Ordinary Art Factor [EN]: Chapter 43

“I apologize for earlier. I’ve decided to follow the Party Leader’s instructions.”

“Oh, really? Well then, I officially welcome you to the support party, Han Deuk.”

“Yes, Party Leader!”

As expected, Han Deuk is quite perceptive. He doesn’t call me ‘hyung’ [older brother or respected older male figure] in front of others.

“From now on, we’ll begin the welcoming party for the new members. Find a place and decide on the menu, then report back.”

“Understood, Party Leader. What’s the limit on public funds…”

“Unlimited. I’ll cover it if it’s not enough.”

“Yes! Did everyone hear that? We’re now gathering opinions for the welcoming party for the new support party members. Anything you want to eat, anything you want to do, just say it. The Party Leader will pay for everything.”

Some cheered, some clenched their fists, and Kim Eun-hee looked at me with strange eyes.

Ji-hye poked my side, and the look in her eyes changed again.

Hmm… maybe I should write a 막장 [makjang – Korean drama characterized by exaggerated and often absurd plotlines] drama script?

* * *

Problems arose from the very beginning of registering the business.

Well, it’s a bit embarrassing to call it a problem.

It’s because of the business name. Ji-hye, Han Deuk, Mi-hye, and Gil-soo insist on including the word ‘Support’ since it’s the Support Party, which I agree with, but it’s still a bit awkward.

Just calling it ‘Support Party’ seems unremarkable, but I can’t think of a groundbreaking name that hits me in the back of the head.

Looking at other parties and guilds, most of them are registered under their party or guild names.

In the end, after much deliberation, I just followed suit.

Didn’t large guilds or others have the same concerns as me?

I don’t want to waste energy on unnecessary things.

Because it’s a hassle.

After deciding on the business type and service form under the name ‘Support Party,’ I finished the business registration and left the tax office.

The office is located on the 3rd floor of a new building near Yeondong New Town, renting 80 pyeong [approximately 2846 square feet].

After completing the contract, we bought and arranged new tables, chairs, computers, printers, sofas, and other furniture. My relatives gave me stones and plants as opening gifts, which decorated my office and the Party Leader’s room.

My wife and mother visited frequently to greet the party members, and Ji-hye, Mi-hye, and Eun-hee’s expressions were truly a sight to behold.

Some showed bright smiles, some pretended to be indifferent but couldn’t hide their dislike, and some acted cool as if they didn’t care at all. All three had different thoughts and expressions written all over their faces.

The existing Jjangssen party members also began to buy or rent houses to live in Jeju, supported by Han Deuk and Gil-soo.

We recruited three new Awakened individuals, bringing the total number of Support Party members to 15, including me.

The company’s positions were structured with the Party Leader at the top, followed by Han Deuk as the leader of Dungeon Clearing Team 1, with Ji-hye as the deputy leader, consisting of 7 members. Gil-soo was the leader of Team 2, with Mi-hye as the deputy leader, also consisting of 7 members.

Warriors, mages, healers, and priests were evenly distributed according to their roles, and the team leaders and deputy leaders would receive an additional 5% of the dungeon clearing rewards as previously agreed.

With 7 Awakened individuals per team, clearing a level 10 dungeon should be easy.

Well, I don’t know if it will be profitable or not.

Clearing a level 9 dungeon is also fine since our party is all level 9 Awakened, and there’s only one level 8 dungeon in Jeju, Seongpanak, so we can all move together.

Almost two weeks have passed since the company was founded and the office was set up.

In the meantime, at Han Deuk’s request, we practiced forming the formation to maintain when entering the level 8 dungeon in the vacant lot near the terminal.

This is because of the safety zone that doesn’t exist from level 9 dungeons onwards, and each party has a different way of forming a formation when entering a dungeon, so it couldn’t be helped.

The warrior types are in the front to protect me, the attack mages support from the middle, and the healers and priests support from the back. However, the moving lines were tangled, so it took quite a while.

After practicing for 2-3 hours a day for a week, we were able to form a proper formation in case of an emergency.

We learned the formations for defense, attack, and movement, divided by individual, team, and party, and practiced movements for emergencies and contingencies.

