Chapter 156

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Translator: True Detective

Chapter: 156

Chapter Title: Kim So-jeong

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The dungeon raid began alongside the broadcast.

Unlike what Han Minguk had expected, the other team members didn't seem particularly bothered by the fact that they were streaming the dungeon raid live for fans to watch.

When he asked why, they explained that top heroes often did live streams just like this.

"The people watching the stream right now... uh... we just hit over 100,000 viewers?"

"Whoa. Isn't this amazing for tackling a 【B-1】 difficulty? Even our clan only got numbers like this with our first-string raid team."

"Who's the raid leader for GGW?"

"Ahh..."

Jeong Ye-rin continued her explanation, and Jiselle Budsen quickly nodded in agreement. A male hero was a ratings magnet in and of himself.

"But what if something goes wrong during the stream? Doesn't that get awkward?"

Han Minguk, who had been listening quietly, asked in a subtle tone. Ye-rin pondered for a moment before slowly responding.

"It does happen sometimes. But the benefits far outweigh the risks."

"Benefits?"

Minguk tilted his head instinctively.

Heroes smashing monsters—what benefits could there possibly be? If anything, an accident would be a disaster. But Ye-rin's words were a bit unexpected.

"Yes. Apparently, a surprising number of people enlist in the military after seeing how cool heroes look in action. There's even research showing that folks who've awakened mana but are living quietly as civilians often sign up to become heroes after watching raid footage."

"Ah..."

This was basically propaganda footage.

"That's why so many heroes live-stream their raid teams tackling dungeons. Even if it's not for that reason, some just enjoy interacting with viewers."

"Of course, since accidents can happen, streaming is only allowed for raid teams with plenty of Revival Stones or top heroes clearing 【A】-rank dungeons. Viewers won't tune in unless it's that level."

Jiselle Budsen chimed in. Despite her young age, she spoke like a veteran with a full year more hero experience than Minguk.

Listening to them, Minguk found himself nodding along.

"Fair enough..."

There were precious few heroes in the world.

To put it bluntly, if a Dungeon Break hit Korea, the nation's heroes alone could never contain it. They'd absolutely need help from the World Heroes Association—like what happened in Vietnam.

'No telling what might happen, so we've gotta grind hard.'

Minguk's gaze shifted to the drone hovering about three meters off the ground, filming them.

100,000 viewers, was it?

Either way, a huge crowd was watching Team GGW's attempt live. Who knew—maybe there were girls with Messi, Ronaldo, or Robertson-level talent among them.

"Alright, let's start the briefing."

Today's target dungeon: Flame Canyon Orc Citadel.

It dropped certain class stones, yellow-grade crystals, and the Flame Greatsword.

Truth be told, the Flame Greatsword for Kim So-jeong wasn't anything special. Considering it came from a 【B-1】 dungeon, its Gear Score ranged from 400 to 450—nothing impressive.

It was on par with gear you could snag from a Platinum Ticket.

Plus, Kim So-jeong's current greatsword was level 430, while the Flame Greatsword sat at 445.

Sure, a 15-point Gear Score gap wasn't nothing. Switching would boost her DPS by at least 2%.

But would that gap let her fell a monster she couldn't before? Not really. And even if it did once in a blue moon, that was a fluke.

'Once she hits 5th rank and starts hitting 【A-9】 dungeons for real, the Flame Greatsword will be obsolete anyway.'

If a better greatsword dropped mid-raid? The Gear Score difference alone would send the Flame Greatsword straight to the trash.

But that wasn't why Minguk had picked Flame Canyon Orc Citadel. The Flame Greatsword was a nice bonus for Kim So-jeong—get it or don't, no big deal.

What Team GGW and Minguk really needed were mana crystals to boost their hero ranks.

And Flame Canyon Orc Citadel featured multiple 5-star special spawns. Luck-dependent, but prime for farming yellow-grade crystals.

As Minguk's briefing kicked off, viewers went wild. Plenty lost it over the male hero's charisma.

