The Eclipsed Order

Chapter 202: Chapter 203: A-Rank Gate Subjugation

The A-Rank Gate stood within a heavily secured area on the outskirts of Seoul.

Unlike the lower-ranked Gates Ares had visited before, this one was not open to independent Awakeners or temporary hunting parties. The Titan Guild had been assigned exclusive responsibility for its subjugation, and the surrounding area had been completely closed to unauthorized personnel.

Several layers of reinforced barriers surrounded the Gate, while government security personnel monitored the perimeter alongside Titan Guild staff. Medical teams, logistics personnel, and several researchers were stationed farther away, prepared to assist the raid team if necessary.

There were no ordinary hunters waiting for a party.

No advertisements for temporary groups.

No low-ranked Awakeners hoping to enter for easy money.

This was an official A-Rank subjugation operation.

Only personnel with an assigned role in the expedition were permitted inside the restricted area.

Ares and Ji Won approached the Gate together.

Ji Won carried a small pack over his shoulders, while Ares walked beside him without any visible combat equipment.

The enormous Gate towered several meters above them.

Its surface was a deep blue, but unlike the relatively calm appearance of the D-Rank Gates they had entered previously, this one seemed to contain an enormous amount of energy beneath its surface. Waves of mana occasionally moved across the Gate like distant currents beneath dark water.

Ji Won looked toward the gathered Titan Guild members.

"That’s the party."

Ares followed his gaze.

Ten Awakeners stood together near the entrance, each equipped for a serious subjugation operation. Their weapons, armor, and equipment were considerably more advanced than anything Ares had seen among the lower-ranked hunting parties.

The man standing at the front noticed them approaching and stepped forward.

He appeared to be in his early thirties, with short black hair, a sturdy build, and a composed expression that suggested considerable experience in leading dungeon operations. His armor was practical rather than decorative, and the Titan Guild insignia was clearly displayed across his chest.

His eyes settled on Ji Won.

"Han Ji Won?"

"Yes."

The man’s gaze shifted toward Ares.

"Is this guy Yoon Tae-ho?"

"Yes," Ji Won answered. "This is Yoon Tae-ho."

The man nodded before introducing himself.

"My name is Jang Hyuk-soo. I’m an A-Rank Swordsman and the Raid Leader for this subjugation operation."

He then turned toward the members of his party.

"Before we enter, I’ll introduce the rest of the team."

He first gestured toward a heavily built man standing near the frontline.

"Nam Tae-jin. A-Rank Brawler. He specializes in close combat and will operate alongside the frontline."

Hyuk-soo then indicated the man carrying a large shield.

"Seo Kang-ho. A-Rank Shieldbearer. He’s our primary Tank and will be responsible for maintaining the frontline."

His hand moved toward another member.

"Kwon Min-jae. B-Rank Martial Artist. His specialty is close-range combat and rapid movement."

He continued toward the next.

"Han Seok-jin. B-Rank Spearman. He’ll support the frontline and provide additional reach against larger targets."

Hyuk-soo then turned toward another man.

"Moon Tae-ho. A-Rank Supporter. His abilities focus on strengthening the physical and magical capabilities of the party while providing defensive reinforcement when necessary."

He moved toward the next member.

"Joo Min-ho. B-Rank Mage. His specialty is offensive fire magic and large-area suppression."

Hyuk-soo then gestured toward a woman standing farther back.

"Chae Soo-ah. A-Rank Mage. She specializes in ice magic and battlefield control."

Finally, he pointed toward another woman.

"Yoo Ha-rin. B-Rank Mage. Her specialty is lightning magic and high-speed single-target attacks."

His gaze then settled on the final member of the party.

"Baek Do-yoon. C-Rank Assassin. He specializes in reconnaissance, infiltration, and eliminating isolated targets."

Hyuk-soo stepped back.

"That’s the entire combat party."

Ares quietly looked over the group.

Five A-Rank Awakeners.

Four B-Rank Awakeners.