At first, the onlookers wondered what we were doing in the middle of winter, but when they realized we were Awakened, some of them took pictures.

In fact, it’s a big deal in Jeju for 15 Awakened people to gather in one place and do something. I don’t know what it’s like in other regions.

The problem is my poor physical strength. The warrior types and attack mages are okay, but even compared to the healers and priests, my physical stats are so low that I can’t be called an Awakened.

For example, Han Deuk, a level 9 healer, has agility 25, endurance 24, strength 19, and stamina 22, but compared to me… never mind. Let’s not even compare.

To put it simply, no matter how fast they move or fly, I can’t keep up.

It doesn’t matter when defending, but when moving or attacking quickly, I can’t follow.

Thinking about it, do I need to follow them?

Wouldn’t it be enough to summon about 10 Zealots around me?

I can tell the Zealots to defend, attack, and move. There’s no need for me to pant like a dog and run around… or is there? Damn it!

Since I don’t know what will happen in the dungeon, I practiced with the party members for now. Sweating profusely in the middle of winter.

Damn it! I already feel like the stamina of someone in their 30s is different from someone in their 40s… I’m going to die.

Damn….

* * *

A few days later.

Finally, it was our turn to enter the Seongpanak level 8 mechanized dungeon, which we applied for at the Jeju branch of the Awakened Association at the beginning of the year.

Why do they open the clearing targets to the whole country from level 8 onwards, making us wait so long?

How nice would it be if they just told Jeju to take care of it.

Then we could clear it every day….

Ah… then, we can’t clear level 8 dungeons on the mainland either.

It’s the same. We’re even.

The Seongpanak level 8 mechanized dungeon that I’ve been waiting for.

I must upgrade the Zealot’s warp speed and attack power with the gas fragments absorbed after clearing the dungeon. I don’t know how much gas there will be.

After dividing into two used vans purchased with company funds, we moved for about 35 minutes and arrived at Seongpanak.

Seongpanak is one of the Hallasan hiking courses and also the 5.16 Road rest area that leads to Seogwipo.

After parking the car in the parking lot, we went to the dungeon management office, filled out and submitted the dungeon entry application, and came outside.

There was about 1 hour and 30 minutes left until the dungeon entry time. Some went into the waiting room to drink tea, and some were immersed in the winter scenery of Hallasan.

The world was all dressed in white. White snow flowers on bare branches. If it weren’t for the dungeon clearing, I would want to grab a camera and wander around… Ji-hye approached me and asked to take a commemorative photo with her phone.

I ignored her and headed to the waiting room.

It’s cold. Very.

As soon as we entered the Seongpanak Rank 8 dungeon, the warrior-type party members, including Gil-soo, took out their equipment and stepped forward, scanning the surroundings. Ji-hye, Mi-hye, and Eun-hee, including the attack mages, were positioned next to me, followed by the healers and priests, including Han-deuk, who took their places behind us.

“Party Leader, let’s begin.”

Han-deuk calls me ‘Party Leader’ instead of ‘hyung’ [a Korean term for ‘older brother’ or ‘older male friend,’ used by males] from behind.

Maybe he’s changed the way he addresses me now that he’s a team leader himself?

Or is it because this is an official setting?

Anyway, I glanced around and stared at the open space 20 meters ahead of our formation.

“Let’s start. Summon all Zealots! Summon all Drakans!”

[Ting! Summoning 80 Zealots.]

[Ting! Summoning 41 Drakans.]

“Oh, my god…”

“Heok!” [A Korean exclamation of surprise or shock.]

“Zealots! Drakans! As expected!”

“Ha… I still can’t get used to it, even after seeing it again.”

You’ll get used to it if you see it often enough.

The newly joined Awakeners were astonished, and even the existing strong party members looked surprised.

Well, it wasn’t a summon for clearing the dungeon when they saw it at the Busan Haeundae Rank 8 Bio Dungeon, so the atmosphere must have been different from now.

If dozens of Zealots are staring at you with their crimson eyes, even a Rank 9 Awakener will lose their will to fight.

First, I need to check the gas reserves after clearing the dungeon. The faster we clear it, the more mineral and gas rewards we’ll get.

