Chapter 63: The Cost of Pride

Vulcanus Guild had never failed a Gate raid.

The reason was simple.

Overwhelming equipment specs.

Vulcanus’ high-grade gear elevated guild members’ abilities by at least a rank.

Lately, they’d cleared Rank 5 Gates consecutively without much strain.

But—

“They failed the raid?”

Failure?

How?

They’d handled Rank 5 Gates fine until now.

Why fail?

The answer came quickly.

– It was a Rank 6 Gate that Team 2 attempted.

“Rank 6? Didn’t we say Rank 6 was too much? Why’d they go for it?”

Rank 6.

It didn’t make sense.

By my judgment and Nam Bora’s, Vulcanus Guild’s current strength was suited for Rank 5 Gates.

Why attempt Rank 6?

The reason—

– Competitive spirit, it seems.

“Competitive spirit?”

– Recently, Team 1’s Rank 6 Gate clear at Hamak Mountain made waves.

“So?”

– Team 2’s leader is quite competitive. Since then, they insisted they could do it too and challenged a Rank 6 Gate.

“And you allowed it?”

– I’m sorry. Their demands were relentless. I thought it was unsustainable, so I picked the least demanding Rank 6 Gate, but there were variables.

Nam Bora bore some responsibility.

But, knowing her, she wasn’t one to cave easily.

Team 2’s leader likely hounded her daily for a Rank 6 chance.

She probably tried reasoning calmly at first, then had to find the safest Rank 6 Gate.

And it backfired.

“For now, they’re recovering?”

– Yes. We called healing Awakeners, and treatment’s done. It’ll take time for them to wake.

Holed up in my room, I knew a bit about healing from my Hunter life.

Wounds could be treated, but mental fatigue and aftereffects lingered.

Internet and system community rumors, backed by veterans, confirmed this.

Even shaken, recovery came first.

My gaze fell on—

“This should do.”

My bed.

“Ugh…”

“You’re awake?”

“Where…”

“Guild HQ.”

Team 2’s leader, Yoon Hee-joo, sat up.

Her body felt light as air.

The bed was impossibly soft.

In that lightness, she wondered if her memories were a bad dream.

“How’s your body?”

“Uh, fine.”

She had to accept it.

She’d failed.

After insisting she could handle a Rank 6 Gate, she failed.

Checking her body, treatment seemed complete, but heavy injuries usually delayed consciousness.

She checked the calendar.

“Only a day passed?”

– Yes. Thanks to Vulcanus’ special attention.

“Master? Even healers can’t ease mental fatigue. An elixir maybe…”

– Not that. This.

Nam Bora pointed down.

The bed Yoon Hee-joo had lain on.

Realizing it wasn’t ordinary, she checked its info.

[Vulcanus Bed]

Type: Bed

Grade: SS

No ordinary bed.

Crafted by Vulcanus himself.

An SS-grade bed?

Abilities that blew her mind.

Abilities:

1. Rest – Health, mana, and stamina regeneration speed +100%.
   
2. Sleep – During sleep, health, mana, and stamina regeneration speed +4,000%.
   
3. Vibrant Morning – After waking, all stats +20% until next sleep.
   
4. Hygiene – Bed stays perpetually clean.
   

Incredible.

Truly incredible.

She thought Vulcanus only crafted weapons and armor.

A bed like this?

Its performance rivaled top Hunter hospitals.

“Why’s there a bed like this here?”

– Thanks to you, Team 2 Leader. How do you feel?

Clear sarcasm.

But Yoon Hee-joo couldn’t retort.

Her failure and the trouble it caused the guild were undeniable.

The system news was likely buzzing with “Vulcanus Guild’s First Raid Failure.”

Her, the opposite of Park Sang-hyun’s success, branded a failure.

– After discussing with Vulcanus, your punishment is set.

“I’ll accept it.”

Vulcanus Guild had never issued punishments.

Being the first was humiliating.

Yoon Hee-joo grimaced but didn’t dodge it.

The punishment—

– No public equipment for a while.

“What?”

– Exactly that.

“How do I raid Gates then?”

– Your choice. There’s a salary cut, but no one will complain if you skip raids during the ban.

“So I can raid if I want?”

– Sure. But no incentives during the ban.

Lighter than expected.

Yoon Hee-joo thought so.

‘I can do it without public gear.’

