The alliance with Shadow Syndicate proved to be a double-edged sword, precisely as Min-jun had anticipated. On one hand, the subtle sabotage from Golden Lion Guild dramatically decreased. Mysterious "accidents" that used to plague Dream Weaver's missions simply stopped occurring. Commander Jung Ho-jun, while still glaring with intense resentment whenever he saw Min-jun, seemed to have received a very clear, very sharp message from Madam Ryu.
On the other hand, Dream Weaver found themselves operating in a grittier, less forgiving part of the Awakened world. The C-rank dungeons they now cleared with Shadow Syndicate were often in forgotten, derelict industrial zones or deep underground, far from the well-maintained, publicly accessible dungeons. These places were often infested with more cunning and vicious monsters, and occasionally, even rogue Awakeners looking to poach resources.
Min-jun embraced the challenge. His dream training became more intense, focusing on urban combat environments, guerrilla tactics, and identifying human threats. He simulated fights against shadowy figures, mastering ways to counter stealth attacks and pinpoint hidden enemies.
Kim Min-jun
* Rank: F
* Level: 18
* Strength: 30
* Agility: 45
* Stamina: 35
* Mana: 15
* Unique Skill: Lucid Dream Training (F-Rank) - Now allows for higher fidelity simulation of complex environmental factors and multi-opponent scenarios. Can induce minor "pre-cognition" flashes in real-world combat based on extensive dream-simulation. Current Focus: Urban Espionage, Counter-Surveillance, Advanced Maneuverability.
Under Min-jun's relentless "coaching," his core team continued their remarkable ascent.
Lee So-yeon
* Rank: E
* Level: 15
* Strength: 9
* Agility: 10
* Stamina: 14
* Mana: 45
* Skill: Minor Regeneration (E-Rank) - Increased healing speed and mana efficiency. Can now apply healing over a small area for minor group effects, and has a mild analgesic effect.
Park Chul-soo
* Rank: E
* Level: 16
* Strength: 22
* Agility: 9
* Stamina: 23
* Mana: 9
* Skill: Steel Shield (E-Rank) - Enhanced kinetic absorption. Can now briefly reflect or 'bounce' weaker physical attacks, and generate a small burst of concussive force on shield impact.
Han Ji-won
* Rank: F
* Level: 12
* Strength: 9
* Agility: 17
* Stamina: 13
* Mana: 35
* Skill: Minor Illusion (F-Rank) - Significantly improved clarity and versatility. Can create flickering, brief visual clones (decoys) and localized auditory illusions (e.g., weapon clangs, multiple footsteps).
Ji-won, particularly, thrived in the shadow-drenched dungeons. Her illusions became invaluable for scouting and misdirection, allowing Dream Weaver to move through dangerous areas with unprecedented stealth. Min-jun pushed her to create illusions that were not just visual but also auditory, causing enemies to turn their heads, their senses momentarily confused.
During one joint operation in an abandoned underground facility, a group of particularly nasty Steel-Clawed Lurkers (D-rank monsters, known for their ambush tactics and tough hides) sprang a trap.
Steel-Clawed Lurker
* Rank: D
* Level: 18
* Strength: 28
* Agility: 25
* Stamina: 20
* Mana: 5
* Special Abilities: Ambush Predator (enhanced stealth), Razor Claws (armor penetration).
"Ambushes from the left!" Min-jun yelled, his voice cutting through the gloom, a split-second "pre-cognition" flash from his dream training guiding him.
Chul-soo immediately slammed his shield into the ground, creating a temporary defensive barricade. Ji-won, without a word, conjured a flickering visual decoy of Min-jun darting in the opposite direction.
The Lurkers, momentarily confused by the illusion and the sudden defense, hesitated. That sliver of a second was all Min-jun needed. He moved like lightning, targeting the Lurkers' exposed underbellies where their tough hides were thinnest.
The Shadow Syndicate members working with them, a mix of D and C-ranks, watched in open-mouthed astonishment. They were prepared for a brutal fight, but Dream Weaver handled the ambush with an almost supernatural fluidity.
Kang Tae-sik, Madam Ryu's hulking enforcer, who was observing the mission, grunted in surprise. "Their efficiency is... unnerving. They move like a single entity."
Word of Dream Weaver's unique capabilities spread even further within the darker corners of the Awakened world. Madam Ryu seemed satisfied. Dream Weaver was proving to be a highly effective, low-maintenance asset.
However, the collaboration also exposed Min-jun to the morally gray lines that Shadow Syndicate often blurred. He witnessed their methods for "persuading" uncooperative dungeon owners, or their casual disregard for monster remains that were deemed "unprofitable." Min-jun kept his opinions to himself, but the experience solidified his resolve to maintain Dream Weaver's ethical compass, even as they gained power.
The financial gains from these joint ventures were substantial. The resources from these C-rank dungeons, once monopolized by larger guilds, now flowed steadily into Dream Weaver's coffers. They moved their base of operations from Min-jun's cramped dorm room to a small, but functional, guild office and training area in a less affluent district of Seoul. It had basic sparring mats, a small common area, and enough space for their growing equipment.
One afternoon, Min-jun was reviewing mission reports when he noticed a small, almost imperceptible detail in one of the recovered dungeon maps provided by Shadow Syndicate. It was a faint, distorted rune, almost invisible, at the very edge of the map. He'd seen similar fragmented symbols in some of his more chaotic, uncontrollable dreams, the kind that hinted at something deeper, something beyond mere skill training.
He felt a prickle of unease. Shadow Syndicate was providing resources, but what were they truly getting involved in? The alliance was beneficial, but Min-jun knew he had to keep a close eye on the shadows they were now operating within. His unique skill, honed by countless dream-battles, might just be the key not only to his guild's survival but to understanding the true nature of the threats lurking in the background. The game was getting bigger, and the stakes were rising.