“Ten Zealots will protect us from the surroundings, and the rest will destroy the units and buildings in the dungeon. Priority is Nexus, Defense Tower, Gateway, Drakan, and Zealot. Go!”

As soon as my command ended, the Zealots began to run towards the hill, and the Drakans also waddled after the Zealots… Hey! … Hey!

I was wrong.

The Drakans aren’t stupid; I’m the stupid one.

No, we’re both stupid.

The Drakans, summoned without enough space, tried to move all at once, bumping into each other and creating chaos.

Drakans with round arms and legs compared to the slender Zealots.

If it weren’t for the huge cannon on their chest, I’d want to reverse summon them right now.

I summoned them to assist from behind while the Zealots fought in the front, but these guys are collectively crazy!

They’re all tangled up and rubbing against each other.

“Hey! Everyone, spread out! I said spread out! You there! You need to move to the side… Hey, you bastard! You stupid bastards. Drakan summon release!”

The Drakans, who were putting on a show in front of me, disappeared with a white light.

“Ha… I really can’t use these Drakans.”

“Party Leader, let’s move first. The Zealots will be arriving at the dungeon buildings soon.”

Han-deuk approaches from behind, recommending that we move.

“Okay. Let’s go for now.”

“Everyone heard that? Maintain the rapid movement formation and move to the hill. Go!”

I started running at Han-deuk’s starting signal.

And the surrounding party members moved, maintaining formation at my running speed.

After a while.

“Summon 5 Drakans!”

[Ting! Summoning 5 Drakans.]

“Support those Zealots over there with cannon fire from behind. Go!”

‘Kwaang… Kwaaang.’ [Sound of explosions]

‘Kuwowoo….’ [Sound of monsters]

“Dungeon Zealots, move behind 2 of them! Team 1! Bind them with magic!”

“Wall of Fire. Fire Wall!”

“Tears of the Crystal. Ice Tornado!”

“Hey, newbie! What are you doing! I said heal!”

“… The Goddess Idea’s arrangement. Heal them. Personal Heal!”

‘Kwaaang….’

‘Kuwowoo… Kuwowoo….’

While 70 Zealots were destroying the Nexus and defense towers, the dungeon units weren’t just standing still.

As expected of Rank 8.

There were dungeon Zealots that ignored the Zealots I had spread out as meat shields, decoys, and bait, and charged at the Awakeners. There were also Drakans with long range that stepped forward and fired cannon fire.

While the warrior-type Awakeners mingled with the dungeon Zealots, the healers and Awakeners cast heals and blessings, the mage-types dealt with the Drakans with ranged attacks, and the Zealots I summoned finished off the dungeon units.

A different situation from when we cleared the Busan Haeundae Rank 8 dungeon.

Back then, it took 5 support party members 2 hours to clear the dungeon, but now there are 15 Rank 9 Awakeners, including me.

The number of Zealots summoned is the same, but the firepower and support are incomparable.

Before an hour had passed since entering the dungeon, the dungeon clear notification rang.

[Ting! Cleared the Rank 8 Armored Dungeon.]

“Wow~ We did it.”

“Hahaha. I didn’t know Rank 8 would be this easy!”

“Everyone, you’ve worked hard. Check for injuries, and everyone, gather around.”

“Team 1, assemble!”

“Team 2 as well.”

“Party Leader, you’ve worked hard.”

“Oppa~ You’re the best!” [Oppa is a Korean term used by females to address older brothers or older male friends.]

The sound of mutual celebration echoed as the dungeon clear notification popped up.

Employees, who had been scattered into teams, gathered one by one, giving me a thumbs up.

“Hyung-nim [Korean term for older brother or respected older male], we finished in under an hour!”

Han Deuk approached, so excited that he called me ‘Hyung-nim’ instead of ‘Party Leader’.

“Check for injuries and move to the Nexus.”

“Understood, Hyung-nim. Everyone heard that? Report the headcount.”

“Team 1 reports. Total 7 members, current 7 members, 1 injured. Minor injuries. No injured members after healing.”

“Team 2 reports. Total 7 members, current 7 members, 2 injured. Minor injuries. No injured members after healing.”

