It was just the mock training that had ended, yet the expedition members seemed inspired. Some were shouting, while some were nodding. I thought it was only natural for them to be hyped because even Park Deok-Gu and Kim Hyun-Sung had their fists clenched.

‘It’s natural...’

Because even I felt an indescribable joy even though I had just participated in the training just now, and most of them were probably having fun because whether it was sports or games, it was just right to find them fun. Obviously, this was a different type of training, but like the orchestra members who thought their ensemble was perfect, they were filled with joy. If I were to compare it to soccer, it was like ten players had worked together to get the perfect goal, and if I were to compare it to a game of AOS[1], the five players had just executed the perfect team fight.

The training started and ended smoothly; the expedition group of nearly thirty people had moved as one throughout. They moved in sync, and the way they swapped and the timing of their movements were perfect. I created this party, but even I was surprised by the result. However, the one with the biggest reaction was Park Yeon-Joo, the Guild Master and the Leader of the Black Swan Guild’s attack team. It was a surprise because I remembered they had doubts when I suggested an unfamiliar party formation to them.

‘This is kind of strange. Some of the guild’s party one members are missing as well…’

The Black Swan Guild’s attack team reacted indifferently about it, and I understood why. The first party I had formed was just a test, and from their point of view, they were disappointed that some of the party one members were missing.

‘I still think it’s worth testing it out.’

Thanks to our lovely regressor’s comment and Park Yeon-Joo agreeing to it, the temporary expedition team became the official team not even thirty minutes after the training started.

While I was nodding with satisfaction, Park Yeon-Joo spoke while cleaning her equipment, “This is really… surprising. To be honest, I had no trust in this team you made… but this… I’m sure it'll be different during the actual expedition, but it feels so different.”

It was funny how Kim Hyun-Sung seemed prouder than me.

‘This guy…’

I was satisfied because that expression was proof that he trusted me, and I had once proven I was useful.

“You’ve demonstrated outstanding abilities in many fields, Mr. Ki-Young. To be honest, this is my first time letting someone else form an expedition party of 30 people, so I was kind of worried, but I’m glad it worked out,” she added.

“First time?” I asked.

“Yes. Oh, I commanded a large army during the Castle Rock defense war, but it’s my first time forming an expedition party with just 30 people,[2]” she replied.

“Ha…”

“I have always thought about how you’re very talented, Mr. Ki-Young,” Kim Hyun-Sung complimented.

“No, Mr. Hyun-Sung. This isn’t something that can be explained with talent alone. Would it be easier to understand if I said that out of all the hunts, expeditions, and training I have experienced so far, today was the most perfect? This is really… it really doesn’t make sense. It was only yesterday that Mr. Ki-Young received the information about my guild members, and I am sure he hasn’t even memorized all of their names just yet…” Park Yeon-Joo pointed out.

“Hahahaha,” I chuckled.

“Forming a large army and an expedition party is completely different, so based on common sense, this is just too strange. There was also the requirement of having an average of 60 luck stats…” she added.

It seemed like Kim Hyun-Sung wasn’t that anxious anymore because he looked like he was in a better mood.

‘Why do you look like you’re feeling prouder than me?’

It wasn’t just Kim Hyun-Sung. Even Park Deok-Gu and Jung Ha-Yan, who would participate in this expedition were acting proud in front of everyone. I guess they were enjoying themselves, as they were receiving a ton of questions from the other members of the Black Swan Guild.

“Our hyung-nim is a genius! A genius! Genius!” Park Deok-Gu exclaimed.

I could kind of hear Park Deok-Gu’s voice.

‘Don’t compliment me like that, you bastard.’

It was nice to be complimented like that, but the problem was that he had the habit of embellishing it. Even while the expedition members were starting to get to know each other, Park Yeon-Joo was still staring at me. Her flustered expression was making me nervous.

“How did you do this?” Park Yeon-Joo asked.

“It’s simple. It’s just statistics,” I replied.

“I already know you created data by putting numerical values on the report written on the expedition log. Our guild’s dungeon attack strategy team has been doing that as well,” she said.

“Miss Ji-Hye has been a huge help to me as well…” I added.

“Ji-Hye? Ah, of course, she’s competent and smart, but…”

Honestly, I couldn’t say I had done all this on my own. Forming the unit was solely up to me, but using the data that Lee Ji-Hye had made earlier, I was able to get the results I wanted. She actually helped me with the expedition members’ movements and swaps. In addition to that, she didn’t share that data with her own guildmates, so it was only right for me to say that she had been a massive help. On top of that, Lee Ji-Hye was…

‘A leader…’

Since that was the job she had picked, she was a bit more knowledgeable in this field than me. Basically, there was a synergistic effect that even the system acknowledged, and even I was surprised by the result.

‘I was lucky…’

Usually, you would have to revise several times when doing a test, but we had basically hit the jackpot during the first try. It was like we got a hole-in-one even though we just carelessly struck the golf ball. I thought it would take at least three days to form the party, but we succeeded on the first try, and if I were asked to do it again, I wouldn’t be able to do it.

“She’s competent, but this doesn’t make sense... Mr. Ki-Young, if you don’t mind, the Black Swan…”

Park Yeon-Joo had to have received quite a shock, as it felt like she was going to say something she shouldn’t say in front of Kim Hyun-Sung. When Kim Hyun-Sung cleared his throat, she must have realized that she had made a mistake, as her face turned red.

