Your Commander-in-Chief – Chapter 118

“Clear, it’s clear, right?”

“Did we really get it?”

“Waaaaaah!”

The excited voices of the party members drilled into my ears.

Just as the duration of the immortality spell was about to wear off, I felt the final blow pierce the boss’s body.

It was certain. We had cleared it. Faster than anyone else playing Deron, our party had achieved the Purcle achievement.

The buzzing voices gradually transformed into cheers. A bright smile spread across the faces of the party members, unable to be hidden.

Laugh. Enjoy the moment. Cheer. They were more than deserving of it.

In this moment, these people were shining brighter than anyone.

“Party Leader!”

“…”

I looked up with a delayed reaction.

The party members were waiting for me.

“I’m going.”

I’d have no physical fatigue. But my legs were shaking violently.

I felt like all my energy had been drained away.

Messages flooded in from guild chat, world chat, and all users I had personal connections with.

I manipulated the system to close all chats. Right now, I wanted to enjoy this moment with my party members.

“Wow… how did we do that at the last moment…”

“I still can’t believe it. Did we really clear it?”

“We wouldn’t have cleared it without the party leader.”

My shoulders lifted at the praises from the party members.

Clearing my throat, I crossed my arms.

Yeah. I’m your party leader. We pulled off a massive hard carry for the Purcle achievement right at the last moment.

I know. Even if you don’t look at me that way, I can tell what you’re thinking.

I’m amazing. I know I’m really cool.

“The party leader seems to be in a good mood.”

“You’re smiling weirdly.”

“Hehehe.”

What if my smile looked a little odd? It was okay, even if it looked strange now.

I bravely walked over to the Elder’s corpse.

We had defeated the raid’s final boss, so it was time to loot the items.

“Hah…”

The moment I touched the corpse, dropped items began to spiral up.

[Void’s Gaze]

Intelligence +200 Mana +150 Unique

Necklace

Bound upon acquisition.

Level Limit 85

Movement Speed +10%

Cooldown of all skills -20%

Applies [Void’s Gaze] debuff to the target.

[Void’s Gaze]

Damage taken +10%.

[Endless Nightmare]

All Stats +200 Unique

Bracelet

Bound upon acquisition.

Level Limit 85

Damage taken -10%

Converts 30% of damage taken into slow, ongoing damage.

Activates [Nightmare Arrow], reducing the target’s attack power by 10% upon being hit.

[Nightmare Arrow]

Reduces the target’s attack power by 10%.

Cooldown 10 seconds.

[Void’s Mantle]

Strength +600 Health +100 Unique

Strength +10%

Physical Attack Power +3500

Two-handed sword

Bound upon acquisition.

Level Limit 85

Attack Speed +15%

Max Damage +30%

Attack Range +20%

Damage increases by 3% for each equipped void item.

If all equipped items are void items, gain the [Void’s Mantle] buff.

When equipped, gain the [Void] buff, changing all damage to void attribute.

[Void’s Mantle]

Allows passage through players, NPCs, and monsters.

[Void]

Changes all damage to void attribute and deals an additional 20% damage when attacking targets with attributes other than void.

Everyone swallowed hard while looking at the dropped items.

Certainly, these items dropped from a raid had specs that were on a completely different level compared to what you could commonly find in a dungeon.

And thus, the auction began.

The first item up for bidding was [Void’s Gaze].

Its main stat was intelligence, but the additional options were so good that other classes coveted it.

As everyone cautiously eyed each other and participated in the bidding race, Helena, who had been silent up until now, joined in.

4,500 gold.

The bidder was Helena.

The bidding price, which had been steadily rising from 500 gold, suddenly shot up.

Everyone nodded as if to say they expected this. The Snow Mage’s eyes sparkled as she joined the race.

5,000 gold.

6,000 gold.

6,500 gold.

7,000 gold.

The race continued.

But in the end, the winner was Helena.

The final bid was 7,500 gold.

Helena became the owner of [Void’s Gaze].

Next up was the item [Endless Nightmare].

It had all stats attached and was sure to be favored by all classes except the Thief with its additional effects.

But there was someone who really needed this item.

The main tank, Dogrik.

It was him.

No one bid. Dogrik carefully placed a bid of 500 gold while glancing around.

The item options were focused on defense. Everyone knew that if the main tank survived longer, the party’s stability would increase.

In the end, [Endless Nightmare] went to Dogrik.

Now the item I had been waiting for, [Void’s Mantle], had appeared.

I glanced at Yerin, who was also a two-handed sword wielding dealer.

I had to compete with her for this item.

I checked the gold left in my inventory. My wallet wasn’t in great shape.

I had poured a considerable amount of gold into the sailing system introduced last season.

Bidding began.

The first bidder, unsurprisingly, was Yerin.

Her bid was 3,000 gold.

I followed suit.

I bid 5,000 gold.