Ji-hye reported for Team 1 instead of Han Deuk, and Gil-soo, the team leader, reported for Team 2.

The healers and Zealots cast heals and blessings intermittently during the clearing process, but they may not have been able to identify minor injuries during the battle.

Only after the tension eased did the pain rush in, signaling that they were hurt.

I healed the injured and moved near the Armored Dungeon Nexus.

Now it’s time to check the dungeon clear rewards.

“Heo… Hyung-nim!”

“Keueueum….”

“Oppa [Korean term used by females to address older brothers or older male friends]! This is amazing! Really amazing!”

“Is, is that all mineral?”

The three newly selected Rank 9 Awakeners stood blankly, the existing strong party members were surprised, and the existing support party members screamed and shouted as they ran excitedly towards the minerals.

“Team 1 mines from the left, Team 2 from the right. Everyone hurry!”

Only after Han Deuk’s shout did everyone start moving.

Well, minerals aren’t important to me, so I watched them and scanned the surroundings.

Coincidentally, there was a faint mist rising 30m to the left of the Nexus.

I walked towards it, summoned a Probe, and put my hand on its antennae.

“Create Gas Extraction Site!”

When I placed the Probe on the floor, it scurried through the cracks in the rocks and burned its body blue.

‘Poo… Chi… Chi-jik’

Blue beams of light connected from the dungeon floor, and a gas extraction site was created.

[Ting! Gas Extraction Site has been created. Total amount 75.533L]

“75 liters? If it’s 75, roughly… 250 gas pieces?! Keuheuhe… Heuhe… Hahaha!”

Regardless of my laughter, the Probe that entered the quickly created gas extraction site approached me, spewing black vapor from its snout.

[Ting! Absorbed 0.3L of Rank 8 gas from the Armored Dungeon. Gas fragment increased by 1.]

The gas needed to create a Gateway after summoning a Crystal and creating a Drakan Core is 50 pieces, 40 for creating an Evolution Core, 60 for upgrading Zealot movement speed, Force creation doesn’t need gas, so that’s it, and the gas needed to upgrade ground attack power is 100, so the total gas needed… 250. Right?

Whether it’s a coincidence or not, I can upgrade both Zealot’s movement speed and attack power in the dungeon I cleared today.

Let’s mine all the gas first.

I calmed my pounding heart and shouted forcefully.

“Summon all Probes!”

[Ting! Summoning 150 Probes.]

White light filled the dungeon floor.

“What are you doing? Mine all the gas!”

When I gave the order to the summoned Probes, they struggled to be the first to enter the gas extraction site.

Cute guys… not really, it’s a bit grotesque.

There are too many.

[Ting! Absorbed 0.3L of Rank 8 gas from the Armored Dungeon. Gas fragment increased by 1.]

[Ting! Absorbed 0.3L of Rank 8 gas from the Armored Dungeon. Gas fragment increased by 1.]

[Ting! Absorbed 0.3L of Rank 8 gas from the Armored Dungeon. Gas fragment increased by 1.]

…….

After a while.

“Status Window!”

[Art Factor: Han Ji-won (Lv-3)

Nationality/Affiliation: South Korea/Support Party,

Age: 40, Height/Weight: 177cm/80kg,

Agility: 3, Endurance: 3, Strength: 4,

Stamina: 3, Intelligence: 2, Luck: 13,

Inventory: 6/9

(Awakener Boots, Gloves, Cloak,

Zealot(16), Drakan(32), Mineral(5.867kg)),

Buildings: 8

(Force, Battery, Gateway, Drakan Core,

Gas Extraction Site, Evolution Core, Land Core, Stargate),

Crystal: 0/30,

Personal Stats: 0,

Summon Target Stats: 150 (Probe),

Zealot’s Top Armor 1,

Possessed Artifacts:

Minerals(Absorption) 160, Gas(Absorption): 251,

Idea Pouch (Absorption) 1]

I reverse-summoned the remaining Zealots and Drakans from clearing the dungeon and put them in my inventory, and carefully examined the mineral and gas fragments.

“Got it. A total of 251 gas fragments!”

Finally, it seems I can upgrade with the level up.

