boomerang attack.

A warrior with the Thrower ability, enhancing thrown weapons’ power.

His boomerang, an SS-grade Vulcanus shared item, carried his skill’s boost.

The result—

Slash!

“Kieek?”

Three goblins were sliced in half.

Incredible power.

The goblins were stunned by their fallen allies, but they weren’t alone.

“What?!”

The boomerang-throwing Hunter was shocked.

He hadn’t expected such strength.

Especially since the boomerang, reusable but low-powered among his weapons, did this.

One throw, three goblins down.

• ??
  
• What was that?
  
• Did they just slice three goblins with a boomerang?
  
• Is that possible?
  
• Is this what SS-grade weapons do?
  
• SS-grade’s broken. lol
  

Viewers were stunned, but the surprises were just beginning.

The guild’s attacks continued.

Crack!

“Kiek!”

Slash!

“Kieek?”

Thud!

“Kieeeeek!”

Each attack was a one-shot kill.

Some took out multiple goblins at once.

The front-line shield-bearers, realizing the goblins’ attacks weren’t threatening, lowered shields and drew weapons.

In that moment—

A goblin seized the chance, blowing a poison dart.

Whoosh.

Aimed precisely—or luckily—at a rear ranged Hunter.

Wearing cloth armor with the lowest defense, even a dart was dangerous.

A paralyzed rear Hunter would spell trouble, alarming the team.

Tap.

“What?”

The dart didn’t pierce.

It pressed the cloth armor but fell to the ground.

Was the dart too weak?

No.

Everyone knew.

Goblin poison darts could pierce cloth and even leather armor with great force.

The only reason it failed—

• Wow! lol
  
• Gear carry’s insane. lol
  
• It didn’t go through?
  
• How’s cloth armor that tough? lol
  

The cloth armor’s maker was Vulcanus.

SS-grade cloth armor.

High defense for cloth, boosted further by set effects.

It easily blocked mere poison darts.

Realizing this, the guild gained confidence, aggressively engaging the goblins.

“Formation 8! Push forward!”

“Ooooh!”

They’d passed the gate.

Surrounded or not, they maintained minimal formation, charging ahead.

Each step left piles of fallen goblins.

Team Leader Park Sang-hyun shone brightest.

“Grrr! Hahaha!”

Roaring like a beast, fitting his Werewolf ability, he tore through the battlefield.

His claws.

No, his Claw weapon slashed, felling goblins like prey to a predator.

His ability’s speed and attack rate made him twice as fast as others.

“Kyaaaak!”

“Kaak! Monster! Monster! Run!”

“Kieek!”

Vulcanus Guild ravaged the Red Goblin Village.

Viewership skyrocketed, and their first raid ended with massive buzz.

A truly successful debut.