The over-the-top praise and reactions were a tad embarrassing, but knowing so many women were cheering him on made Minguk puff up a little.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Then combat began.

"Tanks, you're too close—if you stay like that, a swing could hit both and send you flying. That'd kill either Kim So-jeong or Shiranu Mai for sure. Spread out now!"

"Orc Wolf's Flame Rush incoming in 20 seconds! ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠Ranged dealers, start timing it from now—run on my signal!"

Oh Hyun-ah and Choi Yuna, the channel owners, knew exactly what viewers craved. They were sharp like that.

The moment the raid started, their drone cams locked onto Minguk commanding the team.

Even with cameras glued to him, Minguk led flawlessly, fulfilling his healer role to a T, and kept clearing bosses successfully.

"No tension at all? Or just ignoring it? Top-tier raid leaders really are different."

"Maybe he's a natural on camera."

Hyun-ah and Yuna whispered as they watched him.

Anyone else would've cracked under all those eyes. But Minguk showed zero difference from usual. Overhearing them, he smirked inwardly.

'I've pulled World First Kills with the whole world watching me.'

Back then, viewers weren't just praising—they flooded chat with envy, backseat advice, and straight-up curses. He'd seen every type of troll.

But Hyun-ah and Yuna's audience was different. Even his basic plays drew nonstop hype.

As the serious clearing ramped up, the chat filled with presumed heroes.

Dungeons like 【B-1】—mid-tier for top heroes—usually drew tons of backseat gaming. But Team GGW's stream? Zero critiques.

Minguk's leading was just that good.

If anyone nitpicked the briefing, chats immediately demanded which raid team they led—in every language.

The only nitpick from elites was the team members' movements during the try. But factoring in they were 2-3 year heroes? Totally forgivable.

No game-breaking mistakes anyway. Team GGW was steamrolling Flame Canyon Orc Citadel without a single death.

And...

"So, Raid Leader, which girl on our team do you like best? Like, what's your type?"

"Wh-what?!"

Minguk's eyes widened at the sudden question. He glanced back at the team walking behind him.

These quick Q&A bits en route to the boss point had viewers hooked. Everyone stared at Minguk unblinking.

After some thought, he answered cautiously.

"A kind, pretty girl?"

"Aha! Pretty means no holds barred? So all heroes are fair game?"

Hyun-ah grinned mischievously as she fired off the follow-up. Minguk shut his mouth, and the donation bar exploded—with heroines' cash.

"What about in our raid team?"

Hyun-ah pressed again, and the rowdy crowd went dead silent.

Even their walks stiffened like robots.

"...No comment."

"Aww, lame. Okay, how many years older or younger? Like, dating? Partners?"

"......"

Minguk's eyes flicked to Hyun-ah.

Partners? Wasn't this a regular stream? She stared back like a sly fox, clearly not letting it slide without an answer.

"Older doesn't matter. Younger... under 18 is a no."

"18?"

"Yeah. Gotta be an adult at least."

As far as Minguk knew, adulthood here kicked in at 18.

His answer drew a wave of groans in chat. Turns out plenty of underage viewers were tuned in.

The try continued in this cheerful vibe.

Someone's comment sparked a flurry of angry chats.

Flame Shaman Quenm, a 5th-rank special spawn. His strategy wasn't tough compared to peers. But one ability was a nightmare.

This was straight from Quenm's strategy guide.

The 5-chain Ring of Flames—a brutal AoE.

Countless raid teams had wiped to it. For squads with middling average Gear Scores, Quenm was an insurmountable wall.

Viewers—heroes especially—zeroed in on how Team GGW and Minguk would handle the Ring.

Still, no one thought they'd fail. They'd cleared Flame Canyon Orc Citadel multiple times already, they'd said.

Tension mounted as the try unfolded. After a back-and-forth slugfest, Quenm's HP dipped low. He shrieked suddenly, his body igniting like a fire spirit.

Heroes who'd faced Quenm sighed in shared trauma. Then Minguk's voice rang out calmly.