“Ah, I’m sorry, Mr. Hyun-Sung. I just—” she paused.

“It’s fine, Guild Master. As the leader of a group, it’s natural to covet a talent,” he said.

“Ah! It wasn’t a recruitment offer. I was just really interested… If you don’t mind, could you share with me what other methods you used? It doesn’t have to be today…” she requested.

“Hm…”

Now that I thought about it, I still owed Park Yeon-Joo thanks to her help with the issue involving Park Deok-Gu, so I thought it was only right for me to give her a tip. If I were to explain everything from the beginning, then I would have to reveal my attribute, so I had no choice but to make up a reasonable explanation. I do feel kind of bad toward the Black Swan Guild’s attack team, but…

‘I should still tell her.’

“I was just really lucky. I originally planned for this to last three days…” I started.

“Even three days is pretty surprising,” she remarked.

“Ahem… anyway, I do have my reasons for not being able to tell you everything, but the one thing I can tell you is that because I’m an outsider, I was able to form this strange party and bring this kind of result,” I continued.

“What?” she questioned.

“From what I heard, you had no choice but to make your internal attack strategy team with retired members, so your formation and parties would naturally be influenced by them…” I pointed out.

“Yes, you’re right,” she agreed.

“It means those people are also being influenced by their relationship with others. Even when two people have the same abilities, a better party would be formed if they were in the same party with the person they like more. I’m sure there are people in your second group whose abilities are being wasted, and the people I discovered fall into that category. This doesn’t really happen in small to mid-sized guilds like ours, but it’s different for the Black Swan and Red Mercenary Guild,” I explained.

“Ahhh… I see,” she commented.

“Once that issue is figured out, the situation will be even better than before,” I suggested.

“Thank you for the advice,” she said.

“No, it was a good experience for me, and we only got this result because the members were well-trained, to begin with. As expected from the Black Swan Guild,” I complimented.

It was only for a moment, but I saw a slightly cold expression on Park Yeon-Joo despite the friendly atmosphere, and that was when I recalled what Lee Ji-Hye had told me before.

“The way people socialize here is pretty bad. It’s not because the guild is filled with women, but it’s obvious that have split into groups and are fighting amongst each other. Ugh.”

I remember how Lee Ji-Hye had complained by saying that it was the Black Swan’s weakness and based on Park Yeon-Joo’s expression, I was sure she was stressed about a similar issue. I wasn’t certain, but after this expedition, I had a feeling that the guild would go through some internal changes.

‘I feel bad…’

It wasn’t really my business, but I suddenly became curious about the fate of the struggling dungeon attack strategy team.

‘It could be good news for Lee Ji-Hye.’

She could have been waiting for me to say something like this.

When I turned my head slightly, I saw Lee Ji-Hye smiling, so I instantly realized that my assumption was correct. When I pushed away the trivial thoughts in my head, I heard Kim Hyun-Sung talking.

“Good job, Mr. Ki-Young.”

“It was nothing. I didn’t really do much… Ji-Hye really helped me a lot this time, and as I said before, I was just lucky. The result even surprised me,” I told him.

“You don’t need to be so modest,” he commented.

‘I’m being serious. Why don’t you believe me?’

I didn’t think he was going to believe me even if I said more things, so it was best to change the subject.

“When are we leaving…?”

“I think we’re going to leave earlier than we planned. Originally, I was going to spend more time with the preparations because we never expected the expedition party to be formed this quickly. There’s probably going to be a change in the schedule,” Lee Ji-Hye replied.

“It’s good news for the Black Swan Guild,” Kim Hyun-Sung commented.

“It is. Miss Yeon-Joo is pretending to be fine, but she’s pretty anxious. From what I heard, there are many members she cherishes very much in the dungeon, so I’m sure she wants to rescue them as soon as possible,” she explained.

“I see,” he said.

When I lifted my head slightly and looked at Kim Hyun-Sung, he seemed anxious, unlike before. He was often making that expression recently, but he looked more anxious today than usual. It didn’t really fit him, but it was like looking at a puppy that had to go pee. It was as if the proud expression he had displayed earlier had been an illusion. He looked as if there was something he wanted to say because he kept moving his lips, but he couldn’t find the words for it.

‘This guy… is there something else he’s worried about?’

I couldn’t be the answer to his problems, but it was also my job to care for his mental health. I had no choice but to speak up first since he was having a difficult time talking.

“Is there something you want to say?”

“Ah… I guess it’s pretty obvious,” Kim Hyun-Sung said.

“That’s not true…” I replied.

I guess he had gained some confidence because I heard him talking. I thought maybe it was going to be about the expedition, but what he said was something completely different.

“I…” he started.

“Yes?” I asked.

“Well… the Black Swan Guild’s master didn’t say it was a recruitment offer earlier, but—” he paused.

“Ah, you’re talking about the conversation earlier.” I pointed out.

“Yes, about that…”

Kim Hyun-Sung was being really hesitant and nervous, so I immediately realized what he was thinking.

‘Your hyung isn’t going anywhere.’

1. Aeon of Strife. It's an old video game terminology used by Koreans because of Starcraft. It's basically a MOBA (Multiplayer online battle arena) like League of Legends ☜

2. It’s her first time to form an expedition party as well as letting someone do it for her. Ki-Young has basically taken both of her firsts in this field xD ☜