After mining all the gas, I grabbed the Probe, which was the only one left, put it down, and stared at the 5 meters ahead.

“Crystal Summon!”

At my shout, the Probe scurried forward, and its body glowed blue.

‘Poo… chi… chijik’

[Ting! One Crystal has been summoned. The total amount of possessed Art Factors increases.]

[Ting! You can create a Force, Battery, and Gateway.]

[Ting! Summoning stats increase.]

Now that I’ve summoned the crystal, next is,

“Gateway Creation!”

[Ting! The Gateway has been created. The currently producible unit is Zealot (20 minerals per unit required).]

“Drakan Core Creation!”

[Ting! The Drakan Core has been created. You can produce Drakan (30 mineral fragments, 5 gas fragments per unit required) from the Gateway.]

Okay.

Now finally, at last, eventually….

“Evolution Core Creation!”

[Ting! Not enough mineral fragments (120), cannot create Evolution Core.]

“Huh? What are you talking about? Minerals?”

Why are minerals lacking?

I absorbed 160 mineral fragments… Ah… I guess it’s not enough.

“It’s always like this at times like these. Status Window!”

[Art Factor: Han Ji-won (Lv-3)

Nationality/Affiliation: South Korea/Support Party,

Age: 40, Height/Weight: 177cm/80kg,

Agility: 3, Endurance: 3, Strength: 4,

Stamina: 3, Intelligence: 2, Luck: 13,

Inventory: 6/9

(Awakener Boots, Gloves, Cloak,

Zealot(16), Drakan(32), Mineral(5.867kg)),

Buildings: 8

(Force, Battery, Gateway, Drakan Core,

Gas Extraction Site, Evolution Core, Land Core, Stargate),

Crystal: 1/30,

Personal Stats: 0,

Summon Target Stats: 150 (Probe),

Zealot’s Top Armor 1,

Possessed Artifacts:

Minerals(Absorption) 30, Gas(Absorption): 201,

Idea Pouch (Absorption) 1]

I can summon up to 30 crystals, so that’s fine. I used 30 mineral fragments to create the Gateway and 100 mineral fragments to create the Drakan Core, so I only have 30 left now.

It said I need 120 fragments to create the Evolution Core, so in the end, a total of 150 minerals are needed to create the Zealot’s Evolution Core building.

And if I upgrade it….

Shit!

It’ll cost more.

“Mineral Full Summon!”

[Ting! Summons 5.867kg of minerals.]

I smacked my lips as I looked at the lump of minerals that appeared in front of me.

I can’t break this lump of minerals.

I don’t have a greatsword, and my strength and stamina are just at the level of an ordinary person.

Or maybe a little better?

“Gil-soo~ If you’re not busy, come here for a second.”

I shouted for Choi Gil-soo, the team leader of Support Party Team 2, a Rank 9 warrior.

Gil-soo, who was mining minerals in the distance, heard my voice and looked around, then started running towards me.

It’s embarrassing.

To ask a warrior-type Awakener to break minerals for me.

“Did you call me? Bro.”

I didn’t say anything and pointed to the lump of minerals on the floor.

“I understand. Is it going to be finely crushed again this time?”

“Yeah. Finely crushed.”

Gil-soo examined the lump of minerals for a moment and then raised the greatsword behind his back.

‘Puh-uh-uk… Puh-uk… Puk puk puk….’

He’s excited.

Or is he doing a sword dance?

It’s a bit much to step back and watch Gil-soo do it.

Should I have just had the Probe absorb it?

No, it’s not.

Those guys bring back minerals that are too big, making it inefficient.

The Probe’s head takes up half of its body, yet they bring back minerals the size of their heads.

What a waste. That’s all money.

Whether it’s a fist-sized mineral chunk or a grain-sized one, it’s just one mineral fragment to me.

The mineral lump started to break apart from Gil-soo’s greatsword, and small fragments scattered everywhere.

I stepped back a little further and reached out my hand.

[Ding! Absorbed an 8th-grade armored dungeon mineral fragment. Mineral fragment count increased by 1.]

[Ding! Absorbed an 8th-grade armored dungeon mineral fragment. Mineral fragment count increased by 1.]