Vulcanus’ gear was strong, but just gear.

She joined for the gear, but she’d grown since.

Not just levels—her raid experience was vast.

Without public gear, it shouldn’t matter, right?

“I’ll prove it this time.”

Team 1 succeeded at Rank 6 with Vulcanus gear.

Yoon Hee-joo hadn’t let go of her rivalry.

If Team 1 used Vulcanus gear, she’d prove she could do it without.

“I’ll show you.”

She summoned Team 2.

“So, they’re raiding without public gear?”

– They say so. They seem confident. Should I stop them?

“No. People like that learn by failing.”

– If something happens…

“I’ll handle it. Don’t worry.”

– Understood.

I ended the call with Nam Bora.

A sigh escaped.

The world has all types.

I knew this kind well.

Online games had players who saw pros succeed, thought they could too, and died trying.

They only learned by experiencing failure.

So—

“Let’s watch.”

I’d observe Team 2’s leader.

Salary cut and public gear ban.

That was the punishment.

“Team 2 Leader.”

– Master?

I contacted her via guild chat.

“Can I use vision sharing?”

– Of course. I hoped you would. I made a mistake at Rank 6, but I’ll prove my skill now.

I worried she’d object, but she welcomed it eagerly.

Whoosh.

“They just reached the Gate.”

Through shared vision, I saw the Gate.

A chilling aura emanated.

I expected a Rank 5 or 4 without gear, but they chose Rank 6.

“Rank 6 without gear? Isn’t that dangerous?”

– We can do it. Even without gear, we’ve got experience and skill.

Team 2 nodded confidently.

They equipped their own weapons and armor.

Vulcanus Guild’s unique Awakeners used specialized gear.

Their pre-guild equipment looked worn.

Especially—

Clang.

Yoon Hee-joo drew a massive scythe.

Smaller than my crafted one, but larger than standard.

Her ability: Reaper.

It cut souls, absorbed vitality, and wielded death.

Limited to scythes, like the grim reaper’s image.

That’s why she joined Vulcanus.

Scythes were rare and pricey at auctions, inaccessible for low-level Hunters.

– Entering.

Team 2 entered.

The Gate was a frozen wasteland.

No blizzard, but their shivering showed the cold.

Soon—

– Squeal! Intruders!

– All units, prepare for battle!

The first monster appeared.

Frost Orc.

Larger than typical Rank 3 dungeon orcs, resilient in harsh cold, with tough vitality.

Its pale blue skin blended with the snow, and prominent cheekbones exuded warrior strength.

Dash!

Yoon Hee-joo charged.

Team 2’s formation differed from Team 1’s orderly style.

They maintained minimal formation, focusing on maximizing abilities.

Unlike Team 1, where non-specialized weapons were used for formation, Team 2 focused purely on their strengths.

Yoon Hee-joo was no exception.

Slash!

“Not bad.”

Her scythe sliced the orc’s arm.

No visible wound, but—

– Squeal?! My arm won’t move! What did you do?

The orc’s arm dangled, as if severed.

Her skill, Soul Sever.

It ignored defense, damaging the soul directly.

Perfect for her Reaper ability.

Likely why she wasn’t attached to public gear—her ability relied less on equipment.

– All good! We’ll keep pushing!

It started well.

Team 2 felled orcs with skill.

But limits came quickly.

– Squeal! Intruders!

– Warriors, fight!

As battle continued, patrolling orcs joined, noticing the fight.

Team 2, unable to finish quickly, panicked.

Prolonged battles drawing reinforcements were rare.

The reason was clear.

– Skill, experience, whatever—how do you clear Rank 6 with such low attack?

Their generic gear, far below their level, couldn’t deal proper damage to Rank 6 monsters.

Experience?

High levels?

Strong skills?

All great, but without weapon attack power, it’s nothing.

Then—

Thud!

– Screech!

With my gear, a stray hit was fine.

Not now.

A single mistake let raw physical damage through, unmitigated by defense.

More orc reinforcements arrived.

Team 2 fought hard but realized—

– …Retreat.

Without proper gear, they were helpless.

Yoon Hee-joo gritted her teeth, ordering retreat.

But—

– Squeal!

– Intruders! Kill them!

– No escape!

As if sensing their plan, orcs appeared behind.

Team 2 was completely surrounded.