Under the leadership of Hahyuk and Taeju, the meeting went smoother than expected. It might have been because there wasn’t much to oppose or debate about.
When to depart, whether additional personnel would be joining, and how to arrange for a ship were topics of discussion that didn’t leave much room for interjection.
Even if one wanted to say something, knowledge was necessary. Asking where to acquire a ship, who here could actually respond?
Hamin and Bandal seemed to know, but both, disliking the hassle, remained silent.
As a result, for a while, only the voices of the two guild leaders filled the meeting room.
They might as well have met alone.
Though everyone understood the necessity of their presence, sitting still for over 15 minutes left one's body aching.
"The maximum period we've set is three months, but what if the voyage takes longer? Should we return first?"
"Staying out at sea for too long can be detrimental, even if we haven't ventured out often. If Titan doesn't appear after three months, we'll return to port and rest briefly before reorganizing and departing again after two weeks."
"Two weeks... It seems a bit short. What do the rest of you think?"
Finally, an opportunity to respond emerged. The guild members, who had been awkwardly occupying their seats like wooden dolls, slightly brightened up at the sound of a voice that seemed like a rescue.
"I think it's fine."
"Spending three months at sea and then returning seems not too brief. Setting the date for about a fortnight seems okay."
"I prefer two weeks."
"Me too."
With a small difference in votes, it was decided to rest for two weeks before setting sail again. For Kang Sihyun, who had voted along with Haru for the two-week option, it was a satisfactory outcome.
Once one opinion was expressed, it triggered others to add their comments or share their thoughts on the subsequent meeting topics.
The atmosphere, which felt more like presentations, finally transformed into something befitting a meeting, making the sitting time feel less tedious.
The guild members, who had been actively exchanging opinions, suddenly became silent as if by agreement when the meeting neared its end.
"The remaining agenda is our response in case there are casualties during combat. It might be difficult to retrieve bodies amidst the battle. It's better to leave personal belongings in advance."
That way, at least, we can collect them for burial. It's hard to commemorate with an empty grave.
The tone, rather lively, made it sound as if discussing food to eat on the boat rather than death. Yet, the nature of the words carried a unique atmosphere that made the guild members flinch, casting a fleeting shadow over their faces. Hahyuk then tapped the table to lighten the mood.
"Don't worry too much in advance. After all, we've assigned two S-Class rankers for this mission."
His characteristic gentle tone provided a comforting ease. With a seasoned demeanor and gaze, Kang Sihyun glanced at Hahyuk.
Considering he had just turned 21, Hahyuk seemed to have led a remarkably challenging life.
"Hahyuk is right. This meeting was arranged to ensure, as much as possible, that no one dies. But, that doesn't mean we can be complacent, so some level of preparation is necessary."
There was no way to guarantee 100% survival in combat. Unpredictable variables always existed, necessitating consideration for even a 0.01% chance of failure.
Especially when facing a catastrophe-class opponent.
As they discussed how to handle corpses during combat and the proceedings of funerals, the reality that they might indeed die in the upcoming battle became palpable.
It could be anyone—themselves, other Class A members, or those from the Muam guild.
There was no law stating only one person would die; if unlucky, more than half of the personnel could perish.
With a habit of considering the worst-case scenario, Kang Sihyun's expression darkened, noticed by Seowoo, who slightly bowed his head.
"Scared?"
"Nonsense."
It was just an abundance of concerns, not fear of death. He responded by lightly elbowing him, about to say to take care of his funeral if he died but stopped when their eyes met.
For a moment, he had forgotten who would be organizing whose funeral.
It would have been a disaster had he blurted that out.
Lately, especially among Class A kids, there were instances where words slipped out without a filter. If this had been one of those moments, it would have been hard to mend. Curling his lips inward, he felt a twinge of regret and gently patted the back of Seowoo's hand placed on the chair's arm.
"...?"
"Cheer up."
As he patted him in encouragement, Haru extended his hand, seemingly asking for the same gesture. Having lost rock-paper-scissors again
and seated far from him, Hamin grumbled about being excluded and advised not to stick together too much, eliciting a small laugh. After a few exchanges with the kids and refocusing on the meeting, the lengthy Titan countermeasure discussion finally neared its end.
"So, that concludes our meeting. Now, let's discuss how we'll spend the approximately one month remaining before we set sail. I mentioned something briefly at the restaurant yesterday, so you all might have an idea, right?"