One C-Rank Awakener.

’Five A-Ranks.’

His eyes moved across the party.

’Jang Hyuk-soo, the Swordsman and Raid Leader.’

Ares’s gaze then shifted toward the B-Rank members.

’Four B-Ranks.’

’Kwon Min-jae is a Martial Artist, Han Seok-jin is a Spearman, Joo Min-ho is a fire Mage, and Yoo Ha-rin specializes in lightning magic.’

His eyes finally settled on Baek Do-yoon.

’And one C-Rank Assassin.’

Ares remained silent for several seconds.

’That’s a considerably stronger composition than most parties I’ve encountered.’

’Five A-Ranks provide an extremely powerful core, while the four B-Ranks fill the gaps between them.’

His gaze moved toward the Shieldbearer.

’The A-Rank Tank is particularly valuable.’

Then toward Moon Tae-ho.

’And having an A-Rank Supporter means their effective combat strength will be considerably higher than the individual rankings suggest.’

Ares looked toward the three Mages.

’They also have three Mages with different specialties.’

’Fire for area suppression, ice for battlefield control, and lightning for high-speed single-target attacks.’

His eyes briefly returned to the Assassin.

’The C-Rank Assassin is the only obvious weak point in terms of raw combat power, but that doesn’t necessarily make him a liability.’

’If he’s competent at reconnaissance, he could prevent the party from walking into situations where raw strength wouldn’t be enough.’

Ares looked toward the enormous Gate.

’Overall, the party is well balanced.’

’Five A-Ranks, four B-Ranks, and one C-Rank.’

’For an A-Rank dungeon, that’s a reasonable force.’

Ji Won glanced toward Ares.

Ares remained quiet.

Hyuk-soo then looked toward him.

"Before we proceed, I’d like to confirm your role once more."

Ares turned toward him.

"Of course."

"Ji Won informed me that you’re registered as an E-Rank Healer."

"That’s correct."

Hyuk-soo briefly glanced at Ares’s identification card.

"And you’re participating as a porter?"

"Yes."

Hyuk-soo nodded.

"I understand."

His expression remained professional.

"However, this is an A-Rank dungeon. The danger inside will be considerably greater than anything you’ve encountered in the lower-ranked Gates."

"I’m aware."

"Then remain with the support personnel at all times. If the main formation engages an enemy, do not move forward unless you’re specifically instructed to do so."

Ares nodded.

"Understood."

Hyuk-soo seemed satisfied.

"Good."

He turned toward the Gate.

"Our objective is straightforward. We enter, establish the safest route possible, clear the dungeon, eliminate the boss, recover the valuable materials, and return before the Gate reaches its critical stability threshold."

He looked across the party.

"Nobody acts independently unless circumstances require it. If the situation changes, follow the raid leader’s instructions immediately."

The party members acknowledged the order with brief nods.

Hyuk-soo then looked toward the support personnel waiting farther behind them.

"Once we’re inside, the porters will remain behind the combat formation. Medical and logistical personnel will follow at a safe distance."

Ji Won nodded.

"Understood."

Ares remained beside him.

The final equipment checks began.

Weapons were inspected.

Armor was secured.

The Mages confirmed their mana reserves.

The Supporter prepared his enhancement abilities.

The Assassin checked the equipment concealed beneath his clothing.

The Tank tightened the straps around his shield.

Ares watched them quietly.

’They’re professionals.’

’They have a clear formation, specialized roles, and enough high-ranking Awakeners to handle most situations an ordinary A-Rank dungeon should present.’

His gaze shifted toward the enormous Gate.

’This should be interesting.’

Hyuk-soo raised his hand.

"Everyone ready?"

The party immediately took their positions.

The massive A-Rank Gate pulsed once.

A wave of dense mana spread across the restricted area.

Several security personnel instinctively stepped back.

Ares remained completely still.

The Gate opened.

And the Titan Guild’s A-Rank subjugation party began moving inside.

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