Chapter 172
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Translator: True Detective
Chapter: 172
Chapter Title: The Raid Team in Crisis
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Mana.
There was no precise definition of this tremendous power that only the chosen ones called heroes in this world—more accurately, the women—could wield.
This was because almost nothing had been uncovered about where mana originated, how it came to be, or the principles behind why only a select few awakened to it and became heroes.
The Hero Pad was an epoch-making invention, but all it did was scan the user's mana and provide related information.
Still, there were various theories about the origins of mana. For instance, some religious folks claimed it was divine salvation bestowed by the gods—utter nonsense, of course.
In any case, the existence of mana and the heroes who could wield it was humanity's one and only means of resistance against the monsters of darkness.
That was why heroes who had awakened to mana fought monsters to prepare for battles against stronger, more threatening dark creatures, raising the level and quantity of their own mana in the process.
They absorbed the mana crystals obtained from those foes, enhancing both the quality and quantity of their mana. Heroes referred to this process as elevating their star rank.
"……."
The moment he absorbed the mana crystal, Minguk felt a languid sensation wash over his entire body. It was a feeling he'd never experienced before.
He glanced to the side and caught a fleeting sparkle of light on Hyun-ah's forehead as her eyes remained closed. Come to think of it, she was on the verge of reaching 6-star just like him.
'Is this what it feels like when your star rank rises?'
His vision was starting to blur bit by bit. It wasn't just a feeling—his sight was genuinely warping. It didn't hurt, but the dizziness, like he'd taken some kind of drug, was oddly fascinating.
It was a sensation he'd never felt when advancing from 3-star to 4-star, or even to 5-star.
Wooooong.
Unable to resist the drowsiness any longer, he closed his eyes, and suddenly he could vividly sense the mana swirling through his body like a vortex. This was all the mana he'd absorbed through crystals up until now.
As he observed this mana coursing through him like an outsider watching from afar, another strange feeling crept in.
From the outside, the members of the GGW raid team watched the two awakening to 6-star heroism with tense expressions.
"It looks kinda familiar somehow…."
Yuna muttered. It was her first time seeing a 5-star hero become 6-star, but as she'd just said, it felt incredibly familiar. Kim So-jeong jumped in with an explanation.
"You've seen it before, right? It looks just like when ordinary people awaken as heroes."
"Oh! Yeah!"
Yuna clapped her hands at the words.
"And pros call that state 'metamorphosis' or 'rebirth.'"
"Rebirth? Isn't that from novels?"
"Technically, every hero is a protagonist straight out of a novel, right? Battling monsters and all."
This time, it was Ye-rin Jung who replied, and Yuna nodded.
"Makes sense. Not exactly the glamorous protagonist type, though."
"I prefer watching action flicks over living them. Anyway, rumor has it this reaction happens because you need to become a 6-star hero to use S-grade class stones."
Yuna and Ye-rin nodded vigorously at So-jeong's follow-up.
Just as she said, starting from 6-star heroes, S-grade class stones could be used—but only if you could obtain one in the first place.
And S-grade class stones were as rare as unique-grade ones.
'Huh…?'
But for some reason, Yuna had a hunch she might see an S-grade class stone soon.
It wasn't unfounded. The GGW raid team she belonged to already had hard-to-find unique classes, not to mention legendary ones. She couldn't even remember how many pillars of light she'd seen during the last surge.
Who knew? Maybe Cheonho-dong's Lucky Girl would pull it off again. That baseless thought lingered in her mind. Then Kim So-jeong spoke up again.
"Anyway, no one knows exactly why metamorphosis happens. We just say it's the body prepping to accept an S-grade class."
"Ah…."
"Man, 6-star. I'm jealous."
Ye-rin said in a voice full of envy. Yuna looked at her and asked,
"You could get there soon too, sis. No one else can absorb that intelligence crystal but you."
"What about Na-yeon? She'd probably beat me to it."
After a moment's thought, Yuna nodded. Shin Na-yeon, who used mana orbs, needed intelligence and mind crystals too.
"Among the dealers, I bet So-jeong sis hits 6-star first. She just needs strength crystals."
Ye-rin's gaze turned to Kim So-jeong, who waved her hands dismissively.
"Me? I'm still a ways off."
"I need both strength and agility crystals… In games, archers just pump agility, but that's all lies."
"That's for game balance. Just think about the strength needed to draw that bow."
They were chatting idly like that when—
A burst of radiant light erupted from the bodies of the two lying there with eyes closed. It was like celebratory fireworks signaling their successful ascension to 6-star heroes.
And as if they'd been waiting, everyone swarmed around Minguk and Hyun-ah.
"Congrats, Raid Leader!"
"Hyun-ah, congrats!!! Woo! We gotta party tonight, right?!"
"Booze! There'll be booze, yeah?!"
Minguk shook his head, snapping back to reality amid the nonstop chatter from his teammates.
It felt like he'd unknowingly dozed off and woken up.
But watching the footage So-jeong had recorded, he could see the changes that had occurred in his body during that moment.