And the race continued from there.

6,000

7,000

8,000

8,500

Yerin seemed to hesitate for a moment at that amount, then shook her head as if to give up.

Ultimately, I was able to secure the [Void’s Mantle].

I had spent all the gold I had. I was now as broke as a dog.

Once you get an item, you have to equip it right away.

I quickly swapped out for the item.

“Oh…”

The heavy weight transmitted through my hands.

The purplish sword blade looked as if it had taken a piece of the universe and attached it, shimmering with starlight.

The part where the grip connects to the blade was adorned with a gemstone that looked like it was on fire, casting a soft light.

I liked it a lot.

I inserted the sword into my back, wearing a proud smile.

Swish—

The great sword that had once been as tall as me shrank in an instant.

*

[2nd Malang Chew Cow Guild Gathering Announcement]

Hello, Soft & Chewy Cow Guild members.

This is Guild Leader Yeo.

Summer is the hottest and most sweltering season of the year, but I also think it can be the sunniest and greenest season.

I hope you all overcome the hot and annoying summer with a good mindset.

I’m writing this announcement with the hope of having a precious meeting before this summer is over.

Here is the date and time of the gathering, as well as the location.

June 29, Sunday.

Please click here for the meeting location.

*Check the location.

Deadline for attendance is by 11 AM.

[Vote for Attendance]

Please make sure to vote for your attendance, or else there may be issues when reserving the restaurant.

*All expenses will be covered by the guild leader.

“Uhm…”

Lying on the living room sofa, I checked the message I had written again.

I had searched the internet for some nice phrases, and it turned out quite trendy.

I felt this was acceptable.

I nodded to myself and posted the announcement in the guild group chat.

Ding-!

As soon as I registered the guild announcement, a flurry of chats from the guild members began to emerge.

Questions about my identity, inquiries about whether my dad wrote it for me.

It was a complete racket.

I wondered how many people would attend this gathering.

Recalling the memory of the last gathering, I slouched on the sofa and kicked my feet lightly.

My short legs hit the sofa’s edge and swayed slowly.

At that moment, heavy footsteps could be heard, and Harang appeared through the living room door.

“Hey.”

“What?”

Shouldn’t he be playing games rather than bothering me again?

He let out a small sigh and spoke to me.

“Are you planning another gathering?”

“Yeah, I’ve already written the announcement.”

Harang shook his head as if he had a headache.

“Is Sohee coming too?”

“Yeah. Why do you care about Sohee?”

I glared at Harang for his words.

Could it be that he has feelings for Sohee?

I couldn’t let my friend go to this furball.

I stood up from the sofa and guarded against Harang.

“No, if Sohee comes, it’s reassuring.”

“That guy… Sohee’s still in middle school!”

“I know.”

“…You know, huh?”

I suspected that his gaze on Sohee had been strange the last time.

I threw the cushion I had been hugging into Harang’s face.

Whoosh-!

The swiftly flying cushion unfortunately missed his face.

Harang quickly reached out to catch it.

“What are you doing?”

“I won’t let Sohee go!”

“What…?”

I jumped off the sofa and quickly dashed out into the living room.

As my footsteps echoed in the corridor, I immediately entered my room and locked the door.

“Ha-”

My precious friend Sohee was in danger.

Just as I was about to call Sohee to inform her about this terrible situation, pounding footsteps from Harang could be heard beyond the door, and soon he started banging on it.

Bang bang bang-!

[Hey! Don’t get me wrong!]

What misunderstanding? I heard it loud and clear.

That scheming guy certainly intends to steal my precious friend Sohee from me.

[Hey!!!]

Bang!

With a huge roar, the door shook as if it would break.

I sat down in front of the door and called Sohee.

Ringing- ringing—

As the dial tone continued, I finally got through to Sohee.

[Hayun?]

“Yeah, it’s me.”

[What’s up?]

“Sohee, be careful. Our Harang at home is after you.”

[Harang…? Oh, you mean your brother.]

“Yeah.”

[But what do you mean ‘after’ me?]

“Harang asked whether you’d be attending the gathering.”

[And?]

“When I said you’d attend, he seemed relieved.”

[My brother…?]

“Yeah, if you feel uncomfortable at all, just tell me and I’ll deal with him.”

[No, it’s not that… just…]

“Just…?”

[It’s fine. It’s not a big deal, so don’t worry, Hayun.]

“Really? What will you do if Harang suddenly hits on you at the gathering?”

[That won’t happen…]

I furrowed my brow at Sohee’s response.

She was saying that, but surely, she felt pressured.

She was a deep and kind girl for her age.

She was definitely being considerate of me as a family member of Harang.

“If it becomes really hard at the gathering, just say so. I’ll stand by you.”

[Stand by…?]

“Yeah.”

[Alright.]

With that, the call ended.

I absolutely wouldn’t let Harang and Sohee be alone together.