[Ding! Absorbed an 8th-grade armored dungeon mineral fragment. Mineral fragment count increased by 1.]

…….

Dozens of notifications rang, but something was off.

It should have notified me that I couldn’t absorb any more mineral fragments, but why is it still absorbing… Oh, right. Level up!

When I upgraded to level 2 last time, my mineral absorption stat increased by 50, so including this level up, is it 210 stats?

Great.

I should avoid calling Gil-soo if possible… No.

With 210 mineral fragments, I can’t even produce 100 Zealots after creating the gateway.

Gil-soo, I’m sorry.

You’ll have to keep doing your sword dance.

After the notification that I couldn’t absorb any more mineral fragments, I created the Zealot Speed upgrade core building again.

“Create Zealot Speed upgrade core!”

[Ding! Zealot Speed upgrade core has been created. Zealot movement speed upgrade +100% (requires 150 mineral fragments, 60 gas fragments) is available.]

“Zealot movement speed upgrade!”

[Ding! Zealot movement speed upgrade is in progress at the Zealot Speed upgrade core. Estimated time: 39 minutes 59 seconds, 58 seconds, 57 seconds…]

“Bro! What’s the upgrade?”

Gil-soo, who had been watching what I was doing, came over and asked.

“Oh, I leveled up this Lunar New Year [Korean holiday]. A new building feature appeared, and it seems I can upgrade Zealot movement speed and attack power.”

“…So, you’re saying the Zealots will become more powerful than they are now?”

“Yeah. Double the movement speed, double the attack power.”

“…Bro!”

“What?”

When I looked at Gil-soo, he was staring at me with wide eyes, as if he had eaten something wrong.

Wait, I’ll let you do your sword dance one more time.

Eventually, I created the Forge and finished upgrading the Zealots’ attack power.

I watched Gil-soo’s sword dance twice and filled the inventory with enhanced, upgraded Zealots.

I had Gil-soo bring another lump of mineral to make up for the shortage, and then I crushed it into small pieces.

After absorbing as many small, absorbable mineral fragments as possible up to the limit, I produced Zealots from the gateway, and it was definitely different.

They were the same height as the existing Zealots, but the dark red gauntlets and upper armor exuded a strange charm.

While I was producing upgraded Zealots and putting them into my inventory, the party members, having finished mining the minerals, came over to watch.

Every time I created additional gateways and Zealots were produced, they exclaimed in admiration, and I felt a strange heat on my back.

After putting roughly 5kg [kilograms, approx. 11 lbs] of mineral lumps and the produced Zealots into the inventory up to the limit, I turned around, and the party members cheered wildly.

“As expected, Oppa [term of endearment used by younger women to address older men] is the best!”

“Bro! You’re awesome.”

“Oppa, please take care of us next time too.”

“Party leader! You’re the greatest.”

“I knew I made the right choice joining the support party!”

“Of course! Where else would you find an Awakener with such abilities!”

“I’d believe you if you said you were a summoner instead of an Art Factor!”

Regardless of Team 1 or Team 2, even the new party members who had just joined were shouting at the top of their lungs, but Kim Eun-hee, a Rank 9 combat mage with an S-line figure [hourglass figure], still had a strange look in her eyes.

It resembled the red eyes of the Zealots.

“Party leader, may I ask you something?”

Kim Eun-hee, who had been looking at me with strange eyes, stepped forward and opened her mouth.

“Yeah, what is it?”

“Have you always cleared it like this? The 8th-grade dungeon in Haeundae, Busan.”

“Yeah. Back then, it took quite a while to clear it with the existing support party. About two hours? You know?”

“…Yes, it did. But other parties take at least 4 hours to clear the 8th-grade dungeon. And that’s considered fast.”

“Well, I heard that’s the case. But why are you asking?”

“…Oh, no. It’s just that…”

“…….”

What’s the problem?

The faster we clear the dungeon, the more rewards we get.

Why drag it out if we’re going to clear it anyway?

If we have the ability, we should clear it as quickly as possible.

Don’t you want to make money?

I looked at Eun-hee with a puzzled expression, but… huh… she gives a soft smile.

It’s good because we’re making a lot of money, right? Right?