"Judging by your expressions, it seems you know."
"Good. Starting today, excluding myself and Hahyuk, we plan to form a support team composed solely of you. As a standalone support team operating for a month, there won't be any instances of other guild members being in the same rifts you're assigned to. Of course, it'll be more dangerous because of that. We won't assign you to rifts that are too difficult or high-grade from the start. Any opinions on this?"
Taeju, having inserted the meeting's documents into a metal file, raised his voice and asked. One of the Muam guild members raised a hand.
"If it's a standalone support team, does that mean there won't be any command team assignments?"
"A command team will be assigned. It's difficult for you to determine on your own where and when rifts will open."
That might make things easier than expected.
"However, the command team will only provide minimal information and won't interfere in combat. How you fight will have to be decided among yourselves."
Correction. The difficulty level was the same, whether the command team was involved or not.
It was like saying, "We've laid the groundwork, now fight to your heart's content." Taeju asked if there were any more questions. Kang Sihyun pondered for a moment before slowly speaking up.
"When will we start going out to support?"
"That would be starting today, of course."
"Excuse me?"
Wasn't today just for the meeting?
As Kang Sihyun sent a look questioning if they weren't supposed to rest today and start activities tomorrow, Taeju gave him a look as if he'd said something absurd.
Feeling unjustly judged by such a gaze, he retorted.
"We didn't come here to play. Of course, we start supporting from today. From now on, you'll be going out for rift support at least three times a day, so please take care of your condition."
"In that case... what time does today's support start?"
"That would be right now."
The Muam guild members expressed their surprise. Kang Sihyun stared disapprovingly at Taeju, who kept treating surprising matters as if they were obvious.
"Why keep getting surprised? Do you think you can take on Titan with your current abilities?"
"That's not the case, but..."
"Then, it's time to roll up your sleeves, isn't it?"
He smiled, eyes twinkling mischievously, giving off the vibe of a street thug rather than a benevolent laugh, no different from a gang of extortionists lurking in alleyways.
Just when he wondered if they would really head to a rift immediately after the meeting, Taeju stood up, signaling it was time to leave, and opened the meeting room door.
The sound of car engines starting was heard. Following Hahyuk out of the meeting room, Kang Sihyun was speechless at the scene before him.
As the saying goes, "expect the unexpected," indeed two cars prepared by Muam were waiting for them.
"Shall we depart immediately?"
A driver wearing dark sunglasses, who had been waiting for an unknown period, checked with Taeju and bowed slightly. The man responded with a smile and gestured towards the cars, indicating it was time to board.
"Once we drive there, someone dispatched from the command team will be waiting at the rift site. Listen to their detailed explanation and then please proceed to depart."
Having personally escorted the guild members to the cars, Taeju saw them off. With no room to refuse, Kang Sihyun reluctantly boarded, noticing the Class A kids following him and rubbing his tired eyes.
He hadn't anticipated being sent to a rift so abruptly.
He thought they would at least have time to formally introduce themselves to the Muam guild members, but Taeju seemed to have decided that there had been ample time for guild members to converse as of yesterday.
In reality, they had barely managed to avoid confrontations, let alone engage in conversation.
How did he even become a guild leader?
The thought that he might have risen to power through brute force crossed his mind, but he decided to stop pondering Taeju's flamboyant character and focus on the imminent rift they were about to handle as the driver announced their arrival. Prepared so quickly, the rift must not have been far.
"...A sub-danger level, perhaps."
Disembarking from the car and witnessing the rift's fluctuating scene
, Haru squinted, estimating its level. Kang Sihyun checked the size of the rift and the mana density around it, nodding in agreement.
"Seems about right."
Handling such rifts was now manageable for them, provided they cooperated with the Redem guild members.
Having never coordinated with unfamiliar people, he watched the approaching Muam guild members with unease. As they waited, the person dispatched from the command team appeared, handing over a walkie-talkie.
Checking if the sound came through by inserting the combat walkie-talkie in his ear, everyone, including the Muam guild members, had their walkie-talkies ready when a businesslike voice was heard.
[This is a sub-danger level Lizard rift. Beware of the flame attacks unleashed by the Irregular.]
[The rift will open in 30 seconds. Stand by.]
30, 29, 28…
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