Nothing dramatic, but multicolored orbs of light repeatedly entering and exiting his body were captured on camera.
"You're a 6-star hero now, right? So all we need is an S-grade class stone?"
So-jeong teased, peering at Minguk's face.
"An S-grade class stone?"
Minguk made a sheepish face at her words. His knowledge of this world was still limited, but he knew full well how precious S-grade class stones were.
"Someone like you, Raid Leader, could snag an S-grade class stone no problem. I'll check the dungeons where they've dropped."
"No need to go that far…."
He said that, but So-jeong was already excitedly tapping away on her tablet, brimming with enthusiasm.
Watching her, Minguk scratched his head. He really didn't need to—it wasn't necessary at all.
【Class Stone (S) - Yggdrasil】
An S-grade class stone obtained by defeating Garai, reward from Ppuu's quest. Its feature: the ability to use the revival skill, Rebirth.
"Heh heh heh! Finally 6-star! Now even 6-grade special entities are a joke to me! Everyone, just follow this big sis!!!"
"Wooo!!!"
"Oh Hyun-ah! Oh Hyun-ah!"
On one side, Choi Yuna, Shin Na-yeon, and Kendall were clapping nonstop around Hyun-ah, who was beaming with pride. The all-girls cluster was hilarious just to look at.
Anyway, now that they were 6-star heroes, they could equip gear with a Gear Score under 800.
'The gear we're using now….'
With their current average around 570, this was practically a massive upgrade.
Of course, they'd need high Gear Score gear, but that wasn't a big worry. By now, the equipment from the Rose Shield clan should be flying in on a military plane to Hoa Binh.
At the latest, by tonight or tomorrow morning, they'd have gear fit for 6-star heroes. As the battlefield wrapped up, Minguk addressed his team.
"Before heading back to Hanoi, let's tackle one more dungeon at 【A-7】 or below."
Checking the Hero Pad, Kim So-jeong was close to her 6-star upgrade.
She probably just needed three more strength crystals. Ye-rin and Na-yeon could hit 6-star soon too, depending on the crystals that dropped.
"Huh?"
"Right now?"
A few of the women sounded flustered at Minguk's words.
Time-wise, heading back to Hoa Binh now would land them right at dinnertime. With their star ranks boosted to 6-star, a celebratory feast with drinks would be perfect.
Minguk quickly backpedaled at the blatant disappointment on her face.
"Of course, we can't skip the 6-star celebration feast. I'll contact the Hoa Binh lodging to prep right now. But we return to Hoa Binh after clearing an 【A-7】 or lower dungeon."
With the battle against Storm Baranoras looming, they needed as many 6-stars as possible. According to the clan leader, they'd sent a full set: one tank, one dealer, one healer.
"The faster we clear it, the sooner we drink, right?"
Everyone's eyes lit up at Minguk's follow-up.
* * *
Luckily, a temporary 【A-9】 dungeon had spawned near the cleared one.
The low difficulty was a bit of a letdown, but the GGW raid team unleashed unprecedented focus, smashing through it in no time and returning to Hanoi.
"Alright! A toast to our new 6-star heroes, Raid Leader Han Minguk and Oh Hyun-ah!!!"
Who knows where she learned it, but Kim So-jeong clinked her spoon against a liquor bottle. A massive cheer erupted.
Given the circumstances, it wasn't a wild bash. But enjoying food and drinks in their assigned meeting room at the lodging was fine. The ones clamoring for the feast seemed plenty satisfied.
Minguk tilted his head watching the sizzling pork belly hit the grill.
"Can we really grill meat here, though?"
The GGW team's lodging was shared with other raid teams. Different floors, sure, but the smell… it felt like a nuisance.
"The lodging staff set this up themselves, so it should be okay, right? Besides, all the other teams are drinking and eating in their meeting rooms too. We're the only ones who haven't."
"…Really?"
Minguk shrugged at Yuna's reply as she flipped the meat with tongs.
Wonder when she'd seen that… Anyway, everyone seemed thirsty for booze; they cracked open bottles before the meat even finished grilling. Clear liquor in white bottles.
Minguk naturally picked up a bottle. It wasn't the familiar Korean stuff.
'Vietnamese liquor?'
It looked like vodka.
Sure enough, checking the label, it was a hefty 30 proof. And the team was downing it like soju.
"Raid Leader, have a shot!"
Minguk flinched at Tanya's voice from beside him and held out his glass.
A sniff revealed a nutty, toasted rice aroma. True to the high proof, it burned going down. But everyone was gleefully emptying bottles nonstop.
Tanya was the most pumped, of course. She wasn't even using a glass—chugging straight from the bottle as she wandered around.
"Meat's ready!"
The first big slab, snipped with scissors, landed in front of Minguk. Looked delicious pork.
Considering the portions the lodging provided, ten people could stuff themselves silly and still have leftovers. No money worries—the clan or Vietnam Hero Association would foot the bill.
In the midst of the feast, something occurred to Minguk, and he called out to Ppuu.