The constant low-level friction with the Golden Lion Guild was a persistent headache. It wasn't enough for a direct confrontation, but it sapped their resources, frayed their nerves, and made every mission more arduous. Min-jun knew they couldn't afford to keep fighting uphill battles on two fronts – against monsters and against a powerful A-rank guild.
He began to actively seek out intelligence on the Golden Lion, piecing together their typical routes, their favored dungeon types, and, crucially, their rivals. Every guild had them.
His research led him to Shadow Syndicate, another A-rank guild. Unlike the Golden Lion's outwardly respectable but subtly aggressive approach, Shadow Syndicate was known for its clandestine operations, often taking on more morally ambiguous quests and operating in the shadows of the Awakened world. Their leader, Madam Ryu, was rumored to be as cunning as she was ruthless.
Madam Ryu
* Rank: A
* Level: 30
* Strength: 15
* Agility: 40
* Stamina: 25
* Mana: 50
* Skill: Shadow Manipulation (A-Rank) - Allows for creation and control of shadows, used for stealth, misdirection, and binding. Can drain life force from targets within shadows.
Min-jun decided on a bold, perhaps reckless, move. He requested a meeting with Madam Ryu. So-yeon was apprehensive, her gentle nature recoiling from the syndicate's reputation. Chul-soo was grim but trusted Min-jun's judgment.
"Are you sure about this, Min-jun?" So-yeon asked, her voice laced with worry as they approached Shadow Syndicate's nondescript headquarters in a less savory part of Seoul. "They're... different."
"We need leverage," Min-jun stated simply, his gaze fixed on the grimy building ahead. "Golden Lion won't stop unless someone makes them."
The meeting took place in a dimly lit, austere room. Madam Ryu sat across a polished dark wood table, her eyes sharp and assessing, seeming to absorb every detail about them. She was a woman of lean build, with an air of calculated danger. Accompanying her was a hulking B-rank Body Enhancer, whose muscles visibly bulged under his suit.
Kang Tae-sik (Madam Ryu's Enforcer)
* Rank: B
* Level: 27
* Strength: 30
* Agility: 18
* Stamina: 28
* Mana: 8
* Skill: Density Enhancement (B-Rank) - Increases the density of the user's body, granting immense physical strength and durability, but sacrificing speed.
"So, the little F-rank prodigy wants to play with the big dogs," Madam Ryu purred, her voice surprisingly soft, yet chilling. "What makes you think I have time for a D-rank vocational school guild?"
Min-jun didn't flinch. "Madam Ryu, you and I both know the Golden Lion Guild is trying to push us out. You also know they've been encroaching on your territory, trying to monopolize certain dungeon clearances and resource routes."
Madam Ryu's smile didn't reach her eyes. "Bold words from an F-rank. What do you propose?"
"We offer a temporary alliance," Min-jun stated. "Your guild has the influence and the power to deter Golden Lion's overt aggression. My guild… we have efficiency. Our rapid, low-casualty clearances mean faster gains. We can handle the ground work, the persistent threats that drain resources, while you keep the Golden Lion off our backs, and away from your own interests."
Madam Ryu leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "And what makes your 'efficiency' so special? I've seen your reports. Impressive for your ranks, but hardly world-changing."
"My guild members grow at an abnormal rate," Min-jun calmly asserted, not revealing his secret, but letting the results speak for themselves. "And I can ensure it continues. We can clear dungeons faster, safer, and with less mana expenditure than any other guild of our collective rank. We don't need high-rank Awakeners to do the work of high-rank Awakeners."
Madam Ryu observed him, then glanced at So-yeon and Chul-soo, who stood resolute behind Min-jun. She saw the quiet confidence in their eyes, the subtle readiness in their stances. She knew the rumors of Min-jun's "coaching" and the unusual strength of his small team.
"An interesting proposition," she finally conceded. "But what's to stop you from becoming another Golden Lion once you've grown strong enough?"
"Our goals are different," Min-jun stated simply. "We're not interested in monopolizing power. We're interested in growth, and in fighting the real threats. Golden Lion is a nuisance, a distraction. We need them out of our way to focus on larger objectives. Our strength will only empower you against your mutual rivals."
Madam Ryu considered this for a long moment. The Golden Lion had indeed been a thorn in her side recently. An alliance with a surprisingly efficient, if unorthodox, guild of rising stars could be beneficial, especially if their growth was as explosive as rumored. And if Min-jun proved too ambitious later, well, Shadow Syndicate had ways of dealing with problems.
"Very well," Madam Ryu said, a hint of a genuine smile finally touching her lips. "We will provide 'deterrence' against Golden Lion's… unfortunate 'accidents.' In return, Dream Weaver will prioritize joint dungeon runs with my Syndicate on a temporary basis, focusing on the C-rank and lower dungeons that our higher-ranked Awakeners consider beneath them, but which still provide valuable resources."
It was a risky deal. Shadow Syndicate was known for its ruthlessness. But it bought them time, protection, and a chance to truly accelerate their growth without constant harassment.
As they left Shadow Syndicate's headquarters, So-yeon breathed a sigh of relief. "That was... intense. She's terrifying."
Chul-soo merely grunted, but his grip on his shield seemed a little tighter.
"It's a necessary evil," Min-jun said, a new weight settling on his shoulders. He knew he was playing a dangerous game, stepping into the murky politics of the Awakened world. But he also knew that for Dream Weaver to truly ascend, they needed to make powerful allies, even if those allies were shadows themselves. The future of his guild, and the potential of his unique skill, depended on it.