Dream Weaver's burgeoning reputation for efficiency meant a steadily increasing flow of higher-ranked missions. They were now tackling C-rank dungeons, albeit with extreme caution and meticulous planning. Min-jun's tactical simulations in his dreams became even more crucial, mapping out every possible monster encounter, every environmental hazard.
His own stats continued their slow, steady climb. He was still technically F-rank, but his core attributes had long surpassed the typical F-rank ceiling.
Kim Min-jun
* Rank: F
* Level: 15
* Strength: 25
* Agility: 35
* Stamina: 28
* Mana: 10
* Unique Skill: Lucid Dream Training (F-Rank) - Allows the user to perfectly simulate and learn skills and techniques within a lucid dream state. Proficiency gained in the dream world translates to real-world application. Current Focus: Advanced Tactical Combat, Mana Flow Analysis.
His guidance of So-yeon, Chul-soo, and Ji-won also deepened.
Lee So-yeon
* Rank: E
* Level: 12
* Strength: 7
* Agility: 8
* Stamina: 11
* Mana: 35
* Skill: Minor Regeneration (E-Rank) - Now capable of mending moderate injuries faster, and sustaining healing over short durations. Can create a small, localized pain-dulling aura.
Park Chul-soo
* Rank: E
* Level: 13
* Strength: 18
* Agility: 8
* Stamina: 19
* Mana: 7
* Skill: Steel Shield (E-Rank) - Enhanced durability and weight. Can now create minor shockwaves on impact, or briefly anchor the shield to the ground for extreme defense.
Han Ji-won
* Rank: F
* Level: 9
* Strength: 8
* Agility: 14
* Stamina: 11
* Mana: 25
* Skill: Minor Illusion (F-Rank) - Improved clarity and duration for small illusions. Can create minor auditory illusions (e.g., footsteps, whispers) and simple, flickering visual distractions.
Their success, however, inevitably invited trouble. The Golden Lion Guild, spearheaded by Jung Ho-jun, continued to observe them. Their curiosity had curdled into suspicion, then outright resentment. They believed Dream Weaver was either cheating, or had stumbled upon some ancient, illicit power-up. Neither scenario sat well with the established hierarchy.
The first subtle sabotage began during joint monster subjugation missions. Dream Weaver would be assigned to a sector, only to find that the Golden Lion team, assigned to an adjacent area, would "accidentally" herd stronger monsters their way, forcing Dream Weaver into tougher fights than anticipated. Or, crucial information about monster weaknesses would be "forgotten" in the briefings.
Min-jun, with his heightened awareness from dream simulations, quickly picked up on the pattern. He'd seen similar scenarios play out in his dream training, where phantom enemies would try to outmaneuver him.
"They're messing with us," Min-jun stated calmly during one of these tense moments in a C-rank dungeon, as a pack of Goblin Brutes, clearly beyond their assigned threat level, charged their position. Chul-soo immediately moved to form a defensive line, shield ready.
"Who?" Ji-won asked, her voice a little shaky as she prepared a distraction illusion.
"Golden Lion," Min-jun replied, his eyes scanning the dungeon map. "This path was supposed to be clear. They're trying to stress us, push us to our breaking point."
Despite the added challenge, Dream Weaver performed flawlessly. Chul-soo held the line, his enhanced shield pushing back the Brutes. Ji-won's illusions created flickering shadows and false footsteps that disoriented the monsters, allowing Min-jun to dart in and out, hitting vital points. So-yeon's healing kept them in the fight. They cleared the section, albeit with more effort than necessary.
After the mission, Min-jun confronted Jung Ho-jun. "Commander Jung," he said, his voice level, "your team's 'mistakes' are becoming quite frequent. We were assigned a cleared pathway. Instead, we faced three Goblin Brutes and a D-rank Ogre."
Jung Ho-jun merely chuckled, a cold glint in his eye.
Jung Ho-jun
* Rank: A
* Level: 27
* Strength: 38
* Agility: 32
* Stamina: 35
* Mana: 12
* Skill: Enhanced Axe Mastery (A-Rank) - Now capable of creating localized shockwaves on impact, and briefly stunning targets with focused axe strikes.
"Just the chaos of the dungeon, Min-jun-ssi," Ho-jun said with feigned sympathy. "Things get messy out there. Perhaps your F-rank is simply misinterpreting the situation." His tone dripped with condescension.
Min-jun said nothing more. He understood the unspoken threat. Golden Lion wasn't just observing anymore; they were actively trying to undermine them. They weren't powerful enough for a direct confrontation yet, but the friction was undeniable.
The incidents continued. False reports about Dream Weaver's performance would appear on Awakener forums, painting them as reckless or inefficient. Quest allocations would be mysteriously delayed. Guild leaders who expressed interest in collaborating with Dream Weaver would suddenly withdraw their offers.
Min-jun knew this was a test, a deliberate attempt to stunt their growth and force them to fall in line, or simply fall apart. But it only fueled his resolve. He redoubled his dream training, not just for combat, but for strategic thinking, for anticipating complex human machinations. He started incorporating scenarios where he had to outsmart powerful, manipulative opponents, not just brute-force monsters.
His team, sensing the unspoken tension, grew tighter, their loyalty to Min-jun solidifying. They trusted his judgment, and they worked even harder to prove the doubters wrong. The growing pains were real, but they were forging Dream Weaver into something tougher, more resilient. The subtle sabotage was a nuisance, but it was also a sign: they were becoming a threat. And in the world of Awakeners, that meant they were finally being taken seriously.